Abstract: An accumulating conveyor comprises a conveyor belt successively follows a first helical track from a lower end thereof in upward direction to a location below an upper end thereof, a first bridge to a location at a second helical track below an upper end thereof, the second helical track in downward direction to a lower end thereof, a first set of auxiliary guides to the upper end of the second helical track, the second helical track in downward direction, a second bridge to the first helical track, the first helical track in upward direction to the upper end thereof, and the second set of auxiliary guides to the lower end of the first helical track. The bridges are synchronously movable along the first and second helical tracks for varying the effective lengths of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: The method for intermediately storing double-length substantially cylindrical semi-finished products comprises the step of providing a tipping apparatus and forming double-length substantially cylindrical semi-finished products in the tipping apparatus. The method further comprises the steps of providing a cutting device and cutting the double-length semi-finished product into single products with the cutting device and providing a packer and packing single products in the packer. The method yet further comprises the steps of transporting the double-length semi-finished products from the tipping apparatus to the cutting device and transporting the single products from the cutting device to the packer, and intermediately buffering double-length substantially cylindrical semi-finished products in a buffer arranged between the tipping apparatus and the cutting device.

Abstract: An article processing station is characterized by an accumulating article shaft and robotic EOAT receiving articles entering the shaft. The shaft includes a grouped article receiving deck within an egress portion of the shaft, opposingly paired sidewalls, and an end wall downstream of the sidewalls. The deck includes spaced apart deck fingers, the end wall includes spaced apart wall fingers, and the EOAT includes spaced apart tool fingers. The tool fingers are registerable in relation to spaces of the spaced apart wall fingers and the spaced apart deck fingers so as to pass there through. The tool travels to, through and from the shaft, so as to receive articles entering the ingress portion of the shaft while traveling from the ingress portion towards the egress portion in furtherance of depositing an article group upon the deck during travel from the shaft.

Abstract: A conveyor may include a track, a material carrying assembly, a powered member, a stationary frame and two movable frames configured for a movement in a relationship to the stationary frame by way of track assemblies mounted stationary on an interior of the stationary frame and roller assemblies affixed to the two movable frames. The material carrying assembly moves in a vertical direction between two positions to allow material movement in a first direction along the track and in a second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. A conveyor may also include a track, a material carrying and two or more powered members coupled to the material carrying assembly and configured to move the material carrying assembly in the vertical direction.

Abstract: Process for the production of paper rolls, including a step of producing logs (L) of paper material by winding a predetermined amount of paper web (W) about a respective longitudinal axis, a step of transverse cutting of the logs (L) to obtain rolls (RO) of predetermined length, and an intermediate step of transporting the logs (L) from a rewinder (R) that produces the logs (L) toward a cutting-off machine (CM) that cuts them transversely. The intermediate transporting step involves the handling of the logs (L) along a path comprising a lateral deviation, so that, as they advance, the logs (L) are subjected to the lateral deviation.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for dynamically adjusting sensors for use in compactors and receptacles. A receptacle first sends a signal from a transmitter on a first module in a receptacle to a receiver on a second module in the receptacle, wherein the first module is located on a first inner wall of the receptacle and the second module is located on a second inner wall of the receptacle, and wherein at least part of the first module and the second module is located a distance above a bin inside the receptacle. Next, the receptacle determines a signal-detection characteristic including a signal detection status or a number of signal pulses associated with a signal detection. Based on the signal-detection characteristic, the receptacle determines an operating condition of the receptacle, the operating condition including a fullness level or an obstruction level associated with the first or second sensors.

Abstract: The device for transporting support plates for bakery products includes supporting angle brackets on which rest the edges of plates, and a driving device cooperative with the brackets on both sides of a vertical median plane. The driving device includes at least one chain forming a close-loop circuit so as to define an ascending column and a descending column of supporting means and, at least one connecting support hinged about a horizontal axis of at least one angle bracket. There is a device for holding and guiding the angle brackets in a horizontal plane in a transfer portion from the ascending column to the descending column and a conveyer extending at least under the ascending and descending columns between the driving device.

Abstract: The method for intermediately storing double-length substantially cylindrical semi-finished products comprises the step of providing a tipping apparatus and forming double-length substantially cylindrical semi-finished products in the tipping apparatus. The method further comprises the steps of providing a cutting device and cutting the double-length semi-finished product into single products with the cutting device and providing a packer and packing single products in the packer. The method yet further comprises the steps of transporting the double-length semi-finished products from the tipping apparatus to the cutting device and transporting the single products from the cutting device to the packer, and intermediately buffering double-length substantially cylindrical semi-finished products in a buffer arranged between the tipping apparatus and the cutting device.

