Two-belt passive-roller case turner

A case turner and associated method for rotating conveyed articles. The case turner includes a pair of conveyor belts (14, 16) advancing side by side in a conveying direction (18). The belts, which are tilted downward toward each other, have rows of article-supporting rollers (20) that can rotate freely on axes parallel to the conveying direction. Each of the belts advances at a different speed so that an article bridging both belts is rotated as it is conveyed along the belt. The speed differential is set to provide a desired degree of rotation for the length of the two belts.

Belt conveyor with snagless retractable flights

A belt conveyor (10) having snagless retractable flights (36). The flights (36) rotate from a retracted position generally parallel to a top conveying surface on the conveyor belt (10) to an extended position standing up and away from the top surface. In one version of the flight (36), a distal edge of the flight is bent downward into a cavity (24) in the top surface of the belt when the flight (36) is retracted. In another version, rollers at the distal end of the flight extend upstream of the distal edge of the flight. The flight rollers are rotated when the flight is retraced to lift and propel conveyed articles over the edges of the flight. Thus, both flights avoid snagging articles with discontinuous bottoms.

Missort prevention system in a conveying system

A missort prevention system prevents missorts in a sortation conveying system. The missort prevention system includes a sensor for detecting the presence of an unexpected article on a chute transitioning articles off of a conveyor and a missort preventer for blocking the further passage of the unexpected article on the chute.

SNAP-ON POSITION LIMITER FOR A CONVEYOR BELT

A conveyor employs a low-tension, direct drive conveyor belt, and a snap-on position limiter for ensuring proper engagement of the belt and a drive sprocket. The position limiter includes a body, a limiting surface and a snap clap opposite the limiting surface for snapping the position limiter to a mounting shaft. The position limiter may include a mounting arm for mounting a conveyor belt scraper at the front of the position limiter. Mounting plates at the end of the conveyor support a mounting shaft for mounting the position limiter or other conveyor components in place relative to the drive sprocket. 1. A mounting plate for a conveyor frame , comprising:a planar plate portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front edge and a rear edge;a connecting portion for mounting the plate portion to another component in the conveyor frame;a top receptacle formed in the plate portion for mounting a drive member; anda lower receptacle formed in the plate portion below the top portion for receiving an end of a mounting shaft to locate the mounting shaft relative to the central axis of the top receptacle.2. The mounting plate of claim 1 , wherein the mounting plate is homogenous.3. The mounting plate of claim 1 , wherein the top receptacle extends outward of the planar plate portion.4. The mounting plate of claim 3 , wherein the top receptacle further includes openings to facilitate hygiene.5. The mounting plate of claim 1 , wherein the lower receptacle comprises an outward-extending cap having a central opening.6. The mounting plate of claim 5 , wherein the outward-extending cap includes a recess claim 5 , and the mounting plate further comprises a pin inserted in the recess and extending outward from the outward-extending cap.7. The mounting plate of claim 6 , wherein the lower receptacle is inset from the front edge of the plate portion relative to the top receptacle.8. A conveyor frame for a conveyor belt claim 6 , comprising:a ...

Multi-directional roller assembly

A multi-directional roller assembly for directing articles in a conveying system. The multi-directional roller assembly has a rotatable roller frame housing at least one set of mutually-actuating rollers. The multi-directional roller assembly directs an article supported by the assembly along a trajectory determined by the orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly relative to an input force. The orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly may be changed to change the trajectory. A conveyor system may include an array of multi-directional roller assemblies. An actuator controls the orientation of the multi-directional roller assemblies individually and may also control an array of multi-directional roller assemblies as a group.

Conveyors, belts, and modules with actuated rollers

A conveyor, a conveyor belt used in the conveyor, and a belt module (10) used to construct the conveyor belt, in which the module (10) includes belt rollers (24) that extend outward of a conveyor surface (30) of the modules to support conveyed articles. The belt rollers (24) are mounted in cavities (22) in the modules that open onto the conveying surface (30) and a recessed surface recessed inward of an outermost surface (31) opposite the conveying surface (30) through the thickness of the modules. Bearing surfaces, such as the peripheries of conveyor rollers (42) underlying the conveyor belt along a carryway run, extend into the conveyor belt past the outermost surface (31) to contact the belt rollers. As the belt advances, the belt rollers rotate on the bearing surfaces to push conveyed articles along or across the belt.

Conveyor, belt and module having multi-directional wheels

A belt conveyor (82) for diverting articles (84) on actuated multi-directional wheels (30) in a conveyor belt (72). The conveyor belt has article - supporting multi - directional wheels (30) rotatably mounted in cavities (28) in the belt (72). The wheels (30) are arranged to rotate on axes (38) oblique to the direction (79) of belt travel. A bearing surface (86) underlies the belt (72) along a carryway. As the belt (72) advances along the carryway, the rollers (48) on the periphery of the wheel (30) ride on the bearing surface (86) and cause the wheel (30) to rotate on its oblique axis (38). Articles (84) conveyed on the belt (72) atop the wheels (30) are diverted by the rotating wheels (30) toward a side of the belt (72).

Conveyor system with roller assemblies

A conveyance device comprises a sorting plate housing a plurality of roller assemblies and a series of narrow conveyor belts for conveying articles towards the sorting plate. In a first mode, the narrow conveyor belts bypass the roller assemblies and convey articles over the sorting plate. In a second mode, the conveyor belts bring an article into contact with the roller assemblies, which then manipulate the trajectory of the article.

CONVEYOR GUIDE WALL WITH DAMPING ROLLERS

A conveyor guide wall constructed of a series of parallel columns of freely rotatable rollers. The rollers are mounted on rods retained within top and bottom rails. The rollers rotate on the rods to provide a guide that engages conveyed articles in low-friction rolling contact. Voids in the rollers increase the rollers' flexibility and help absorb impacts with conveyed articles. 1. A conveyor guide wall comprising:a top rail and a bottom rail parallel to the top rail;a plurality of columns of one or more rollers arranged between the top and bottom rails to rotate on parallel axes of rotation; a first side and a second side;', 'a low-friction outer periphery encircling the axis of rotation and extending axially from the first side to the second side;', 'a plurality of voids extending through the roller from the first side to the second side between the outer periphery and the axis of rotation to absorb impacts against the outer periphery of the roller., 'wherein each of the one or more rollers includes2. A conveyor guide wall as in further comprising:a plurality of rods retained at opposite ends in the top and bottom rails and wherein each of the rollers has a central bore and a bushing disposed in the central bore to receive one of the rods.3. A conveyor guide wall as in wherein the axial length of the bushing is greater than the axial distance between the first and second sides of the roller.4. A conveyor guide wall as in wherein the bushing is a flanged sleeve bushing having a flange at one end in contact with the first side of the roller.5. A conveyor guide wall as in wherein the bushing is made of a hard plastic or metallic material and the roller is made of a more pliable material.6. A conveyor guide wall as in wherein the voids form channels that extend parallel to the axis of rotation and that open onto the first and second sides.7. A conveyor guide wall as in wherein the voids are teardrop-shaped in cross section.8. A conveyor guide wall as in wherein each ...

Package-culling conveyor system and method

A package-culling conveyor system and a method for culling flat packages from a bulk flow of flat and non-flat packages. The conveyor system includes a tilted conveyor belt (24) conveying flat packages while non-flat packages tumble off its lower side. A high-friction conveying surface or a raised barrier along the length of the conveying surface of the tilted conveyor belt (24) holds flat packages on the tilted belt. The separated packages are more fully culled in a conveyor comprising a roller conveyor belt (36) with belt rollers (38) rotated in a direction to push packages sidewise toward a culling element that extends along the belt's length. Culling elements include powered rollers (35) or vertical walls forming side guards. The culling elements block the non-flat packages from exiting off the side of the belt so that they are conveyed off the end of the belt separate from the flat packages.

CHECKPOINT SYSTEM WITH WHEELED BINS

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. 1. A checkpoint system comprising:a checkpoint where articles are checked; a bottom panel;', 'a front panel, a rear panel, a left panel, and a right panel upstanding from the bottom panel and forming four side walls extending upward to a top rim;', 'at least two wheels extending outward from each of the left and right panels, wherein the peripheries of the wheels do not extend below the bottom panel of the bin;, 'a plurality of bins, each bin includinga divesting table atop which the bins, loaded with articles to be checked, are slid on their bottom panels toward the checkpoint;a checkpoint conveyor for conveying the bins received from the divesting table through the checkpoint in a conveying direction;at least one discharge lane receiving checked bins from the checkpoint conveyor and comprising a pair of parallel rails along which the wheels on the left and right panels of the bin ride.2. A checkpoint system as in wherein the divesting table includes parallel side walls spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate and guide the bins and form a trough shallow enough that the wheels of the bin do not contact the side walls.3. A checkpoint system as in wherein the at least one discharge lane further includes a bed along which the pair of parallel rails are mounted to ...

REVERSE METER BELT CONVEYOR

A conveyor and a method for metering articles on a conveyor belt advancing in a direction of belt travel. Article-supporting rollers in the belt are actuated by a stationary bearing surface defining an upstream acceleration zone to accelerate articles forward along the conveyor belt. An activation belt advancing in the direction of belt travel at a speed faster than the conveyor belt provides a mobile bearing surface that actuates the belt rollers to rotate opposite to the direction of belt travel in a downstream deceleration zone. The conveyor belt also has regularly spaced retractable flights, which are retracted by contact with the stationary bearing surface in the acceleration zone and extended into a blocking position by contact with the mobile bearing surface in the deceleration zone. Articles in the deceleration zone are pushed rearward atop the rollers into metered positions against the leading faces of the flights. 1. A conveyor comprising: an outer conveying side and an opposite inner side;', 'a plurality of article-supporting rollers extending outward of the outer conveying side and the opposite inner side and arranged to rotate on axes perpendicular to the direction of belt travel;', 'a plurality of flights disposed at spaced apart locations along the length of the conveyor belt, the flights each including an actuating element extending outward of the inner side of the conveyor belt and a stop movable between a retracted position at or below the level of the rollers extending outward of the outer conveying side and a blocking position extending outward from the outer conveying side to a level above the level of the rollers;, 'a conveyor belt advancing along a carryway at a first speed in a direction of belt travel from an upstream end to a downstream end, the conveyor belt includingan activation belt underlying the conveyor belt in a portion of the carryway and providing a mobile bearing surface contacting the rollers and the actuating elements of the ...

