Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Surge control apparatus and corresponding method are particularly adapted for the safe handling of highly crushable and/or tearable products, such as paper-based box type aseptic packages. A flow of products along a conveyor exiting an accumulator is held until previously released products have progressed a predetermined distance down the conveyor towards a subsequent workstation, such as a packer. If a product queue occurs within the accumulator, the upstream flow of packages is halted, and the queued products are shifted relatively slightly downstream against a movable locator mechanism. Such stopping and shifting isolates from production line pressures the packages to be removed from the conveyor. Through such isolation. adjacent package shear points are prevented as a vertically-oriented conveyor mechanism is used for removal and subsequent return of packages relative the conveyor. A movable transfer plate is manipulated in a position just lateral of the conveyor to facilitate alternate removal and return of packages relative thereto without tearing of package paper coverings. Maintenance of a predetermined downstream product gap facilitates placement of the locator mechanism. After a removal sequence, several non-removed packages are forced upstream into a pre-shifted position for being re-clamped by an outfeed brake, so that subsequent downstream shifting steps may take place for proper isolation of further queued-up products before their removal.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim