Abstract: An apparatus for mechanized loading and unloading, having an insertable pallet that may be tilted around its longitudinal axis and that can be moved horizontally and vertically. The pallet has a live conveyor for advancing a package along the pallet. Also a method for acquiring packages from a stack of packages with a mechanical loader having a pallet, including the steps of (a) vertically translating the pallet to the height of the package to be acquired, (b) tilting the pallet around the longitudinal axis so that the angle of the pallet roughly matches the angle of the bottom of the package to be acquired, (c) horizontally translating the pallet so that a front edge of the pallet is inserted into a seam between the package to be acquired and the other packages in the stack, and (d) advancing the package to be acquired along the pallet.

Abstract: An automatic system for sorting items, such as small parcels, into groups bound for different geographical locations is described. The system uses tilting trays arranged at multiple levels, with all the trays being mounted on carriages traveling on a single monorail. The trays are tilted at the proper output chutes by cam roller mechanisms which are appropriately inserted into the path of cams on the trays under the coordination of a digital controller. A simple drive mechanism moves the carriages along the monorail using a drive roller which presses against the carriages. The carriages may be linked by a pliable linkage assembly that does not include mechanical hinges or like mechanisms. The system is easy to repair and operates at low noise levels.

Abstract: An automatic system for sorting items such as small, elongate parcels into groups for different geographical locations. The system uses tilting trays, suspended from a track, with the trays being suspended from at least two carriages. The trays are tilted at the proper output chutes by cam roller mechanisms which are appropriately inserted into the path of cams on the trays under the coordination of a digital controller. A simple drive mechanism moves the carriages along the monorail using a drive roller which presses against the top of the carriages. The carriages may be linked by a pliable linkage assembly that does not include mechanical hinges or like mechanisms. The system is easy to repair and operates at low noise levels.

Abstract: An automatic system for sorting items, such as small parcels, into groups bound for different geographical locations is described. The system includes a carriage for traveling along a track, the carriage having an adjustment feature such that it may continuously be held against the track. The carriage also provides a tilt tray in which packages are presented on a convex surface. The convex surface causes the package to be destabilized, so they may be quickly discharged from the tilt tray.

Abstract: An insertable pallet for unloading or acquiring objects or for loading or piling objects, particularly in a stacked position, comprising at least one live roller for moving an object being unloaded or loaded along the insertable pallet. In the unloading mode of the insertable pallet, the insertable pallet is thrust at an object seam until the insertable pallet is underneath the object being unloaded a sufficient distance to engage at least one live roller of said insertable pallet for moving the object from its initial position along said pallet. In the loading mode of the insertable pallet, an object being loaded is moved to and preferably partially over the front of the insertable pallet by at least one live roller. The insertable pallet is appropriately positioned so that when the object arrives at the front of the insertable pallet an operator can nudge the object off the insertable pallet with a minimum of physical effort.

Abstract: A method for loading and closing containers with flexible open ends employs a chute with an inflatable bladder at the open end, and an elastic closure device. A flexible open end of the container is placed around the end of the chute and the inflatable bladder. The elastic closure device is placed around the open end of the container. The bladder is inflated to secure the container to the chute. Material is delivered into the container through the chute. When a specified quantity of material is loaded into the container, the bladder is deflated causing the container to slide off the chute. When the container slides off the chute, the elastic closure device contracts and closes the flexible open end of container by constricting the size of the flexible open end of the container such that material will not fall out during shipment.

Abstract: A system for sorting objects having a source for providing the object for sorting and a plurality of receivers, spaced apart horizontally and vertically, for receiving the object after sorting. The system includes object receiving and discharging wings for receiving the object from the source and transferring the object to the receiver. The object receiving and discharging wings move the object horizontally and vertically from the source to a selected receiver. The source and at least one of the receivers are vertically aligned. Also, a system for storing and retrieving objects having storage and retrieval conveyor for providing the object to the system for storage and for retrieving the object from the system after storage, and a plurality of object storage areas spaced apart horizontally and vertically.

