Abstract: The passive transfer guide of the present invention is positioned in a section of tangency between a first continuous loop conveyor and a second continuous loop conveyor, with a first guide lane for directing a specimen carrier from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, and a second guide lane for directing a specimen carrier from the second conveyor to the first conveyor. The guide includes a horizontally oriented “H”-shaped central member having a pair of upper legs, a pair of lower legs, and a cross-member connecting the upper and lower legs. The upper legs and an upper portion of the cross-member form one specimen carrier-directing lane, and the lower legs and a lower portion of the cross-member form the second carrier-directing lane.

Abstract: A collator includes a first conveyor having a discharge end and a second receiving conveyor positioned below the discharge end of the first conveyor. As each product bag falls toward the second conveyor, an air blast assists in uprighting the bag. The second conveyor may be temporarily operated at a high speed to separate the product bags into groups. A deflector may be mounted at the discharge end of the second conveyor for directing product bags into containers. A diverter may be used to direct incoming product bags between parallel conveyors.

Abstract: Collection assembly (1) for collecting and stacking articles (6). The articles are first moved adjacent to one another with the aid of positioning means. (7) The positioning means comprise the conveyor belt (7) that extends obliquely with respect to the distribution conveyor (2) and that can be moved over the distribution conveyor to a greater or lesser extent. After bringing the articles (6) into a row on a discharge plate (13), these are stacked, optionally via a buffer plate (14), on a lift plate (15) and after the stack has been compressed to some extent this stack is slid into the box in such a way that the products concerned are placed vertically in the box (19).

Abstract: An intermediate discharge assembly to remove granular material from a conveyor belt used in an enclosed roller belt conveyor assembly. The intermediate discharge assembly includes a first pair of leading and trailing pulleys, a second pair of leading and trailing pulleys and a plow. The first pair of leading and trailing pulleys supports the conveyor belt in a substantially concave manner. The second pair of leading and trailing pulleys supports the conveyor belt in a substantially flat manner. The plow is positioned between the first and second pairs of leading and trailing pulleys. The plow is operable to remove the granular material from the conveyor belt when the second pair of leading and trailing pulleys supports the conveyor belt and the plow is positioned atop the conveyor belt, such that the granular material is removed from the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A collator includes a first conveyor having a discharge end and a second receiving conveyor positioned below the discharge end of the first conveyor. As each product bag falls toward the second conveyor, an air blast assists in uprighting the bag. The second conveyor may be temporarily operated at a high speed to separate the product bags into groups. A deflector may be mounted at the discharge end of the second conveyor for directing product bags into containers. A diverter may be used to direct incoming product bags between parallel conveyors.

Abstract: A lumber bin has live bin walls. The lumber bin may be used in lumber sorting. The bin has upstream and downstream walls located above a conveyor. A lumber support in the bin has an elevator mechanism and can be lowered to a discharge position in which lumber on the lumber support can be carried away by the conveyor. A gate is mounted below the conveyor. The gate is in an upright position as the lumber support is lowered. The gate can be pivoted downstream to a lowered position below a level of the conveyor to gently discharge lumber onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A system which utilizes a scraper blade, set at an angle to longitudinal centerline of a conveyor belt, to remove metal objects therefrom, the belt, under normal operating conditions, being supported in a trough-like configuration. Attached to the backside of the blade is a pair of high density plastic press-down feet. They protrude downwardly a short distance below the lower edge of the scraper blade; and each press-down foot, immediately prior to belt flattening, is disposed above a part of the trough-shaped belt which situated just inside one of its outer edges. Making contact with the belt slightly ahead of the scraper blade, the press-down feet flatten the belt, protecting it as the blade is being lowered. Any contact between the belt and the blade occurs along its lower edge which is covered by a high density rubber guard beneath which the belt can slip. Similarly, beneath the belt are mounted flat, elongated strips made of a high density plastic.

Abstract: A system and method reorients flat articles in a serial stream, by receiving a horizontally moving, serial input stream of substantially vertically oriented flat articles each having a downwardly oriented primary edge, laterally diverting the flat articles in the serial input stream alternately between a pair of separate paths, impeding horizontal movement of each flat article in each separate path, accelerating each flat article with impeded horizontal movement in the direction of its primary edge, and delivering substantially horizontally oriented flat articles from each separate path.

