Abstract: Proposed are a system and method for checking out a passenger hand-luggage in an airport. The system for checking out a passenger hand-luggage in an airport includes: a platform configured to load a passenger hand-luggage thereon; a weight measurer configured to measure a weight of the passenger hand-luggage loaded onto the platform; a size measurer configured to measure a size of the passenger hand-luggage loaded onto the platform; an allowance-information provider configured to provide allowance information based on the loaded passenger hand-luggage; and a regulation-based determiner configured to compare the weight and size of the passenger hand-luggage measured by the weight measurer and the size measurer with an allowance allowed for the loaded passenger hand-luggage, and provide check-out information about whether the passenger hand-luggage loaded onto the platform is within the allowance.

Abstract: A suspension conveyor system for sorting products, having a plurality of conveyor bags for at least one product. The conveyor bags may be moved along a continuous closed conveyor path, wherein the suspension conveyor system comprises conveyor means, configured to move the conveyor bags, at least one loading source, configured to load the conveyor bags with the at least one product, a control unit, configured to control the conveyor means, and at least one first unloading line having a plurality of unloading positions along a first closed conveyor path. At least one further unloading line is arranged having a plurality of unloading positions along at least one further closed conveyor path, wherein the at least two closed conveyor paths are connected to one another via at least two gates, wherein the conveyor bags may be controlled, independently from one another, in regard to the conveyor path using the conveyor means.

Abstract: A sorting device comprising an endless path placed on a frame, a series of trays provided with a pusher mechanism to be driven by an exchange system placed on the frame for pushing away an object substantially transverse to the conveyance direction, a drive system comprising alternately arranged first and second driving elements that are mutually connected to each other so as to hinge for a movement of the drive system that is oriented substantially parallel to the conveyance direction, a drive adapted for transferring a drive power onto the drive system, which power is directed substantially parallel to the conveyance direction.

Abstract: This distributing device for absorbent articles is provided with a main conveyor path, a branch conveyor path that branches from the main conveyor path, a main conveyor path that conveys absorbent articles along the main conveyor path, a diverting mechanism that diverts absorbent articles in the main conveyor path from the main conveyor path to the branch conveyor path, and a branch conveyor mechanism that conveys the absorbent articles diverted by the diverting mechanism along the branch conveyor path. The diverting mechanism is provided with a diverting part for diverting the absorbent articles. The diverting part moves without stopping, entering the main conveyor path from a standby position outside the main conveyor path and then, after leaving the main conveyor path, returning to the standby position.

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 device and a method for removing objects from a moving transport device having objects standing in a row thereon, including a removing device for pushing and thus removing selected objects at a right angle or any other angle with respect to the direction of travel of the transport device. The removing device is formed by a position-controlled linear actuator.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a stocking system and collection device consisting of a linear conveyor system and a second linear conveyor system parallel to the first and placed in alignment with it so that an object placed on the first conveyor system may be transferred to the second conveyor system. In accordance with the invention, the means are anticipated to move the second conveyor system perpendicularly to the direction of the conveyance so that the second conveyor system can be move from a position situated in alignment with the first conveyor system to a position for distribution. It is preferable that the first conveyor system (100) consist of three parallel belts (110, 120, 130) placed side by side; the first (110) and the third (130) belts extend farther in advance in the direction of the second conveyor system (200) at a distance (d) than the second belt (120).

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for loading test tubes (1) in conveying devices (6) included in an automatic conveyor (7) for test tubes, comprising a recruiting device (2) for test tubes adapted to feed test tubes to a positioning device (4) for test tubes having a lane (15, 16) consisting of two spaced, parallel walls (17) on the edges of which respective motorized belts (18) slide, the distance between said walls (17) forming the lane (15) being adjustable and such that a test tube makes a 90° rotation when horizontally falling from the recruiting device (2), thus remaining vertically hanging and resting on the belts (18) by the projecting part of the cap with respect to the lateral body of the test tube. The belts (18) convey the test tube to a loading area (8) where the test tubes are handled by a test tube handling device (5) to a working point (9) included in the conveyor (7) adapted to automatically convey test tubes from and to modules for preparing and analyzing biological material.

