Abstract: A positive displacement sorter, preferably of the parallel displacement type, includes a conveying surface, a plurality of pusher shoes capable of travelling laterally of the conveying surface, a plurality of diverting rails extending diagonally under the conveying surface and a plurality of electromagnetic actuators associated with the diverting rails. The pusher shoes include a transfer assembly below the conveying surface including a pilot member made of a magnetically permeable material. A pusher shoe is diverted to one of the diverting rails by the actuator associated with the diverting rail magnetically attracting the pilot member associated with that pusher shoe to magnetically initiate a divert. The transfer member associated with the pusher shoe mechanically completes the divert that is initiated magnetically. This allows actuators to be positioned at a pitch that is no greater than the shoe pitch.

Abstract: A diverting assembly for diverting articles from a conveying surface includes a plurality of movable pushers that are associated with the conveying surface and adapted to move transversely across the conveying surface. A plurality of diverting tracks are configured to guide selected ones of the movable pushers across the conveying surface. A plurality of diverters are adapted to selectively divert at least one movable pusher along the diverting tracks when activated into a diverting state. The diverting tracks may include segments that are oriented at different angles with respect to each other. A controller may select a subset of at least two diverters from the plurality of diverters and activate them into the diverting state. The activation of the diverters may be simultaneous, or the downstream diverter may be activated prior to the upstream diverter being activated.

Abstract: A batcher apparatus having a weighing station (4) for arriving items and a sorting-out station (6) with transfer mechanism for selectively transferring the weighed items to a plurality of receiver stations (18, 18′, 18″). According to the invention two or more receiver stations may be used as substations (18′, 18″) being allocated items weightwise belonging to the same batch (26), whereby it is possible to allocate to each batch item, which are selected not only based on their weight, but additionally based on other criteria such as type of item in connection with co-batching of different types of poultry parts to be batched separately in subbatches which are then merged into the full batch. Also, items may be allocated to one substation or another in order to thereafter be acted upon in a specific manner, e.g. for some items to be turned or marked.

Abstract: A conveyor system having an endless conveying surface, a plurality of diverters, and diverting shoes transversely movable across the conveying surface, includes a diverting track network in operational connection with a controller. The controller measures the length of each package, while the diverting track network includes a plurality of upstream diverting tracks and at least one downstream diverting track. The controller selectively actuates a diverter associated with downstream diverting track and at least one diverter along a particular upstream diverting track to engage the package proximate to its leading and trailing end.

Abstract: The apparatus serves for pushing at least one of two hollow glass articles from a dead plate of a glass forming machine onto a conveyor belt. A pusher serves for this purpose, and includes a base portion and, for each glass article which is to be pushed, at least one thrust finger extending transversely to the base portion. Each thrust finger defines with the base portion a pocket for receiving the glass article. A nozzle is arranged in the region of a corner of the associated pocket. From each nozzle compressed air can be blown such that a pressure below atmospheric pressure which draws the glass article into the pocket is created between the pusher and the glass article. The compressed air is blown from the corner out between the base portion and the glass article.

Abstract: A control architecture for material handling includes multiple tiers of controllers, such as three. The lowest-level controllers interact directly with sensors and actuators used in the material handling system, such as photo-eyes and motors used with conveyors. The lowest-level controllers receive higher level commands from one or more mid-level controllers. The mid-level controllers, in turn, receive still higher level commands and information from at least one upper level controller. Each mid and low level controller is designed to include sufficient intelligence to deal with many of the signals and messages it receives without having to forward those signals or messages to the next higher level controller and await instructions from that higher level controller. The system thus distributes intelligence amongst the controllers. The system is well-adapted for application to conveyor control systems.

Abstract: A cam bar assembly for transferring a trolley from driving engagement with a first chain to driving engagement with a second chain wherein the cam bar assembly includes a cam bar having a first longitudinal axis, a cam surface centered about the first longitudinal axis, a second longitudinal axis, and a cam face centered about the second longitudinal axis. The second longitudinal axis is offset from the first longitudinal axis. The present invention is also directed to a power and free conveyor having the cam bar assembly as well as a drive trolley disposed within a free track for movement in a driven direction and having a retractable surface movable between an engaging position and a retracted position. The power and free conveyor also includes a first drive chain, a second drive chain, and a transfer zone having an entrance and an exit.

Abstract: A transport-sort conveyor in which a pin of the sliding block of the sort conveyor traveling at high velocity does not cause any trouble at the sorting point and which is suitable for sorting small sized articles is provided. A pusher is provided on any one of the mounting member on one side of the bearing surface defining member and the sliding block to urge the sliding block in the sorting direction while being engaged on one side, and release engagement of the sliding block to be used for sorting operation by the actuating device in the upstream of the sorting point to move the sliding block sideways from the straight-ahead path toward the sorting path. The sliding block that has changed its direction is carried and guided by the sorting guide rail extending from the sorting point in the sorting direction, and thus no movable device such as switch rail or the like is provided at the sorting point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sliding shoe sorters and methods of using those sorters. One or more pluralities of the shoes are interposed between the conveyors lateral edges and can be orderly advanced in lines. Controllers activate or deactivate the diverters which direct the sliding shoes toward one or more receivers, and the diversion of the shoes can result in the egressing of an item away from the conveyer. The receivers can be provided with rediverters to redirect the shoes toward the interposed sliding shoes. Items advanced by the conveyor may have a code placed about them, and after a code has been placed about the item to be sorted, a paradigm or paradigms responsive to the code can be created to orchestrate activation or deactivation of the diverters and/or the rediverters.

