Abstract: A card/carrier combination sorter system is described that is configured for use with a card/carrier combination production system. The sorter system includes an input that is in communication with an output of the production system so as to receive a plurality of card/carrier combinations one-by-one from the production system. The sorter system is configured to sort the plurality of card/carrier combinations into one or more bins of the sorter system. In some embodiments, a card/carrier combination is not diverted and is instead output through an output of the sorter system to an inserter system for insertion into an envelope and subsequent mailing.

Abstract: A mobile, self-powered, horticultural processing unit capable of facilitating the processing of a large number of plants, is disclosed. In particular a modular unit with a multi-level configuration and a compact footprint capable of performing a variety of different horticultural operations is the subject of present embodiments. The unit may utilize a wheel and suspension assembly attached to a hydraulic lift and towing hardware which permits the unit to be towed as a trailer. The unit may comprise a plurality of conveying platforms which permit access by a forklift, as to allow many plants to be input and removed from the unit at once. The unit may assist in the fully or partially automated pruning, canning, fertilizing, treating, and spacing of plants potted in individual containers. Collectively, the cost and labor involved with growing and maintaining plants in the field may be greatly reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for independently routing vehicles and delivering containers and closures to unit operation stations are disclosed. The containers and closures can, in some cases, be transported on the same vehicle. In other cases, the containers and closures can be transported on different vehicles.

Abstract: A system and method for independently routing container-located vehicles to create different finished products are disclosed. The vehicles are independently routable along a track system to deliver the containers to at least one unit operation station. At least some of the vehicles have a unique route associated therewith that is assigned by a control system to facilitate simultaneous production of different finished products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are fed into the apparatus at an input station having a scanning station. The scanning station evaluates one or more characteristics of each item. The items are then loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles are individually driven to sort destinations. Once at the appropriate sort destination, the delivery vehicle ejects the item to the sort destination and returns to receive another item to be delivered. A re-induction conveyor may be provided for receiving select items from the vehicles and conveying the items back to the input station for re-processing. Additionally, a controller is provided to control the movement of the vehicles based on a characteristic of each item being delivered by each vehicle. The system may also include vehicles having an assembly for detecting items being loaded onto or discharged from the vehicles.

Abstract: Pellet delivery systems capable of reliably and precisely delivering pellets over a large area are disclosed. In some examples, the system can deliver one or more pellets in one delivery cycle using a slide chamber. In other examples, the system can deliver one or more pellets per delivery cycle using a rotating disk comprising one or more holes. In any of these examples, the system can eject the pellets using a projector and/or gravity. The pellet delivery system can, in various examples, be utilized in conjunction with a carrier such as an airborne, terrestrial or aquatic vehicle, or in other examples with a human or animal carrier. Examples of the disclosure are also directed to precise pellet delivery based on the location of the pellet deliver system, pellet delivery tracking, adjusting pellet delivery, and determining paths for efficient pellet delivery.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a conveyor and pusher elements, mounted on carriages predisposed slidably on support rods fixed transversely to belts of the conveyor to displace the articles transversely to an advancement direction thereof. Idler rollers are below the carriages. First and second sliding pathways, alternating in sliding the rollers, are of such a shape that when the rollers pass along the first sliding pathway, the carriages maintain a stationary position on the support rods and when the rollers pass along the second sliding pathway, the carriages translate along the support rods so that the pusher elements translate transversely to displace and push the articles transversely. A switching device abuts the rollers and deviates them so that the rollers can be inserted and slide in either the first or the second sliding pathway.

Abstract: A storage system includes a rack with a plurality of layers, each layer including an aisle and a plurality of rows extending from the aisle defining storage locations for items. A shuttle usable with the rack includes a first cart movable along the aisle and a second cart configured to be carriable by the first cart and to be movable along a row. The second cart is configured to carry an item between the first cart and the storage locations. A conveyor is located on one of the first or second carts to move the item onto or off the first cart. Related methods of storing and/or retrieving items from a rack are also disclosed. A rack system is disclosed and is readily assembled without welding, transferring loading so that the weight of the rack and any item stored therein is supported by the upright elements via support brackets.

