A bin exchange system is disclosed that includes a plurality of automated carriers, each of which is adapted to be remotely movable on an array of track sections, at least one input station by which bins may be introduced to the array of track sections, at least one processing station in communication with the array of track sections wherein objects may be moved between bins, and at least one output station by which bins may be removed from the array of track sections.

A packaging sizer can receive and segment packaging into two or more segments. The packaging sizer can receive the packaging on a conveyance surface and convey the packaging to a position for segmenting. A segmenting assembly can segment the packaging to form two or more segments. The resulting segments can be directed in different directions for different purposes. For example, one or more of the segments can be removed from the packaging sizer and one or more segments can be moved to a position for manipulation by a packaging manipulator.

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 method of operating a conveyor system includes providing a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path, the rail supporting first and second consecutive automated conveyor carriers (ACC), each of which includes a motor-powered self-driving trolley. First and second loads are suspended from the first and second ACCs. The first and second ACCs are driven independently along the rail by executing instructions from independent on-board controllers of the first and second ACCs, wherein a first spacing between the first and second ACCs is maintained through a first section of the rail. The first ACC is accelerated away from the second ACC to increase the spacing from the first spacing to a second spacing for navigating a second section of the rail, the second section being a curved section.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) apparatus includes a housing, an RFID reader, and one or more RFID antennas disposed in the housing. The housing includes a first opening, a second opening, and a tunnel between the first and second openings. The housing is configured to be disposed over a track configured to transport a garment on hanger through the tunnel. The RFID antennas are configured to generate a first RFID signal substantially in the tunnel to interrogate an RFID tag associated with a garment on hanger as it transits through the tunnel. The RFID reader receives a second RFID signal transmitted by the RFID tag in response to receiving the first RFID signal. The RFID apparatus can include a segment of the track. The track can include a trolley configured to secure one or more garments on hangers. The trolley can include an RFID tag.

A device for transferring units of goods has a suspended conveyor system on which conveyor units can be conveyed in a suspended manner along a continuous conveyor path. In an entry region, supplied conveyor units can be provided for further processing. Downstream of said entry region, a transfer device is provided in a transfer region, with which units of goods can be transferred into and/or out of a conveyor unit located in the transfer region. Downstream of said transfer region, processed conveyor units can be provided in an exit region for further use. The absolute alignment in space of a conveyor unit in the entry region and in the transfer region are substantially the same, and the relative alignment in relation to the conveying direction in the entry region and the transfer region are substantially different. Alternatively or additionally, the absolute alignment in space of a conveyor unit in the transfer region and in the exit region are substantially the same, and the relative alignment in relation to the conveying direction in the transfer region and in the exit region are substantially different.

A roller track includes a base, parallel guides, roller support bars placed into their respective guides, and a plurality of rollers removably disposed between the roller support bars. The roller support bars preferably are removably secured to the base via the respective guides which are affixed to the base. The base also can be provided with connecting elements sidewalls thereof such that a plurality of bases of roller tracks can be connected laterally to accommodate any width of shelf or display planogram. Thus, the roller tracks can be used either separately roller tracks or as a continuous mat (i.e. a plurality of roller tracks affixed to adjacent roller tracks). Additionally, dividers can be removably affixed to each roller track via securing members comprising an upper body portion formed via a living hinge and at least one lower connector that removably connects the securing member to the roller track.

A transportation device for fruit and vegetable picking in a solar greenhouse is provided, which may include a guide rail, a moving mechanism and a picking box. The guide rail is horizontally fixed on side surfaces of multiple supporting columns in the solar greenhouse, an upper side and a lower side of the guide rail are respectively provided with horizontally extended sliding grooves, and a top of the moving mechanism is slidably connected to the guide rail through the sliding grooves, and the picking box is hung at a bottom of the moving mechanism. The transportation device is used to hang the picking box at a bottom of the moving mechanism, so that the moving mechanism can carry the picking box to move along the sliding grooves to transport the picking box to a destination, thereby saving time, saving labor and reducing a labor cost.

A transport bag (10) for a suspended conveyor system, particularly a rail-guided conveyor system or a transport chain conveyor system, has a conveyor member, particularly a carriage (20) of a rail-guided (41) conveyor system or a conveyor chain link of a transport chain conveyor system, and a transport bag (10) having a receiving region for receiving one or a plurality of units of goods (91). The transport bag is attached, via a suspension means (17), in a suspended manner to a carrying means (23) of the conveyor member. The transport bag has two frame brackets (15, 16) which are pivotally connected to the suspension means. The two frame brackets (15, 16) are substantially 2-fold rotationally symmetrical to one another, but not mirror symmetrical to one another.

The invention relates to an article container (2) for an overhead conveying device for transporting an article (4), with a bag body that can be adjusted between a transport position and a loading and/or unloading position, which bag body comprises a front wall (30) and a rear wall (31) made from a flexible material, a loading and/or unloading opening (34) formed on a first side of the bag body at least in regions between the front and rear wall, a side wall stop (46) formed on a second side of the bag body at least in some regions between the front wall and a rear wall, against which side wall stop (46) the article can be placed. The front wall forms a first front wall section (35a) and a second front wall section (35b) and comprises a base plate (36) in the first front wall section (35a). The rear wall comprises a first rear wall section (45a) and a second rear wall section (45b). The first rear wall section forms a transport rest (75) sloping in the direction of the side wall stop (46) when the bag body is in the transport position. Moreover, the invention relates to an unloading station (104) for automatic unloading of an article container.