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: 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 sorter conveyor system includes a conveyor forming an upwardly facing support surface for conveying objects. The support surface includes slots oriented transversely to the conveying direction and a plurality of shoe assemblies mounted for sliding movement along respective slots for transversely discharging objects from the conveying surface. Each shoe assembly includes a carrier disposed below the conveying surface, and a shoe disposed above the support surface. The shoe and the carrier together form a releasable connection therebetween. The releasable connection is configured to enable the shoe, in response to an undesirable force applied thereto, to detach completely from the carrier without breakage or failure of any part of the shoe assembly, and to be manually reattached without the use of tools or special skills. Various related methods are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A sorting device for sorting products, for example pieces of luggage, including a removing mechanism moving the product to be sorted off the supporting surface at a desired sorting location, wherein the removing mechanism includes a pusher element and a moving mechanism moving the pusher element laterally at a sorting location so as to have the pusher element push the product to be sorted off the supporting surface. The removing mechanism further includes two guides each sorting unit for guiding two respective guide members of the pusher element during the lateral movement of the pusher element.

Abstract: A device for picking up, transporting and sorting electronic components in particular integrated circuits includes at least one loading device, one transport device, and one unloading device. The transport device has at least one transport wheel which is rotatable around a rotation axis and which has a peripheral face. The transport device also has at least one pick-up module which is arranged at the peripheral face and is suitable for accommodating components. In addition, the transport device is provided with a pressure source which is connected to the pick-up module. The pick-up module has at least one pick-up space for one individual component which extends along the peripheral face and can be moved between an initial position and an end position. The pressure source enables a prescribed pressure to be exerted at the pick-up space by means of which the component can be retained at the pick-up space or can be ejected from the pick-up space.

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: This distributing device for absorbent articles is provided with a main conveyor path, a branch conveyor path that branches from the main conveyor path, a main conveyor path that conveys absorbent articles along the main conveyor path, a diverting mechanism that diverts absorbent articles in the main conveyor path from the main conveyor path to the branch conveyor path, and a branch conveyor mechanism that conveys the absorbent articles diverted by the diverting mechanism along the branch conveyor path. The diverting mechanism is provided with a diverting part for diverting the absorbent articles. The diverting part moves without stopping, entering the main conveyor path from a standby position outside the main conveyor path and then, after leaving the main conveyor path, returning to the standby position.

Abstract: A sorting device for sorting products, such as pieces of luggage. The sorting device includes one or more sorting units which are movable in a conveying direction along a conveying path. Each sorting unit may include a carrier for supporting a product to be sorted, an elongated pusher element disposed above an associated carrier, moving means for moving a pusher element sideways with respect to the associated carrier at a sorting location, and guide means for guiding the sideways movement of the pusher element. The guide means may include at least one guide, which is fixedly disposed relative to the associated carrier, and at least one guide member, which is movable along the at least one fixed guide. The guide member may be connected to the pusher element.

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 sorting device for sorting products, for example pieces of luggage, including a removing mechanism moving the product to be sorted off the supporting surface at a desired sorting location, wherein the removing mechanism includes a pusher element and a moving mechanism moving the pusher element laterally at a sorting location so as to have the pusher element push the product to be sorted off the supporting surface. The removing mechanism further includes two guides each sorting unit for guiding two respective guide members of the pusher element during the lateral movement of the pusher element.

Abstract: A checkpoint system, wheeled bins for a checkpoint system, and methods for conveying articles in wheeled bins through a checkpoint system. Each bin has four wheels that do not extend below the bin's flat bottom. In this way, the bin can be slid on its bottom along a shallow, troughed divesting table while it is being filled and conveyed on its bottom through a checkpoint and rolled on its wheels along a deeper troughed discharge lane. A bin return beneath the discharge lane returns bins to a bin storage queue beneath the divesting table. A sorter at the output of the checkpoint selectively diverts bins to one or more discharge lanes, such as individual lanes for cleared and for suspect bin contents.

Abstract: A module conveying device including a main conveying mechanism conveying products in a main conveying direction between an input location and an output location of the main conveying mechanism. The output location can be swiveled between two vertically arranged first transfer positions. A transverse mechanism accepts the conveyed products that likewise includes an input location and an output location, which input location is positioned in one of the two first transfer positions and the output location of the transverse conveying mechanism is positioned in a second transfer position. The output location of the main conveying mechanism can be swiveled between at least one additional first transfer position and the two first transfer positions. Each additional first transfer position is positioned in the event of one input location of an additional transverse conveying mechanism.

