Abstract: A grouping station for grouping pallets includes an inbound conveyor, which is a gravity conveyor. The grouping station includes a fixed-height pairing conveyor and a grouping conveyor with three height positions for different grouping functions.

Abstract: A conveyor conveys a tray along a transportation path including a linear path and a curved path connected to the linear path. The conveyor includes an orientation assist member configured to assist a change of the conveyance orientation of the tray when the tray is conveyed from the linear path to the curved path. The orientation assist member is provided on the linear path on the upstream side of conveyance from a starting position S of the curved path on the transportation path.

Abstract: A transportation equipment branch convergence device has a curving transportation device that tangentially connects to a straight track anchored at a fixed height so as to transport an object along the entirety of a curving track at the same level as the straight track. The straight track comprises a straight track section of a fixed length encompassing an entire area of overlap with the curving transportation device. A straight transportation device constituting this straight track section of fixed length comprises a vertical transportation mechanism that slopes in the vertical direction with pivot points at both ends of the straight track section. When the vertical transportation mechanism is in a downward sloping state, the straight transportation device is retracted beneath the transported object for transport. When the vertical transportation mechanism is in an upward sloping state, the transported object for transport passes over the curving transportation device.

Abstract: A shoe outsole dispensing apparatus having a dispenser located above the conveyor carrying adhesive-coated shoe outsoles that are classified into left outsoles and right outsoles and that are dispensed such that the left outsoles to a first side of the conveyor and the right outsoles to a second side of the conveyor is provided. A controller controls the operation of the dispenser. As a result of the outsoles coated with adhesive being automatically classified as left and right outsoles by the dispenser, and the outsoles are dispensed on opposite sides of the conveyor carrying the outsoles, this has the result that productivity of assembling shoes greatly increased as a result of the ability to dispose outsoles very quickly compared to the prior art operation of manually sorting the outsoles, and also the occurrence of shoe defects due to manual errors may be prevented, thus enhancing shoe quality.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a diverter apparatus and method of using the same. In various embodiments, the diverter apparatus is configured to selectively direct an exemplary object traveling along a conveyor travel path to one of a plurality of adjacent conveyor locations. In various embodiments, the diverter apparatus may comprise a diverter conveyor surface, a cam follower, and a cam comprising a rotational range of motion about a cam shaft axis, the cam being physically engaged with the cam follower. Various embodiments are directed to a diverter apparatus configured to utilize a plurality of forces generated by the rotational motion of the cam to facilitate the transition of the directional configuration of the diverter conveyor surface from the first directional configuration to the second directional configuration, and, subsequently, from the second directional configuration back to the first directional configuration, again using the rotational motion of the cam.

Abstract: A flow rack assembly includes a support structure. A supply track assembly supported by the support structure extends in a longitudinal direction. The supply track assembly declines in elevation from a component supply location to a component pick location. A return track assembly is supported by the support structure that extends in the longitudinal direction. The return track assembly declines in elevation from the component pick location to a tray storage location. A transition support shelf is rotatably connected to the support structure at a pivot location. The transition support shelf is rotatable about the pivot location due to gravity between a component pick configuration that receives component trays from the supply track assembly and a tray transition configuration that delivers component trays to the return track assembly.

Abstract: Transmission equipment is provided. The transmission equipment includes a carrier and a transmission rail. The carrier includes at least one carrier guiding structure. The transmission rail includes a first rail, a second rail and a turning unit. The first rail includes at least one first transmission member. The second rail includes at least one second transmission member. The turning unit includes a first guiding slot, a second guiding slot and a turning member. At least one portion of the first guiding slot is parallel to the first rail. At least one portion of the second guiding slot is parallel to the second rail. The turning member moves between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A feed unit, for example for feeding components to smoking article assembly apparatus, has a guide member (14) and a plurality of pushers (21) arranged to push components (2) along a path defined by the guide member (14) for output from the feed unit. The guide member (14) is arranged to separate the components (2) into separate streams (63, 64) according to their orientation. The stream (63) of non-correctly oriented components (2) comprises a channel that is helically rotated to orientate correctly said components (2). Both streams (63, 64) converge downstream said helical section to achieve a single flow of components (2) of similar orientation.

Abstract: A video imaging system including: a low resolution color digital video camera and a high resolution monochromatic digital video camera operably connected to a digital processing system.