Abstract: An Escort-Based Sorting (EBS) mail sorting and distribution center system configured and controlled for optimum mail flow and dispatch, minimal sorting center space usage, and elimination of peripheral storage and retrieval equipment. A plurality of input stations each include a mechanism for loading mailpieces and obtaining mailpiece data. A plurality of sorting banks each having a plurality of sorting modules, each sorting module adapted for the face-to-face conveyance of mailpieces for sorting by transferring select mailpieces from a first to a second conveyance path. The sorting modules define at least one row and a plurality tiers operatively coupled by a plurality of elevators. The elevators move mailpieces to and from tiers of the respective sorting bank. A system controller, operatively coupled to the input stations, sorting banks, and elevators, creates an association between the mailpiece information and the escort device, and sorts and dispatches mailpieces according to a dispatch schedule.

Abstract: A sortation conveyor has an endless apron supported for longitudinal movement on an elongate frame. An induction conveyor deposits articles on an offset lateral portion of a top conveying run of the apron. A pin guide assembly is coupled between the elongate frames and is upwardly presented to selectively receive the pin of pushers that laterally move across the apron. An upstream pre-sort section thereof positions articles from the offset lateral portion to an opposite lateral portion of the top conveying run. A downstream divert section of the pin guide assembly selectively diverts the articles to a divert target on the corresponding lateral side to the selected one of offset lateral position and the opposite lateral position.

Abstract: A storage system includes a rack with a plurality of layers, each layer including an aisle and a plurality of rows extending from the aisle defining storage locations for items. A shuttle usable with the rack includes a first cart movable along the aisle and a second cart configured to be carriable by the first cart and to be movable along a row. The second cart is configured to carry an item between the first cart and the storage locations. A conveyor is located on one of the first or second carts to move the item onto or off the first cart. Related methods of storing and/or retrieving items from a rack are also disclosed. A rack system is disclosed and is readily assembled without welding, transferring loading so that the weight of the rack and any item stored therein is supported by the upright elements via support brackets.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for storing and handling a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes are presented. The node handling and storage system may be coupled to a node deployment system that deploys and/or retrieves nodes from water from the back deck of a marine vessel. One embodiment of the node handling and storage system includes a plurality of portable containers that may be assembled in a variety of configurations based on the vessel and survey requirements. The containers are coupled to an autonomous or semi-autonomous node conveyor and/or transport system that moves the nodes between and within the containers for node cleaning, downloading, charging, servicing, and storage. The conveyor system may include a plurality of different transport devices and/or systems, such as rotatable conveyors, lateral conveyors, lift mechanisms, and elevators.

Abstract: A conveyor and method for moving articles across a conveying surface using electromagnetically operated movers in a conveyor belt. The movers are retained in tracks in the conveyor belt. A magnetic field source produces a magnetic field that varies across the width of the belt. The magnetic field interacts with electrically conductive material, ferromagnetic material, or permanent magnets in the movers to propel the movers and divert articles engaged by the movers across the belt. Movers with retractable pushers fold down at the sides of the belt to allow articles pushed by other movers to pass over and off the side of the belt.

Abstract: A storage system includes a rack with a plurality of layers, each layer including an aisle and a plurality of rows extending from the aisle defining storage locations for items. A shuttle usable with the rack includes a first cart movable along the aisle and a second cart configured to be carriable by the first cart and to be movable along a row. The second cart is configured to carry an item between the first cart and the storage locations. A conveyor is located on one of the first or second carts to move the item onto or off the first cart. Related methods of storing and/or retrieving items from a rack are also disclosed. A rack system is disclosed and is readily assembled without welding, transferring loading so that the weight of the rack and any item stored therein is supported by the upright elements via support brackets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for handling items of luggage, comprising a storage system for temporary storage therein of items of luggage, which system comprises at a front side thereof a plurality of compartments for items of luggage with a buffer zone behind each compartment, and for each of the compartments a displacement element for moving an item of luggage from a compartment to the buffer zone associated with that compartment, input means designed for the input of identification information by a passenger for the purpose of placing an item of luggage in a compartment of the storage system, and control means. The invention further relates to a method of handling items of luggage.

Abstract: A system, method, and software (1600) are for moving inventory items (1610) to an unloading station (1640) in response to a fulfillment order. An input device (1620) is used to enter identification information about the inventory items. At a loading station (1615), the inventory items are received and loaded into holders (1605). The holders are then moved to storage area (1630). A controller (1625) is configured for creating and storing a first association between the entered identification information and each of the holders in which each of the inventory items is placed. A selector and transporter (1635) are responsive to the fulfillment order and the first association, and are configured to select a holder which holds the inventory items corresponding to the fulfillment order, and configured to transport the holder from the storage area to the unloading station (1640).

