Abstract: A roller comprising wheels to enable bi-direction movement of packages and a conveyor incorporating the same. The roller has an axis of rotation extending along a length of the roller. The roller includes the wheels disposed at positions along the length of the roller. Axes of rotation of the wheels of the roller are perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the roller. In various embodiments, adjacent wheels along the length of the roller can be circumferentially offset relative to each other.

Abstract: A side-by-side eliminator conveying system includes a guardrail, a first conveyor, and a second conveyor. The guardrail includes a vertical side wall. The first conveyor is adjacent to the guardrail, and includes a first conveying surface perpendicular to the vertical side wall. The first conveying surface has a first inner edge and a first outer edge. The first inner edge is adjacent to the vertical side wall. The second conveyor includes a second conveying surface perpendicular to the vertical side wall. The second conveying surface includes a second inner edge and a second outer edge. The second inner edge is adjacent to the first outer edge of the first conveying surface. The second conveyor includes a series of driven rollers, where a roller is within at least a first sleeve and a second sleeve, which are configured to rotate independently of the roller.

Abstract: A laser assembly has multiple laser diode assemblies including a first laser diode assembly and a second laser diode assembly. The first laser diode assembly and the second diode assembly are configured to operate independently or simultaneously with one another and are assembled on a single heatsink.

Abstract: A sorter system is configured to sort objects disposed on a conveying surface to multiple locations. The system includes a frame, a plurality of carriages each having a motor, a belt, and a plurality of pulleys. The sorter system includes a power line extending through the frame and power pickups on one or more carriages to receive power from the power line and provide power to actuate the belts of two or more carriages. The sorter system also includes a control line extending through the frame and one or more master carriages configured to receive control signals from a sorter controller system to control actuation of the belts of two or more carriages. The carriages may include a belt drive system configured to reduce the widths of the carriages. The belt drive systems may drive the belts on-center to reduce the torque and energy required to actuate the belt.

Abstract: A sorter system is configured to sort objects disposed on a conveying surface to a plurality of locations. The system includes a frame, a plurality of carriages each having a motor and a belt, a carriage power system, and a belt controller system. The carriage power system includes a plurality of circuit boards with first and second powerable strips. The belt controller system may cause the carriage power system to selectively power the first or second strips. The motors of carriages rolling along the strips may be powered to actuate the belt. The motors may actuate the belt in a first direction when the first strip is powered and actuate the belt in a second direction when the second strip is powered.

Abstract: An artificial tree includes an artificial tree pole having a bottom portion and supporting a plurality of artificial branches extending outwardly therefrom. An artificial tree trunk includes a flexible substrate that is wrapped around the bottom portion of the pole below the plurality of artificial branches. The flexible substrate has a first surface and an opposite second surface, a first edge and an opposite second edge, and a first end and an opposite second end. An image of tree bark is displayed on the first surface.

Abstract: An artificial tree includes an artificial tree pole having a bottom portion and supporting a plurality of artificial branches extending outwardly therefrom. An artificial tree trunk includes a flexible substrate that is wrapped around the bottom portion of the pole below the plurality of artificial branches. The flexible substrate has a first surface and an opposite second surface, a first edge and an opposite second edge, and a first end and an opposite second end. An image of tree bark is displayed on the first surface.

Abstract: A cover for an artificial tree pole includes a flexible substrate that has: a first surface and an opposite second surface, a first edge and an opposite second edge, and a first end and an opposite second end. A first decorative image is displayed on at least the first surface. A first coupling member is disposed on the first surface adjacent to the first edge. A second coupling member is disposed on the second surface adjacent to the second edge. The second coupling member is complimentary to the first coupling member and is engagable with the first coupling member so that when the flexible substrate is wrapped around the artificial tree pole, the first coupling member will be secured to the second coupling member. As a result, a portion of the artificial tree pole will be hidden behind the first decorative image.

Abstract: A cover for an artificial tree pole includes a flexible substrate that has: a first surface and an opposite second surface, a first edge and an opposite second edge, and a first end and an opposite second end. A first decorative image is displayed on at least the first surface. A first coupling member is disposed on the first surface adjacent to the first edge. A second coupling member is disposed on the second surface adjacent to the second edge. The second coupling member is complimentary to the first coupling member and is engagable with the first coupling member so that when the flexible substrate is wrapped around the artificial tree pole, the first coupling member will be secured to the second coupling member. As a result, a portion of the artificial tree pole will be hidden behind the first decorative image.