Abstract: Items are sorted into target points that are logically linked to their destination. The target points are arranged in a matrix array and in a first plane. One or more destinations can be logically assigned, at least temporarily, to the target points. First sorting conveyors run in a first direction and have discharge modules which can be actuated by a sorting controller. The conveyors are arranged in a second plane above the first plane and run between rows of target points. The discharge modules in the first sorting conveyors can serve target points on both sides of the sorting conveyors with sorting items intended for these target points. A pre-sorting conveyor with discharge modules is arranged laterally of the array of target points and is controlled to pass a sorting item to the sorting conveyor that serves the target point intended for this sorting item.

Abstract: A singulation conveyor is described. The singulation conveyor includes multiple rollers, for example, a first roller and a second roller. In some example embodiments, the first roller can be of a first roller cross-sectional profile and the second roller can be of a second roller cross-sectional profile. The first roller cross-sectional profile can be defined by a sleeve mounted around a circumference of the first roller and a dowel positioned between the sleeve and the first roller. Further, in some examples, the first roller cross-sectional profile can be different from the second roller cross-sectional profile. Furthermore, according to some examples, the first roller and the second roller can be configured to be rotated based on a first rotation pattern and a second rotation pattern respectively, to cause singulation of a shingled item.

Abstract: The chain stretch detection device is configured to detect a stretch of a chain in a power transmission device. The power transmission device includes: a driving sprocket; a driven sprocket; and a chain, which is wound around the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket, and is configured to transmit power of the driving sprocket to the driven sprocket. The chain stretch detection device includes: a meshing height measurement device configured to measure meshing heights of the chain in a range in which the driven sprocket meshes with and the chain; and a signal processing device configured to determine a height difference between adjacent rollers in the chain through use of signals acquired by the meshing height measurement device and estimate an amount of the stretch of the chain based on the determined height difference.

Abstract: Feed apparatus for feeding flat articles to a bin carrousel having bins that circulate around a loop in a certain direction comprises a flat conveyor in which the articles are moved in series and as laid flat, and a platform carrousel having tipper platforms each of which is suitable for tilting between a horizontal position and an inclined position and that circulate around a loop in such a manner as to be synchronized with the bin conveyor and in the same direction.

Abstract: A device for the sorted feeding of a packaging machine for bottles, which comprises elements for feeding the bottles to a carousel provided with receptacles, and comprises pickup star conveyors, each receptacle of the carousel being provided with a lever that is connected to a device for moving the lever between a first position for locking a bottle and a second, open position that allows the exit of the bottle toward a pickup star conveyor, the elements for moving the lever being actuated by a cam arranged at the position at which a bottle is accommodated in the corresponding receptacle and by a motor, which is activated by a signal that arrives from the lane connected to the pickup star conveyor that lacks a bottle.

Abstract: An installation for transporting containers having necks, the installation comprising an intermediate rotary platform provided in its periphery with slots each having a jaw mounted in the vicinity thereof in order to pivot between a closed position and an open position. Each jaw is provided with blocking means for blocking it in each of its positions, and includes a first contact surface projecting into the slot when the jaw is in the open position in such a manner that when the neck is inserted into the slot it pushes against the first contact surface and brings the jaw into the closed position, and a second contact surface facing the slot when the jaw is in the closed position in such a manner that when the neck is discharged from the slot it pushes against the second contact surface and brings the jaw into the open position.

Abstract: A downstream diverter for processing mail at high speeds, the diverter is positioned on a mail sorter machine, so that the force of the mail as it is sorted is isolated from the solenoid driving the diverter.

Abstract: A lumber sorter using a conveyor system with hooks that pick up, move and drop lumber. The lumber sorter includes limiters attached to the hooks that restrict the rotation of the hooks while the limiters are running in raceways. The limiters restrict the rotation of the hooks between a first and second orientation through the use of opposing contact points that contact with opposing walls of the raceways. The limiters maintain the hooks in a substantially vertical position while they carry lumber, but permit the hooks to be pivoted to drop the lumber at a designated position. The use of limiters having first and second contact points allows for the pivot direction and degree of rotation to be configurable and predetermined by the position and placement of the contact points.

Abstract: A cooling tunnel includes an infeed port for feeding objects, a discharge port for discharging objects, successive treatment stations for treating the objects with a cooling medium, and a conveyor system for transporting the objects to be cooled from the infeed port to the discharge port, with the conveyor system travelling through the individual treatment stations. The conveyor system has a first section running through several treatment stations, the first section extending from the infeed port to a turnaround station, a second section running through several treatment stations, the second section extending from the turnaround station to the discharge port, as well as a return section, which is arranged before the discharge port and connects a discharge-side zone of the second section with an infeed-side zone of the first section, to selectively either discharge objects or to cool them further. A method for operating a cooling tunnel is also provided.

Abstract: A sorter system includes a first conveyor for transporting items to designated containers, a second conveyor for transporting containers containing the items, and a shuttle unit. The shuttle unit may include a base defining a loading area proximate to the first conveyor and a staging area proximate to the second conveyor and a tray disposed on the base for receiving containers on a first section and a second section. The tray may be movable between a first position in which the first section is in the loading area and a second position in which the first section is in the staging area. The shuttle unit may further include a transport device for selectively moving a container on the first section of the tray from the staging area onto the second conveyor.

Abstract: Invention describes apparatus automating distributed item processing including pharmacy. Apparatus includes: portable vending cartridges, automatic vending modules, controllers. Cartridge contains conveyor transporting items inside carriers. Cartridges slide-into receptacles inside vending module. Controllers in real-time monitor presence of cartridges; inventory of carries, items; and execute controls of each cartridge and vending module including: indexing conveyors; loading and/or unloading items into/from carriers; maintaining items within specifications: environment, handling, safety with reports confirming compliance. Controllers execute in real-time optimization algorithm achieving required performance: rates of item loading/unloading, power consumption. Pharmacy applications include cartridges handling containers with medications.

