Transfer system for a conveyor

Abstract

A transfer system that moves packages on a conveyor to an accumulator and back thereto includes a plurality of spaced-apart rollers which rotate to transport the packages. The accumulator includes a plurality of storage shelves, each of which is formed from a plurality of spaced apart fingers. The transfer system includes a support structure, an actuator for moving the support structure a predetermined vertical distance and a predetermined horizontal distance, and a plurality of transfer fins secured to the support structure. Each transfer fin has a relatively small thickness and is adapted to fit within a space between a pair of adjacent rollers used in the conveyor and a space between a pair of accumulator shelf finger. The space between the rollers and the space between the accumulator fingers are generally aligned such that the fins can be moved vertically to supportably lift the package off of the conveyor rollers and moved horizontally to deposit the package on the accumulator shelves. In a first mode of operation, the transfer fins have a length which is approximately equal to the total length of the number of rows of packages which can be stored on the accumulator shelf. In this embodiment, the transfer fins move a predetermined horizontal distance which is approximately equal to the length of one package. Each successive horizontal movement of the fins moves the packages sideways a distance equal to one-package, thereby filling the accumulator shelf by a series of stepped movement of the packages. In a second mode of operation, the transfer fins have a length which is approximately equal to the length of one package to be stored on the accumulator shelf. In this embodiment, the transfer fins move a variable horizontal distance depending on the row or position where the package is to be stored.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.