Abstract: A system for managing parcel flow includes: an upstream conveyor for receiving and conveying a bulk flow of parcels; and a damming conveyor positioned to receive parcels offloaded from the upstream conveyor. The system may also include: a destacking conveyor positioned to receive parcels offloaded from the damming conveyor and configured to separate vertically stacked parcels; and a downstream conveyor positioned to receive parcels offloaded from the destacking conveyor. The damming conveyor can be selectively activated and deactivated to offload parcels in discrete batches, instead of a continuous flow. Selective activation and deactivation of the damming conveyor and/or destacking conveyor can be based on instructions communicated from a control subsystem in accordance in a prearranged sequence or based on data from one or more sensors configured to acquire data corresponding to the positioning of parcels within the system.

Abstract: A rejection chute for a conveyor system, which receives and redirects rejected parcels, includes: a conduit defined by a plurality of side walls; a door; and an actuator operably connected to the door. The conduit includes an enclosed upper portion defining a first opening for receiving parcels into the rejection chute and a lower portion defining a second opening for discharging parcels from the rejection chute. The door is mounted proximate to the first opening and is configured to transition between a first position to cover the first opening and a second position to uncover the first opening. The rejection chute can be integrated into a walking surface alongside of a conveyor to receive and redirect parcels transferred off of the conveyor to a location below the walking surface. An enclosure can be combined with the rejection chute to regulate access and guide parcels into the rejection chute.

Abstract: A system for managing parcel flow includes: an upstream conveyor for receiving and conveying a bulk flow of parcels; and a damming conveyor positioned to receive parcels offloaded from the upstream conveyor. The system may also include: a destacking conveyor positioned to receive parcels offloaded from the damming conveyor and configured to separate vertically stacked parcels; and a downstream conveyor positioned to receive parcels offloaded from the destacking conveyor. The damming conveyor can be selectively activated and deactivated to offload parcels in discrete batches, instead of a continuous flow. Selective activation and deactivation of the damming conveyor and/or destacking conveyor can be based on instructions communicated from a control subsystem in accordance in a prearranged sequence or based on data from one or more sensors configured to acquire data corresponding to the positioning of parcels within the system.

Abstract: A pivoting load chute includes one or more sections that define a conveying surface that is configured for rotation relative to a support stand about a substantially horizontal axis between a lowered position and a raised position. The pivoting load chute further includes at least one linkage assembly having (i) a first linkage arm, with a first end of the first linkage arm operably connected to the support stand, (ii) an actuator that is operably connected to and extends between the support stand and the first linkage arm, and (iii) a second linkage arm, with a first end of the second linkage arm operably connected to the one or more sections that define the conveying surface, and with a second end of the second linkage arm operably connected to a second end of the first linkage arm.

Abstract: A pivoting load chute includes one or more sections that define a conveying surface that is configured for rotation relative to a support stand about a substantially horizontal axis between a lowered position and a raised position. The pivoting load chute further includes at least one linkage assembly having (i) a first linkage arm, with a first end of the first linkage arm operably connected to the support stand, (ii) an actuator that is operably connected to and extends between the support stand and the first linkage arm, and (iii) a second linkage arm, with a first end of the second linkage arm operably connected to the one or more sections that define the conveying surface, and with a second end of the second linkage arm operably connected to a second end of the first linkage arm.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-cleaning apparatus for transferring, collecting and disposing of a material. While the apparatus has specific utility in the medical and surgical environment for disposing of bodily wastes such as blood, mucous, wax, cauterized tissue and the like, the apparatus can also be employed to collect and transfer or dispose of any material, constituent or product. The apparatus includes a material transfer hose, a material collection chamber, a vacuum source for drawing material into the material collection chamber through the material transfer hose, an optional pump for emptying the material collection chamber, and a cleaning fluid chamber which receives the material transfer hose to permit a cleaning fluid to be drawn into the material transfer hose to clean the hose, as well as the remaining components of the apparatus. The optional disposal pump can be activated automatically to permit non-interrupted transfer, collection and disposal of a material to a drain.