The invention relates to a conveying system comprising a conveyor rail configured for conveying heat sources for aerosol-generating articles. The system further comprises a heat source detector configured to detect heat sources conveyed by the conveyor rail. The system further comprises a moving actuator. The moving actuator is configured to move the conveyor rail in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The moving actuator is configured to move the conveyor rail if the heat source detector detects absence of heat sources for a predetermined time.

A transport system for transporting containers along a transport path in a transport direction includes first and second transporters that define first and second transport-path sections, at least one of which follows a circular arc. A third transport-path section between the first and second transport-path sections comprises an adjustable transition curve.

A material handling system having object handling and transportation devices and method of receiving objects into a warehouse having a material handling system includes scanning a machine readable code of an incoming load forming at least a portion of an order and comparing the machine readable code with an order file listing objects on the incoming load. For each object on the load, object data including a 3D image and product code of the object removed from the incoming load is received with an image capture station and reconciled with the order file. Each object is identified by comparing the 3D image of the object captured with the image capture station with the 3D images in the database. The material handling system is controlled as a function of the identity of the objects being handled and transported by the material handling system.

Techniques for automatically modulating a physical configuration of a reconfigurable building structure. A reconfigurable building structure may be constructed of physical elements that are movable with respect to one another to facilitate actuating the reconfigurable building structure between a plurality of different physical configurations. The physical configuration of a reconfigurable building structure may be adjusted to accommodate for physical dimensions of an item that is going to be moved into the reconfigurable building structure. For example, a spacing between two shelves may be expanded in response to an order being placed for a large item. In this way, when the item is delivered to a physical address associated with the reconfigurable building structure, various physical characteristics of the reconfigurable building structure may have already been modulated to accept the item.

A method to sort objects in a sorting installation. The objects are conveyed on a sorter of the sorting installation. In a first distribution pass a few of the objects conveyed on the sorter are brought by the sorter into retrieval end stations of the sorting installation and others of the objects conveyed on the sorter are brought by the sorter into a collection end station of the sorting installation and, with a transport facility of the sorting installation, objects are automatically transported away from the collection end station and automatically brought back to the sorter. The objects brought back from the collection end station to the sorter by the transport facility are brought by the sorter into one of the end stations in a second distribution pass.

A system for transporting and evaluating flexible bags filled with product includes a running rail and a plurality of conveying elements mounted for movement along the running rail. A control system is configured such that each conveying element is independently movable along running rail, wherein the control system is further configured such that a first conveying element of the plurality of conveying elements and a second conveying element of the plurality of conveying elements are controlled such that a flexible bag is squeezed between the first conveying element and the second conveying element, and the control system is further configured to evaluate a squeeze force on the flexible bag and/or a dimensional spacing between the first conveying element and the second conveying element in order to identify the flexible bag as having a satisfactory seal or an unsatisfactory seal.

A direction switching module for lift robots using a pair of pinions coupled to a rack for propelling vertically and horizontally according to the track's orientation, is disclosed. In a linear motion mode both pinions rotate in the same velocity. In a direction switching mode, when changing from vertical to horizontal motion mode and vise versa, the module is capable of propelling one pinion on a vertical track and its counterpart on a horizontal track, simultaneously, each pinion in a different velocity. A bogie propelled by two pairs of said module is also disclosed, and a controller configured to drive both pinions in same velocity during linear motion and each pinion in a separate appropriate velocity during the direction switching mode. A method for turning a pinion-driven lift-robot in an intersection of rails and a controller for controlling the linear motion modes and the direction switching modes of the lift robot are also disclosed.

An article transport apparatus includes a travel carriage, a mast, a lift, and a transfer machine. The transfer machine includes a holder and a movement mechanism. The movement mechanism is configured to transfer an article between the holder and a storage rack. The article transport apparatus further includes a receiver supported by the lift and configured to receive liquid that has dripped from the article, a collector configured to collect the liquid received by the receiver, and a liquid detector configured to detect the amount of liquid collected in the collector. The receiver is disposed to cover, from below, the entire bottom surface of the article located at a holding position. The collector is connected to the receiver. The receiver includes a receiving surface that faces upward and that is entirely inclined to extend gradually downward toward the collector.

Systems and methods for cold chain deliveries are provided. In some embodiments, a method of operating a tote to enable cold chain delivery, the method comprising one or more of: providing storage of one or more cold products in the tote in a micro-fulfillment center; facilitating a pick and pack process of one or more cold products where the one or more cold products are picked from a tote and/or are packed into a tote; and dispensing the one or more cold products using a tote. In this way, cold chain requirement compliance is improved while saving time, money, and energy.

A system and method for enhanced monitoring and sorting of delivery items, such as packages, which are moved and sorted via a delivery service conveyor device. Conventional systems may employ photocells, which detect interrupted light beams, to identify packages or delivery items along a conveyor path. The present system and method enhances photocell function by adding image detection and analysis to the mail path; and further by modifying the photocell signals to the sorter/conveyor control. The present sensing system is located in the same area on the transport as the photocell, and uses a camera to capture an image of the mail path in the photocell area. The system and method then analyzes a package image to formulate a more accurate item detection signal, based on photocell data and image data, for input to the sorter/conveyor control system.