Abstract: A beverage brewing product for brewing a sweetened beverage is disclosed which produces a sweetened beverage solution that can be mixed with a diluting liquid and which comprises at least one water permeable sieve wherein beverage material and granulated sweetener are contained. The beverage material and sweetener are brewed and dissolved during steeping in hot water to produce a sweetened beverage solution. The beverage solution, if concentrated, is then mixed with a proportioned amount of diluting liquid to make a consistently sweet beverage. This beverage brewing product may be used to produce a variety of consistently sweetened beverages, including tea, coffee, and lemonade.

Abstract: A liquid containment structure such as a frac pond has a perimeter wall; a floor liner bounded by the perimeter wall; and a platform underneath the floor liner, the platform formed of a plurality of mats laid edge to edge and whose upper faces collectively define a support surface. Related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A trash bag apparatus for holding a variety of trash and refuse material is provided. The trash bag apparatus comprises a trash bag having an open top end and a closed bottom end. A zipper slide closure is mounted to the open top end of the trash bag with the zipper slide closure moveable across the open top end of the trash bag to releasably seal the top end closed in a leak free manner. Upon closing the zipper slide closure, the trash bag inhibits odors, liquid, and other material from escaping the trash bag thus ensuring a pleasant, odor free environment.

Abstract: A modular waste disposal or recycling container and modular container system are disclosed. The container includes a base and one or more sidewalls extending upwardly from the base. The base and the one or more sidewalls together define an interior space for receiving waste or recyclables. A sidewall of the one or more sidewalls comprises one or more sockets, and each of the one or more sockets is capable of removably receiving a respective one of a magnet, a ferromagnetic insert and a plug with a cap that covers the socket. The modular container system includes at least two containers, one having magnetic properties on a first sidewall and the other having ferromagnetic properties on a second sidewall. When placed adjacent to each other, the first and second sidewalls releasably adhere to each other.

Abstract: A nested trash bag apparatus for creating a set of nested bags in a way where a set of inner bags is placed within an outer bag and when an inner bag is detached from the set, another inner bag is already in place and ready to use within a waste basket.

Abstract: A subpanel for a bag stand includes: a first side panel and a second side panel, each of the first side panel and the second side panel including a top end, a bottom end, two side ends, an inner surface, an outer surface, and a thickness defined from the inner surface to the outer surface. The first side panel additionally includes a connection finger, the connection finger connected to a first side end of the two side ends of the first side panel, the connection finger including a clearance portion and a clasp portion. The second side panel is at least indirectly connected to the first side panel and defines a connection recess in a first side end of the two side ends of the second side panel distal from the first side panel, the connection recess including a clearance portion and a lock portion.

Abstract: A body for a blow molded waste cart and a waste cart having a blow-molded hollow body having a front wall and a central channel formed in the front wall, a lift pocket formed in the central channel, and a lift pocket reinforcement insert molded into the lift pocket. The lift pocket reinforcement has a main body formed with a longitudinal axis, an upper face, a rear face including a generally planar lift contact surface and a plurality of retention keys that retain the polymer of the parison after molding. The retention keys may be undercut to improve retention of the polymer. The lift pocket reinforcement may be blow-molded and the retention keys may be in the shape of a section of a trapezoidal cone.

Abstract: A refuse container has a bin defining a cavity and a lid selectively inhibiting access to the cavity. A pair of opposing brackets is located below the lid. The brackets are in laterally spaced relationship such that a space is located between portions of the brackets. Each bracket has opposing inner and outer face portions with an interior gap formed between therebetween. The interior gap is fluidly isolated from the cavity. A rib is located within the interior gaps such that each rib extends inwardly relative to the space between the brackets. A retention bar is coupled to each bracket and spans the space from one bracket to the other bracket wherein opposing ends of the retention bar extend into the interior gap of each bracket, and an exposed portion of the retention bar spans the space between the brackets. The end portions of the retention bar abut the ribs.

Abstract: A skip (10) for domestic and/or industrial waste, the skip (10) comprising a body (12), the body (12) defining an opening (16) and having an interior (14) adapted to receive waste, and a plurality of doors (20, 22, 24, 26) attached to the body (12), each door (20, 22, 24, 26) being movable between an open position and a closed position, the doors (20, 22, 24, 26) combining in the closed position to seal the opening (16).