Abstract: A universal rotating module is provided. The universal rotating module comprises a main body including a first portion and two second portions; a main shaft passing through the through groove to pivotally connected to the main body; two bearings sleeved on and pivotally connected to the second portions along the second direction, respectively; two rollers pivotally connected to the second portions along a third direction, respectively; two hemispherical casings fixed to the two bearings, respectively. The first portion includes a through groove extending along a first direction, and the two second portions protrude from opposite sides of the first portion along a second direction, respectively. Each of the hemispherical casing includes a through hole at the top, and a portion of each of the rollers is exposed out of the corresponding through hole.

Abstract: A tracking apparatus and method for urging a mistracking conveyor belt towards a correct travel path are disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize downstream shifting of an end portion of an idler roller due to mistracking of the conveyor belt for steering the belt back toward its correct travel path and a reaction force from the belt due to the steering thereof for energizing a tilting action of the idler roller to raise the downstream end portion thereof. The idler roller is mounted to the conveyor structure via a frame assembly including a tilt device mounted internally within the idler roller. The roller is rotatably mounted to an inner tube, and the inner tube member is pivotally mounted to the tilt device, which in combination allow the idler roller to pivot, shift, and tilt to steer a mistracking conveyor belt in relative proportion to degree of mistracking of the belt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reel handling system for a winder (50), in which bobbins (1) with a material web (2) can be applied, with the result that a plurality of reels (3) which are wound on the bobbins (1) with a material web (2) are produced, having a feed unit (10), in order to transfer a plurality of bobbins (1) to a receiving unit (20), wherein the receiving unit (20) is arranged movably between the feed unit (10) and a transfer station (60), by way of which receiving unit (20) bobbins (1) can be transferred to the winder (50) and reels (3) can be transferred from the winder (50) to the transfer station (60), wherein the transfer station (60) has a holding device (61), to which a winding shaft (62) is fastened releasably on one side, wherein the bobbins (1) can be pushed onto the winding shaft (62) during the movement of the receiving unit (20) in the direction of the transfer station (60).

Abstract: The invention relates to a reel handling system for a winder (50), in which bobbins (1) with a material web (2) can be applied, with the result that a plurality of reels (3) which are wound on the bobbins (1) with a material web (2) are produced, having a feed unit (10), in order to transfer a plurality of bobbins (1) to a receiving unit (20), wherein the receiving unit (20) is arranged movably between the feed unit (10) and a transfer station (60), by way of which receiving unit (20) bobbins (1) can be transferred to the winder (50) and reels (3) can be transferred from the winder (50) to the transfer station (60), wherein a positioning device (80) is provided between the transfer station (60) and the feed unit (10), which positioning device (80) brings about positioning of the bobbins (1) during the movement of the receiving unit (20) in the direction of the transfer station (60).

Abstract: The invention relates to a roll handling system for a winder (50) in which cores (1) are applicable each with a material web (2) so that a plurality of rolls (3) consisting of cores (1) wound with the material web (2) are produced with a supply unit (10) in order to transfer a plurality of cores (1) to a receiving unit (20), wherein the receiving unit (20) is movably assembled between the supply unit (10) and a transfer station (60) with which cores (1) are transferable to the winder (50) and rolls (3) are transferable from the winder (50) to the transfer station (60). According to the invention the receiving unit (20) comprises a first contact surface (23) with positioning means (24) in order to align the core (1) at the receiving unit (20) via a positioning device (80) assembled between the supply unit (10) and the transfer station (60).

Abstract: A carriage for conveyance of a coil of ferromagnetic metal includes a base portion having a carrier supporting, a suspension mechanism, and a cradle portion, supported relative to the base portion by the suspension mechanism, the cradle portion having a magnetic saddle for engaging the coil of ferromagnetic metal.

Abstract: A method for rejecting an article from a sequence of transported articles, wherein the establishment of a first contact between a pusher and the article to be rejected is detected by at least one measurement signal, and wherein a desired stroke is carried out for diverting the article, starting from the detected contact. Errors regarding a different lateral offset of the articles to be rejected and blind strokes caused thereby can thus be reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically preparing client orders in a distribution facility, where the inputs to the system are complete pallets of cases of individual products and the outputs of the system are client order pallets of mixed products. Specifically, the methods and systems are for conveying, storing, and dispensing cases using automated case order sequencing typically using non-product-dedicated and non-accumulating buffer conveyors.