Abstract: Described are systems and techniques configured to control force applied by a force mechanism in a self-facing inventory location in a facility. An amount of force to be applied to the items stored at the inventory location may be determined by a user context. The user context may include one or more of presence of a user within a threshold distance of the inventory location, particular gesture by the user such as reaching for an item stowed at the inventory location, and so forth. The user context may be based on processing of images acquired in the facility. In one example, as the user reaches for the item stowed at the inventory location, the force mechanism reduces the amount of force applied, easing removal of the item. With picking complete, the force mechanism increases the amount of force applied causing the remaining items in the inventory location to be faced.

Abstract: One variation of a method for automatically generating a planogram for a store includes: dispatching a robotic system to autonomously navigate within the store during a mapping routine; accessing a floor map of the floor space generated by the robotic system from map data collected during the mapping routine; identifying a shelving structure within the map of the floor space; defining a first set of waypoints along an aisle facing the shelving structure; dispatching the robotic system to navigate to and to capture optical data at the set of waypoints during an imaging routine; receiving a set of images generated from optical data recorded by the robotic system during the imaging routine; identifying products and positions of products in the set of images; and generating a planogram of the shelving segment based on products and positions of products identified in the set of images.

Abstract: A package storage system for a kiosk includes a shelf on which packages are stacked. The shelf is configured to be adjustable in a vertical height. The system also includes a sliding guide configured to be movable with respect to the shelf, and a clamp device having two adjustable side arms and slidably attached to the sliding guide. The clamp device is also configured to grip one of the packages by the two adjustable side arms. The system further includes a blade slidably attached to the sliding guide and configured to pull out a package that is stacked immediately beneath the one package griped by the clamp device. The system also includes a labelling device configured to label the packages inside the kiosk, and a receiving tray configured to receive the packages that are delivered to the kiosk. The system further includes a controller to control movement of the clamp device. The controller is further programmed to move the packages based on specified rules.

Abstract: One variation of a method for tracking placement of products in a store includes: accessing an image recorded by a mobile robotic system within a store; detecting a shelf in a region of the image; based on an address of the shelf, retrieving a list of products assigned to the shelf by a planogram of the store; retrieving a set of template images—from a database of template images—defining visual features of products specified in the list of products; extracting a set of features from the region of the image; determining that a unit of the product is mis-stocked on the shelf in response to deviation between the set of features and features in a template image, in the set of template images, representing the product; and in response to determining that the unit of the product is mis-stocked on the shelf, generating a restocking prompt for the product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production line and a method for making tangible products by layerwise manufacturing. The production line comprises a deposition head for depositing construction material layerwise on a building platform. The building platforms can move with a different speed along a conveyor. Optionally, the height of the building platforms can be adjusted. The method is characterized in that at least two building platforms are moving with different speed.

Abstract: An adjustable capacity reservoir for processing rod-like elements for tobacco industry, having partitioned multiple chambers.

Abstract: A method of feeding rod-shaped consumer goods to a packing apparatus is provided, including providing a plurality of rod-shaped consumer goods to an upstream end of a stacking channel, and feeding the plurality of rod-shaped consumer goods along the stacking channel to a downstream end of the stacking channel. The upstream end of the stacking channel is higher than the downstream end in the vertical direction, and at least a portion of the stacking channel extends at an angle of between about 25 degrees and about 75 degrees with respect to the vertical direction. The method further includes receiving the plurality of rod-shaped consumer goods into a hopper from the downstream end of the stacking channel, and distributing the plurality of rod-shaped consumer goods from the hopper into a packing apparatus.

Abstract: A transfer device (19), comprising a carrier (21) including a number of mutually spaced-apart, substantially parallel extending transfer fingers (22) that in use reach into grooves (14) between ribs (13) on a conveying surface of a grooved conveyor belt (2). Back parts (23) of the fingers form a comb shaped part (24) of a substantially planar slide-over surface (25) of the transfer device. The carrier further includes a conveyor guide track (26) that is lowered with respect to the slide over surface and that extends transversely to the fingers, and that in use is provided with a cross conveyor belt (6) movable in a conveying direction transversely to the fingers, so that a conveying surface (9) of the cross conveyor belt forms a conveying part (27) of the slide-over surface that is substantially contiguous to and flush with the comb shaped part (24).