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including a storage structure with storage racks having a seating surface configured to support case units where a position of each case unit is non-deterministic for each storage location on the storage racks, each case unit has a predetermined storage position and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage position, a picking aisle configured to provide access to the case units within the storage structure, and a seismic disturbance restorative system including seismic disturbance motions sensors disposed on the storage racks, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensors and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated case mapper configured to traverse the picking aisle, the automated case mapper being in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seated position of at least one case unit within the storage structure.

Abstract: An order fulfillment system and method of fulfilling orders, each with at least one article, includes at least one mobile robotic unit that is capable of autonomous routing in an order fulfillment facility. A stationary robotic order-picking station with a stationary robot and vision equipment sorts articles into orders. The at least one mobile robotic unit transfers articles to or from the stationary robotic order-picking station.

Abstract: A hybrid module for a modular belt is disclosed herein. The hybrid module has a bridge section with a first transverse end and a second transverse end. Each end module has a body with an inner end and an outer end. The inner ends of each module are configured to be attached to a corresponding end of the bridge section. The inner ends may be removably attached to the corresponding ends of the bridge section using a coupler on the inner end and, in some cases, a mating coupler on the corresponding end of the bridge section.

Abstract: A grain elevator system and method are disclosed, where the grain elevator system includes a grain elevator, a grain elevator paddle, and/or a grain elevator paddle insert. When the grain elevator system includes a sensor attached to a side of the grain elevator, the grain elevator paddle may be configured to include a divider piece for biasing grain towards the side of the grain elevator having the sensor attached. When the grain elevator system includes a sensor attached to a side of the grain elevator, a grain elevator paddle insert may be positioned on top of the grain elevator paddle for biasing grain towards the side of the grain elevator having the sensor attached.

Abstract: The device for conveying a fiber web comprises a transport device, which serves as a support for the fiber web, and which is driven by a drive in a transport direction at a speed of at least 50 m/min. The transport device has a rough surface and carries along the fiber web resting on the transport device by force of friction. An array of linear elements arranged above the transport device serves to cover the fiber web resting on the transport device. The linear elements have a smooth surface, and the fiber web is carried along the bottom surface of the linear elements. The linear elements are arranged next to each other but spaced apart in a direction transverse to the transport direction.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to easily regulate mistracking of a belt revolving between multiple pulleys in a conveyor device. Another object of the present invention is to save the space of a mechanism for regulating mistracking in the conveyor device. A non-driving pulley included in the conveyor device has an adjustment collar between a bearing and a shaft of the non-driving pulley. The adjustment collar has an adjustment outer surface inclined relative to a reference axis XB of the shaft. The adjustment collar rotated relative to the shaft changes the state of inclination of the adjustment outer surface supporting the bearing, thereby changing the orientation of the non-driving pulley having the wrapped belt.

Abstract: Robotic arms or manipulators can be used to toss inventory items within an inventory system. Tossing strategies for the robotic arms may include information about how a grasped item is to be moved and released by a robotic arm to achieve a trajectory for moving the item to a receiving location. A tossing strategy may also use a trajectory that avoids time and/or space reserved for a trajectory of another tossed item. The receiving location can include surfaces and/or other features that can be manipulated for receiving the item based on one or more characteristics of the tossed item and/or a trajectory of the tossed item.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for separating piece goods (2) to be stored in an automated storage facility, comprising a conveying device (3) for conveying piece goods (2) from a stock (4) to a support surface (5) of a collecting device (27), a control device (6) for controlling the conveying device (3), a sensor (7), which is coupled to the control device (6) and which detects the striking of the support surface (5) by piece goods (2), wherein the control device (6) interrupts the conveying of additional piece goods (2) onto the support surface (5) as soon as the striking of a piece good or a plurality of pieces goods (2) has been detected, and a detecting device coupled to the control device (6) for detecting the position and orientation of the piece goods (2) lying on the support surface (5).

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying spout attachment bags including a first transfer device for transferring a spout attachment bag in a horizontal orientation, a positioning device for receiving and horizontally positioning the spout attachment bag transferred from the first transfer device, a second transfer device for transferring upward the spout attachment bag positioned by the positioning device and changing the spout attachment bag from the horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation so that the spout attachment opening faces upward and is horizontal, and a detection device. The position of the spout attachment opening on the positioning device is detected by the detection device and is compared to a preset reference position, so that any amount of deviation between the two positions is corrected, thus keeping the height positions of the spout attachment openings of the spout attachment bags changed to a vertical orientation steady.