MULTIWHEEL ROLLER-CONVEYOR CASE TURNER

A case turner constructed of parallel lanes of powered multiwheel rollers rotating at different tangential speeds. Rotatable wheels mounted on the peripheries of each multiwheel roller are arranged to rotate freely on axes perpendicular to the main axis of the powered multiwheel roller. An article straddling the gap between both lanes is rotated as it is conveyed along the case turner. 1. A case turner comprising:a first lane of powered multiwheel rollers spaced apart and arranged to rotate on first main axes perpendicular to a conveying direction;a second lane of powered multiwheel rollers spaced apart and arranged to rotate on second main axes perpendicular to the conveying direction, wherein the second lane is disposed adjacent to the first lane across a gap;a drive system for rotating the powered multiwheel rollers in the first lane at first speeds and the powered multiwheel rollers in the second lane at second speeds;wherein the powered multiwheel rollers of the first and second lanes include a plurality of article-supporting wheels on the peripheries of the powered multiwheel rollers, the article-supporting wheels being freely rotatable on multiple axes perpendicular to the first and second main axes.2. A case turner as in wherein each of the powered multiwheel rollers in the first lane is axially aligned with one of the powered multiwheel rollers in the second lane.3. A case turner as in wherein the article-supporting wheels have a high-friction peripheral surface layer.4. A case turner as in wherein the first speeds of all the multiwheel rollers in the first lane are the same and the second speeds of all the multiwheel rollers in the second lane are the same claim 1 , but different from the first speeds.5. A case turner as in wherein the drive system controls each of the multiwheel rollers in the first and second lanes individually.6. A case turner as in further comprising one or more sensors disposed at sensor locations along the first and second lanes to ...

MULTI-DIRECTIONAL ROLLER ASSEMBLY

A multi-directional roller assembly for directing articles in a conveying system. The multi-directional roller assembly has a rotatable roller frame housing at least one set of mutually-actuating rollers. The multi-directional roller assembly directs an article supported by the assembly along a trajectory determined by the orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly relative to an input force. The orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly may be changed to change the trajectory. A conveyor system may include an array of multi-directional roller assemblies. An actuator controls the orientation of the multi-directional roller assemblies individually and may also control an array of multi-directional roller assemblies as a group. 1. A multi-directional roller assembly , comprising:a frame rotatable about a main axis; andat least one set of mutually-actuating rollers mounted to the frame, each roller rotatable about a minor axis that is transverse to the main axis.2. The multi-directional roller assembly of claim 1 , wherein the set of mutually-actuating rollers comprises two parallel rollers having outer surfaces in contact with each other claim 1 , such that rotation of a first roller in a first direction about a first minor axis induces rotation of a second roller in a second direction about a second minor axis.3. The multi-directional roller assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mutually-actuating rollers actuate each other through magnetic actuation or gears.4. The multi-directional roller assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame is substantially cylindrical.5. The multi-directional roller assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one set of mutually-actuating rollers comprises two sets of mutually-actuating rollers claim 1 , each set comprising a pair of rollers.6. The multi-directional roller assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one set of mutually-actuating rollers comprises three sets of mutually-actuating rollers arranged about the ...

CONVEYOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS

A conveyor system and methods for conveying and unstacking flat and non-flat packages. The conveyor system includes an inclined conveyor belt delivering packages to a tilted conveyor belt that conveys flat packages along its length while non-flat packages tumble off its lower side edge to initially cull flat packages from a bulk flow of packages. Retention means, such as a high-friction outer conveying surface or a raised barrier along the length of the outer conveying surface of the tilted conveyor belt, holds flat packages on the tilted conveyor belt. The inclined conveyor belt has stop elements spaced apart along the belt's length and is advanced in stop-and-go fashion to help unstack piggy-backed packages as they are conveyed up the incline. The initially separated packages are more fully culled in a conveyor comprising a roller conveyor belt with package-supporting belt rollers rotated in a direction to push packages sidewise toward a culling element that extends along the length of the roller conveyor belt. 1. A conveyor system comprising a tilted conveyor belt having an outer conveying surface extending in width from an elevated side edge to a lower side edge and advancing in a direction of belt travel parallel to the elevated and lower side edges , wherein the outer conveying surface is tilted at a tilt angle off horizontal sufficient for non-flat packages received on the outer conveying surface to tumble downward across the width of the tilted conveyor belt and over the lower side edge and wherein the tilted conveyor belt further comprises retention means to prevent flat packages from sliding on their bottoms across the width of the outer conveying surface of the tilted conveyor belt and over the lower side edge.2. A conveyor system as in further comprising an inclined conveyor belt feeding packages to the tilted conveyor belt in separated batches.3. A conveyor system as in wherein the inclined conveyor belt has an exit end elevated above the elevated side ...

LOW BACK-PRESSURE ACCUMULATION SYSTEM

A belt conveyor having upper article-supporting belt rollers that are rotated rearward by rotating lower belt rollers only when the articles are slowed or stopped from advancing with the belt. As the belt advances in a direction of travel, the lower rollers rotate by contact with a bearing surface underlying the belt. The upper rollers have axles whose ends are retained in slots that slope downward in the belt's direction of travel. The slots provide the upper rollers a range of positions between a forward position out of contact with the rotating lower roller and a rearward position contacting the lower roller, which rotates the upper roller rearward relieving back line pressure on accumulated articles. 1. A conveyor belt module comprising:a top and a bottom;a lower roller having a salient portion protruding from the bottom and having an axis of rotation perpendicular to a direction of travel of a conveyor belt containing the conveyor belt module;an upper roller having a salient portion protruding from the top, the upper roller having an axle;two slots elongated in the direction of travel on opposite sides of the upper roller for receiving opposite ends of the upper roller's axle and providing a range of positions for the upper roller between a forward position out of contact with the lower roller and a rearward position in contact with the lower roller.2. A conveyor belt module as in wherein the slots are closer to the top than the axis of rotation of the lower roller and offset in the direction of travel from the axis of rotation of the lower roller.3. A conveyor belt module as in wherein the slots slope downward away from the top in the direction of travel.4. A conveyor belt module as in wherein the upper roller's axle is affixed to and rotates with the upper roller.5. A conveyor belt comprising: a top and a bottom;', 'a lower roller having a salient portion protruding from the bottom and having an axis of rotation perpendicular to the direction of travel;', 'an ...

BELT CONVEYOR SYSTEM, ROLLER-ENGAGEMENT MECHANISM, AND RELATED METHOD

A conveyor system having a roller-engagement mechanism and a method for conveying articles. The conveyor system includes an infeed conveyor feeding articles to a conveyor belt advancing in a direction of belt travel. The conveyor belt comprises obliquely rotatable rollers—single rollers or stacked sets of rollers—selectively activated by the roller-engagement mechanism. The roller-engagement mechanism has a rack supporting a plurality of flat belts. The flat belts advance in the direction of travel of the conveyor belt. The rack is movable between a first position in which the flat belts advancing with the conveyor belt contact the belt rollers to inhibit their rotation and carry articles atop the belt in the direction of belt travel and a second position in which the flat belts are out of contact with the belt rollers. In the second position, the roller-engagement mechanism can allow the belt rollers to rotate freely or can include a parallel set of elongated rollers between the flat belts put into rolling contact with the belt rollers to rotate them as the conveyor belt advances in the direction of belt travel. 1. A conveyor system comprising: [ a first side and a second side defining the width of the conveyor belt; and', 'a plurality of belt rollers rotatable on axes of rotation oblique to the first direction and arranged in columns extending longitudinally in the first direction and spaced apart laterally across the width of the conveyor belt a distance d;, 'a conveyor belt arranged to advance forward along a conveying path at a belt speed in a first direction and including, a plurality of parallel first belt support surfaces extending longitudinally and spaced apart laterally the same distance d as the columns of belt roller, wherein the first belt support surfaces advance in the first direction at the belt speed;', 'an actuator coupled to the first belt support surfaces to move the first belt support surfaces between a first position in which the first belt ...

CONVEYOR BELT HAVING BIDIRECTIONAL STACKED ROLLERS

A conveyor belt and a belt module having multiple roller sets, each roller set including a bottom roller in contact with an axially elongated top roller. Driving the bottom roller in a first direction causes rotation of the top roller in an opposite angular direction. The bottom rollers in first longitudinal lanes are arranged to rotate obliquely toward one side of the belt, and the bottom rollers in second lanes are arranged to rotate toward the other side of the belt. Either the first lanes of roller sets or the second lanes can be selectively actuated to direct articles conveyed atop the top rollers rearward and toward one side of the belt or the other or to receive articles fed onto the belt from either side. 1. A conveyor belt comprising:a plurality of first roller sets arranged in first lanes extending in a longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt, wherein each of the first roller sets includes a first roller and a second roller, the first and second rollers contacting each other such that driving of the first roller in a first angular direction causes rotation of the second roller in an opposite second angular direction, wherein the first and second rollers have axes of rotation arranged at a first angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt;a plurality of second roller sets arranged in second lanes parallel to the first lanes, wherein each of the second roller sets includes a third roller and a fourth roller, the third and fourth rollers contacting each other such that driving of the third roller in a third angular direction causes rotation of the fourth roller in an opposite fourth angular direction, wherein the third and fourth rollers have axes of rotation arranged at a second angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt different from the first angle.2. A conveyor belt as in wherein the first angle is a reflection of the second angle about the longitudinal direction.3. A conveyor belt as in wherein the second ...