Abstract: A panel-carrying-out apparatus used for conveying panels ejected from a press machine includes: a semicircular sorting conveyor adapted to be driven switchably in a normal direction or a reverse direction; and a pair of straight conveyors respectively disposed at ends of the sorting conveyor. Each of the panels from the press machine is mounted on the center position of the sorting conveyor in terms of a conveying path. Specifically, an arced conveyor included in the sorting conveyor, on which each of the panels is initially mounted, is adapted to be driven switchably in the normal direction or the reverse direction.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for producing print items. The arrangement includes a circulating first conveyor with conveying units uniformly spaced-apart to transport horizontally deposited print products that are gathered into loose book blocks and a second conveyor with conveying units uniformly spaced-apart which circulates with synchronized timing with respect to the first conveyor. The second conveyor is assigned to an adhesive-binding machine. The first and the second conveyors are arranged relative to each other so that they present a joint conveying section in which the book blocks are displaceable in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. The arrangement also includes a displacement device arranged to displace the book blocks in the direction transverse to the conveying direction such that the displacement device moves with synchronized timing relative to the first and second conveying units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for pushing metallic goods (2) off and onto a conveyor (3) in a direction (S) transverse to a conveying direction (F), wherein the device (1) has a displacement arm (5) displaceable relative to a stationary stand (4) and in an end region (6) of which, at least one gripping element (7, 8) is arranged for gripping the metallic goods (2). In order to be able to effect pushing of goods off of a conveyor and thereon in a simple and space-saving manner, the invention is characterized in that the displacement arm has at least two arm sections displaceable within each other in a telescopic manner.

Abstract: There exists a demand for providing a method and apparatus capable of sorting articles whose upper and lower attitudes are inverted, in a simple and positive manner, from among different-formed articles such as candies having upper and lower portions different in outside diameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport device for objects, comprising a frame provided with a series of carriers which run mutually parallel and which are pivotally coupled to at least one endless drivable moving track so as to enable displacement thereof in a direction of displacement. At least some of the carriers are provided with pusher shoes with guiding construction (30) which are shiftable along the relevant carriers transversely of the direction of displacement using guide means (40) arranged on the frame. The device is characterized in that the guiding construction comprises a guide pin with a guide body arranged thereon, wherein the guide pin comprises at least two portions of differing diameter (31a, 31b).

Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes are provided, each moving along at least one of the plurality of slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. Each of the pusher shoes includes a diverting portion extending above the conveying surface. The diverting portion includes a diverting surface and a stop surface. The diverting surface contacts an article and laterally displaces that article. A lifting force is applied by the diverting surface to a portion of the article being diverted. The stop surface limits movement of the article relative to the pusher shoe.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to conveyor systems and methods which can accommodate negative gap between articles (e.g., cartons, packages, products, etc.) conveyed upon a sortation conveyor. Negative gap is attained by placing articles side-by-side upon a conveyor (as opposed to single file) so that the trailing edge of a leading article can lag behind the leading edge of a trailing article in the movement direction. In one embodiment, a conveyor system comprises a main conveying line providing a conveying surface configured to carry articles, a plurality of pusher elements associated with the main conveying line, a controller configured to assign pusher elements to articles being conveyed and to determine whether two articles received can be placed next to one or more of the same pusher elements in an overlapping relationship, can be placed to receive contact from immediately adjacent pusher elements, or should be spaced by one or more pusher elements.

Abstract: A sorting system for flat items of mail has N1?2 parallel-connected groups of storage modules for simultaneously storing a multiplicity of items of mail. The items of mail are fed through N2?1 parallel mail feeders to in each case a plurality of groups, and discharged via N3?2 parallel mail dischargers from in each case a plurality of groups. A process controller controls a joint storing of items of mail from a stream of mail into storage modules belonging to at least one group and simultaneously controls discharging of jointly deposited items of mail from storage modules belonging to at least one other group. It is thus possible to intersperse the streams of mail with little or no intersecting, accompanied by a high throughput rate through the sorting system.