Abstract: A track lubricator device for a conveyor belt system includes an applicator bracket configured for mounting to a conveyor belt supporting track of the conveyor belt system, an applicator pad supported on the applicator bracket and a source of lubricating fluid in communication with the applicator pad, wherein the pad is configured for applying a lubricating fluid to a bottom surface of a conveyor belt as the conveyor belt travels along the conveyor belt supporting track

Abstract: An article feed system for aligning and singulating incoming articles includes a rotatable upper rim surface and an article delivery device that delivers articles received by the article delivery device to the upper rim surface. A drive system is operatively connected to the outer bowl that rotates the outer bowl. A guide wall extends upwardly above the upper rim surface that guides the articles travelling along the upper rim surface toward an exit opening in the guide wall. A vertically oriented article engaging-type conveyor is at the exit opening in the guide wall. The vertically oriented article engaging-type conveyor includes a moving article engaging surface that is exposed to the exit opening in the guide wall for receiving the articles when they exit the exit opening.

Abstract: A lower portion is formed in a vicinity of an end portion of a bottom member of a storage container. A lift member configured to lift parts kept on standby on the lower portion is arranged in a state of being movable up and down along an inner wall of the storage container. A transport unit configured to transport the part, which is lifted and transferred thereto by the lift member, to a target position is arranged, and a position at which the parts are to be transferred to the transport unit is set in a vicinity of an upper position of the lift member.

Abstract: A conveyance system (1) and a system for inspecting an article to be conveyed by using the conveyance system (1) are provided with a purpose of preventing contact of an article to be conveyed with a guide or the like with a simple structure, the conveyance system (1) including: a rotor section (2); a rotation mechanism (3); a pack (5); and a lift mechanism (4).

Abstract: A transfer apparatus capable of suppressing dust generation and reducing the manufacturing cost thereof is provided. In a transfer apparatus including a transfer unit which moves on a rail to transfer an object and an arm mechanism which transmits the power from a drive source to the transfer unit, the arm mechanism includes a rotatable driving arm with one end thereof connected to the drive source, a driven arm with one end thereof connected to the transfer unit, and a gear mechanism which connects the other end of the driven arm to the other end of the driving arm and transmits the rotation of the driving arm to the driven arm.

Abstract: A method of constructing a palletizer cell by providing square platform bases which are assembled into an array in abutment with each other, each platform base mounting a respective component of palletizing equipment, such as a robot, one or more conveyors, a slip sheet bin, a discharge module, etc. with one platform base anchored to the factory floor and the rest attached to one or another of the platform bases to form the array of platform bases thereby properly locating the various equipment with each other by the fitting together of the platform bases. Safety fencing sections are mounted atop one or more outer sides to substantially enclose the space within the palletizer cell. Each platform base is formed with side openings which may be engaged with the tines of a fork lift.

Abstract: A sheet stacker including a sheet conveyor arrangement and a stacking bay, wherein sheets delivered by the sheet conveyor arrangement are formed into stacks; the stacking bay including a stacker platform. The stacker platform is provided with a vertical lifting and lowering movement with respect to a stationary supporting structure and is controlled to move downwards while a stack of sheets is formed thereon. The stacker platform supports a stack conveyor configured and controlled to perform at least an evacuation motion, to remove a completed stack from the stacking bay. The evacuation motion of the stack conveyor is oriented such that a completed stack is moved from the stacking bay onto an evacuation conveyor arranged under the sheet conveyor arrangement.

Abstract: A stacking system including an inverting arm arranged above the stacking system for selectively overturning a first elongated metal member into a second elongated metal member or not overturning the first elongated metal member into the second elongated metal member.

Abstract: A split hopper for dispensing granular or powdery materials has a hopper body and a lid. At least the hopper body is formed principally from a castable resin material such as polyurethane. The hopper body is formed from two hopper body sections mating at vertical faces and hinged to one another. Tooling mounts and other features such as clamping lugs can be cast directly into the hopper body sections during the casting process. The lid may be sealed to the top of the hopper body via a ring seal that may seal both radially and axially against the hopper body. A tool holder may be provided beneath the discharge opening of the hopper body for selectively engaging tooling so that the tooling does not fall out of the hopper body when the hopper body is opened.

