ROTATING-SPIRAL DIVERTER

A conveyor having an article-diverting device with left-handed and right-handed spirals rotated in the same direction to transport articles in a first direction or in opposite directions to transport articles in a different second direction. The left-handed spirals are arranged alternately and parallel to the right-handed spirals. Rotating all the spirals at the same speed in the same direction in one version of the conveyor passes articles straight across the spirals perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the spirals. Rotating the left-handed spirals opposite to the right-handed spirals diverts the articles atop the spirals parallel to their axes of rotation. In other versions, one set of spirals is constantly rotated and the other set is actuated by geared engagement into and out of rotation in the opposite direction or by raising and lowering into and out of position in contact with articles.