Abstract: The invention is particularly useful for sorting, altering or maintaining the orientation items of differing sizes moved by a sorter. The endless loop's carriers include belts that both transport and sort the items. Followers clasp the belts about the lengthwise periphery of the carriers' slats and also engage lines, diverters, crossovers and receivers. When a follower is diverted toward a crossover, transverse motion is imparted to its corresponding carrier's belt. Routers can be incorporated into the sorter for enhancing the control of the orientation and sortation of items advanced by the endless loop's carriers.

Abstract: The invention is particularly useful for accumulation conveyors. An assembly located beneath its corresponding zone of item transporting rollers activates the item transporting rollers by lifting the accumulator's narrow belt to engage the underneath side of the item transporting rollers. Electric actuation rather than the traditional pneumatic actuation activates the assembly's vertical movement toward its corresponding zone of item transporting rollers. Whether activated or not, the assembly's rack journals a plurality of pressure rollers that remain contiguous with the narrow belt. Centering of the sideways movement of the narrow belt as the belt travels about the rack is associated with either a pivoting tracking roller journaled in the rack or a flanged pressure roller or rollers channel in the rack. A constant force takeup can be supplied to the belt.