Abstract: A control device for activating a transverse belt (8) of a conveying carriage (6) of a transverse-belt sorter (2), wherein a transverse-belt conveyor (4) for conveying an article in a transverse conveying direction, which is oriented substantially transversely to the conveying direction of the transverse-belt sorter (2), is formed on the conveying carriage (6), and wherein the transverse belt (8) can be driven mechanically, wherein the control device is configured so that, when the article is introduced laterally onto the transverse belt (8), it activates the transverse belt (8) such that the article is transported to a conveying position on the transverse belt (8) or, when the article is discharged laterally, it activates the transverse belt (8) such that the article is transported in the downward direction from a conveying position on the transverse belt (8); and wherein, when the article is introduced and/or discharged laterally, the control device activates the transverse belt (8) at least in dependence o

Abstract: A sorting facility for sorting an article by a belt conveyor provided on a traveling carriage traveling along a conveyance path. A plurality of traveling carriages travel on the conveyance path. Each of the plurality of traveling carriages is provided with a power generation motor generating electric power by traveling of the traveling carriage. The belt conveyor provided on each of the plurality of traveling carriages is driven in a predetermined position on the conveyance path by the electric power generated by the power generation motor. The power generation motor provided in each of the plurality of traveling carriages starts generation of the electric power necessary to drive the belt conveyor in order from the power generation motor provided in the traveling carriage scheduled to pass the predetermined position on the conveyance path first, after the traveling carriages are actuated and traveling speeds become a constant speed.

Abstract: A linear sorter sorts piece goods. The linear sorter contains a closed circulation of tracks having a plurality of cross-belt elements, in which the piece goods are transported on an upper run on the cross-belt elements and are sorted by unloading to corresponding destination points, and the cross-belt elements return on a lower run. The cross-belt elements are driven by linear motors. In order to simplify the maintenance and to have to keep fewer cross-belt elements available as replacement components, the linear motors for the cross-belt elements are controlled such that, as the cross-belt elements return on the lower run, the speed of the cross-belt elements is higher than the speed of the cross-belt elements while travelling on the upper run.

Abstract: A two-loop cross-belt sorter includes at least one loop-shaped track (1); two cross-belt trolley groups (2), and forms two side-by-side conveyance loops able to circulate on the loop-shaped track (1), and a power apparatus (3) that drives the two cross-belt trolley groups (2) to move along the loop-shaped track (1). The two-loop cross-belt sorter uses two sets of trolleys on a loop-shaped track, allows the space inside the loop to be utilized and the quantity of cross-belt trolleys to be increased without increasing the area occupied by the sorter, thus doubling sorting capacity, while allowing parcels to be transferred between cross-belt trolleys on the two conveyance loops, thereby reducing the idle rate of the trolleys.

Abstract: An article conveyance apparatus includes a carriage which travels along a predetermined travel path, and an on-ground facility including a pair of traveling rails which define the travel path. The carriage includes a first slider which operates according to magnetic action to drive a transfer mechanism, and a drive transmission mechanism which supports the first slider and transmits a driving force from the first slider to the transfer mechanism. The on-ground facility includes a first stator which applies magnetic action to the first slider in the carriage to operate the first slider. The first stator includes an opening through which the drive transmission mechanism of the carriage passes. The opening is disposed in a position such that the inside of the first stator is not seen from the opening in top view of the first stator.

Abstract: A conveying device (100) for the clock-integration of transport units (1, 1.1-1.4), includes a plurality of transport units, an indexing conveyor (2) for the clocked conveyance of the transport units, the indexing conveyor having a plurality of carriers (21, 21.1), which are respectively detachably connectable to a transport unit, at least one conveyor section (3), and a diverter (4), via which the conveyor section is connected at a clock-integration point (E) to the indexing conveyor and which is configured to clock-integrate the transport units at the clock-integration point into the indexing conveyor.

