Abstract: The sorting plant has two loops (2,102) on which endless cart chains (4,104) circulate. The loops (2,102) extend parallel and adjacent to each other at a transfer station (100). The cart chains (4,104) are driven by synchronized drives (6,106) in such a way that two carts (5,105) move exactly adjacent to each other at the transfer station (100). The second loop (2) is extended along a somewhat lower elevation at this location. By tipping the receptacles (113,114) of a cart (105) on the first loop (102), unit load (10) occupying the same is directly transferred onto the cart (5) of the second loop (2) that moves exactly adjacent to it. This arrangement makes it possible to load one gross distribution facility (101) and two fine distribution facilities (1,1a) in a mail distribution center in a reasonable manner and with small spatial requirements.

Abstract: A sorting plant which has a closed rail (3) that forms a loop (2) on which an endless chain (4) of carts is guided. Loading stations (9) for the loading of the carts (5) with piece goods (10), as well as target stations (11) that receive the piece goods (10), are arranged along the rails (3). Each cart (5) has two receptacles (13, 14) that can be individually swiveled about a collective axis and also two separate activation elements to tilt the receptacles (13, 14). Each target station (11) has two cams that can be individually activated to initiate the tilting process. A package (10) is loaded onto the cart (5) at the loading station (9), namely, onto both receptacles (13, 14) of this cart (5) or only one of these receptacles, depending on the size of the package (10). The target station (11) of the occupied receptacle (13, 14), or the occupied receptacles (13, 14 ), are entered into a control device (12).

Abstract: The apparatus has two generally parallel transport means in the form of chains guided within tracks. Double armed levers are attached to the chains which carry clamping rollers, whose surfaces are of elastically yielding material. Folded printed matter is supplied to the clamping rollers of both transport means in a shingled stream. Every two printed items are folded within each other but displaced laterally by a distance A. The clamping rollers grasp the edges of the printed items and transport them. After grasping the printed matter, the transport means diverge, whereby the printed items which are folded within each other are also automatically drawn apart.