Abstract: According to one embodiment, a conveying device includes a controller that is configured to determine a moving direction of a holder holding a first object based on a state of overlapping between the first object and a second object viewed in a conveying direction of the first object in a case where the second object is positioned in the conveying direction of the first object with respect to the first object.

Abstract: An autonomous device for loading and unloading trucks comprises a mobile body, a robot arm and a body conveyor system to convey cartons during loading and unloading. A manipulator attaches to a moveable end of the robot arm and is maneuverable within the tight confines of the truck. The manipulator picks up a row of articles at a first location and places the row of articles down at a second location. The manipulator is reconfigurable to match to both locations.

Abstract: An autonomous device for loading and unloading trucks comprises a mobile body, a robot arm and a body conveyor system to convey cartons during loading and unloading. A manipulator attaches to a moveable end of the robot arm and is maneuverable within the tight confines of the truck. The manipulator picks up a row of articles at a first location and places the row of articles down at a second location. The manipulator is reconfigurable to match to both locations.

Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile, such as a carton pile stacked within a trailer. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a conveyor system, a robotic positioner, and a manipulator having a conformable face configured to conform to irregularities of the carton pile, and the manipulator may be movable attached to an end of the robotic positioner.

Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a mobile body, a movable robotic arm attached to the mobile body and comprising an end effector configured to unload a row of cartons in a side-by-side orientation from the carton pile, and a conveyor system mounted on the mobile body and configured to receive the row of cartons from the end effector in the side-by-side orientation. In various embodiments the conveyor system may comprise a front-end descrambler and a central descrambler coupled to the front-end descrambler. In various embodiments, the robotic arm may be configured to straddle at least a portion of the mobile body and at least a portion of the conveyor system such that the conveyor system conveys cartons from the carton pile through the robotic arm.

Abstract: A stacking apparatus includes a base, a main conveyor pivotably supported on the base that is pivotable between a first, lowered, position and a second, raised, position, an accumulator section downstream of a discharge end of the main conveyor for receiving articles from the main conveyor, where the accumulator section includes a support for supporting a stack of items fed to the accumulator section by the main conveyor. Also, at least one optical sensor detecting the presence of an object in the main conveyor travel path and at least one controller operatively connected to the main conveyor and the optical sensor, the at least one controller receiving signals from the optical sensor and controlling the main conveyor based on the signals and on the direction of movement of the main conveyor.

Abstract: A load change safety system in which a sheet stacker having a stacking deck formed with a discharge end discharges sheet material onto and builds a sheet stack on a conveying sheet stack removal system formed with a receiving means. A variable pinch point gap is formed by relative motion between the discharge end of the stacking deck and the receiving means of the conveying sheet material removal system. The safety system includes redundant means selectively preventing a decrease in the variable pinch point gap. The redundant means of the safety system preferably includes an electro-optical light guard means operably connected to the redundant means with one or more redirections of light beams to create a light guard perimeter guarding portions of the stacker and sheet removal system to guard against access to the pinch point.

Abstract: A hopper loader apparatus and method for delivering signatures to a binding line, the hopper loader including a first conveyor having a horizontal entry portion and an arched exit portion. During operation of the hopper, the signatures are loaded onto the horizontal entry portion and moved toward the arched exit portion such that the signatures are fanned or deblocked as they travel over the arched exit portion. A second conveyor connected to the first conveyor receives signatures from the arched exit portion of the first conveyor and moves the signatures to the binding line. The arched exit portion is preferably less than 25% of the total length of the first conveyor. The horizontal portion of the first conveyor is located between 30 and 34 inches above a platform on which the hopper loader is standing to facilitate loading of the signatures onto the horizontal portion by an operator.

Abstract: A load change safety system in which a sheet stacker having a stacking deck formed with a discharge end discharges sheet material onto and builds a sheet stack on a conveying sheet stack removal system formed with a receiving means. A variable pinch point gap is formed by relative motion between the discharge end of the stacking deck and the receiving means of the conveying sheet material removal system. The safety system includes redundant means selectively preventing a decrease in the variable pinch point gap. The redundant means of the safety system preferably includes an electro-optical light guard means operably connected to the redundant means with one or more redirections of light beams to create a light guard perimeter guarding portions of the stacker and sheet removal system to guard against access to the pinch point.

Abstract: Equipment for superimposing layers of products to be packaged (P), comprising: a feed surface (12) associated to a first product-feed device (18); and a pair of preparation surfaces (24, 26) set on top of one another and designed to receive each a respective layer of products to be packaged (P), the preparation surfaces (24, 26) being associated each to a respective feed device (36, 38), the said feed devices (36, 38) being designed to cause synchronized advance of corresponding layers of products (P) along the preparation surfaces (24, 26). Both of the preparation surfaces (24, 26) are mobile so as to bring alternately the respective product-intake end (28, 30) into a position corresponding to the product-output end (16) of the feed surface (12).

Abstract: A signature hopper loader apparatus and method for delivering signatures in a shingled stream to the hopper.

Abstract: A shingle bundle palletizer includes a bundle metering conveyor, an incline conveyor, a pattern conveyor, a lug conveyor, an adjustable height transfer conveyor, a shuttle conveyor, and a pallet removal conveyor. The bundle metering conveyor includes one or more upstream and downstream belts. Each upstream belt is driven by an in-roller, variable speed motor that is independent of each downstream belt. The pattern conveyor includes a pair of outer pattern belts rotatably mounted on a pair of outer pulleys, and a center pattern belt rotatably mounted on a center pulley. The pair of outer pulleys is keyed to a pulley shaft and the center pulley is free-rotating about the pulley shaft to decouple the center pattern belt from the pair of outer belts. The pair of outer pattern belts and the center pattern belt are independently driven by separate motors and belts made of elastomeric material. The shuttle conveyor includes a belt made of an elastomeric material driven by a motor connected to a drive shaft.

Abstract: A Method of stacking product directly from a conveyor, comprising the steps of conveying a product toward the end of a conveyor; supporting a leading edge of the produce as the leading edge exists the conveyor; releasing the leading edge and a following edge of the product with such timing as to cause the product to fall substantially flat onto a platform; and articulating the conveyor, whereby product is stacked in a pattern.

Abstract: A conveyor and transfer apparatus for transferring containers seriatim from a substantially vertical stack of containers includes an endless belt conveyor pivotally mounted on a frame for movement between elevated and declined positions by opposed hydraulic actuators. The conveyor includes a frame for supporting a carriage thereon for movement along guide tracks forming part of the carriage support frame between a position wherein opposed container gripping arms may be actuated to grip a container and a position for depositing the container on a conveyor belt. A hydraulic linear actuator moves the carriage between its working positions and opposed gripper arms are actuated by respective cylinder and piston type actuators to move between container gripping and release positions.