Abstract: Plants are grown in grow trays. The grow trays are placed on a shelf that has rollers mounted on a top side of the shelf and a first stop at a first end of the first shelf. The first shelf is tilted so that grow trays placed on the first shelf will tend to roll towards the first stop at the first end of the first shelf. A plurality of light panels is mounted on the light support system at various locations over the shelf so that a first subsection of the grow trays will be illuminated by the light panels and a second subsection of the grow trays will not be illuminated by the light panels.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for transporting items along a conveying path from a loading station to a discharge station comprises a car that can be driven in a conveying direction along the conveying path, the car having a frame and a first load-handling device borne by the frame, which is mounted so as to be infinitely adjustable in height in a controlled manner relative to the frame, wherein a second load-handling device is arranged on the frame adjacent to the first load-handling device and is mounted independently thereof so as to be infinitely adjustable in height in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A device for discharging a stack of flat objects standing on their narrow faces, in particular a stack of mail items, includes a stack holder with a base for holding the objects and a supporting element supporting the stack. The supporting element is a platform-type wall, preferably with recesses, into which a further supporting element with inverted recesses can pass. The stack holder can be pivoted about an axis of rotation and its base has a conveyor. This ensures that stack quality is preserved during the complete discharging process. The ergonomics of the device are also improved for its operator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate-transporting device, including a base, a substrate carrier unit and a shaft unit mounted between the base and the substrate carrier unit. The shaft unit has a supporting shaft and a shaft base to support and control rotation of the substrate carrier unit. The substrate carrier unit includes a bottom carrier seat connected to the supporting shaft, a plurality of first supporting components mounted on a surface of the bottom carrier seat, a top carrier seat having a plurality of vacuum suction nozzles and a plurality of second supporting components, and at least a retractable component sandwiched between the top carrier seat and the bottom carrier seat. The top carrier seat is used to affix and detect the substrate. The retractable component is capable of adjusting the distance between the top carrier seat and the bottom carrier seat.

Abstract: A mobile feeder has a distributor conveyor band which is adjustable in at least a height direction. The distributor conveyor band is connected to a carrier frame and can be removed with the carrier frame from the mobile feeder. The mobile feeder is equipped with a mounting device for the distributor conveyor band. The mounting device at least temporarily is provided at the mobile feeder, can be set on the ground, and engages the carrier frame from below. Matching connection assemblies releasably connect the carrier frame to the mounting device. Drive assemblies at the mounting device adjust the carrier frame relative to the mobile feeder to a ground contact position of the distributor conveyor band.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for transporting a load from a source to a destination. The apparatus includes a freight container (1) which has a plurality of cells (7) each for containing a discrete load and a conveyor (10) for conveying loads between cells (7). Plural discrete loads are loaded into the container (1). The loads are allocated amongst the cells (7) according to the destinations of the individual loads and then each individual load is conveyed to its allocated cell (7).

Abstract: An article transportation system includes a transporter vehicle driven by an electric power from a battery mounted on the vehicle and a station having a translator apparatus for translating an article to and from the vehicle. The station includes a power receiving unit for receiving electric power for driving the translator apparatus. The transporter vehicle includes power supplying devices for supplying the electric power from the battery to the power receiving unit.

Abstract: A warehouse material handling automation system is disclosed which includes a portable module (22) with which to load and unload material onto and off of an automatic guided vehicle (14). The system operates such that the automatic guided vehicle (14) can calculate its position relative to a destination and follow a route to the destination. In addition, the system operates even when the portable module (22) is displaced or moved from its original position to establish a new destination.

Abstract: An adjustable control station for an aircraft loader for transferring containers between a controllably driven loader conveyor and a conveyor in cargo aircrafts of different sizes. The control station includes a unique movable platform constructed of three easily assembled major components including a stationary support structure and a movable platform which supports a console with front and rear control panels thereon. The movable platform is moved to a position close to the aircraft thereby enabling an operator thereon to simultaneously actuate controls for the loader conveyor and the aircraft conveyor while observing the containers movement. A front rail of a handrail may be vertically adjusted.