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DYNAMICALLY CONTROLLING THE SPACING OF CONVEYED OBJECTS

A conveying system employs independently controlled flights. The flights are controlled separately from a conveying surface using a linear transport system. The linear transport system allow the position of the flights to be controlled based on a parameter, such as the length of a conveyed object. The flights are pivotally mounted to a mover of the linear transport system and can pivot relative to the conveying surface to allow the flights to fit in a space between an end of carryway and a receptacle. 1. A dynamic gapping conveyor , comprising:a frame forming a carryway for a conveying surface;a conveying surface extending in a conveying direction from a first end to a second end and laterally from a first side edge to a second side edge;a linear transport system comprising an endless rail extending along a first side edge of the conveying surface and a plurality of movers, the endless rail housing a plurality of inducers that interact with the movers to move the movers along the endless rail; anda flight extending laterally across the conveying surface, the flight having a first end connected to a first mover on a first side of the conveying surface.2. The dynamic gapping conveyor of claim 1 , wherein the flight is pivotally connected to the first mover.3. The dynamic gapping conveyor of claim 2 , further comprising a pivot mechanism for pivoting the flight relative to the first mover.4. The dynamic gapping conveyor of claim 1 , wherein the flight comprises:a body portion comprising a base mounted to a mounting bar and a tapering body extending from the base; anda mounting portion for pivotally connecting the body portion to a mover.5. The dynamic gapping conveyor of claim 4 , wherein the mounting portion comprises a sheath connecting the body portion to a cam for effecting rotation of the sheath and body portion claim 4 , a base plate fastened to the first mover claim 4 , and a shaft clamp fastened to the base plate for receiving the mounting bar.6. The dynamic ...

Bin unloader

An article-unloading apparatus comprising a bin assembly including a bag inside a bin. The bin assembly is raised and lowered by a lift and tilted, when raised, to dump articles onto a decline conveyor, such as a ramp. A winch attached to the bag moves the bottom of the bag through the bin to help push articles from the tilted bin assembly. A camera takes a video image of the articles entering the ramp to detect clumps. Stops on the ramp are selectively actuated to block the bottom-most articles in a clump to help separate articles.

Multi-Directional Roller Assembly

A multi-directional roller assembly for directing articles in a conveying system. The multi-directional roller assembly has a rotatable roller frame housing at least one set of mutually-actuating rollers. The multi-directional roller assembly directs an article supported by the assembly along a trajectory determined by the orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly relative to an input force. The orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly may be changed to change the trajectory. A conveyor system may include an array of multi-directional roller assemblies. An actuator controls the orientation of the multi-directional roller assemblies individually and may also control an array of multi-directional roller assemblies as a group. 1. A conveyor system , comprising:a roller plate having an upper surface and a bottom surface;a roller assembly mounted in the roller plate, the roller assembly comprising a frame, a first roller rotatably mounted to the frame and protruding below the bottom surface and a second roller rotatably mounted to the frame and protruding above the upper surface, wherein the first roller and the second roller are mutually-actuating with each other; anda conveyor belt extending below the roller plate for contacting a portion of the roller assembly protruding below the bottom surface to actuate the roller assembly.2. The conveyor system of claim 1 , wherein the conveyor belt contacts and induces rotation in the first roller to cause rotation of the second roller.3. The conveyor system of claim 1 , wherein the conveyor belt induces rotation of the frame about an axis by contacting a portion of the frame protruding below the bottom surface.4. The conveyor system of claim 3 , wherein a portion of the frame protrudes above the upper surface claim 3 , and an article resting on the portion of the frame protruding above the roller plate will be diverted by rotation of the frame.5. The conveyor system of claim 1 , wherein the conveyer belt ...

LINEAR-MOTOR CONVEYOR SYSTEM

A tray conveyor in which plastic trays with rows of embedded translators are driven by stators in multiple conveyor sections. Washing stations in cleaning zones in each conveyor section are provided to automatically clean empty trays in the conveyor's return path. Indicia on each tray identify the tray as belonging to a specific family of trays. Each of the conveyor sections conveys only conveyor trays that belong to a predetermined family assigned to that conveyor section. 1. A conveyor system comprising: a tray guide extending in length from a rear end to a front end of the conveyor section and in width from a left side to a right side of the conveyor section;', 'at least one linear stator extending in length through the tray guide between the rear end and the front end;, 'a plurality of conveyor sections, each conveyor section comprisinga plurality of conveyor trays having at least one translator forming a linear motor with the at least one linear stator to drive the conveyor trays along the tray guide in the conveying direction;wherein the plurality of conveyor sections are each arranged to form a carryway path along which the trays can carry articles and a return path along which empty trays return to the carryway path and wherein the conveyor system comprises one or more cleaning zones along the return path for cleaning the trays.2. A conveyor system as in wherein at least one of the one or more cleaning zones includes an automatic washing enclosure in which the conveyor trays are cleaned.3. A conveyor system as in further comprising a scrubber that rides along the tray guide to clean the conveyor section.4. A conveyor system as in wherein the tray guide comprises left and right conveyor rails and wherein the scrubber includes:front and rear wheels riding along the left and right conveyor rails;left and right scrubbing wheels having brushes engaging the left and right conveyor rails;a fluid tank;nozzles positioned at the left and right conveyor rails to spray ...

LINEAR-MOTOR CONVEYOR SYSTEM

A tray conveyor in which plastic trays with rows of embedded translators are driven by stators. Washing stations in cleaning zones are provided to automatically clean empty trays in the conveyor's return path. 1107.-. (canceled)108. A conveyor system comprising: a tray guide extending in length from a rear end to a front end of the conveyor section and in width from a left side to a right side of the conveyor section;', 'a left-side linear stator extending in length through the tray guide between the rear end and the front end;', 'a right-side linear stator extending in length through the tray guide between the rear end and the front end;', 'wherein the left-side linear stator is closer to the left side and the right-side linear stator is closer to the right side;, 'a plurality of conveyor sections, each conveyor section comprisinga plurality of conveyor trays having translators forming linear motors with the left-side and right-side linear stators to drive the conveyor trays along the tray guide in the conveying direction.109. A conveyor system as in comprising: a carriage tray guide extending in length from a rear end to a front end of the carriage and in width from a left side to a right side of the carriage;', 'a left-side carriage linear stator extending in length through the carriage tray guide between the rear end and the front end of the carriage tray guide;', 'a right-side carriage linear stator extending in length through the carriage tray guide between the rear end and the front end of the carriage tray guide;', 'wherein the left-side carriage linear stator is closer to the left side and the right-side carriage linear stator is closer to the right side of the carriage tray guide;', 'a rear translator at the rear end of the carriage;', 'a front translator at the front end of the carriage;, 'one or more carriages, each includinga pair of parallel guide tracks extending perpendicular to the conveying direction, each of the guide tracks forming a guide path ...

CONVEYOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS

A conveyor system and methods for conveying and unstacking flat and non-flat packages. The conveyor system includes an inclined conveyor belt delivering packages to a tilted conveyor belt that conveys flat packages along its length while non-flat packages tumble off its lower side edge to initially cull flat packages from a bulk flow of packages. Retention means, such as a high-friction outer conveying surface or a raised barrier along the length of the outer conveying surface of the tilted conveyor belt, holds flat packages on the tilted conveyor belt. The inclined conveyor belt has stop elements spaced apart along the belt's length and is advanced in stop-and-go fashion to help unstack piggy-backed packages as they are conveyed up the incline. The initially separated packages are more fully culled in a conveyor comprising a roller conveyor belt with package-supporting belt rollers rotated in a direction to push packages sidewise toward a culling element that extends along the length of the roller conveyor belt. 1. A conveyor system comprising:a conveyor belt having a conveying surface advancing packages up an incline from a lower end to an upper end;a plurality of stop elements extending across the width of the conveying surface of the conveyor belt at spaced apart locations along the length of the conveyor belt to block packages sliding down the inclined conveying surface;wherein the conveyor belt advances up the incline with a continuous pulsing motion to help unstack stacked packages on the conveying surface.2. A conveyor system as in wherein the stop elements are periodically spaced apart on the conveyor belt at regular intervals.3. A conveyor system as in wherein the stop elements are flights upstanding from the conveying surface.4. A conveyor system as in wherein the stop elements are friction pads on the conveying surface.5. A conveyor system as in wherein the conveyor belt is inclined at an inclination angle sufficient to allow non-flat packages to tumble ...

Singulation of conveyed products using electroadhesion

A conveyor employs electrostatic force to selectively adhere packages to an inclined conveying surface and selectively release packages from the inclined conveying surface to separate the packages from each other. A pair of electrodes embedded in the body of a conveyor belt module are selectively energized via electrically conductive hinge rods used to connect conveyor belt modules together to generate the electrostatic force.

CONVEYOR EMPLOYING A VACUUM

A sorting conveyor employs suction to stabilize products on a conveyor belt. The sorting conveyor comprises a conveyor belt including a plurality of embedded rollers for moving conveyed objects relative to the conveyor belt. A vacuum chamber below the conveyor belt houses activators for the rollers and selectively creates a vacuum zone above the conveyor belt for pulling objects on the conveyor belt. 1. A sorting conveyor , comprising:a conveyor belt comprising a plurality of rollers;a vacuum chamber disposed below the conveyor belt, the vacuum chamber connected to a vacuum generator to create a vacuum zone in a select area above the conveyor belt; anda controller for selectively operating the vacuum generator when a conveyed object is in the vacuum zone.2. The sorting conveyor of claim 1 , further comprising:an array of activators for activating the rollers, the array of activators housed within the vacuum chamber.3. The sorting conveyor of claim 1 , further comprising an array of vacuum chambers below the conveyor belt claim 1 , each vacuum chamber connected to a separate vacuum generator.4. The sorting conveyor of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum chamber comprises a sealed box having side walls and an open top.5. The sorting conveyor of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor for sensing the location of a conveyed object claim 1 , wherein the controller selectively operates the vacuum generator based on information from the sensor.6. The sorting conveyor of claim 5 , further comprising a tracker for tracking a conveyed object sensed by the sensor claim 5 , wherein the controller uses the information from the tracker to selectively operate the vacuum generator.7. A sorting conveyor claim 5 , comprising:an array of vacuum chambers, each vacuum chamber connected to a vacuum generator;an array of activators for selectively activating one or more rollers in a conveyor belt, each vacuum chamber housing a set of activators; anda conveyor belt traveling over the series of ...

