Abstract: A consolidation system for articles including a continuous track with a continuous chain supported from the track and movable in a horizontal direction around the track. Horizontally spaced and vertically extending baskets are suspended from the chain with each basket having vertically spaced compartments. A drive mechanism is provided for driving the chain around the track. An operator work station is located at a fixed position on the outside of the track. A conveyor is provided to move the articles adjacent the work station and pans are provided to deliver preselected articles from the conveyor to the operator work station. The chain can be moved a predetermined degree to align a preselected basket with the work station.

Abstract: A device for transferring article carriers from one carrier tube of a pneumatic transfer system to another carrier tube provided by a hopper movable along a guide. A plurality of gated incoming carrier tubes are positioned above the hopper. When the slide gate of an incoming tube containing a carrier is opened, the carrier is dropped into the hopper positioned below. A plurality of gated outgoing carrier tubes are positioned below the movable hopper for receiving the carrier dropped from the hopper when a hopper gate is opened and the slide gate of the desired outgoing carrier tube is opened.