Abstract: A mobile body positioning station and a mobile body positioning system include a first partition, a second partition disposed along a direction intersecting an extending direction of the first partition, and a guide device as a guide disposed on a movement path of a robot as a mobile body. The guide device is disposed along an oblique direction with respect to the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the first partition to extend from the first partition toward the second partition side. The guide device is configured to make the robot move in the oblique direction more easily than move in directions other than the oblique direction, and the guide device moves the robot along the first partition toward the second partition.

Abstract: A system for loading articles into a container is provided, comprising a platform unit and an elevator unit configured to adjust its elevation relative to the container and a platform unit comprising an opening facing the container and defining an edge of the platform unit, a transfer arrangement comprising a plurality of parallel independent transfer members defining a receiving surface and extending along a loading direction transverse to the edge and configured to move of the others, and a positioning arrangement to orient the article to a loading orientation on the receiving surface and position it at a predetermined loading position along an axis perpendicular to the loading direction. The transfer arrangement is configured to extend a subset of the transfer members in the loading direction through the opening, thereby facilitating placement of the article at a predetermined location within the container.

Abstract: A rotary table box manipulator, comprising: a horizontal supporting plane (1); a first rotary table (2) inscribed in and coplanar with said horizontal plane; a conveyor belt (3) arranged in a loop and movable along a longitudinal advancement direction above the supporting plane (1) and the table (2), equipped with a distribution of rotating balls (4) whose lower part is in contact with the upper surface of the plane (1) and of the table (2), so as to define an upper movable surface for supporting and transporting one or more boxes or packages of boxes (5), further comprising at least one second rotary table (6) inscribed in and coplanar with said first rotating table (2) and able to move independently from it.

Abstract: An autonomous cargo handling system having a sensor self-calibration system may comprise a sensing agent configured to monitor a sensing zone, and a system controller in electronic communication with the first sensing agent. The system controller may be configured to receive structural cargo deck data from the first sensing agent, generate a real-time cargo deck model, identify a cargo deck component in the real-time cargo deck model, and determine a position of the sensing agent relative to the cargo deck component.

Abstract: Roller conveyors can only safely convey articles up to a certain width to downstream conveyors without jamming. The present invention utilizes at least one and preferably a plurality of jam prevention diverter wheels disposed at a selected angle between adjacent rollers of a conveyor with a portion of the diverter wheels extending above the surface of the conveyor rollers to contact items and limit the width of items that can pass through without jamming the conveyor. The diverter wheels are rotated with power mechanically derived from the main powered conveyor rollers. A portion of diverter wheels extend above the skewed roller conveyor surface a selected distance and at a selected angle to contact conveyed articles and only allow items up to a certain size to pass diverting wide items or misaligned items having a width wider than desired for passing through to a downstream conveyor. Jam prevention is the point.

Abstract: A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system that is repositionable along a track system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system that is repositionable along the track system between the infeed side and the pass-through side by attachment within one or more channels.

Abstract: Enclosed herein are embodiments of a product transfer module and product transfer systems. In one embodiment, a product transfer module comprises a first shuttle, the first shuttle including a plurality of rollers, wherein the plurality of rollers are connected by one or more belts and includes a plurality of driven rollers and at least one driving roller; a second shuttle, the second shuttle including a plurality of rows of pulleys and a pulley drive positioned beneath the plurality of pulleys; and a cam system for raising and lowering the first and second shuttles; wherein the first shuttle directs product flow along a first flow path and the second shuttle directs product flow in a second flow direction.

