Modular accumulator conveyor system

The method of driving a conveyor assembly, especially adapted for articles having contents, bottom or end faces subject to distortion, but not limited thereto, and requiring rapid, spaced transfer comprising the steps of:

• providing at least two modules each having an endless transfer belt aligned in the longitudinal direction and having an upper transfer run and a lower return run to form an accumulation conveyor;
• positioning an endless drive belt extending substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction with said transfer belts;
• aligning the upper driving run of said drive belt in proximity to, but spaced from the lower return run of said transfer belts to establish a neutral position;
• driving said drive belt;
• selectively lifting at least said upper driving run from said neutral position into engagement with the lower return run of one of said transfer belts;
• and
• controlling the selective lifting for spacing of said articles,
• whereby driving said transfer belt is by frictional engagement between the belts to provide the accumulation of articles with smooth, distortion free article transfer and controlled acceleration/deceleration with respect to transfer speed.

A conveyor system especially adapted for articles having contents, bottom or end faces subject to distortion, but not limited thereto, and requiring rapid, spaced transfer comprising:

• at least two modules each having an endless transfer belt aligned in the longitudinal direction and having an upper transfer run and a lower return run to form an accumulation conveyor;
• an endless drive belt extending substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction with said transfer belts;
• said drive belt having a driving run aligned in proximity to, but spaced from one of the runs of said transfer belts to establish a neutral position;
• a driving mechanism for said drive belt;
• an actuator assembly for each module for selectively shifting said driving run into frictional driving engagement with said one run of said transfer belt;
• and
• a controller for said actuator assemblies for controlling the spacing of said articles,
• whereby each said transfer belt is driven by frictional engagement between the belts to provide the accumulation of articles with smooth, distortion-free article transfer and controlled acceleration/deceleration with respect to the transfer speed.