Zoned transport conveyor with automatic zone start-up and shut-down

A conveyor arrangement having an upstream end and downstream end for transporting a load, comprising:

• a rotatable conveying member;
• a motor drivingly engaged with the rotatable conveying member and including a rotatable output member;
• and
• a control arrangement interconnected with the motor for controlling operation of the motor;
• wherein the conveyor arrangement is constructed and arranged to impart rotation to the rotatable conveying member as a load is advanced in a downstream direction toward the conveying member and to thereby impart rotation to the rotatable motor output member;
• and
• wherein the control arrangement is operable to operate the motor upon rotation of the rotatable motor output member for a period of time sufficient to enable the load to pass downstream of the rotatable conveying member, and to thereafter stop operation of the motor to stop rotation of the rotatable output member.

A method of operating a conveyor assembly to advance a load thereon, wherein the conveyor assembly includes a rotatable conveying member and a motor drivingly engaged with the rotatable conveying member for supplying rotary power thereto, comprising the steps of:

• stopping operation of the motor to stop the supply of rotary power to the rotatable conveying member;
• advancing a load toward the conveying member;
• imparting rotation to the rotatable conveying member in response to advancement of the load toward the conveying member;
• initiating operation of the motor in response to rotation of the rotatable conveying member;
• operating the motor to rotate the conveying member and to thereby advance the load past the conveying member;
• and
• subsequently stopping operation of the motor to stop the supply of rotary power to the rotatable conveying member.

A transport conveyor assembly extending between an upstream end and a downstream end for advancing a load, comprising:

• a series of rotatable conveyor rollers;
• a motor including a rotatable output member drivingly interconnected with a drive one of the conveyor rollers for imparting rotation thereto in response to operation of the motor;
• a drive arrangement interconnecting the drive conveyor roller with driven ones of the conveyor rollers for imparting rotation thereto in response to rotation of the drive conveyor roller;
• wherein advancement of a load onto the upstream end of the conveyor assembly is operable to engage an upstream one of the driven rollers and to impart rotation to the drive roller through the drive arrangement, to thereby impart rotation to the rotatable output member of the motor;
• and
• a controller interconnected with the motor, wherein the controller is operable to initiate operation of the motor in response to rotation of the rotatable output member;
• maintain operation of the motor for a time sufficient to enable the load to pass from the downstream end of the conveyor assembly;
• and subsequently stop operation of the motor after the load has passed from the downstream end of the conveyor assembly to stop the supply of rotary power to the rotatable output member.