A sample handling device for a laboratory automation system comprising a first carousel with a disc supported on a first axis, a second carousel with a disc supported on a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a transfer element between the first and second carousels is presented. Each disc has recesses distributed radially about the disc perimeter. Each recess receives a tube carrier. The first carousel and the second carousel connect via a passage for transferring sample tube carriers between the first and second carousels. The transfer element is a track switch which when in a rest position partly closes the passage to separate the first carousel from the second carousel. The track switch is swiveled and/or rotated about a third axis parallel to the first axis out of the rest position for transferring a tube carrier from the first carousel to the second carousel via the passage.

A cargo handling apparatus includes a first conveyor portion, a first detection portion, a second conveyor portion, a gripping portion, a second detection portion, and a controller. The first conveyor portion is configured to convey an article to be handled in a first direction. The first detection portion is configured to detect article information. The second conveyor portion is configured to convey the article in a second direction. The gripping portion is configured to arrange the article in an accumulating portion. The second detection portion is configured to detect stacking information. The controller is configured to control operation of the gripping portion based on the article information and the stacking information.

A cargo handling apparatus includes a first conveyor portion, a first detection portion, a second conveyor portion, a gripping portion, a second detection portion, and a controller. The first conveyor portion is configured to convey an article to be handled in a first direction. The first detection portion is configured to detect article information. The second conveyor portion is configured to convey the article in a second direction. The gripping portion is configured to arrange the article in an accumulating portion. The second detection portion is configured to detect stacking information. The controller is configured to control operation of the gripping portion based on the article information and the stacking information.

A self-adaptive luggage transfer device and system. The self-adaptive luggage transfer device includes a base, a conveyor mechanism, a lifting mechanism and a self-adaptive extendable transfer mechanism. The lifting mechanism is arranged between the conveyor mechanism and the base and is configured to drive the conveyor mechanism to lift. The self-adaptive extendable transfer mechanism is obliquely arranged between the conveyor mechanism and the base and is in transmission connection with the lifting mechanism. Two ends of the self-adaptive extendable transfer mechanism are movably connected to an output end of the conveyor mechanism and the base, respectively. The conveyor mechanism is configured to drive an end of the self-adaptive extendable transfer mechanism connected to the conveyor mechanism to lift in a first direction, and the lifting mechanism is configured to drive at least one end of the self-adaptive extendable transfer mechanism to move in a second direction.

A self-adaptive luggage transfer device and system. The self-adaptive luggage transfer device includes a base, a conveyor mechanism, a lifting mechanism and a self-adaptive extendable transfer mechanism. The lifting mechanism is arranged between the conveyor mechanism and the base and is configured to drive the conveyor mechanism to lift. The self-adaptive extendable transfer mechanism is obliquely arranged between the conveyor mechanism and the base and is in transmission connection with the lifting mechanism. Two ends of the self-adaptive extendable transfer mechanism are movably connected to an output end of the conveyor mechanism and the base, respectively. The conveyor mechanism is configured to drive an end of the self-adaptive extendable transfer mechanism connected to the conveyor mechanism to lift in a first direction, and the lifting mechanism is configured to drive at least one end of the self-adaptive extendable transfer mechanism to move in a second direction.

A sub-seating delivery system for event seating venues. The sub-seating system may include a transfer system between a sub-seating conveyor belt and a lower base conveyor belt associated with a plurality of vendors who place orders thereon. The transfer system may incorporate a lift assembly that elevates orders from the base conveyor belt to a relevant sub-seating conveyor belt passing directly under a row of event seating. A delivery robot may be adapted to move an order from the sub-seating conveyor belt to a sub-seating container under a destination seat along the row of event seating. From the sub-seating container, a seated individual may access their ordered items without leaving their seat from which they electronically placed the order.

A sub-seating delivery system for event seating venues. The sub-seating system may include a transfer system between a sub-seating conveyor belt and a lower base conveyor belt associated with a plurality of vendors who place orders thereon. The transfer system may incorporate a lift assembly that elevates orders from the base conveyor belt to a relevant sub-seating conveyor belt passing directly under a row of event seating. A delivery robot may be adapted to move an order from the sub-seating conveyor belt to a sub-seating container under a destination seat along the row of event seating. From the sub-seating container, a seated individual may access their ordered items without leaving their seat from which they electronically placed the order.

A conveyor system for sorting articles being conveyed in a conveying direction. A first conveyor section includes a plurality of inclined conveyors for de-stacking articles. A second conveyor section includes at least one indexing conveyor for spacing a first group of articles from upstream articles. A third conveyor section includes a chicane conveying path for forming the first group of articles into a single row generally aligned with the conveying direction. Related methods are also disclosed.

A conveyor system for sorting articles being conveyed in a conveying direction. A first conveyor section includes a plurality of inclined conveyors for de-stacking articles. A second conveyor section includes at least one indexing conveyor for spacing a first group of articles from upstream articles. A third conveyor section includes a chicane conveying path for forming the first group of articles into a single row generally aligned with the conveying direction. Related methods are also disclosed.

A conveying system for shock-sensitive items, in particular eggs, comprises a plurality of conveying devices in which the items are transferred from one conveying device to another. More particularly, the items are transferred from a conveying device oriented in a substantially horizontal direction to an adjacent conveying device oriented in a substantially vertical direction, without the risk of being damaged. The advancing movement of the conveying device having a substantially horizontal orientation is not movement at constant speed but, on the contrary, it is a movement at variable speed, sometimes accelerated and sometimes decelerated, and the transfer of the conveyed item from the conveying device to the conveying device having a substantially vertical orientation takes place when the advancement speed of the conveying device having a substantially horizontal orientation is at its minimum value.