Abstract: In a changeover system of the present invention, the upper part of the transverse pushing action section of the article transverse pushing body is formed as a tilted upper surface with a middle portion in the front rear direction being tilted forward and downward and a front end portion is formed as a leading end upper surface with gradual inclination conjointly with the tilted upper surface. As a result, the leading end upper surface with gradual inclination smoothly enters below the article, the article can be lifted by the tilted upper surface, and the prescribed transverse movement can be implemented without squeezing the article.

Abstract: Systems and methods for accumulating articles on transport conveyors, for efficiently merging articles, and for automatically controlling sortation speed are disclosed. Transport conveyor beds upstream of an accumulation conveyor bed may be controlled to more densely pack articles, as well as to more timely deliver articles to the downstream subsystem when accumulation terminates. Slugs of articles in a merge subsystem may be released based on a prioritization scheme that heavily weighs the ability of the slug to attach to the next-most downstream slug. A combination of closed and open-looped control of the slug's movement may be used to accurately position slugs on the merge bed. A downstream sortation speed may be automatically adjusted based on the amount of merge traffic.

Abstract: Sortation conveyor apparatus and methods for selectively diverting articles from a primary conveying surface onto branch lines are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a control system for selectively operating activating elements. The control system is configured to assign two or more pusher elements to each article to be diverted, and to ensure proper diversion of articles when adjacent articles are spaced apart on the primary conveying surface by a distance which is less than the width of an individual pusher element. In one embodiment, diversion is provided by a single activating mechanism for a plurality of pusher elements per branch destination, and by rotating the article during the initial diverting movement and contact with the pusher elements.

Abstract: A combiner conveyor arrangement for conveying articles of product has a first longitudinal conveyor for urging a plurality of the articles of product in parallel in a predetermined direction of travel. First and second bilateral guide ways urge the articles translongitudinally. A switching arrangement selects articles of product from between the first and second bilateral guide ways. A plurality of actuatable fingers block or open the first and second bilateral guide ways synchronously. A switching arrangement directs a product being conveyed to a selectable conveyance pathway, and has a gate that is pivotally displaceable between first and second positions in response to the conveyance of the product. A first spring applies a position restoration force and locking arrangement locks the gate. In a dual gate arrangement, a further pivotable gate has applied thereto a spring that is stronger than the first spring.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus includes an electrical extension and contraction drive device which is connected to a distribution guide body, so that the switching action of the distribution guide body can be performed at a high speed, with shortened response time. Hence, the apparatus can respond suitably to increase in speed of the conveyance and branching operations. Further, since only electrical power supply wires and signal wires are required as peripheral elements, distributing means can be constituted in a compact fashion.

Abstract: A positive displacement sorter apparatus and method includes providing a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes are provided, each moving along at least one of the plurality of slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. Each of the pusher shoes includes a diverting portion extending above the conveying surface. The diverting portion includes a diverting surface and a stop surface. The diverting surface contacts an article and laterally displaces that article. A lifting force is applied by the diverting surface to a portion of the article being diverted. The stop surface limits movement of the article relative to the pusher shoe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting or pre-sorting objects contains a system of conveyors and crossover diverters incorporating the topology of an omega network. The sorter interconnects a series of perfect shuffle networks, interleaved with banks of crossover switches. Collision avoidance is implemented by controlling flow on accumulator conveyors entering the crossover switches. Extra banks of crossover switches may be added to provide redundancy and load-balancing capabilities to the system.

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

Abstract: A bidirectional article pusher for a conveying system, which includes a multiplicity of spaced rollers for moving articles along a longitudinal path. There is a push up stop arranged below the conveyor and movable between adjacent rollers to a position above the rollers to stop forward movement of an article which is on the rollers. There are lateral stations, one on each side of a section of the conveying system, and lateral diverters move articles which are on the rollers and stopped by the push up stop, to a position off of the rollers and out of the longitudinal path and at a right angle to the longitudinal path. A stop activator is controlled based upon information, such as that on a bar code sort label on an article and which has been previously provided to the control device upstream of the push up stop. There are three jam detection/correction devices provided to assure proper operation. One is a proximity sensor to detect the presence of the pusher fingers while in their home position.

Abstract: A conveying system including individually motorized transport elements or shoes that transport articles laterally across a conveyor. The motorized transport elements ride along tracks across the width of the conveyor. A motor drives each transport element across the conveyor. Local controllers in the transport elements or in the conveyor control the application of power to the motors and, thereby, the lateral positioning of the transport elements and the conveyed articles.

