Abstract: A tow bar for connecting and controlling two autonomous vehicles with respect to one another. The tow bar including a plurality of sections with at least one sensor, mounted or coupled onto each, for measuring and determining the orientation of one autonomous vehicle in relation to the other autonomous vehicle. A signal may be transmitted to either or to both of the autonomous vehicles to control propulsion and/or steering and/or braking of the vehicles when an adjustment is required to maintain stability of the tandem vehicles.

Abstract: A device and method for stacking product into a container in a vertical orientation. The device includes at least one pivoting mechanism pivotable between a loading position and an initial/final position The at least one pivoting mechanism retains a container thereon. The device may further include at least one corresponding diverting mechanism for injecting product into the container. The diverting mechanism includes a feeding area and a diverting arm swingable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the diverting arm allows product to enter the feeding area. An ejection station is positioned proximate to the feeding area and injects the product into the container after the product enters the feeding area via movement of the diverting arm. In one aspect the ejection station is provided by a pinch belt arrangement and is controlled by a control.

Abstract: A system and method designed to position a tray. The system includes a conveyor pivotable between a first position and a incline position and a tray carriage in a tray transportation path with the conveyor. The tray carriage is moveable between an elevated, horizontal position and a lowered position when the conveyor is in the first position and the substantially vertical position, respectively.

Abstract: A system and method designed to position a tray for either horizontal stacking or vertical stacking of product. The system includes a stationary conveyor and a tray carriage in a tray transportation path with the conveyor. The tray carriage is moveable between an elevated, horizontal position and an inclined position. Guides are located near the tray carriage to guide the tray carriage into the inclined position.

Abstract: A tray provides a base wall, two pairs of opposed side walls affixed to and extending from the base wall and laterally affixed to respectively adjacent side walls, a first of the pair of opposed side walls extending substantially different heights from the base wall, a second of the pair of opposed side walls extending substantially equidistant from the base wall, and the first and second pairs of opposed side walls each having complementary edges distal from the base wall to allow inversion of one tray over another tray to form a container in combination therewith. A blank is constructed to form such a tray, and two trays form a container.

Abstract: A parcel-receptacle liner is adapted for cooperative support by a self-supporting parcel receptacle of complementary dimensions that includes a bottom wall and opposed first and second parcel-receptacle side walls depending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in top edges. The liner has a mid-portion joined to left and right side portions, each of which portions is movable with respect to the other two. The liner includes opposed left and right edges, opposed first and second edges extending between the left and right edges and top and bottom surfaces. The liner is disposed in the parcel receptacle such that (i) the mid-portion extends along the interior of the bottom wall; (ii) the left and right side portions extend upwardly along, and are supported by, opposite ones of the first and second side walls; and (iii) a portion of each of the left and right side portions extends above the top edge of the side wall by which it is supported.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for orienting a container. The apparatus includes a frame moveable between a lowered position and a raised, substantially vertical position. A container cradle is pivotably connected to the frame and selectively positionable to a substantially vertical stacking position or a substantially horizontal stacking position when the frame is in the raised, substantially vertical position. The method includes, amongst other features, orienting the container into a horizontal stacking position or maintaining the container in a same orientation as the frame when in the raised vertical position. In the latter orientation, product or other objects can be stacked in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: A mail sorting bin insert permits substantially vertical mail stacking in mail bins even when the bin is partially empty. The insert comprises a base and at least one substantially vertical support of a lightweight, strong material. The insert can be used in conjunction with automatic sorting of flat mail, and can be sized to fit in mail bins used in other automated operations.

Abstract: A bidirectional article pusher for a conveying system, which includes a multiplicity of spaced rollers for moving articles along a longitudinal path. There is a push up stop arranged below the conveyor and movable between adjacent rollers to a position above the rollers to stop forward movement of an article which is on the rollers. There are lateral stations, one on each side of a section of the conveying system, and lateral diverters move articles which are on the rollers and stopped by the push up stop, to a position off of the rollers and out of the longitudinal path and at a right angle to the longitudinal path. A stop activator is controlled based upon information, such as that on a bar code sort label on an article and which has been previously provided to the control device upstream of said push up stop. There are three jam detection/correction devices provided to assure proper operation. One is a proximity sensor to detect the presence of the pusher fingers while in their home position.