The present invention relates to a flexible reticular structure which comprises a movable surface the movement of which is operated by operating means, and is characterized in that said surface is formed by a plurality of modules linked to one another. Said modules forming the surface are preferably linked to one another by means of attachment rods, each of said rods being housed in holes provided in at least two of said modules. The present invention prevents the need to disassemble and replace the entire movable surface, rather only the affected module or modules, for repair or maintenance.

The present invention relates to a flexible reticular structure which comprises a movable surface the movement of which is operated by operating means, and is characterized in that said surface is formed by a plurality of modules linked to one another. Said modules forming the surface are preferably linked to one another by means of attachment rods, each of said rods being housed in holes provided in at least two of said modules. The present invention prevents the need to disassemble and replace the entire movable surface, rather only the affected module or modules, for repair or maintenance.

A conveyor system and drive element for same include a chain including a plurality of links that hinge with respect to each other and a plurality of moving elements such as balls that freely move in the links. A drive element drives the chain in a conveying direction and includes an elongated body with a surface that has a plurality of planar facets arranged around the longitudinal axis of the body. The facets extend along the body and engage respective links of the chain as the body is rotated to drive the chain. Relief elements are located in each facet and are configured for receiving the moving elements of the chain links engaging the facets so the links lie generally flat on the facets when the chain is driven. Other versions of the drive element are faceted for driving a chain with links but without relief elements.

A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system includes one or more diverter belts for diverting an article from the primary flow path towards a divert side of the modular transfer system. The primary flow belt includes multiple movable components contacting the diverter belt. The movable components can have one or more rotational degrees of freedom.

A method of operating a cross belt slat sorter includes moving a first item of a first type positioned on the sorter. A database is maintained that stores transport requirements for different item types. A control system ascertains a first type of the first item via a separate vision system that is operatively connected to the control system. The database is accessed to establish the first transport requirements for the first item based on the first type. Belts are controlled based on the first transport requirements of the first item. A second item is moved on the belts, and a second type of the second item is observed with the vision system. The database is accessed to ascertain second transport requirements for the second item. The belts are controlled based on the second transport requirements of the second item.

An object of the present invention is to suppress rise in running resistance with increases in weight of a transport vehicle group, and prevent higher energy consumption and manufacturing cost. A transport device transports a transport vehicle (1) carrying an article (E) along a transport path including a curved path and forms a continuous floor (B) on the transport vehicle (1) in the entire or partial transport path. The transport device includes: running rails (R) that are laid along the transport path to support running wheels (4, 5, and 6) of the transport vehicle (1); guide rails that guide the transport vehicle (1) along the transport path; a drive unit that drives the transport vehicle (1); and a water way (WW) that is formed along the transport path to reserve water (W).

An object of the present invention is to suppress rise in running resistance with increases in weight of a transport vehicle group, and prevent higher energy consumption and manufacturing cost. A transport device transports a transport vehicle (1) carrying an article (E) along a transport path including a curved path and forms a continuous floor (B) on the transport vehicle (1) in the entire or partial transport path. The transport device includes: running rails (R) that are laid along the transport path to support running wheels (4, 5, and 6) of the transport vehicle (1); guide rails that guide the transport vehicle (1) along the transport path; a drive unit that drives the transport vehicle (1); and a water way (WW) that is formed along the transport path to reserve water (W).

The present invention relates to a bomb bay sorter and to a tray to be used in such a system. According to the present invention, the tray body comprises a support surface and a spring for spring biasing the tray door relative to the tray body to urge the tray door to open. According to the invention, when the tray door is fully opened, it rests against the support surface under the influence of a spring biasing force, provided by the spring, that exceeds a first non-zero threshold.

An article conveyance apparatus couples a plurality of conveyor carriages for conveying articles and enables the coupled conveyor carriages to travel along a conveyance path K. The conveyor carriage is coupled by a coupling part to another conveyor carriage placed in the longitudinal direction with respect to a traveling direction H of the conveyor carriage. The conveyor carriage includes a load cell that is provided in the coupling part and measures a force applied between the conveyor carriages, and a controller that calculates a force F applied to wheels of the conveyor carriage, based on a tension T between the conveyor carriages calculated according to the force applied between the conveyor carriages and measured by the load cell.

A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system includes one or more diverter belts for diverting an article from the primary flow path towards a divert side of the modular transfer system. The primary flow belt includes multiple movable components contacting the diverter belt. The movable components can have one or more rotational degrees of freedom.