Abstract: Disclosed is a sorting machine, comprising a rack, two rail units which are both mounted on the rack and are symmetrical to each other, and a sorting cart. The rail units comprise: a transverse rail assembly, wherein the transverse rail assembly comprises a plurality of transverse rails and a plurality of reversing mechanisms, and the transverse rails and the reversing mechanisms are alternately arranged along a straight line; and a plurality of vertical rails which are parallel to each other, wherein the vertical rails and the reversing mechanisms are arranged in one-to-one correspondence. The sorting cart is switched to a rail by means of the reversing mechanisms, and a conveying direction of a conveying assembly is different from a traveling direction of the sorting cart.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for delivering items to a plurality of storage locations. The items are fed into the apparatus at an input station having a scanning station. The scanning station evaluates one or more characteristics of each item. The items are then loaded onto a delivery mechanism that delivers the items to storage locations. Once at the appropriate storage location, the delivery mechanism discharges the item to the storage location and returns to receive another item to be delivered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for storing and retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. A storage and retrieval system stores and retrieves items as needed and transfer items from storage locations to transfer locations. A separate picking system conveys the items from the transfer locations to a picking station or an input out station so that the item can be selected.

Abstract: A water-containing substance detection device that detects a water-containing rubbery polymer, includes a conveyor configured to convey rubbery polymers; and a detector configured to detect the water-containing rubbery polymer among the rubbery polymers, conveyed by the conveyor, by a temperature sensor. The conveyor has a surface with an emissivity of 0.50 or more. The temperature sensor has a frame rate falling within a range of 5 Hz to 120 Hz. The detector detects the water-containing rubbery polymer, near an ejection port of the conveyor, and on a downstream side of the ejection port.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a system that includes a first Faraday cage defining a first aperture through which a first conveyor extends, a first wirelessly controlled machine disposed in the first Faraday cage, where the first wirelessly controlled machine is configured to transmit control signals using a first frequency range, a second Faraday cage defining a second aperture through which a second conveyor extends, and a second wirelessly controlled machine disposed in the second Faraday cage where the first wirelessly controlled machine is configured to transmit control signals using the first frequency range. Further, a portion of at least one of the first Faraday cage and the second Faraday cage is disposed between the first and second apertures.

Abstract: A sortation system uses short conveyors or transporter units on a lift to move products or packages to totes in a storage rack. The lift may be a carousel. Automated components remove the totes from the rack and place them on outfeed conveyors. The system to remove the totes can include a transfer vehicle. The sortation system may be modular.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for storing and retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. A storage and retrieval system stores and retrieves items as needed and transfer items from storage locations to transfer locations. A separate picking system conveys the items from the transfer locations to a picking station or an input out station so that the item can be selected.

Abstract: RF shielding techniques are employed to prevent wireless signals transmitted from one machine from reaching another machine using the same frequency range. If the machines are spaced closely together, the wireless signals emitted by one machine may be received by the other, thereby causing interference. In one embodiment, one of the machines is placed in a Faraday cage which prevents it from transmitting wireless signals to, and receiving signals from, the other machine. In another embodiment, machines that use different channels are grouped into a first Faraday cage while machines that use the same channels as the machines in the first Faraday cage are placed in a second Faraday cage. In this manner, the machines in the two cages can reuse the same communication channels while being disposed proximate to each other in the shared space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are fed into the apparatus at an input station having a scanning station. The scanning station evaluates one or more characteristics of each item. The items are then loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles are individually driven to sort destinations. Once at the appropriate sort destination, the delivery vehicle ejects the item to the sort destination and returns to receive another item to be delivered. A re-induction conveyor may be provided for receiving select items from the vehicles and conveying the items back to the input station for re-processing. Additionally, a controller is provided to control the movement of the vehicles based on a characteristic each item being delivered by each vehicle. The system may also include vehicles having an assembly for detecting items being loaded onto or discharged from the vehicles.

Abstract: Parcel processing systems and methods. A parcel processing system includes a parcel transport configured to receive a flow of parcels, and transport the flow of parcels at a rate greater than a processing capacity of a downstream processing device. The parcel processing system includes a diverter configured to divert individual parcels from the flow of parcels to be recirculated. The parcel processing system includes the downstream processing device configured to process the remaining flow of parcels. The parcel processing system includes a control system configured to cause the diverter to divert the individual parcels from the flow of parcels until the remaining flow of parcels is not greater than the processing capacity of a downstream processing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for storing and retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. A storage and retrieval system stores and retrieves items as needed and transfer items from storage locations to transfer locations. A separate picking system conveys the items from the transfer locations to a picking station or an input out station so that the item can be selected.