Abstract: A loading ramp is supported between a first surface and a second surface. The loading ramp includes a first ramp portion supported on the first surface. The first ramp portion includes a first rail portion extending between a first end and an opposing second end. The first rail portion extends along a first non-linear axis. A first tread portion is fixedly attached to the first rail portion and supports a weight when the first tread portion is attached to the first rail portion. The loading ramp includes a second ramp portion attached to the first ramp portion and supported on the second surface. The second ramp portion includes a second rail portion extending between a third end, which is attached to the first rail portion, and an opposing fourth end. A second tread portion is fixedly attached to the second rail portion and supports the weight.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a feed roller, a feed holder, a supporting frame and a driving shaft. The feed roller is configured to rotate around a rotating shaft. The feed holder is configured to support the feed roller. The supporting frame has a storage recessed part in which the feed holder is attachable and detachable along a direction crossing an axial direction of the rotating shaft. The driving shaft is supported to the supporting frame on one side of the storage recessed part in the axial direction. The storage recessed part has a guide part and a positioning part. The guide part is configured to guide the feed holder. The rotating shaft is coupled to the driving shaft by sliding the feed holder positioned at the aligning position by the positioning part in the axial direction.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes: a sheet feeding assembly including: a shaft having an insertion part; and a feed roller; and a main body including: a rotary part; and first and second bearings. The main body supports the sheet feeding assembly. The rotary part rotates upon transmission of a drive force and receives the insertion part. The bearings support the shaft. An opening of an open portion of the first bearing has a circumferential dimension greater than a diameter of the shaft. The shaft supported by the bearings is movable between a mounted position and a retracted position. The feed roller is supported by the shaft, and movable as the shaft moves between the mounted position and the retracted position. The insertion part is separated from the rotary part when the shaft is in the retracted position, and inserted into the rotary part to place the shaft in the mounted position.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus has a first pair of conveying rollers which nip and convey a sheet, a reference surface provided along the sheet conveying direction, a second and third pair of rotary members, which, obliquely with respect to the sheet conveying direction, conveys the sheet so as to contact the side edge of the sheet to the reference surface, a switching unit which switches the first pair of rotary members between a state of nipping the sheet and a state of nip releasing the sheet, a controller which, after controlling the second pair of rotary member and the third pair of rotary members to nip the sheet nipped by the first pair of rotary members, controls the switching unit to release nip of the sheet by the first pair of rotary members. There is no pair of rotary members that conveys the sheet in the sheet conveying direction between the second pair of rotary members and the third pair of rotary members in the sheet conveying direction.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a first clutch and a second clutch. The first clutch transmits rotation of the driving unit in a first rotation direction to the first feeding device without transmitting rotation of the driving unit in a second rotation direction that is reverse to the first rotation direction to the first feeding device. The second clutch transmits the rotation of the driving unit in the second rotation direction to the conveyance device and the double-side printing conveyance device and without transmitting the rotation of the driving unit in the first rotation direction to the conveyance device and the double-side printing conveyance device. The third transmission path is configured to transmit the rotation of the driving unit to a conveyance device. The fourth transmission path is configured to transmit the rotation of the driving unit to a double-side printing conveyance device.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus avoiding possibility of sheet jam occurrence, and also maintains convenience for user. The apparatus is provided with plural stages detachably loaded therein, having a common carrying passage carrying a sheet from a lower stage, a sheet detection sensor that detects a sheet stored in stage, and plural searching patterns varying in priority levels in stage searching, and includes a stage searching part that, every time feeding from stage is performed, performs stage searching based on any one of the searching patterns, and a system control part that notifies stage searching part of detection result by sensor and stage specified as default, stage searching part selecting pattern according to detection result and default to perform stage searching, and system control part performing stage changeover based on priority levels in stage searching in pattern selected.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus preventing lowering of continuous printing performance; including plural paper feeding stages in main body; a residual paper quantity detection sensor; a printer part printing on paper; a paper feeding stage searching part functioning every time paper feeding is made; a paper feeding stage selection part determining existence of paper feeding capable stage, on result by paper feeding stage searching part, and selecting a paper feeding stage; a system control part performing stage changeover according to selection result by paper feeding stage selection part; when there exists no paper feeding capable stage, paper feeding stage selection part notifying system control part of it, and when there exists paper feeding capable stage, paper feeding stage selection part altering priority levels in stage searching on detection result by residual paper quantity detection sensor, and number of sheets required for printing, selecting paper feeding stage.

