Automatic storage and distribution system

A release mechanism for controlling the release of cartons held in a single file on a gravity feed conveyor, the release mechanism comprising:

• a main pivot secured to the conveyor at a position beneath the plane in which the cartons are stored, the main pivot running laterally across the conveyor;
• a pair of support arms pivotably secured to said main pivot and having ends opposite the pivot which extend above the plane at which the cartons are stored, the ends of the support arms facing in a direction opposite to the direction in which the cartons are gravitationally urged;
• a compressed air cylinder pivotably connected at one end to the conveyor, and pivotably secured at the other end to the support arms at a position spaced away from the main pivot;
• a roller pivotably secured between the support arms at the ends of the arms opposite the main pivot, whereby the roller extends into the path of cartons on the conveyor to stop the movement of the cartons therealong;
• whereby the actuation of the cylinder causes the support arms to swing downward such that the roller is moved out of the path of the cartons and the cartons are thereby released, and the roller as it moves downward is constrained to move toward the cartons to set the cartons in motion prior to their release.

A release mechanism for releasing one product element at a time from a series of elements stored in a single file in a product lane, the product elements being urged in a common direction along the product lane, the release mechanism comprising:

• a protrusion releaseably and returnably held in the path of the product elements along the product lane;
• means to retract the protrusion from said path for a predetermined amount of time, thereby allowing the lead element to move past the protrusion, activation of said means to retract moving the protrusion against the product elements in a direction opposite to said common direction;
• and means to return the protrusion into the path of said elements;
• the time period during which the protrusion is removed being adjustable so that, when different product element types are used, the period may be selected such that only one element is allowed to move past the protrusion during each removal cycle.