Apparatus for diverting a stream of articles

Apparatus for diverting a stream of articles, comprising:

• a first conveyor driven in a first direction and at a first speed around a first axle;
• a second conveyor driven in a second direction generally opposite of the first direction and at a second speed around a second axle;
• the first and second conveyors disposed generally parallel to each other;
• a diverter element extending at least partially across the first and second conveyors to divert articles conveyed on the first conveyor onto the second conveyor;
• a differential drive mechanism operatively interconnected with and driven by the first and second axles in a direction responsive to a relative rotation speed difference between the first and second axles, the differential drive mechanism being located exterior to the first and second conveyors;
• and
• an endless loop operatively connected to the diverter element and the differential drive mechanism, the endless loop being driven by the differential drive mechanism to thereby move the diverter element in a path generally parallel to the first and second conveyors.

Apparatus for diverting a stream of articles, comprising:

• a first conveyor driven in a first direction and at a first speed;
• a second conveyor driven in a second direction generally opposite of the first direction and at a second speed;
• the first and second conveyors disposed generally parallel to each other;
• a diverter element extending at least partially across the first and second conveyors to divert articles conveyed on the first conveyor onto the second conveyor, the diverter element including a separator disposed between the first and second conveyors;
• a differential drive mechanism driven in a direction responsive to a relative rotation speed difference between the first and second conveyors;
• and
• a cable attached to the diverter element so as to form an endless loop and driven by the differential drive mechanism, the cable being laterally adjacent only one of the first or second conveyors, the diverter element including an arm having a first end attached to the cable and a second end attached to the separator, the diverter element including a central arm portion extending over the one of the first or second conveyors, the cable being driven by the differential drive mechanism to thereby move the diverter element in a path generally parallel to the first and second conveyors.