Abstract: A magnetic tray for a tray conveyor has a permanent-magnet array producing a magnetic field that interacts with an electromagnetic flux wave produced by a linear-motor stator to propel the tray in a conveying direction. The tray includes a top conveying platform supported on a mover housing the permanent-magnet array and a tray-clearing tool that removes conveyed articles or debris from the platform. The tray-clearing tool is powered by the stator.

Abstract: A system for assembling electronic cigarette parts comprising cartridges and for filling the cartridges includes a first conveyor; a first group of carrier units connected to the first conveyor to be movable independently along the first conveyor and to receive and hold the parts; a first group of working stations for assembling/inspecting the cigarette parts on the first conveyor; a second conveyor, downstream of the first conveyor; and a second group of carrier units connected to the second conveyor to be movable independently along the second conveyor and to receive and hold the parts; a second group of working stations for assembling/inspecting the parts on the second conveyor; and a filling station, disposed between the first and second conveyors to receive the parts from the first conveyor, fill the respective cartridges, and feed the parts with the filled cartridges towards the second conveyor.

Abstract: A high throughput sorting device is disclosed. The device includes a first sorter and a second sorter, each of the first and second sorters having a plurality of cells each configured to support, carry, and deposit an item. The device can also include at least one shared chute extending below a portion of the first sorter and a portion of the second sorter. The at least one chute can be configured to receive an item deposited by each of the plurality of cells and transport the item to an endpoint. The device can also include a base configured to support the at least one shared chute and the first and second sorters.

Abstract: The present application discloses a conveying apparatus and a manufacturing system of a display panel. The conveying apparatus includes a fixing bracket and a load-bearing platform adapted to convey the display panel, where the fixing bracket and the load-bearing platform are fixedly connected through a rotation axis, a clamping piece is disposed on the load-bearing platform, and the clamping piece is adapted to clamp and fix the display panel.

Abstract: Quick release tube systems and methods may allow for components of a switching apparatus to be quickly and easily installed, removed, serviced or replaced without requiring an overhead crane or more than one skilled individual to perform the work.

Abstract: The accumulator includes at least one pair of chains substantially parallel to each other to which cradles are connected for receiving products to be stored, the cradles being mutually spaced along the pair of chains. Each cradle is connected to the pair of chains through constraining members. On each chain at least one intermediate constraining member is arranged between two adjacent cradles connected to the chains.

Abstract: A carrying segment comprises a first surface for receiving objects, a second surface, and at least a third and a fourth surface connecting said first surface and said second surface, a first engaging member arranged on said second surface and configured to be guided by a first guide of a slat conveyor, and a second engaging member arranged on said second surface on one side of the first engaging member and configured to be guided by a first switch of said slat conveyor.

Abstract: A material-handling system and method includes at least one first processing station, each having an input and an output. A linear transfer system made up of a plurality of transfer units that travel in unison in a linear motion past the input and output of the first processing station(s) either receives articles from the output and discharges articles to the input or transfers articles between the first processing station and a second processing station. A control sequences articles between the transfer units and the first input and output or between the first processing station and a second processing station in a manner that enhances operation of the processing station(s).

Abstract: A sorting device for sorting products, comprising successive carrier units each provided with a load carrying platform having a front arcuate edge and a rear arcuate edge, the arcuate shape of the front edge of a load carrying platform matching the arcuate shape of the rear edge of a next load carrying platform located at the front side of the load carrying platform in question. Each load carrying platform is provided with a supporting surface between the front edge and the rear edge. The sorting device further comprises conveying means for conveying the load carrying platforms in a conveying direction along a conveying path and sorting means comprising an elongated pusher element for each load carrying platform for pushing a product to be sorted sideways off at least one supporting surface, using at least one pusher element, at a desired sorting location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production-line distribution conveyor system and a reciprocating conveying platform. The production-line distribution conveyor system has a front delivery end, two rear delivery ends and a reciprocating conveying platform. The reciprocating conveying platform is disposed between the front delivery end and the rear delivery ends, and has two transport mechanisms which are disposed side by side and corresponding to the rear delivery ends, respectively. When the reciprocating conveying platform reciprocally shifts, the two transport mechanisms receive work-pieces by turns and convey the received works-pieces to the corresponding rear delivery end by turns. Since the two transport mechanisms can separately perform a process of conveying one work-piece and a process of receiving another work-piece during a reciprocal shifting movement of the reciprocating conveying platform, the production-line distribution efficiency can be increased.

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

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

Abstract: A positive displacement sorter and method of diverting articles includes providing a plurality of interconnected parallel slats defining an endless web that travels in a longitudinal direction, an upper surface of which defines an article-conveying surface and a plurality of pusher shoes. Each of the shoes travels along at least one of the slats in order to laterally divert articles on the conveying surface. Each of the shoes has a diverting member extending below the conveying surface. A plurality of diverting rails below the conveying surface are each capable of engaging the diverting member to cause the associated shoe to travel laterally to divert an article. A plurality of diverters are provided for selectively diverting at least one of the diverting members from a non-diverting path extending longitudinally along the sorter to one of said diverting rails in a diverting state. At least one of the diverters has a gate having a diverting surface.

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: conveying arrangement for conveying packages or groups of beverage bottles or containers, and a method of operation thereof. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: In one embodiment, apparatus for controlling spacing of objects conveyed by an object conveyor and for selectively ejecting objects from the object conveyor include flights that extend transversely across the object conveyor to limit travel of the objects to control their relative spacing, and ejectors associated with the flights that can be selectively actuated to eject the objects whose travel has been limited by the associated flights.

