Abstract: A stirrer assembly for use with a vessel, such as a keg, having an access opening. The vessel includes a cover that is adapted to close the access opening and has a through-hole therein. A stirrer assembly is adapted to releasably engage the through-hole and to be engaged by a motor. The stirrer assembly includes a driven shaft that extends in to a lower portion of the vessel with a paddle releasably mounted at a distal portion of the driven shaft.

Abstract: A twin-fluid atomized aerial spray system and method of aerial spraying includes flying an atomized spray delivery system with an unmanned aerial system. The atomized spray delivery system includes a first fluid delivery path, a second fluid delivery path and a spray nozzle. The first fluid delivery path has a liquid tank and the second fluid delivery path has a compressed gas tank, wherein the first and second fluid delivery paths deliver respective fluids to the spray nozzle. Liquid from the liquid tank is atomized with compressed gas from the compressed gas tank at the spray nozzle and delivers the atomized spray from the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A system for cutting a workpiece into one or more portions or final pieces, and then transferring the final pieces to a receiving location, includes a conveyor configured to support and advance workpiece, as well as a cutter configured to cut the workpiece into the final pieces. At least one fluid nozzle is positioned relative to the conveyor and selectively activatable to discharge a stream of fluid at a predetermined location(s) on the final piece, thereby to propel the final piece from the conveyor to a receiving location. A controller activates the nozzle to direct the fluid stream at the target position(s) on the final pieces.

Abstract: The powered endless belt (14) of a lower conveyor (12) transports workpieces (16) past a scanning station (18) and then past a slicing station (20), whereat the workpieces are sliced into desired thickness by a powered blade (23). An upper hold-down conveyor (24) includes a powered belt (26) that assists in holding the workpieces stationary and stable as workpieces travel past the slicing station (20). In this regard, the belt is of a compliant construction and is operated at a low enough tension to enable it to substantially conform to the contour of the upper surface of the workpiece, thereby to apply a substantially uniform load about the entire upper surface area of the workpiece.

Abstract: The powered endless belt (14) of a lower conveyor (12) transports workpieces (16) past a scanning station (18) and then past a slicing station (20), whereat the workpieces are sliced into desired thickness by a powered blade (23). An upper hold-down conveyor (24) includes a powered belt (26) that assists in holding the workpieces stationary and stable as workpieces travel past the slicing station (20). In this regard, the belt is of a compliant construction and is operated at a low enough tension to enable it to substantially conform to the contour of the upper surface of the workpiece, thereby to apply a substantially uniform load about the entire upper surface area of the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for cutting a workpiece (100) includes a conveyor (30) for advancing the workpiece. A drive mechanism (26) is disposed above the conveyor (30) and is selectively moveable in one or more directions. A cutter (50) is attached to the drive mechanism (26) to move with the drive mechanism (26) relative to the conveyor (30). The cutter 50 is adapted to intermittently cut the workpiece (100) to form a pattern that comprises a plurality of sequential cut and uncut sections.