Flexible drive conveyor system

A conveyor system for conveying items between at least two spaced apart stations, said system comprising:

• a carrier to be moved between at least two spaced apart stations, said stations each providing user access to said carrier for insertion and withdrawal of items to be conveyed;
• a first guide track extending between said at least two spaced apart stations;
• a flexible drive tape having a leading edge and a trailing edge and having said leading edge reciprocally mounted within
• said first guide track for moving said carrier between said at least two spaced apart stations, said flexible drive tape being attached to said carrier adjacent said leading edge by a plurality of connectors, at least one of said connectors allowing controlled relative movement between said tape and said carrier;
• means for driving said drive tape, said driving means comprising a toothed cog wheel around a substantial portion of the periphery of which said drive tape is wound, and a cog surround at least partially enclosing said cog wheel and said wound drive tape;
• a second guide track extending substantially parallel to and along said first guide track adjacent said driving means, and within which said trailing edge and excess length of said drive tapes is longitudinally guided and supported;
• means for supporting said carrier adjacent said first guide track as it is conveyed by said drive tape between stations;
• and
• additional means for supporting said carrier provided adjacent at least one of said stations, said additional supporting means comprising at least one docking member which interacts with said carrier at said station to limit movement of said carrier while at said station.

A conveyor system for conveying items between at least two spaced apart stations, said system comprising:

• a carrier to be moved between at least two spaced apart stations, said stations each providing user access to said carrier for insertion and withdrawal of items to be conveyed;
• a first guide track extending between said at least two spaced apart stations;
• a pair of spaced flexible drive tapes each having a leading edge and a trailing edge and having said leading edge reciprocally mounted within said first guide track for moving said carrier between said at least two spaced apart stations, said flexible drive tapes being attached to said carrier adjacent said leading edge by a plurality of connectors, at least one of said connectors allowing controlled relative movement between said tapes and said carrier;
• means for driving said drive tapes, said driving means comprising a pair of toothed cog wheels around each of which a substantial portion of the periphery of a drive tape is wound, and a cog surround at least partially enclosing each said cog wheel and said wound drive tape;
• a second guide track extending substantially parallel to and along said first guide track adjacent said driving means, and within which said trailing edge and excess length of said drive tapes is longitudinally guided and supported;
• and
• means for supporting said carrier adjacent said first guide track as it is conveyed by said drive tape between stations.