Abstract: A turner/divider system for turning and separating or dividing a flow of product packages from a packaging machine that includes a turning section and a dividing section. A series of guide tracks extend along the turning section and guide a series of slats on which the product packages are being conveyed laterally across their path of travel so as to cause rotation or turning of the product packages. A reject system further monitors the incoming product packages moving along the turning section and causes rejected product packages to be diverted to a reject lane while non-rejected packages proceed along the turning section for turning. The turned product packages are then separated into a series of lanes as they are moved along the divider station.

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 sortation conveyor has overlapping pusher shoes stealth profile upper surface and a “cow catcher” edge which reduces interference with mislocated packages. In a tube type sortation conveyor of one aspect of the present invention, the center of the tubes are vertically offset upwards from the center of the chain pins which allows a single pusher cap design to be used with a round tube type and a slat type sortation conveyor. In another aspect of the invention, the pusher cap has a single, common mounting surface which accepts pusher pads of different divert angles.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for directing a conveyed product on a conveyor. The apparatus includes a filing channel that includes the ability to adjust the location of at least one end of the filing channel. In one embodiment, the filing apparatus includes a plurality of cards successively arranged wherein the cards are supported by a support member. The cards define the filing channel and the shape of the channel is maintained despite repositioning at least one end of the filing channel.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods using conveyor belts with activated diverting rollers to maintain the leading edge of a conveyed article while changing the direction of conveyance. A first conveyor belt advancing in a first direction abuts a second conveyor belt advancing in a second direction transverse to the first direction. Both conveyor belts have diverting rollers that rotate on axes oblique to the direction of conveyance. The diverting rollers of each are activated by rolling on an underlying bearing surface to rotate in the vicinity of the junction of the two conveyor belts. The diverting rollers in the first conveyor belt direct the article toward the second conveyor belt. The rollers in the second conveyor belt direct the article toward a side of the second conveyor belt. An article lying on both belts simultaneously rotates by the combined action of the two sets of diverting rollers acting on opposite ends of the article.

Abstract: A sortation assembly includes a plurality of chutes which are movable along a continuous loop and along and over a plurality of sort stations. The chutes are operable to deposit articles, such as mail or flats mail or the like, to appropriate bins or trays positioned at the sort stations. The sort stations are configured to support a tray thereon for filling of the tray by the chutes. At least some of the chutes include an electronic tray fill level sensor, which is operable to detect the level of articles deposited within the tray at which the chute is positioned, while being spaced from the tray and the articles. Also, at least some of the sort stations may include an electronic tray present sensor, which is operable to detect the presence of a tray at the respective sort station while being spaced from the tray at the sort station.

Abstract: The sorting machine main body of a sorting machine is a slender machine provided with a chain conveyer along an upper and lower two level endless loop route, and includes an IN side turn back portion, a transfer portion, a sorting portion, an OUT side turn back portion in this order from the IN side. Gathering boxes are provided on both the left and right sides in the advancing direction of the chain conveyer. A plurality of carrier boxes hangs from the chain conveyer. The carrier boxes are thrown with loads at the transfer portion, and are delivered by the chain conveyer and discharges the loads at a predetermined location according to the loads. The belt conveyer conveys the discharged loads to the gathering box.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a pair of roller-top belts arranged side by side, each individually controllable to cause articles conveyed atop both to rotate into preferred orientations. The roller-top belts include rollers that rotate about axes oblique to the direction of belt travel. The rollers on each belt direct conveyed articles toward the other belt as the belts advance in the direction of belt travel and the rollers contact an underlying bearing surface in rolling contact. The rotation of the rollers exerts a force on articles conveyed atop the rollers. The force has a component directed toward the other belt and another component directed downstream. A sensor array senses the footprint of an article at an upstream location and sends signals to a controller that determines the size and orientation of the article to selectively stop one or the other roller-top belt if necessary to rotate the article to change its orientation.

Abstract: Disclosed are conveyors and methods for making the conveyors. In one embodiment, a conveyor comprises a modular conveyor belt that includes a plurality of mat-top chains having a plurality of cavities and a plurality of first rollers disposed in the cavities of the mat-top chains. The conveyor further includes at least one second roller that operatively couples to the first rollers such that the first rollers rotate as the conveyor belt travels along the second roller. The invention can also be construed as providing the method for conveying objects. The method can comprise the steps of driving a modular conveyor belt in a direction of belt travel; rotating a plurality of first rollers disposed into the modular conveyor belt in a manner in which slippage of the first rollers is reduced; and conveying objects on the modular conveyor belt using the rotating first rollers.