Abstract: A powered belt turn (10) for conveying parcels, objects and the like around curves. The powered belt turn (10) is embodied in a disk-shaped transfer sheet (20) that is rigidly attached to a shaft (30). A motor (60) is operatively attached to shaft (30), causing the shaft and transfer sheet (20) to rotate in unison. The transfer sheet rests on a bed (70) that is positioned between a feed conveyor belt and an exit conveyor belt. Parcels move onto the transfer sheet from the feed conveyor belt. The spinning transfer sheet (20) delivers the parcels from the feed conveyor belt to the exit conveyor belt. The parcels exit the transfer sheet (20) onto the exit conveyor belt (50). The transfer sheet is bent downwardly and the feed and exit conveyor belts are placed adjacent the bent portion of the transfer sheet (20) to deposit parcels onto the transfer sheet and receive parcels from the transfer sheet, respectively. Alternatively, the feed conveyor belt may be positioned above the transfer sheet.

Abstract: An automatic system for sorting items, such as small parcels, into groups bound for different geographical locations is described. The system uses tilting trays arranged at multiple levels, with all the trays being mounted on carriages traveling on a single monorail. The trays are tilted at the proper output chutes by cam roller mechanisms which are appropriately inserted into the path of cams on the trays under the coordination of a digital controller. A simple drive mechanism moves the carriages along the monorail using a drive roller which presses against the carriages. The carriages may be linked by a pliable linkage assembly that does not include mechanical hinges or like mechanisms. The system is easy to repair and operates at low noise levels.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a lower surface and a number of article supporting surfaces, each of which is tiltably attached to the lower surface. Inflatable chambers are defined in the belt, the article supporting surfaces being disposed to tilt upon inflation of the inflatable chambers. An article conveyor system includes a belt having a lower surface and article supporting surfaces tiltably attached to the lower surface, a conveyor bed for supporting the belt during motion along a predetermined path, and an apparatus for selectively introducing pressurized air between the lower surface and each of the article supporting surfaces for tilting the article supporting surfaces, thereby causing an article on the selectively tilted article supporting surfaces to be discharged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transforming a stream of non-singularized objects (e.g., packages) into a stream of singularized objects. A rotating conveyor receives non-singularized objects from an input conveyor and transmits singularized objects to an output conveyor. The rotating conveyor has one or more reversible sectors that independently and selectively drive the objects toward and away from the axis of rotation as the objects are rotated upon the rotating conveyor. The objects may be driven into contact with and urged downstream by a vertical conveyor adjacent to the rotating conveyor and the output conveyor. A return conveyor may remove non-singularized objects from the output conveyor and return those objects to the rotating conveyor. A reinjection conveyor may reinject those objects into the non-singularized stream of the input conveyor to ensure singularization and handle temporary increases in the volume of object flow.

Abstract: The conveyor system of the present invention provides an endless belt system in which roller assemblies are aligned side by side in rows beneath the upper surface of the endless belt. Each individual roller assembly is provided with a roller and an axis about which the roller rotates. The roller assemblies are disposed in support members by lowering them into a receiving region in the support members. The receiving region is adapted to removably receive the roller assembles when the roller assemblies are lowered into the receiving region at any angle within a ninety degree range to prevent jamming of the assembly during insertion. The support members rotationally immobilize and retain the axis of the roller assembly while simultaneously providing structural integrity to the conveyor system. The roller shaft is maintained within the support member both by gravity acting upon the roller assembly itself and by the weight of the belt resting upon the roller assembly.

Abstract: An automatic rotary sorter system for sorting objects from a source stream into a plurality of destination streams which are spaced apart both horizontally and vertically. The automatic rotary sorter system of the present invention includes an object source conveyor, a rotating distribution assembly, and an object receiving assembly. The rotating distribution assembly of the automatic rotary sorter system is provided with an upright drive shaft and several receiving and discharging wings. The object receiving assembly of the automatic rotary sorter system is provided with a plurality of transverse conveyors. The object source conveyor provides the stream of sortable objects for sorting by the automatic rotary sorter system. Sorting within the automatic rotary sorter system is achieved through the transfer of one sortable object at a time from the object source conveyor to a selected transverse conveyor by the receiving and discharging wings of the rotating distribution assembly.

Abstract: The conveyor system of the present invention provides an endless belt system in which roller assemblies are aligned side by side in rows beneath the upper surface of the endless belt. Each individual roller assembly is provided with a roller and an axis about which the roller rotates. The roller assemblies are disposed in support members by lowering them into a receiving region in the support members. The receiving region is adapted to removably receive the roller assembles when the roller assemblies are lowered into the receiving region at any angle within a ninety degree range to prevent jamming of the assembly during insertion. The support members rotationally immobilize and retain the axis of the roller assembly while simultaneously providing structural integrity to the conveyor system. The roller shaft is maintained within the support member both by gravity acting upon the roller assembly itself and by the weight of the belt resting upon the roller assembly.