Abstract: There is disclosed a driver including an elongate shaft and at least one drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a housing which has an orifice for receiving the elongate shaft, and a drive wheel which is located at least partially within the housing. The drive wheel has a bore with a cross-section shaped so that the internal surface of the bore contacts the circumference of elongate shaft when the elongate shaft is inserted into the bore. The bore has at least two fulcrum surfaces so that the drive wheel is pivotable about the elongate shaft. The housing is slideable relative to the elongate shaft.

Abstract: The invention concerns a splicing facility for splicing material webs. The splicing facility comprises a first dispensing device for dispensing a finite first material web from a first material web roll, a second dispensing device for dispensing a finite second material web from a second material web roll, a third dispensing device for dispensing a third material web, a first splicing device for splicing together the finite first material web and the finite second material web to an endless material web and a second splicing device for splicing together the third material web and the finite first material web or the finite second material web to the endless material web. The first splicing device and the second splicing device are arranged at different heights.

Abstract: A steel sheet shape control method includes, (A) setting a target correction shape of the steel sheet at a position of an electromagnet to a curved shape, (B) measuring a steel sheet shape when electromagnetic correction is performed, (C) calculating the steel sheet shape in a nozzle position based on the steel sheet shape, (D) repeating (B) and (C) by resetting the target correction shape to a curved shape having a smaller amount of warp, (E) when the amount of warp of the steel sheet shape at the position of the nozzle is less than the upper limit value, (F) calculating vibration of the steel sheet at the position of the nozzle, and (G) adjusting a control gain of the electromagnet until amplitude of vibration is less than a second upper limit value when the amplitude of the vibration is equal to or more than the second upper limit value.

Abstract: A cable machine system for winding conductive tapes or wires around a cable core includes a rotatable pickup spool for receiving and winding a cable. The system also includes a rotatable shaft having a central passage along its axial length, through which the cable core extends during a winding operation. At least one rotatable conductor spool is rotatable about a spool axis and holds a conductive tape or wire. Each rotatable conductor spool is attached to the rotatable shaft and rotatable about the axis of the rotatable shaft with rotation of the rotatable shaft. A tape or wire extends from each conductor spool to the cable core and is wound around the cable core as the rotatable shaft is rotated about its axis.

Abstract: A reception apparatus that receives an article discharged from a processing apparatus includes a first rod, a second rod, a reception sheet and two side rods. The reception sheet has flexibility, is supported by the first rod and the second rod and receives the article between the first rod and the second rod. The two side rods can rotate, extend and contract independently from each other with respect to the processing apparatus while respectively supporting both end portions of the second rod.

Abstract: A reception apparatus that receives an article discharged from a processing apparatus includes a first rod, second rod and a reception sheet. The first rod extends in a direction crossing a direction of the discharge below a discharge port of the processing apparatus in a gravity direction. The second rod extends in the direction crossing the direction of the discharge at a position farther away from the discharge port than the first rod. The reception sheet has flexibility, is supported by the first rod and the second rod, and receives the article discharged between the first rod and the second rod. The first rod is capable of being disposed at a first position and a second position which are different from each other in the gravity direction.

Abstract: User labor relating to determining on an alignment condition is reduced and a stable conveying operation is realized by aligning a sheet bundle also when a sheet bundle is added. A sheet bundle composed of multiple sheet materials is placed on a loading platform. An encoder pulse unit detects the amount of the sheet bundle placed on the loading platform based on the opening amount of a pressure plate. A control unit determines on an alignment condition according to the amount of the sheet bundle. Rotating members align the sheet bundle in accordance with the alignment condition. When it is determined that another sheet bundle has been added to the loading platform, the control unit updates the alignment condition according to the total amount of the other sheet bundle and the sheet bundle remaining on the loading platform.

Abstract: A folding processing device includes a pressing section that includes a first opposing member and a second opposing member, the first opposing member opposing a folded portion of a folded sheet, the second opposing member opposing the first opposing member with the folded portion interposed therebetween, the pressing section pressing the folded portion by nipping the folded portion by using the first opposing member and the second opposing member; and a guiding section that is disposed upstream from the pressing section in a sheet transport direction, the guiding section nipping the sheet whose folded portion has passed through the guiding section and guiding the sheet to the pressing section.

