Conveyor system

Abstract

The present conveyor system includes a single loading or supply conveyor, plural feed conveyors, an alignment conveyor, a tray conveyor, and a return conveyor loop. The downwardly angled supply conveyor delivers randomly distributed articles to the feed conveyors, which carry the articles to the alignment conveyor. The feed conveyors are angled diagonally to the alignment conveyor and pass beneath the alignment conveyor, so that articles which do not enter the compartments at the first portion of the alignment conveyor are carried along with the movement of the diagonal feed conveyors along the path of the alignment conveyor and thereagainst, to enter the alignment conveyor at a later point. The articles aligned in the alignment conveyor compartments are then placed in registry with regularly positioned compartments in product trays carried on a tray conveyor, which passes beneath the alignment conveyor. Articles which are not accepted by the alignment conveyor are carried to the first end of a return conveyor loop, which passes beneath the supply conveyor and carries the articles back to the first end of the feed conveyors adjacent the supply conveyor, for another pass at the aligning conveyor. The system allows all belts to run continuously at a constant speed, and eliminates the need for complex apparatus providing for intermittent operation or other movement of the conveyor system. The system is particularly well suited for the packaging of food products, such as bagels or other baked goods, and may be constructed of stainless steel and/or approved plastic materials.