An automated packing system, which may include a transfer station is described. In an example implementation, system may include an item-consolidation area that receives items, a carton receiving area that receives a carton, and a structure that holds the item-consolidation area vertically higher than the carton-receiving area. The system may also include a passage between the item-consolidation area and the carton-receiving area. The passage that may allow the items to pass from the item-consolidation area and the carton in the carton-receiving area. The system may include an actuation mechanism that controls movement of the items between the item-consolidation area and the carton-receiving area.

A speed reducer for a gravity roller conveyor system is provided. The speed reducer includes a mounting member and an engagement member rotatably connected to the mounting member and structured to be rotatable to a first rotational position and to a second rotational position. A damper is connected to the mounting member and is structured to bias the engagement member to the first rotational position. A retraction mechanism is operably connected to the engagement member and is structured to be operable to rotate the engagement member to the second rotational position against a biasing force exerted by the damper on the engagement member when an object moving along the conveyor becomes stalled, thereby enabling the object to move along the conveyor past the engagement member. A speed reducer system incorporating the speed reducer is also described.

A method for aligning rectangular packaging boxes comprises the steps of conveying packaging boxes along a transport path and of aligning each packaging box by means of at least one stop element. The step of aligning a packaging box comprises the steps of positioning the at least one stop element in a first position, in which it projects into the transport path; conveying the packaging box against the at least one stop element until each section of the packaging box facing the at least one stop element is resting against it; and moving the at least one stop element into a second position, in which it does not project into the transport path and thus releases the aligned packaging box for further transport.

Adjustable package flow stop wall systems and associated methods may operate as part of package processing stations, in order to facilitate accumulation and transfer of packages from inbound collection areas to outbound conveyances. For example, an adjustable package flow stop wall may include a wall assembly, a frame assembly, a pedal assembly, and/or a handle assembly. The wall assembly may selectively extend above the upper surface of a station between a plurality of positions, e.g., a closeout position, an active position, and a flush position, and the pedal and/or handle assemblies may be actuated to cause movement of the wall assembly. Further, the adjustable package flow stop wall may include one or more sensors, actuators, and/or input elements to enable movement of the wall assembly at least partially or fully automatically, which movements may be based on detected agents and/or packages and associated characteristics.

Features are disclosed for a stopping device that is resistant to forces in a first direction and compliant with forces in a second direction. The stopping device may be implemented in a roller top to restrict undesired horizontal movement of a payload being transported across the roller top. In some embodiments, the roller top can be implemented on a mobile robot to transport a payload between destinations. The stopping device can include a plurality of linkages to engage the stopping device and reduce forces applied to the stopping device by the payload. The stopping device, in an engaged position, may limit undesired horizontal movement of the payload. Further, the stopping device, in the engaged position, may respond to vertical forces applied to the stopping device by transitioning from the engaged position to a disengaged position.

A robotic singulation system is disclosed. In various embodiments, sensor data image including data associated with an item present in a workspace in a workspace is received. The sensor data is used to determine and implement a plan to autonomously operate a robotic structure to move and place the item singly in a corresponding location in a singulation conveyance structure. The plan takes into consideration an attribute of the item determined based at least in part on the sensor data.

The present disclosure provides embodiments of a lapper assembly for use to overlap successive sheets of wood veneer or other materials along a conveyor. The lapper assembly may include a stop member configured to be rotatably mounted to a roller such that the stop member is pivotable around the rotational axis of the roller independently of the rotational angle of the roller. The lapper assembly may further include a lever arm coupled to one end of the stop member. An actuator may be pivotably coupled to the lever arm and the conveyor frame, and operated to pivot the stop member between a workpiece engaging position, in which the stop member extends into the path of workpiece flow, and a workpiece disengaging position below the path. Optionally, the lapper assembly roller and other rollers upstream/downstream may be operatively connected to a drive. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed herein.

A separating device for a gravity conveyor, comprising: a) a conveying plane (E) which is defined by at least two guides (20), in particular sliding guides or conveying rollers, for conveying an item (30) to be conveyed and along which the item (30) to be conveyed can be moved in a conveying direction (F); b) at least one separating stop (40) which can be moved between a position above the conveying plane (E) and a position below or flush with the conveying plane (E); c) an actuating means (50) which, in order to actuate it, comprises a first actuating member (51) and a second actuating member (52) and which is coupled to the at least one separating stop (40) in such a way that, when the actuating means (50) is actuated, a movement of the at least one separating stop (40) from the position above the conveying plane (E) to the position below or flush with the conveying plane (E) is blocked, and when the actuating means (50) is unactuated, a movement of the at least one separating stop (40) from the position above the conveying plane (E) to the position below or flush with the conveying plane (E) is enabled, d) wherein the first actuating member (51) can be moved, by conveyed items (30) being moved in the conveying direction (F), from its unactuated position in which it is situated at least partially above the conveying plane (E), to its actuated position, e) wherein the second actuating member (52) can be moved, by conveyed items (30) being moved counter to the conveying direction (F), from its unactuated position in which it is situated at least partially above the conveying plane (E), to its actuated position, f) wherein the first actuating member (51) and second actuating member (52) are optionally coupled to each other, such that moving the first actuating member (51) into its actuated position causes the second actuating member (52) to be moved into its actuated position and/or such that moving the second actuating member (52) into its actuated position causes the first actuating member (51) to be moved into its actuated position.

An actuation assembly that uses a magnetic field to dispose/retain a first part in a home position is disclosed. An actuation force may be exerted on the first part to move the first part from a home position to an actuated position. A biasing member of the actuation assembly may be used to move the first part from its actuated position back to its home position. The magnetic field may be used to reduce the amount of overtravel of the first part as it is moved back to its home position by the biasing member, may be used to retain the first part in this home position, and/or may be used to establish the home position.

A pouch filling machine, of ultra-clean type or with aseptic chamber, includes a cap feeding head for application to a flexible pouch with spout, a cap passage, and snap-retaining means for releasably retaining a cap ready for release. The snap-retaining means include a pair of grippers. Each gripper has an end portion protruding from an outlet port of the cap passage and consists of a sheet having at least one flexible portion adapted to bend due to advancement of the cap ready for release.