Abstract: A diverter conveyor includes a frame supporting an upper conveyor that has an upstream end and a downstream end and that is configured to carry sheets in a first, downstream, direction. A plurality of nip rollers are mounted on the frame upstream of the upstream end of the upper conveyor and are spaced from the upstream end of the upper conveyor by a gap. The nip rollers feed the sheets along a main path to the upstream end of the upper conveyor. A rejection conveyor is supported by the frame and has a portion beneath the gap and extends away from the upper conveyor at an acute angle. A plurality of paddles are mounted at the first gap, and an actuator is operably connected to the paddles and configured to shift the paddles from a first position out of the main path to a second position in the main path.

Abstract: To develop a transfer device which has a lower overall height than that of a conventional technology. A transfer device 1 includes a main conveying unit 3 equipped with main conveying bodies 82, a sub conveying unit 2 equipped with sub conveying bodies 14, a lifting and lowering mechanism 4 which lifts and lowers the main conveying unit 3 and the sub conveying unit 2 such that the respective units 3 and 2 are located at different positions in the up-down direction, and a motor 5 which operates the lifting and lowering mechanism 4. A planar position of the motor 5 resides in a planar area overlapping with the main conveying bodies 82 and the sub conveying bodies 14. A position of the motor 5 in the height direction is set such that a part or the whole of the motor 5 is located above a height of a lower end of a rotational track or a traveling track of any one of the conveying bodies 82 and 14 in a lowered state of any one of the conveying units 3 and 2.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a drive assembly and a plurality of rollers configured to singulate a plurality of conveyed articles travelling on the plurality of rollers along a direction of travel. Each of the plurality of rollers having a drive end and a base end. The drive end having a drive sheave including a plurality of grooves and a plurality of peaks interposed between the plurality of grooves formed on a surface thereof. The drive assembly is coupled to the drive end of at least one of the plurality of rollers by a drive belt. At least a first portion of the plurality of rollers are disposed at an angle with respect to the direction of travel.

Abstract: A transport conveyor and a transport unit including such a transport conveyor are provided in which the transport conveyor can be made compact in the lateral direction while being compatible with a downstream conveyor whose transport direction is different from that of the transport conveyor. A second transport winding member (9), a first relaying winding member (10), and a second relaying winding member are supported to be swingable about a vertical axis (X1) extending along the vertical direction and located on the other side end portion, along a transport direction, of the transport conveyor (5).

Abstract: A method and device for the production of books, including: moving book blocks successively along a conveying section of a book production line; supplying a stack of book cases to the book production line; identifying a marking on each of the book blocks and the book cases; transmitting an identified marking on at least one book case to a machine control of the book production line; assigning a dataset stored in the machine control for a sequence of book cases to the supplied stack; determining a sequence in the machine control for book blocks positioned on the conveying section; comparing the dataset for the sequence of the book cases to the sequence of the book blocks; and removing and/or supplying at least one book block from or to the conveying section if the sequence of the book blocks deviates from the sequence of the book cases using the machine control.

Abstract: An autonomous robotic transport system has been developed in which the individual robot vehicles are able to move in multiple directions, such as vertically as well as around curves. Through the use of a unique rail system, the vehicle is able to move around corners and turns without the need for expensive modifications. This eliminates the need for various differentials or multiple electric motors to provide the difference between inner and outer wheels in a turn. Moreover, a number of switches have been developed that allow the vehicles to move not only vertically but also horizontally as well as transition between vertical and horizontal movement. A technique for operating the robotic vehicles is also described.

Abstract: A junction conveyor is disclosed. The junction conveyor includes a stationary end and a switching end. A stationary assembly is disposed at the stationary end and a switching conveyor assembly disposed at the switching end. The junction conveyor includes a counter conveyor assembly between the stationary and switching conveyor assemblies. The junction conveyor includes a counter movement unit. The counter movement unit causes the counter conveyor assembly to move in an opposite direction as the switching conveyor assembly during switching from a home position to a switch position.