Abstract: A diverter assembly according to the present invention includes a generally horizontal conveying surface, a pair of flipper assemblies, and an actuator for substantially concurrently actuating the flipper assemblies to an actuated position whereby the flipper assemblies are collinear. A driven diverting surface is defined on each flipper assembly wherein an article on the conveying surface is diverted when the article contacts one of the flipper assemblies when the flipper assembly is in its actuated position.

Abstract: Apparatuses for article handling, comprising one or more of a) an article-moving conveyor belt (1) designed to move along an underlying plate (55) which has a ridge portion (56), so that a substantial part of each article (21) will lie on one side or the other of the highest point of the conveyor belt; b) a lifting apparatus (4) for moving articles, e.g., PET bottles, from an in-feed point to discharge point located above the in-feed point, with the aid of a continuous row of movable article-carrying baskets (26-36) spaced apart along the length of driving belts or drive chains; and c) an article sorting apparatus (6) that is conveyed on a continuously moving conveyor belt (22) and includes a gate (15) that is designed to be able to move an article (21) away from the conveyor belt (22) sideways, and which in the neutral position of the gate (15) is designed to allow the article (21) to move past the gate (15) unaffected thereby.

Abstract: A sorting and conveying system has a longitudinally extending conveyor having at least one tilt tray, but preferably a plurality, on the conveyor for diverting selected articles from the conveyor. There is at least one hanger for holding a plurality of bags. A chute extends between the tilt tray and the hanger. A flexible sheet diverter has an entrance near the top adjacent the chute and an exit near the bottom adjacent the bags, so that articles diverted from the conveyor will be delivered to the exit. Cylinders are provided for moving the sheet diverter so that the exit is positioned to deliver a selected article into a selected bag on the hanger. There are a plurality of tilt trays along the conveyor and a plurality of hangers so that a selected article on the conveyor may be delivered from a selected tilt tray to a selected bag. Mounts are provided for mounting the flexible sheet diverter for shaped movement, and there are air cylinders for moving the flexible sheet diverter.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a diverter positioned between an upstream conveyor and several downstream conveyors and splits or switches a procession of objects conveyed by the upstream conveyor to one of the downstream conveyors where the downstream conveyors are provided with a plurality of sensors along their lengths that detect the presence or absence of objects on the downstream conveyors at different positions along their lengths and supply signals to the diverter to control the diverter to switch between the downstream conveyors to direct the objects conveyed by the upstream conveyor to the one of the downstream conveyors having fewer objects being conveyed by the conveyor and also controls the number of objects delivered by the diverter to the downstream conveyors.

Abstract: An intermediate discharge assembly to remove granular material from a conveyor belt used in an enclosed roller belt conveyor assembly. The intermediate discharge assembly includes a first pair of leading and trailing pulleys, a second pair of leading and trailing pulleys and a plow. The first pair of leading and trailing pulleys supports the conveyor belt in a substantially concave manner. The second pair of leading and trailing pulleys supports the conveyor belt in a substantially flat manner. The plow is positioned between the first and second pairs of leading and trailing pulleys. The plow is operable to remove the granular material from the conveyor belt when the second pair of leading and trailing pulleys supports the conveyor belt and the plow is positioned atop the conveyor belt, such that the granular material is removed from the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A mail processing system drop box assembly. The drop box assembly includes a diverter and a sliding board. The sliding board is positioned below the diverter. A top edge of the sliding board is substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the diverter and extends partially to the interior side of the diverter so that a space is left between the sliding board top edge and the diverter bottom edge. The space is of sufficient size to allow a mail item to pass through edgewise. A slide portion of the sliding board section is at an angle greater than 90° to a front portion of the diverter. Mail items are received into the drop box assembly edgewise at an angle to the diverter front portion such that mail items undergo a substantially abrupt directional change substantially stopping forward momentum and thereby falling into the slide in a substantially controlled manner. Further disclosed are a mail processing system and a mail processing method.

Abstract: A lumber transfer system for transferring lumber pieces conveyed on a main conveyor to an upper conveyor is provided by the present invention. The lumber transfer system comprises a pivotable loading ramp movable between a loading position to direct the lumber pieces from the lower conveyor toward the upper conveyor and a standby position where the ramp is set out of the way of the lumber pieces conveyed on the main conveyor. The lumber transfer system further comprises a controllable pushing mechanism for engaging and pushing a lumber piece conveyed on the main conveyor onto and along the ramp when the ramp is in the loading position until the lumber piece reaches the loading end of the upper conveyor. The lumber transfer system further has a controller to control and synchronise the pushing mechanism and the movement of the loading ramp.

