Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track, conveyor carts having a sortation tray, and a drive motor. In particular embodiments, the cross-belt assembly includes a belt roller, a drive roller, a timing belt, and a removable transport belt to unload objects toward at least one side of the conveyor.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a conveyor surface for holding the objects; and a conveyor support for supporting the conveyor surface above the frame base. A wear guard associated with the axle support prevents track wear. A track wear prevention system includes a wear guard and a height detection module. Systems and methods for track wear prevention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a conveyor surface for holding the objects; and a conveyor support for supporting the conveyor surface above the frame base. A wear guard associated with the axle support prevents track wear. A track wear prevention system includes a wear guard and a height detection module. Systems and methods for track wear prevention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a carrying tray for holding the objects; and a support for supporting the carrying tray above the frame base. A tilting mechanism including at least one gear having at least one cam is adapted for tilting the carrying tray toward at least one side of the conveyor. The present inventions may further include a tilt sensor for determining the direction of tilt of the tray. In addition, a drive motor and a driven member attached to the frame base may be included for moving the conveyor carts around the track.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track, a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end, and an opposed roller motor assembly. The opposed roller motor assembly may include a motor; a support frame attached to the conveyor track for supporting the motor; and a pair of cantilevered, drive rollers connected to the motor and to one pivot block assembly and another pivot block assembly adapted for positioning the drive roller adjacent to one surface of an extended fin driven member. The pivot block assemblies may be coupled together with a self-tensioning adjustment assembly. In some examples, the self-tensioning adjustment assembly may be adapted so that movement of each pivot block assembly mirrors movement of the other pivot block assembly.

Abstract: A dual position chute for parcel handling. In one embodiment, the device comprises a conveying track, an unloading station and a transition zone dual-position chute that is adapted to divert a package from an adjacent conveying track and between at least two substantially vertical discharge positions. In some examples, the chute includes an inlet, a positionable diverter door and at least one spatially-separated stationary diverter door that is downstream from the positionable diverter door. The system and chute provides for discharge of small parcels from an adjacent packing sorting conveyor.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track, a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end, and an opposed roller motor assembly. The opposed roller motor assembly may include a motor; a support frame attached to the conveyor track for supporting the motor; and a pair of cantilevered, drive rollers connected to the motor and to one pivot block assembly and another pivot block assembly adapted for positioning the drive roller adjacent to one surface of an extended fin driven member. The pivot block assemblies may be coupled together with a self-tensioning adjustment assembly. In some examples, the self-tensioning adjustment assembly may be adapted so that movement of each pivot block assembly mirrors movement of the other pivot block assembly.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a carrying tray for holding the objects; and a support for supporting the carrying tray above the frame base. A tilting mechanism including at least one gear having at least one cam is adapted for tilting the carrying tray toward at least one side of the conveyor. The present inventions may further include a tilt sensor for determining the direction of tilt of the tray. In addition, a drive motor and a driven member attached to the frame base may be included for moving the conveyor carts around the track.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a carrying tray for holding the objects; and a support for supporting the carrying tray above the frame base. A tilting mechanism including at least one gear having at least one cam is adapted for tilting the carrying tray toward at least one side of the conveyor. The present inventions may further include a tilt sensor for determining the direction of tilt of the tray. In addition, a drive motor and a driven member attached to the frame base may be included for moving the conveyor carts around the track.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track, a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end, and an opposed roller motor assembly. The opposed roller motor assembly may include a motor; a support frame attached to the conveyor track for supporting the motor; and a pair of cantilevered, drive rollers connected to the motor and to one pivot block assembly and another pivot block assembly adapted for positioning the drive roller adjacent to one surface of an extended fin driven member. The pivot block assemblies may be coupled together with a self-tensioning adjustment assembly. In some examples, the self-tensioning adjustment assembly may be adapted so that movement of each pivot block assembly mirrors movement of the other pivot block assembly.

Abstract: A package sorting system. The package sorting conveyor system includes a conveying track, at least one unloading station and an air-film lubricated entrance chute upstream of the unloading station to receive the package. In one embodiment, the entrance chute includes a plenum including a plurality of spaced apart apertures and an opening for communicating with an air supply; and a segmented conveying surface in communication with the apertures, wherein the segmented conveying surface includes at least one air-film lubricated bottom surface and at least one air-film lubricated side wall substantially perpendicular to the at least one bottom surface. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a positioner assembly for selectively positioning the outlet of the entrance chute.