Abstract: A transport device is configured to transport different kinds of articles which have different lengths from the held portion or a position corresponding to the held portion to one end portion along the fore and aft direction. There are provided an article detection device for detecting an article, end detection device for detecting the one end portion, along the fore and aft direction, of the article detected by the article detecting device, and a determination device for determining the kind of the article based on detected information from the article detecting device and detected information from the end detection device.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying at least one product comprises a spiral first conveyor having a vertically extending central axis. The first conveyor comprises a number of conveying elements extending substantially parallel to each other. Each conveying element comprises at least one supply end for receiving the product and at least one discharge end for discharging the product. The discharge ends of the individual conveying elements are positioned at different vertical levels.

Abstract: A travel guide member which forms travel paths for an article transport vehicle is provided on a ceiling side. The travel guide member defines a plurality of travel paths along which the article transport vehicle travels in the same direction such that the travel paths are spaced apart from each other in a path lateral direction and defines a first diverging path and a second diverging path for connecting with each other a first travel path that is one of a pair of adjacent travel paths among the plurality of the travel paths and a second travel path that is the other of the pair of the adjacent travel paths. The first diverging path and the second diverging path are formed such that both extend in directions that are slanted with respect to the travel path in plan view and such that they intersect each other in plan view.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying organ packages to a processing station or stations is provided. The apparatus can include a tray-conveyor having a series of trays movable in the conveying direction. Each such tray is arranged to receive an organ package. The tray-conveyor has at least one discharge-station for the organ packages that are to be moved to the processing station or stations.

Abstract: A method for tamping media during transportation is disclosed. Multiple parallel beltsets lie between an inlet station(s) and a delivery station(s). The multiple parallel beltsets have one or more parallel belts, a motor connected to drive the beltsets, and multiple pushers attached to the belts of the beltset with the pushers of one beltset placed between the pushers of the adjacent beltset. A control module coupled to the motors accepts a set of instructions and controls tamping of the media stack during transportation. The control module varies the velocity of one of the beltsets relative to the adjacent beltset and adjusts the distance between successive pushers on the beltsets to accept media or to tamp media during transportation.

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: A transfer device is configured by a conveying part and a lifting part both fixed to a casing. The conveying part forms a latticework by two groups of rollers aligned in a first direction and a second direction in matrix and includes chains for rotating the group of rollers aligned in the first direction and the group of rollers aligned in the second direction per group and driving devices for conveyance. The lifting part includes a driving device for lifting, rectilinearly-movable members for performing a rectilinear motion, and converting members for converting the rectilinear motion of the rectilinearly-movable member to a rotational motion and further to a lifting motion so as to transmit the lifting motion to the rollers. The converting members are arranged at the respective lattice points to lift up and down either group of rollers concurrently, which form a flat surface to convey articles.

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: In a mail processing system, a support element has a flat floor with elements spaced from each other so that a comb-type or fork-type structure is produced, wherein the elements have front section extending upwards. A first transport device has a number of bands equipped with sectional separators, which are spaced from one another. To transfer piled postal items from the support element to the first transport device the floor is aligned with the transport device, and the floor and the transport device are interlocked, so that at least a part of one of the bands extends between the elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to the sort destinations, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate sort destination, the delivery vehicle ejects the item to the sort destination and returns to receive another item to be delivered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to the sort destinations, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate sort destination, the delivery vehicle ejects the item to the sort destination and returns to receive another item to be delivered.

Abstract: A transfer device is configured by a conveying part and a lifting part both fixed to a casing. The conveying part forms a latticework by two groups of rollers aligned in a first direction and a second direction in matrix and includes chains for rotating the group of rollers aligned in the first direction and the group of rollers aligned in the second direction per group and driving devices for conveyance. The lifting part includes a driving device for lifting, rectilinearly-movable members for performing a rectilinear motion, and converting members for converting the rectilinear motion of the rectilinearly-movable member to a rotational motion and further to a lifting motion so as to transmit the lifting motion to the rollers. The converting members are arranged at the respective lattice points to lift up and down either group of rollers concurrently, which form a flat surface to convey articles.

