A sorting/handling system for sorting/handling parcels or packets comprises a primary conveyor for conveying the packets in series around a looped path, at least one platform secondary conveyor fed by the primary conveyor and having a throughput rate lower than that of the primary conveyor, and a transfer unit for transfer between the primary conveyor and the secondary conveyor, which transfer unit comprises n chutes into which the packets coming from the primary conveyor fall by gravity so as to be received at the outlets on n parallel channels of an accumulation zone having movable barriers. Downstream from the accumulation zone, the system further comprises mechanical members for putting the packets into series by spacing them apart at a constant pitch, and then for transferring them to free platforms of the secondary conveyor at a rate of one packet per platform.

Method for merging, within a logistical warehouse, k incoming flows of payloads, transported respectively by k FIFO conveyor lanes a.sub.i with i∈{1, . . . , k} into one outgoing flow of payloads transported by a collector conveyor. The k lanes are distributed along the collector and numbered a.sub.1 to a.sub.k. Δ.sub.i is a time-related distance between the lanes a.sub.1 and a.sub.k. A control system obtains a set L having n payloads distributed on the k lanes and having to be injected into the collector to form an exit sequence; computes a date t.sub.0 at which the first payload σ.sub.1 of the exit sequence σ passes in front of the lane a.sub.k; and computes n dates of injection of the n payloads into the collector, as a function of t.sub.0; and commands the collector and the k alleys, for an injection of the n payloads into the collector in compliance with the injection dates.

Method for merging, within a logistical warehouse, k incoming flows of payloads, transported respectively by k FIFO conveyor lanes a.sub.i with i∈{1, . . . , k} into one outgoing flow of payloads transported by a collector conveyor. The k lanes are distributed along the collector and numbered a.sub.1 to a.sub.k. Δ.sub.i is a time-related distance between the lanes a.sub.1 and a.sub.k. A control system obtains a set L having n payloads distributed on the k lanes and having to be injected into the collector to form an exit sequence; computes a date t.sub.0 at which the first payload σ.sub.1 of the exit sequence σ passes in front of the lane a.sub.k; and computes n dates of injection of the n payloads into the collector, as a function of t.sub.0; and commands the collector and the k alleys, for an injection of the n payloads into the collector in compliance with the injection dates.

A sorting/handling system for sorting/handling parcels or packets comprises a primary conveyor for conveying the packets in series around a looped path, at least one platform secondary conveyor fed by the primary conveyor and having a throughput rate lower than that of the primary conveyor, and a transfer unit for transfer between the primary conveyor and the secondary conveyor, which transfer unit comprises n chutes into which the packets coming from the primary conveyor fall by gravity so as to be received at the outlets on n parallel channels of an accumulation zone having movable barriers. Downstream from the accumulation zone, the system further comprises mechanical members for putting the packets into series by spacing them apart at a constant pitch, and then for transferring them to free platforms of the secondary conveyor at a rate of one packet per platform.

A physical distribution system includes first and second conveyance paths, first and second sensors, and a processor. The first sensor detects a package passing along the first conveyance path. The second conveyance path merges with the first conveyance path at a junction. The second sensor detects a package passing along the second conveyance path. The processor counts a first number of packages present in a first convergence monitoring section determined in the first conveyance path upstream the junction, and counts a second number of packages present in a second convergence monitoring section determined in the second conveyance path upstream the junction, determines an order in which packages in the first and second convergence monitoring sections pass the junction, based on the first number and the second number, and control the first and second conveyance paths, such that the packages pass the junction in the determined order.

A physical distribution system includes first and second conveyance paths, first and second sensors, and a processor. The first sensor detects a package passing along the first conveyance path. The second conveyance path merges with the first conveyance path at a junction. The second sensor detects a package passing along the second conveyance path. The processor counts a first number of packages present in a first convergence monitoring section determined in the first conveyance path upstream the junction, and counts a second number of packages present in a second convergence monitoring section determined in the second conveyance path upstream the junction, determines an order in which packages in the first and second convergence monitoring sections pass the junction, based on the first number and the second number, and control the first and second conveyance paths, such that the packages pass the junction in the determined order.

System for transporting items to a packaging station comprising at least a first, a second and a third conveyor, said first conveyor configured for transporting arrangements of one or more items in a first transport direction to the third conveyor, said second conveyor configured for transporting arrangements of one or more items in a second transport direction to the third conveyor, said third conveyor configured for transporting said arrangements from the first and the second conveyor in a third transport direction, a fourth and a fifth transport direction towards a packaging station.

An automated method and system for transporting vials from multiple upstream locations to a downstream location and for combining N number of conveyor lanes from N number of upstream location (e.g., capping stations) down to one conveyor lane. The system is adapted to transport vials from a more-distant upstream location faster than vials from a closer upstream location so that they reach the downstream location at approximately the same time. Guide members placed at an angle to the traveling axis of the conveyor lanes divert the vials onto a single conveyor lane for transporting the vials to a downstream location.

An automated method and system for transporting vials from multiple upstream locations to a downstream location and for combining N number of conveyor lanes from N number of upstream location (e.g., capping stations) down to one conveyor lane. The system is adapted to transport vials from a more-distant upstream location faster than vials from a closer upstream location so that they reach the downstream location at approximately the same time. Guide members placed at an angle to the traveling axis of the conveyor lanes divert the vials onto a single conveyor lane for transporting the vials to a downstream location.

A method and device for treating containers with at least two container treatment machines, between which a transport device for transporting the containers is arranged, where the transport device is divided into several transport sections, where the flow of containers is changed from containers of type A to containers of type B, where a separating device is activated once the first transport section has run empty of containers of type A, where containers of the type B are transported into the first transport section and backed up at the separating device, while containers of type A are transported from the second transport section to the second container treatment machine, and where the separating device is deactivated once the second transport section has run empty of containers of the type A, so that the containers of type B are transported through the second transport section to the second container treatment machine.