Abstract: A system and method designed to transport and package sequenced product. The system includes a first transport system for receiving and transporting, in a closed position, holders each of which contain product. A second transport system transports, in the closed position, the holders until each of the holders are aligned within a respective release position, at which operational stage the second transport system is capable of opening the holders to discharge the product in a sequenced order. A packager receives the discharged product and packages the product in the sequenced order.

Abstract: A sheet guiding apparatus, including: a supporting member having a supporting surface which supports a sheet; a first electrode provided in the supporting member; an electric field generating portion configured to generate an electric field between the supporting surface and the first electrode; a guide member which is distant from the supporting surface by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the supporting surface; a moving portion configured to move the sheet supported by the supporting surface by moving at least one of the supporting member and the guide member relatively to each other in a direction parallel to the supporting surface; and an electric field inverting portion configured to invert a direction of the electric field generated by the electric field generating portion, when a leading end portion of the sheet in a direction in which the sheet is moved has reached a vicinity of the guide member.

Abstract: A system for screening items of baggage comprises attaching to each baggage item at a check-in location within a terminal an electronic tag which is periodically scanned as the item travels via baggage sortation system from the check-in location and a loading location. All baggage items are diverted from the sortation system to an explosive detection screening system housed within a prefabricated building alongside the terminal. Baggage items which are not cleared by the explosive detection screening system are retained within the building for further inspection and cleared baggage items are re-introduced into the sortation system for travel to the loading location.

Abstract: A sorting system includes trolleys traveling along a path between respective stations for loading and unloading items in a direction transversely of the direction of travel of the trolleys. Each station includes an inductor for generating a variable magnetic induction field which is sensed by a detecting mechanism, such as an antenna, disposed on the trolley. In response to the magnetic induction field being detected, a loading/unloading device on the trolley (e.g., an endless belt) is actuated to load or unload items.

Abstract: A textile package transport system utilizing transport plates for transporting spinning cops, particularly within a textile machine which produces cheeses. Each transport plate has an information storage medium in the form of a magnet of ferromagnetic material having a high retentivity encodable by selective polarization thereof. Electrically chargeable encoding coils are arranged in the transport system to selectively apply a defined polarity to the magnets. The encoding coils are actuated by way of sensor signals generated as a function of a processing status of the spinning cop and Hall sensors are utilized for detecting the respective polarity of the magnets. Controllable electric switches are disposed in the transport system for controlling the conveyance of the transport plates within the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sorting individual articles having identification numbers. The method comprises the steps of allocating each individual article a position number based on a position in the stream of individual articles. Next, the individual articles are conveyed from one collecting zone to another via waiting lines. The collecting zones and waiting lines are designed so that the sorting installation configuration corresponds the equation: M=(m.q.r)/n.sup.2. Wherein M equals the size of the sorting installation, m equals the number of waiting lines in the first collecting zone, q equals the capacity of a waiting line in the first collecting zone, n equals the number of waiting lines in each further collecting zone, and r equals the capacity of the waiting lines in the further collecting zones.

Abstract: Device which is part of a picking system, including a conveyor for carrying containers, a device for automatically labelling the containers, and a device for removing the labels from the containers. In order to allow a straightforward inspection of the contents of a container, the containers feature on their outside a holder, which is open on its top side, designed to hold waybills. The device for labelling the containers comprises a printer arranged above the conveyor, and the device for removing the labels comprises a suction nozzle.

Abstract: An integrated automated manufacturing system for finishing individual garments is provided. The system includes a conveyor system, a fixture constructed for movement on the conveyor in a predetermined orientation, a form mounted on the fixture for holding a garment for finishing in a predetermined fixed orientation relative to the fixture, and finishing stations to which the conveyor carries garments mounted on the fixtures. The fixture mounted form can be inflatable so that the garment mounted thereon can be inflated to its fully extended, three-dimensional form, and the finishing station can include a blower to inflate the form prior to the initiation of a finishing step. The finishing stations can include robot-manipulated tools, such as spray guns or abrasive wheels, for applying chemical or mechanical finishes to selected areas of the fixture mounted garment, washing and drying of the garments, automated garment inspection, or the application of tags and labels to the garments.

