Devices and methods for buffering articles may include use of an infeed conveyor, an outfeed conveyor, and at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. Each accumulation conveyor includes an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor.

A sheet processing system comprising: a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses; a conveying unit conveying a container containing a plurality of sheets; a distribution unit for distributing the container to any one of the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses; an identification information reading unit for obtaining identification information from the container; a communication unit for receiving information about the paper sheets contained in the container; and a controller for controlling a distribution destination of the container, on the basis of information about processing situations of the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses, the identification information about the container, and the information about the sheets contained in the container.

Devices and methods for buffering articles may include use of an infeed conveyor, an outfeed conveyor, and at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. Each accumulation conveyor includes an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor.

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.

A storage facility for the storage of stackable goods, especially stackable postal item containers, includes at least one storage device and at least one stacking device. The at least one storage device includes storage locations. At least one of the storage locations is configured to receive at least two items of goods stacked on top of one another. A mechanism is configured to move the at least one storage location and/or a further storage location within the storage facility, and the at least one stacking device is configured to stack one or more of the items of goods into the at least one storage location from below and/or unstack one or more of the items of goods from the at least one storage location from below. A method for storing stackable goods, especially stackable postal item containers, is also provided.

A handling device for buffering products includes a transport unit having at least one feed conveying element for conveying products along a main conveying direction of the transport unit. A transverse conveying element is configured as a transverse conveyor belt having a conveying direction that runs transversely to the main conveying direction, and includes a conveying element for conveying products along the main conveying direction after an influencing of a product arrangement by the transverse conveying element. The transverse conveying element is arranged downstream of the feed conveying element along the main conveying direction. The handling device includes at least one control or regulation unit for controlling or regulating a drive parameter of the transverse conveying element for influencing a product arrangement on the conveying element. The transverse conveying element is arranged inclined relative to a main conveying plane of the transport unit.

A system for storing and retrieving containers (108) comprises a first conveying means (1) operable to move stacks of containers between a loading position (2) and a discharge position (4), a container store (5), a container store dispatch conveyor (28) and a container store delivery conveyor (26). A first transfer means transfers containers from the container store dispatch conveyor (28) to the first conveying means (1) and a second transfer means transfers containers from the first conveying means (1) to the container store delivery conveyor (26). A container store storage/retrieval means (9) moves containers from the container store (5) to the container store dispatch conveyor (28) and from the container store delivery conveyor (26) to the container store (5). The system has stack destacking means (30) which are capable of destacking full stacks into at least two partial stacks, the stack destacking means positioned to allow containers which have passed through the destacking means to be delivered to the container store (5) by the container store delivery conveyor (26).

A method for storing cardboard tubes (2) in a storing unit according to the present invention comprising the following steps: providing a storage unit with an input section for the tubes (2), a storage section (AC) comprising a plurality of storing planes (13), an output section for the tubes (2), transfer means (3) for transferring the tubes (2) from the input section to the storage section, and discharge means for conveying the tubes (2) from the storing section to the output section; providing a plurality of cardboard tubes (2) in the input section (E) of said storage unit; transferring the tubes (2) from the input section of the storage unit to the storage section; storing a plurality of tubes (2) in said storage section (AC); transferring the tubes (2) from said storage section (AC) to said output section. The step of transferring the tubes (2) from said input section to said storage section involves more tubes (2) simultaneously, whereby a plurality of tubes (2) are transferred from said input section simultaneously on a plurality of storing planes (13) of the storage section (AC).

A sheet processing system comprising: a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses; a conveying unit conveying a container containing a plurality of sheets; a distribution unit for distributing the container to any one of the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses; an identification information reading unit for obtaining identification information from the container; a communication unit for receiving information about the paper sheets contained in the container; and a controller for controlling a distribution destination of the container, on the basis of information about processing situations of the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses, the identification information about the container, and the information about the sheets contained in the container.

A method for removing a piece good from a conveying means of a sorting system, includes the steps generating image data by means of a camera arranged on a conveyor line; by means of a controller, detecting a piece good not placed completely in the cell area on the conveying means on the basis of the image data generated; generating a blowoff command for a blowoff device arranged on the conveyor line, wherein the blowoff command is generated while considering a time of the generation of the image data, a conveying speed of the conveying means, and an arrangement of the camera, the conveyor line and the blowoff device relative to one another; and by means of the blowoff device, blowing off the piece good not placed completely in the cell area on the conveying means on the basis of the blowoff command.