Abstract: A sorting method and apparatus which permits a high sorting speed during the sorting of a group of objects is disclosed. The method and apparatus can be carried out automatically and with simple equipment in some preferred embodiments.

Abstract: A screw conveyor for the transport of, for example, pieces of clothing hanging on clothes hangers, comprises a screw shaft train (22) which may be rotated about the shaft axis (24) thereof, with a transport groove system (26), machined into the outer surface thereof along the shaft axis (24) in the form of a screw. The clothes hangers may be hung in the transport groove system (26), using the hanger hooks (20) thereof and axially transported by rotation of the screw shaft train (22). According to the invention, the transport groove system (26) comprises at least one primary transport groove (46, 48), from which a secondary transport groove (52, 54), preceding the primary transport groove (46, 48) in relation to the transport direction (16) of the goods for transport, branches at a branching position (62).

Abstract: The invention relates to a suspended conveyer device for conveying supports (7) for goods to be conveyed along conveyer paths (54, 58), comprising a running rail arrangement with running rails (52, 56) which are associated with the conveyer paths and on which the supports (7) for goods to be conveyed can be guided. According to the invention, a rerouting station (50) is provided which is constructed to selectively reroute supports (7) for goods to be conveyed from a first conveyer path (54) to a second conveyer path (58) or to leave them on the first conveyer path (54), and to selectively reroute supports (7) for goods to be conveyed from the second conveyer path (58) to the first conveyer path (54) or to leave them on the second conveyer path (58). The invention also relates to a rerouting station of this type.

Abstract: The invention proposes a suspension-type conveying arrangement in the case of which conveyable-article carriers (1) are supported, by way of running rollers (9) on guide rails (3) for movement along a conveying route. Arranged on a drag chain/drive chain (15) guided along the conveying route are driver elements (17), preferably brush elements (17), which can be moved between a driving position and a non-driving position. The invention proposes various concepts in order, in the case of a build-up of conveyable-article carriers (1), to transfer the driver elements (17) into the non-driving position, with the result that they act on the built-up conveyable-article carriers (1) at most to a slight extent, if at all. In the driving position, it is possible for driver elements (17) to act on the conveyable-article carriers (1) in order to drive them along the conveying route.

Abstract: The invention relates to a deflecting arrangement having a first deflecting element (34) for deflecting conveyable-article carriers (7), and having a second deflecting element (50) for deflecting an endless drive belt (9) for driving the conveyable-article carriers (7) in an overhead conveying arrangement, the deflecting arrangement (3′) forming one of two deflecting stations around which the endless drive belt (9), which is driven for movement, runs as a loop, and the endless drive belt (9) being guided along the route region from deflecting station to deflecting station for carrying along conveyable-article carriers along the conveying route of the overhead conveying arrangement. For the purpose of adjusting the tensioning of the drive belt (9), the second deflecting element (50) is arranged on a mount (30) such that it can be displaced relative to the first deflecting element (34).

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying apparatus, in particular overhead conveying apparatus, for transporting conveyable articles along at least one conveying route (2). The conveying apparatus comprises a carrying-profile arrangement (4) which extends along the conveying route and has a running-rail arrangement (6) for guiding conveyable-article carriers (8). It is proposed that at least one running rail (6) of the running-rail arrangement be designed as a running-rail component which is separate from the carrying-profile arrangement (4) and is mounted in a floating manner on the carrying-profile arrangement such that, at least in certain areas, it can compensate for a change in length by moving relative to the carrying-profile arrangement.

Abstract: A conveyable-article carrier for transporting conveyable articles along a conveying section in a conveying apparatus has running rails for guiding conveyable-article carriers and also has a drive belt guided along the running rails, and carries along the conveyable-article carriers along the conveying section. Each conveyable-article carrier has a carrier body and a coupling element located on the carrier body and is brought into drive connection with the drive belt. The conveyable-article carriers can also be accumulated in at least one build-up region of the conveying apparatus, as the drive belt continues running, and each have a separating device which can be activated under the action of the build-up pressure and for temporarily releasing the drive connection. The coupling element is designed as a part of the separating device which can be moved relative to the carrier body between a drive position, for coupling to the drive belt, and a neutral position, for disengaging from the drive belt.

Abstract: The invention proposes a conveying apparatus with a three-dimensionally movable receiving conveyor for receiving conveyable-article carriers (3) from a suspended conveyor in which the conveyable-article carriers (3) are guided on a running-roller guide profile for movement along a first conveying section (5) and are supported in a suspended manner on own running rollers (29).

Abstract: A diverter for a suspended conveying apparatus in which conveyable-article carriers provided with running rollers are guided on running rails. A diverter tongue is connected to a running-rail section via an articulated arrangement so as to be pivotable between two diverter positions. The articulated arrangement includes a bridging element that connects the running profile of the running-rail section to the running profile of the diverter tongue and is mounted to be pivoted about an axis on the running-rail section as well as about an axis on the diverter tongue. In a transition region between the running-rail section and the bridging element, in each case one running-roller guide surface of the running-roller section and one running-roller guide surface of the bridging element run one beside the other in the conveying direction to respectively support a running roller of a conveyable-article carrier.

Abstract: A conveyor arrangement, in particular for conveying suspended items inside a plant, is described, in which a plurality of conveyors are adapted to be conveyed on a track. A separator is provided for separating the conveyors. In order to improve in a structurally simple manner the variation width when the conveyor arrangement is in use, the separator should be provided with at least two retaining fingers, which, in a manner predetermined by a controller, can be moved into and successively out of the conveying path of the conveyors on the track in front of, and behind, the conveyors to be separated.

Abstract: A conveyor device for conveying suspended items inside a factory includes a conveyor capable of traveling on at least one runner on a track. The conveyor device includes a drive element for the conveyor. A drive catch arranged on the conveyor is adapted to be moved to a position of engagement with the drive element for entraining the conveyor. In order to modify this conveyor device in a structurally simple way so as to create greater scope for conveying tasks, in particular in automated operation, a separator device should be provided for effecting controlled movement of the drive catch from its position of engagement with the drive element at a predetermined point in the track.