MISSORT PREVENTION SYSTEM IN A CONVEYING SYSTEM

A missort prevention system prevents missorts in a sortation conveying system. The missort prevention system includes a sensor for detecting the presence of an unexpected article on a chute transitioning articles off of a conveyor and a missort preventer for blocking the further passage of the unexpected article on the chute. 1. A method of preventing a missorted article from passing down a chute from a conveyor , comprising the steps of:sensing the presence of a missorted article on a chute; andactivating a missort preventer along the chute to block the missorted article.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of activating a missort preventer comprises the step of braking rollers forming a surface of the chute.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of activating a missort preventer comprises the step of lifting a hinged gate to block the missorted article on the chute.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of activating a missort preventer comprises the step of raising a barrier through the chute to create a blockade on the chute.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of activating a missort preventer comprises the step of lowering a gate over the chute to create a blockade on the chute.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing the presence of a missorted article comprises generating a missort signal when a missort sensor is blocked outside of a selected time window.7. A conveying system for sorting articles claim 1 , comprising:a conveyor for conveying articles in a direction of travel;a first chute extending at an angle down from the side of the conveyor for receiving articles sorted off of the conveyor;a missort sensor associated with the chute for detecting the presence of an article on the chute;a missort preventer for selectively blocking the chute when the missort sensor senses a missorted article on the chute.8. The conveying system of claim 7 , wherein the missort sensor is a photoreflective sensor that generates a signal ...

WET CASE DETECTOR IN A CONVEYOR BELT

A detector detects the presence of liquid on a conveyed product using optics. The detector comprises a light source adjacent to a conveyor belt for directing a light beam into the conveyor belt body towards a top conveying surface and a light receiver for detecting the light beam after it reflects off of the top conveying surface. A reduction in intensity of the reflected light beam may indicate the presence of wetness on the top conveying surface. 1. A conveyor , comprising:a transparent conveyor belt body extending from a top conveying surface to an opposite bottom surface;a liquid sensor adjacent the conveyor belt body for detecting moisture on the conveying surface, the liquid sensor comprising a light source for directing a light beam into the conveyor belt body towards the top conveying surface and a light receiver for detecting the light beam after it reflects off the top conveying surface.2. The conveyor of claim 1 , wherein the liquid sensor recognizes wetness on the top conveying surface based on the intensity of the reflected light beam.3. The conveyor of claim 2 , further comprising logic for triggering an alarm when the liquid sensor recognizes wetness on the top conveying surface.4. The conveyor of claim 1 , wherein the transparent conveyor belt body comprises multiple layers of transparent material.5. The conveyor of claim 1 , wherein the liquid sensor directs the light beam at a 45° angle of incidence relative to the top conveying surface.6. The conveyor of claim 1 , further comprising a trigger for triggering a reading by the light receiver.7. The conveyor of claim 1 , wherein the conveyor comprises multiple hingedly connected conveyor belt modules claim 1 , at least one of the modules containing the transparent conveyor belt body.8. The conveyor of claim 1 , wherein the transparent conveyor belt body has a first angled side surface into which the light source directs the light beam and a second angled side surface through which the reflected light ...

DYNAMIC GAPPING CONVEYOR SYSTEM

A conveyor system conveying packages with controlled gaps or pitches to a processing station and a method for controlling the speed of an infeed conveyor to supply packages to the processing station with maximized throughput. The conveyor system comprises the infeed conveyor followed by a separation conveyor, a gapping conveyor, and a processing conveyor delivering packages to the processing station. The length of a string of packages and interpackage gaps is measured on the separation conveyor and compared to the length of a string of packages on the processing conveyor. If the string length on the processing conveyor exceeds the string length on the separation conveyor, a programmed controller adjusts the infeed speed down. If the string length on the separation conveyor exceeds the string length on the processing conveyor, the controller adjusts the infeed speed up. 1. A conveyor system comprising:an infeed conveyor conveying packages at an infeed speed;a separation conveyor receiving the packages from the infeed conveyor and conveying the packages in a conveying direction at a separation speed greater than the infeed speed to separate consecutive packages across gaps;a sensor detecting the lengths of the packages in the conveying direction at a sensing position on the separation conveyor and producing a sensor signal indicative of the lengths of the packages and the gaps;a gapping conveyor receiving the packages from the separation conveyor and spacing the packages with a fixed gap length or with a fixed pitch;a processing conveyor receiving the packages from the gapping conveyor and delivering the packages at a processing speed to a processing station;a controller receiving the sensor signal to compute the lengths of the packages and the gaps on the separation conveyor and making a speed adjustment to the infeed speed as a function of the lengths of the packages and the gaps.2. A conveyor system as in wherein the controller computes a string length along the ...

WEIGHING SYSTEM USING A CONVEYOR BELT WITH LOAD CELLS

A conveyor belt module, a conveyor belt, a weighing system, and a method for weighing articles conveyed on a conveyor belt. A conveyor belt includes an array of load cells embedded in belt modules to measure forces normal to the belt's conveying surface. The measurements are transmitted from the belt to a remote controller as part of a vision system that identifies individual articles conveyed on the belt and pressing down on underlying load cells. The vision system determines which load cells underlie the individual articles and combines their measurements to compute the weights of the articles on the fly. 1. A conveyor belt comprising:a belt body having a conveying surface;a plurality of load cells disposed at individual positions in the belt body to form a two-dimensional array of load cells, each load cell making a measurement of the force normal to the conveying surface caused by an article conveyed on the conveying surface at the load cell's individual position and producing a load-cell signal representing the force;a plurality of transmitters in the belt body, each transmitter associated with one or more of the load cells to transmit the load-cell signal of each of the associated load cells.2. A conveyor belt as in further comprising a plurality of antennas in the belt body connected to the plurality of transmitters to transmit the load-cell signals wirelessly.3. A conveyor belt as in further comprising a plurality of contacts on the belt body connected to the plurality of transmitter to transmit the load-cell signals ohmically.4. A conveyor belt as in further comprising a plurality of power supplies connected to one or more of the load cells to power the one or more connected load cells.5. A conveyor belt as in wherein the belt body includes a series of rows of one or more conveyor belt modules hingedly linked together end to end at hinge joints between consecutive rows.6. A conveyor system comprising: a conveying surface;', "a two-dimensional array of load ...

STACKED-ROLLER BELT CONVEYOR WITH ZONE CONTROL

A zone-controlled in-line, stacked-roller conveyor belt. The belt has pairs of stacked rollers—a top article-supporting roller and a bottom driven roller. The top and bottom rollers contact each other so that when the bottom roller is driven in one direction by contact with a bearing surface under the belt as the belt advances, the top roller rotates in the opposite direction—opposite to the direction of belt travel. Articles atop the actuated roller pairs mark time. When the bottom roller is out of contact with a bearing surface, the rollers are braked and do not rotate so that the articles atop the braked rollers advance with the belt. The bearing surfaces are arranged in individually controllable segments that are dynamically grouped into zones that are actuated to halt an article in that zone. An imaging system is used by a controller to change the zone grouping dynamically. 1. A conveyor belt comprising:a top side and an opposite bottom side; a top roller at the top side for supporting conveyed articles;', 'a bottom roller at the bottom side in contact with the top roller such that rotation of the bottom roller in a first direction causes rotation of the top roller in an opposite second direction;, 'multiple roller sets each includingchannels along which the roller sets are translated from a first position in which the top roller extends to a maximum level above the top side and a second position in which the top roller extends to a minimum level below the maximum level;a braking surface associated with each roller set and contacting the top roller when the roller set is in the second position to prevent the top roller from rotating.2. (canceled)3. A conveyor belt as in wherein the braking surface lies below the top roller so that the weight of a conveyed article resting on the top roller pushes the top roller against the braking surface.4. A conveyor belt as in wherein the multiple rollers sets are arranged in columns of roller sets extending along the length ...

CONVEYOR SYSTEM WITH ROLLER ASSEMBLIES

A conveyance device comprises a sorting plate housing a plurality of roller assemblies and a series of narrow conveyor belts for conveying articles towards the sorting plate. In a first mode, the narrow conveyor belts bypass the roller assemblies and convey articles over the sorting plate. In a second mode, the conveyor belts bring an article into contact with the roller assemblies, which then manipulate the trajectory of the article. 1. A conveyance device , comprising:a sorting plate having an array of roller assemblies for contacting and directing an article of conveyance along a selected trajectory;at least one conveyor belt passing between two roller assemblies; andan actuator for selectively raising and lowering the conveyor belt relative to the sorting plate.2. The conveyance device of claim 1 , further comprising a track for guiding the conveyor belt.3. The conveyance device of claim 1 , wherein the conveyor belt returns below the sorting plate.4. The conveyance device of claim 1 , wherein the conveyor belt selectively actuates at least one roller assembly from below the sorting plate.5. The conveyance device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator changes the position of the conveyor belt depending on an orientation of at least one roller assembly.6. The conveyance device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a ramp connected to rack gear.7. A conveyance device claim 1 , comprising:a sorting plate having a plurality of rows of roller assemblies for contacting and directing an article of conveyance along a selected trajectory;a plurality of tracks passing between roller assemblies;a plurality of narrow conveyor belts contained in the tracks; andan actuator for varying the distance between the narrow conveyor belts and the roller assemblies.8. The conveyance device of claim 7 , wherein the actuator varies the distance based on an orientation of at least one roller assembly.9. The conveyance device of claim 7 , further comprising a secondary conveyor belt ...

Compact sorter

A sorting conveyor system comprising a main sorting conveyor sorting packages directly into destination receptacles or first onto discharge sorting conveyors and further onto other destination receptacles. Multi-destination discharge chutes service two or more destination receptacles. Package detectors detect packages delivered to the destination receptacles to help identify packages sorted to the wrong destination receptacles.

