Abstract: An induction rotary loader is mounted between a loader and a sorter for loading of articles onto the sorter, the loader may be tilted with respect to the horizontal preferably a tilting discharge tray unit. Several loading arms are connected for independent pivotal movement about a loader arm pivot unit. A spider plate is provided with a fixed rotating axis radially offset with respect to the pivot unit and includes individual coupling trunnion units which are equicircumferentially spaced and connected one each to the loading arms. As the spider rotates at a constant speed, the couplings carry the arms about their fixed axis with a varying drive position which correspondingly varies the effective length of the pivot radii for the arms with a corresponding variation in the speed of the outer end. Load supports are pivotally mounted on each arm with a support wheel riding on an outer track having a dip to automatically pivot each structure.

Abstract: A lateral discharge chute is located to receive various sized parcels from a tilt tray conveyor with sidewalls which direct the parcels onto a runout conveyor. The discharge chute includes an inclined base wall with the upper edge located immediately adjacent to the conveyor and an upstream wall which curves downwardly to a lateral discharge portion to provide a gradually changing guide surface. A downstream sidewall of the chute is formed with an incline in the direction of travel such that the engagement of the sidewall by the load tends to cause the leading end to ride up on the wall rather than jamming between the upstream and downstream walls. The downstream portion of the base wall is provided with a pair of raised plateaus with interconnecting turning walls between the plateaus and between the base and the first plateau. The turning walls are inclined in the direction of the load movement and are further angularly oriented from the conveyor in the direction of conveyor movement.

Abstract: A conveyor includes a plurality of carriages with a longitudinally tilted tray having an end stop wall to support a load. Each tray is longitudinally divided into a pair of side-by-side tray members which are individuall pivotally mounted by bushings on a shaft. Similar bushings are provided on the shaft between the mounting bushings to provide a continuous circular closing surface immediately adjacent to the lower edges of the tray members. Each of the tray members, in particular, extends upwardly as a continuous surface having a first inclined portion merging with a second outwardly inclined portion. The outermost upper surface is provided with a stepped construction to provide a plurality of interlocking load portions each having a generally vertical wall merging with a generally horizontal wall.