A system for separating packages of different sizes includes a conveyor segment and a plurality of alignment members dividing the conveyor segment into a plurality of conveyor lanes. The conveyor segment has an input end, a discharge end and transport mechanism for transporting packages from the input end to the discharge end. The transport mechanism is configured to impart a lateral shift to packages on the conveyor segment. One or more of the alignment members each forms a respective window to allow lateral shifting of packages across adjacent conveyor lanes. Each window has a uniquely defined vertical height to the limit lateral shifting of packages across adjacent conveyor lanes based on a height of each package. Each conveyor lane delivers packages of a uniquely different size group at the discharge end of the conveyor segment. The packages in a conveyor lane are aligned against a respective alignment member.

An enclosed belt conveyor system has a rail track (1) and spaced apart 50 carriages (35) that run on wheels (40) supported by the trail track. A continuous carry belt (10) is supported by the carriages (35) and has an enclosed configuration where the carry belt (10) encloses a bulk material for transport by the system. One or more belt 60 guides (45) are positioned along the rail track (1) and engage the continuous carry belt to 10 maintain it in its enclosed configuration.

An upstream-side guidance part 400 is provided with plural upstream-side guidance members 410 guiding disc-shaped members 300. A downstream-side guidance part 500 is provided with plural downstream-side guidance members 510 guiding the disc-shaped members 300. The positions of the upstream-side guidance members 410 in the circumferential direction of the disc-shaped member 300 are different from the positions of the downstream-side guidance members 510 in the circumferential direction of the disc-shaped member 300, and at least one of the upstream-side guidance part 400 and the downstream-side guidance part 500 is able to move forward and backward with respect to the other.

An apparatus for shaping a narrow container stream, into a wide container stream includes container guides and a shaping region that extends between an inlet and an outlet. Transport bands connecting laterally to each other and define a transport plane along which the containers are transported. The container guides are constrained to be between defined limit curves defined by second and third order polynomials. As a result, the container guides are cambered in a way that promotes interruption-free widening of the container stream.

An apparatus for shaping a narrow container stream, into a wide container stream includes container guides and a shaping region that extends between an inlet and an outlet. Transport bands connecting laterally to each other and define a transport plane along which the containers are transported. The container guides are constrained to be between defined limit curves defined by second and third order polynomials. As a result, the container guides are cambered in a way that promotes interruption-free widening of the container stream.

A conveyor belt (10) of closed-path type comprising a plurality of transport plates (50), defining a transport surface for the material in a forward run of the conveyor belt itself, which plates are arranged in sequence along a longitudinal transport direction (L), wherein each plate bears a first (55) and a second (56) longitudinal end portion thereat, in said forward run, it is respectively superimposed on an adjacent plate arranged upstream of the sequence with respect to the longitudinal transport direction and placed under an adjacent plate arranged downstream in such sequence, or vice versa; and an annular structure (51) for connecting said plates being arranged, in said forward run, below said plates, wherein at least one of said plates, at said first or second longitudinal portion of superimposing or placing under an adjacent plate, has a cross section with thickness (s) decreased with respect to a remaining portion of the plate itself.

A conveying apparatus for advancing packages from an inlet station to an outlet station comprises an intermediate track between the inlet and outlet stations, an endless belt to engage the packages during advancement along at least the track; and a tensioning device to tension the endless belt. The tensioning device comprises a spring unit comprising first and second spring assemblies having first and second pre-loaded spring forces respectively, with the second spring force larger than the first spring force. The conveying apparatus is in a rest configuration in the absence of packages along the track and is in a loaded configuration with plural packages arranged along the track. The first spring assembly determines the spring force of the spring unit when the conveying apparatus is in the rest configuration and the second spring assembly determines the spring force of the spring unit when the conveying is in the loaded configuration.

The invention provides a high speed sorting mechanism arranged to empty or discharge a container for carrying a load, e.g. totes in a luggage handling system. The sorting mechanism as a plurality of tilting elements T1-T11 for receiving and transporting the container in a transport direction. The tilting elements T1-T11 are arranged neighbouring each other, and they are individually tiltable by controllable tilting actuators, e.g. servo motors. Hereby, the tilting elements T1-T11 can tilt around an axis parallel with the transport direction. A computerized controller serves to individually control the tilting of the tilting elements T1-T11 with a control algorithm in response to at least one position signal such that a group of at least two tilting elements T1-T11 perform a coordinated tilting motion in response to the position signal so as to tilt the container for emptying or discharging its load, upon the container passing the sorting mechanism in the transport direction. A row of such as 10-20 identical tilting elements T1-T11 each with a length of such as 30-50% of the container or tote to be handled. The tilting elements T1-T11 are preferably stationary seen in the transport direction, and the container or tote is driven forward by friction drive means FB on each of the tilting elements T1-T11. Preferably, position sensors on or at each tilting element T1-T11 serve to provide input to the controller regarding position of the container or tote, thus enabling the control algorithm to generate control signals to control a tilting angle of each of the tilting elements T1-T11 accordingly to provide a forward propagating wave serving to smoothly support the container in a gradual combined tilting and forward motion.

To provide: a guide roller, whereby a replacement operation time can be shortened, guide roller position adjustment operations are not needed, and an equipment stop time can be reduced, and which contributes to suppression of productivity deterioration; and a substrate transfer apparatus provided with the guide roller. A substrate transfer apparatus (1) is provided with transfer rollers (3); a plurality of transfer shafts (2) that are provided with the transfer rollers (3); a guide roller (5) that guides a substrate (10); and a roller holding section (6) having a supporting shaft (62) that supports the guide roller (5) at one end. A contact section (52) of the guide roller (5) in contact with the substrate (10) can be separated from other sections (a base section (51) and a nut section (53)).

This invention relates to an alignment apparatus for linear shaped parts to allow downstream operations in a manufacturing process that receives linear piece-parts, of three-dimensional objects such as longitudinal cylinder, a right rectangular prism, rectangular cuboid, rectangular parallelepiped, triangle prism, pentagonal prism, octagonal prism, hexagonal prism, tetrahedrons, pyramidal shape, which then aligns and dispenses the piece-part in a preferred orientation. The apparatus causes the piece-part to travel in a specific direction for further processing, such as drilling, heat-treating, or attaching other parts.