A transporter includes: a first conveyor to receive an object, the first conveyor to convey the object in a first direction; and a second conveyor to receive the object from the first conveyor and to convey the object, the second conveyor being movable in position in a second direction that crosses the first direction, the second direction being a substantially vertical direction.

An apparatus for sorting parcels is described comprising a transport surface configured to convey parcels between a first end and a second end thereof. An opening defined in the transport surface is dimensioned to receive one or more of the parcels therethrough. The transport surface comprises a plurality of surface segments having a selected geometry and surface characteristics for controlling speeds of the parcels as they are conveyed. The apparatus further comprises a routing manifold having a chute having an inlet registered with the opening, a plurality of outlets coupled to the inlet, and a first diverter system comprising one or more diverters disposed in the routing manifold and operable to selectively direct the received parcels toward any outlet of the plurality of outlets. The one or more diverters may be responsive to destination information associated with the individual parcels.

An apparatus for sorting parcels is described comprising a transport surface configured to convey parcels between a first end and a second end thereof. An opening defined in the transport surface is dimensioned to receive one or more of the parcels therethrough. The transport surface comprises a plurality of surface segments having a selected geometry and surface characteristics for controlling speeds of the parcels as they are conveyed. The apparatus further comprises a routing manifold having a chute having an inlet registered with the opening, a plurality of outlets coupled to the inlet, and a first diverter system comprising one or more diverters disposed in the routing manifold and operable to selectively direct the received parcels toward any outlet of the plurality of outlets. The one or more diverters may be responsive to destination information associated with the individual parcels.

An apparatus is for conveying cases from an upstream end to one of a first downstream end and a second downstream end. The apparatus includes a conveyor and a diverter assembly that receives the case and dispenses the case toward the first downstream end or the second downstream end. The diverter assembly is pivotable to thereby direct the case toward the first downstream end or the second downstream end, and the diverter assembly is configured to clamp the case to thereby stop conveyance of the case as the diverter assembly pivots and also pivot the case to clear an obstruction presented by an adjacent conveyor.

An apparatus is for conveying cases from an upstream end to one of a first downstream end and a second downstream end. The apparatus includes a conveyor and a diverter assembly that receives the case and dispenses the case toward the first downstream end or the second downstream end. The diverter assembly is pivotable to thereby direct the case toward the first downstream end or the second downstream end, and the diverter assembly is configured to clamp the case to thereby stop conveyance of the case as the diverter assembly pivots and also pivot the case to clear an obstruction presented by an adjacent conveyor.

A device for singulation of used beverage or food containers received in bulk into individual objects, including: a first receiving area arranged for simultaneously receiving and keeping a plurality of containers; a second receiving area positioned at a higher vertical level than the first receiving area, wherein the device further includes a transporting device including a container elevating member for transporting a container from the first receiving area to the second receiving area, wherein the elevating member is attached to the transporting device, moves along and is locked to a circumferential path around a first axis upon activation of the transporting device, and the first axis is inclined at an angle of 1 to 45 relative the horizontal plane.

In order to easily prevent a collision of transport units, which are moved along a conveyor line of a long stator linear motor, it is provided that a minimum distance to be maintained between the two transport units is changed as a function of the position of the two transport units along the conveyor line.

In order to easily prevent a collision of transport units, which are moved along a conveyor line of a long stator linear motor, it is provided that a minimum distance to be maintained between the two transport units is changed as a function of the position of the two transport units along the conveyor line.

An article sorting facility includes a plurality of storage members each configured to store one or more articles, a plurality of article transport vehicles each capable of traveling in at least a portion of a preset travel lane with one or more support members on board, each support member being configured to support one or more articles; a plurality of work areas each configured to allow work to be performed to transfer articles between one or more storage members and at least one of the one or more support members on board an article transport vehicle in the travel lane, wherein each of the work areas is located adjacent to one or more storage members and to the travel lane, wherein the plurality of work areas are arranged one adjacent to another along the travel lane, and wherein two or more article transport vehicles are in the travel lane simultaneously to travel in a line.

An article sorting facility includes a plurality of storage members each configured to store one or more articles, a plurality of article transport vehicles each capable of traveling in at least a portion of a preset travel lane with one or more support members on board, each support member being configured to support one or more articles; a plurality of work areas each configured to allow work to be performed to transfer articles between one or more storage members and at least one of the one or more support members on board an article transport vehicle in the travel lane, wherein each of the work areas is located adjacent to one or more storage members and to the travel lane, wherein the plurality of work areas are arranged one adjacent to another along the travel lane, and wherein two or more article transport vehicles are in the travel lane simultaneously to travel in a line.