Abstract: A control architecture for material handling includes multiple tiers of controllers, such as three. The lowest-level controllers interact directly with sensors and actuators used in the material handling system, such as photo-eyes and motors used with conveyors. The lowest-level controllers receive higher level commands from one or more mid-level controllers. The mid-level controllers, in turn, receive still higher level commands and information from at least one upper level controller. Each mid and low level controller is designed to include sufficient intelligence to deal with many of the signals and messages it receives without having to forward those signals or messages to the next higher level controller and await instructions from that higher level controller. The system thus distributes intelligence amongst the controllers. The system is well-adapted for application to conveyor control systems.

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

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

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

Abstract: A conveying system including individually motorized transport elements or shoes that transport articles laterally across a conveyor. The motorized transport elements ride along tracks across the width of the conveyor. A motor drives each transport element across the conveyor. Local controllers in the transport elements or in the conveyor control the application of power to the motors and, thereby, the lateral positioning of the transport elements and the conveyed articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sliding shoe sorters and methods of using those sorters. One or more pluralities of the shoes are interposed between the conveyors lateral edges and can be orderly advanced in lines. Controllers activate or deactivate the diverters which direct the sliding shoes toward one or more receivers, and the diversion of the shoes can result in the egressing of an item away from the conveyer. The receivers can be provided with rediverters to redirect the shoes toward the interposed sliding shoes. Items advanced by the conveyor may have a code placed about them, and after a code has been placed about the item to be sorted, a paradigm or paradigms responsive to the code can be created to orchestrate activation or deactivation of the diverters and/or the rediverters.

Abstract: The conveyor sorting system and method are provided. The system includes a conveyor for transporting articles along a predetermined path, and a pair of opposing chutes for receiving articles directed from the conveyor by a sorting device having a single paddle. The chutes are in communication with one another so that articles directed into either chute from the conveyor are directed to a common discharge end. In this regard, the single paddle of the present invention is operable to direct consecutively-spaced articles to opposing chutes that lead to the common discharge end.

Abstract: A conveyor device capable of moving a package also in a main direction orthogonal to a direction of conveyance, and thereby making it possible to change and maintain a package in any posture. The conveyor device 30 of the present invention is formed by coupling a plurality of conveyor sub-units 1 in an endless manner while each sub-unit 1 by itself has a function as a belt conveyor and the drive direction of the belt of the conveyor sub-unit 1 is in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of conveyance of the conveyor device 30. Some or all of the conveyor sub-units 1 constituting the conveyor device 30 can be made to operate in cooperation with each other by combining the conveyor device 30 with a control instruction device.

Abstract: The conveyor sorting system and method are provided. The system includes a conveyor for transporting articles along a predetermined path, and a pair of opposing chutes for receiving articles directed from the conveyor by a sorting device having a single paddle. The chutes are in communication with one another so that articles directed into either chute from the conveyor are directed to a common discharge end. In this regard, the single paddle of the present invention is operable to direct consecutively-spaced articles to opposing chutes that lead to the common discharge end.

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

Abstract: A transport-sort conveyor in which a pin of the sliding block of the sort conveyor traveling at high velocity does not cause any trouble at the sorting point and which is suitable for sorting small sized articles is provided. A pusher is provided on any one of the mounting member on one side of the bearing surface defining member and the sliding block to urge the sliding block in the sorting direction while being engaged on one side, and release engagement of the sliding block to be used for sorting operation by the actuating device in the upstream of the sorting point to move the sliding block sideways from the straight-ahead path toward the sorting path. The sliding block that has changed its direction is carried and guided by the sorting guide rail extending from the sorting point in the sorting direction, and thus no movable device such as switch rail or the like is provided at the sorting point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sliding shoe sorters and methods of using those sorters. One or more pluralities of the shoes are interposed between the conveyors lateral edges and can be orderly advanced in lines. Controllers activate or deactivate the diverters which direct the sliding shoes toward one or more receivers, and the diversion of the shoes can result in the egressing of an item away from the conveyer. The receivers can be provided with rediverters to redirect the shoes toward the interposed sliding shoes. Items advanced by the conveyor may have a code placed about them, and after a code has been placed about the item to be sorted, a paradigm or paradigms responsive to the code can be created to orchestrate activation or deactivation of the diverters and/or the rediverters.