Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate an apparatus for inspecting and sorting a plurality of substrates. The apparatus includes a sorting unit, a first conveyor lane disposed within the sorting unit in a first direction and a first plane, and at least a second conveyor lane disposed within the sorting unit, the second conveyor lane positioned in a second direction at an angle of greater than about 45 degrees relative to the first direction, wherein the second conveyor lane is positioned in a second plane that is different than the first plane.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate an apparatus for inspecting and sorting a plurality of substrates. The apparatus includes a sorting unit, a first conveyor lane disposed within the sorting unit in a first direction and a first plane, and at least a second conveyor lane disposed within the sorting unit, the second conveyor lane positioned in a second direction at an angle of greater than about 45 degrees relative to the first direction, wherein the second conveyor lane is positioned in a second plane that is different than the first plane.

A product order fulfillment system including a multi-level transport system and a lifting transport system. Each level of the multi-level transport system having a corresponding independent asynchronous level transport system separate and distinct from the asynchronous level transport system corresponding to each other level of the multi-level transport system. Each independent lift axis of the lifting transport system being configured to independently hold at least one case and being communicably coupled to each asynchronous level transport system so as to provide for exchange of the at least one case between each asynchronous level transport system and each independent lift axis. Each independent lift axis is communicably coupled to each other independent lift axis of the more than one lift axis and forms a common output of mixed cases so as to create an ordered sequence of mixed cases in accordance to a predetermined case out ordered sequence.

A product order fulfillment system including a multi-level transport system and a lifting transport system. Each level of the multi-level transport system having a corresponding independent asynchronous level transport system separate and distinct from the asynchronous level transport system corresponding to each other level of the multi-level transport system. Each independent lift axis of the lifting transport system being configured to independently hold at least one case and being communicably coupled to each asynchronous level transport system so as to provide for exchange of the at least one case between each asynchronous level transport system and each independent lift axis. Each independent lift axis is communicably coupled to each other independent lift axis of the more than one lift axis and forms a common output of mixed cases so as to create an ordered sequence of mixed cases in accordance to a predetermined case out ordered sequence.

A system for controlling a flow of articles includes a conveyor driven in a direction to convey articles in the direction. A plurality of lanes are disposed along a portion of the conveyor. Each lane accepts a row of articles along the conveyor direction. A plurality of sensors count the articles in each lane. A plurality of actuators control the flow rates of the articles by comparing and adjusting the flow rates in respective lanes.

A system for controlling a flow of articles includes a conveyor driven in a direction to convey articles in the direction. A plurality of lanes are disposed along a portion of the conveyor. Each lane accepts a row of articles along the conveyor direction. A plurality of sensors count the articles in each lane. A plurality of actuators control the flow rates of the articles by comparing and adjusting the flow rates in respective lanes.

A system for assembling layers of packages and for forming transport and storage units from the layers. A grouping station has a grouping table for arranging and grouping the packages in a predefined layer arrangement. A package delivery feeds the packages to the grouping table in a conveying direction. The package delivery has two row conveyors for transporting at least one row of packages each on either side of the grouping table. A transfer unit transfers the packages from the row conveyors to the grouping table by sliding them in a respective sliding direction over a slide-over buffer region between each row conveyor and the grouping table, in order to form the layer of packages. A layer stacker then slides the layer of packages from the grouping table over onto a plate provided in the layer stacker, while maintaining the layer arrangement, in order to form the transport and storage unit.

A sorter for sorting out discrete products includes an arrangement of adjacent sorting fingers. The sorting fingers, depending on pivoted positions, open a sorting gap in a conveying path for bad products to be sorted out or else close the sorting gap in order to support the further conveying of good products.

A sorter for sorting out discrete products includes an arrangement of adjacent sorting fingers. The sorting fingers, depending on pivoted positions, open a sorting gap in a conveying path for bad products to be sorted out or else close the sorting gap in order to support the further conveying of good products.

An extraction station for the extraction from a transport system for an at least partially complete cartridge; the extraction station has: a collecting device; at least one holding head, which is designed to grab at least one end of the cartridge; and a moving device which supports the holding head and moves the holding head between a pick-up position, in which the holding head is in the area of the transport system and grabs the cartridge, and a release position, in which the holding head releases the cartridge.