A control system for an automated singulation system is provided. The control system detects a presence of a first item on a first conveyor and detects a presence of a second item on a second conveyor while the first item is present on the first conveyor. The second conveyor transfers items onto the first conveyor and is at a lower height than the second conveyor. The first conveyor is oriented perpendicularly with respect to the second conveyor. In response to detecting the presence of the second item, a location of the first item along a length of the first conveyor is determined. The first conveyor and the second conveyor are controlled based at least on the location of the first item.

The device includes a first conveyor 1 and a second conveyor 12. The first conveyor transports the book blocks B to the bookbinding apparatus and can accumulate the book blocks on a transport surface 4. A first stopper 23 is arranged at an entrance of the second conveyor and a second stopper 28 is arranged in the middle of a path of book block on the transport surface of the first conveyor. The first and second stoppers can take a block position and a retracted position. The second conveyor and the first stopper operate in synchronization with an operation of the bookbinding apparatus. The second stopper takes the block position when the number of book blocks accumulated on upstream side of the first stopper exceeds a predetermined limit value, or when a thickness difference between the book blocks transported side by side exceeds a predetermined reference value.

The device includes a first conveyor 1 and a second conveyor 12. The first conveyor transports the book blocks B to the bookbinding apparatus and can accumulate the book blocks on a transport surface 4. A first stopper 23 is arranged at an entrance of the second conveyor and a second stopper 28 is arranged in the middle of a path of book block on the transport surface of the first conveyor. The first and second stoppers can take a block position and a retracted position. The second conveyor and the first stopper operate in synchronization with an operation of the bookbinding apparatus. The second stopper takes the block position when the number of book blocks accumulated on upstream side of the first stopper exceeds a predetermined limit value, or when a thickness difference between the book blocks transported side by side exceeds a predetermined reference value.

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.

An apparatus for distributing tie plates alongside rails of a railroad track including a singulating system for separating and singulating tie plates to be distributed along the rails of a railroad track, an orientation system positioned beneath the singulating system for orienting the tie plates with the correct side up, and a distribution system for distributing tie plates along the rails of a raiload track.

An automated system for singulating items is provided. The automated system includes a singulation apparatus. The singulation apparatus includes multiple conveyor modules and a vertical frame structure. Each of the multiple conveyor modules has an identical physical structure. The vertical frame structure provides multiple horizontal mounting locations, each at a different height along the vertical frame structure. Each of the conveyor modules is mounted to a different one of the multiple horizontal mounting locations.

An automated system for singulating items is provided. The automated system includes a singulation apparatus. The singulation apparatus includes multiple conveyor modules and a vertical frame structure. Each of the multiple conveyor modules has an identical physical structure. The vertical frame structure provides multiple horizontal mounting locations, each at a different height along the vertical frame structure. Each of the conveyor modules is mounted to a different one of the multiple horizontal mounting locations.

A control system for an automated singulation system is provided. The control system detects a presence of a first item on a first conveyor and detects a presence of a second item on a second conveyor while the first item is present on the first conveyor. The second conveyor transfers items onto the first conveyor and is at a lower height than the second conveyor. The first conveyor is oriented perpendicularly with respect to the second conveyor. In response to detecting the presence of the second item, a location of the first item along a length of the first conveyor is determined. The first conveyor and the second conveyor are controlled based at least on the location of the first item.

A method for transporting manufactured products from a first production machine to a second production machine via a conveying apparatus comprises receiving, at one end of the conveying apparatus, manufactured products produced by the first production machine. The manufactured products are transported at a speed of the conveying apparatus. The manufactured products are spaced apart from each other along the conveying apparatus such that an empty space is created between each manufactured product. The first production machine is stopped in response to a stoppage of the second production machine and the conveying apparatus is actuated to a second operating state that is configured to allow a manufactured product last output by the first production machine prior to the stop to be received by the conveying apparatus in the empty space nearest to the first production machine. The conveying apparatus is then stopped.

Provided is an apparatus of automatically supplying blood collection tubes for a labeling machine, includes: a holding unit including a plurality of holding grooves in which a plurality of blood collection tubes are inserted and supported; a discharge unit configured to supply the blood collection tubes to the labeling machine; a supply unit having supply pins and configured to maintain or release positions of the blood collection tubes to be transferred to the discharge unit; a standby unit having stop pins and configured to control movements of blood collection tubes positioned next to the foremost blood collection tubes held by the supply unit; an operation unit configured to select a type and the number of blood collection tubes; and a controller configured to receive signals from the operation unit and control the supply unit and the standby unit, thus to transfer the blood collection tubes to the discharge unit.