Apparatus for self-clearing of clogs developed between adjacent ends of
upstream and downstream conveyors adapted to carry products thereon in
the course of transfer of the products past a gap defined between the
conveyors. The apparatus comprises a shield disposed between the adjacent
ends of the conveyors and adapted to cover less than all of the gap
between the conveyors and having a proximal side edge disposed adjacent
the end of the downstream conveyor, thereby defining an opening for the
discharge of debris from the products being transferred between the
conveyors through the opening. The shield is mounted for selected degrees
of covering relationship to the gap between the conveyors. Means is
provided for biasing the shield toward a position of maximal covering of
the gap while permitting automatic movement of the shield toward a
position of reduced covering of the gap as a function of the application
of a force against said shield occasioned by the initiation of a clog by
the products being transferred between the shield and the downstream
conveyor.