Speed controlled infeed conveyor system

A speed controlled conveyor system for transporting a continuous column of abutting articles, said system comprising a generally horizontal infeed conveyor having an output end, a curved chute aligned with said output end and extending in a downward arc, a product handling device removing articles from the lower end of the chute, said chute being open on the side thereof facing upward and forward to permit the curved column of articles on the chute to bow outwardly when axial pressure within the column builds due to the infeed rate exceeding the removal rate, means for measuring the outward displacement of the curved column on the chute and producing a first electrical signal proportional to that displacement, a motor driving said infeed conveyor and speed control means responsive to the first signal for adjusting the speed of said motor, said means for measuring the displacement of said curved column including a light source directing a light beam so as to be progressively intercepted by the column as it bows outwardly, and a photocell for detecting the degree to which said light beam is intercepted by said column, said speed control means including a variable output magnetic clutch having an electromagnetic control coil, means producing a second electrical signal proportional to the speed of the input conveyor, and means for summing said first and second signals and producing a third signal proportional to the difference between a reference voltage and the sum of said first and second signals.