Abstract: A process of identifying a plurality of biological samples having particular desired attributes by testing pooled samples and selecting, for intended uses such as transfusion, or for subsequent analysis that is thereby enriched for such samples, pooled samples which have, or may have, said desired attributes. The preferred number of samples per pool “d” is determined by selecting an integer value as d which produces the maximum or a value near the maximum of the product of: d times the expected number of unambiguous sample pools, where a sample pool is unambiguous if all of the samples have the desired attributes, and is otherwise ambiguous if at least one sample has the desired attributes. The value selected as d can be greater than the maximum product above, so as to enlarge the total number of samples assayed in determining the desired attributes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding a plurality of tread bands in a process for building tires for vehicle wheels. Each tread band initially includes, on a side thereof, a service fabric. The tread bands are initially arranged at different heights. The method includes positioning a first auxiliary conveyor belt of an auxiliary collection device including a plurality of juxtaposed auxiliary conveyor belts at a first height corresponding to the height of a first tread band, then, proceeding with the removal of the service fabric from the first tread band while the first tread band is transferred onto the first auxiliary conveyor belt. The method also includes positioning at least one second auxiliary conveyor belt of the auxiliary collection device at at least one second height corresponding to that of at least one second tread band.

Abstract: A food processing machine includes a first frame, a plurality of in-feed cartridges, and at least one motor. The plurality of in-feed cartridges are connected with the first frame in spaced-apart relation. Each in-feed cartridge includes a base member and a belt member moveably disposed around the base member. The at least one motor is connected with the belt members and configured to drive the belt members of the plurality of in-feed cartridges around their respective base members. The plurality of in-feed cartridges are disconnectable with the first frame and reconfigurable so that any number of the plurality of in-feed cartridges can be reconnected with the first frame in varying spaced-apart relation.

Abstract: A buffer device for temporary storage and flow control in a product conveying system includes a plurality of vertically movable product holders at an inlet end and outlet end, and an elevator system for placing product holders in a conveying plane of the conveying system and vertically moving the product holders. The elevator system preferably includes a chain loop at the inlet end and a chain loop at the outlet end, both of which are equipped all around with product holders, and the chain loops can move in opposite directions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a system and methods for archiving and/or retrieving specimens. Embodiments of the system of the present invention include a movement mechanism, an archival structure, and a software program. Embodiments of the device are configured to acquire a specimen, transport the specimen to a unique location in the archival structure, and store information regarding specimen identification and storage location.

Abstract: The subject of the application is a device which supports mass flow of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry in a transport channel, having at least two segments (2, 3) connected by a connecting element (4), characterised in that the segments (2) are provided with positioning means (7, 8) which mate with the elements of the conveyor to set the position of the supporting device relative to the elements of the conveyor (5a, 5b).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a product transfer device. The product transfer device includes a moving assembly, a supporting assembly and a rotating assembly. The moving assembly is configured to drive the supporting assembly to move, the supporting assembly is configured such that a product is placed on the supporting assembly, and the rotating assembly is able to be connected with the supporting assembly to rotate the product placed on the supporting assembly.

Abstract: A conveyor belt system includes a conveyor belt and a sensor assembly integrated in the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of wickets, and a plurality of interconnecting rods about which the wickets hinge. The sensor assembly includes a load-bearing member and a sensor fitted in the load-bearing member. The load-bearing member is coupled to two adjacent rods such that a belt tension is sustained between the adjacent rods. A method of using a conveyor belt system include pinging the sensor assembly using a reader with an antenna positioned on a conveyor frame, collecting a signal from the sensor assembly using the reader, and processing the collected data to determine a history of belt tension and to estimate overall belt elongation.

Abstract: A substrate conveying system includes a substrate supply unit including a movable rack and an up-down unit which moves the movable rack down, a lift unit which has one or more ejection holes which eject a gas upward and is configured to lift-up the substrate supported on the movable rack by the pressure of the gas ejected through ejection holes when the up-down unit moves the movable rack down, and a conveying unit which includes a conveyor, and hook elements extending upward from the conveyor, and is configured to push in a conveying direction the substrate W being lifted-up by the pressure of the gas ejected through the ejection holes.

