Conveyor system and method for accumulating packages of varying lengths
US7591366B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 2005 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/261
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A drive controller for controlling movement of a plurality of packages by an accumulation conveyor. The drive controller is configured to determine a length of each of the packages and to coordinate driving of a number of zones needed to accommodate the package. For example, a sensor in each of the conveyor zones communicates blockage by the packages to the drive controller. The drive controller determines a sequence of blockage of the sensors in adjacent zones. Blockage of the sensor in an upstream zone before the sensor in a downstream zone indicates an oversized package that extends longer than a zone length of the downstream zone and into the upstream zone. The drive controller is configured to drive the downstream zone and upstream zone simultaneously when detecting the oversized package.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.