Multi-Directional Roller Assembly

A multi-directional roller assembly for directing articles in a conveying system. The multi-directional roller assembly has a rotatable roller frame housing at least one set of mutually-actuating rollers. The multi-directional roller assembly directs an article supported by the assembly along a trajectory determined by the orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly relative to an input force. The orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly may be changed to change the trajectory. A conveyor system may include an array of multi-directional roller assemblies. An actuator controls the orientation of the multi-directional roller assemblies individually and may also control an array of multi-directional roller assemblies as a group. 1. A multi-directional roller assembly , comprising:a frame rotatable about a main axis;a first roller mounted to the frame and rotatable about a first minor axis that is nonparallel with the main axis; anda second roller mounted to the frame and rotatable about a second minor axis that is nonparallel with the main axis, wherein the first roller and second roller are mutually-actuating, such that rotation of the first roller about the first minor axis in a first direction induces rotation of the second roller in an opposite direction from the first direction.2. The multi-directional roller assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first minor axis and second minor axis are parallel.3. The multi-directional roller assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first roller and the second roller are flat-ended ellipsoids in shape.4. The multi-directional roller assembly of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the first roller contacts an outer surface of the second roller claim 1 , such that rotation of the first roller induces rotation of the second roller.5. The multi-directional roller assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a roller housing for rotatably mounting the frame.6. The multi-directional roller assembly of claim 1 , wherein an ...

CONVEYOR SYSTEMS FOR DIVERTING OBJECTS

A conveyor system including a conveyor belt having a plurality of conveyor belt rollers configured to divert objects on the conveyor belt. A roller drive mechanism engages the conveyor belt rollers to actuate the conveyor belt rollers into rotation as the conveyor belt advances. The drive mechanism is adjustable to cause the conveyor belt rollers to rotate in a first angular direction and a second, opposite angular direction so that objects can be selectively diverted to either side of the conveyor belt at a desired diverting angle. The roller drive mechanism has drive rollers mounted in cartridges with pinion gears engaged by rack gears to adjust the orientation of the drive rollers relative to the belt rollers and the engagement of the belt rollers with the drive rollers as a function of the orientation by selective raising and lowering or laterally shifting the drive rollers. 1. A conveyor system comprising:a conveyor belt having a plurality of conveyor belt rollers configured to divert objects atop the conveyor belt rollers as the conveyor belt advances; and a plurality of pivotable cartridges, each cartridge having a cartridge gear and a freely rotatable drive roller that contacts the conveyor belt rollers from below the conveyor belt;', 'a plurality of actuator gears, each engaged with one of the cartridge gears to pivot the cartridges to change the orientation of the drive rollers with respect to the conveyor belt rollers and to move the drive rollers into and out of engagement with the conveyor belt rollers as a function of the orientation of the drive rollers with respect to the conveyor belt rollers; and', 'an actuator moving the plurality of actuator gears to pivot the cartridges., 'a roller drive mechanism including2. A conveyor system as in wherein the actuator gears move the drive rollers out of engagement with the conveyor belt rollers when the drive rollers are oriented perpendicular to the conveyor belt rollers.3. A conveyor system as in wherein the ...

MATERIAL HANDLING SOLUTIONS FOR DRONES

A drone comprises at least one propeller for generating lift and an article containment area for containing an article to be carried by the drone. The floor of the article containment area comprises a dynamic support surface for supporting the article and allowing the article to move into, out of and through the article containment area. The dynamic support surface may be a conveyor belt forming the floor of the article containment area. 1. A drone , comprising:a frame;at least one propeller for generating aerodynamic lift;a controller for controlling the propeller; andan article containment area for containing an article to be carried by the drone, wherein the article containment area includes a dynamic support surface for supporting the article and allowing the article to move into, out of or through the article containment area.2. The drone of claim 1 , wherein the dynamic support surface is formed by a conveyor belt claim 1 , an upper span of which forms a floor of the article containment area.3. The drone of claim 2 , wherein the conveyor belt includes rollers.4. The drone of claim 2 , wherein the conveyor belt includes flights to separate the article containment area into a plurality of compartments along the width claim 2 , length or both.5. The drone of claim 2 , wherein the conveyor belt is trained around reversing elements mounted on shafts claim 2 , and the drone includes legs that mount to the shafts.6. The drone of claim 1 , wherein the article containment area includes at least one wall to contain the article.7. The drone of claim 6 , wherein the wall is formed on the dynamic support surface.8. The drone of claim 6 , wherein the wall is formed in the frame.9. The drone of claim 6 , wherein the wall is movable.10. The drone of claim 6 , wherein the wall includes baffles.11. The drone of claim 1 , wherein the dynamic support surface comprises a plurality of rotatable rollers.12. The drone of claim 1 , wherein the dynamic support surface comprises a low- ...

Method and conveyor for registering articles on a conveyor belt

Method and a conveyor for registering articles on a conveyor belt. The conveyor includes a registration belt having retractable flights regularly spaced along the length of the belt and article-propelling rollers between consecutive flights. The flights are raised in an upstream portion of the conveyor, and the rollers rotated to propel articles forward against the raised flights. In a downstream portion of the conveyor, a flat-top belt under the conveyor belt runs faster than the conveyor belt and causes the flights to lower and the rollers behind the lowering flights to rotate in reverse to urge the articles away from interfering with the lowering flights.

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DYNAMICALLY CONTROLLING THE SPACING OF CONVEYED OBJECTS

A conveying system employs independently controlled flights. The flights are controlled separately from a conveying surface. The conveying system includes a dynamic gapping conveyor for spacing conveyed objects in a selected manner. The dynamic gapping conveyor uses flexible flights independently driven by drivers to control the spacing between conveyed objects. The independent drivers allow the position of the flights to be controlled based on the length of a conveyed object. 1. A conveying system , comprising:a first conveyor operating at a first conveying speed;a second conveyor operating at a second conveying speed greater than the first conveying speed, the second conveyor receiving objects from the first conveyor; anda third conveyor at a discharge end of the second conveyor, the third conveyor operating at a third conveying speed and including a plurality of flights separated by a variable separation distance.2. The conveying system of claim 1 , further comprising a diverting conveyor including at least one diverting section for receiving objects from the third conveyor and diverting selected objects from the diverting conveyor onto a selected exit conveyor.3. The conveying system of claim 2 , wherein the third conveyor spaces objects received from the second conveyor so that only one object is placed on a diverting section at a time.4. The conveying system of claim 1 , wherein the third conveyor comprises a conveying surface claim 1 , a first flight extending across the conveying surface claim 1 , a first flight driver connected to the first flight claim 1 , a second flight extending across the conveying surface claim 1 , and a second flight driver connected to the second flight.5. The conveying system of claim 4 , wherein the first flight driver comprises a drive belt connected to a first end of the first flight.6. The conveying system of claim 5 , wherein third conveyor further comprises a second drive belt connected to a second end of the first flight ...

MULTI-ANGLE SORTER

A multi-angle sorter having an omnidirectionally endless conveyor belt surrounding a polygonal frame to form a belt-frame assembly supported atop a roller drive including multiple pairs of diagonally opposite roller sets. Each pair of roller sets is arranged to drive the belt in a corresponding angular direction. A grid sorter comprises a grid of intersecting conveyor lines composed of multi-angle sorters at the intersections in line with conventional bidirectional conveyors. 1. A multi-angle sorter comprising:a frame having a perimeter about a central axis;an omnidirectionally endless conveyor belt having an exterior surface and an interior surface bounding an interior of the conveyor belt, wherein the frame is disposed in the interior;a roller drive having a plurality of roller sets arranged in pairs of diagonally opposite roller sets at different radial angles about the central axis, wherein each of the pairs of diagonally opposite roller sets selectively engages the conveyor belt to drive the conveyor belt over the frame at a corresponding radial angle.2. A multi-angle sorter as claimed in wherein the perimeter of the frame is polygonal with an even number of radially outer sides and wherein the multi-angle sorter comprises a shaft mounted to the frame along each radially outer side and a plurality of omniwheels mounted on each shaft in rolling contact with the interior surface of the conveyor belt.3. A multi-angle sorter as claimed in wherein each of the roller sets includes:a passive roller at a fixed position below the conveyor belt;a powered drive roller below the conveyor belt and movable from a driving position in contact with the exterior surface of the conveyor belt to a non-driving position out of contact with the conveyor belt;a pinch roller attached to the frame in the interior of the conveyor belt and movable from a pinching position against the interior surface pinching the conveyor belt between itself and the passive roller contacting the exterior ...

DESTACKING CONVEYOR

A destacking conveyor having a conveyor belt with pushers selectively pushing stacked packages transverse to the conveying direction to one side of the conveyor against a vertical wall with a gap between the bottom of the wall and the belt to block the top package of a stack and allow the bottom package to pass through the gap and off the side of the belt to a reject bin. In another version a destacking conveyor uses a force applicator to apply a downward force against the top of a stack to hold the top package while the pushers slide the bottom package from under the top package.

Apparatus and methods for accelerating conveyed articles

A belt conveyor (10) and a method for accelerating articles (38) conveyed atop a moving conveyor belt (12). The conveyor belt (12) includes rollers (28) that are arranged to rotate on axes (26) transverse to the direction of belt travel. The rollers (28) have a large-diameter portion on which conveyed articles (38) ride and one or more smaller-diameter portions that can be engaged by a bearing surface (36B, 36C) to rotate the rollers (28) as the conveyor belt (12) advances in the direction of belt travel. Articles atop the large-diameter portion are propelled in the conveying direction at a speed (s) greater than twice the forward speed (v) of the belt.

Two-belt passive-roller case turner

A case turner and associated method for rotating conveyed articles. The case turner includes a pair of conveyor belts (14, 16) advancing side by side in a conveying direction (18). The belts, which are tilted downward toward each other, have rows of article - supporting rollers (20) that can rotate freely on axes parallel to the conveying direction. Each of the belts advances at a different speed so that an article bridging both belts is rotated as it is conveyed along the belt. The speed differential is set to provide a desired degree of rotation for the length of the two belts.

