Accumulator for a carton filling and packing production line

Claim 1

An accumulator system for cartons moving along a conveyor line between first and second work stations comprising: a generally horizontal conveyor section including a plurality of generally parallel, transverse support rollers of small diameter; said section adapted to be interposed between an input conveyor moving at a first velocity from said first work station and an output conveyor moving at a greater velocity to said second work station; said rollers being rotated to move cartons at an intermediate velocity along said section to said output conveyor; a first stop member at the downstream end of said section movable when energized from a retracted position out of the path of cartons on said section to an extended position blocking movement of cartons thereon; a jam detector positioned beyond the downstream end of said section and operative to generate a jam signal when cartons moving along said output conveyor are in abutment; means operable in response to a jam signal to energize said first stop member; a plurality horizontal rows of spaced, elongated carrier bars approximately coextensive with and adjacent said section; a plurality of transverse lift fingers closely spaced along, and extending from, each of said carrier bars to be received between said support rollers; and means operative when said first stop member is extended and said section has a full load of cartons thereon to move said carrier bars upwardly an increment sufficient to lift said full load of cartons clear of the path of carton movement on said section.