Abstract: The present invention relates to a sorting unit having tipable troughs that are selectively tipable by a combination of levers and cams running within predefined tracks. The tipping action can be selectively controlled so as to accommodate items within the troughs of varying weights, coefficient of frictions and the like.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for further transporting individually conveyed, flat products includes a rotatingly driven pulling element and spaced receiving apparatuses that can be loaded and emptied secured to the pulling element for being moved in a conveying direction. The receiving apparatuses each included two side walls which are respectively spaced in the conveying direction and form a receiving chamber having an opening for the products. A mechanism is provided for widening the opening in the receiving chamber of the respective apparatuses for loading product into the chamber and a further mechanism is provided for moving the receiving apparatuses into a hanging position with a predetermined inclination in which the openings are downwardly-oriented so that the product can be ejected through the opening.

Abstract: The sorting plant has two loops (2,102) on which endless cart chains (4,104) circulate. The loops (2,102) extend parallel and adjacent to each other at a transfer station (100). The cart chains (4,104) are driven by synchronized drives (6,106) in such a way that two carts (5,105) move exactly adjacent to each other at the transfer station (100). The second loop (2) is extended along a somewhat lower elevation at this location. By tipping the receptacles (113,114) of a cart (105) on the first loop (102), unit load (10) occupying the same is directly transferred onto the cart (5) of the second loop (2) that moves exactly adjacent to it. This arrangement makes it possible to load one gross distribution facility (101) and two fine distribution facilities (1,1a) in a mail distribution center in a reasonable manner and with small spatial requirements.

Abstract: A carriage for a conveyer for piece goods. The carriage is provided with a tilting device that is fastened to a carriage frame and is equipped with a push rod which is used to tilt a transporting tray disposed on a horizontal shaft. When the transporting tray is being tilted, for example, a postal package disposed on the tray is transferred at a preselected destination, for example, to a chute. A locking device equipped with detent pawls, an adjustment disc and a locking disc, automatically locks the transporting tray in its predetermined oblique position. In this way the transporting tray is prevented from tilting back once a sliding block provided for the pivoting is no longer in engagement with the tilting device in the region of the tilting path. The sliding block can thus be shorter than the tilt path.

Abstract: A sorting plant which has a closed rail (3) that forms a loop (2) on which an endless chain (4) of carts is guided. Loading stations (9) for the loading of the carts (5) with piece goods (10), as well as target stations (11) that receive the piece goods (10), are arranged along the rails (3). Each cart (5) has two receptacles (13, 14) that can be individually swiveled about a collective axis and also two separate activation elements to tilt the receptacles (13, 14). Each target station (11) has two cams that can be individually activated to initiate the tilting process. A package (10) is loaded onto the cart (5) at the loading station (9), namely, onto both receptacles (13, 14) of this cart (5) or only one of these receptacles, depending on the size of the package (10). The target station (11) of the occupied receptacle (13, 14), or the occupied receptacles (13, 14 ), are entered into a control device (12).

Abstract: A locking apparatus which includes a locking element, an unlocking element, and a latching member. In the rest position, two arms of the latching member are maintained in their latched positions by compressed springs. To unlock, the unlocking element is turned in one or the other direction of rotation, whereby one of two inclined surfaces lifts one arm against the restoring force of a spring via a bearing surface of the unlocking element. Upon further turning of the unlocking element, an entraining projection from this element pulls the locking element along with it in the same direction of rotation. If the unlocking element is turned in the opposite direction, the arms automatically return to a rest position.

Abstract: A sorting device includes a plurality of shelves placed one above the other in a frame, each adapted to receive a printing plate in sorted fashion. Located in front of the insertion opening of the shelves is a transport device for moving the printing plates along the shelves, preferably from top to bottom. Between the transport device and the shelves is a sorting carriage which can travel along the shelves and which includes a pivotable flap which operates to deflect the printing plates from the transport device to a desired shelf. To allow the printing plates to be introduced into the shelves, while keeping the shelves placed close together, the shelves are pivotally mounted at their lower edges and the sorting carriage is provided with a tappet for engaging the shelf located above the selected shelf, to lift the upper shelves and thereby enlarge the insertion opening. The arrangement is especially suitable for sorting so-called "flexoplates" and flexible offset plates.

Abstract: A stacker preferably includes two units, each having three storage drums which are arranged one above the other and which can be rotated independently of each other, and a feed device for carrying printing plates to the storage drums and arranged between the units. Further arranged between the storage drums is a drum loader for receiving printing plates from the feed device and for inserting the received plates into empty storage cells of the drums. The drums can be rotated independently of one another in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction, for insertion or removal of the printing plates, which may be offset plates or other printing plates which must be handled very carefully.

Abstract: A sorting device includes a plurality of shelves placed one above the other in a frame, each adapted to receive a printing plate in sorted fashion. Located in front of the insertion opening of the shelves is a transport device for moving the printing plates along the shelves, preferably from top to bottom. Between the transport device and the shelves is a sorting carriage which can travel along the shelves and which includes a pivotable flap which operates to deflect the printing plates from the transport device to a desired shelf. To allow the printing plates to be introduced into the shelves, while keeping the shelves placed close together, the shelves are pivotally mounted at their lower edges and the sorting carriage is provided with a tappet for engaging the shelf located above the selected shelf, to lift the upper shelves and thereby enlarge the insertion opening. The arrangement is especially suitable for sorting so-called "flexoplates" and flexible offset plates.

Abstract: Flexible printing plates are produced by a printing plate producing machine and then transferred at a transfer station to a series of grippers mounted on an endless roller chain and which can be swiveled and opened by cooperating connecting links to engage the printing plates. The printing plates are then brought to an unloading station where the grippers are pneumatically opened in a receiving head and the printing plates are dropped into a plate stacker for guiding the printing plates into a series of bins.