A two-axis modular belt comprising two orthogonal belt loops intersecting at a union on a carryway. The belt is constructed of rectangular belt modules arranged in rows and columns. The modules are interconnected by hinge elements that allow columns of an advancing belt loop to translate relative to the rows of the other stationary belt loop.

A two-axis modular belt comprising two orthogonal belt loops intersecting at a union on a carryway. The belt is constructed of rectangular belt modules arranged in rows and columns. The modules are interconnected by hinge elements that allow columns of an advancing belt loop to translate relative to the rows of the other stationary belt loop.

A container clamping and holding arrangement for moving containers, such as bottles, cans, and similar containers, for holding products, such as beverages. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

A transport device having a plate; a conveyor to transport articles; a pusher to push and move a row of articles on the conveyor onto the plate; and a stopper to prevent the articles from being moved by the conveyor and to define the start of a row of articles being moved onto the plate by the pusher. The conveyor causes the positions of rows of articles stopped by the stopper to move alternately so that the positions of rows of articles moved onto the plate are shifted alternately.

A transport device having a plate; a conveyor to transport articles; a pusher to push and move a row of articles on the conveyor onto the plate; and a stopper to prevent the articles from being moved by the conveyor and to define the start of a row of articles being moved onto the plate by the pusher. The conveyor causes the positions of rows of articles stopped by the stopper to move alternately so that the positions of rows of articles moved onto the plate are shifted alternately.

A picking facility includes a first conveyor that transports a container containing an article, a picking apparatus that takes out a target article from the container, a second conveyor that transports the target article that has been taken out, and a working space. The working space is provided on a side opposite to the second conveyor with the first conveyor being located between the working space and the second conveyor. The picking apparatus is arranged at a position that overlaps at least one of the first conveyor and the second conveyor and does not overlap the working space in a plan view.

A picking facility includes a first conveyor that transports a container containing an article, a picking apparatus that takes out a target article from the container, a second conveyor that transports the target article that has been taken out, and a working space. The working space is provided on a side opposite to the second conveyor with the first conveyor being located between the working space and the second conveyor. The picking apparatus is arranged at a position that overlaps at least one of the first conveyor and the second conveyor and does not overlap the working space in a plan view.

Systems and techniques for a sensor carrier, and intelligent track infrastructure for the navigation and operation of the sensor carrier are described. The sensor carrier is an autonomous robot navigating a track. The carrier holds cameras and other sensors to receive horticultural images and telemetry for plants in a grow operation. The carrier reads embedded signals in the track including Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tags, embedded positioning magnets, and drilled hole patterns for a beam breaking system to determine navigation and operation. For tracks placed at sharp angles, a transfer station with wall guards to prevent the carrier from falling enable safe transfers from different track segments. Additional features include an emergency stop (e-stop) switch and power management for autonomous sensor carriers.

Systems and techniques for a sensor carrier, and intelligent track infrastructure for the navigation and operation of the sensor carrier are described. The sensor carrier is an autonomous robot navigating a track. The carrier holds cameras and other sensors to receive horticultural images and telemetry for plants in a grow operation. The carrier reads embedded signals in the track including Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tags, embedded positioning magnets, and drilled hole patterns for a beam breaking system to determine navigation and operation. For tracks placed at sharp angles, a transfer station with wall guards to prevent the carrier from falling enable safe transfers from different track segments. Additional features include an emergency stop (e-stop) switch and power management for autonomous sensor carriers.

A transfer apparatus (1) for transferring a plurality of discrete articles (3) between a first location and a second location is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a transfer beam (9) comprising at least one article receiving means (10), adapted to be positioned adjacent the first location (7a) to receive at least one article. The transfer beam is also adapted to be adjacent the second location (7b) to discharge the at least one article. First and second bridging conveyors (12a; 12b) are located adjacent the second location and spaced apart such that the transfer beam is movable between the first and second bridging conveyors. A method of transferring articles using such an apparatus is also disclosed. Preferably the articles are abrasive discs.