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: A device for transporting printed products, particularly folded and/or unfolded sheets, comprising a conveying unit with several driven endless conveying belts that are arranged parallel to one another and a roller conveyor with several rollers that are respectively arranged between the endless conveying belts. The roller conveyor can be raised and lowered relative to the conveying unit and the vertical lifting movement of the roller conveyor is superimposed with a comparatively much larger movement parallel to the axial direction of the rollers. Such a lifting movement provides the advantage that the printed products are deposited onto the continuous endless conveying belts such that they are pre-accelerated in the transport direction or lifted off the conveying belts with the transport component in order to subsequently be gently decelerated up to the end of the lifting movement.

Abstract: A stacking apparatus includes a feed device that feeds a succession of elongated items to a pick-up station, and a rotating structure having first and second arms at different angles about a rotation axis of the rotating structure. The arms have receiving surfaces mounted thereto that receive the elongated items as a layer at the pick-up station during rotation of the rotating structure as the receiving surface travels past the pick-up station. The apparatus also includes a carriage having layer supporting forks that receive the layer from the receiving surface during rotation of the rotating structure as the receiving surface travels past a layer receiving station. The carriage carries the layer from the layer receiving station and deposits the layer at a layer stacking station from the forks to form the stack of superimposed layers.

Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. The invention is useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: A conveyor diverter and method provides a device for diverting articles from a transport conveyor at increased throughput by urging a subsequent article onto the diverter before a prior article has been directed off of the diverter. The diverter raises a downstream portion of diverter surface while leaving upstream portions of the diverter surface in a lowered position, thereby permitting articles entering the diverter in a first direction to be diverted in a second direction. The diverter includes a transport conveying surface for conveying articles in the first direction and a lift assembly for raising and lowering the upstream portions and downstream portions of the diverter surface. The diverter may be configured to provide turn, cross-transfer, cross-transfer with increased throughput, and transport functions. Thus, a method is provided for achieving increased throughput and/or multiple divert functions.

Abstract: The present invention is a mounting system for vertical conveyor belts. The combination of rider positioned on the inward side of the vertical conveyor belt and a guide positioned outward of the outer surface of the conveyor frame secures the vertical conveyor belt about the diverter assemblage.

Abstract: A device for transporting printed products, particularly folded and/or unfolded sheets, comprising a conveying unit with several driven endless conveying belts that are arranged parallel to one another and a roller conveyor with several rollers that are respectively arranged between the endless conveying belts. The roller conveyor can be raised and lowered relative to the conveying unit and the vertical lifting movement of the roller conveyor is superimposed with a comparatively much larger movement parallel to the axial direction of the rollers. Such a lifting movement provides the advantage that the printed products are deposited onto the continuous endless conveying belts such that they are pre-accelerated in the transport direction or lifted off the conveying belts with the transport component in order to subsequently be gently decelerated up to the end of the lifting movement.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor system in which a main conveyor is intersected by one or more cross conveyors forming sorting stations at one or more gaps along a main conveying path. The cross conveyor includes a roller-top belt having rollers extending outward of a top article-supporting side and arranged to rotate about axes perpendicular to the main conveying path. The cross conveyor includes a bidirectional drive to selectively advance the roller-top belt in one of two opposite directions to discharge articles transferred onto the cross conveyor in the gap off the side of the main conveying path. The cross conveyor also serves as a low-friction roller-top bridge when the roller-top belt is stopped. The bridge allows articles to cross the gap from an upstream portion of the main conveyor to a downstream portion.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus 100 includes a main conveyor line 101 formed by a motorized roller 110 and a free roller 111 arranged at specified intervals and a diverting line 102 for diverting an article from the main conveyor line 101. The diverting line 102 has a diverting unit 103 with a pair of a diverter 160 integrated on a frame 141. A driving device 1 for operating the diverter 160 is arranged with casings 3, 5 provided at both sides of a main roller 2. The main roller 2 accommodates a motor 11 and first planetary gear mechanisms 12, 13 in a hollow cylinder 10. The casings 3, 5 each accommodate a second planetary gear mechanism 70 in a cylindrical casing 71. The first planetary gear mechanism 12, 13 each form a planetary type on the condition that an eccentric member 74 is rotatable, and form a star type on the condition that the eccentric member 74 is unrotatable, thereby switching lifting operation of the diverter 160 and transverse conveying operation of an article by means of belts 170, 170.

