Abstract: Method and apparatus for sensing and detecting parcel flow density on a selected section of a feed conveyor and receiving conveyor and for adjusting conveyor speed to control parcel flow density. The conveyors include a range sensing field of measurement at selected locations. A range sensing device has a virtual encoder and a signal generating and detecting means extending across the surface of the conveyors. Computer means calculates a percentage of desired occupancy of the receiving conveyor and percentage of actual occupancy of the receiving conveyor. A programmable logic controller controls conveyor speed and start-stop movement of the feed conveyor and receiving conveyor based upon signals received from the range sensing detection device to optimally space packages on the feed conveyor or receiving conveyor.

Abstract: A roller shoe slat sorter conveyor system includes a conveyor forming an upwardly facing support surface. The support surface includes slots oriented transversely to the conveying direction and a plurality of roller shoe assemblies mounted for sliding movement along respective slots for transversely discharging objects from a medial position to either side of the conveying surface. Each roller shoe assembly includes a releasably mounted carrier disposed below the conveying surface. The releasable connection enables the roller shoe to detach from the carrier, and be manually reattached. The elongated roller shoe features downward slanting ends and includes a plurality of roller wheels extending above the surface of the shoe mounted to axles movable in a vertical axis whereby an article resting on the rollers of a shoe depresses the rollers so they contact the slat surface and move an article resting thereon at twice the speed of the shoe.

Abstract: Roller conveyors can only safely convey articles up to a certain width to downstream conveyors without jamming. The present invention utilizes at least one and preferably a plurality of jam prevention diverter wheels disposed at a selected angle between adjacent rollers of a conveyor with a portion of the diverter wheels extending above the surface of the conveyor rollers to contact items and limit the width of items that can pass through without jamming the conveyor. The diverter wheels are rotated with power mechanically derived from the main powered conveyor rollers. A portion of diverter wheels extend above the skewed roller conveyor surface a selected distance and at a selected angle to contact conveyed articles and only allow items up to a certain size to pass diverting wide items or misaligned items having a width wider than desired for passing through to a downstream conveyor. Jam prevention is the point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of using different sensing and detection methods to determine parcel flow density 1D lineal, 2D area or 3D volumetrically on a selected section of a feed conveyor and receiving conveyor and adjusting conveyor speed ratios proportioned according to ratio of desired density to current density to increase the density or volume of parcels in a selected area of the receiving conveyor.

Abstract: Roller conveyors can only safely convey articles up to a certain width to downstream conveyors without jamming The present invention utilizes at least one and preferably a plurality of jam prevention diverter wheels disposed at a selected angle between adjacent rollers of a conveyor with a portion of the diverter wheels extending above the surface of the conveyor rollers to contact items and limit the width of items that can pass through without jamming the conveyor. The diverter wheels are rotated with power mechanically derived from the main powered conveyor rollers. A portion of diverter wheels extend above the skewed roller conveyor surface a selected distance and at a selected angle to contact conveyed articles and only allow items up to a certain size to pass diverting wide items or misaligned items having a width wider than desired for passing through to a downstream conveyor. Jam prevention is the point.

Abstract: A multistage multi-lane singulator conveyor system for separating side by side packages in stages. A first high friction surface conveying moving articles forward is adjacent a second low friction conveying lane in lateral flow communication having both forward and lateral conveying forces urging parcels forward and away from the first conveying lane, wherein the second conveying lane can be level or transversely inclined and angled upward in lateral flow communication with a third high friction surface conveying surface. Controlling residence time and forward and lateral movement of articles by assembling high friction surface conveying lanes and low friction surface conveying lanes in an end to end and/or lateral arrangement in flow communication with one another and/or shifting articles moving forward and laterally by staggering the high friction conveying surfaces and low friction conveying surfaces and adjusting the width by adjusting the number of high friction conveying surfaces adjacent one another.

Abstract: Roller conveyors can only safely convey articles up to a certain width to downstream conveyors without jamming. The present invention utilizes at least one and preferably a plurality of jam prevention diverter wheels disposed at a selected angle between adjacent rollers of a conveyor with a portion of the diverter wheels extending above the surface of the conveyor rollers to contact items and limit the width of items that can pass through without jamming the conveyor. The diverter wheels are rotated with power mechanically derived from the main powered conveyor rollers. A portion of diverter wheels extend above the skewed roller conveyor surface a selected distance and at a selected angle to contact conveyed articles and only allow items up to a certain size to pass diverting wide items or misaligned items having a width wider than desired for passing through to a downstream conveyor. Jam prevention is the point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of using different sensing and detection methods to determine parcel flow density 1D lineal, 2D area or 3D volumetrically on a selected section of a feed conveyor and receiving conveyor and adjusting conveyor speed ratios proportioned according to ratio of desired density to current density to increase the density or volume of parcels in a selected area of the receiving conveyor.

Abstract: A typing off-loading and article sorting system to automatically separate different parcel types includes an feed conveyor, receiving conveyor, sorting conveyor, cameras and photoelectric eye. The overhead cameras detect the item size and whether it is cubic in nature and type and size of its footprint. An in-line slide sorter having alternating conveyor rollers and pop-up belts pass through to, or divert articles from, a downstream conveyor. The vision based system may also be used to detect space between articles and insert articles in the unoccupied space.

Abstract: A multistage multi-lane singulator conveyor system for separating side by side packages in stages. A first conveying lane having a high friction surface is combined with a second conveying lane adjacent thereto in lateral flow communication therewith having a lower friction conveying surface including both forward and lateral conveying forces urging parcels forward and away from the first conveying lane. The conveying surface of the second conveying lane may form an inclined plane extending above an inner lateral receiving edge of an adjacent third conveying lane having a high friction surface in lateral flow communication therewith. Each of the high friction conveying lanes may utilize a plurality of narrow belts to vary the area of the high friction surface.