Abstract: A conveyor system apparatus including: a primary conveyor; and a conveying belt comprising: a belt deck comprising a conveyor belt; and a frame supporting the belt deck, the frame comprising a base and a deck support coupled to the base and the belt deck, the deck support movable between an operating position and a maintenance position. In as embodiment of the invention, the belt deck is cantilevered from the frame. Also, in an embodiment, the frame includes a motor for moving the deck support with respect to the base.

Abstract: A package sorting system. The package sorting conveyor system includes a conveying track, at least one unloading station and an air-film lubricated entrance chute upstream of the unloading station to receive the package. In one embodiment, the entrance chute includes a plenum including a plurality of spaced apart apertures and an opening for communicating with an air supply; and a segmented conveying surface in communication with the apertures, wherein the segmented conveying surface includes at least one air-film lubricated bottom surface and at least one air-film lubricated side wall substantially perpendicular to the at least one bottom surface. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a positioner assembly for selectively positioning the outlet of the entrance chute.

Abstract: A conveyor system apparatus including: a primary conveyor; and a conveying belt comprising: a belt deck comprising a conveyor belt; and a frame supporting the belt deck, the frame comprising a base and a deck support coupled to the base and the belt deck, the deck support movable between an operating position and a maintenance position. In as embodiment of the invention, the belt deck is cantilevered from the frame. Also, in an embodiment, the frame includes a motor for moving the deck support with respect to the base.

Abstract: A package sorting conveyor system including a conveying track, at least one unloading station and an air-film lubricated entrance chute upstream of the unloading station to receive the package. In one of the embodiments, the system further includes a positioner assembly for selectively positioning an outlet of the entrance chute. The air-film lubricated entrance chute includes: a plenum including a plurality of spaced apart apertures and an opening for communicating with an air supply; and a conveying surface in communication with the apertures.

Abstract: A conveyor system having a primary conveyor and a cantilevered conveying belt. In the preferred embodiment, the cantilevered conveying belt includes a cantilevered frame having at least one conveyor belt and a belt tension assembly attached to the cantilevered frame. In the preferred embodiment, the conveying belt further includes an upstream accumulator.

Abstract: A package sorting conveyor apparatus comprising: a conveying track; a conveyor chute downstream from said conveying track; a speed control device for controlling the speed of packages in said chute; and at least one unloading station downstream from said conveyor chute. In the preferred embodiment, the package sorting conveyor apparatus comprises: a transition zone funnel for receiving packages from said conveying track and directing the package into said conveyor chute, said transition zone funnel including a positioner assembly for selectively positioning the outlet of said transition zone funnel between at least a first and a second position along at least two axes. Also in the preferred embodiment, the speed control device comprises: an attachment portion for attaching said speed control apparatus to a support structure; a package interface portion for contacting the packages; and an integral hinge between said attachment portion and said package interface portion.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes: a conveyor track; a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end; a power source for moving the conveyor carts on the conveyor track; each of the conveyor carts including: (i) a trailer frame base, including: a roller structure for engaging the conveyor track, a driven member responsive to the power source, and a hitch mechanism for connecting each conveyor cart to an adjacent conveyor cart; (ii) a carrying tray for holding the objects; and (iii) a tiltable, support apparatus for supporting the carrying tray above the trailer frame base and for allowing tilting of the carrying tray towards at least one side of the conveyor to unload objects into unloading stations on at least one side of the conveyor.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes: a conveyor track; a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end; a power source for moving the conveyor carts on the conveyor track; each of the conveyor carts including: (i) a trailer frame base, including: a roller structure for engaging the conveyor track, a driven member responsive to the power source, and a hitch mechanism for connecting each conveyor cart to an adjacent conveyor cart; (ii) a carrying tray for holding the objects; and (iii) a tiltable support apparatus for supporting the carrying tray above the trailer frame base and for allowing tilting of the carrying tray towards at least one side of the conveyor to unload objects into unloading stations on at least one side of the conveyor.

Abstract: A package sorting conveyor system. The conveyor system includes: a conveying track; at least one unloading station; and a transition zone funnel upstream of the unloading station to receive the package from the conveying track, the transition zone funnel including a positioner assembly for selectively positioning the outlet of the transition zone funnel between at least a first and a second position. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a secondary downstream chute located downstream from the transition zone funnel for conveying the discharged package to its final destination.