Importance

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Abstract

A conveyor system (10) comprises a star wheel (32) for receiving articles (14) from a first conveyor (12) and dispatching the articles to a second conveyor. The star wheel comprises first and second segments (44, 46) each having a perimeter adapted to receive articles to be conveyed. A first shaft (52) rotates the first segment (44) about an axis, and a second shaft (60) rotates the second segment (46) about the axis. In one embodiment, a torsion spring (64) resiliently connects the shafts (52, 60) together. The first shaft (52) is connected to a first drive for rotating the first and second shafts (52, 60) together about the axis. The second shaft (60) is connected to a clutch (72) arrangement for selectively connecting the second shaft (60) to a second drive for rotating the second shaft about the axis at a different speed from the first shaft, for example, in the event that the first drive is switched off. This enables the second segment (46) to continue to rotate during deceleration of the first segment and thereby to continue to convey articles to the second conveyor. The clutch arrangement (72) disconnects the second segment (46) from the second drive before it clashes with the first segment (44) or any articles (14) conveyed thereby, the torsion spring (64) automatically returning the second segment (46) to a predetermined position relative to the first segment (44) for subsequent rotation with the first segment when the first drive is switched on again.

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First Claim