Abstract: A method of adjusting accelerations within a packaging machine includes determining the dimensions and frictional coefficients of each product or group of products that are placed on a product feeder 106. Acceleration profiles of first and second drive lines 200, 202 can be adjusted to ensure that the products are moved through the packaging machine at appropriate speeds and accelerations. The method may ensure that the products maintain proper positions throughout the packaging process so that the products are not damaged, and the packaging process is not hindered. A packaging machine with means for determining the coefficient of friction associated with a product is also provided.

Abstract: Unit for sorting parts moving along a conveyor belt comprising a transfer device (3) which comprises a roller (31) which is rotatably movable above the belt and a plurality of gripping tools (32) at the periphery of the roller which are each capable of selectively removing a part from the belt when the tools are brought into a removal position, each tool comprising a suction cup (321) attached to a tubular support sleeve (322) which is capable of creating a connection between the suction cup and an internal chamber (312) of the roller, said connection being kept at a negative pressure relative to the surrounding air, all of the suction cups which are brought into the removal position being depressurized, each sleeve being mounted so as to be translatably movable along the axis thereof through a wall (311) of the roller, an actuator (34) being designed to selectively control, in the removal position, the movement of the sleeve so that the suction cup engages with the part to be removed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for systems and methods for an adjustable conveyer system. The adjustable system may include one or more conveyor systems, a support structure for a first end of the conveyor system, a support structure for the second end of the conveyor system, and a lift system. The lift system may be actuated to cause the first end of the conveyor system to raise to a height that is higher or lower than the second end of the conveyor system. The adjustable system may be used to distribute packages to containers of various heights and sizes. In one example, the lift system may include a crank shaft. In another example, the lift system may involve a pulley system.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for an improved accumulation conveyor and systems and methods for controlling a high rate, high density tunable accumulation conveyor. In one embodiment, an accumulation conveyor system determines whether an item detection variable associated with a second zone of a plurality of zones is satisfied, wherein the second zone is downstream of a first zone. In an instance where the item detection variable and an operational characteristic variable are satisfied, the accumulation conveyor system is configured to set a zone operating state associated with the first zone to inactive and send a command signal comprising the zone operating state associated with the first zone to a control module associated with the first zone. In another embodiment, a method for adjusting aggressiveness is disclosed. In another embodiment, a tunable release rate accumulation conveyor is disclosed. In still another embodiment, a tunable crowding accumulation conveyor is disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary milking platform 1 has a deck 2, a circular upper beam 4 connected to and supporting the deck, a circular lower beam 6 and a series of carriages 5 connected end to end to form a ring between the beams. The platform is formed such that the upper beam 4 is arranged to rest and rotate on the ring of carriages 5 to rotate the deck 2. Each carriage has at least one carriage roller 10, and each roller 10 arranged to rotate on the lower beam 4. Each roller 10 also has a retention flange 11 at only one side. The flanges 11 of some of the rollers 10 are at or adjacent an inner side of the ring, and the flanges 11 of others of the rollers are at or adjacent an outer side of the ring. The rollers 10 of the ring are arranged such that at least one roller is oriented with its flange 11 on an opposite side to another of the flanged rollers immediately adjacent to it. The flanges prevent the carriages from moving off the lower beam 4 when the platform 1 is in use.

Abstract: A sorting installation for parcels uses an efficient sorting process based on properties of the parcels. The sorting installation has at least one parcel inlet and a parcel outlet that discharges sorted parcels for external transportation. A conveying mechanism transports the parcels to be sorted from the parcel inlet into a sorting area of the sorting installation. The sorting area has a sorting mechanism that sorts the multiplicity of parcels according to at least one item of parcel-related sorting information and removes them from the conveying mechanism at a transfer station. The sorting area also includes primary buffer stores, which receive and temporarily store parcels sorted by the sorting mechanism according to the parcel-related sorting information. The primary buffer stores are set up to be moved to the at least one transfer station depending on the at least one item of parcel-related sorting information.

Abstract: A method for configuring a control unit in a conveyor, wherein a control unit controls one or more conveyor segments comprising a conveyor drive in signal communication with the control unit via a motor connection socket, and a sensor for detecting an object at a position within the conveyor segment. The conveyor is in signal communication with the control unit via a sensor connection socket. The control unit self-configures itself by: (i) activating a configuration mode in the control unit, (ii) receiving a signal from each motor connection socket or sensor connection socket, (iii) comparing the received signal(s) with a comparative value stored in the control unit, and (iv) determining whether a conveyor drive or a sensor is connected to a motor connection socket or a sensor connection socket of the control unit, respectively, based on the comparison of the signal(s) with the comparative value.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for scanning and dimensioning items in motion. In one embodiment, an example system may include a first camera oriented along a vertical axis towards a gap between a first surface and a second surface, a first light emitting array positioned to emit light towards the gap, and a first light receiving array aligned with the light emitting array and configured to detect the light. The first light emitting array and the first light receiving array may be offset from the vertical axis, and the system may be configured to determine a first dimension of an item passing over the gap using the first light emitting array and the first light receiving array.

Abstract: A roller for a conveyor is described. The roller can have a first end, a second end, and a crown defined along a length of the roller between the first end and the second end. The crown of the roller includes a groove defined along an apex portion of the crown. The groove can support an O-ring and the crown can support a flat band mounted over the O-ring in the groove.

