A sorter system is configured to sort objects disposed on a conveying surface to multiple locations. The system includes a frame, a plurality of carriages each having a motor, a belt, and a plurality of pulleys. The sorter system includes a power line extending through the frame and power pickups on one or more carriages to receive power from the power line and provide power to actuate the belts of two or more carriages. The sorter system also includes a control line extending through the frame and one or more master carriages configured to receive control signals from a sorter controller system to control actuation of the belts of two or more carriages. The carriages may include a belt drive system configured to reduce the widths of the carriages. The belt drive systems may drive the belts on-center to reduce the torque and energy required to actuate the belt.

An automated shuttle sorter is disclosed that includes a carriage that is movable from a load position at which the carriage may be loaded, and at least two destination locations into which any contents of the carriage may be provided from the carriage.

A roller shoe slat sorter conveyor system includes a conveyor forming an upwardly facing support surface. The support surface includes slots oriented transversely to the conveying direction and a plurality of roller shoe assemblies mounted for sliding movement along respective slots for transversely discharging objects from a medial position to either side of the conveying surface. Each roller shoe assembly includes a releasably mounted carrier disposed below the conveying surface. The releasable connection enables the roller shoe to detach from the carrier, and be manually reattached. The elongated roller shoe features downward slanting ends and includes a plurality of roller wheels extending above the surface of the shoe mounted to axles movable in a vertical axis whereby an article resting on the rollers of a shoe depresses the rollers so they contact the slat surface and move an article resting thereon at twice the speed of the shoe.

An automated shuttle sorter is disclosed that includes a carriage that is movable from a load position at which the carriage may be loaded, and at least two destination locations into which any contents of the carriage may be provided from the carriage.

The invention relates to a garment sorting system and method for sorting garments arranged on garment carriers. The system comprises a first transporting conveyor arrangement (5) arranged to receive a garment carrier from a pairing station which transports the garment carriers to an identification and sorting arrangement on a second conveyor arrangement comprising an identification device arranged to identify a garment carrier from an identification code for further sorting. For each garment carrier, a sorting rail address is requested by the identification and sorting arrangement from a garment identification database. The identified garment carrier is transported to a plurality of sorting rails, where the second transporting conveyor arrangement comprises a sorting interface for each sorting rail such that the identified garment carrier is moved from the second transporting conveyor arrangement to the correct sorting rail by operation of the corresponding sorting interface.

Crossbelt sorter (1), adapted to sort an object (9) into one of a plurality of discharge stations (14); the crossbelt sorter (1) comprising a plurality of crossbelt carts (11); the crossbelt carts (11) are movable along a conveying direction (R) on a circumferentially closed conveying track (13); the crossbelt cart (11) comprising a crossbelt (12); wherein the crossbelt (12) provides a conveying surface for supporting an object (9) to be conveyed; the crossbelt (12) is moveable relative to the crossbelt cart (11) in a traverse direction (Q) traverse to the conveying direction (R); the crossbelt sorter (1) is adapted to transfer said object (9) from the conveying cart (11) selectively into one of the plurality discharge stations (14) by selectively driving said crossbelt (12) in the traverse direction (Q); wherein for driving said crossbelt (12) said crossbelt cart (11) has a drive wheel (41) which is adapted to engage with a friction bar (31); said friction bar (31) is located stationary along the track (13) and transferable between a driving position and a disengaged position, characterized in that the crossbelt sorter (1) is adapted to vary an actuation position (Y0, Y1, Y2) within the range of said friction bar (31).