Abstract: Roller conveyors can only safely convey articles up to a certain width to downstream conveyors without jamming The present invention utilizes at least one and preferably a plurality of jam prevention diverter wheels disposed at a selected angle between adjacent rollers of a conveyor with a portion of the diverter wheels extending above the surface of the conveyor rollers to contact items and limit the width of items that can pass through without jamming the conveyor. The diverter wheels are rotated with power mechanically derived from the main powered conveyor rollers. A portion of diverter wheels extend above the skewed roller conveyor surface a selected distance and at a selected angle to contact conveyed articles and only allow items up to a certain size to pass diverting wide items or misaligned items having a width wider than desired for passing through to a downstream conveyor. Jam prevention is the point.

Abstract: A typing off-loading and item separation system to automatically separate different parcel types includes an feed conveyor, receiving conveyor, sorting conveyor, cameras and photoelectric eye. Overhead cameras and/or photoelectric sensors detect the item size and whether it is cubic in nature and type and size of its footprint. An in-line slide sorter having alternating conveyor rollers and pop-up belts pass through to, or divert items from a downstream conveyor. A vison based system may also be used to detect space between articles and insert articles in the unoccupied space to maximize conveyor area, volume, or density by controlling conveyor speed.

Abstract: A singulator conveyor system having conveying surfaces arranged in adjacent parallel configuration for separating and moving side by side packages. The singulator includes a first conveyor conveying lane having a high friction surface for conveying articles forward along a vertical side wall. A second conveyor conveying lane adjacent thereto has a lower friction surface including both forward and lateral conveying forces urging parcels forward and away from the first conveyor conveying lane and side wall. The lateral receiving edge of the second conveyor conveying lane is below the outer lateral edge of the first conveyor conveying lane and the conveying surface is transversely inclined and angled laterally upward having an elevated outer side edge even with or below the lateral receiving edge of an adjacent third conveyor conveying lane having a high friction conveying surface.

Abstract: A camera based vision system that recognizes and maximizes belt area utilization. A plurality of cameras are positioned at flow entry points of feed conveyors and at the singulator. The control algorithm recognizes individual items area, the rate at which individual objects are passing, and the area utilization of the collector belt. The video camera and computer based conveyor package management system monitor and control the number and size of the packages present on the infeed conveyors, collector conveyor, singulator conveyor and sorting conveyor in a package handling system wherein the camera data is used to measure the available area or space on the conveyors to maintain a desired density of packages on selected conveyor(s). The conveyor speed is controlled as a function of occupancy on a collector or just prior to a singulator or receiver.

Abstract: A singulator conveyor system having conveying surfaces arranged in adjacent parallel configuration for separating and moving side by side packages. The singulator includes a first conveyor conveying lane having a high friction surface for conveying articles forward along a vertical side wall. A second conveyor conveying lane adjacent thereto has a lower friction surface including both forward and lateral conveying forces urging parcels forward and away from the first conveyor conveying lane and side wall. The lateral receiving edge of the second conveyor conveying lane is below the outer lateral edge of the first conveyor conveying lane and the conveying surface is transversely inclined and angled laterally upward having an elevated outer side edge even with or below the lateral receiving edge of an adjacent third conveyor conveying lane having a high friction conveying surface.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a conveyor system including a speed control slide sorter system disposed perpendicular to a pass through conveyor wherein the speed control improves efficiency in loading and utilizing available area on the belt and selects the conveyor speed to induce a diverter action according to sensors which detect portions of the irregular shaped packages, parcels, and bags which can be engaged by the pop-up belt at a selected time to slow the conveyor and engage the pop-up transfer conveyor without stopping the conveyor.

Abstract: A typing off-loading and item separation system to automatically separate different parcel types includes an feed conveyor, receiving conveyor, sorting conveyor, cameras and photoelectric eye. Overhead cameras and/or photoelectric sensors detect the item size and whether it is cubic in nature and type and size of its footprint. An in-line slide sorter having alternating conveyor rollers and pop-up belts pass through to, or divert items from a downstream conveyor. A vison based system may also be used to detect space between articles and insert articles in the unoccupied space to maximize conveyor area, volume, or density by controlling conveyor speed.

Abstract: A typing off-loading and article sorting system to automatically separate different parcel types includes an feed conveyor, receiving conveyor, sorting conveyor, cameras and photoelectric eye. The overhead cameras detect the item size and whether it is cubic in nature and type and size of its footprint. An in-line slide sorter having alternating conveyor rollers and pop-up belts pass through to, or divert articles from, a downstream conveyor. The vison based system may also be used to detect space between articles and insert articles in the unoccupied space.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a conveyor assembly for separating and aligning parcels, packages, bags and other articles prior to processing with a singulator. The stepped wall assembly includes a low friction conveying surface having both forward and lateral conveying forces for moving articles toward a lateral sidewall and a downstream conveyor. A series of offsets disposed between straight and diverging sidewalls force parcels toward the center of the conveyor against the lateral forces of the low friction conveying surface gradually separating and converging the parcels toward a selected sidewall of the conveyor and in line with a singulator apparatus.

Abstract: A typing tunnel off-loading and sorting system includes an off-loading conveyor, cameras and photoelectric eye. The overhead cameras detect the item size and whether it is cubic in nature and type and size of its footprint. An in-line slide sorter having alternating conveyor rollers and pop-up belts pass through to, or divert articles from, a downstream conveyor. The vision based system may also be used to detect space between articles and insert articles in the unoccupied space.