Accumulation-and-release conveyor

An accumulation-and-release conveyor using a roller belt with rollers arranged to rotate in the direction of belt travel. The rollers extend through the thickness of the belt. A movable stop is positioned along the carryway just downstream of a bearing surface that is movable into and out of contact with the rollers. When the bearing surface is out of contact with the rollers, they are freely rotatable; when the bearing surface contacts the rollers, they roll on the bearing surface to propel articles in the direction of belt travel. The stop is selectively moved between a blocking position preventing articles from passing and accumulating them with low back line pressure on the freely rotatable rollers and a release position allowing articles to pass to the accumulation zone where they are propelled forward and separated from each other by the rotation of the rollers rolling on the bearing surface.

Systems and methods for providing an improved timing conveyor

Methods and apparatus for a conveyor system (100) for evenly spacing conveyed objects are provided. In one embodiment, the conveyor system includes a conveyor belt (120) that includes a conveyor having cavities, rollers (122) in some of cavities, and a positioning component (128). The conveyor system further includes a conveyor drive (126) coupled to the conveyor system and a roller engagement surface (124) positioned adjacent the conveyor belt and configured to engage the plurality of rollers (122).

Diagonal sorter

A conveyor system (100) includes a conveyor belt (102) having belt rollers (118) configured to divert articles on the belt (102) and a drive mechanism that engages the belt rollers (118). The drive mechanism is configured to drive the belt rollers (118) and is adjustable to selectively drive the belt rollers (118) in a first angular direction and, optionally, a second, opposite angular direction so that articles can be selectively diverted to either side of the belt at a desired angle. One version of the drive mechanism has drive rollers (308) mounted in cartridges (334) and rack gears (342) engaging pinion gears on the cartridges to adjust the orientation of the drive rollers (308) relative to the belt rollers. Such a conveyor system with a series of sequential roller actuation zones (430) driven by separately actuated drive mechanisms is arranged diagonally to an infeed conveyor (418) and a multi-lane outbound conveyor (424) to realize a switch conveyor.

Conveyors, belts, and modules with actuated rollers

A conveyor, a conveyor belt used in the conveyor, and a belt module (10) used to construct the conveyor belt, in which the module (10) includes belt rollers (24) that extend outward of a conveyor surface (30) of the modules to support conveyed articles. The belt rollers (24) are mounted in cavities (22) in the modules that open onto the conveying surface (30) and a recessed surface recessed inward of an outermost surface (31) opposite the conveying surface (30) through the thickness of the modules. Bearing surfaces, such as the peripheries of conveyor rollers (42) underlying the conveyor belt along a carryway run, extend into the conveyor belt past the outermost surface (31) to contact the belt rollers. As the belt advances, the belt rollers rotate on the bearing surfaces to push conveyed articles along or across the belt.

Conveyor systems and methods

A conveyor system and methods for conveying and unstacking flat and non-flat packages. The conveyor system includes an inclined conveyor belt delivering packages to a tilted conveyor belt that conveys flat packages along its length while non-flat packages tumble off its lower side edge to initially cull flat packages from a bulk flow of packages. Retention means, such as a high-friction outer conveying surface or a raised barrier along the length of the outer conveying surface of the tilted conveyor belt, holds flat packages on the tilted conveyor belt. The inclined conveyor belt has stop elements spaced apart along the belt's length and is advanced in stop-and-go fashion to help unstack piggy-backed packages as they are conveyed up the incline. The initially separated packages are more fully culled in a conveyor comprising a roller conveyor belt with package-supporting belt rollers rotated in a direction to push packages sidewise toward a culling element that extends along the length of the roller conveyor belt.

Package-culling conveyor system and method

A package -culling conveyor system and a method for culling flat packages from a bulk flow of flat and non-flat packages. The conveyor system includes a tilted conveyor belt (24) conveying flat packages while non-flat packages tumble off its lower side. A high - friction conveying surface or a raised barrier along the length of the conveying surface of the tilted conveyor belt (24) holds flat packages on the tilted belt. The separated packages are more fully culled in a conveyor comprising a roller conveyor belt (36) with belt rollers (38) rotated in a direction to push packages sidewise toward a culling element that extends along the belt's length. Culling elements include powered rollers (55) or vertical walls forming side guards. The culling elements block the non-flat packages from exiting off the side of the belt so that they are conveyed off the end of the belt separate from the flat packages.

conveyor belt and conveyor system

CORREIA TRANSPORTADORA E SISTEMA TRANSPORTADOR Trata-se de uma correia transportadora de rolo transversal (58) e um sistema transportador (56) que fornece um mecanismo de acionamento (60) para acionar os rolos na correia para desviar artigos transportados. A correia transportadora inclui rolos de correia (18) que, cada um, engatam um par de rolos de transporte de artigo de diâmetro menor (30). O mecanismo de acionamento do sistema transportador (60), quando atuado seletivamente, gira os rolos de correia (18), que giram os rolos de suporte de artigo (30) para desviar artigos transportados em direção ou a partir do lado da correia. Os vãos entre pelo menos alguns dos pares de rolos de suporte de artigo admitem os dentes (74) de um coletor de transferência (73) para retirar artigos remanescentes da extremidade a jusante da correia. CONVEYOR BELT AND CONVEYOR SYSTEM This is a cross roller conveyor belt (58) and a conveyor system (56) that provides a drive mechanism (60) to drive the rollers on the belt to deflect conveyed items. The conveyor belt includes belt rollers (18) which each engage a pair of smaller diameter article transport rollers (30). The drive mechanism of the conveyor system (60), when actuated selectively, rotates the belt rollers (18), which rotate the article support rollers (30) to deflect articles transported towards or from the belt side. The gaps between at least some of the pairs of article support rollers admit the teeth (74) of a transfer manifold (73) for removing remaining articles from the downstream end of the belt.

Two-belt passive-roller case turner

A case turner and associated method for rotating conveyed articles. The case turner includes a pair of conveyor belts (14, 16) advancing side by side in a conveying direction (18). The belts, which are tilted downward toward each other, have rows of article - supporting rollers (20) that can rotate freely on axes parallel to the conveying direction. Each of the belts advances at a different speed so that an article bridging both belts is rotated as it is conveyed along the belt. The speed differential is set to provide a desired degree of rotation for the length of the two belts.

Conveyor and belt with clutch-driven flights

A belt conveyor having clutch-driven flights for extremely low-torque operation. The flights have pivot members that rotate about an axis over a limited range of angles. A clutch mechanism includes a spring pushing a clutch wheel against a pivot member. The clutch wheel is arranged to rotate as the conveyor belt advances. Frictional contact between the rotating wheel and the pivot member imparts a moment on the flight to raise it to an extended position. When the flight is encumbered even by a light load, the low-torque mechanism automatically slips to prevent the flight from rising to the extended position.

Conveyor discharge with diverting rollers

A sorting system having a main sorting conveyor sorting articles to discharge conveyors feeding articles to diverters having freely rotatable, gravity-activated rollers arranged in an inclined plane. The orientations of the rollers are selectably changed to divert articles riding downward along each diverter to different destinations. The main sorting conveyor comprises a roller belt with belt-roller actuators at sorting locations. The belt-roller actuators and the diverters are identical mechanisms.

Belt conveyor system, roller-engagement mechanism, and related method

Conveyor Belt Having Rollers that Displace Objects

In one embodiment, a conveyor belt includes multiple roller sets, each roller set including a first roller and a second roller, the first and second rollers being placed in contact with each other such that driving of one of the rollers in a first angular direction causes rotation of the other roller in a second, opposite angular direction.

Conveyor belt having rollers as tensile members

A conveyor belt including a plurality of rollers that serve as tensile members for the conveyor belt. In some embodiments, the rollers include roller members that rotate about longitudinal shafts, wherein the roller shafts receive and transmit tensile forces along a longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt. In some embodiments, nothing exists between adjacent roller members across a width of the conveyor belt.

Multi-directional roller assembly

Akkumulationsanlæg with little backpressure

Apparatus and methods for controlling spacing of conveyed objects

In one embodiment, apparatus for controlling spacing of objects conveyed by an object conveyor include flights (30.) that can he actuated from a retracted state to an extended state in which the flights extend transversely across the object conveyor (12), the flights limiting travel of the object (0) to control their relative spacing, wherein the flights actuate with relatively little force such that a retracted flight will not extend once it contacts a directly adjacent object that occupies space into which the retracted flight would normally extend.

Band conveyor with rollers oriented in different ways

Multi-directional roller assembly

A multi-directional roller assembly for directing articles in a conveying system. The multi-directional roller assembly has a rotatable roller frame housing at least one set of mutually-actuating rollers. The multi-directional roller assembly directs an article supported by the assembly along a trajectory determined by the orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly relative to an input force. The orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly may be changed to change the trajectory. A conveyor system may include an array of multi-directional roller assemblies. An actuator controls the orientation of the multi-directional roller assemblies individually and may also control an array of multi-directional roller assemblies as a group.

Conveyor belts having rollers that displace objects

Installations and methods for providing a conveyor with improved timing

Conveyor employing a vacuum

A sorting conveyor employs suction to stabilize products on a conveyor belt. The sorting conveyor comprises a conveyor belt including a plurality of embedded rollers for moving conveyed objects relative to the conveyor belt. A vacuum chamber below the conveyor belt houses activators for the rollers and selectively creates a vacuum zone above the conveyor belt for pulling objects on the conveyor belt.

Systems and Methods for Providing an Improved Timing Conveyor

Diagonal sorting device

Alignment device for a conveyor

An article conveying system includes an alignment guide that allows larger packages to be spaced inwards from an aligning edge of a conveyor. The alignment guide provides at least two different registration points for packages, depending on the height of the packages. High profile packages, such as large boxes, are inset from an alignment edge of the conveyor, while low profile articles, such as envelopes, are registered against the alignment edge.

