A conveyor assembly comprising a frame, a first conveyor subassembly, a second conveyor subassembly, a transverse conveyor adjustment assembly and a position adjustment assembly. The first and second conveyor subassemblies are configured so as to be transversely moved relative to each other so as to be closer together or further apart. The position adjustment assembly facilitates the adjustment of a part on the conveyor relative to the conveyor as the part proceeds from the first end to the second end.

A conveying system employs independently controlled flights. The flights are controlled separately from a conveying surface using a linear transport system. The linear transport system allow the position of the flights to be controlled based on a parameter, such as the length of a conveyed object. The flights are pivotally mounted to a mover of the linear transport system and can pivot relative to the conveying surface to allow the flights to fit in a space between an end of carryway and a receptacle.

A conveying system employs independently controlled flights. The flights are controlled separately from a conveying surface using a linear transport system. The linear transport system allow the position of the flights to be controlled based on a parameter, such as the length of a conveyed object. The flights are pivotally mounted to a mover of the linear transport system and can pivot relative to the conveying surface to allow the flights to fit in a space between an end of carryway and a receptacle.

A speed reducer for a gravity roller conveyor system is provided. The speed reducer includes a mounting member and an engagement member rotatably connected to the mounting member and structured to be rotatable to a first rotational position and to a second rotational position. A damper is connected to the mounting member and is structured to bias the engagement member to the first rotational position. A retraction mechanism is operably connected to the engagement member and is structured to be operable to rotate the engagement member to the second rotational position against a biasing force exerted by the damper on the engagement member when an object moving along the conveyor becomes stalled, thereby enabling the object to move along the conveyor past the engagement member. A speed reducer system incorporating the speed reducer is also described.

Examples provide a hangar stop for diverting items having a hangar hook away from dividers on a sloped surface of a sorting machine as the hooked items move through a channel defined by one or more of the dividers. The hangar stop includes a diameter greater than the diameter of a hook on the hooked items preventing the hook from catching on the hangar stop. The hangar stop substantially covers a leading edge of a divider on which the hangar stop is attached preventing a hook from catching on any uncovered portion of the leading edge. The hangar stop is removably attached to the divider via one or more fasteners. When a hook comes into contact with the hangar stop, the hook slides off the hangar stop and proceeds through the channel to the end of the sloped surface unimpeded.

An automated packing system, which may include a transfer station is described. In an example implementation, system may include an item-consolidation area that receives items, a carton receiving area that receives a carton, and a structure that holds the item-consolidation area vertically higher than the carton-receiving area. The system may also include a passage between the item-consolidation area and the carton-receiving area. The passage that may allow the items to pass from the item-consolidation area and the carton in the carton-receiving area. The system may include an actuation mechanism that controls movement of the items between the item-consolidation area and the carton-receiving area.

A pallet conveying device includes a circulating belt provided to extend along a conveying path so as to be capable of being circulated, the circulating belt being configured to convey a pallet, a driving mechanism configured to circulate the circulating belt, and a stopper mechanism configured to stop conveying of the pallet regardless of the circulation of the circulating belt. The circulating belt has a free flow belt capable of stopping the conveying of the pallet by the stopper mechanism, and a conveying belt provided continuously to the free flow belt. A circulating speed of the conveying belt is different from a circulating speed of the free flow belt.

A pallet conveying device includes a circulating belt provided to extend along a conveying path so as to be capable of being circulated, the circulating belt being configured to convey a pallet, a driving mechanism configured to circulate the circulating belt, and a stopper mechanism configured to stop conveying of the pallet regardless of the circulation of the circulating belt. The circulating belt has a free flow belt capable of stopping the conveying of the pallet by the stopper mechanism, and a conveying belt provided continuously to the free flow belt. A circulating speed of the conveying belt is different from a circulating speed of the free flow belt.

The present application discloses a method, system, and computer system for controlling a gating structure to mediate a flow of items an input source to a pick area. The system includes: (i) the gating structure, which is configured to use a plurality of gate elements to mediate a flow of items from the input source to the pick area, (ii) a sensor configured to provide a sensor output associated with the pick area, and (iii) a processor configured to provide a control input to the gating structure to adjust a configuration of one or more of the plurality of gating elements based at least in part on the sensor output. The sensor output comprises the sensor output comprises one or more of a flow rate, a number, and an orientation of objects in an area associated with picking of objects by one or more robots. The control input is determined based at least in part on one or more of the flow rate, the number, and the orientation of objects in the area associated with picking of objects by one or more robots.

A speed reducer for a gravity roller conveyor system is provided. The speed reducer includes a mounting member and an engagement member rotatably connected to the mounting member and structured to be rotatable to a first rotational position and to a second rotational position. A damper is connected to the mounting member and is structured to bias the engagement member to the first rotational position. A retraction mechanism is operably connected to the engagement member and is structured to be operable to rotate the engagement member to the second rotational position against a biasing force exerted by the damper on the engagement member when an object moving along the conveyor becomes stalled, thereby enabling the object to move along the conveyor past the engagement member. A speed reducer system incorporating the speed reducer is also described.