US 5,456,347 A · Controllably powered roller conveyors

Abstract

Conveyors containing powered rollers arranged in zones, each of which zones may be independently controlled. Such conveyors are particularly useful in transitioning object flow from a constant speed conveyor such as in a plant or warehouse, to manual offloading operations which tends to be more intermittent in nature. The independently controlled zones automatically activate and deactivate in a manner that allows objects to accumulate in a compact fashion on the conveyor when offloading operations stop, but once again to space themselves apart from one another as offloading operations resume and flow once again reaches steady state. This increased spacing during steady state flow allows the conveyor to begin absorbing objects in the accumulation mode if and when offloading stops again. Among other beneficial effects is an ergonomic one: Workers are freed from the stress of knowing that objects flowing on the conveyor will simply be propelled off the end if they take a momentary break.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A conveyor structure for conveying objects from one location to another, comprising:

(a) a frame comprising a plurality of lazy tong structures;
(b) a plurality of roller zones, each zone extending between two lazy tong structures, and comprising a plurality of elongated rollers, at least one of which rollers is a powered roller which is coupled to independent power means;
and
(c) control means for controlling actuation of the roller zones in order to optimize flow of the objects on the conveyor by controlling separation between moving objects and between accumulated objects and comprising at least one sensor which senses the presence of objects on the conveyor and which independently actuates at least one of the zones.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Controllably powered roller conveyors

Life of this patent

Controllably powered roller conveyors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19