Abstract: A torque transmission device (1) is provided for a crossbelt-sorter-cart (200) comprising a crossbelt (210). The torque transmission device (1) comprises a rotatable drive end (10) configured to be coupled to a drive (13, 120) for driving the crossbelt (210) of the crossbelt-sorter-cart (200). A rotatable crossbelt end (20) is configured to be coupled to the crossbelt (210) of the crossbelt-sorter-cart (200). An unrotatable support (30) is configured to be fixed to the crossbelt-sorter-cart (200). A coupling (40) connects the drive end (10) to the crossbelt end (20) at the support (30). The coupling (40) allows a transmission of a drive torque originating from the rotating drive end (10) to the crossbelt end (20) and inhibits a belt torque originating from the rotating crossbelt end (20).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for removable conveyor cartridge assemblies for mobile carrier units. In one embodiment, an example removable assembly for a mobile carrier unit of a sortation system may include a frame, a conveyor belt disposed about the frame, a first sheet metal component coupled to a first side of the frame, the first sheet metal component including a first set of tabs extending from the first sheet metal component, and a tensioning device configured to tension the conveyor belt, the tensioning device having a first screw that engages a first tab of the first set of tabs.

Abstract: Equipment for handling parcels between loading points at which said parcels are loaded and drop-off points at which the parcels are dropped off in a logistics center, the equipment having sorting receptacles placed at the loading points and into which the parcels are poured loosely in bulk, further having trolleys, each of which is configured to carry a removable receptacle, and shuttle robots configured to dock with the trolleys and to move them automatically, and a monitoring and control unit for automatically and remotely controlling the movement of the shuttle robots as a function of a sorting plan so as to place trolleys with empty receptacles at the loading points and so as to place each of the trolleys with a receptacle loaded with parcels at a drop-off point where the receptacle loaded with parcels is replaced with an empty receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying device comprising a base, in particular a rack or a housing, supported on the ground; at least two longitudinal members which are carried by the base, which extend in a longitudinal direction and which are spaced apart from one another in a transverse direction; and a plurality of receivers which are arranged behind one another in the longitudinal direction, which are carried by the longitudinal members and at which conveyor belt sections are supported which are individually attachable and removable and which together form a conveying path extending in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to a material handling system including a first conveyor and a second conveyor positioned such that a curved section of the second conveyor is substantially concentric with a curved section of the first conveyor. The speed of the first conveyor and the second conveyor are matched such that a loaded cross belt carriage may transfer an article on to an empty cross belt carriage at the curved sections of the first conveyor and the second conveyor. The speed of the first conveyor and the second conveyor are matched using a speed matching routine executed by a central controller such that the transfer of the article is facilitated at the curved sections of the first conveyor and the second conveyor.

Abstract: Conveyor system for the transporting of goods items, with one or more transport units, each of which comprises a load carrying means for accommodating a transport container, the transport units being movable along a conveyor track in or opposite to a direction of conveying, with at least one discharge facility for discharging an empty transport container or one laden with a goods item onto the load carrying means of a transport unit, and at least one retrieval facility for retrieving an empty transport container or one laden with a goods item from a load carrying means of a transport unit, where the transport containers comprise first, or small, transport containers with a first length and a first width, which is smaller than the first length, at least two of which may in each case be accommodated next to one another on a load carrying means of a transport unit with their longitudinal extension transverse to the direction of conveying, and where each transport unit is provided with a first retaining means and

Abstract: An article-diverting modular conveyor belt employs a transverse article diverter comprising rollers. The rollers are formed in a transverse diverting belt wrapped around a module or embedded in the module. The rollers can be activated by contact, motorization or linear induction.

Abstract: A parcel sorting system and method. The parcel sorting system comprises a parcel sorting device (100) and a parcel collecting device (101); the parcel sorting device is provided thereon with a plurality of parcel inspection inlets (104) and a plurality of parcel outlets (102), and the parcel collecting device is located just below the parcel sorting device; the parcel outlets on the parcel sorting device communicate with the parcel collecting device; the parcel outlets are respectively located at the middle or/and edges of the parcel sorting device; the parcel collecting device is provided thereon with storage devices (103) at positions under respective parcel outlets; and diameter of the storing device is larger than that of the parcel outlet. When the method is used, the parcel sorting efficiency is obviously improved; the implementation is convenient; and popularization and application are facilitated.

Abstract: The present invention aims to develop a dedicated control device for a transfer apparatus and a transfer apparatus controller that enables labor-saving wiring work, and to provide a conveying apparatus that switches a destination to which a conveyed object is to be conveyed by way of the transfer apparatus controller. A transfer apparatus includes a main conveying passage 101 that conveys a conveyed object 125 in one direction, an auxiliary conveying passage 102 for conveying a conveyed object 125 in a direction crossing the main conveying passage 101, and a lifting and lowering unit 115 that generates a height difference between both conveying passages 101 and 102 by lifting or lowering at least one of the conveying passages 101 and 102.

