Abstract: A tray for storing articles, such as cylindrical beverage containers, in a substantially upright position includes a bottom member and four wall members interconnected to provide an enclosure for receiving the articles. Each of the wall members has a support member protruding into the enclosure from the corresponding wall member. Each support member has a support surface which is inclined upwardly from the corresponding wall member into the enclosure. A portion of the outer surface of the bottom member adjacent to each of the wall members is also inclined upwardly and is adapted to contact the corresponding support surfaces of another tray when two or more trays are nested. A plurality of external rib members are disposed on respective outer surfaces of the wall members for contacting respective inner surfaces of the wall members of another tray when two or more trays are nested.

Abstract: Individual beverage containers 16 are transported by conveyor track 14A to conveyor track 14B, along which they are advanced by parallel chains 34 and 36 carrying flight bars 44. Trays 26 to receive containers 16 are advanced by an inclined conveyor track 24B having projections 30 to engage the trays. A plurality of support members 130 are disposed at the downstream end of track 14B to introduce the containers into the trays. Special trays are used having a plurality of structural members on their inner wall surfaces to define recessed regions between the structural members into which the curved surfaces of the containers fit so that they are held upright.

Abstract: A system for packing containers into trays for transport and/or storage. First and second conveyor tracks are provided for transporting the containers and the trays, respectively, along substantially the same transport axis. The second track is disposed beneath the first track and is inclined upwardly so that the first and second tracks converge at a predetermined location adjacent to the downstream end of the first track. The inclined portion of the second track includes a flexible spring member, which cooperates with a guide member positioned on an undersurface of the first track to position each tray as it moves along the inclined portion of the second track so that the leading end of each tray clears the downstream end of the first track. Positioned downstream of the first and second tracks is a support member for journally supporting at least a portion of each tray as the containers are being packed into that particular tray.

Abstract: An automated system and method for transporting and sorting various types of articles, such as parcels and sacks of mail. The system is comprised of a primary conveyor track and a plurality of secondary conveyor tracks which intersect the primary conveyor track at selected locations therealong. Each secondary track has associated therewith a diverter mechanism for diverting selected articles from the primary track to a corresponding secondary track, depending upon the final destinations of the articles. The diverter mechanism includes a diverter arm, which pivots across the primary track to divert selected articles to the corresponding secondary track. The deflecting surface of the diverter arm includes a motor-driven belt, the bottom edge of which is positioned within 1/4 inch of the surface of the track so that articles of irregular shape, such as sacks of mail, do not become trapped between the bottom edge of the diverter arm and the track.