Abstract: A transport conveyer includes an upstream side conveyer portion and a downstream side conveyer portion. The upstream side conveyer portion is provided such that an upstream side imaginary path line which is circular-arc-shaped is connected to a downstream side imaginary path line such that the tangent line at the downstream side end of the upstream side imaginary path line and the tangent line at the upstream side end of the downstream side imaginary path line are at the same angle. Provided on the upstream side end portion of the downstream side conveyer portion is a rotating operation transport device for supporting and transporting the article such that the amount of rotation of the article by the downstream side conveyer portion is greater than or equal to the amount of rotation caused by the downstream side conveyer portion.

Abstract: A conveyor frame comprises a support frame, a rolling shaft, and a ball frame. The support frame is provided at both ends of the longitudinal axis thereof with a folded plate which is provided with a locating hole. The folded plates are provided with an annular protrusion. The rolling shaft is pivoted between the two locating holes of the folded plates. The ball frame has a long body which is provided in one side thereof with a plurality of balls and at both ends thereof with a long cover plate. The long cover plate is provided with a long hole extending along the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof. The long body is further provided at both ends thereof with a shoulder of a predetermined length and extending along the longitudinal side of the cover plate.

Abstract: A container pick and return system is provided having a two-tiered flow rail conveyor system that includes an inclined upper set of feed flow rails forming an input conveyor assembly and a lower set of inclined return flow rails forming an exit conveyor upon which a unit load may roll. At the front end of the system is a transfer conveyor assembly that, upon receipt of a loaded container, automatically and smoothly positions the container at an angle increased from the input conveyor assembly to enhance the accessibility of the contents of the container. When the container is emptied by the line worker, the transfer conveyor assembly is triggered and the empty container is automatically lowered and transferred to the exit conveyor where it rolls down the exit conveyor to the rear of the system for reloading.

Abstract: A mobile article transporter for carrying and storing a plurality of similar articles in a compact configuration. The transporter comprises a plurality of relatively friction-free conveyors located one above the other. Each conveyor includes a set of rollers that lie in an inclined plane along which the articles gravitate. Alternate ones of the conveyors tilt in opposite directions to form a Z-shaped structure through which the articles cascade to load the transporter from the bottom up. Pivoted article transfer carriages mount in the transporter for transferring articles between adjacent conveyors. The transfer carriages include guide arms and control arms that direct articles from an upper conveyor to the next lower conveyor. When the lower conveyor is filled with articles, the uppermost article thereon abuttingly engages the guide arms to prevent rotation of the transfer carriage, thereby preventing articles from gravitating onto the full conveyor.

Abstract: To provide a conveyor system for divergence and convergence, which is capable of always satisfactorily diverging or converging articles without regard to their size. When the roller axes 19 are orthogonal to the transport path 9, an article 60 to be transported is transported downstream by the rollers 16 without being sorted. When it is desired to sort the article 60, an angle changing device 30 is actuated to individually change the angles of inclination of the rollers 16, such that those rollers which are disposed in the upstream region are given a smaller angle of inclination, the angle of inclination being gradually increased. Diversion of the article can be effected such that it has its direction of orientation gradually changed from a smaller angle to a larger angle while it is gradually moved to one side by a smaller amount to a larger amount.

Abstract: Conveyor element with spaced rollers, including a main body with bores which contain plungers that are movable by means of an inflatable bladder.

Abstract: A roller conveyor is designed for transferring a load from a departure station where the load sets off to an arrival station where it is stopped by a buffer.The latter comprises a stop plate mounted on a shock absorber associated with a position detector, to ensure that the load and its support are stopped in the correct position and that they are displaced from the arrival station of the conveyor towards the departure station of another conveyor.

Abstract: Conveyor system with spaced rollers, including a main body formed with bores which contain plungers that are movable by means of inflatable bladder.

Abstract: A junction diverter with a supporting surface disposed below a main conveyor path when in an inoperative position can be lifted above the main conveyor path to an inclined position in which it is flush with one or the other of a pair of lateral conveyor paths. The supporting surface consists of wheels or rollers extending upward from an inner carrier frame which at one end is pivotally connected to an outer carrier frame which at its opposite end from its connection to the inner frame is pivotally connected to a main support frame of the main conveyor path, with a jack connected to raise the outer frame from the main support frame and a second jack to raise the inner frame from the outer frame, thus tilting the supporting surface toward one or the other of the lateral conveyor paths.