Stacked-roller belt conveyor with zone control

A zone-controlled in-line, stacked-roller conveyor belt. The belt has pairs of stacked rollers-a top article-supporting roller and a bottom driven roller. The top and bottom rollers contact each other so that when the bottom roller is driven in one direction by contact with a bearing surface under the belt as the belt advances, the top roller rotates in the direction opposite to the direction of belt travel. Articles atop the actuated roller pairs mark time. When the bottom roller is out of contact with the bearing surface, the rollers are braked and do not rotate and the articles atop the braked rollers advance with the belt. The bearing surfaces are arranged in individually controllable segments that are dynamically grouped into zones actuated to halt an article in selected zones. An imaging system is used by a controller to change the zone grouping dynamically.

Variable angled-roller belt and conveyor

A conveyor (10) constructed of a single belt (12) or a plurality of abutting belts arranged side by side in the conveyor, in which the belt or belts have rollers (34) arranged to rotate on axes (36, 35') oriented at multiple angles (alpha, alpha' , beta, beta') oblique to the direction of belt travel (26). A gradual or monotonic, stepped change in the axes of the rollers across the width of the conveyor can be used to make a conveyor capable of converting a mass flow of articles into a single stream of separated articles.

Cross belt and belt conveyor

Una banda transportadora que comprende: una pluralidad de primeros rodillos (18) dispuestos para girar sobre ejes (26) orientados en una dirección del recorrido de la banda (16), los primeros rodillos tienen un primer diámetro; caracterizado por una pluralidad de segundos rodillos (30) dispuestos en pares, cada par soportado en la parte superior de los primeros rodillos (18) y que tienen ejes de rotación (35) paralelos a los ejes (26) de los primeros rodillos (18), en donde cada uno de los primeros rodillos (18) hace contacto con un par de los segundos rodillos (30) que flanquean a los primeros rodillos (18).

Destacking conveyor

Apparatus and method for activating conveyor belt rollers

Apparatus and method for activating conveyor belt rollers (16) by raising and lowering the conveyor belt (12). Article-supporting rollers extending through the thickness of the conveyor belt are deactivated when the belt is raised to a position in which the belt rollers do not contact bearing surfaces (28,70) below the belt. Belt rollers are activated to rotate when the.belt is lowered to a position in which the belt rollers ride on the bearing surfaces below the belt and rotate to push articles conveyed atop the belt rollers in the direction of rotation as the belt advances. Linear support surfaces, such as wearstrips, between the bearing surfaces are raised and lowered into and out of supporting contact with the bottom of the belt by selectively inflatable bladders (42).

SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PROVIDE AN IMPROVED SYNCHRONIZATION CARRIER.

Sistema de transportadora para controlar el espaciado de objetos transportados, que comprende una transportadora configurada para transferir una pluralidad de objetos en una primera dirección (110), que comprende: una cinta transportadora (120) que tiene una pluralidad de cavidades (140); una pluralidad de rodillos (122; 150; 152), cada rodillo está dispuesto en una cavidad y tiene un eje perpendicular a la primera dirección; un componente de posicionamiento proporcionado adyacente a los rodillos; un componente motriz de transportadora (126) acoplado al sistema de transportadora, el componente motriz de transportadora está configurado para impulsar la cinta transportadora; y una superficie de acoplamiento de rodillos (124) situada adyacente a la cinta transportadora y configurada para acoplar la pluralidad de rodillos, caracterizado porque el componente de posicionamiento comprende un separador (144, 160, 170, 240) configurado para detener el movimiento de los objetos con respecto a la cinta transportadora. Conveyor system for controlling the spacing of transported objects, comprising a conveyor configured to transfer a plurality of objects in a first direction (110), comprising: a conveyor belt (120) having a plurality of cavities (140); a plurality of rollers (122; 150; 152), each roller is disposed in a cavity and has an axis perpendicular to the first direction; a positioning component provided adjacent to the rollers; a conveyor drive component (126) coupled to the conveyor system, the conveyor drive component is configured to drive the conveyor belt; and a roller coupling surface (124) located adjacent to the conveyor belt and configured to couple the plurality of rollers, characterized in that the positioning component comprises a spacer (144, 160, 170, 240) configured to stop the movement of the objects with respect to the conveyor belt.

Conveyor and method for diverting closely spaced articles

Systems and methods for providing an improved timing conveyor

A conveyor includes a conveyor belt, a plurality of rollers, and a flight. The rollers have lower surfaces configured to engage a roller-engagement surface, and upper surfaces that substantially form a plane, such that the rollers engage the roller-engagement surface and rotate to move an object supported by the rollers over the plane. The flight includes a cam configured to engage a cam surface below the conveyor belt to impart a moment on the flight, and a projection that responds to the moment by rotating from a retracted position to an extended position.

Diagonal sorter

A conveyor system (100) includes a conveyor belt (102) having belt rollers (118) configured to divert articles on the belt (102) and a drive mechanism that engages the belt rollers (118). The drive mechanism is configured to drive the belt rollers (118) and is adjustable to selectively drive the belt rollers (118) in a first angular direction and, optionally, a second, opposite angular direction so that articles can be selectively diverted to either side of the belt at a desired angle. One version of the drive mechanism has drive rollers (308) mounted in cartridges (334) and rack gears (342) engaging pinion gears on the cartridges to adjust the orientation of the drive rollers (308) relative to the belt rollers. Such a conveyor system with a series of sequential roller actuation zones (430) driven by separately actuated drive mechanisms is arranged diagonally to an infeed conveyor (418) and a multi-lane outbound conveyor (424) to realize a switch conveyor.

Belt conveyor with variable angled rollers

Conveyor belt having bidirectional stacked rollers

A conveyor belt (200) having multiple roller sets (201), each roller set (201) including a bottom roller (204) in contact with an axially elongated top roller (202). Driving the bottom roller (204) in a first direction causes rotation of the top roller (202) in an opposite angular direction. The bottom rollers (204) in first longitudinal lanes (198) are arranged to rotate obliquely toward one side of the belt (200), and the bottom rollers (204) in second lanes (198') are arranged to rotate toward the other side of the belt (200). Either the first lanes of roller sets or the second lanes can be selectively actuated to direct articles conveyed atop the top rollers rearward and toward one side of the belt or the other or to receive articles fed onto the belt from either side.

Snap-on position limiter for a conveyor belt

A conveyor employs a low-tension, direct drive conveyor belt, and a snap-on position limiter for ensuring proper engagement of the belt and a drive sprocket. The position limiter includes a body, a limiting surface and a snap clap opposite the limiting surface for snapping the position limiter to a mounting shaft. The position limiter may include a mounting arm for mounting a conveyor belt scraper at the front of the position limiter. Mounting plates at the end of the conveyor support a mounting shaft for mounting the position limiter or other conveyor components in place relative to the drive sprocket.

BELT DRIVER

condutor de correia trata-se de um condutor de correia que tem lances acionados por embreagem (36) para a operação de torque extremamente baixo. os lances têm elementos de pivô (44) que giram em torno de um eixo sobre urna faixa limitada de ângulos. um mecanismo de embreagem inclui urna mola (58) que empurra urna roda de embreagem (32) contra um elemento de pivô. a roda de embreagem é arranjada para girar à medida que o condutor de correia avança. o contato de fricção entre a roda giratória e o elemento de pivô confere um momento ao lance para erguer o mesmo até urna posição estendida. quando o lance é obstruído f mesmo que seja por urna carga leve o mecanismo de baixo torque desliza automaticamente para impedir que o lance seja erguido até a posição estendida. belt conductor is a belt conductor that has clutch-driven throws (36) for extremely low torque operation. the flights have pivot elements (44) that rotate about an axis about a limited range of angles. a clutch mechanism includes a spring (58) which pushes a clutch wheel (32) against a pivot member. The clutch wheel is arranged to rotate as the belt driver advances. The frictional contact between the swivel wheel and the pivot element gives the boom a moment to lift it to an extended position. When the flight is obstructed even by light loading, the low torque mechanism automatically slides to prevent the flight from being raised to the extended position.

Conveyor systems for diverting objects

A conveyor system including a conveyor belt having a plurality of conveyor belt rollers configured to divert objects on the conveyor belt. A roller drive mechanism engages the conveyor belt rollers to actuate the conveyor belt rollers into rotation as the conveyor belt advances. The drive mechanism is adjustable to cause the conveyor belt rollers to rotate in a first angular direction and a second, opposite angular direction so that objects can be selectively diverted to either side of the conveyor belt at a desired diverting angle. The roller drive mechanism has drive rollers mounted in cartridges with pinion gears engaged by rack gears to adjust the orientation of the drive rollers relative to the belt rollers and the engagement of the belt rollers with the drive rollers as a function of the orientation by selective raising and lowering or laterally shifting the drive rollers.

Conveyor belts that have rollers that move objects

Cinta (12, 102, 172) transportadora que comprende: múltiples conjuntos de rodillos a través de la anchura de la cinta, incluyendo cada 5 conjunto de rodillos un primer rodillo (26, 116, 176, 210, 240) y un segundo rodillo (28, 118, 178, 212, 242), estando situados los rodillos primero y segundo en contacto entre sí de manera que accionar uno de los rodillos en un primer sentido angular provoca la rotación del otro rodillo en un segundo sentido angular opuesto, caracterizada porque el primer rodillo se extiende por debajo de una superficie inferior de la cinta y el segundo 10 rodillo se extiende por encima de una superficie superior de la cinta.

Low back-pressure accumulation system

A belt conveyor having upper article-supporting belt rollers that are rotated rearward by rotating lower belt rollers only when the articles are slowed or stopped from advancing with the belt. As the belt advances in a direction of travel, the lower rollers rotate by contact with a bearing surface underlying the belt. The upper rollers have axles whose ends are retained in slots that slope downward in the belt's direction of travel. The slots provide the upper rollers a range of positions between a forward position out of contact with the rotating lower roller and a rearward position contacting the lower roller, which rotates the upper roller rearward relieving back line pressure on accumulated articles.

