Pusher bar apparatus to remove containers from a splice plate between conveyors

An apparatus for removing containers from a splice plate between a first conveyor delivering containers to a second conveyor, said apparatus comprising:

• a sensor indicating when substantially all of said containers have moved from said first conveyor onto said splice plate;
• a motor controlled by said sensor;
• a pusher bar movably mounted across said splice plate;
• and
• linkage means driven by said motor for selectively moving said pusher bar from a position above said containers through a range of motion in which said pusher bar pushes any containers from said splice plate onto said second conveyor.

An apparatus for removing containers from a splice plate between a first conveyor delivering containers to a second conveyor, said apparatus comprising:

• a sensor indicating when substantially all of said containers have moved from said first conveyor onto said splice plate;
• a motor controlled by said sensor;
• a first pair of pulleys driven by said motor, each mounted above and adjacent to opposite ends of said splice plate;
• a second pair of pulleys, each mounted above and adjacent to opposite ends of said splice plate at a predetermined horizontal distance from said first pulleys;
• a pair of belts, each belt extending around a corresponding first pulley and second pulley;
• and
• a pusher bar secured between said belts so that said pusher bar moves with said belts in a path extending around said first and second pairs pulleys, said path including an upper portion in which said pusher bar is above said containers and a lower portion in which said pusher bar pushes said containers from said splice plate onto said second conveyor.