Inventors:
Gilbert J. MacLachlan - Chalmette LA
Assignee:
The Laitram Corporation - Harahan LA
International Classification:
B65G 2500
Abstract:
A self-clearing article-transfer plate for a conveyor system. The plate is disposed between an upstream article feeder, such as a conveyor belt supplying a stream of conveyed articles, and a downstream article receiver, such as a takeaway belt or an accumulation table. The plate may have a tapered edge or a fingered edge at a first end for receiving articles from the article feeder. Backpressure from the stream of articles pushes the articles onto, across, and off a second opposite end of the plate onto the article receiver. When the stream of articles stops or is interrupted, the last articles in the stream are urged along the plate from the first end to the second end by vibrations from a vibrator affixed to a support for the plate. In this way, articles are cleared from the plate, without being stranded, even in the absence of backpressure.