Abstract: A diverting assembly for diverting articles from a conveying surface includes a plurality of movable pushers that are associated with the conveying surface and adapted to move transversely across the conveying surface. A plurality of diverting tracks are configured to guide selected ones of the movable pushers across the conveying surface. A plurality of diverters are adapted to selectively divert at least one movable pusher along the diverting tracks when activated into a diverting state. The diverting tracks may include segments that are oriented at different angles with respect to each other. A controller may select a subset of at least two diverters from the plurality of diverters and activate them into the diverting state. The activation of the diverters may be simultaneous, or the downstream diverter may be activated prior to the upstream diverter being activated.

Abstract: A conveyor system including at least one support, each support having on a top side a mainly flat bearing surface extending between the support's front longitudinal top edge and back longitudinal top edge, at least one push shoe, each push shoe supported by one of the at least one support, each push shoe including, a guiding unit extending under the level of the bearing surface, a pushing unit extending above the level of the bearing surface and connected to the guiding unit.

Abstract: A sortation conveyer has overlapping pusher shoes stealth profile upper surface and a “cow catcher” edge which reduces interference with mislocated packages. In a tube type sortation conveyer of one aspect of the present invention, the center of the tubes are vertically offset upwards from the center of the chain pins which allows a single pusher cap design to be used with a round tube type and a slat type sortation conveyor. In another aspect of the invention, the pusher cap has a single, common mounting surface which accepts pusher pads of different divert angles.

Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of slats being interconnected in an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface, and a plurality of pusher shoes gliding along at least some of the slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. A linear motor system is provided to propel the web and includes a plurality of linear motor secondaries at the slats and at least one primary for propelling the secondaries. A control system controls the primaries.

Abstract: A sortation system comprises a plurality of transport units (32, 33) connected end to end to form a continuous train and mounted for movement along a track defining at intervals alongs its length destination ports at which items carried by the transport units may be discharged under the control of a central control system (41). The central control system (41) comprises a radio frequency transmitter device (39) through which control signals to the continuous train (32, 33) are transmitted and the continuous train (32, 33) comprises a radio frequency receiver device (39) for receiving the transmitted control signals. The radio frequency transmitter device (39) is connected to a leaky feed aerial (38) which extends the length of the track.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes: a conveyor track; a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end; a power source for moving the conveyor carts on the conveyor track; each of the conveyor carts including: (i) a trailer frame base, including: a roller structure for engaging the conveyor track, a driven member responsive to the power source, and a hitch mechanism for connecting each conveyor cart to an adjacent conveyor cart; (ii) a carrying tray for holding the objects; and (iii) a tiltable support apparatus for supporting the carrying tray above the trailer frame base and for allowing tilting of the carrying tray towards at least one side of the conveyor to unload objects into unloading stations on at least one side of the conveyor.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor is composed of a plurality of front wheels and rear wheels each extending in a transverse direction, and a plurality of endless turning bodies wound between the wheels, respectively, each pair of wheels being arranged opposite each other in a longitudinal direction. A receipt section is provided with turning force applying units for turning target endless turning bodies of a target sorting conveyor. This configuration allows one sorting conveyor to handle a plurality of sorted articles and provides a sorting system which is constituted simply and inexpensively on the whole.

Abstract: A package sorting conveyor system. The conveyor system includes: a conveying track; at least one unloading station; and a transition zone funnel upstream of the unloading station to receive the package from the conveying track, the transition zone funnel including a positioner assembly for selectively positioning the outlet of the transition zone funnel between at least a first and a second position. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a secondary downstream chute located downstream from the transition zone funnel for conveying the discharged package to its final destination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting and sorting flowers or other stem-shaped or elongate products with a conveyor provided with arm-fork units which are moved along a transport path in a substantially horizontal plane. In one form, the method includes taking over a substantially vertically hanging flower from a take-over position with a fork at the end of the arm-fork unit remote from the conveyor. The flowers are transported along the transport path, with the arm-fork unit in a transport position, to an apparatus for bunching the transported flowers with generally several bunching stations. The transporting takes place in the plane along at least one detector for detecting at least one respective flower characteristic, whereby detection signals are obtained. The detection signals are processed in a processing unit into corresponding selection signals.

