A system for sorting and dispensing packages includes a first conveyor system, a gate assembly with a plurality of chutes that receive at least two packages of a plurality of packages selectively dispensed from the first conveyor system, a second conveyor system that receives the plurality of packages selectively dispensed from the gate assembly, a sensor that senses a characteristic of the plurality of packages, and an electronic controller that receives signals from the sensor. The plurality of chutes each include a gate moveable via an actuator between a first position, in which the at least two packages are held within the respective chute, and a second position, in which the at least two packages are released from the respective chute onto the second conveyor system. The controller is configured to selectively control each actuator of the gate assembly based on signals received from the sensor.

A rotatable tray mechanism includes a base, a rotatable tray, and a revolute pair assembly and an actuating unit arranged between the base and the rotatable tray. At least one of the rotatable tray and the base includes a revolving shaft arranged on at least one edge. The revolute pair assembly is arranged on at least one of the base and the rotatable tray and is at a location opposite to the revolving shaft. One revolving shaft mates with at least one revolute pair assembly including a revolute pair and an enable mechanism, wherein the revolute pair has a first state and a second state. The enable mechanism is enabling the revolute pair to switch over between the first state and the second state. When the revolute pair is in the first state, the rotatable tray rotates with respect to the base by taking the revolving shaft as a rotating shaft and taking the revolute pair as support of the revolving shaft when the actuating unit applies an acting force, wherein the direction of the acting force applying the rotatable tray is a direction far away from the base.

A device for loading, conveying and discharging objects, comprising: a plurality of trays each one of which is intended for carrying an object from a loading position to a discharge position, in which discharge position the object leaves the tray via an unloading section of the tray, a drive system for conveying the trays in a conveyance direction from the loading position to the discharge position, wherein for the purpose of conveying the trays along a path, the drive system comprises a series of linked driving elements, a drive for transferring a drive power onto the drive system, which drive power is required for conveying the trays, and a pusher arm arranged on the tray for by means of pushing away, discharging an object present on the tray, wherein pushing away takes place substantially transverse to the conveyance direction of the tray and wherein at least during conveyance of an object present on the tray the pusher arm is in a first position facing away from the unloading section, and wherein at least for discharging an object present on the tray, the pusher arm moves to a second position in which the pusher arm is near the unloading section of the tray, characterized in that a retaining means is arranged at the unloading section of the at least one tray so as to retain, in a first operation mode, an object present on the at least one tray when the object is moving towards the unloading section as a result of being exposed to dynamic forces during conveyance, and to allow, in a second operation mode, the pusher arm to discharge the object present on the tray by means of pushing away, and an adjusting means is arranged to position the retaining means either in the first or second operation mode.

Robot includes a propulsion system configured to transport the robot and a controller in communication with the propulsion system. A material handler is carried by the robot and configured for depositing articles into one or more destination containers. The material handler has a tilt tray having sections that are configured for tilting in any number of directions relative to a vertical of the robot. Each section of the tilt tray may include a respective conveyor that moves articles at variable speed.

The present invention includes conveying and sorting systems utilizing a plurality of continuous rails which support a plurality of sliding pucks that are urged forward using a plurality of sprocket wheels, and which utilize magnetically operated activation components for causing produce to be selectively dropped from cups carried by the pucks into sorting bins. The structures for the conveying and actuating components of the systems have smooth external surfaces reducing potential contamination by bacteria, contaminants and debris, thereby making them easily accessible for cleaning, and allowing for longer continuous operation times and higher efficiency.

A conveyor apparatus that conveys articles supported by a plurality of arranged article supports, the conveyor apparatus including infilling members, each being disposed between the article supports. In one embodiment, the infilling member includes a plate contact part in contact with the article support such that the upward curvature of the plate contact part is larger than that of the tray contact part of the article support corresponding to the plate contact part.

An article sorting facility includes: a first floor including a plurality of first travel paths; a second floor installed at a different height from the first floor in a vertical direction, and including a plurality of second travel paths; a plurality of first elevation mechanisms connecting terminating ends of the first travel paths to starting ends of the second travel paths; a plurality of second elevation mechanisms connecting terminating ends of the second travel paths to starting ends of the first travel paths; a plurality of receiving sections configured to receive articles from the transport vehicles; and at least one supply section configured to supply the articles to the transport vehicles. The plurality of second travel paths overlap corresponding first travel paths or corresponding receiving sections as viewed in the vertical direction, at least in a partial segment.

An unloading arrangement (10) for unloading items of washware (5a, 5b, 5c) which are arranged, in particular, on trays or tray-like objects (6), in particular items of washware (5a, 5b, 5c) from place settings. The unloading arrangement (10) has a feed conveyor belt (11) for feeding the items of washware. The unloading arrangement (10) also has a large number of unloading stations (12, 13, 14) arranged one behind the otheras seen in the conveying direction of the feed conveyor belt (11). For successively unloading the feed conveyor belt (11) or for successively unloading the trays or tray-like objects (6), a predefined or predefinable washware group is preferably associated with each unloading station (12, 13, 14) and each unloading station is designed to unload preferably only items of washware of the associated washware group from the washware which is fed by the feed conveyor belt (11).

A conveying facility with a drivable conveying member that forms a sheet-like main surface that faces the conveyed item and defines a conveying stretch. The conveying member includes at least one conveying element that forms at least a part of the main surface. The conveying member also includes rollers that, via roller holders, are rotatably mounted on the at least one conveying element about roller pivots and can selectively assume the state of a freewheel position, an arrested position or a drive position. The conveying facility also has at least one conveying container that lies on the conveying member in a connection-free manner, wherein the rollers project at least partly beyond the main surface of the conveying element so that the at least one conveying container lies on the rollers.

A conveyor apparatus that conveys articles supported by a plurality of arranged article supports, the conveyor apparatus including infilling members, each being disposed between the article supports. In one embodiment, the infilling member includes a plate contact part in contact with the article support such that the upward curvature of the plate contact part is larger than that of the tray contact part of the article support corresponding to the plate contact part.