Abstract: A compact container holder that comprises a housing, a door, and at least one arm is provided. The arm can be linked to the door through a linkage that can also connect opposing dual pivots. The opposing dual pivots can allow the container holder to fully open and close in one controllable motion, providing a container holder that simply and reliably opens and closes.

Abstract: A tray destacker is operable to separate individual trays from a stack of trays and to discharge the individual trays. The tray destacker includes a tray separating device which engages an edge or handle of the individual tray and moves the tray away from the stack of trays, while a tray retaining device engages a next tray adjacent to the individual tray and retains the remaining trays of the stack. The tray separating device may be biased toward an engaging position so as to engage the individual tray when the trays and the tray separating device are in an appropriate position relative to one another. The tray retaining device may also be biased to engage the next tray and may release the next tray in response to the tray separating device returning to the stack of trays to remove the next tray from the stack.

Abstract: A compact container holder that comprises a housing, a door, and at least one arm is provided. The arm can be linked to the door through a linkage that can also connect opposing dual pivots. The opposing dual pivots can allow the container holder to fully open and close in one controllable motion, providing a container holder that simply and reliably opens and closes.

Abstract: A tray destacker is operable to separate individual trays from a stack of trays and to discharge the individual trays. The tray destacker includes a tray separating device which engages an edge or handle of the individual tray and moves the tray away from the stack of trays, while a tray retaining device engages a next tray adjacent to the individual tray and retains the remaining trays of the stack. The tray separating device may be biased toward an engaging position so as to engage the individual tray when the trays and the tray separating device are in an appropriate position relative to one another. The tray retaining device may also be biased to engage the next tray and may release the next tray in response to the tray separating device returning to the stack of trays to remove the next tray from the stack.

Abstract: An article sensor for use with a conveyor having an article conveying surface includes a sensing member, a pivot which pivotally mounts the sensing member to pivot about a horizontal axis, and a bias which biases the sensing member above the conveying surface. The pivot is defined by a shaftless bearing which operates with an exceptionally small amount of friction which is substantially unaffected by side-loading placed on the bearing.

Abstract: A transfer for conveyors has a spiral shaped sweep which is rotated to cause it to engage selected articles on a conveyor and push them off laterally. The sweep is supported on and rotated by a shaft which is inclined to the vertical and toward the conveyor whereby the circular path traced by its outer end is in an inclined plane and as it moves to its retracted position it moves upwardly. As it moves across the conveyor it has a zone of maximum approach to the conveyor surface which moves across the conveyor surface and outwardly along the sweep as the sweep rotates to its maximum extended position.

Abstract: An accumulator conveyor having an endless driven propelling member has a vertically adjustable support for said propelling member. The support has a stationary lower member and a vertically movable upper member divided into a plurality of segments arranged in tandem with two or more actuators supporting each segment of the upper member on said lower member. Each actuator has a hinged connection to both the upper and lower members and means to limit variation in the spacing between the plates. An expander is mounted on each actuator for forcibly separating the upper plate and actuator and lifting the upper plate as it pivots the actuator about its hinged connection to both the upper and lower plates. Separating the plates lifts the propelling member into conveying mode.