Abstract: A transport system includes at least one product carrier which is adapted to be moved along a slide way by way of a linear motor drive unit comprising a primary part and a secondary part. In order to improve the transport system in such a way that basically any number of product carriers can be moved along the slide way independently of one another and can be used in a versatile manner for transporting a great variety of products or workpieces, the product carrier is provided with a substantially flat base plate for transporting objects, the base plate having associated therewith the primary part, and the slide way having associated therewith the secondary part.

Abstract: A switch conveyor including a modular conveyor belt or mat divided into longitudinal lanes of rollers. All the rollers in a lane are arranged to rotate about axes oriented in a common direction. The rollers in an adjacent lane are arranged to rotate about axes oriented in a different direction. A switch mechanism underlying the conveyor belt along a carryway selectably contacts the bottom side of the belt or mat with bearing surfaces that rotate the rollers in selected lanes along the carryway to propel conveyed articles in one direction or another.

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 sorting conveyor is composed of a plurality of front wheels and rear wheels each extending in a transverse direction, and a plurality of endless turning bodies wound between the wheels, respectively, each pair of wheels being arranged opposite each other in a longitudinal direction. A receipt section is provided with turning force applying units for turning target endless turning bodies of a target sorting conveyor. This configuration allows one sorting conveyor to handle a plurality of sorted articles and provides a sorting system which is constituted simply and inexpensively on the whole.

Abstract: An automated conveyor sortation and item discharge system for sorting items of varying sizes and weights to designated output destinations along a conveyor. The system utilizes a segmented slat conveyor connected by flexible connectors. The flexible connectors form a tooth for driving the conveyor by a sprocket. The flexible connectors isolate adjacent slats, and the flexible teeth isolate the slat conveyor from the drive sprocket for a enhanced reduction in noise levels. The system may utilize a conventional belt conveyor or rigid platforms attached by flexible connectors. Removable ejection mechanisms can be attached to the individual slats of the slat conveyor or to the belt of a belt conveyor. The ejection mechanisms have self-contained drive and actuation mechanisms and may operate independently of the speed of the conveyor.

Abstract: A produce sizing transport mechanism includes an endless conveyor carrying a plurality of downwardly depending produce retaining members which define an elongated produce retaining zone below at least one portion of the endless conveyor. At least part of the produce retaining members may be movable between a first closed position in which produce is retained within the elongated produce retaining zone and a plurality of further open positions enabling produce of predetermined sizes or size ranges to be released from the produce retaining zone. The retaining members may include a produce support region located generally beneath the produce retaining zone when the produce retaining members are located in the first closed position.

Abstract: The transfer device for a linear conveyor comprises a fixed framework (5) placed on one side of the linear conveyor (2) and means for moving objects towards the framework in a transfer direction that is different from the conveying direction of said conveyor. These means comprise an object transporter structure (6) mounted in said framework (5) to move in a substantially vertical direction in order to occupy a transfer position in which the transporter structure is disposed above the linear conveyor (2) or a retracted position in which the transporter structure is disposed below the linear conveyor (2). The transporter structure (6) extends across the linear conveyor (2) and extends in the transfer direction on one side of the conveyor. The transfer device can be used in a postal sorting machine for handling mail bins.

Abstract: A discharge chute having at least one discharge station for receiving items from a single feed source. The chutes can have a receiving trough or upper flipper door for initially receiving the items. The items are then fed to a pivotable flipper door which discharges the items to a selected delivery lane. At least one delivery lane is accessible by the flipper door. Each delivery lane will have a discharge station from which the operator can remove and package the selected items.

Abstract: A system for sorting articles, the system having a track which defines a route starting at least one loading point, the route continuing on to a plurality of destination points and arriving back at the loading point. The system also has at least one tray for conveying an article from the loading point to a selected one of the destination points. The tray comprises a first and a second half pivotally coupled to each other. The track includes a first segment for momentarily tilting a leading end of the tray upward relative to a trailing end of the tray and possibly downward again, and a second segment for laterally tilting the first half and the second half of the tray at an angle. The first and second segments selectively maneuver an article loaded in the tray to a bottom corner thereof prior to the tray reaching the selected destination point in order to substantially reduce the jarring of the article during the discharge thereof at the selected destination point.