Abstract: A central control apparatus for an automated laboratory conveyor system includes a conveyor track arranged in a closed loop to continuously transport a specimen carrier having a laboratory specimen therein. A receiving station is provided along the track which is connected to a laboratory information system having identification and instructional data with respect to a particular specimen, and which marks an individual specimen carrier to identify the carrier with a particular specimen as it is conveyed throughout the conveyor system. The receiving station and an archiving station are both connected to a central control unit which is connected to the conveyor track and the laboratory information system to control the entire automated laboratory conveyor system. At least one work station is located along the conveyor track for performing a predetermined test on a particular specimen.

Abstract: An integrated automated manufacturing system for finishing individual garments is provided. The system includes a conveyor system, a fixture constructed for movement on the conveyor in a predetermined orientation, a form mounted on the fixture for holding a garment for finishing in a predetermined fixed orientation relative to the fixture, and finishing stations to which the conveyor carries garments mounted on the fixtures. The fixture mounted form can be inflatable so that the garment mounted thereon can be inflated to its fully extended, three-dimensional form, and the finishing station can include a blower to inflate the form prior to the initiation of a finishing step. The finishing stations can include robot-manipulated tools, such as spray guns or abrasive wheels, for applying chemical or mechanical finishes to selected areas of the fixture mounted garment, washing and drying of the garments, automated garment inspection, or the application of tags and labels to the garments.

Abstract: A letter sorting apparatus comprising a letter sorting machine, and an automatic storage and retrieval system including a staging rack defining a plurality of staging locations, and a storage and retrieval machine which is positioned to receive letters from the sorting machine and to present letters for input to the sorting machine and which is operable to stage letters in and retrieve letters from the staging locations.

Abstract: A peg tray type carrier for transporting textile yarn tubes has a codable, readable and erasable electronic information carrying device such as a memory chip connected to a transmitting-receiving antenna arranged in the area of the central axis of the peg tray to achieve essentially the same effective contactless transmission interval to a compatible transmitting-receiving antenna of a reading, erasing and encoding device, which may be located for example stationarily along a peg tray transport conveyor, essentially without regard to the rotational disposition of the peg tray about its axis. Inductive, capacitive or electromagnetic forms of contactless coupling are possible for information transmission.

Abstract: A peg tray type carrier for transporting textile yarn tubes has a codable, readable and erasable electronic information carrying device such as a memory chip connected to a transmitting-receiving antenna arranged in the area of the central axis of the peg tray to achieve essentially the same effective contactless transmission interval to a compatible transmitting-receiving antenna of a reading, erasing and encoding device, which may be located for example stationarily along a peg tray transport conveyor, essentially without regard to the rotational disposition of the peg tray about its axis. Inductive, capacitive or electromagnetic forms of contactless coupling are possible for information transmission.

Abstract: An overhead track construction is provided including clam-type buckets supported from the track for guided movement therealong. The track extends past predetermined feeding stations into which material contained within the buckets is to be released and each of the buckets includes latch structure for releasably retaining the bucket halves thereof in closed positions. Each of the feeding locations includes track mounted latch release structure inoperative to release the latches of the buckets moving therepast in one direction but operative to engage and release the latches of the buckets moving therepast in the opposite direction.

Abstract: In a spinning mill in which a bobbin from a spinning frame is mounted on a bobbin tray and sent to a winder, a package doffed from the winder is loaded on a hanger and then the package is mounted on a package tray, recording media is provided on the bobbin tray, on the hanger and the package tray, respectively. Frame numbers and spindle numbers which are production origin information of bobbins are written on the recording medium so that the production origin information can be controlled and the records can be grasped.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of coating an article by the use of electro-static attraction of ionized particles which are subsequently cured. The apparatus includes a first foraminous conveyor for carrying the article through a powder coating zone and a second conveyor for carrying the article through a curing zone. The surface of the article which rests on the foraminous conveyor is cleaned of particles as the article is transferred from the first foraminous conveyor to the second conveyor. The first foraminous conveyor is also cleaned of particles after the article has been transferred. After the articles have been cured to form a coating on the article, the article is put through the coating system again except that the article is supported on the conveyor so that the surface which was not coated in the first pass through the system is out of contact with the conveyor.

Abstract: Containers for rod-like articles are provided with a device, e.g. a transponder, capable of carrying variable coded information. Read and write devices are provided at appropriate positions, e.g. tray fillers and unloaders, to ensure that only containers of the correct type and contents are passed for further processing. The coded information may also relate to time of manufacture or loading, particularly where the articles are filter rods, to ensure unloading of only those containers in which the rods have received adequate curing time. A buffer reservoir system having a tray filler, tray unloader, and a tray handling system includes a transfer member capable of transferring trays between different positions of the tray handling system and a static trolley. The transfer member may comprise a robotic or other programmable member.