Abstract: A method and device for individually transporting articles of different type, size, weight, material or shape to one delivery location of a plurality of delivery locations that is designated for the respective article. The articles are placed one by one in respective transport containers, and the respective article is caused at a desired respective delivery location to be transferred from its transport container to a collecting or storage bin, disintegrator or further conveyor dedicated to the article, the transport container at the designated delivery location being made to discharge the article under the effect of gravity or with the aid of a separate, controlled actuating means. The respective article is identified prior to it being placed in a transport container. Identification may, for example, be related to the material of which the article is made.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame with a guide for at least one displaceable transport container, a drive element for carrying the container in an endless track, a resetting device for placing a container in a starting position and a discharge station for selectively relieving a container of a load. The containers are provided with a movable carrying panel for receiving the load, including at least two tilt trays which extend between tilt axes located on both sides. The trays can be selectively titled between a transporting position and a discharge position, and are provided with a locking mechanism for locking the trays in the transport position. The resetting device is adapted to co-act with a passing opened container to place the trays thereof in the transport position, and the discharge station is able to selectively unlock the locking mechanism of a passing transport container to thus release the trays.

Abstract: A sortation system includes a track arrangement and a series of carriers which are movable on the track arrangement, such as by a roller chain or the like. A series of sort stations are provided at various locations along the track arrangement, and items are placed into the carriers at an induction station. Each carrier is programmed at the induction station with a destination sort station, according to the identity of the item carried by the carrier. Each sort station has a unique identification arrangement, such as a sort station module which emits a sort station identification signal which is received by the carriers as the carriers are moved toward the sort stations. If the sort station identification signal matches the destination identification programmed into the carrier, a trip mechanism associated with the sort station is activated so as to discharge the item from the carrier. The carrier is then reset and transported to the induction station for receiving another item to be sorted.

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: The invention concerns an automatic selective sorting device (10), for simultaneously loading, transporting and placing objects having very different characteristics in receiving containers, comprising a frame (11) bearing two toothed wheels (12, 13) arranged at each end of the frame (11), and whereon is stretched an endless conveyor (15). The loading mechanism consist of a line of conveyor belts (32) made up of a belt for manual insertion (32a) two accelerating belts (32b) and a belt for automatic insertion (32c). The acceleration belts (32b) are arranged respectively beneath two columns of a buffer storage and untiering system (33) which bring the objects to be sorted (8) and set them onto the acceleration belts which then place them on the automatic insertion belt (32c) to bring them onto the transporting mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging solid particulate material is described that includes a deflectable, curved weigh pan with a given radius of curvature to receive a continuous flow of material and discharge the material along a first discharge pathway, the radius of curvature at the inlet end being substantially perpendicular to the feed pathway; a pivotal material flow diverter adjacent having an inlet end adjacent the pan outlet end, the diverter having a lowered position beneath the first discharge pathway, and a raised position intersecting the first discharge pathway; a transducer for continually measuring pan deflection; a controller to receive deflection measurements from the transducer and transmit an actuation signal when a target weight of material has crossed the pan; and an actuator to pivot the diverter between the first and second positions upon receipt of an actuation signal from the controller.

Abstract: The device for sorting flat objects comprises at least one first conveyor consisting of buckets moving along a closed loop first path and a second conveyor, mechanically independent of the first conveyor, also consisting of buckets moving in a closed loop path and vertically superposed over the first path. Movement of both conveyors are synchronized by an electric shaft. Flat objects are transferred between conveyors by gravity.

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 diverter for a conveying system which includes a belt conveyor moving along a longitudinal conveying path for transporting flat articles, including a longitudinal conveying path which includes a series of moving belts for moving flat articles therealong. There is a bin for collecting diverted flat articles. A hinged diverter gate is provided above or just forward of the bin for providing a diverting surface of moving belts which, in a first position, allows flat articles to move therealong, and, in a second position, allows the flat articles to move into the bin into which the flat articles are diverted. The bin is located beneath the conveying path and the articles are moved into the bin by the moving belts when the diverter is in its second position. The gate is hinged at a point which is different than the axis of the drive rollers so that the movement of the belts assists the upward movement of the gate when a flat article is to be diverted into the bin below.

Abstract: A conveyor system particularly configured for discrete parcels, which combines tilting tray concepts with “cross-belt” or powered conveyor concepts, which allows for the acceleration of parcels above one gravity force “G”. In one configuration, two levels can be used, the upper for larger packages, and the lower for lower packages.

Abstract: An integrated order selection and distribution system is provided for selecting and delivering a plurality of articles associated with a preselected customer order. The system includes discrete article receptacles, a conveyor, and a plurality of pack stations. The receptacles releasably retain articles associated with a preselected customer order. Each receptacle is transported to predetermined locations within the system by the conveyor. The pack stations are arranged along the direction of movement of the conveyor to receive the articles to be discharged from the receptacles. A system controller tracks the location of the receptacles in the system and generates a signal that causes each receptacle to discharge its articles at a predetermined location, relative to the pack stations. In the preferred embodiment, the system controller assigns each receptacle to at least one of the pack stations in round-robin fashion based upon the type of articles to be discharged.

Abstract: Folded signatures are delivered to a paddle wheel and then are transported to a plurality of distribution points by a gripper chain with a plurality of grippers. A controllable switching unit is provided at each distribution point in the form of a rotatable cam disk with switching cams. The rotatable cam disk at each distribution point is caused to rotate by an individual motor at a controlled speed and time. The speed of rotation of each cam disk can be greater than the speed of travel of the gripper chain so that the point of release of each signature can be accurately controlled.