Material handling solutions for drones

A drone comprises at least one propeller for generating lift and an article containment area for containing an article to be carried by the drone. The floor of the article containment area comprises a dynamic support surface for supporting the article and allowing the article to move into, out of and through the article containment area. The dynamic support surface may be a conveyor belt forming the floor of the article containment area.

Conveyor and method of diverting closely spaced items

Multi-directional roller assembly

A multi-directional roller assembly for directing articles in a conveying system. The multi-directional roller assembly has a rotatable roller frame housing at least one set of mutually-actuating rollers. The multi-directional roller assembly directs an article supported by the assembly along a trajectory determined by the orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly relative to an input force. The orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly may be changed to change the trajectory. A conveyor system may include an array of multi-directional roller assemblies. An actuator controls the orientation of the multi-directional roller assemblies individually and may also control an array of multi-directional roller assemblies as a group.

Roller-belt sorter with control grid

Apparatus and method for sorting a mass flow of articles without collisions between articles. The apparatus includes a sorting conveyor having a plurality of article-supporting belt rollers selectively rotatable in a direction transverse to the direction of belt travel. The belt rollers are selectively rotated in individual grid cells formed along the conveyor's carryway. A control system creates an image of the incoming mass flow, computes trajectories along the sorting conveyor for each package, and actuates or deactuates the belt rollers passing through each grid cell according to the trajectories to orderly and rapidly divert articles off the side of the sorting conveyor.

Systems and methods for diverting objects

In one embodiment, a conveyor system includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of conveyor belt rollers configured to divert objects on the conveyor belt, and a drive mechanism that engages the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being configured to drive the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being adjustable such that the conveyor belt rollers can be selectively driven in a first angular direction and a second, opposite angular direction so that objects can be selectively diverted to either side of the conveyor belt at a desired diverting angle.

Conveyor discharge with diverting rollers

A sorting system having a main sorting conveyor sorting articles to discharge conveyors feeding articles to diverters having freely rotatable, gravity-activated rollers arranged in an inclined plane. The orientations of the rollers are selectably changed to divert articles riding downward along each diverter to different destinations. The main sorting conveyor comprises a roller belt with belt-roller actuators at sorting locations. The belt-roller actuators and the diverters are identical mechanisms.

Systems and Methods for Providing An Improved Timing Conveyor

A conveyor includes a conveyor belt, a plurality of rollers, and a flight. The rollers have lower surfaces configured to engage a roller-engagement surface, and upper surfaces that substantially form a plane, such that the rollers engage the roller-engagement surface and rotate to move an object supported by the rollers over the plane. The flight includes a cam configured to engage a cam surface below the conveyor belt to impart a moment on the flight, and a projection that responds to the moment by rotating from a retracted position to an extended position.

Conveyors, belts, and modules with actuated rollers

A conveyor, a conveyor belt used in the conveyor, and a belt module used to construct the conveyor belt, in which the module includes belt rollers that extend outward of a conveyor surface of the modules to support conveyed articles. The belt rollers are mounted in cavities in the modules that open onto the conveying surface and a recessed surface recessed inward of an outermost surface opposite the conveying surface through the thickness of the modules. Bearing surfaces, such as the peripheries of conveyor rollers underlying the conveyor belt along a carryway run, extend into the conveyor belt past the outer surface to contact the belt rollers. As the belt advances, the belt rollers rotate on the bearing surfaces to push conveyed articles along or across the belt.

Oblique-roller belt conveyor with sideguard

An alignment conveyor for aligning articles along a side of the conveyor without changing their orientation. The conveyor includes a conveyor belt having article-supporting rollers rotating in a direction oblique to the direction of belt travel as the belt advances. The rollers direct the articles to a side of the belt. A sideguard, formed by a series of plates or an array of rotatable elements, advances with the belt in the direction of belt travel and receives and aligns the articles without causing them to rotate on contact.

Conveyor and belt with clutch-driven flights

A belt conveyor having clutch-driven flights (36) for extremely low-torque operation. The flights have pivot members (44) that rotate about an axis over a limited range of angles. A clutch mechanism includes a spring (58) pushing a clutch wheel (32) against a pivot member. The clutch wheel is arranged to rotate as the conveyor belt advances. Prictional contact between the rotating wheel and the pivot member imparts a moment on the flight to raise it to an extended position. When the flight is encumbered even by a light load, the low-torque mechanism automatically slips to prevent the flight from rising to the extended position.

Transverse-roller-belt conveyor and methods for case turning

Apparatus and methods for controlling spacing of conveyed objects.

En una modalidad, el aparato para controlar el espaciamiento de los objetos transportados por un transportador de objetos incluye las paletas (30) que pueden accionarse a partir de un estado plegado a un estado extendido en el cual las paletas se extienden transversalmente a través del transportador de objetos (12), las paletas limitan el recorrido del objeto (0) para controlar su espaciamiento relativo, en donde las paletas se accionan con relativamente poca fuerza de tal manera que una paleta plegada no deberá extenderse una vez que se pone en contacto con un objeto directamente adyacente que ocupa el espacio en el cual la paleta plegada debería normalmente extenderse.

Alignment device for a conveyor

An article conveying system includes an alignment guide that allows larger packages to be spaced inwards from an aligning edge of a conveyor. The alignment guide provides at least two different registration points for packages, depending on the height of the packages. High profile packages, such as large boxes, are inset from an alignment edge of the conveyor, while low profile articles, such as envelopes, are registered against the alignment edge.

Package-culling conveyor system and method

A package -culling conveyor system and a method for culling flat packages from a bulk flow of flat and non-flat packages. The conveyor system includes a tilted conveyor belt (24) conveying flat packages while non-flat packages tumble off its lower side. A high - friction conveying surface or a raised barrier along the length of the conveying surface of the tilted conveyor belt (24) holds flat packages on the tilted belt. The separated packages are more fully culled in a conveyor comprising a roller conveyor belt (36) with belt rollers (38) rotated in a direction to push packages sidewise toward a culling element that extends along the belt's length. Culling elements include powered rollers (55) or vertical walls forming side guards. The culling elements block the non-flat packages from exiting off the side of the belt so that they are conveyed off the end of the belt separate from the flat packages.

Sorter belt conveyor

Apparatus and methods using conveyor belts (12, 14) with activated diverting rollers (28, 28' ) to maintain the leading edge of a conveyed article (10) while changing the conveyance direction. A first conveyor belt (12) advancing in a first direction (22) abuts a second conveyor belt (14) advancing in a second transverse direction (23). Both belts (12, 14) have diverting rollers (28, 28' ) that rotate on axes oblique (30, 30' ) to the conveyance direction. The diverting rollers (28, 28' ) are activated by rolling on underlying bearing surfaces in the vicinity of the junction of the two belts. The diverting rollers (28) in the first belt (12) direct the article (10) toward the second belt (14). The rollers (28) in the second belt (14) direct the article toward a side of the second belt (14). An article lying on both belts simultaneously rotates by the action of the two sets of diverting rollers acting on opposite ends of the article. The orientation of the rollers and their rotation maintain the leading edge of the article.

Systems and methods for providing an improved timing conveyor

A conveyor includes a conveyor belt, a plurality of rollers, and a flight. The rollers have lower surfaces configured to engage a roller-engagement surface, and upper surfaces that substantially form a plane, such that the rollers engage the roller-engagement surface and rotate to move an object supported by the rollers over the plane. The flight includes a cam configured to engage a cam surface below the conveyor belt to impart a moment on the flight, and a projection that responds to the moment by rotating from a retracted position to an extended position.

Conveyor systems for diverting objects

In one embodiment, a conveyor system (300) includes a conveyor belt (302) having a plurality of conveyor belt rollers (304) configured to divert objects (o) on the conveyor belt, and a drive mechanism that engages the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being configured to drive the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being adjustable such that the conveyor belt rollers can be selectively driven in a first angular direction and a second, opposite angular direction so that objects can be selectively diverted to either side of the conveyor belt at a desired diverting angle. One version of the drive mechanism has drive rollers (308) mounted in cartridges (320) and rack gears (342) engaging pinion gears (334) on the cartridges to adjust the orientation of the drive rollers relative to the belt rollers to drive them in selectively opposite angular directions.

Checkpoint system with wheeled bins

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.

Multi-directional roller assembly

A multi-directional roller assembly for directing articles in a conveying system. The multi-directional roller assembly has a rotatable roller frame housing at least one set of mutually-actuating rollers. The multi-directional roller assembly directs an article supported by the assembly along a trajectory determined by the orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly relative to an input force. The orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly may be changed to change the trajectory. A conveyor system may include an array of multi-directional roller assemblies. An actuator controls the orientation of the multi-directional roller assemblies individually and may also control an array of multi-directional roller assemblies as a group.

Apparatus and methods for dynamically controlling the spacing of conveyed objects

A conveying system employs independently controlled flights. The flights are controlled separately from a conveying surface using a linear transport system. The linear transport system allow the position of the flights to be controlled based on a parameter, such as the length of a conveyed object. The flights are pivotally mounted to a mover of the linear transport system and can pivot relative to the conveying surface to allow the flights to fit in a space between an end of carryway and a receptacle.

Schrägrollenbandförderer mit seitenschutz

Conveyor discharge with diverting rollers

A sorting system having a main sorting conveyor sorting articles to discharge conveyors feeding articles to diverters having freely rotatable, gravity-activated rollers arranged in an inclined plane. The orientations of the rollers are selectably changed to divert articles riding downward along each diverter to different destinations. The main sorting conveyor comprises a roller belt with belt-roller actuators at sorting locations. The belt-roller actuators and the diverters are identical mechanisms.

Apparatus and methods for dynamically controlling the spacing of conveyed objects

A conveying system (100) employs independently controlled flights (160). The flights are controlled separately from a conveying surface using a linear transport system. The linear transport system allow the position of the flights to be controlled based on a parameter, such as the length of a conveyed object. The flights are pivotally mounted to a mover of the linear transport system and can pivot relative to the conveying surface to allow the flights to fit in a space between an end of carryway and a receptacle.