Abstract: An article sorting apparatus includes a conveyance path, a conveyor cell, a loading device, a positioning device, a sorting unit and a control device. The conveyor cell moves along the conveyance path in a first conveyance direction and conveys an article loaded thereon in a second conveyance direction that intersects the first conveyance direction. The loading device loads the article onto the conveyor cell. The positioning device is located opposite the loading device with respect to the conveyance path. The positioning device includes a contact member and a driving unit. The driving unit drives the contact member in the second conveyance direction and brings it into contact with the article loaded onto the conveyor cell. The sorting unit receives the article conveyed by the conveyor cell. The control device controls conveyance of the article in the second conveyance direction. The control device controls the driving unit of the positioning device.

Abstract: A transportation system for objects, wherein a train formed by a plurality of carriages moves along a rail and transports objects, for example parcels. The train comprises first carriages, each of which is provided with a pair of first motor-driven rectilinear belts, arranged with their longer edges mutually parallel and perpendicular to the direction of feed of the train. The first carriages alternate with second carriages, each of which is provided with just one second motor-driven rectilinear belt arranged with its own longer edges perpendicular to the direction of feed of the train. The distance between an edge of a first belt of the first carriage and a facing edge of the second belt of the second carriage is greater than the distance between facing edges of the belts of the first carriage.

Abstract: An article sorting apparatus includes a conveying path, a conveyer cell, a loading section, a sorting section and a control device. The conveyer cell includes a belt, a projecting portion and an actuator. The belt forms a setting surface on which an article is set. The projecting portion projects from a surface of the belt. The actuator drives the belt. The conveyer cell moves on the conveying path in a first conveying direction and conveys the article set on the setting surface in a second conveying direction orthogonal to the first conveying direction. The loading section transfers the article to the conveyer cell. The control device, when a size of the article is smaller than a predetermined size and when the loading section transfers the article to the setting surface, controls the actuator to drive the belt such that the projecting portion contacts a lower surface of the article.

Abstract: A sorting method, cross-belt system, and computer-storage media are provided for conveying and sorting items. The cross-belt system includes a plurality of interlocking palettes that form a conveyor belt. Each palette may be engaged by a series of rollers that are triggered to discharge items on the palettes to appropriate loading areas. The rollers are configured to move a belt of the palettes in one of at least two directions to a selected loading area that is positioned on either side of the cross-belt system.

Abstract: The discharge accuracy of unit sortation is improved by making real time adjustments to the discharge timing of the carrier based on the determined actual position of each article on respective carriers. The adjustments are applied at the time the discharge command is given.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus for sorting piece goods (12), having at least a first moving transport unit (22) for transporting at least one piece good (12) in a main transport direction (18), the first transport unit (22) has a chassis (38) for the movement, a transfer unit (32) which moves the piece good (12) in a transfer direction (50), and a drive unit (34) fixed to the first transport unit (22) for driving the piece good (12) in the transfer direction (50). The sorting apparatus has a coupling device (62) for coupling the chassis (38) to the drive unit (34) at least for a period of time.

Abstract: An article-diverting modular conveyor belt employs a gear-driven article mover on a conveyor belt module for selectively moving a conveyed article towards a side of the module. The article mover may be a transversely-extending flexible band or helical blade for carrying articles across the belt towards a side of the module. A toothed wheel connected to the article mover is selectively driven by a gear to induce movement of the article mover.

Abstract: A conveyor sortation system includes a frame and two or more carriages riding along the frame in a travel direction. Each carriage includes a belt and an electric motor. The belt is oriented at a direction that is transverse to the travel direction of the carriage. The electric motor is configured to drive the belt. In one form, the belt has a width that is at most 8 inches (20.32 cm) wide. In another form, the carriages have a vertical recirculation pattern along the frame.

Abstract: A transverse belt drive assembly has multiple belt drive frames spaced in a first direction and positioned between the rollers of a main conveyor which advances articles in the first direction. The belt drive frames support looped toothed belts which are advanced in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The belt drive frames are mounted to a platform which is driven on demand by an actuator to raise the belt drive frames to extend up above the roller surfaces of the main conveyor rollers causing the belts to engage articles carried on the conveyor rollers, lifting and advancing the articles in the first direction to transfer them off the conveyor rollers. Each belt has a body with converging walls and is received within a channel within a converging side wall track mounted to a belt drive frame. Rotatable bearings are mounted beneath each channel to support the belt.