Abstract: There is provided a conveyor assembly for sorting merchandise items. In one form, the conveyor assembly includes: a merchandise identification module; sortation modules each comprising a multi-directional sorting portion with two sets of rollers, a first wing including a third set of rollers, a second wing including a fourth set of rollers, and a controller configured to receive an IP address; a first, disassembled state of the sortation modules; a second, assembled state of the sortation modules; a merchandise database; and a control circuit configured to receive identifying information about an unsorted merchandise item, assign a unique IP address to each sortation module corresponding to the position of the sortation module, determine a sortation destination for the unsorted merchandise item, determine the sortation module corresponding to the sortation destination; and instruct the controller of the corresponding sortation module to divert the unsorted merchandise item to the sortation destination.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tote exchange module for handling totes. The tote exchange module includes a pick-up conveyor and an L-shaped pushing member. The L-shaped pushing member having a forward element and a side element. The forward element may be secured to the side element at the one end. Further, an actuator may move the L-shaped pushing member from a first position proximate a first side of the pick-up conveyor to a second position proximate a second side, opposite to the first side, of the pick-up conveyor. The second position defining a pick-up location.

Abstract: A transport device for transporting at least one product (12a; 12b), with at least one guide unit (14a; 14b), with at least one conveyor unit (16a; 16b), which has at least one continuous conveyor unit (18a; 18b) mounted movably relative to the guide unit (14a; 14b), which comprises at least one movably mounted conveyor element (20a; 20b), and at least one further movably mounted conveyor element (22a; 22b), which are connected to each other to form the continuous conveyor unit (18a; 18b) and are at least jointly movable relative to the guide unit (14a; 14b), and with at least one conveyor drive unit (24a; 24b) for driving the continuous conveyor unit (18a; 18b) relative to the guide unit (14a; 14b), in particular for driving the continuous conveyor unit (18a; 18b) in rotation about the guide unit (14a; 14b).

Abstract: A conveying member for a conveyor includes a conveying element with a main surface, and a roller mechanism having a roller holder and at least one roller with a physical roller pivot. The roller holder can interact with an actuating device, is arranged on the conveying element and is designed such that the roller pivot is movable relative to the main surface of the conveying element between a first position and a second position. In the first and second positions of the roller pivot, the roller projects partly beyond the main surface of the conveying element. In the first position of the roller pivot, the roller assumes an arrested position in which rotation of the roller is arrested, and in the second position of the roller pivot, the roller assumes a freewheel position in which the roller rotates freely.

Abstract: A discharge device is constructed so that, when conveyance destinations for a preceding conveyed object and a closely spaced succeeding conveyed object are different, the objects can be conveyed without stopping the conveyance of the succeeding conveyed object. The device has: a) discharge members that extend and retract between a plurality of conveying bodies in a main conveying conveyor, come into contact with a conveyed object when the discharge members extend between the conveying bodies, and impart a conveying force to the conveyed object, the force being in a direction different from that of the conveying bodies; b) a base member that supports the discharge members; and c) a and base swinging unit that swings the base member. By swinging the base member, it is possible to make the discharge members on the upstream side and the downstream side in the conveyance direction individually extend and retract between the conveying bodies.

Abstract: A long roller conveyor device having a plurality of long rollers and a short roller conveyor device having a plurality of short roller rows each of which includes a plurality of short rollers are used. Rotation axes of the long rollers and rotation axes of the short rollers cross each other. Each of the short roller rows is arranged between the long rollers. On a conveying passage, any of the long rollers and the short roller rows are arranged.

Abstract: A conveyance device comprises a sorting plate housing a plurality of roller assemblies and a series of narrow conveyor belts for conveying articles towards the sorting plate. In a first mode, the narrow conveyor belts bypass the roller assemblies and convey articles over the sorting plate. In a second mode, the conveyor belts bring an article into contact with the roller assemblies, which then manipulate the trajectory of the article.

Abstract: A conveying surface is defined by outputs with respective orientations that can be varied while maintaining the input in a constant orientation, and which can be used to more than a single direction. Power may be transmitted from a source of linear power to the conveying surface through rotation about an axis perpendicular to the conveying surface.

