A foldable conveyor system is disclosed appropriate for loading and unloading an airplane using two people. In one embodiment, the foldable conveyor system is formed of a plurality of foldable sections, where each section has a first half and a second half foldably connected to each other. Each first half and each second half has reversible tension-controlled conveyor belts for moving luggage into or out of an aircraft. When fully deployed, and thus operating flat along the interior of an aircraft, the foldable conveyor system operates to move luggage and other objects placed on the foldable conveyor system in a selected direction.

A storage shelf installed on a side of a track, to and from which an article is delivered by a lateral transfer mechanism of an overhead transport vehicle traveling in the track in a traveling direction, includes a stopper configured to come into contact with a part of the lateral transfer mechanism having moved by a predetermined amount or more in a lateral direction perpendicular to the traveling direction.

A flow rack monitoring system includes: at least one sensor assembly having a kinetic switch protectively enclosed within a mounting shell mounted to a flow rack to monitor movement of an item therealong, wherein a lever of a kinetic switch thereof is connected to an elongate whisker within a slot of the mounting shell, and wherein a transmitter of the kinetic switch transmits a first RF signal in response to movement of the lever away from a resting position, and a second RF signal in response to movement into the resting position; and an alert device having a processor to receiver the first and second RF signals, and to provide an indication of an item becoming stuck in response to the receipt of the first RF signal, followed by a lack of receipt of the second RF signal from the first sensor assembly within a first predetermined period of time.

A conveyor system for moving a plurality of targets is provided. The conveyor system includes at least one input group to input the target, at least one output group to output the target, and at least one bridge group to connect the input group with the output group. Each of the input group, the output group, and the bridge group includes a plurality of nodes having a size corresponding to a size of one target. The conveyor system further includes a control unit to align the target moving on the conveyor system.

A damping station for an overhead conveyor system for damping vibrations of cargo, wherein overhead conveyor system cargo can be conveyed suspended from the overhead conveyor system. The damping station includes a vibration detection device designed to generate a signal in accordance with a mechanical vibration state of cargo suspended from the conveyor device, a damping device with a mechanical contact device movable by an actuator, the contact device being designed to enter into mechanical operative connection with cargo suspended from the conveyor device, and a control unit, which is connected at least to the vibration detection device and the damping device, the control unit being designed to actuate the damping device depending on the signal of the vibration detection device such that, by means of the actuator, a force is exerted onto the cargo via the contact device in such a way that a vibration of the cargo is damped. A method for damping vibrations in cargo on an overhead conveyor system is also provided.

The present invention pertains to the art of sensing articles typically moving on a conveyor. An apparatus is disclosed, for the purpose of securely attaching a sensing device to a sub-structure such as a sidepan metal sheet that contains a hole through which the sensing/detection device passes its sensing beam. A primary novelty of the apparatus is that it enables secure mounting of various through-hole devices without the need for attaching any additional bracketry and without creating obstructions to package movement. It is unique in that it utilizes the through-hole which is necessary to allow passage of the sensing beam through the side guards of the conveyor, with the below-surface attachment being made possible by means of a tapered, or sloping surface that is created when the hole is made.

A method of printing a tag and attaching the tag to a bag for printing, severing and feeding non-curled tags to sewing machines. The method of printing a tag and attaching the tag to a bag comprising providing a control unit, a bag conveyor, a bag switch, a printer unit, a chute, a chute sensor, and a feeder assembly; printing and severing a tag in the printer unit; dispensing the tag into the chute to prevent the tag from curling and jamming; and feeding the tag to a sewing machine whereupon the tag is attached to a bag.

A product taking-out apparatus includes a suction part to suck a plate-like metal product and ascend, a touch plate to move between a separate position and a contact position with respect to the product sucked by the suction part, and a vibrator to vibrate the touch plate.

A foldable conveyor system is disclosed appropriate for loading and unloading an airplane using two people. In one embodiment, the foldable conveyor system is formed of a plurality of foldable sections, where each section has a first half and a second half foldably connected to each other. Each first half and each second half has reversible tension-controlled conveyor belts for moving luggage into or out of an aircraft. When fully deployed, and thus operating flat along the interior of an aircraft, the foldable conveyor system operates to move luggage and other objects placed on the foldable conveyor system in a selected direction.

A conveyor sensor arrangement is disclosed. The conveyor sensor arrangement includes a conveyor configured to move a product from a first conveyor end to a second conveyor end in a conveying direction. A plurality of fingers are pivotally arranged on a support that is positioned above the conveyor and that is arranged perpendicular to the conveying direction. Each finger of the plurality of fingers includes a first finger end and a second finger end, and the first finger end extends toward a surface of the conveyor. A single sensor is arranged above the conveyor. Contact between a leading edge of a product moving along the conveyor and at least one of the first finger ends causes a corresponding one of the second finger ends to trigger the sensor.