Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one induction unit follows the speed of the continuous member. This includes starting as soon as the continuous member is moving and decreasing in speed substantially only when the continuous member decreases in speed. The invention is useful with linear sorters, such as positive displacement sorters, and the like. The invention is also useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveyor frame, at least one motor at the frame and a control circuit at the frame. The motor is configured to cause articles placed in at least one location on the conveyor system to be transported when the motor is energized. A first power source is housed within the frame and in electrical communication with the at least one motor. The first power source supplies power to the at least one motor. A second power source is also housed within the frame and in electrical communication with the control circuit. The second power source supplies power to the control circuit. The second power source is electrically isolated from the first power source such that electrical current from the first power source can be shut off without shutting off electrical current from the second power source.

Abstract: A conveyor system, and method of controlling the conveyor system, includes providing a conveying surface, at least one motor propelling the conveying surface and a plurality of lower-level controllers. At least one of the lower-level controllers adapted to control the at least one motor. An upper-level controller is provided in communication with the plurality of lower-level controllers. The upper-level controller is adapted to send communications to the lower-level controllers for controlling the at least one motor. A communications bus is provided that carries the communications between the upper-level controller and the lower-level controllers. The upper-level controller is adapted to automatically assign each lower-level controller a unique communications address. The unique communications address enables the upper-level controller to send messages over the communications bus to individual ones of the lower-level controllers.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveyor frame, at least one motor at the frame and a control circuit at the frame. The motor is configured to cause articles placed in at least one location on the conveyor system to be transported when the motor is energized. A first power source is housed within the frame and in electrical communication with the at least one motor. The first power source supplies power to the at least one motor. A second power source is also housed within the frame and in electrical communication with the control circuit. The second power source supplies power to the control circuit. The second power source is electrically isolated from the first power source such that electrical current from the first power source can be shut off without shutting off electrical current from the second power source.

Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one induction unit follows the speed of the continuous member. This includes starting as soon as the continuous member is moving and decreasing in speed substantially only when the continuous member decreases in speed. The invention is useful with linear sorters, such as positive displacement sorters, and the like. The invention is also useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one induction unit follows the speed of the continuous member. This includes starting as soon as the continuous member is moving and decreasing in speed substantially only when the continuous member decreases in speed. The invention is useful with linear sorters, such as positive displacement sorters, and the like. The invention is also useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one induction unit follows the speed of the continuous member. This includes starting as soon as the continuous member is moving and decreasing in speed substantially only when the continuous member decreases in speed. The invention is useful with linear sorters, such as positive displacement sorters, and the like. The invention is also useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one induction unit follows the speed of the continuous member. This includes starting as soon as the continuous member is moving and decreasing in speed substantially only when the continuous member decreases in speed. The invention is useful with linear sorters, such as positive displacement sorters, and the like. The invention is also useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method and apparatus for conveying parcels on a plurality of transport units (32) moving in a conveying path (30) between an induction station (26) and a discharge station (28). The invention provides the ability to handle parcels having a length greater than the length of a single transport unit by providing the ability to induct such parcel onto two contiguous transport units (32) and to discharge the parcel from the two contiguous transport units to a selected receiving port (46). For longer parcels, having a length greater than a given length, the parcel is inducted to two contiguous transport units by operating the induction belts and the carrier belts of the two contiguous transport units in a manner which positions the parcel on the two transport units. The carrier belts of the two transport units are operated in a manner that rotates longer parcels, having a length greater than the given length, in order to position the parcel on the two transport units.

Abstract: A chuck head for automatic machine tools comprises a fork mounted on the end of a movable arm and an electrically driven chuck mounted between the arms of the fork. A mechanism effect angular displacements of the chuck is located within the head supporting arm and is connected to the electrically driven chuck by a transmission comprising at least two pairs of bevel gears.