A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.

A beam trolley having a width adjustment system includes a first side plate having two or more wheels configured to couple with a beam (which may have an I-beam, wide flange (W-type) I-beam, or standard (S-type) I-beam configuration). A second side plate having two or more wheels coupled thereon is configured to couple with the beam. A main load bar couples with the first and second side plates and includes a threaded shaft having a first alignment surface. A threaded hand wheel couples with the threaded shaft and is configured to move the threaded shaft relative to the first and/or second side plate(s) in response to manual rotation of the threaded hand wheel to adjust a distance between the first and second side plates. An aligner couples with one of the side plates and includes a surface engaging the first alignment surface to prevent rotation of the main load bar.

A conveyor system (4, 5) moves vertical poles (2) in an agricultural facility between a growing area (20) and a workstation (W). Each pole carries plant growing containers (3) at multiple levels (H1-H9). An irrigation reservoir (30) may be mounted on each pole. Irrigation lines (31-33) from the reservoir may be individually metered (35) at each level to compensate for differing water pressure with height. Sensors (40) in the reservoir and at each level of the poles may provide a controller (36) with data input. The controller may impose different growing conditions in different areas of the facility, including vertically different grow areas (20A, 20B), and controls pole movements and locations selectively to provide a sequence of poles at the workstation ready to harvest on a demand schedule. The workstation may have multiple heights (W1, W2, W3) for tall poles that increase plant density per facility footprint.

A transport bag (2) includes a closure device (56) in the lower section for detachably connecting the front wall (4) to the rear wall (5) in the closure state (21) for receiving the conveying good (39) and for releasing the connection from the closure state (21) into the open state (22) for releasing the conveying good (39). The locking of the closure device (56) is performed with the aid of an electric drive (10) which is preferably a low-cost solenoid with a spring return. The solenoid is connected to an electric line (15) by means of the electric contacts (14) located in the upper section of the suspension device (1). The reversible closing lock (18) is achieved with the aid of the spring of the solenoid. For the opening of the closure device (56), the solenoid is switched for a short time and the reversible closing lock (18) is released. The switching takes place in the unloading station (49) by supplying electric current to the electric contacts (14) with the aid of the electric switching contacts (31) of the unloading station (49). Additional advantages are offered by the uncomplicated efficient closing station (51) for closing the transport bags (2) with the aid of a lifting ramp (38). Additionally, the transport bag (2) can be folded in the conveying direction, and forms, in the unloaded state, a minimum depth resulting in an efficient utilization of the transport tracks (FIG. 13).

A transport pocket for the suspended transport of a transport item along a conveying direction via a suspended conveying device includes a pocket rear wall and a pouch wall that, together with the pocket rear wall, form a receiving compartment for the transport item. The receiving compartment forms a receiving opening for the transport item and is designed to assume an open position and a space-saving compact position. A fastener connects the transport pocket to a conveying member of the suspended conveying device. A cam element, which can interact with an activation device of the suspended conveying device, which is designed as a cam guide, and via which cam guide the receiving compartment can be moved into the open position or be held in this. The at least one cam element is arranged on the pouch wall of the transport pocket.

A conveyor system (4, 5) moves vertical poles (2) in an agricultural facility between a growing area (20) and a workstation (W). Each pole carries plant growing containers (3) at multiple levels (H1-H9). An irrigation reservoir (30) may be mounted atop each pole. Irrigation lines (31-33) from the reservoir may be individually metered (35) at each level to compensate for differing water pressure with height. Sensors (40) in the reservoir and at each level of the poles may provide a controller (36) with data input. The controller may impose different growing conditions in different areas of the facility, including vertically different grow areas (20A, 20B), and controls pole movements and locations selectively to provide a sequence of poles at the workstation ready to harvest on a demand schedule. The workstation may have multiple heights (W1, W2, W3) for tall poles that increase plant density per facility footprint.

A carrier (230) for a honeycomb body (220) and a method for manufacturing a honeycomb body(220) are provided. The carrier (230) comprises a first side support (234), a second side support (236), and a flexible sheet (240) suspended between the first (234) and second (236) side supports for supporting the honeycomb body (220). The method comprises placing a green honeycomb body (220) on the flexible sheet (240) and transporting the green honeycomb body (220).

A transport bag for the hanging transportation of goods by a transport device extending in a transport direction, the transport bag having a rear wall oriented in a transverse direction to the transport direction and a front wall oriented in a transverse direction to the transport direction, which are moveably connected to one another at an upper bag end and a lower bag end in such a way that the front wall can move relative to the rear wall between a filling position in which same is at a first distance to the rear wall, and an empty position in which same is at a second distance to the rear wall, which second distance is smaller than the first distance, and which transport bag can be connected in a hanging manner to the transport device by a connection means attached at the top on the rear wall.

A conveyor system including a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path, and a plurality of automated conveyor carriers supported on the rail. Each carrier includes an on-board motor, at least one wheel forming an interface with the rail, and an on-board power source selectively powering the on-board motor to drive the ACC along the rail. Each of the plurality of carriers operates to power the on-board motor from the on-board power source under the direction of instructions programmed to a local controller. Each of the local controllers is programmed with an algorithm for independent wear monitoring of the at least one wheel and further programmed to take at least one responsive action based on an identification of the at least one wheel being worn.

A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.