A bin exchange system is disclosed that includes a plurality of automated carriers, each of which is adapted to be remotely movable on an array of track sections, at least one input station by which bins may be introduced to the array of track sections, at least one processing station in communication with the array of track sections wherein objects may be moved between bins, and at least one output station by which bins may be removed from the array of track sections.

A bin exchange system is disclosed that includes a plurality of automated carriers, each of which is adapted to be remotely movable on an array of track sections, at least one input station by which bins may be introduced to the array of track sections, at least one processing station in communication with the array of track sections wherein objects may be moved between bins, and at least one output station by which bins may be removed from the array of track sections.

A veneer cutting and sorting apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a revolvable knife blade having a cutting edge and a revolvable knife edge receiver having a cutting edge receiving surface. The knife blade cuts a veneer sheet as peeled from a peeler block by a veneer lathe at a previously detected boundary between defective veneer portion and product veneer sheet on the cutting edge receiving surface then revolving at the same peripheral speed as the cutting edge of the knife blade. Cut-off defective portion is allowed to drop off by its own weight.

A parcel or packet sorting installation comprising a bin conveyor having bins (4) that are designed to convey the parcels in series in a certain conveying direction over a plurality of sorting outlets, and a parcel injector designed to inject one parcel per bin, said sorting conveyor being designed to sort the parcels into the sorting outlets from the bins as a function of sorting information affixed to each of the parcels. Each bin comprises two side walls (9) and a floor (10) mounted to pivot between the two side walls, and a flap (11) mounted to pivot at an upstream end of the floor relative to the conveying direction.

A parcel or packet sorting installation comprising a bin conveyor having bins (4) that are designed to convey the parcels in series in a certain conveying direction over a plurality of sorting outlets, and a parcel injector designed to inject one parcel per bin, said sorting conveyor being designed to sort the parcels into the sorting outlets from the bins as a function of sorting information affixed to each of the parcels. Each bin comprises two side walls (9) and a floor (10) mounted to pivot between the two side walls, and a flap (11) mounted to pivot at an upstream end of the floor relative to the conveying direction.

A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.

A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.

An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a discontinuous plurality of track sections on which an automated carrier may be directed to move, and the automated carrier includes a base structure on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.

Shipment receiving systems and methods are disclosed. Invoice and store inventory management data is provided to an invoice processor for assigning expected destinations to lanes of a material transporter having and a plurality of outlet lanes that each have an indicator. A scanner determines a case identifier for each case which is routed accordingly. One or more notifications is provided to the indicator of one or more of the plurality of outlet lanes. Received shipment data enables reconciliation of upstream supply change management systems and downstream store inventory systems.

An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a discontinuous plurality of track sections on which an automated carrier may be directed to move, and the automated carrier includes a base structure on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.