Abstract: A diverter assembly for use with a vibratory conveyor having a product transporting bed is described and which includes a conveyor frame positioned in spaced relation relative to the product transporting bed; a drive assembly borne by the frame; and a product engaging member mounted in forced receiving relation relative to the drive assembly and movable along a given path of travel relative to the product transporting bed.

Abstract: The receptacle transfer installation comprises an upstream transport starwheel adapted to support the receptacles via their collars, a first downstream transport starwheel, a second downstream transport starwheel. An upstream guide extends as far as the first downstream transport starwheel, and a fixed downstream guide having a first branch extending around a portion of the first downstream transport starwheel and a second branch extending around a portion of the upstream transport starwheel between the two downstream transport starwheels. A deflector member is mounted to move between a first position in which the deflector member extends the first branch of the downstream guide and a second position in which the deflector member connects the upstream guide to the second branch of the downstream guide.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing spacer sticks between layers of lumber is disclosed. The present invention includes an overheads feed system for distributing spacer sticks to a plurality of stick placement modules. Each stick placement module has a plurality of stick placement arms which are articulated to move in three dimensions. After the arms grasp a spacer stick, the deviation of the arms from their normal orientations are used to gauge the suitability of the spacer stick and then to reject the spacer stick if the quality of the spacer stick does not meet specifications. Also, the apparatus of the present invention is modular and can be retrofitted to existing lumber stacking machines.

Abstract: A collator includes a first conveyor having a discharge end and a second receiving conveyor positioned below the discharge end of the first conveyor. As each product bag falls toward the second conveyor, an air blast assists in uprighting the bag. The second conveyor may be temporarily operated at a high speed to separate the product bags into groups. A deflector may be mounted at the discharge end of the second conveyor for directing product bags into containers. A diverter may be used to direct incoming product bags between parallel conveyors.

Abstract: A horizontal belt conveyor delivers a mass flow of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry at a variable rate to a deflecting station where successive increments of the mass flow are caused to descend into an upright duct. The increments at the deflecting station are overlapped exclusively by two arcuate baffles which deflect the oncoming articles into the duct. The baffles are pivotable relative to each other about parallel axes and include intermeshing tongue-like end portions remote from the respective axes. A linkage couples the baffles to each other in such a way that any pivotal movements of one of the baffles entail predetermined movements of the other baffle.

Abstract: An off-line micro device processing system is provided having a longitudinally extending feeder/processing/buffer system for providing processed micro devices to a pick point. A portable robotic system has a longitudinally extending robotic system body extending parallel to the longitudinally extending feeder/processing/buffer system and a transverse support on the robotic system body transversely positioned relative to the longitudinally extending robotic system body. A pick and place mechanism on the transverse support picks micro devices from the input, transversely moves the micro devices, and places the micro devices on the output system for receiving and storing processed micro devices.

Abstract: The conveyor system for clinical test apparatus includes a main transport conveyor and a plurality of auxiliary conveyors located alongside the main transport conveyor. The auxiliary conveyors define straight line paths of travel parallel to the straight line paths of travel of the main conveyor. Each of the auxiliary conveyors is operated by drive means separate from the main transport conveyor. Two crossover points are provided between the main transport conveyor and the auxiliary conveyor. One crossover point is an entrance from the main transport conveyor to the auxiliary conveyor and the other crossover point is an exit from the auxiliary conveyor to the main transport conveyor. Each crossover point is controlled by a gate. One of the gates is a divert gate which can be actuated to block the main transport path thereby diverting puck traffic onto the auxiliary conveyor.

Abstract: A dual entry-double helix spiral delivery chute is provided which includes two spiral delivery chutes nested one above the other and being aligned with the same vertical axis. The two chutes are substantially identical in that they provide the same footprint as a single chute. Each chute, moreover, in addition to having an output port includes a top entry port and a side entry port downstream of the top entry port so that each chute can be served by two or more separate sorting machines receiving items from one or more separate sources.

Abstract: An interchange apparatus for a pneumatic conveying system including a plurality of branch tubes joined together at an acute angle in an interchange chamber to form a main tube and a flap positioned between at least two branch tubes of the plurality of branch tubes at the end of the interchange chamber, the flap faces the branch tubes and is swivelable between a first position and a second position. The flap is held in each position by a holding device such that when the flap is positioned in the first position there is a connection between a first branch tube and the main tube, and when the flap is positioned in a second position there is a connection between a second branch tube and the main tube. In one embodiment the flap is switched from a first position to a second position by the passage of the cylindrical objects through the interchanges.

