Apparatus That Controls Motion of Proximate Independent Movers Along a Path

An apparatus that controls the motion of independent movers located in different lanes along a path, said apparatus comprising:

• a track that forms a path for movers;
• a first lane, a second lane, and a third lane that are parallel to said path;
• a first mover, a second mover, and a third mover movably mounted on the track for moving along said path in sequential order,
• said first mover comprising a first driven member that is oriented to travel in the first lane and to be contacted by at least one drive element at any position along the path;
• said second mover comprising a second driven member that is oriented to travel in the second lane and to be contacted by at least one drive element at any position along the path;
• said third mover comprising a third driven member that is oriented to travel in the third lane and to be contacted by at least one drive element at any position along the path;
• a first plurality of drive elements fixedly arranged along the first lane of the track, said drive elements each comprising a surface that is oriented to contact the first driven member of said first mover, wherein said drive elements are configured to sequentially engage the first driven member of said movers to provide controlled motion of said first mover independently around said track, wherein the drive elements are each driven by a rotary motor;
• a second plurality of drive elements fixedly arranged along the second lane of the track, said drive elements each comprising a surface that is oriented to contact the second driven member of said second mover, wherein said drive elements are configured to sequentially engage the second driven member of said movers to provide controlled motion of said second mover independently around said track, wherein the drive elements are each driven by a rotary motor;
• a third plurality of drive elements fixedly arranged along the first lane of the track, said drive elements each comprising a surface that is oriented to contact the third driven member of said third mover, wherein said drive elements are configured to sequentially engage the third driven member of said movers to provide controlled motion of said third mover independently around said track, wherein the drive elements are each driven by a rotary motor;
• and
• a programmable computer control system in communication with the rotary motors for controlling the motion of the rotary motors.