Abstract: Provided is a mail sorting system including: a detection unit configured to output a detection signal for a length of a mail inserted to a conveyor belt; a crossbelt driving unit configured to control a motor interworking with a crossbelt including a central region and first and second lateral regions adjacent to both sides based on the central region where the mail is moved and arranged from the conveyor belt; and a control unit configured to transmit a motor control signal which controls at least one of an rpm and a rotational speed of the motor so that the mail is arranged on any one of the central region and the first and second lateral regions based on the detection signal, to the crossbelt driving unit, in order to easily discharge the mail from a destination discharge point by disposing the inserted mail at a setting region of the crossbelt.

Abstract: In order e.g. to provide a more efficient cross-belt sorting system there is among others disclosed a cross-belt sorting system 102 for side by side items 808 in which system items are loaded onto their side by side position on a cross-belt by one or more top-load loading stations 106, 108 in response to an identification of the items.

Abstract: A linear dispensing system is provided that includes a plurality of channels, a pair of parallel rails, a plurality of carriers and a plurality of linear motor modules. The channels are configured to hold inventory products at an orientation. The pair of parallel rails is disposed at a bottom portion of the channels. The carriers are slidably disposed on the rails and have a conveyor unit configured to pick the inventory product from the channels while substantially maintaining the same geometric orientation as in the channel. The linear motor modules are disposed between the parallel rails and aligned end to end. The linear motor modules are coupled with the carriers and configured to pass the carriers to an adjacent linear motor module. Each carrier delivers a plurality of selected products of varying shapes to a universal escapement structure where the products are labeled, imaged, verified and dispensed.

Abstract: The invention refers to an order picking plant for order picking of articles into order containers. The order picking plant comprises a picking station and a sorter. Between the sorter and order container a number of collection points are provided. Further, the invention relates to a process where the articles are stored intermediately in a collection point between sorter and order container.

Abstract: A method and device for handling packs or similar unit loads in a packaging plant where packs exiting from a packaging machine are distributed and in the process optionally rotated and palletized in a palletizer, wherein distribution, rotation and palletizing are performed essentially continuously and directly consecutively from the packaging machine to the palletizer.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus with a plurality of transport units movable along a guide means, on the upper side of said transport units there being provided in each case a pusher means which can be driven contrary to a direction of travel of the transport units so that unit load items can be picked up and/or discharged gently.

Abstract: A piece goods conveyance system has individual containers for transporting luggage on a conveyor belt and an unloading and loading station for loading the containers. The storage space is formed by an endless stable carrier belt spanning each container and driven guided perpendicular to the transport direction of the container. There is a stationary drive for driving the carrier belt in the region of the loading and/or unloading station. In order to create a functional drive for the container that undertakes the transport and sorting of luggage in a cost-effective and low-maintenance manner, a drive element is configured as flat belts circulating endlessly around deflection wheels parallel to the transport direction. At least one deflection wheel is positively connected to the carrier belt and can be frictionally engaged to a second flat belt of a stationary drive station driven endlessly circulating parallel to the first flat belt.

Abstract: A transfer device including a main conveyor part having a first conveying surface and a subsidiary conveyor part having a second conveying surface and arranged at the same area as the main conveyor part, the main conveyor part being designed to convey an article placed on the first conveying surface in one conveying direction, the subsidiary conveyor part being designed to convey an article placed on the second conveying surface in another direction transverse to the conveying direction of the main conveyor part, the main conveyor part and/or the subsidiary conveyor part being a roller conveyor having rollers, at least one of the rollers being a braking roller equipped with a brake, and the brake being designed to prevent the article from proceeding at least to the direction transverse to the conveying direction of the roller conveyor by a frictional force acting between the article and the braking roller.

