Abstract: A device for reliably sweeping or sorting an article from a main conveyor surface that is positioned above the main conveyor surface and includes a paddle assembly that can be adjusted for moving various different articles from the main conveyor.

Abstract: The invention comprises a steam cleaning system that can rapidly handle multiple objects in an efficient and useful way. For example, objects used for shipping or moving food products in the food manufacturing or food services industries must either be new, clean and used once and then discarded, or re-used and thus cleaned to ensure no contamination is present. Layer pad objects or other separating surfaces are often used in these industries and often when these objects are used in stacking and pelletizing large shipments of food products, where the payer pad or other separating or container objects or surfaces help contain or maintain the integrity of the food products during shipment. In an important aspect of the invention, a plastic layer pad cleaning system is described. In other aspects, other surfaces, containers, or other separating objects used in shipping or distribution or food products are efficiently cleaned using a steam cleaning and conveying system.

Abstract: A device for reliably sweeping or sorting an article from a main conveyor surface that is positioned above the main conveyor surface and includes a paddle assembly that can be adjusted for moving various different articles from the main conveyor.

Abstract: The invention comprises a steam cleaning system that can rapidly handle multiple objects in an efficient and useful way. For example, objects used for shipping or moving food products in the food manufacturing or food services industries must either be new, clean and used once and then discarded, or re-used and thus cleaned to ensure no contamination is present. Layer pad objects or other separating surfaces are often used in these industries and often when these objects are used in stacking and pelletizing large shipments of food products, where the payer pad or other separating or container objects or surfaces help contain or maintain the integrity of the food products during shipment. In an important aspect of the invention, a plastic layer pad cleaning system is described. In other aspects, other surfaces, containers, or other separating objects used in shipping or distribution or food products are efficiently cleaned using a steam cleaning and conveying system.

Abstract: A device for reliably sweeping or sorting an article from a main conveyor surface that is positioned above the main conveyor surface and includes a paddle assembly that can be adjusted for moving various different articles from the main conveyor.

Abstract: The invention comprises a container stacking operation integrated into a conveyor system for transporting products such as totes or containers. In a preferred embodiment a vertical stacking operation is located proximal to a product delivery station so that the use and storage of containers or totes can be efficiently integrated into a product conveying system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for diverting the path of container units or other articles from an initial conveying direction in a conveying system. In a preferred example, the conveying system incorporates a hinged divert section along a conveying path to more efficiently and robustly divert a container or article in one of several directions, preferably perpendicular to the initial conveying direction. The invention is particularly useful in package processing and storage applications. The hinged divert section of the invention operates using a mechanically advantageous hinged or tilting surface that requires less energy or force to engage a container transport element. Multiple vertical levels can be employed within the conveying system, with the hinged divert section moving vertically and transporting containers in different directions and/or different levels within the conveying system.

Abstract: The invention comprises a conveyor or sorting system capable of providing multiple divert steps that effectively sort or sequence objects into a desired order on a main conveyor surface. The divert steps or processes involve a divert area active at a divert point along the main conveyor axis. In particular, the invention employs an apparatus or steps in a sorting operation to minimize or reduce the percentage of objects or containers that fall from or jam on the main conveyor by using the bi-directional divert apparatus and divert guides. The apparatus and methods can more accurately sort collections of containers or objects into a desired sequence, for example, as used in mail or parcel delivery systems.

Abstract: A ski boot generally comprising an outer boot having an upper shell and a sole attached to the bottom of the upper shell. When the ski boot is in place, the outer boot is fixed to a ski. A laterally tiltable insert rests upon the portion of the sole inside the upper shell, and a foot of a skier rests upon the insert. Inversion or eversion of the skier's foot alone causes the insert to tilt thereby creating a weight shift which is transferred to the edge of the ski causing it to turn. Skiing maneuvers are, therefore, accomplished without twisting the torso or laterally moving the knees.