A method for automatically stacking packages of different sizes in layers on a support in a specified spatial arrangement so as to form a stack by determining the order and spatial position of the packages of different sizes in the stack to be formed in a computer-assisted manner, including by placing the individual packages in an order by a conveyor system, and transporting the packages to be loaded from the conveyor system to the pre-calculated spatial positions on the support or the stack being formed on the support using the handling means of a stacking device. The specified order and the specified spatial position of the packages are used to computationally check whether at least two packages following each other on a conveyor system path leading to the stacking device can be transported together to the pre-calculated spatial positions by the handling means.

Disclosed aspects relate to a conveyance system and method for conveying a plurality of object carriers. The conveyance system comprises at least one first conveyor lane section, and at least, two second conveyor lane sections. The conveyance system further comprises a rotatable diverting element for diverting an object carrier of the plurality of object carriers between the at least one first conveyor lane section and one of the at least two second conveyor lane sections of the conveyance system.

A conveyor system includes at least one conveyor table and an awareness flag mechanism. The awareness flag mechanism includes a support rod mounted to the at least one conveyor table and extending outwardly therefrom in a cross-conveying direction. A counterweight assembly includes a support shaft pivotally connected to the support rod. The support shaft has a resiliently flexible portion. Aa counterweight is located at a lower end of the support shaft. Aa flag is located at an opposite, upper end of the support shaft. The counterweight biases the counterweight assembly toward an upright, awareness configuration where the flag is located above a conveying surface of the at least one conveyor table.

A method of adjusting accelerations within a packaging machine includes determining the dimensions and frictional coefficients of each product or group of products that are placed on a product feeder 106. Acceleration profiles of first and second drive lines 200, 202 can be adjusted to ensure that the products are moved through the packaging machine at appropriate speeds and accelerations. The method may ensure that the products maintain proper positions throughout the packaging process so that the products are not damaged, and the packaging process is not hindered. A packaging machine with means for determining the coefficient of friction associated with a product is also provided.

An arrangement to maintain alignment of a moving conveyor belt. The arrangement includes a sensing assembly arranged for sensing a position or movement of a portion or region of the belt, and an actuator assembly having one or more actuator modules operable so as to adjust or modify a position, alignment, or orientation of a portion or region of a support assembly in order to counter and/or correct an alignment of the belt based on, at least in part, the sensed position or movement of the belt.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas that are positioned along the path. Along the path, the vehicles are scanned to determine if any item on the vehicles extends beyond a dimensional constraint. If it is determined that an item on a vehicle extends above the pre-determined threshold, the vehicle is controlled, such as by stopping or re-directing the vehicle. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

A conveyor and process for transporting products, wherein a carrier with an associated product holder can be moved along a conveying path by means of a conveyor element. In a processing position, the carrier can be aligned by means of first alignment elements, and second alignment elements are provided for aligning the product holder for disengagement from the carrier.

Disclosed is a device and method for distributed detection of straightness of a working face of a scraper conveyor based on optical fiber sensing. The device includes a broadband light source, a first optical fiber circulator array, a second optical fiber circulator array, a collimator array, a reflecting film array, a third optical fiber circulator array, and an optical path analyzer. During transmission of light emitted from the broadband light source, the light with different wavelengths is separated via several optical gratings etched on a single-mode optical fiber (SMF), and reaches reflecting films adhered to the working face of the scraper conveyor through first optical fiber circulators, second optical fiber circulators, and collimators. The light with the different wavelengths is then reflected back from the reflecting films, enters the SMF through third optical fiber circulators, and finally enters the optical path analyzer.

A system is provided. The system includes a conveyor apparatus configured for conveying a material and a water content measurement system positioned about the conveyor apparatus for determining water content in the material. A dimension characteristic measurement system for detecting one or more dimension characteristics of the material is provided and a computer device is configured to manipulate data received from the water content measurement system and the dimension characteristic measurement system to determine a water content of the material.

An arrangement to maintain alignment of a moving conveyor belt. The arrangement includes a sensing assembly arranged for sensing a position or movement of a portion or region of the belt, and an actuator assembly having one or more actuator modules operable so as to adjust or modify a position, alignment, or orientation of a portion or region of a support assembly in order to counter and/or correct an alignment of the belt based on, at least in part, the sensed position or movement of the belt.