Product conveying and accumulation system and method

Abstract

A product conveying and accumulation system is provided for use with products of various sizes, shapes, and stability characteristics. The system comprises multiple moving conveyors, including a first conveyor which transports product from an upstream location to the inner path of an accumulator conveyor. The accumulator conveyor, traveling at a substantially similar speed or a designated variable speed as the first conveyor or conveyors, is aligned in the same plane as, is adjacent to, and may mate with the first conveyor at a predetermined location at the inner path of the accumulator conveyor for contiguous movement in the same direction as the first conveyor at this predetermined location. As product from upstream is delivered to the inner path of the accumulator conveyor, it eventually travels to the outer path and then accumulates inwardly, such that the earlier delivered product remains substantially at the outer path, where a product guide generally directs product on the outermost paths to the downstream destination. In this manner, the first products which are delivered to the accumulator conveyor are generally the first products transported downstream.