Abstract: A method of sorting articles using a positive displacement sorter having a plurality of slats arranged in parallel to define a conveying surface moving in a longitudinal direction, a plurality of pusher shoes, each of said shoes travelling laterally along at least one of said slat and a diverting station comprising at least one diverting rail arranged diagonally under said conveying surface and at least one diverting switch for selectively diverting at least two pusher shoes to the diverting rail whereby the pusher shoes travel laterally across said conveying surface in a diagonal path in order to divert an article to a take-away lane includes pre-orienting articles prior to the diverting station wherein a side of each article is oriented at approximately a same orientation as the diagonal path and operating the at least one diverting switch and diverting at least one article that is pre-oriented.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor including a diverting conveyor and a bidirectional assist roller to help sort articles over the side of the diverting conveyor. The diverting conveyor includes, in one version, a conveyor belt with diverting rollers selectively actuated to push articles toward a side of the diverting conveyor. The bidirectional assist roller rotates on an axis parallel to the main conveying direction. As articles to be diverted reach the side of the diverting conveyor, the bidirectional roller rotates in a direction to assist articles over the side of the diverting conveyor and the bidirectional roller and onto an exit conveyor. When the diverting rollers are not actuated, the bidirectional roller rotates in the opposite direction to prevent articles from exiting the side of the diverting conveyor. In some instances, the bidirectional roller can be raised above the level of the diverting rollers to further block articles not selected for sorting from exiting over the side and onto the exit conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a conveyor belt having a plurality of conveyor belt rollers configured to divert objects on the conveyor belt. A roller drive mechanism engages the conveyor belt rollers to actuate the conveyor belt rollers into rotation as the conveyor belt advances. The drive mechanism is adjustable to cause the conveyor belt rollers to rotate in a first angular direction and a second, opposite angular direction so that objects can be selectively diverted to either side of the conveyor belt at a desired diverting angle. The roller drive mechanism has drive rollers mounted in cartridges with pinion gears engaged by rack gears to adjust the orientation of the drive rollers relative to the belt rollers and the engagement of the belt rollers with the drive rollers as a function of the orientation by selective raising and lowering or laterally shifting the drive rollers.

Abstract: A multi-directional roller assembly for directing articles in a conveying system. The multi-directional roller assembly has a rotatable roller frame housing at least one set of mutually-actuating rollers. The multi-directional roller assembly directs an article supported by the assembly along a trajectory determined by the orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly relative to an input force. The orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly may be changed to change the trajectory. A conveyor system may include an array of multi-directional roller assemblies. An actuator controls the orientation of the multi-directional roller assemblies individually and may also control an array of multi-directional roller assemblies as a group.

Abstract: An article conveyer belt assembly used for example, in a coin sorting device for positively pushing an article, such as a coin along a support surface is provided. A toothed belt has teeth for transmission of power by mounting a plurality of pushers on the belt with a connector removably mounted with a connecting body, a first holder and a second holder spaced a distance from each other to hold onto the conveyor belt. One of the first and second holders has a hook member to close a spaced opening at one end. The first and second holders are cantilevered to be mounted on a conveyor belt. At the other end of the connector body a pusher unit has a first shaft part and a second shaft part cantilevered from the connector body, with a hollow roller snap fitted on the first shaft part and the second shaft part.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor including a diverting conveyor and a bidirectional assist roller to help sort articles over the side of the diverting conveyor. The diverting conveyor includes, in one version, a conveyor belt with diverting rollers selectively actuated to push articles toward a side of the diverting conveyor. The bidirectional assist roller rotates on an axis parallel to the main conveying direction. As articles to be diverted reach the side of the diverting conveyor, the bidirectional roller rotates in a direction to assist articles over the side of the diverting conveyor and the bidirectional roller and onto an exit conveyor. When the diverting rollers are not actuated, the bidirectional roller rotates in the opposite direction to prevent articles from exiting the side of the diverting conveyor. In some instances, the bidirectional roller can be raised above the level of the diverting rollers to further block articles not selected for sorting from exiting over the side and onto the exit conveyor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods and assemblies comprising one or more tapered feed rolls. Tapered feed rolls may be used to change the rate and direction of workpiece travel along a processing line while retaining the workpieces in sequential order. Routing workpiece flow with tapered feed rolls may allow the workpieces to be tracked along one or more processing lines, and may reduce the operational space required for workpiece processing.

Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.

Abstract: An edge justification device for a mail processing machine. The device shifts the mailpiece from bottom edge justified to top edge justified. The amount of shift is determined as a function of the height of the mail piece. One embodiment solves the problem of switching from bottom to top registration by having a series of steerable nips, which are arranged in line, parallel to the mail flow direction. As the mail piece travels though the justifier, the nips will rotate to impart a lateral velocity to the mail piece, shifting it over to properly justify it. In a further embodiment, the nips of the justification device are not steerable. Rather, a whole nip assembly that is transporting the mail piece is moved laterally to switch from bottom to top justification.

Abstract: An article conveyer belt assembly used for example, in a coin sorting device for positively pushing an article, such as a coin along a support surface is provided. A toothed belt has teeth for transmission of power by mounting a plurality of pushers on the belt with a connector removably mounted with a connecting body, a first holder and a second holder spaced a distance from each other to hold onto the conveyor belt. One of the first and second holders has a hook member to close a spaced opening at one end. The first and second holders are cantilevered to be mounted on a conveyor belt. At the other end of the connector body a pusher unit has a first shaft part and a second shaft part cantilevered from the connector body, with a hollow roller snap fitted on the first shaft part and the second shaft part.

Abstract: A transport device for transporting products and a sorting device provided therewith are disclosed. A transporting method making use of these systems is also disclosed. The transport device according to the exemplary embodiment comprises, a frame engaging means connected to the frame for operatively connecting the transport device to a drive system; and rotatable carrier means connected to the frame for operatively connecting the transport device to a drive system; and a rotatable carrier means connected to the frame for carrying a product, wherein the carrier means is rotatable about a shaft substantially perpendicular to the direction of transport of the product.

Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.

Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.

Abstract: A logistics system for a sheet-processing machine, in particular a printing press, permits pallets and sheet stacks on transport boards to be displaced along transport paths. Storage spaces are provided for the intermediate storage of sheet stacks and a corner transfer device is provided for the transverse displacement of pallets and sheet stacks. The corner transfer device has two height-adjustable conveying devices disposed at right angles with respect to one another. The transport boards cover the transport path at ground level and the corner transfer device is configured in such a way that all of the transport boards are conveyed at a common height level, for example the height level of the machine hall floor.

Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.

Abstract: It is disclosed a matrix conveyor (10) comprising: a plurality of individual roller modules (28), wherein respectively one roller module (28) is arranged at each point of intersection of a regular grid-shaped structure (68), and wherein the roller modules (28) commonly define a conveying plane (30), which is substantially planar, for transporting a conveying good (72) thereon; and a superordinated control device (12) being adapted to individually control each of the individual roller modules (28) so that the conveying good (72) can be transported along a path (74), which can be planned in advance, wherein a shape of the path (74) is defined by a plurality of overlaps of at least two basic conveying directions (60, 62) of the conveying plane (30); wherein the at least two basic conveying directions (60, 62) geometrically span the conveying plane (30), and wherein each of the roller modules (64) is drivable in only one of the at least two basic conveying directions (60), wherein directly adjacent roller modules

Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.

Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.

Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.

Abstract: The invention describes a transfer conveying apparatus (1) having small conveying rollers (14) which form a conveying plane (13) for an item of transported goods (3) for a main conveying direction and at least one auxiliary conveying direction with a pivoting apparatus for pivoting the small conveying rollers (14) about pivot axes which extend perpendicularly with respect to the conveying plane (13) and with a drive apparatus for the small conveying rollers (14). A load-bearing frame of the transfer conveying apparatus (1) having at least one row (11) of the small conveying rollers (14) arranged transversely with respect to the main conveying direction and having pivoting transfer and drive transfer for the row (11) of the small conveying rollers (14) forms a conveying module which is connected detachably to a base module having at least one pivoting drive arrangement and at least one small-roller drive arrangement.

