A conveying system is disclosed. The conveying system may have a first conveying apparatus that conveys a first article to a first location. The conveying system may also have a second conveying apparatus that conveys a second article to a second location. The conveying system may have a frame, a chute connected to the frame, and a third conveying apparatus. The chute may convey the first article received from the first conveying apparatus to a discharge location. The third conveying apparatus, disposed below the chute, may convey the second article received from the second conveying apparatus to the discharge location. The chute may be movable relative to the to the third conveying apparatus, such that the first or second article may be selectively conveyed to the discharge location via the chute or third conveying apparatus, depending on the position of the chute relative to the third conveying apparatus.

A sorting system having a buffer interposable between a discharge, such as a chute, supplying packages and multiple destination receptacles, such as wheeled bins. The buffer temporarily accumulates packages to ensure correct package delivery to assigned destination receptacles during overflow conditions. The buffer may be realized in various ways that operate in horizontal, vertical, or inclined planes.

A rooftop package delivery receptacle for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is transformed from a normally closed downwardly pitched transparent or translucent aesthetically acceptable rooftop aperture, appearing as an ordinary skylight, into a preferably larger substantially horizontal delivery platform providing a safe, secure, above ground location for a drone to land or tether for package delivery. Upon a wireless command signal from either an arriving UAV or a local user, the curb frame mounted receptacle containing a center pivoting platform supporting a plurality of slidably mounted panels rotates upwards and expands both longitudinally and transversely enabling a larger substantially horizontal landing area. After the package is delivered the platform contracts to its original size and continues in an upwards rotation urging the package to move inwards for collection. A pair of weatherproof accordion shaped shudders surround the openings and enclose any gaps during the operation.

The invention relates to a door arrangement (1) for a door with a first enclosed volume, the arrangement permitting a sealed connection between the first enclosed volume and a second enclosed volume, and comprising a flange (2) defining passage opening and a passage axis (O) perpendicular to the opening plane, a door (4) pivotably mounted on the flange (2) and a chute for discharging (10) components which is movable between a discharge position in which the chute is positioned opposite the passage opening and a position in which the chute is spaced apart from the passage opening, the chute being attached to the flange (2) by means of a first double-jointed link mechanism (11) comprising a first link (12) arranged to permit a rotational movement about an axis (C) parallel to the passage axis (O) of the passage opening and a second link (13) arranged to permit a rotational movement about an axis (D) perpendicular to the passage axis (O) of the passage opening.

The invention relates to a door arrangement (1) for a door with a first enclosed volume, the arrangement permitting a sealed connection between the first enclosed volume and a second enclosed volume, and comprising a flange (2) defining passage opening and a passage axis (O) perpendicular to the opening plane, a door (4) pivotably mounted on the flange (2) and a chute for discharging (10) components which is movable between a discharge position in which the chute is positioned opposite the passage opening and a position in which the chute is spaced apart from the passage opening, the chute being attached to the flange (2) by means of a first double-jointed link mechanism (11) comprising a first link (12) arranged to permit a rotational movement about an axis (C) parallel to the passage axis (O) of the passage opening and a second link (13) arranged to permit a rotational movement about an axis (D) perpendicular to the passage axis (O) of the passage opening.

Diverting paddles (72) on discharge chutes guide packages into multiple destination receptacles (22, R1) assigned to the package. The paddles (38, 72) can present static or driven flat outer surfaces or static or driven roller surfaces to the packages. The paddles (38, 72) block packages from entering non-assigned receptacles (22, 24, R1). The chutes may be made tillable to feed packages into receptacles (22, 24, R1) at different elevations.

A mover apparatus having a pinion rigidly attached to a pivot mount connected to a cement chute of a cement mixer and engaged by rack of a mover assembly biased by a guide, which mover assembly, being selectively operated, moves the rack longitudinally between a retracted position and an extended position to impart rotational movement to the pivot mount for swinging the cement chute in an arc relative to the cement mixer for orienting the cement chute to a selected location for discharge of cement. A method of installing a mover apparatus as an aftermarket or OEM structure is disclosed.

A mover apparatus having a pinion rigidly attached to a pivot mount connected to a cement chute of a cement mixer and engaged by rack of a mover assembly biased by a guide, which mover assembly, being selectively operated, moves the rack longitudinally between a retracted position and an extended position to impart rotational movement to the pivot mount for swinging the cement chute in an arc relative to the cement mixer for orienting the cement chute to a selected location for discharge of cement. A method of installing a mover apparatus as an aftermarket or OEM structure is disclosed.

A flowable-material transfer station includes a mobile frame and a conveyor coupled thereto. A hopper mounted on the mobile frame has a side wall with an opening. A chute's loading end is rigidly coupled to the hopper at the side wall opening thereof wherein the chute is in fluid communication with the hopper via the opening. The hopper is hingedly coupled to the mobile frame and the chute's dispensing end is positioned over a first end of the conveyor. A lift mechanism is provided to move the hopper between a lowered position and a raised position. The chute's dispensing end is above the chute's loading end when the hopper is in its lowered position, and is below the chute's loading end when the hopper is in its raised position.

An ore chute system, comprising: a chute box for collecting material and having a chute opening formed therein for discharging the material therethrough; a chute press gate mounted over the chute opening and moveable between an opened position to allow discharge of the material from the chute box and a closed position to prevent discharge of the material from the chute box; a chute press gate actuator coupled to the chute press gate and controllable to move the chute press gate between the opened position and the closed position; and, a chute press gate counterweight system coupled to the chute press gate and configured to move the chute press gate from the opened position to the closed position upon failure of the chute press gate actuator.