An activated roller transfer apparatus for transferring articles between one conveyor and another. The roller transfer apparatus comprises a linear-induction-motor stator as a primary and electrically conductive article-supporting rollers as a secondary. The linear-motor stator generates a traveling magnetic flux wave that induces eddy currents in the rollers. The eddy currents produce magnetic fields that interact with the flux wave to produce forces that rotate the rollers to propel articles across a gap between the ends of the two conveyors. The stator is generally trapezoidal in shape to comport with the shape of the gap.

Conveyor system, for instance for conveying goods, packages and the like including at least two wired motor-roller controllers, each wired motor-roller controller having at least one motor-roller control port and at least one wired signal bus port, at least two wireless motor-roller controllers, each wireless motor-roller controller having at least one motor-roller control port and a wireless port, and the two wired motor-roller controllers being connected in series along the signal bus via the signal bus port, characterized in that at each wired motor-roller controller senses a signal strength of wireless signals of the wireless motor-roller controllers, and the wired motor-roller controllers exchange information about the sensed signal strengths.

Conveyor system, for instance for conveying goods, packages and the like including at least two wired motor-roller controllers, each wired motor-roller controller having at least one motor-roller control port and at least one wired signal bus port, at least two wireless motor-roller controllers, each wireless motor-roller controller having at least one motor-roller control port and a wireless port, and the two wired motor-roller controllers being connected in series along the signal bus via the signal bus port, characterized in that at each wired motor-roller controller senses a signal strength of wireless signals of the wireless motor-roller controllers, and the wired motor-roller controllers exchange information about the sensed signal strengths.

Various embodiments are directed to a conveyor assembly and method of using the same. In various embodiments, a conveyor assembly may comprise a plurality of rollers defining a conveyor section configured for transporting one or more objects disposed thereon along a transportation path, wherein the plurality of rollers comprises a drive roller, the drive roller being selectively configurable between a first operating condition and a second operating condition; and a controller configured to generate one or more control signals to control the drive roller; wherein the conveyor section is selectively configurable between a single-zone configuration and a dual-zone configuration based on the configuration of the drive roller in one of the first operating condition and the second operating condition, the dual-zone configuration being defined by the drive roller selectively driving operation of a first conveyor zone and a second conveyor zone defined within the conveyor section independently of one another.

Various embodiments are directed to a conveyor assembly and method of using the same. In various embodiments, a conveyor assembly may comprise a plurality of rollers defining a conveyor section configured for transporting one or more objects disposed thereon along a transportation path, wherein the plurality of rollers comprises a drive roller, the drive roller being selectively configurable between a first operating condition and a second operating condition; and a controller configured to generate one or more control signals to control the drive roller; wherein the conveyor section is selectively configurable between a single-zone configuration and a dual-zone configuration based on the configuration of the drive roller in one of the first operating condition and the second operating condition, the dual-zone configuration being defined by the drive roller selectively driving operation of a first conveyor zone and a second conveyor zone defined within the conveyor section independently of one another.

A package handling diverter, merge and sorter for package sortation is disclosed. The system includes at least one base frame with individual, cellular and autonomous pivot wheels mounted to the frame, in plurality, and can be combined together to form a complete sortation system. Each autonomous pivot wheel is a cellular design possessing its own drive motors so each can perform autonomously, yet in concert with other autonomous pivot wheels. The system is cable of diverting, merging and sorting packages. The autonomous pivot wheels are interactively coupled for communication therebetween whereby packages are selectively moved about configurable paths.

A package handling diverter, merge and sorter for package sortation is disclosed. The system includes at least one base frame with individual, cellular and autonomous pivot wheels mounted to the frame, in plurality, and can be combined together to form a complete sortation system. Each autonomous pivot wheel is a cellular design possessing its own drive motors so each can perform autonomously, yet in concert with other autonomous pivot wheels. The system is cable of diverting, merging and sorting packages. The autonomous pivot wheels are interactively coupled for communication therebetween whereby packages are selectively moved about configurable paths.

The present invention provides an improved conveyor system that provides for a magnetically driven conveyor system in which a sidewall of the conveyor may have minimal or no perforations therein for connecting rollers or other conveying structures in the conveyor bed to an external driving mechanism. The conveyor system may also provide gapless or nearly gapless roller bed that prevents or reduces the accumulation of debris and contaminants in and between the hardware of the conveyor bed. The system of the present invention may provide a more efficient and sanitary conveyor system for produce washing or other food processing application that requires less maintenance.

The present invention provides an improved conveyor system that provides for a magnetically driven conveyor system in which a sidewall of the conveyor may have minimal or no perforations therein for connecting rollers or other conveying structures in the conveyor bed to an external driving mechanism. The conveyor system may also provide gapless or nearly gapless roller bed that prevents or reduces the accumulation of debris and contaminants in and between the hardware of the conveyor bed. The system of the present invention may provide a more efficient and sanitary conveyor system for produce washing or other food processing application that requires less maintenance.

A lift roller may include a hub having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a radially outward surface. The hub may define a channel extending through the hub from the first surface to the second surface. The lift roller may also include a rim portion rotatably disposed about the radially outward surface of the hub and a boss disposed on one of the first surface and the second surface.