Abstract: The device for separating individual or a plurality of rotationally symmetric containers (11) from a stream of rotationally symmetric containers (10) conveyed under backup pressure comprises a first conveyor path (12) for the stream of containers (10) and a second conveyor path (18) for removal of the separated containers (11), the second conveyor path (18) branching off at a separation point (16) from the first conveyor path (12). The first conveyor path (12) bends at the separation point (16) at an acute angle. A dividing wedge (20) is disposed between the first and the second conveyor (12, 18).

Abstract: A plurality of carriers (1) and spaced apart along an endless conveyor in an article grading apparatus. The articles are supported between a roller (2) and a back plate (7). The rollers (2) can be raised and rotated, at which time, superfluous articles supported between the rollers (2) of consecutive carriers will be ejected so that with the lowering of the roller (2), only one or a selected number of the articles remain in a particular carrier (1).

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding sheets from a sheet store to either one of a plurality of stations includes a movable carriage which receives sheets fed from the store and which has driving cogwheels for coaction with a fixed cog railway outside the carriage.The fixed cog railway includes a path selection slide that includes cog segments that can fit into the cog railway. The selector slide can be switched to either one of two possible positions by means of a processor-controlled, motor-driven arm.

Abstract: A "fruit cup" (1) which is shaped to receive articles, for example single pieces of fruit of produce such as apples. The articles rest in a space on a support between the back plate (7) of a "U" shaped bracket and a rotatable bow-tie roller (2) positioned between the arms (4, 5) of the bracket. The support sits on a mounting to which it is coupled while being allowed limited relative movement therebetween. The relative movement between the support and the mounting allows the support to be tilted, lifting the roller (2), enabling it to be rotated to ensure that the "fruit cup" (1) contains only one article. The support is also able to be tipped to either side, to discharge the article contained therein, and to later be repositioned atop the mounting. In use, the base (13, 14) of the mounting is attached to an endless chain conveyor so that a number of "fruit cups" form an endless circuit in an article grading/packaging/sorting system which may have a number of adjacent circuits.

Abstract: A lane distribution apparatus for distribution of articles in a single lane to multiple lanes. A rocker plate and associated rocker arms are used to shift simultaneously lanes both upstream and downstream of a distribution point. The apparatus and process permits lane changes in a short period of time, which minimizes the risk of product stoppage and maximizes the speed with which products can be conveyed.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning and delivering fins manufactured in a fin mill for use in manufacture and assembly of heat exchangers used for controlling temperature conditions. The apparatus includes first and second conveyors, the first conveyor receiving and transporting fins emanating from a fin mill, and the second conveyer delivering the fins to an apparatus for manufacturing and assembling a heat exchanger. A tier of chutes reorient the direction of the fins with respect to the direction of the conveyor travel.

Abstract: A diverter blade for displacing articles from a conveying surface includes a motor-driven, torque-transmitting metallic section, and a plastic section integrally molded to the metallic section. Portions of the metallic section are embedded within the plastic section to reinforce the plastic section and transmit torque thereto. The plastic section forms an article-contacting front wall, and includes diagonal reinforcing braces on a rear side of the front wall.

Abstract: Articles are conveyed along a primary conveyor in a first direction, and are moved rapidly onto a selected one of a plurality of sorting conveyors closely packed and extending generally lateral to the primary conveyor by rotating the articles so that a portion of each rotated article extends across the side of the primary conveyor to be frictionally engaged on the sorting conveyor for rapid movement away from the primary conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for depositing objects at separated locations on a movable belt. The device includes at least one channel through which objects enter the apparatus. A sensor measures separation between adjacent objects approaching the apparatus and a reject mechanism prevents object that are too close to adjacent objects from entering the apparatus. Each channel includes a plurality of gates disposed therein. These gates operate sequentially to incrementally move the objects individually through the channel towards the movable belt. A sensor locates empty spaces along the movable belt, into which the objects are deposited. The movable belt is usually part of a conveyor system and may be a slotted belt or a smooth belt.