Abstract: An automated conveyor sortation and item discharge system for sorting items of varying sizes and weights to designated output destinations along a conveyor. The system utilizes a segmented slat conveyor connected by flexible connectors. The flexible connectors form a tooth for driving the conveyor by a sprocket. The flexible connectors isolate adjacent slats, and the flexible teeth isolate the slat conveyor from the drive sprocket for a enhanced reduction in noise levels. The system may utilize a conventional belt conveyor or rigid platforms attached by flexible connectors. Removable ejection mechanisms can be attached to the individual slats of the slat conveyor or to the belt of a belt conveyor. The ejection mechanisms have self-contained drive and actuation mechanisms and may operate independently of the speed of the conveyor.

Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of slats being interconnected in an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface, and a plurality of pusher shoes gliding along at least some of the slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. A linear motor system is provided to propel the web and includes a plurality of linear motor secondaries at the slats and at least one primary for propelling the secondaries. A control system controls the primaries.

Abstract: A platen has a main body of one material of relatively high durometer elastomeric material having good wear resistance and a low coefficient of friction for sliding on support tubes, and an integral upper support surface of an elastomeric material having a lower durometer and higher coefficient of friction for gripping transported articles. Preferably, the two materials are co-molded to provide an integral platen. Preferably a bead filler is entrained in the main body of the material increasing slidability. Platen apparatus and methods of making the platen apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for conveying and a conveyor system having a plurality of conveyor sections arranged in series transports articles. The articles can be accelerated on the conveyor system but adjacent conveyor sections have substantially the same speed when the articles are passed between them so as to reduce wear or damage to the articles.

Abstract: A switching apparatus includes spaced, substantially parallel guide surfaces for receiving switch engaging members depending from pallets comprising an article sorting switch. A diverter block is positional in each of three switching orientations. The diverter block includes spaced, opposed, curved diverter surfaces which selectively direct the switch engaging members along three output paths depending upon the positioning of the diverter block.

Abstract: An automated conveyor sortation and item discharge system for sorting items of varying sizes and weights to designated output destinations along a conveyor. Dual-bellows configurations are provided to provide predetermine package discharge characteristics, including a “self-correcting” feature. A programmable controller may be provided to control the conveyor and the discharge of items from the conveyor by the ejection mechanisms. The system is easy to repair and operates at high speeds at reduced noise levels.

Abstract: A conveyor including a drivable endless conveying device having a plurality of carriers extending parallel to each other and transversely to an intended direction of movement of the derivable endless conveying device, a pusher device provided on at least one of the plurality of carriers and configured to move along the at least one of the plurality of carriers, a guide device connected to the pusher device, two guide rails extending to the intended direction of movement of the plurality of carriers and intersecting at an intersection point, the two guide rails forming passages for the guide device, and a switch device provided at the intersection point and including a switch plate, a plurality of guide cams each having a guide surface, and a closing device positioned and configured to make rectilinear movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the conveyor and alternately close the passages by cooperation of the guide device and the guide surface.

Abstract: A sorting device is provided with output stations for containers along a sorting path, which containers accept the sorted unit load. A conveying path extends next to the container row, on which conveying path the empty containers are supplied and the full containers are transported off. A transfer device can be moved via the conveying path and is provided with a telescopic boom for the automatic container change between the output stations and the conveying path.

Abstract: A roller element for a roller assembly used in an endless conveyor system for grading/sorting articles. The roller element has a faceted peripheral edge, each facet being of equal length, with approximately 12 facets per unit. Also, a quick-release roller assembly for use in a similar endless conveyor system includes a steel shaft on which roller elements are mounted. The shaft has a first opening in one end to receive a connecting pin element from a first chain and a second opening in the other end thereof which receives a connecting pin element from a second chain. Bushings are positioned in both of the shaft openings for receiving the connecting pin elements. In the one opening, a spring element is positioned between the bushing and the bottom end of the opening. The shaft has a slot in the side surface of the shaft, opening onto the first end of the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor comprising a frame and a drivable endless conveying element, which is provided with carriers extending transversely to the intended direction of movement of the conveying element during operation, which carriers are coupled to at least one endless flexible coupling member, while at least a few carriers support pusher elements. The pusher elements are connected to guide means, which are capable of cooperation with guide rails supported by the frame, all this in such a manner that a pusher element can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the associated carrier in one or more places during operation. The carriers are provided with wings, which bound receiving spaces being disposed one behind the other and having mutually different dimensions, measured in the intended direction of movement of the conveying element.

Abstract: The present invention reveals a sorting device, positioned above and orientated across a plurality of conveyors, capable of diverting objects between the conveyors or removing objects entirely from the conveyors, based on the object's destination location or some other characteristic. To accomplish its purpose, the device comprises: a primary conveyor; a secondary conveyor; a monorail positioned above and orientated across the conveyors; a carriage that mounts the monorail; a linear actuator that drives the carriage side to side the length of the monorail; a paddle attached to the carriage that extends downward to contact the objects; a wiper located along the bottom edge of the paddle that is biased in contact with the conveyors; and a controller capable of positioning the carriage so the paddle contacts the object to be diverted and pushes it between conveyors or from conveyors to adjacent destination locations.