Abstract: In a canister handling system, a canister dumper has pentagonally arranged rows of holders on a structure which is rotatable about a horizontal axis for indexing the rows of holders from a vertical position, where the canisters are loaded, through two steps to a canister content unloading station where the contents are gravity unloaded, and then through a canister unloading station where the canisters are dropped from the holders. The canisters include vertical ribs defining an enlarged outside diameter which interlocks with curved carrier walls to retain the canisters on carriers.

Abstract: A stacker crane storage arrangement wherein a tray is supported for reversible extension transversely of a tower which is movable on a track, so as to deposit cargo laden pallets in cells or cubicles of open sides storage grids on both sides of the track. The tray of the tower is movable by a compact mechanism, utilizing telescopically and reversibly extending drive members carried by pairs of cantilever beams and driven by sprocket chains and hydraulic cylinders in a dual system which effects reversible motion of a tray to either side of the tower. The telescopic tray mechanism provides for moving a cargo laden tray to either a part distance or a full distance transversely of the tower, so that pallets can be stored in or retrieved from double depth storage grids. The specific racks or cells can hold two pallets in tandem, there being a first pallet position and a second pallet position in each cell. The arrangement and construction has features whereby very tall towers are usable.

Abstract: A sorter system for articles such as baggage, mail bags, cartons, and the like is provided which combines a high speed main or sorting conveyor and a feed or induction conveyor, or a plurality of such induction conveyors along the length of the main conveyor. The induction conveyors are for the purpose of loading the main conveyor by depositing articles thereon with a velocity imparted to the articles in the direction of movement of the main conveyor which is substantially equal to the high rate of main conveyor velocity thereby avoiding shock. The arrangement is such that articles having length and width are deposited on an induction conveyor to travel in the direction of their length and be deposited on the main conveyor transversely of the motion thereof and thus oriented widthwise on the main conveyor to reduce the area required per article on the main conveyor.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor system mechanism for driving a member selectively in opposite directions and to either of a pair of positions in either direction. The mechanism comprises two pairs of double acting hydraulic cylinders with interconnecting piston rods, whereby selective pressurization of a cylinder of either pair of said cylinders effects movement of the member in one direction to a first position and pressurization of the other cylinder of the pair effects movement to a second and further position in the same direction. Pressurization of one or both cylinders of the other pair effects movement of the member to a first or second and further position in an opposite direction.

Abstract: Articles are transferred from the delivery end of an input conveyor to a sorter conveyor for delivery to preselected destinations by a pair of rotor assemblies that are rotationally indexed between predetermined positions in sequential overlapping relation to each other. Rotation of the rotor assemblies are synchronized with operational conditions of the input and sorter conveyors.

Abstract: A telescopic load transfer device used as a stacker crane tray mechanism. The device comprises a tray and moveable support means therefor which are a plurality of pairs of telescopically articulated beams. One beam pair is attached to the tray and one other beam pair is relatively fixed and all other beam pairs are telescopically moveable with respect to the relatively fixed beam pair.