Abstract: A self guided vehicle has a roller deck controllably powered by an electric motor to accept and deliver loads on both the left and right side of the vehicle. An infrared communication system is employed to coordinate the overall transfer of these loads between the vehicle and a docking station. The communication system performs the multiple functions of locating the docking station relative to the left and right side of the vehicle, determining the direction the load is to be transferred, and controlling the direction of motor rotation to effect such a transfer.

Abstract: To expedite loading and unloading of a truck, in particular of a beverage supply truck, the truck is provided with a load carrier which is received by a portal-like frame, surrounding the load carrier in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and open at least at one side. Due to lifting elements, the load carrier can be lifted from the ground into the frame. If the load carrier is lowered to the ground, loading and unloading is facilitated. Moreover, the load carrier can be laterally removed from the frame on a roller conveyor.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for automatically transporting works between an automated warehouse and a machine tool, and for maintaining the works in a precise position with respect to the machine tool. The system includes an automated warehouse, a pallet for precisely holding works, a truck for carrying the pallet, the truck moving along rails between the warehouse and a work exchanging apparatus adjacent to a machine tool table, and a device for positioning the pallet on the machine tool table precisely with respect to the machine tool. The work exchanging apparatus operates to transfer a pallet which holds unmachined works from the truck to the machine tool table and to transfer a pallet holding machined works from the machine tool table to the truck. The pallet, machine tool table, truck and work exchanging apparatus include means to position the pallet so that after a work is initially positioned on the pallet, the work will be precisely positioned with respect to the machine tool.

Abstract: To expedite loading and unloading of a truck, in particular of a beverage supply truck, the truck is provided with a load carrier which is received by a portal-like frame, surrounding the load carrier in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and open at least at one side. Due to lifting elements, the load carrier can be lifted from the ground into the frame. If the load carrier is lowered to the ground, loading and unloading is facilitated. Moreover, the load carrier can be laterally removed from the frame on a roller conveyor.

Abstract: A device for aligning a pallet or similar article both horizontally and vertically to facilitate a transfer to a support located at a predetermined horizontal position and height comprises first and second banks of engagement rollers which have axes disposed substantially horizontally and which are movable toward and away respective opposite sides of the pallet to engage the pallet underside from each side. In addition, the apparatus includes a vertical alignment member in the form of first and second banks of rollers which extend obliquely and are movable in an oblique plane toward and away from the respective sides of the pallet to engage it at a selected vertical height. The surfaces of the horizontal aligning rollers and vertical aligning rollers engage and support the pallet at a selected intersecting vertical and horizontal plates along its side. The vertical aligning rollers which extend obliquely are advantageously offset from the rollers which have axes which extend horizontally.

Abstract: Transfer table for storage and lateral transport of elongated structural members, such as I-beams, having 1/4 inch or greater flanges. The table includes a plurality of longitudinally extending stationary supports defining a lateral carriage for the I-beam flanges. Individual roller carriages are reciprocally supported within at least two adjacent supports, each roller carriage having a plurality of longitudinally extending trains of idler rollers, staggered upon transverse axes atop the carriage. Each roller carriage includes an expansible mid-section, so as to lift the idler rollers and the I-beams supported thereon above the level of the longitudinally extending stationary supports. A conveyor drive attached to each roller carriage then propels the roller carriage and I-beams supported thereon across the transfer table to an axial conveyance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed and is capable of transferring both small containers that are up to 20 feet long and large containers about 40 feet long between the cargo area of an aircraft and airport cargo handling facilities. The apparatus includes a mobile, self-propelled main loader and a mobile self-propelled auxiliary loader both of which must be used together as a unit to handle the large containers, but each loader may operate alone to handle the small containers. Independent hydraulic and electrical circuits are provided on each loader, permitting the loaders to operate alone when handling small containers. Both loaders are operated together to handle larger containers at which time the hydraulic and electrical circuits are connected together allowing a single operator to control both loaders. Each loader includes a vertically movable platform with container propelling rollers and belts thereon, and the platforms are locked together when handling large containers.

Abstract: A pan retriever dolly transfers stacks to a stack conveyor. The dolly includes a retriever arm with a magnet and is mounted for reciprocating movement across the stack conveyor towards and away from the storage conveyor.