Abstract: A conveying system transports items, such as postal items, along a main conveying direction. A conveying route includes segments that are arranged one behind the other along the main conveying direction. The segments have conveyors arranged parallel to one another and the segments are offset relative to one another in a transverse direction. The conveyors are driven and activated individually by a control unit. The items are conveyed along the main conveying direction by transferring an item from a preceding segment to a following segment that is offset relative to the preceding segment and then transporting the item on the following segment. Items with small dimensions, which rest on just one conveyor can also be manipulated during the transportation.

Abstract: An inclined conveyor section includes transport rollers aligned obliquely on the conveyor section defining a preferred transport direction. The conveyor section is configured to receive parcel or piece goods upstream at a first position on a first side, transport them along the preferred transport direction and discharge them from a second side opposite the first side, downstream at a second position downstream of the first position. The transport rollers are one behind the other and rotatable. Drive rollers are controllable, drivable and disposed below the transport rollers for driving the transport rollers by frictional. A high degree of flexibility in the configuration of the transport rollers and independence of length, width and inclination angle defined by the preferred transport direction are provided in contrast to most existing inclined conveyors with transport rollers having only slight flexibility and/or complicated drives. A method for transporting parcel goods is also provided.

Abstract: An inclined conveyor section includes transport rollers aligned obliquely on the conveyor section defining a preferred transport direction. The conveyor section is configured to receive parcel or piece goods upstream at a first position on a first side, transport them along the preferred transport direction and discharge them from a second side opposite the first side, downstream at a second position downstream of the first position. The transport rollers are one behind the other and rotatable. Drive rollers are controllable, drivable and disposed below the transport rollers for driving the transport rollers by frictional. A high degree of flexibility in the configuration of the transport rollers and independence of length, width and inclination angle defined by the preferred transport direction are provided in contrast to most existing inclined conveyors with transport rollers having only slight flexibility and/or complicated drives. A method for transporting parcel goods is also provided.

Abstract: A conveyor chute is suitable for use as a store for goods, such as packages and pieces of luggage. The conveyor chute has at least one sliding section with an inclined sliding surface with a direction of fall along the sliding surface as well as a sliding width. The sliding section has a width adjusting mechanism which allows the goods to be distributed across at least part of the sliding width and which thus allows the conveyor chute to be used in an improved manner for storing the goods.

Abstract: A conveyor chute is suitable for use as a store for goods, such as packages and pieces of luggage. The conveyor chute has at least one sliding section with an inclined sliding surface with a direction of fall along the sliding surface as well as a sliding width. The sliding section has a width adjusting mechanism which allows the goods to be distributed across at least part of the sliding width and which thus allows the conveyor chute to be used in an improved manner for storing the goods.

Abstract: A conveying system transports items, such as postal items, along a main conveying direction. A conveying route includes segments that are arranged one behind the other along the main conveying direction. The segments have conveyors arranged parallel to one another and the segments are offset relative to one another in a transverse direction. The conveyors are driven and activated individually by a control unit. The items are conveyed along the main conveying direction by transferring an item from a preceding segment to a following segment that is offset relative to the preceding segment and then transporting the item on the following segment. Items with small dimensions, which rest on just one conveyor can also be manipulated during the transportation.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus for sorting piece goods (12), having at least a first moving transport unit (22) for transporting at least one piece good (12) in a main transport direction (18), the first transport unit (22) has a chassis (38) for the movement, a transfer unit (32) which moves the piece good (12) in a transfer direction (50), and a drive unit (34) fixed to the first transport unit (22) for driving the piece good (12) in the transfer direction (50). The sorting apparatus has a coupling device (62) for coupling the chassis (38) to the drive unit (34) at least for a period of time.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus for sorting piece goods (12), having at least a first moving transport unit (22) for transporting at least one piece good (12) in a main transport direction (18), the first transport unit (22) has a chassis (38) for the movement, a transfer unit (32) which moves the piece good (12) in a transfer direction (50), and a drive unit (34) fixed to the first transport unit (22) for driving the piece good (12) in the transfer direction (50). The sorting apparatus has a coupling device (62) for coupling the chassis (38) to the drive unit (34) at least for a period of time.