Abstract: A system for sorting coupons according to information contained within bar codes or similar markings printed thereon. The system includes a storage bin in which the coupons are received and from which they are removed one at a time. A coupon picker removes the coupon from the storage bin and deposits it upon a conveyor belt at a loading station. The information contained on the coupon is read by an appropriate scanner which ascertains through the use of an appropriate data processing system the address of a receiving bin in which the coupon is to be deposited. The position of the coupon on the conveyor belt is tracked and when the coupon arrives at the address of the receiving bin an air jet is activated to propel the coupon from the conveyor belt into the receiving bin.

Abstract: Article distribution apparatus comprises means defining a zone through which a plurality of articles can move from a first location to a second location. Distribution means extend between the first and second locations to divide the zone into first and second lanes. The distribution means is movable laterally across the zone to vary the capacity of the first and second lanes of the articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting articles on a conveyor system that includes a pair of parallel conveyors each having an endless conveyor member or belt. The belt of a first of the conveyors is tilted laterally to the horizontal, and the belt of the second conveyor is located at about 90.degree. with respect to the belt of the first conveyor, thus providing an elongated L-shaped pocket or channel within which articles are conveyed. The lower side edge of the second conveyor belt is spaced from the upper surface of the first conveyor belt to provide a passage therebetween, and a pusher member is mounted for sliding movement within the passage. When directed by a computerized system, the pusher member is actuated to move across the first conveyor belt to engage and eject an article laterally from the first conveyor belt to a collection site.

Abstract: A switching device with a swiveling deflector for delivering goods to be transported from one of at least two delivery channels. The swiveling deflector is positioned at the free end of a leaf spring clamped into a bearing block. The force is introduced into the swiveling deflector, and the surface of the swiveling deflector has a predetermined curvature. The cross section of the swiveling deflector is tapered in the direction counter to the bearing block, and the bearing block has a horn-like shape. The bearing block and the swiveling deflector have respective concave and convex connecting regions in the bearing region of the leaf spring, and wherein the bearing block has a recess that extends along one region of the leaf spring, within which the leaf spring is freely movable during the swiveling movement.

Abstract: A system and a method for sorting are provided for distributing articles, such as mail pieces or other flats, to predetermined destinations. At the destination, the particular article is raked by a raking assembly from a carrier for placement into a container. The container, when full, is gravity fed onto a discharge conveyor and automatically replaced with a new empty container. The carrier operates on two levels for delivery of articles to containers on two levels while maintaining the carriers in a horizontal position throughout the sorting process. A sloped front end of the carrier allows the articles to be transported at a rapid speed and in a continuous fashion.

Abstract: A guide device for moving flat pieces of mail from a conveyor and stacking the mail. The conveyor has a shunt for diverting mail to the guide device. The guide device includes a curved support surface and an outer lateral wall defining a curved deflection surface. The outer lateral wall has an upper portion, a lower portion having an outlet area, and an essentially spherically shaped transition area for moving the pieces of mail from an essentially vertical position into an essentially horizontal position. The upper portion of the outer lateral wall has a height essentially equal to a height of the shunt. The upper portion of the wall adjoins the conveyor, and extends at an acute angle relative to the conveying direction. The upper portion of the wall is level along a length equal to a distance between an inner end point of the outlet area and a vertical line passing through a beginning point of the outer lateral wall.

Abstract: A conveyor diverter system comprising one or more conveyors, components for diverter systems having friction-enhancing outer surfaces, friction-enhancing layers and compositions that provide such surfaces are disclosed. In addition, methods of reducing the frequency or occurrence of articles being misdiverted by use of such systems, components, layers and compositions are described. The preferred embodiment of the friction-enhancing layer and composition disposed on the outer periphery of the diverter components comprises grit materials dispersed in a metallic material such that a particular grit surface density is achieved and grit particles protrude above the uppermost surface of the metallic layer within a range of particular distances.

Abstract: Article transport apparatus (10) comprises first and second transports (12,14) for transporting a plurality of articles, in the form of biscuits (100). The second transport is arranged to receive biscuits from the first transport, and the second transport comprises a plurality of lanes (18) extending lengthwise of the second transport, along which articles can be transported. The first transport comprises a guide (20,22,28) to guide the article towards at least a selected one of the lanes. The guide may be in the form of laterally movable walls (20,22) or rotatable members (28).

Abstract: The conveyor system of the present invention comprises a first conveyor having an extending edge with a tapered profile, and a second, discontinuously-aligned conveyor, the conveying surface of which is directed below, but in close proximity to, the tapered profile of the first conveyor edge for the direct transfer of articles therebetween.

