A method and apparatus (20) for accumulating articles (28) can include a
dispensing of the articles with a rotating, metering drum (40) for
movement to a first conveyor (50). The metering drum (40) has an entry
end (86) and an exit end (88), and in a particular aspect, the metering
drum (40) can be configured such that a rotation of the metering drum
overcomes a static friction which would inhibit a movement of the
articles (28) downstream through the metering drum. In another aspect the
metering drum (40) can include at least one lug member (90) which is
positioned and attached inside the metering drum at the exit end (88) of
the metering drum. In further aspects, a ramp member (43) can be
configured to extend an operative distance into the volume of the
metering drum, and can be spaced away from an inside wall surface of the
metering drum by a selected offset distance.