Apparatus for deflecting articles

Claim 1

An article processing line comprising: (a) a plurality of continuously moving first conveyor means each having a discharge end and a first direction of conveyance; said discharge end having an advanced first position and a withdrawn second position; means for moving said discharge end of each said first conveyor means into and out of said first and second positions; (b) a plurality of second conveyor means each having an inlet end and a second direction of conveyance; the inlet end of each of said second conveyor means being in a zone of the discharge end of an associated separate, single one of said first conveyor means; said first and second directions of conveyance of each associated said first and second conveyor means being substantially parallel to a common vertical plane; in said first position of the discharge end of any selected one of said first conveyor means the inlet end of the associated second conveyor means adjoins the discharge end of the selected first conveyor means for receiving articles directly therefrom; in said second position of the discharge end of any selected one of said first conveyor means the inlet end of the associated second conveyor means is operatively disconnected from the discharge end of the selected first conveyor means; (c) a plurality of normally operating processing machines each associated with a respective second conveyor means for receiving articles therefrom; (d) standby conveyor means situated underneath said second conveyor means for cooperating with each said first conveyor means; (e) a standby processing machine associated with said standby conveyor means for receiving articles therefrom; and (f) each said first conveyor means including a deflector conveyor portion adjacent the discharge end of each respective first conveyor means; each deflector conveyor portion being pivotal in a vertical plane to assume an upper position and a lower position; and means for pivoting each deflector conveyor portion into and out of said upper and lower positions; in said lower position the deflector conveyor portion being operatively connected with said standby conveyor means for receiving articles from the discharge end of the respective first conveyor means which has been moved to said second, withdrawn position and transferring articles to said standby conveyor means; in said upper position the deflector portion being inoperative relative to said standby conveyor means.