Controlled spacing induction from plural lines

A conveyor system comprising:

• a first conveying line having a package conveying means for transporting packages and discharge means for discharging packages from said first conveying line conveying means;
• a second conveying line having a package conveying means for transporting packages and discharge means for discharging packages from said second conveying line conveying means;
• receiving means associated with said discharge means for both said lines for receiving packages discharged from both said conveying means;
• and
• control means for controlling both of said conveying lines, said control means comprising
• means for controlling the speed of each of said conveying means,
• means for monitoring movement of packages on each of said conveying means,
• means for determining the moment in time that a package on each of said lines would reach the discharge means, associated with that particular line, with he conveying means, associated with that line, travelling at its present speed,
• means for determining the amount of speed adjustment that would be required for each speed controlling means to cause said package on each of said lines to reach the discharge means, associated with the line, at a desired time that will provide a desired gap with another package and for determining which said package would reach the discharge means, associated with that line, at a moment in time that is closest to said desired time, and
• means for causing said speed controlling means for the conveying means having said package which would reach the discharge means, associated with that particular line, at a moment in time that is closest to said desired time to adjust the speed of the conveying means, associated with the line, whereby packages are merged onto said receiving means from both said conveying lines with desired gaps between packages.

A conveyor system comprising:

• a plurality of conveying lines, each of said conveying lines having a package conveying means for transporting packages and discharge means for discharging packages from said conveying line means;
• and
• control means for controlling said conveying lines, said control means comprising
• means for controlling the speed of each of said conveying means,
• means for monitoring movement of packages on each of said conveying means,
• means for determining an estimated moment in time that a package on each of said lines wold reach the discharge means associated with that particular line, with the conveying means associated with that line, travelling at its present speed,
• means for determining the amount of speed adjustment that wold be required for each conveying means to cause said package on each of said lines to reach the discharge means, associated with that particular line, at an actual moment in time that is as close to a desired time as possible without exceeding a predetermined level of acceleration,
• means for identifying the one line whose package would reach the discharge means, associated with that line, at an actual moment in time that is closest to said desired time and for selecting a new desired time for lines other than said one line as a function of the actual time the package on said one line will reach the discharge means associated with that line.