Abstract: A container handling system is provided for the conveyance of containers from one location to another. The system is able to handle palletized containers and operate as an order picking pallet return system. The manual operations involved in loading and unloading the containers with respect to one apparatus of the system are safeguarded from being conducted incorrectly, thereby enabling accident free use of the system under normal operation.

Abstract: A device adapted for use as a positively driven steering member in a conveying apparatus, having a wheel with a spherically curved inner surface, a hub with a spherically curved outer surface which fits inside of the wheel, and a coupling which secures the wheel to the hub, permitting the axis of the wheel to be rotated relative to the axis of the hub in any direction while restraining relative motion between the wheel and hub about the axis of the hub. This arrangement provides that, when the hub is driven by a shaft passing through its axis, it drives the wheel, regardless of the angle between the hub and wheel.

Abstract: A transfer conveyor, for the transfer of piece goods from a first roller track conveyor to a second roller track conveyor, is disclosed which comprises a fixed base and a first frame carrying rollers rotatably mounted on the first frame and engaging inclined ramps fixed on the base. The first frame carries two endless conveying chains extending in parallel vertical planes spaced apart in the conveying direction of the roller track conveyors, said chains having horizontal upper runs which in a lowered position of the first frame lie below the conveying plane of the roller track conveyors and in a raised position of the first frame are above that conveying plane so that articles can be transferred, in a transverse direction from the first to the second roller track conveyor. The first frame is raised and lowered by drawing the frame longitudinally so that the rollers run up and down the ramps.

Abstract: Rolled stock from two parallel rolling mills is transferred to two adjacent cooling beds by apparatus which permits the stock from both mills to be fed to one bed or the stock from each mill to be fed to a respective one of the beds. The apparatus has a relatively short pivotable track portion upstream of a deviator portion. The deviator portion has one stock entrance and two stock exits, and the position of the pivotable track portion decides by which exit the stock leaves. A pivotable roller table downstream of the deviator portion can be positioned so as to receive the stock leaving the deviator portion and to guide the stock to the appropriate cooling bed.

Abstract: Rack or platform apparatus for receiving loaded pallets from the rear, forwarding them on one conveyor or trackway for order picking from the front, and then returning empty pallets on another conveyor or trackway for pickup from the rear.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling bundles of sheets and having a pivotal pallet holder which receives the pallet and bundles of sheets in a prone position and which tips them to an upstanding position and onto a conveyor adjacent the holder. The upstanding bundles of sheets are then directed along the conveyor and to selected ones of a plurality of branch conveyors leading to a signature feeder or the like.

Abstract: A diverter for use in high speed transferring of selected articles moving along a conveyor onto an intersecting conveyor includes first and second rows of independently driven powered wheels and selectively movable mounting means for the two rows such that they can be moved between a first position where no diverting takes place and a second operative position in which the wheels of the first or upstream row are skewed at a first angle and positioned at a first vertical position above the conveyor surface and the wheels of the second row are skewed at a greater angle and are above the first row.

Abstract: Conveyors, having associated therewith means to divert loads from the normal line of travel, have means thereon to reduce the drag of the loads on the conveyor elements at the point of diversion. A diverter element is sometimes positioned adjacent the path of travel of a load and is provided with antifriction means on its face to reduce the friction of the load in changing its direction of travel. Antifriction means is provided on conveyor elements, either in the surface of a belt conveyor, or in the peripheral surface of conveyor rollers, which means is so arranged that it tends to cause a load to partake of motion in two directions at an angle to each other, the resultant of which is a path substantially normal to the line of travel on the conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to conveying means and may be used to the utmost effectiveness in automatic continuous lines of performing operations on piles of printed newspapers. The apparatus is provided with a rollerway for conveying piles of newspapers, and discs mounted on respective shafts between the rollers of the rollerway. Each disc has two portions having different profiles, and on one of the portions there is a semicircle, and the other portion a semi-ellipse, with the bisection line extending along the major axis of the original ellipse, and with the length of the minor axis of this ellipse being shorter than the spacing between the axis of the respective shaft and the load-supporting surface of the rollerway. This apparatus ensures the conveying of piles of newspapers without affecting their shape, and which features a simplified structure.