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 conveyor system and method of laterally displacing articles includes a conveyor defining a conveying surface and conveying articles in a longitudinal direction with the conveying surface. A diverting assembly is positioned diagonally at least partially across the conveying surface. The diverting assembly travels generally vertically between a non-actuated position below the conveying surface and an actuated position extending above the conveying surface. The diverting assembly has a diverting surface that is adapted to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface when in the actuated position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a cross belt sorter for transporting and sorting piece goods, having a plurality of carriages either coupled on a continuous conveyor track to form a train or moved individually, where piece goods are transported in a resting position and loaded and/or unloaded at fixed loading and/or unloading locations, a cross belt which circulates continuously around a plurality of deflection rollers and is driven transversely with respect to the direction of transportation of the carriages, wherein the cross belt drives the carriages, where a deflection roller of the cross belt corresponding to a drive whose drive force is derived from the longitudinal movement of the cross belt sorter, and a shiftable transmission arranged between the drive of the cross belt and the deflection roller, where a drive shaft of the transmission is continuously engaged with the drive and the transmission connecting the deflection roller to the drive is engageable and disengageable.

Abstract: A loading and unloading station for a container that transports piece goods, particularly pieces of luggage on a conveyor belt is provided. The upper part of the container receiving the piece goods is formed by a storage surface for the piece goods, the surface including an continuous carrying belt spanning the lower part of the container and capable of bearing a load, the carrying belt is arranged transversely to the transport direction of the container and drivably guided around a plurality of deflection rollers provided on both sides of the container. A method for transporting piece goods on a conveyor track including supporting and guide elements for the container is also provided.

Abstract: A loading and unloading station for a container that transports piece goods, particularly pieces of luggage on a conveyor belt is provided. The upper part of the container receiving the piece goods is formed by a storage surface for the piece goods, the surface including an continuous carrying belt spanning the lower part of the container and capable of bearing a load, the carrying belt is arranged transversely to the transport direction of the container and drivably guided around a plurality of deflection rollers provided on both sides of the container. A method for transporting piece goods on a conveyor track including supporting and guide elements for the container is also provided.

Abstract: A universal cross belt sorter system (1) consisting of four major components: a monorail track (26), a drive car (20), multiple cross belt cars (24) and system controls. The drive cars (20) pull multiple cross belt cars (24) along the track (26). The cross belt cars (24) are typically loaded with material, which is then discharged into outlets. An outlet may be a chute, a bin, a conveyor, a truck, etc. Sortation systems are typically used to consolidate material according to selected parameters, such as zip code, customer order, to replenish a specific store and many other identifying information. The cross belt cars (24) are loaded with material at induction areas (3). The types or methods of inducting material onto the cross belt cars (24) range from manual to semi-automatic to fully automatic.

Abstract: Modular transfer band assemblies and systems are provided. The modular transfer band assemblies may include a frame, pulleys supported by the frame, and a belt provided around the pulleys. The belt is configured to be driven to transfer an article off of a main conveyor line having rollers for conveying the article. The removable belt module is configured to be engaged and disengaged from the main conveyor line without the use of tools as a single, self-contained unit. Modular transfer band assembly systems may include the modular transfer band assembly and a support structure, wherein the modular transfer band assembly is removably attached to the support structure.

Abstract: To sort objects, an object is transferred onto a transport device of a sorting plant, and conveyed in accordance with predetermined sort criteria from the transport device to one of a number of outputs of the sorting plant. At the output, the object is transferred to a receptacle assigned to the output. A receptacle is removed from the output as soon as a predetermined fill level has been reached, or no further objects are delivered to the output. An empty receptacle is replaced for the removed receptacle. The empty receptacle is directed via the transport device to the output.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sorting and distributing system and to a method for transmitting power and data in a sorting and distributing system, comprised of carriages (1), which are coupled to one other to form a train (2) and which can be displaced along running rails, and comprising primary parts (5), which are arranged in a stationary manner along the running rails, serve to provide power to the carriages (1), and which can be inductively connected to secondary parts (6) provided on the carriages (1), and comprising devices for wirelessly transmitting control data for the train (2). The aim of the invention is, with the use of simple and retrofittable means, to attain a high speed and acceleration of the carriages with a low power consumption and to render a rapid and reliable data transfer possible. To this end, the invention provides that the primary parts (5) are placed at intervals along the running rails, and the secondary parts (6) can be moved past the primary parts (5) while in inductive range.