Abstract: The invention describes a transfer conveying apparatus (1) having small conveying rollers (14) which form a conveying plane (13) for an item of transported goods (3) for a main conveying direction and at least one auxiliary conveying direction with a pivoting apparatus for pivoting the small conveying rollers (14) about pivot axes which extend perpendicularly with respect to the conveying plane (13) and with a drive apparatus for the small conveying rollers (14). A load-bearing frame of the transfer conveying apparatus (1) having at least one row (11) of the small conveying rollers (14) arranged transversely with respect to the main conveying direction and having pivoting transfer means and drive transfer means for the row (11) of the small conveying rollers (14) forms a conveying module which is connected detachably to a base module having at least one pivoting drive arrangement and at least one small-roller drive arrangement.

Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.

Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.

Abstract: A conveying system may include a frame that supports a plurality of rollers which carry articles thereon. At least one of the rollers may be a motorized roller with first and second motors adapted to rotate an outer cylindrical shell of the motorized roller. A controller external to the motorized roller may send speed control commands to the motorized roller to control both the first and second motors in a manner that increases torque of the motorized roller. The motors may be controlled in four quadrant mode, or two quadrant mode, or a combination thereof. The motorized roller may be used in a right angle transfer mechanism, or in other components of a conveying system.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for orienting thin glass plates (11) in a contamination-free manner. Said method and apparatus have the following features: a) in order to orient the glass plate (11), a lifting frame (1) is raised from below through the free space between the rolls (13) along with an orienting frame (2) which rests on the lifting frame (1) and is fitted with struts (7) that are connected in a rotatably hinged fashion to the orienting frame (2) and are provided with supporting elements (8) which penetrate the free space between the rolls (13), project beyond the supporting level of the rolls (13), and support the glass plate (11); b) the glass plate (11) is placed in a shock-free manner by means of sliding elements (3) that are actuated by individually controllable drive units (4), the movement of the sliding elements (3) being transmitted to the two longitudinal cross beams of the orienting frame (2) by means of pivot joints (6) which are fastened to the sliding elements (3).

Abstract: A method and a device for the contamination-free, precise-track conveying and rotating on one plane of thin, impact-sensitive crystalline panels, in particular glass panels is described. The method includes the following features: a) a glass panel (6) is conveyed over parallel mounted carriers (9) of a roller conveyor, the surface of the rollers having a thread-type structure; b) to alter the travelling direction of a glass panel (6), other supplementary rollers (7) are provided in the space between the rollers (8) in the appropriate region of the roller conveyor, said other rollers being lifted above the level of the roller conveyor by means of a lifting device; and c) to rotate a glass panel (6) independently of the travelling direction, other supplementary rollers (10) are provided in the space between the rollers (8) in the appropriate region of the roller conveyor.

Abstract: A transverse-roller conveyor belt and a conveyor system providing a drive mechanism for driving the rollers in the belt to divert conveyed articles. The conveyor belt includes belt rollers that each engage a pair of smaller-diameter, article-conveying rollers. The conveyor system's drive mechanism, when selectively actuated, rotates the belt rollers, which rotate the article-supporting rollers to divert conveyed articles toward or off the side of the belt. Gaps between at least some of the pairs of article-supporting rollers admit the teeth of a transfer comb to strip remaining articles off the downstream end of the belt.

Abstract: A diverter conveyor system for a modular belt. The modular belt has at least two belt modules disposed in rows. At least two rows of spheres are disposed in the belt modules and extend through the top and bottom surfaces of the modules. The rows of spheres may be supported by a single cylindrical roller.

