A linear motor conveyor system with alternate drive. The system includes: at least one linear motor track section; at least one alternate drive track section having the same configuration as the linear motor track section but incorporating an alternate drive mechanism; a plurality of moving elements configured to move along the linear motor track section and alternate drive track section; and a control system for controlling the moving elements to move on the linear motor track section and the alternative drive track section. The alternate drive track section may include: a belt drive including a belt, a belt drive motor and a friction element on the moving element to engage with the belt such that movement of the belt causes the moving element to move along the track section due to friction. The alternate drive track section may alternatively include a simplified linear motor track section.

An automated storing and picking system for packaged goods is provided. The system includes storage shelves with storage areas, at least one storage and retrieval apparatus, and at least one conveyor belt. At least one blocking device having a barrier is arranged downstream of a receiving section of the conveyor belt. A control device controls the storage and retrieval apparatus and the conveyor belt such that the packaged goods belonging to a first pack are transported to a first dispensing location and the packaged goods belonging to a subsequent pack are transported to a second dispensing location and/or are subsequently transported to the first dispensing location, such that the first pack lies downstream of the subsequent pack on the conveyor belt. The control device controls the blocking device to accumulate the first pack behind the barrier, release the first pack for transport, and to then accumulate the subsequent pack behind the barrier.

Various embodiments are directed to a tote stop assembly configured for a conveyor assembly and methods of operating the same. In various embodiments, the tote stop assembly comprises a cam assembly comprising a cam element secured relative to an outer surface of a drive roller, the drive roller being configured to cause motor-driven rotation of the cam element about a central axis of the drive roller; and a tote stop component comprising a cam follower configured for physical engagement with the cam element such that the motor-driven rotation of the cam element causes vertical movement of the tote stop component between raised and lowered positions; the tote stop assembly being configurable in an actuated configuration to selectively obstruct an object from moving along a conveyor path based on an operation of the drive roller, the actuated configuration being defined by the tote stop component being arranged in the raised position.

A pallet conveying device includes a circulating belt provided to extend along a conveying path so as to be capable of being circulated, the circulating belt being configured to convey a pallet, a driving mechanism configured to circulate the circulating belt, and a stopper mechanism configured to stop conveying of the pallet regardless of the circulation of the circulating belt. The circulating belt has a free flow belt capable of stopping the conveying of the pallet by the stopper mechanism, and a conveying belt provided continuously to the free flow belt. A circulating speed of the conveying belt is different from a circulating speed of the free flow belt.

A novel food ingredient dispenser unit (DiU) for an automated-cooking-apparatus is disclosed. Embodiments of the novel DiU may comprise a food-ingredient-cartridge (FIC) and a conveying-screw (CoS). The CoS can be configured to be associated with the FIC and to convey food ingredients from the FIC toward an opening of the DiU. In addition a first end of the CoS is associated with a cork that is configured to block the opening of the DiU when the DiU is not-active. Further, the CoS can be moved in a linear motion in order to open the DiU.

Various embodiments are directed to a tote stop assembly configured for a conveyor assembly and methods of operating the same. In various embodiments, the tote stop assembly comprises a cam assembly comprising a cam element secured relative to an outer surface of a drive roller, the drive roller being configured to cause motor-driven rotation of the cam element about a central axis of the drive roller; and a tote stop component comprising a cam follower configured for physical engagement with the cam element such that the motor-driven rotation of the cam element causes vertical movement of the tote stop component between raised and lowered positions; the tote stop assembly being configurable in an actuated configuration to selectively obstruct an object from moving along a conveyor path based on an operation of the drive roller, the actuated configuration being defined by the tote stop component being arranged in the raised position.

An automated storing and picking system for packaged goods is provided. The system includes storage shelves with storage areas, at least one storage and retrieval apparatus, and at least one conveyor belt. At least one blocking device having a barrier is arranged downstream of a receiving section of the conveyor belt. A control device controls the storage and retrieval apparatus and the conveyor belt such that the packaged goods belonging to a first pack are transported to a first dispensing location and the packaged goods belonging to a subsequent pack are transported to a second dispensing location and/or are subsequently transported to the first dispensing location, such that the first pack lies downstream of the subsequent pack on the conveyor belt. The control device controls the blocking device to accumulate the first pack behind the barrier, release the first pack for transport, and to then accumulate the subsequent pack behind the barrier.

An article sorting apparatus includes a conveyance path, a conveyor cell, a loading device, a positioning device, a sorting unit and a control device. The conveyor cell moves along the conveyance path in a first conveyance direction and conveys an article loaded thereon in a second conveyance direction that intersects the first conveyance direction. The loading device loads the article onto the conveyor cell. The positioning device is located opposite the loading device with respect to the conveyance path. The positioning device includes a contact member and a driving unit. The driving unit drives the contact member in the second conveyance direction and brings it into contact with the article loaded onto the conveyor cell. The sorting unit receives the article conveyed by the conveyor cell. The control device controls conveyance of the article in the second conveyance direction. The control device controls the driving unit of the positioning device.

An automated storing and picking system for packaged goods is provided. The system includes storage shelves with storage areas, at least one storage and retrieval apparatus, and at least one conveyor belt. At least one blocking device having a barrier is arranged downstream of a receiving section of the conveyor belt. A control device controls the storage and retrieval apparatus and the conveyor belt such that the packaged goods belonging to a first pack are transported to a first dispensing location and the packaged goods belonging to a subsequent pack are transported to a second dispensing location and/or are subsequently transported to the first dispensing location, such that the first pack lies downstream of the subsequent pack on the conveyor belt. The control device controls the blocking device to accumulate the first pack behind the barrier, release the first pack for transport, and to then accumulate the subsequent pack behind the barrier.

An article sorting apparatus includes a conveyance path, a conveyor cell, a loading device, a positioning device, a sorting unit and a control device. The conveyor cell moves along the conveyance path in a first conveyance direction and conveys an article loaded thereon in a second conveyance direction that intersects the first conveyance direction. The loading device loads the article onto the conveyor cell. The positioning device is located opposite the loading device with respect to the conveyance path. The positioning device includes a contact member and a driving unit. The driving unit drives the contact member in the second conveyance direction and brings it into contact with the article loaded onto the conveyor cell. The sorting unit receives the article conveyed by the conveyor cell. The control device controls conveyance of the article in the second conveyance direction. The control device controls the driving unit of the positioning device.