Abstract: Carrier car door assemblies respectively comprising a carrier car comprising a body, a door, a drive mechanism, a driven mechanism, and a magnetic release mechanism are disclosed herein. The carrier car travels along a track system between teller and customer stations to transport materials there-between. The door is connected to the body and movable between a door-closed position and a door-open position. The drive mechanism is connected to the body and to the driven mechanism so that the drive and driven mechanisms synchronously move between respective door-closed positions and door-open positions. The magnetic release mechanism is connected to the driven mechanism and moves from a magnetically coupled state to a magnetically de-coupled state when a user manually moves the door from the door-open position to the door-closed position. The magnetic release mechanism in the magnetically coupled state synchronously moves with the driven mechanism between door-closed and door-open positions.

Abstract: Dumping stations for receiving articles and discharging the articles into a collection area are disclosed. Each dumping station includes a bin having pick and dump modes. In the pick mode, articles placed in the bin are retained, while in the dump mode, articles are deposited onto a central conveyor. The bin is biased, via gravity, toward the dump mode. A releasable latch is provided for retaining the bin in the pick mode. A processor is operably coupled to the latch and provides a release signal, whereby the latch releases the bin, thereby allowing the bin to switch to the dump mode. The bin may further include a status indicator for assisting a stock worker in identifying the bin in which to place articles.

Abstract: A shopping cart conveyor system that moves a shopping cart from one location to another along a path. The system includes a frame, a track coupled to the frame, and a conveyor coupled to the frame and having an engagement member (e.g., multiple engagement members) adapted to engage a shopping cart. The engagement member is movable (e.g., pivotable) relative to the track from a first position, where the engagement member will engage and move the shopping cart along the path, and a second position, where the engagement member is capable of releasing engagement of the shopping cart. Preferably, the engagement member is biased toward the first position (e.g., by a resilient member). In one embodiment, the engagement member includes an engagement surface adapted to engage the shopping cart and defining an engagement angle between the engagement surface and a reference axis parallel to the path.

Abstract: A shopping cart conveyor that inhibits the loading of a non-compliant shopping cart onto the conveyor. In one aspect, the invention provides a conveyor comprising a track operable to guide the shopping cart between a first location and a second location, a gate assembly including a door movable between a closed position inhibiting entry to the track and an open position allowing entry to the track, a lock for securing the door in the closed position, and a sensor (e.g., an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, a radar sensor, an infrared sensor, an RFID reader, a magnetic sensor, and a mechanical sensor) positioned to detect the presence of a shopping cart. In another aspect, the conveyor is configured to move the gate from the closed position to the open position when the sensor detects the presence of a shopping cart. Preferably this is done using a drive mechanism coupled to the gate.

Abstract: A system and method for returning empty luggage carts over long distances from a remote collecting station to a retrieval station in a passenger terminal, where they may be retrieved by arriving passengers for the transportation of their luggage to parking lots, cab and bus loading areas, etc. A plurality of carts are inserted in nested arrangement into a load-in station. The carts are engaged individually, separated from the nested arrangement, and transported individually, in spaced-apart relation along a series of transport conveyor sections, changing elevations as appropriate and extending around curves as required to reach a discharge and retrieval station near the terminal luggage discharge area.

Abstract: A conveyor system for delivering items between a processing station and a remote delivery station includes a pair of flexible drive members and a pair of spaced apart drive guides each positioned to define a path of travel for one of the drive members between the stations. A carrier member having an item receiving portion and upper and lower ends is attached to both of the flexible drive members adjacent one of its upper or lower ends for reciprocation between the stations along the guides. A third flexible stabilization drive member and a corresponding stabilization guide is positioned to define a third path for the stabilization drive member. The carrier member is attached to the stabilization drive member adjacent to the other of its upper or lower ends. The active stabilization guide member provides for more uniform and stable translation of the carrier member between the stations.

Abstract: A manual pallet exchange system for exchanging a pallet on a work table of a horizontal machining center with another pallet from a storage rack or an optional set-up station. The system comprises a pallet shuttle cart which travels along a guideway that is positioned adjacent to the storage rack, the set-up station and the horizontal machining center. Receiving devices are provided on the horizontal machining center, the shuttle cart, the set-up station and each pallet storage location on the storage rack for receiving and supporting the pallet. A mechanically activated locking device provides for safely securing the pallet to the receiving devices of the storage rack, the set-up station and the shuttle cart.

Abstract: There is provided a conveyor system for conveying items and including a carrier for such items to be moved between at least two spaced-apart stations and a first guide track extending between the spaced apart stations. A flexible drive tape having a leading edge and a trailing edge is reciprocably mounted within the first guide track for moving the carrier between the spaced-apart stations, wherein the flexible drive tape is attached to the carrier adjacent the leading edge by a plurality of connectors. At least one of the connectors allows controlled relative movement between the tape and the carrier. A toothed cog wheel is preferably provided around a substantial portion of the periphery of which the drive tape is wound within a cog surround which at least partly encloses the cog wheel and the wound drive tape. The surround further includes a pair of tape peeler tips oppositely disposed adjacent the cog wheel to peel the tape away from the cog wheel as the wheel is rotated in use.

Abstract: An order filling apparatus includes an elongated belt conveyor having a bin-on switch and a bin-off switch at opposite ends thereof. A plurality of item dispensers are positioned along the conveyor, and each dispenser is loaded with a single type of item. An order filling control computer has a bus cable extending along the conveyor, and each dispenser has a dispenser control board connected to the bus. Each control board includes an address decoder and circuitry for relaying command signals from the controller to the dispenser and for generating status signals indicating the operational status of the dispenser. A conveyor travel encoder provides a position signal indicative of conveyor travel. The controller stores orders to be filled with items. An order filling method includes a conveying item receptacle bins past the dispensers to receive items therefrom. As each bin engages the bin-on switch, an order is activated and associated with the bin.

Abstract: A typical embodiment of the invention described herein discloses a prepared and packaged food delivery system that permits one attendant to serve several car ports. An electrically driven carrier for transporting a gimballed tray for money and foodstuffs has a dynamic brake that permits the carrier and tray to coast to a stop and, if desired, reverse direction after a brief delay. This feature prevents spillage. An additional feature of the invention provides advertising space illumination on the carriage with adjustable illumination time.

Abstract: A merchandise order picking system includes a vertically and horizontally elongated rack having a plurality of vertically-spaced shelves and being supported on a floor surface. The rack has a rear face whereat merchandise is positioned on the shelves and an opposite front face whereat merchandise is removed from the shelves. An elongated horizontal rail extends along the front face of the rack adjacent the floor surface. A horizontal wheeled work table has inboard wheels supported and guided on the rail, and outboard wheels supported on the floor surface for rolling movement of the work table along the front face of the rack.