Disclosed are various embodiments for a multiple speed, multiple conveyor storage system for items in a materials handling facility such as a fulfillment center. An item storage system includes a first conveyor configured to operate at one speed, a second conveyor configured to operate at a different speed, and a transfer device configured to transfer items between the conveyors. The conveyors are each configured to store items in motion in a circuit arrangement. A computing device determines a predicted time at which the item is predicted to exit the item storage system and then initiates a transfer of the item between conveyors via the transfer device by the predicted time.

The invention relates to an apparatus for moving portions that comprise at least one slice cut off from a food product, in particular by means of a slicing apparatus, in particular by means of a high-sped slicer, having a plurality of individually movable transport movers or transport movers respectively movable as a combined unit for the transport of the portions, having a path system for the transport movers in which the transport movers are movable along at least one predefined path in a direction of transport; and having a control device for controlling the movements of the transport movers in the path system, wherein the transport movers each comprise at least one rotor cooperating with the path system and at least one carrier for portions attached to the rotor; and wherein the path system comprises a plurality of receiver tracks for a multi-track reception of portions in a portioning region and at least one placement track that is associated with a plurality of reception tracks for the placement of portions in a placement region.

Embodiments provide systems, methods and apparatuses for positioning boards and other wood pieces in preparation for sawing/trimming. In embodiments, a continuous track loop conveys board stops slideably mounted to board stop guides positioned perpendicular to the direction of flow. A horizontal frame member provides a series of positioning guides through which a cam follower coupled to a board stop is diverted, thus adjusting the position of board stops in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow without the use of braking devices or other added sources of mass, friction or vibration.

A device for accumulating articles within a system may include a frame, a mass-flow infeed conveyor supported by the frame for receiving articles from the system, and a mass-flow outfeed conveyor supported by the frame for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and returning the articles to the system. A single-filing device is supported by the frame and includes a plurality of parallel endless loop conveyors. The endless loop conveyors each have an upstream end located laterally from and between upstream and downstream ends of the infeed conveyor.

A feed unit, for example for feeding components to smoking article assembly apparatus, has a guide member (14) and a plurality of pushers (21) arranged to push components (2) along a path defined by the guide member (14) for output from the feed unit. The guide member (14) is arranged to separate the components (2) into separate streams (63, 64) according to their orientation. The stream (63) of non-correctly oriented components (2) comprises a channel that is helically rotated to orientate correctly said components (2). Both streams (63, 64) converge downstream said helical section to achieve a single flow of components (2) of similar orientation.

An apparatus for diverting a stream of articles that includes an input conveyor belt conveying a stream of articles in a direction of travel and at an input speed and an output conveyor belt operating at an output speed and disposed parallel with the input conveyor belt in the same direction of travel. A diverter element extending along the input conveyor belt and is moveable between the direction of travel and an opposite direction wherein the diverter element operates in one of two modes of operation depending upon the input speed and the output speed.

A system for forming and wrapping a plurality of stacks of sheet like product is provided. The system includes a separator apparatus for converting a stream of spaced apart sets of stacks into a repeating stepped configuration. The system includes a mechanism for merging the stepped configuration of stacks into a single file stream of stacks. The system includes a cutoff apparatus for cutting a plastic sleeve in which the stacks are wrapped. The system includes a turner apparatus for changing the direction of travel of individual units comprising of a stack of product within a length of the sleeve 90 degrees while maintaining the orientation of the units.

The invention relates to a device for moving portions, which each comprise at least one slice cut from a food product, in particular by means of a slicing device, in particular a high-speed slicer, comprising a plurality of individually movable transport movers each for at least one portion, a track system for the transport movers, in which track system the transport movers can be moved along at least one specified track in a transport direction, and a control apparatus for controlling the movements of the transport movers in the track system, wherein the transport movers each comprise at least one runner that interacts with the track system and at least one carrier for at least one portion, the at least one carrier being attached to the runner by means of a retainer, and wherein the drive for each transport mover is formed by the runner and the track system, which together form an electromagnetic drive for the transport mover.

Embodiments provide systems, methods and apparatuses for positioning boards and other wood pieces in preparation for sawing/trimming. In embodiments, a continuous track loop conveys board stops slideably mounted to board stop guides positioned perpendicular to the direction of flow. A horizontal frame member provides a series of positioning guides through which a cam follower coupled to a board stop is diverted, thus adjusting the position of board stops in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow without the use of braking devices or other added sources of mass, friction or vibration.

A singulator has been realized which comprises a diverger module extending between an inlet station and an outlet station; the diverger module is configured to receive articles at the inlet station and convey them towards the outlet station along a main advancement direction. The diverger module has: a first zone extending from the inlet station to the outlet station and configured to impart to the articles resting thereon an advancement motion along the main advancement direction, a second zone flanking the first zone along the advancement direction and extending between the inlet station and the outlet station. The second zone is configured to impart to the articles resting thereon an advancement motion along the main direction and a lateral movement away from the first zone. The first zone of the diverger module projects, at least for a length, away from a prevalent average plane of extension of the second zone in the direction of the articles to be supported so as to define an ascent zone of the diverger module.