Abstract: A conveying system for conveying rolled absorbent products. The system can include a first conveyor and a second conveyor for moving rolled absorbent products. The rolled absorbent products can be either partially wrapped or naked. The first and second conveyors can each have aligned centerlines parallel to a direction of movement. A first transfer device can be coupled to the first conveyor for diverting at least a portion of the partially wrapped rolled absorbent products in a direction substantially orthogonal to the centerline of the first conveyor to another conveyor for moving the diverted rolled absorbent products to a subsequent unit operation. The un-diverted portion of the conveyed rolled absorbent products can be conveyed to the second conveyor. In operation rolled absorbent products can be conveyed in a generally straight path from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, or in a path that diverts away from the first conveyor to the subsequent unit operation.

Abstract: There is provided devices for supplying molded parts in, for example, a beverage filling plant. An exemplary device may include a circulating conveyor chain for conveying the molded parts, wherein the circular conveyor chain forms a helical conveying track between an intake area and a discharge area, and a buffer for buffering the molded parts, wherein the buffer is disposed at the intake area or at the discharge area. The buffer may include a buffer base area within the helical conveying track for buffering the molded part. Another exemplary device may include a circulating conveyor chain for conveying the molded parts, wherein the circular conveyor chain forms a helical conveying track between an intake area and a discharge area, and wherein the helical conveying track extends around a space which is free of machine parts. The space may be formed to allow for an assembly space or manhole through the device.

Abstract: A device (1) for the temporary storage of preferably unlacquered cans (11), comprising a supplying conveyor system (2), and intermediate storage system and a handling system (3) which is designed and controlled for simultaneously transferring a plurality of cans (11) from the conveyor system (2) to the intermediate storage system.

Abstract: A document recycle box is provided to comprise: a housing 60, a cover 52 rotatably attached to housing 60, a convey belt device 51 of a recycle conveyor device 50 attached to one of housing 60 or cover 52 along one side of a recycle pathway 11 extending within housing 60, a plurality of rollers 53 of recycle conveyor device 50 attached to the other of housing 60 or cover 52 along the other side of recycle pathway 11 on the opposite side of conveyor belt device 51, and a drum device 43 rotatably disposed within housing 60. Cover 52 may be released from housing 60 to move recycle conveyor 50 away from rollers 53 to easily remove a jammed document within recycle pathway 11.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medium detecting method includes conveying a medium in a first direction along a first conveying path, and allowing the medium conveyed from the first conveying path to enter a second conveying path arranged with the first conveying path so that the medium is conveyed in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The method also includes allowing light emitting elements of first and second detecting sensors to irradiate light such that the light intersects the first and second conveying paths, and detecting the presence or absence of the medium based on whether or not light receiving elements of the first and second detecting sensors receive the light.

Abstract: A sorting device having at least one control unit for sorting mixtures of individual elements in sorting units according to at least one characterizing feature of the individual elements and having at least one conveyor belt. The sorting device comprises at least one buffer unit having at least two displaceable storage elements for intermediate storage of individual elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for storing objects, such as surgical instruments, in predetermined storage containers (4). The system includes a conveyor (1) for transporting objects (3) placed on the conveyor to a camera (12) for recognizing the objects by reading an identification code provided on each object, and a device (6) for transporting each object (3) from the conveyor to the storage container for which it is intended. The system is characterized in that it includes a device (5) for transferring each recognized object (3) from the conveyor (1) into a box (8) for transporting the object into the container for which it is intended, and a device for supporting this transport box (8), which is movable according to a stepwise movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coating installation, in particular for painting motor vehicle bodies, comprising a transport path (2, 12), along which a plurality of coating objects (1) are transported one after the other through the coating installation, and a plurality of treatment stations (13-17, 18-22, 23-27), in which the coating objects (1) are treated. It is proposed that the transport path (2, 12) branches into a plurality of parallel branches (5-9), in each of which at least one of the treatment stations (13-17, 18-22, 23-27) is arranged.

Abstract: A module conveying device including a main conveying mechanism conveying products in a main conveying direction between an input location and an output location of the main conveying mechanism. The output location can be swiveled between two vertically arranged first transfer positions. A transverse mechanism accepts the conveyed products that likewise includes an input location and an output location, which input location is positioned in one of the two first transfer positions and the output location of the transverse conveying mechanism is positioned in a second transfer position. The output location of the main conveying mechanism can be swiveled between at least one additional first transfer position and the two first transfer positions. Each additional first transfer position is positioned in the event of one input location of an additional transverse conveying mechanism.