Abstract: A load moving apparatus is operable to move a load, such as a stack of sheet product, in a first and second direction on a staging area. The load moving apparatus includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and a translating device. The first conveyor defines the staging area and is configured to move a load in a first direction. The second conveyor is positioned within the staging area and is configured to move the load in a second direction different from the first direction. The translating device is configured to move vertically one of the first conveyor and the second conveyor relative to the other of the first conveyor and the second conveyor. The load moving apparatus can be used to build or break down loads entering the staging area.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for selectively diverting products sideways from a load-bearing conveying surface of a conveyor that is moving in a direction of transport, comprising a frame, an elongated diverter element having an upstream end, a downstream end and a deflecting surface there between, pivoting means for pivoting the diverter element in a reciprocal fashion about a vertical pivot axis extending on one side of the conveying surface, between a passive position, in which the diverter element extends beside the conveying surface so as to allow products to pass freely on the conveying surface, and an active position, in which the diverter element extends at least partially above the conveying surface for diverting products present on the conveying surface sideways from said conveying surface, and driving means for driving the deflecting surface with respect to a remaining part of the diverter element at least in the active position, wherein the pivoting means are arranged for translating the divert

Abstract: Methods for singulating laterally abutting conveyed articles in a conveyor (60). The method includes separating laterally abutting articles by means of a first conveyor section (62) having in-line rollers (64) or oblique rollers rotating at a first speed in a conveying direction (70) and a second laterally adjacent conveyor section (63) having oblique rollers (65) rotating at a second speed in a direction causing articles atop the oblique rollers (65) in the second section (63) to diverge from articles atop the rollers in the first section. Differing the roller speeds helps the abutting articles to increase their separation in the conveying direction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor system includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of conveyor belt rollers configured to divert articles on the conveyor belt, and a drive mechanism that engages the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being configured to drive the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being adjustable such that the conveyor belt rollers can be selectively driven in a first angular direction and, optionally, a second, opposite angular direction so that articles can be selectively diverted to either side of the conveyor belt at a desired diverting angle. One version of the drive mechanism has drive rollers mounted in cartridges and rack gears engaging pinion gears on the cartridges to adjust the orientation of the drive rollers relative to the belt rollers to drive them in selectively opposite angular directions.

Abstract: A sorting switch for diverting articles from one or more infeed conveyors to two or more outfeed conveyors. A cannulae pre-alignment conveyor receives articles from one or more infeed conveyors and selectively diverts individual articles into two or more lateral regions for delivery to an alignment conveyor downstream. The alignment conveyor more precisely aligns the articles within each of the regions for delivery to outfeed conveyors at the downstream end of the alignment conveyor. The alignment and pre-alignment conveyors are realized as belt conveyors with rollers arranged to rotate universally or on axes in specific orientations. In some versions, a belt's rollers roll on bearing surfaces whenever the belt is advancing. In other versions, rollers are selective actuated by moving bearing surfaces. In yet other versions, rollers are not contacted by bearing surfaces at all.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sorting a mass flow of articles without collisions between articles. The apparatus includes a sorting conveyor having a plurality of article-supporting belt rollers selectively rotatable in a direction transverse to the direction of belt travel. The belt rollers are selectively rotated in individual grid cells formed along the conveyor's carryway. A control system creates an image of the incoming mass flow, computes trajectories along the sorting conveyor for each package, and actuates or deactuates the belt rollers passing through each grid cell according to the trajectories to orderly and rapidly divert articles off the side of the sorting conveyor.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for selectively diverting products sideways from a load-bearing conveying surface of a conveyor that is moving in a direction of transport, comprising a frame, an elongated diverter element having an upstream end, a downstream end and a deflecting surface there between, pivoting means for pivoting the diverter element in a reciprocal fashion about a vertical pivot axis extending on one side of the conveying surface, between a passive position, in which the diverter element extends beside the conveying surface so as to allow products to pass freely on the conveying surface, and an active position, in which the diverter element extends at least partially above the conveying surface for diverting products present on the conveying surface sideways from said conveying surface, and driving means for driving the deflecting surface with respect to a remaining part of the diverter element at least in the active position, wherein the pivoting means are arranged for translating the divert