Abstract: A tilt tray sorter conveyor for piece goods is provided. The conveyer includes wagons which are coupled to each other to make a ring or train, or are employed individually, and are moved along rails, each wagon having a carrying tray. Each carrying tray is pivoted to both sides about a pivot which is arranged centrally underneath the carrying tray and runs in the direction of travel, by a tilt drive arranged on the wagon, from a horizontal transport position into an unloading position to release goods conveyed by the wagon. In order to enable a flexible operational discharge of the tiling movement of the carrying tray, at least one flexible form-fitting or force-fitting traction mechanism is arranged underneath the carrying tray and hinged to both sides, the traction mechanism working with a drive to apply a traction force to the carrying tray in the tilting direction.

Abstract: A tilt tray sorter conveyor for piece goods is provided. The conveyer includes wagons which are coupled to each other to make a ring or train, or are employed individually, and are moved along rails, each wagon having a carrying tray. Each carrying tray is pivoted to both sides about a pivot which is arranged centrally underneath the carrying tray and runs in the direction of travel, by a tilt drive arranged on the wagon, from a horizontal transport position into an unloading position to release goods conveyed by the wagon. In order to enable a flexible operational discharge of the tiling movement of the carrying tray, at least one flexible form-fitting or force-fitting traction mechanism is arranged underneath the carrying tray and hinged to both sides, the traction mechanism working with a drive to apply a traction force to the carrying tray in the tilting direction.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating articles includes providing a bed having at least one conveying surface. The conveying surface is adapted to move articles in a direction of conveyance from an upstream end to a downstream end of the bed. At least one sensor is provided to determine the position of any articles on the bed. Selected articles are moved in the direction of conveyance at a speed that is generally higher than articles traveling on the bed that have yet to be manipulated and the articles are selectively rotated.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating articles includes providing a bed having at least one conveying surface. The conveying surface is adapted to move articles in a direction of conveyance from an upstream end to a downstream end of the bed. At least one sensor is provided to determine the position of any articles on the bed. Selected articles are moved in the direction of conveyance at a speed that is generally higher than articles traveling on the bed that have yet to be manipulated and the articles are selectively rotated.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating articles includes providing a bed having at least one conveying surface. The conveying surface is adapted to move articles in a direction of conveyance from an upstream end to a downstream end of the bed. At least one sensor is provided to determine the position of any articles on the bed. Selected articles are moved in the direction of conveyance at a speed that is generally higher than articles traveling on the bed that have yet to be manipulated and the articles are selectively rotated.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating articles includes providing a bed having at least one conveying surface. The conveying surface is adapted to move articles in a direction of conveyance from an upstream end to a downstream end of the bed. At least one sensor is provided to determine the position of any articles on the bed. Selected articles are moved in the direction of conveyance at a speed that is generally higher than articles traveling on the bed that have yet to be manipulated and the articles are selectively rotated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sorting unit for conveying items in a first direction, while, by using the same driving force, the unit may be selectively displaced in a second direction. The first and second directions may be transversal, with the first direction being facilitated by a conveyor or endless belt. The sorting unit may be part of a sorting line where consideration must be given for conveying items in one or more directions. In the present sorting unit, a track is introduced into a driving cylinder. Appropriately placed guide members selectively engage the track. The guide members may be fixed with respect to the second direction. The cylinder may be used to drive the above belt. Therefore, when the members engage the track, and accordingly the cylinder, the rotational force of the cylinder causes the sorting unit, via the guide members to displace in the second direction.

Abstract: A passive discharge mechanism for discharging articles from a trolley at selected locations is disclosed. The trolley may be equipped with on-board intelligence for communicating with an external controller, monitoring the trolley's location, and signaling actuation of a moveable member for engaging the passive discharge mechanism as the trolley reaches a selected destination for an article conveyed by the trolley. In one aspect the passive discharge mechanism comprises a transverse conveyor; in another aspect the passive discharge mechanism includes a tilt-type tray. A trolley for conveying articles along a monorail having arcuate portions includes a rigid frame having a longitudinal axis and opposed ends is also disclosed.

Abstract: A conveyor system for automatically transporting items along a conveyor path has at least one guide rail and a plurality of vehicles. The vehicles each have a load carrier movable between a substantially horizontal position and two different tilted positions. A lever gauge is movable in an E-shaped shifting gate and a disconnect element is located on the vehicle to move the lever gage between a position engaging the guide rail and a position not engaging the guide rail.