Abstract: Disclosed are a safety apparatus for an escalator and an escalator. The safety apparatus is disposed on the skirt of the escalator, the safety apparatus includes a one-piece profile which comprises a rear wall, an upper portion at an upper end of the rear wall, and a lower portion at a lower end of the rear wall, wherein a plurality of sensor holes are provided on the rear wall, and the safety apparatus further comprises an illumination device, a skirt brush, and a plurality of photoelectric sensors, wherein the illumination device is disposed on the profile and emits illumination light toward the step side, wherein the skirt brush is disposed on the lower portion, and wherein the plurality of photoelectric sensors are mounted to be respectively aligned with the plurality of sensor holes so as to emit and/or receive optical signals through the plurality of sensor holes.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a conveying storage device for containers, comprising: a first/second drivable conveyor which can convey containers on a first/second conveying surface in a first/second direction, the first and the second conveyor being positioned parallel to one another such that containers are transferable from the first to the second conveying surface; a transfer device, which is movable along the conveyor, for transferring containers from the first to the second conveying surface; a guide body which is movable along a region between the first and the second conveyor above the first and the second conveying surface; and a guide railing for guiding and separating containers, said guide rail extending at an angle to the second direction and above the second conveying surface. The guide railing is variable in length and cooperates with the guide body such that the length of the guide railing and the angle can be varied.

Abstract: A sortation conveyor is provided that can include a switch assembly that includes a switch plate, a divert plate, and a bridge plate. The switch plate includes a switch member that defines a switch guide path and a switch that can be mounted on the switch member. Further, the divert plate includes a divert member that defines a divert guide path on a first side and a non-divert guide path on a second side of the divert member. Furthermore, the bridge plate includes a bridge member that defines a first bridge guide path and a second bridge guide path. In some examples, the bridge plate is positioned between the switch plate and the divert plate so that the first bridge guide path connects the switch guide path to the divert guide path and the second bridge guide path connects the switch guide path to the non-divert guide path.

Abstract: A singulation conveyor is described. The singulation conveyor includes multiple rollers, for example, a first roller and a second roller. In some example embodiments, the first roller can be of a first roller cross-sectional profile and the second roller can be of a second roller cross-sectional profile. The first roller cross-sectional profile can be defined by a sleeve mounted around a circumference of the first roller and a dowel positioned between the sleeve and the first roller. Further, in some examples, the first roller cross-sectional profile can be different from the second roller cross-sectional profile. Furthermore, according to some examples, the first roller and the second roller can be configured to be rotated based on a first rotation pattern and a second rotation pattern respectively, to cause singulation of a shingled item.

Abstract: A drive belt segment (22) for forming a drive belt (20), in particular an endless drive belt (20) configured to be employed in a people conveyor (1), has two opposing ends and extends in a longitudinal direction between the two opposing ends. Each end is provided with a connector (30) which is configured for being connected to a corresponding connector (30) of the same or another drive belt segment (22) for forming an endless drive belt (20).

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus (1) can include a control mechanism to permit automatic monitoring of a conveyor belt (7) and automatically actuate adjustment of the belt (7). In some embodiments, at least two sensors (31) can be utilized to detect an operational condition of the belt (7) indicating an undesirable alignment of the belt as the belt moves to convey material. Upon such a detected operational condition, a control mechanism can automatically actuate adjustment of at least one belt support device to adjust motion of the belt (7) in response to the detected operational condition.

Abstract: A conveying machine for containers, comprising at least one base module having a predetermined length according to a feed direction of the containers and at least a supporting carriage for the containers slidably mounted on said base module. The base module and carriage together define a linear motor, wherein the stator is the base module and the rotor is the carriage. The machine comprises a supporting plate for the containers, which is rotatably mounted on the carriage and means for moving the plate, which is operatively connected to the plate to rotate it on itself.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor and methods for positively driving a conveyor belt along a helical path. The spiral conveyor includes a rotating cylindrical tower with parallel drive members extending from the bottom to the top of the tower on its periphery. Each drive member includes an outwardly protruding ridge that varies in height from the bottom to the top of the tower. The variations in height facilitate the belt's entry onto and exit from the tower and robust, positive driving engagement with the inside edge of the belt along the majority of its path along the tower.

Abstract: A floor conveyor has a conveyed object support base portion supported on a conveying traveling body via a columnar support member that penetrates, in a vertical direction, a slit formed in a floor surface along a traveling path of the conveying traveling body. An auxiliary floor surface mechanism which narrows the width of the slit has protruding members protruding from the side of the slit to the center of the slit, where each of the protruding members includes a plate-shaped portion along a perpendicularly vertical direction and is held and biased by an elastic force in a protruding posture in which the protruding member protrudes to the center of the slit. When the protruding member contacts the columnar support member, the protruding member moves in the movement direction of the columnar support member against elasticity so as to allow the passage of the columnar support member.

Abstract: Self-contained mobile solar-powered escalator systems for aircraft entry comprising a security canopy and safety walls for protection, an electric cargo vehicle, an escalator, a lift system, exiting platform, leveler/stabilizers, heavy duty front and rear suspension, formal arriving platform, handrails, repair compartments, expandable waterproof and bulletproof canopy, distance light indicator, inflatable rubber bumper, and emergency brakes.

Abstract: Method for detecting a prone/supine position of fish conveyed by a conveying device. The method includes conveying the fish with the conveying device in a longitudinal direction, optically scanning a ventral side and a dorsal side of the fish in order to determine a first brightness value profile of a first side and a second brightness value profile of a second side, determining a first ordered data series and a second ordered data series by ordering brightness values of the first brightness value profile and of the second brightness value profile according to a predefined ordering criterion, determining a first median from the first ordered data series and a second median from the second ordered data series, determining at least one differential value from the first median and the second median, and determining the prone/supine position by comparing the at least one differential value with at least one predetermined reference value.