Abstract: A buffer conveyor for conveying and buffering products, comprising at least a first elongated conveyor (7), which can be driven in a first direction, a second elongated conveyor (8), which can be driven in a second, opposite direction, and a transfer unit (12) having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein a transfer element of the transfer unit describes a path between the inlet end and the outlet end which makes at most a small angle with the horizontal and which extends outside the area defined by the adjacent paths of the first and the second conveyor.

Abstract: A disk transportation device includes a pair of rotation arms that are rotatable respectively about a fulcrum shaft extending in the same direction as the axial direction of a center shaft of a disk-shaped recording medium in both sides thereof that pinch the transportation passage of the disk-shaped recording medium transported between a disk changer and a disk drive device; and four transportation rollers of which two at a time are rotatably supported on the pair of rotation arms respectively, wherein the four transportation rollers contact the outer peripheral surface of the disk-shaped recording medium respectively and the pair of rotation arms are rotated in opposite directions to each other in a state where one of the transportation rollers at a time is supported at the pair of the rotation arms respectively contact the outer peripheral surface of the disk-shaped recording medium.

Abstract: In the case of a card mass storage device having a storage device and a card transfer, the storage device includes a main storage device and an interim storage device, which is disposed between the main storage device and the card transfer, to allow sorting processes that make implementing rapid access possible.

Abstract: A dipping apparatus for dipping the workpiece W in a treatment bath. The workpiece is transferred while fixed on a conveying traveling body 2, and each one flipped upside down together into the treatment bath for carrying out a surface treatment of the workpiece W. The dipping apparatus is provided with a positioning and fixing device to position the conveying traveling body 2 onto the guide rail 17a on the rotation base 15 at a fixed position and to fix the conveying traveling body 2 to the rotation base 15. A feeding mechanism feeds the conveying traveling body 2 to the fixed position on the rotation base 15.

Abstract: A document recycle box is provided to comprise: a housing 60, a cover 52 rotatably attached to housing 60, a convey belt device 51 of a recycle conveyor device 50 attached to one of housing 60 or cover 52 along one side of a recycle pathway 11 extending within housing 60, a plurality of rollers 53 of recycle conveyor device 50 attached to the other of housing 60 or cover 52 along the other side of recycle pathway 11 on the opposite side of conveyor belt device 51, and a drum device 43 rotatably disposed within housing 60. Cover 52 may be released from housing 60 to move recycle conveyor 50 away from rollers 53 to easily remove a jammed document within recycle pathway 11.

Abstract: A device (1) for the temporary storage of preferably unlacquered cans (11), comprising a supplying conveyor system (2), and intermediate storage system and a handling system (3) which is designed and controlled for simultaneously transferring a plurality of cans (11) from the conveyor system (2) to the intermediate storage system.

Abstract: The present invention features, in part, a moving cart system that comprises a moving cart main line which is disposed along process portions and on which a moving cart is transpired along a positive length direction of the moving cart main line, a moving cart return line which is disposed parallel with the moving cart main line and on which the moving cart is transpired along a negative length direction of the moving cart return line, traverses which are disposed for connecting a front and a rear of the moving cart main line and the moving cart return line, and a plurality of storages which are disposed perpendicular to the moving cart return line in predetermined intervals along a length direction of the moving cart return line for storing the moving cart, wherein the moving cart moves along the plurality of storages.

Abstract: Assembly having a plurality of conveyors (7, 8, 11, 23, 25, 29) and a variable capacity store (2) with one inlet (3) and one outlet (4) formed on two neighboring levels, a lower one (5) and an upper one (6), closed with a common back plate (9), fixed to a slide (13) making reciprocating movements, the concave surface (10) of which, on the interior side of the store (2) constitutes a conveyor (11), provided with a rotary arm, fixed to a slide (13), the axis of rotation of which is coaxial with a center of curvature of the surface (10) of the back plate (9), and at the inlet (3) there is a swing mounted valve element (18) and a swing limiter (26) for displacing rod shaped elements (1), whereas at the outlet (4) there is swing mounted valve element (20). Moreover the invention presents a method of controlling mass flow of rod shaped elements in the store (2) and self-filling and self-emptying of the store (2) constituting a part of the assembly disposed in a production line of products of tobacco industry.