Abstract: A free flowing production system includes disposing a variety of automatic production machines along a free flowing conveyance apparatus; detachably attaching each card on which the contents on production are written to a pallet on which articles to be conveyed by the free flowing conveyance apparatus are placed; disposing card read/write devices to or adjacent to the automatic production machines; and providing control devices which cause requisite works to be conducted in accordance with the contents read, and causes the contents conducted to be written on the card after conducting, whereby the automatic production machines are caused to conduct the remained portions of the contents written on the card which are to be applied to the articles which are being conveyed and which have been transported from the free flowing conveyance apparatus to the automatic production machines.

Abstract: A diverter mechanism, for use with a conveying system having a conveying surface along which articles are carried in a longitudinal direction, has an endless member that is at an oblique angle to the longitudinal direction, and has a plurality of diverter members mounted thereon. Articles to be diverted which are passing along the conveying surface are sensed, and a pivotable section of one diverter member is rotated about an axis substantially parallel to the endless member from a position where the entire diverter member lies beneath the conveying surface to a position where the pivotable section is above the conveying surface.

Abstract: Known conveyor carriages are provided with code carriers disposed on an outer side of the conveyor carriage. These code carriers are neither protected from damage, nor can they be read in alternative positions of the conveyor carriage and/or of the reading unit. In contrast thereto, if the conveyor carriage is formed as a housing from an electronic circuit of the non-contracting control type acting as the code carrier, the code carrier is protectively housed and can be read or controlled from the desired direction. The conveyor carriage according to the invention is suitable for overhead conveyor systems.

Abstract: A system for transporting a wound yarn package is constituted such that transport media for independently transporting packages thereon are fed along a transport line between winders an inspecting station and each has provided thereon a source indicating member on which information of a particular one of the winders or a particular winding unit on which a package which is to be placed on the transport medium has been produced is to be written in order to indicate such information.

Abstract: By providing a wireless communication between a main control unit of an article picking apparatus, a main control device for supply devices and a route setting device and attaching a data carrier having a writable/erasable memory to a mobile article picking container, information concerning kind, number, etc. of articles to be supplied to the picking container is transmitted from the main control device to the data carrier to be stored therein. During transportation of the picking container, the data carrier transmits stored picking information in response to a calling signal from the route setting device, while the route setting device sets a transport route for the picking container based on the received picking information.

Abstract: An arrangement for sorting vehicle bodies by the colors of coating expected on the vehicle bodies in a vehicle body coating line, comprises vehicle body conveying equipment including a plurality of branch conveyers disposed in parallel with one another for transporting and storing temporarily vehicle bodies carried into the arrangement through a bringing-in conveyer and supplying the vehicle bodies stored temporarily to a coating process through a bringing-out conveyer, and a control device for storing data indicative of color of coating expected on each of the vehicle bodies on said branch conveyers, with reference to a position of each of the vehicle bodies on the branch conveyers, and driving each of the branch conveyers selectively in accordance with the data stored so as to transport the vehicle bodies on the branch conveyers to the bringing-out conveyer in such a manner that the vehicle bodies from the branch conveyers are sorted in dependence on the colors of coating expected on the vehicle bodies.

Abstract: A doffed package transporting system in which a memory member on which a mark of a type of a package supported on a package supporting member provided on a package transporting line can be erasably written is securely mounted on the supporting member, and a writing device for writing a mark of a type of a package on said memory member is located at a position at which a package is transferred onto the package supporting member while a reading device for reading the thus written mark of a type of a package is located at a position at which a package is unloaded from the supporting member.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a scanning and control device which conventionally scans a destination field on each conveyor receptacle is provided with a selectively settable maintenance scanning arrangement for scanning a maintenance field on the conveyor receptacles, and for sending receptacles having the currently selected maintenance characteristic for maintenance processing. Where maintenance occupies a small proportion of total operating time, each receptacle may selectively receive one of two maintenance characteristics with a shift therebetween being made after each servicing. With a relatively greater maintenance time, phases of maintenance are established with subsets of the total number of receptacles being assigned different pairs of maintenance characteristic values which can be differentiated by the scanning and control device, and which may be sequentially selected thereby.