Abstract: A recording medium processing apparatus includes a housing that accommodates a processing unit, which is capable of processing a recording medium, and that has an internal space a part of which is open; an internal stacker that is disposed in the internal space and that allows the recording medium to be stacked thereon; a light source that is disposed in a part of the internal stacker and that emits a light beam toward a predetermined position on the internal stacker, the light beam notifying a user of a state in which the recording medium is or is not stacked on the internal stacker; and a reflection member that is disposed in a part of the internal stacker and that reflects the light beam from the light source laterally outward from the internal stacker.

Abstract: An automatic cable spooling device is provided, comprising a frame adapted to rotatably hold a spooling drum; a drum motor operatively connected to the drum; and a levelwind arm positioned adjacent to the drum. The levelwind arm is movable in a plane aligned with the rotational axis of the drum. The system further includes an arm motor operatively connected to the levelwind arm; and a microcontroller in communication with the arm motor. An arm encoder is adapted to sense a position of the arm motor and is in communication with the microcontroller. Likewise, a drum encoder is adapted to sense a position of the drum motor and is also in communication with the microcontroller. The position of the levelwind arm is controlled by the microcontroller based on the position of the drum, the spooling width, and a predetermined cable diameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a winding device for winding strand-like material to be wound onto a rotating reel (2), which winding device has a laying apparatus (9) by means of which the material to be wound is guided to the run-on point on the winding. The laying apparatus (9) is substantially movable in the direction of the axis of rotation (3) of the reel (2). Furthermore the winding device (1) has at least one sensor for determining the run-on angle of the material to be wound onto the winding. The winding device (1) is designed in such a way that the movement of the laying apparatus (9) during the winding process is regulated as a function of the run-on angle determined by means of the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A guide member for use in connection with a wheel of a vehicle includes a wall and a base. The wall extends from a lower surface to an upper surface. The lower surface defines a support plane. The wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. The base extends from the lower surface of the wall. The base has a top surface and a bottom surface. The base is disposed transverse to the wall at a non-perpendicular angle to define a space between the bottom surface of the base and the support plane. The inner surface of the wall and the top surface of the base define a receiving pocket configured to receive a wheel of the vehicle therein, whereby the outer surface of the wall guides a longitudinal flexible member around the wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A fibre splicer (1) is disclosed that includes a splicing chamber (2) for receiving fibres to be spliced having an opening of in a side thereof, a chamber pad (3) for selectively sealing the opening of the splicing chamber (2) and a valve (9). The valve (9) has an unobstructed fluid pathway there-through, the valve (9) extending from the chamber (2) and being reconfigurable between a first configuration prohibiting fluid flow along the pathway and a second configuration permitting fluid flow along the pathway.

Abstract: Packaging and cable retainers for packaging wound cables are provided. The packaging may include a cavity configured to receive a wound cable held by a cable retainer. The cable retainer may be a single foldable piece of material. The cable retainer may include a plurality of fingers hingedly coupled to a panel and a plurality of flaps cut from the panel and hingedly coupled to the panel. The fingers may be attached to respective flaps to thereby define passageways through which a wound cable may extend. Methods of packaging wound cables are also discussed.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling multiple elevator cabs in an elevator shaft of a structure, where at least one elevator shaft having a plurality of zones, each zone representing at least one floor of the structure; at least one zone having at least one sensor; at least two elevator cabs moveable within the shaft, each cab moveable independently of other cabs; and a controller that determines movement of each cab into a zone. A first cab preceding any other cab, designated a leading cab; each cab following the leading cab, designated as a trailing cab; each cab moveable in the same direction of travel to service zones until each cab reaches its designated end zone; wherein the controller only instructs a trailing cab to move into a zone with a sensor, after the sensor in the zone detects a cab that was located in such zone has exited that zone thereby preventing collisions.

Abstract: A control system for an elevator system may comprise elevator cars and an elevator control for assigning elevator cars to destination calls. In a first mode of operation, the elevator control may be adapted to determine and assign an elevator car to transport a passenger based on at least one elevator car determination criterion. The elevator control may wait to provide information identifying the elevator car assigned to the passenger until the assigned elevator car approaches or arrives at a floor on which the passenger is located. Waiting to provide such information permits the elevator control to modify which elevator car ultimately transports the passenger based on intervening factors such as a door being held on an elevator car that was initially assigned to transport the passenger. In a second mode of operation, the passenger may be provided with the information that identifies the assigned elevator car immediately after the destination call is placed.