Abstract: Provided is a flexible machining facility using a sub-pallet, which can quickly satisfy the increasing or decreasing of units or other required specifications. It The machining facility includes a machine tool (1) having a pallet changer (47) for changing main pallets (39), a plurality of sub-pallets (3) for a workpiece to be mounted thereon, a setup station (5) for carrying the sub-pallet (3) and mounting and dismounting a workpiece on and from the sub-pallet (3), a sub-pallet stocker (7) for carrying the sub-pallet (3) thereon, and a sub-pallet conveyor system (9) for conveying the sub-pallet (3) and configured to include sub-pallet carrying parts of the machine tool (1), setup station (5), and sub-pallet stocker (7) in a workable area thereof. The sub-pallet (3) can be used to convey and machine a workpiece.

Abstract: A buffer conveyor for conveying and buffering products comprises a first elongated conveyor and a second elongated conveyor that can be driven in an opposite direction. The first and the second conveyor extend in a path at least substantially parallel to each other and beside each other. A transfer unit is movable at least substantially parallel to the first and the second conveyor in the aforesaid path and is provided with a transfer device for transferring the products from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. The transfer unit comprises a drive unit for moving the transfer unit, preferably in dependence on the velocities of the first and the second conveyor. The drive unit of the transfer unit comprises a drive motor, which follows the movements of the transfer unit at least in part.

Abstract: A device for storing articles with two conveyor tracks that can be driven in opposite directions and a transfer mechanism that can be moved along the conveyor tracks for transferring the articles between the two conveyor tracks // with this device at least one functional control unit that monitors the device is provided. This significantly improves the possibility of detecting damage and trouble and prevents serious consequences, damages and downtime.

Abstract: A conveyance device is configured to carry a product. The conveyance device includes a first path configured to carry the product in a first direction, a second path configured to carry the product in a second direction, and a transfer assembly positioned adjacent to a portion of the first path to facilitate transfer of the product from the first path to the second path. The conveyance device also includes a guide system configured to move the transfer assembly along the first path. The guide system includes a base positioned proximate the first path and the second path and an arm coupled to the base and extending above a portion of the first path and a portion of the second path. The arm is configured to move in a first manner and a second manner relative to the base. The transfer assembly is movably coupled to the arm.

Abstract: An inventory control system includes a storage module having a continuous track and a plurality of individual storage units stacked in multiple columns or rows. Each storage unit is engaged with the track for selective movement along the track. An inventory control unit is associated with the storage module and has a user interface, a processor, a memory, and a mechanism for inputting object information, including storage unit placement. The processor receives the object information from the inputting mechanism, and stores the object information in the memory for user access therefrom via the user interface.

Abstract: A tray component supply apparatus comprises a main body side replenishment tray holding section 50 provided at an upper part over a tray stocker 40 of an apparatus main body 30 and a tray discharge section 60 provided at a lower part under the tray stocker 40 of the apparatus main body 30. The tray stocker 40 is provided with a tray stocker side replenishment tray holding section 80 on a top plate 44 thereof and empty tray holding members 85 on a bottom plate 43 thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a vermiculture plant, the apparatus including a treatment receptacle having a treatment Apparatus for use in a vermiculture plant which includes a treatment receptacle having a treatment chamber therein and a base upon which material within the treatment chamber is disposed. The receptacle is arranged so that when in use there is a space below the base. The apparatus further includes a harvester operable to extract material from the treatment chamber through the base and a collecting assembly including a flexible belt operatively connected to a rotatable drum so that it can be wound onto or drawn from the rotatable member. The belt is arranged so that it can adopt a collecting position when at least partially unwound from the rotatable member wherein it is positioned below the treatment chamber and harvester so that harvested material can be collected upon it and is operable so that when wound onto the rotatable member material thereon can be transferred to a discharge zone.

Abstract: The storage unit comprises at least two flexible members (55), equipped with supports (57) for the products to be stored, extending and moving along respective parallel paths defined by a plurality of driving wheels (59, 63). The supports (57) project laterally in respect of the relative flexible member. In each of the paths, in proximity to at least one driving wheel, a transfer member (71) is positioned to receive the products from the supports located on a branch (55A) of the respective flexible member upstream of said driving wheel and transfer them to the supports located on a branch (55B) of said flexible member downstream of said driving wheel in respect of the direction of feed of the flexible members along the respective paths, so that the products follow a trajectory that by-passes said driving wheel.