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: An article sorter is made up of a web defined by a plurality of interconnected, laterally elongated, slats. An upper portion of the web defines a longitudinally extending conveying surface. Each of the slats has a generally planar upper surface forming a portion of the conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes travel laterally of the conveying surface to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. A drive assembly is provided. The drive includes at least one sprocket and a motor. The motor is adapted to rotate the sprocket(s). The sprocket(s) engage the slats to propel the web.

Abstract: In a changeover system of the present invention, the upper plate member, front plate member, and rear plate member are formed to have partially non-uniform thickness. As a result, the strength of the entire article transverse pushing body can be increased without increasing the weight of equipment and, for example, when a heavy article is conveyed, it can be pushed transversely and transferred sidewise without deforming the article transverse pushing body.

Abstract: A turner/divider system for turning and separating or dividing a flow of product packages from a packaging machine that includes a turning section and a dividing section. A series of guide tracks extend along the turning section and guide a series of slats on which the product packages are being conveyed laterally across their path of travel so as to cause rotation or turning of the product packages. A reject system further monitors the incoming product packages moving along the turning section and causes rejected product packages to be diverted to a reject lane while non-rejected packages proceed along the turning section for turning. The turned product packages are then separated into a series of lanes as they are moved along the divider station.

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 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 method for transforming a supply stream (2) of elements (1) having one flat object or a group of flat objects lying on top of one another that are conveyed overlapping one another to produce a stream in which the stream elements are distanced from one another both transverse and parallel to the conveying direction (F). The stream elements are oriented parallel to the conveying direction (F). Every stream element (1) is gripped in a same location which, in the conveying direction (F), is situated in the center of the element and in which location the element is not overlapped by adjacent elements (1). Every stream element is then displaced transverse to the conveying direction (F), while the spatial element orientation remains essentially unchanged. The displacement is different for successive stream elements (1) in a predefined sequence. For gripping the stream elements (1) in a clamping manner, clamping elements (5.

Abstract: An article-diverting conveyor belt and modules for constructing such a belt. The conveyor belt includes a series of modules interconnected end to end to other like modules. At least some of the modules include a module body with a positioning belt arranged to move transversely on the module body. A cam follower, attached to the positioning belt, extends below the bottom side of the module. A transport element, also attached to the positioning belt, extends above the top side of the module. The transport element may be a separate piece attached to the positioning belt or an integral outer surface of the positioning belt. The cam follower is guided along a track in the bottom side of the module by a network of guides in a supporting conveyor frame beneath the conveyor belt along the carryway. Because the transport element is attached to the positioning belt on the top side of the module, movement of the cam follower causes the transport element to move by means of the positioning belt.

Abstract: An automated conveyor sortation and item discharge system for sorting items of varying sizes and weights to designated output destinations along a conveyor. The system utilizes a segmented slat conveyor connected by flexible connectors. The flexible connectors form a tooth for driving the conveyor by a sprocket. The flexible connectors isolate adjacent slats, and the flexible teeth isolate the slat conveyor from the drive sprocket for a enhanced reduction in noise levels. The system may utilize a conventional belt conveyor or rigid platforms attached by flexible connectors. Removable ejection mechanisms can be attached to the individual slats of the slat conveyor or to the belt of a belt conveyor. The ejection mechanisms have self-contained drive and actuation mechanisms and may operate independently of the speed of the conveyor.

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: An assembly is disclosed for conveying and rotating/transferring individual containers or beverage bottle cases or the like articles as well as moving or, laterally in a direction orthogonal to the travel direction of the articles, transferring the same, the assembly comprising two or more substantially cylindrical conveyor rolls (15) that are parallel to each other and aligned longitudinally in the travel direction of the articles, the conveyor rolls being adapted rotatable about their axes in order to effect the rotation of the articles or transfer thereof in the lateral direction, plus one or more conveyor belts (12) or the like means for transferring the articles in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor rolls (15), the conveyor belts (12) being adapted to pass over belt support rolls (10).

Abstract: A method for sweeping mail pieces from pockets of a sorter including the steps of (1) sorting mail pieces to a plurality of pockets based upon a preselected sorting criteria, (2) positioning an unloading robot adjacent to a selected one of the pockets when the pocket has received a predetermined volume of mail pieces, the robot carrying a tray having upright side walls and bottom wall, (3) engaging the pocket with a sweeping apparatus, (4) removing mail pieces in the pocket with the sweeping apparatus, (5) loading the removed mail pieces into the tray carried by the robot, and (6) carrying the tray containing the removed mail pieces to a destination with the robot. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for mounting circuit components on a circuit substrate, including a circuit-substrate supporting device which supports the circuit substrate, a circuit-component mounting device which mounts, at a circuit-component mounting position, the circuit components on the circuit substrate supported by the circuit-substrate supporting device, and a circuit-substrate carry-out device which carries out the circuit substrate on which the circuit components have been mounted, the circuit-substrate carry-out device comprising a removing device which removes the circuit substrate from the circuit-substrate supporting device, and a parallel-direction carry-out device which receives the circuit substrate from the removing device and carries out the circuit substrate in a parallel direction substantially parallel to a plane of the circuit substrate, the circuit substrate being transferred from the circuit-substrate supporting device to the removing device in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the plane o

Abstract: A system for sorting objects includes an upstream and a downstream conveyor positioned to sequentially receive and convey an object along a first path, and a sorting conveyor belt positioned transversely in a gap between the upstream and downstream conveyors. The sorting conveyor is tilted with respect to the plane of the other conveyors, and carries flexible projections that lift one edge of the object and push it The operation of the sorting belt reduces static friction between the object and the main conveyors as the object is pushed. The system also includes a measuring device operatively linked to provide dimensions and position information about the object to a sorting conveyor controller.