A modular switch device temporarily stores workpiece carriers for a linear conveyor system. The modular switch device is arrangeable between a changeover region, comprising a depositing and/or removal region, and a processing region of the linear conveyor system that conveys workpiece carriers at a conveyance level. The modular switch device includes a first and second horizontally arranged carrier unit. The carrier units are disposed vertically one above the other at a fixed distance. Each carrier unit has a respective guide apparatus, by which respective ones of the workpiece carriers are conveyable in a conveyance direction in interaction with a conveyor belt. The carrier units are movable together in a vertical direction by a lifting device in such a way that both guide apparatuses are positionable such that the respective workpiece carriers are conveyable at the conveyance level by the respective guide apparatuses.

A modular switch device temporarily stores workpiece carriers for a linear conveyor system. The modular switch device is arrangeable between a changeover region, comprising a depositing and/or removal region, and a processing region of the linear conveyor system that conveys workpiece carriers at a conveyance level. The modular switch device includes a first and second horizontally arranged carrier unit. The carrier units are disposed vertically one above the other at a fixed distance. Each carrier unit has a respective guide apparatus, by which respective ones of the workpiece carriers are conveyable in a conveyance direction in interaction with a conveyor belt. The carrier units are movable together in a vertical direction by a lifting device in such a way that both guide apparatuses are positionable such that the respective workpiece carriers are conveyable at the conveyance level by the respective guide apparatuses.

A system for part transfer and transport, the system including: a first conveyor system for transporting a plurality of trays containing a two-dimensional grid of parts; a second conveyor system for transporting the parts to a predetermined destination in a linear arrangement; and a selection apparatus for transferring a linear array of parts selected from the grid of the first conveyor system to the linear arrangement of the second conveyor system, the selection apparatus comprising: a pick and place apparatus which may be cam driven for moving the parts; and a feed screw defining a plurality of singulated part spaces separated by a part pitch along the second conveyor to facilitate insertion of the linear array of parts into the linear arrangement.

A system for part transfer and transport, the system including: a first conveyor system for transporting a plurality of trays containing a two-dimensional grid of parts; a second conveyor system for transporting the parts to a predetermined destination in a linear arrangement; and a selection apparatus for transferring a linear array of parts selected from the grid of the first conveyor system to the linear arrangement of the second conveyor system, the selection apparatus comprising: a pick and place apparatus which may be cam driven for moving the parts; and a feed screw defining a plurality of singulated part spaces separated by a part pitch along the second conveyor to facilitate insertion of the linear array of parts into the linear arrangement.

An automated method and system for a conveyor holding system for holding vials of a multi-vial order in a holding pattern until all vials of the order have been filled by an automatic pill counter. The system uses RFID information to divert vials off the conveyor into the conveyor holding loop if all vials of the multi-vial order have not been filled. The system is adapted to divert the vials of the multi-vial order out of the holding loop when all vials of the multi-vial order have been filled.

An automated method and system for a conveyor holding system for holding vials of a multi-vial order in a holding pattern until all vials of the order have been filled by an automatic pill counter. The system uses RFID information to divert vials off the conveyor into the conveyor holding loop if all vials of the multi-vial order have not been filled. The system is adapted to divert the vials of the multi-vial order out of the holding loop when all vials of the multi-vial order have been filled.

The invention relates to a method for picking order goods which are allocated to an order comprising a plurality of shipping containers. In the method, order goods allocated to the order are removed from a store (2), transported into a dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) and stored there temporarily. The dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) comprises an infeed line (6), an outfeed line (7), a plurality of buffer lanes (8) arranged between the infeed line (6) and the outfeed line (7), and at least one return lane (9) arranged therebetween. If a portion of the order goods available in the dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) is sufficient to fill a predefinable number of shipping containers and is ready for packing, this portion of the order goods ready for packing is discharged from the dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b), transported to a picking workstation (10) and transferred, there, into the predefined number of shipping containers. The predefined number of shipping containers is smaller here than the total number of shipping container necessary to fulfill the order. The invention also relates to a goods storage system (1a . . . 1g) for carrying out said method.

The invention relates to a method for picking order goods which are allocated to an order comprising a plurality of shipping containers. In the method, order goods allocated to the order are removed from a store (2), transported into a dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) and stored there temporarily. The dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) comprises an infeed line (6), an outfeed line (7), a plurality of buffer lanes (8) arranged between the infeed line (6) and the outfeed line (7), and at least one return lane (9) arranged therebetween. If a portion of the order goods available in the dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) is sufficient to fill a predefinable number of shipping containers and is ready for packing, this portion of the order goods ready for packing is discharged from the dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b), transported to a picking workstation (10) and transferred, there, into the predefined number of shipping containers. The predefined number of shipping containers is smaller here than the total number of shipping container necessary to fulfill the order. The invention also relates to a goods storage system (1a . . . 1g) for carrying out said method.

An article induction system for preparing a stream of articles, such as mail parcels, for processing employs a series of conveyors operating under control of a controller for feeding articles to an operator at a cull belt at an optimal paced rate. The article induction system includes a destacking section, a separation and alignment section, a buffer section and a culling section manned by an operator. A controller controls the speed of each component based on measurements provided by sensors so as to feed articles to the operator at a desired paced rate.

The present disclosure includes a system and method for providing a reservoir conveyor that provides the linear space needed to increase the capacity of the buffer storage reservoir such that it is compatible with and increases the efficiency of a Grader and packers.