Abstract: During the haulage of a conveyor unit (3), a floor chain (6) of a shunting track (2) is moved over a pitch distance (PZ) which is slightly larger than the length of a conveyor unit (3) and which is selected such that, after the movement, a catch element (7) is in a position ready to carry along a pin (11) of a subsequent conveyor unit (3) to be hauled, until the conveyor unit (3) reaches an intermediate position whereby it is still situated with a portion thereof in the path (14) of the conveyor units (3) which have not been hauled. When the subsequent conveyor unit (3) must also be hauled, the floor chain (6) of the shunting track (2) is again moved over the above-mentioned pitch distance (PZ).

Abstract: A diverter for redirecting a single member or portion of a generalized set of material passing thereby. The device includes an electromechanical actuator which moves from an extended to a retracted position. A flexible strip has a first end attached to actuator and a second end fixed with respect to the actuator. The device is positioned proximate a gravity slide down which a stream of material moves in a first direction. When the actuator moves from its extended to its retracted position, the resilient strip flexes out into the path of the moving material. Any of the material striking the flexible strip will be deflected into a second direction which diverges from the first direction.

Abstract: A sorting machine for separating substandard items from a continuous stream of products is disclosed wherein the ejector that removes the detected substandard items includes an ejector finger and an actuator. The ejector finger includes a flexible elongate base member fixedly attached with respect to the product stream and a contactor normally withdrawn from the product stream when standard products are in the stream and for entering the product stream to eject a detected substandard item. The actuator flexes the flexible elongate base member to move the ejector contactor so that it enters the product stream for ejecting each detected substandard item. The flexible elongate base member make the ejector more resistant to wear from environmental conditions. A flexible sorting machine ejector mounting mechanism is also disclosed which removes costly mounting mechanisms.

Abstract: A diverter for paper and cardboard sheets has upper and lower guide elements between the incoming conveyor and two outgoing conveyors including an acute angle with one another, constructed so that the upper and lower guide elements are pivoted respectively about horizontal axes above and below the travel path and links are pivotally connected to these guide elements spaced from their pivot axes so that a four-point linkage of the guide elements is provided. The upper guide element is driven by a pivot drive and entrains the lower guide element via the links.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for laterally diverting or shunting articles conveyed along a conveyor. An am or paddle is mechanically coupled to a rotating cam which drives the arm from a first or resting position parallel to the conveyor to a deflecting position across the conveyor at a first velocity profile and from the deflected position back to the resting position at a second, greater velocity profile in a single revolution of the cam. Velocity profiles can be optimized for the application by specification of the cam's geometry. Cycle times of 400 milliseconds, or 150 cycles per minute, are possible.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a plurality of output rows from a single input row of articles has a conveyor advancing articles in a row parallel to the conveying direction; a deflecting device including an endless deflecting belt trained about two end rollers and having, when in a working position, an operative length portion forming an acute angle with the conveying direction. The deflecting member includes a first length portion provided with a bounding edge extending generally parallel to the conveyor surface and being at a clearance therefrom which is less than an expected minimum height of the articles positioned on the conveyor. The deflecting member further has a second length portion provided with a bounding edge extending generally parallel to the conveyor surface and being at a clearance therefrom which is greater than an expected maximum height of the articles positioned on the conveyor.

Abstract: A system and a method for sorting are provided for distributing articles, such as mail pieces or other flats, to predetermined destinations. At the destination, the particular article is raked by a raking assembly from a carrier for placement into a container. The container, when full, is gravity fed onto a discharge conveyor and automatically replaced with a new empty container. The carrier operates on two levels for delivery of articles to containers on two levels while maintaining the carriers in a horizontal position throughout the sorting process. A sloped front end of the carrier allows the articles to be transported at a rapid speed and in a continuous fashion.

Abstract: Apparatus for segregating and feeding fruit onto a conveyor comprising a conveyor device for moving fruit from a bulk supply, a diverter gate movable from a position to one side of the conveyor device to a fruit intercept position, a holding bin having a funnel-shaped bottom surface positioned for receiving fruit diverted from the conveyor device, the bottom surface of the bin extending downward toward a second conveyor having a plurality of fruit receptacles, a sensor positioned for detecting the approximate quantity of fruit within the bin, and a device responsive to the sensor for operating the diverter gate to intercept fruit from the first conveyor when the bin is near to empty.