Traffic controller for multi-lane conveyor
AssigneePhilip Morris Incorporated
InventorsArmistead S. Church, William H. Smick, III, Walter W. Marsh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus is provided for each conveyor in a pair of merged conveyors inclusive of a member supported to engage conveyed articles prior to arrival thereof at a junction location common to the conveyor pair. A system is operative to selectively energize brakes associated with such article-engaging members to maintain the same in arresting or releasing relation with respect to engaged articles. The brake arrangement for one conveyor permits preselected movement of such member while the brake is energized to inform the system of conveyor loading.
Claims11
Article transport apparatus comprising:
- first and second conveyors, said second conveyor transporting articles to said first conveyor at a junction location therewith;
- first and second means for generating first and second output signals respectively on engaging articles on said first and second conveyors prior to conveyance thereof to said junction location and energizable by respective first and second control signals to arrest conveyance of such engaged articles;
- and control means receiving said first and second output signals for generating said first control signal upon occurrence of said second output signal and simultaneous non-occurrence of said first output signal, whereby said first means is energized to arrest articles on said first conveyor to prevent transport thereof to said junction location, and for generating said second control signal when said first control signal is not generated, whereby said second means is energized to arrest articles on said second conveyor to prevent transport thereof to said junction location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.