Abstract: A platen has a main body of one material of relatively high durometer elastomeric material having good wear resistance and a low coefficient of friction for sliding on support tubes, and an integral upper support surface of an elastomeric material having a lower durometer and higher coefficient of friction for gripping transported articles. Preferably, the two materials are co-molded to provide an integral platen. Preferably a bead filler is entrained in the main body of the material increasing slidability. Platen apparatus and methods of making the platen apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A switching apparatus includes spaced, substantially parallel guide surfaces for receiving switch engaging members depending from pallets comprising an article sorting switch. A diverter block is positional in each of three switching orientations. The diverter block includes spaced, opposed, curved diverter surfaces which selectively direct the switch engaging members along three output paths depending upon the positioning of the diverter block.

Abstract: A tilting conveyor cart for a sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. Each of the tilting conveyor carts includes a trailer frame base, a carrying tray for holding the objects and a tiltable support apparatus for supporting the carrying tray above the trailer frame base and for allowing tilting of the carrying tray towards at least one side of the conveyor to unload objects into unloading stations on at least one side of the conveyor.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes: a conveyor track; a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. Each of the conveyor carts includes a trailer frame base having a roller structure for engaging the conveyor track, an extended fin driven member responsive to an opposed roller motor assembly, and a hitch mechanism for connecting each conveyor cart to an adjacent conveyor cart. The opposed roller motor assembly for moving the conveyor carts on the conveyor track includes a motor; a support frame attached to the conveyor track for supporting the motor; and a pair of cantilevered, drive rollers connected to a motor and adjacent to each surface of the extended fin driven member for off-setting the mechanical load of the other drive roller.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes: a conveyor track; a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. Each of the conveyor carts includes a trailer frame base having a roller structure for engaging the conveyor track, an extended fin driven member responsive to an linear induction motor including a guide roller assembly, and a hitch mechanism for connecting each conveyor cart to an adjacent conveyor cart. The linear induction motor including a guide roller assembly for moving the conveyor carts on the conveyor track includes a motor; a mounting frame attached to the conveyor track for supporting the motor; and a pair of cantilevered, guide rollers connected to a motor and adjacent to each surface of the extended fin driven member for off-setting the mechanical load of the other guide roller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a device and to a device for conveying loose objects from a supply station to a delivery station, wherein a conveyor is used by means of which trays containing objects can be moved. The conveyor includes at least one carrier for receiving said trays, which carrier can be moved in an intended direction of movement with the aid of driving means and which can be selectively pivoted about a pivot axis at at least one desired location. The object is either removed from the tray by pivoting the carrier about the respective pivot axis, whereby the object slides off the tray in a first direction, or the tray and the object are jointly removed from the carrier by moving the tray and the object in a second direction transversely to said first direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting and/or classifying objects such as fruits, comprising: a supply conveyor (11) for supplying the objects at a relatively small pitch; a discharge conveyor (13) for discharging the objects at a relatively large pitch, for instance for classification purposes; and a transferring device (12) for transferring the objects from the first conveyor (11) to the second conveyor (13), wherein the speed of forward movement of the transferring device is adapted to the speed of the discharge conveyor and wherein the transferring device comprises gripper members (17) arranged in pairs for gripping the objects.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated and integrated method and apparatus for packaging, loading, storing, and/or retrieving a specified product. A preferred embodiment of a system comprises a packager, a feeder device, a magazine, an unloading device, and a control unit. The packager is adapted to package a predetermined quantity of a product in a package. The feeder device has a loading screw which engages the package and transfers it to a storage screw in the magazine. The magazine preferably comprises multiple horizontal rows of storage screws. Each horizontal row of storage screws may be individually rotated about a central axis of the magazine. The control unit maintains a data base of the location and contents of each package in the magazine. The unloading device is adapted to retrieve a desired package from the magazine. The unloading device then transfers the desired package to a predetermined location such as a tote, bin, or patient specific drawer.