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: An in-line gate is provided for a conveyor for particulate lading. The gate comprises a gate plate which is movable between a raised position in which the gate plate engages a seal extending at least along the sides of the conveyor exit and a lowered position in which the plate is beneath the conveyor's trough floor. In the lowered position, the gate plate is moved parallel to the direction of the conveyor between a closed position in which the plate blocks the opening and an open position in which the gate plate is positioned beneath the conveyor trough.

Abstract: A work unit for conveying bottles between two stations and for rejecting bottles considered faulty, includes a selecting disc, having a vertical axis and featuring radial seats made on its edge, for holding, in cooperation with vacuum ducts, bottles. A first track, concentric with the disc, cooperates with the seats and the vacuum ducts to guide bottles, considered good, from an inlet station to an outlet station. A second track begins in an intermediate point of the first track and extends to intersect the first track, and leads to a discharge station. The second track guides, with the cooperation of removing elements, the bottles considered faulty, from the first track to the discharge station, due to deactivation of the vacuum ducts with respect to the seats situated upstream of the discharge station and containing the faulty bottles.

Abstract: A paddle diverter assembly according to the present invention includes an arm and an actuator for actuating the arm to move toward a diverting position. The actuator is adapted to permit the arm to move away from the diverting position upon impact with the object to be diverted and then to return to the diverting position to thereby absorb at least some of the impact between the arm and an object being diverted.

Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one induction unit follows the speed of the continuous member. This includes starting as soon as the continuous member is moving and decreasing in speed substantially only when the continuous member decreases in speed. The invention is useful with linear sorters, such as positive displacement sorters, and the like. The invention is also useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: A directional transition module for moving an article translating on a primary roller conveyor extending along a first axis to a secondary conveyor for translation along a second axis angularly disposed with respect to the first axis includes at least one flexible drive member supported by a chassis for cycling through a predetermined driver cycle having an upper cycle portion and a lower cycle portion. The upper cycle portion is such that, when the directional transition module is installed for use in conjunction with the primary roller conveyor, the drive member cycles between first and second rollers of the primary roller conveyor. The drive member includes first and second segments wherein the first segment has a profile sufficiently low such that, when the first segment cycles through the upper cycle portion, it does not extend above a plane defined by the tops of the first and second rollers.

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 single pass sequencer and method of use for transporting the mail pieces in a single pass through a set of feeders. The system includes a transport system which transports articles to an transport system. At least one staging area stages the articles to be injected onto the transport system. A buffer stores the articles received from the transport system and a loader loads the articles from the buffer onto the transport system at a location downstream from the at least one staging area. A controller is in communication with the at least one staging area, the buffer and the loader. The controller coordinates the loader and the at least one staging area to inject the articles onto the transport system in a delivery point sequence. The controller may instruct the loader to create a gap between the articles loaded thereon in order of articles within the staging area to be inserted within the gap, in a sequence.

Abstract: A vertical lift assembly for raising a plurality of diverting belts between rollers of a roller conveyor, to engage and raise an object from the surface of the conveyor, and to divert it to the side of the conveyor. The vertical lift assembly uses a plurality of hinges to join together a stationary frame, as a base, and a raisable plate on which sets the diverting belt assembly. The hinge is formed from a section of roller chain. A pair of hinges is disposed along each side of the stationary frame and raisable plate. The hinges provide tilt-free lift of the diverting belt assembly.

Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one induction unit follows the speed of the continuous member. This includes starting as soon as the continuous member is moving and decreasing in speed substantially only when the continuous member decreases in speed. The invention is useful with linear sorters, such as positive displacement sorters, and the like. The invention is also useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: A device for conveying piece goods. The device comprises a sorting system for sorting the piece goods. The successively arranged conveying systems are guided with this device along a conveying line and can be driven by at least one driving means that engages a driving belt. In a first embodiment, there is a driving belt on the driving side and a driving belt on the driven side which each comprise a rubber chain comprising a toothed profile. The toothed profiles of both rubber chains are in a substantially similar form. The device can also have a driving belt that is clamped in a fixed manner between the clamping jaws of the rigid clamping profiles. These clamping jaws extend at least substantially over the entire length of respective conveying system or sorting system. Furthermore, the non-clamped length of driving belt between the successively disposed conveying systems is much shorter than the length of the clamping profiles.