Apparatuses, methods, and systems comprising reconfigurable motorized conveyor rollers are provided. The example reconfigurable motorized conveyor roller includes a housing with a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The housing includes a plurality of curved plates that at least partially form a cylindrical tube. The reconfigurable motorized conveyor roller includes a motor assembly and a drive assembly at least partially disposed within the housing that are configured to cause rotation of at least a portion of the reconfigurable motorized conveyor roller. And, the reconfigurable motorized conveyor roller includes a housing adjustment assembly disposed within the housing that is operable to modify one or more dimensions of the housing.

Apparatuses, methods, and systems comprising reconfigurable motorized conveyor rollers are provided. The example reconfigurable motorized conveyor roller includes a housing with a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The housing includes a plurality of curved plates that at least partially form a cylindrical tube. The reconfigurable motorized conveyor roller includes a motor assembly and a drive assembly at least partially disposed within the housing that are configured to cause rotation of at least a portion of the reconfigurable motorized conveyor roller. And, the reconfigurable motorized conveyor roller includes a housing adjustment assembly disposed within the housing that is operable to modify one or more dimensions of the housing.

Disclosed is a method used to handle outer packages (10) with foldable top flaps (12; 12-v, 12-h, 12-l, 12-r). The handling can be carried out in association with a mechanical removal or introduction of articles (14) out of or into the outer package (10). The method provides the unfolding and/or the holding open of at least one top flap (12; 12-v, 12-h, 12-l, 12-r) in order to at least partly uncover an opening (16) to make accessible an interior space of the outer package (10), as well as providing the application of a tensile force (32) to the at least one top flap (12; 12-v, 12-h, 12-l, 12-r), the tensile force (32) being specified and/or variable over the course of the conveying phase. The invention includes a transport section (20) which carries out the method during the conveyance of outer packages (10).

Disclosed is a method used to handle outer packages (10) with foldable top flaps (12; 12-v, 12-h, 12-l, 12-r). The handling can be carried out in association with a mechanical removal or introduction of articles (14) out of or into the outer package (10). The method provides the unfolding and/or the holding open of at least one top flap (12; 12-v, 12-h, 12-l, 12-r) in order to at least partly uncover an opening (16) to make accessible an interior space of the outer package (10), as well as providing the application of a tensile force (32) to the at least one top flap (12; 12-v, 12-h, 12-l, 12-r), the tensile force (32) being specified and/or variable over the course of the conveying phase. The invention includes a transport section (20) which carries out the method during the conveyance of outer packages (10).

A typing off-loading and item separation system to automatically separate different parcel types includes an feed conveyor, receiving conveyor, sorting conveyor, cameras and photoelectric eye. Overhead cameras and/or photoelectric sensors detect the item size and whether it is cubic in nature and type and size of its footprint. An in-line slide sorter having alternating conveyor rollers and pop-up belts pass through to, or divert items from a downstream conveyor. A vison based system may also be used to detect space between articles and insert articles in the unoccupied space to maximize conveyor area, volume, or density by controlling conveyor speed.

A typing off-loading and item separation system to automatically separate different parcel types includes an feed conveyor, receiving conveyor, sorting conveyor, cameras and photoelectric eye. Overhead cameras and/or photoelectric sensors detect the item size and whether it is cubic in nature and type and size of its footprint. An in-line slide sorter having alternating conveyor rollers and pop-up belts pass through to, or divert items from a downstream conveyor. A vison based system may also be used to detect space between articles and insert articles in the unoccupied space to maximize conveyor area, volume, or density by controlling conveyor speed.

A cargo handling system (CHS) is provided and includes a guide tray along which an electric rail extends and a carrier movably disposable within the guide tray. The carrier includes a carrier surface, guide and contact rollers for establishing electric communication with the electric rail with the carrier movably disposed within the guide tray, drivable elements to assume retracted or extended positions at which, with the carrier movably disposed within the guide tray, the carrier surface is deployed within or above the guide tray, respectively; and a control system. The control system is configured to draw current from the electric communication between the electric rail and the contact roller and to use the current to operate the drivable elements to move the carrier along the guide tray and to control extension and retraction of the drivable elements.

A cargo handling system (CHS) is provided and includes a guide tray along which an electric rail extends and a carrier movably disposable within the guide tray. The carrier includes a carrier surface, guide and contact rollers for establishing electric communication with the electric rail with the carrier movably disposed within the guide tray, drivable elements to assume retracted or extended positions at which, with the carrier movably disposed within the guide tray, the carrier surface is deployed within or above the guide tray, respectively; and a control system. The control system is configured to draw current from the electric communication between the electric rail and the contact roller and to use the current to operate the drivable elements to move the carrier along the guide tray and to control extension and retraction of the drivable elements.

Enclosed herein are embodiments of a product transfer module and product transfer systems. In one embodiment, a product transfer module comprises a first shuttle, the first shuttle including a plurality of rollers, wherein the plurality of rollers are connected by one or more belts and includes a plurality of driven rollers and at least one driving roller; a second shuttle, the second shuttle including a plurality of rows of pulleys and a pulley drive positioned beneath the plurality of pulleys; and a cam system for raising and lowering the first and second shuttles; wherein the first shuttle directs product flow along a first flow path and the second shuttle directs product flow in a second flow direction.

Enclosed herein are embodiments of a product transfer module and product transfer systems. In one embodiment, a product transfer module comprises a first shuttle, the first shuttle including a plurality of rollers, wherein the plurality of rollers are connected by one or more belts and includes a plurality of driven rollers and at least one driving roller; a second shuttle, the second shuttle including a plurality of rows of pulleys and a pulley drive positioned beneath the plurality of pulleys; and a cam system for raising and lowering the first and second shuttles; wherein the first shuttle directs product flow along a first flow path and the second shuttle directs product flow in a second flow direction.