Abstract: An endless belt includes a layer including at least a first composition and a second composition different from the first composition, a content ratio of the second composition relative to the first composition being changed in a layer thickness direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, an arrangement and an apparatus for conveying objects transversely to their incoming transport direction. In known apparatuses there is a possibility of either removing all the objects in one direction or the other. To a limited extent known apparatuses also allow a division of a string formed from several objects. However, a disadvantage is that the distribution of the objects, in other words the division of a string formed from several objects, e.g. a ream string formed from fourteen reams, to packing machines located opposite one another is possible only to a limited extent. It can also take place only when the machine has been shut down.

Abstract: A method for sorting objects using a continuous loop conveyor sorting system having two or more feeders. In one embodiment, the method includes sorting a batch of objects to form a first group of objects and a second group of objects, using a first feeder to feed all of the objects from the first group onto the conveyor, using a second feeder to feed all of the objects from the second group onto the conveyor, removing the objects from the first group from the conveyor prior to the any of the objects reaching the point at which the second feeder feeds objects onto the conveyor, and removing the objects from the second group from the conveyor prior to the any of the objects reaching the point at which the first feeder feeds objects onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A transport system, in particular an airport luggage transport system, is disclosed that moves containers with individual items along a transport path. The system includes at least one support element that supports a bottom side of the containers along the transport path, guiding means, and loading and unloading means as well as a motion link located next to the passing containers. A pinwheel rotatably supported on the container has pins adapted to engage with the motion link. An endless conveyor belt revolves transversely to the transport direction and is driven by the pinwheel, whereby an upper belt section of the endless conveyor belt forms a support surface for the containers. The bottom side of the containers includes at least one groove-shaped recess oriented in the transport direction that engages with the guiding means at least at the loading and unloading location.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor has a cross sorter which can travel smoothly on a semicircular corner part of a traveling path. A large number of transporting units 1 are connected and travel on loop shaped transporting route in which an endless belt conveyor 2 provided at the respective transporting units 1 is driven in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction at a sorting position. A chassis of the transporting unit consists of a beam shaped link 5 connectable to the front and rear ends thereof via connecting units 14, and a base 7 fixed to the center of the upper part of the link 5. A center guide wheel 8 is suspended from the connecting unit 14 of the end of the link 6 to come into contact with a guide rail of the transporting route. A traveling wheel 9 and a guide wheel 10 are mounted adjacent to both ends of a base 7 to come into contact with a guide rail of both sides of the transporting route. The wheels 9, 10 travel along a circular excursion whose center is a focus point of the transporting route.

Abstract: A sorter conveyor having cross-belts for supporting and discharging article is disclosed, wherein the cross-belts are driven by interaction between a rotor moving with the cross-belts and stationary electric stator parts, wherein the rotor is arranged separate from the cross-belt and is connected to a drive roller with a transmission. Further is disclosed such sorter conveyors having tilt-trays driven by interaction between rotors moving with the tilt-trays and stationary electric stator parts, as well as such sorter conveyors which are driven along the stationary track by means of stationary linear motor stator parts interacting with the reaction means. Lastly, rotors and the manufacture of such rotors are disclosed.

Abstract: An article sortation system includes a plurality of transport units which are movable along a conveying path between induction stations and discharge stations along each side of the conveying path. Each transport unit has side by side loading and support capability and is operable to receive packages from induction stations and discharge the packages at an appropriate discharge station. The system includes a control which determines the destination of articles and resolves blocking conditions between articles at the induction stations or at the transport units. The system may include a reinduction station for receiving an article from a transport unit and reinducting the article onto a transport unit, in order to resolve a blocking condition between a pair of articles on the respective transport unit.

Abstract: The invention described herein is transfer assembly for transferring articles from an input conveyor to an output position. The transfer assembly includes a support structure and a conveyor assembly mounted to the support structure. The conveyor assembly has a working conveyor surface with an input end and an output end. The output end is moveable in a substantially lateral direction between a first position and a second position. The first position is such that the working conveyor surface is substantially laterally positioned away from the output position while the second position is such that a portion of the working conveyor surface is positioned above the output position.

Abstract: The invention is particularly useful for sorting, altering or maintaining the orientation items of differing sizes moved by a sorter. The endless loop's carriers include belts that both transport and sort the items. Followers clasp the belts about the lengthwise periphery of the carriers' slats and also engage lines, diverters, crossovers and receivers. When a follower is diverted toward a crossover, transverse motion is imparted to its corresponding carrier's belt. Routers can be incorporated into the sorter for enhancing the control of the orientation and sortation of items advanced by the endless loop's carriers.