Abstract:
The present invention relates to a material handling system (10) for use in seamed article fabrication which comprises a configurable track module (20) having a plurality of directional track sections (201, 202, 203, 203a, 204, 204a), the sections being detachably connectable with each other to form a desired track layout, and a plurality of transporters (40) detachably mounted to the track sections for conveying materials between work stations. Each of the transporters (40) is provided with an electromechanical switching means (42) that enables the transporter to navigate automatically from one track section to another track section. In use, the electromechanical switching means (42) is activated to shift the direction of the transporter (40) and enables the transporter to divert from one track section to another track section automatically. Advantageously, the material handling system (10) provides a simple, flexible and configurable track module (20) which is comparatively inexpensive and easy in construction. Additionally, it also provides a transporter (40) which operates accurately and can be installed and dismantled easily and quickly onto and from a track section (201, 202, 203, 203a, 204, 204a).
Abstract:
A conveyor system (10) for transporting items in a first direction and diverting the items to one of a plurality of stations (50, 52). The system comprises at least one diverter region (DR), and a diverter (16) arranged in the one of the at least one diverter regions. The diverter diverts the items transported by the conveyor in the first direction to one of the plurality of stations (50-1, 2, 3 and 52-1, 2, 3) adjacent said diverter that are spaced from one another in the first direction, when positioned in a diverter region of the conveyor, in response to a fire signal. The conveyor system further includes a source of destination information (46) identifying one of the plurality of stations to which the items transported by the conveyor are to be diverted. The conveyor system also includes a controller system (40) connected to the at least one diverter and the source for generating, and providing to said at least one diverter, a fire signal for each item transported by the conveyor based on destination information from the source regarding which one of the plurality of stations the item is to be diverted. Further, the conveyor system is capable of activating the diverter so as to divert items when the item is aligned with either a central axis (A) or a divert axis (B), as a function of item length L I .
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for x-raying items, particularly items of luggage, during conveyance on a conveyor belt, on which the items are transported in multiple-compartment containers consisting of a bottom part guided on the conveyor and an cup-shaped upper part receiving the items that can be detached from the bottom part. The invention is characterized in that the conveyor belt is divided into two conveyor paths in the area of the x-ray station. The first conveyor path transports the items through the x-ray station in the cup-shaped upper part that can be detached from the bottom part and the second conveyor path transports the detached bottom part in front of the x-ray station. Both conveyor paths merge once again into a single conveyor belt in the area behind the x-ray station, in which the cup-shaped upper part and the bottom part are reassembled into a single unit. The invention also relates to multiple-compartment containers for transporting items to be x-rayed and to a locking system for the cup-shaped upper part and bottom part of the container which can be detached from one another.
Abstract:
In the present invention, resource allocation within a conveyor system (100, AB 105, CD 110, EF 115, GH 120 and 201-214) is accomplished through the use of a modular control architecture (701, 801) where the software controlling each autonomous zone in the conveyor is identical and communicates only with the software controlling its direct neighbors.
Abstract:
A garment sorter for semi-automating the sorting of bulk used clothing, and a method of sorting such clothing. Bales (30) of clothing are uncompressed, and single articles (47) of clothing are fed to an operator at the identification conveyor (44). Equally, the system can be used for sorting loose clothing. The operator identifies the article (47) verbally, or by keypad entry. Voice recognition software, or other appropriate application software, recognizes the identification, and associates an address with the identified article. The article is then fed to a compacting device (46) that ensures that it is retained within a certain length along a transfer conveyor (20). The compacted article is then transported to transfer station (22) where a pneumatic pusher, under the control of a PLC, pushes the identified article off the conveyor into a bin, or secondary sort system.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a conveyor system and the operation of a conveyor system for conveying articles, such as e.g. baggage at an airport, in which system a buffer arrangement is provided for storing and pre-sorting of at least a part of the article-flow through the system. A conveyor system for conveying and sorting articles for a number of different destinations may be operated with a much lower number of stations for discharging the articles if the possibility of pre-sorting and temporarily storing the articles exists within the system. In particular, the invention concerns a storage rack for storing articles and a conveyor system comprising such a storage rack.
Abstract:
Coded articles are conveyed to a scanner where the codes are read. Articles which have been properly scanned are conveyed to respective branch lines in accordance with information gleaned from the codes. Articles which have been improperly scanned are diverted to a recycle conveyor by a recycle diverter device and are re-routed through the scanner for being rescanned. Those steps are repeated for a period of time, whereupon improperly scanned articles which have accumulated on the recycle conveyor are automatically purged therefrom by periodically deactivating the recycle diverter device for a preset time period. That enables the accumulated improperly scanned articles to be conveyed to a collection zone for manual inspection.
Abstract:
Pallet for a conveyor system comprising a conveyor track, where the pallet comprises a housing having an upper side adapted to support an object, and an underside opposite to the upper side, where the underside is adapted to bear on a conveyor track, where the housing comprises a front side, a rear side, a right side and a left side, where the pallet comprises a rechargeable power source, a control unit, a wireless communication means and a plurality of actuating means arranged to be controlled by the control unit, where the actuating means are adapted to extend out of the housing or to retract into the housing by a control signal from the control unit. The advantage of the invention is that a self-contained pallet is provided, which can navigate through a conveyor system without the need of dedicated diverters.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and a device for individual feeding of fish into a processing line. Such method and device may, for instance, be used for receiving, gilling and gutting freshly caught fish in a processing line on board a fishing vessel. For instance, the in-feeding apparatus and method may be used to increase the value of the fish by speeding up the time until the fish is chilled for storing.
Abstract:
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Berechnung eines förderzeitoptimierten Objektpfads zur Beförderung eines Objekts von einem wählbaren Startpunkt zu einem wählbaren Zielpunkt in einem Objektfördersystem, bei welchem eine voraussichtliche Wartezeit vor Stauknoten auf Basis von Zählwerten von den Stauknoten zugeordneten Zählern ermittelt und ein Objektpfad unter Berücksichtigung der Gesamtförderzeit entlang der im Objektpfad enthaltenen Förderstrecken und der voraussichtlichen Wartezeiten an Stauknoten ermittelt und einem Objekt zugewiesen wird.