Abstract: A grape processing apparatus and method is described and which includes a screen, a cleated conveyor belt with a bottom flight and which is spaced from the screen, and a source of bunches of grapes which have associated stems, and which are fed into a predetermined space between the bottom flight of the cleated conveyor belt and the screen, and wherein the bunches of grapes move along the screen in a rolling and tumbling motion to separate the individual grapes from the associated stems, and wherein the individual grapes are collected thereafter.

Abstract: A high-speed, high-volume coin sorter includes a coin feed device and a coin sorting device. The coin sorting device includes a number of stationary sorting plates, each plate associated with a respective coin denomination. Coins are successively driven along each sorting plate, with coins associated with the sorting plate discharged at the end of the plate. The other coins drop through the plate and fall onto a conveyor to be transferred to the next sorting plate.

Abstract: A device for conveying separate objects (1), especially disk-shaped objects such as coins is provided with a guideway (2) and with a conveyor (4) running on a conveying arm (3) at a distance from the guideway (2). The distance (d) between a strand (5) of the transport belt (4) facing the guideway and the guideway (2) is smaller than the smallest height of an object (1) above the guideway (2). The objects (1) can be grasped by the strand (5) of the conveyor (4) facing the guideway (2) and can be conveyed on the guideway (2) and wherein the static friction and/or sliding friction forces between the objects (1) and he conveyor (4) are greater than the static friction and/or sliding friction forces between the objects (1) and the guideway (2). The conveyor (4) is a lamella belt (4) and the strand (5) of the lamella belt (4) facing the guideway (2) is guided over the entire longitudinal extension of the conveying arm (3).

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting products, such as magazines, newspapers and books, CDs and/or diskettes, includes a separation station arranged for making single items of the products supplied in stacks, a conveyor arranged for conveying one by one the products coming from the separation station, and a number of sorting stations arranged adjacent the conveyor. The sorting stations are connected to the conveyor such that a product located on the conveyor can be supplied from the conveyor to a desired sorting station for forming a sorted collection of products in the respective sorting station. The apparatus further includes a control. The control is arranged for controlling at least the conveyor and the sorting stations, such that at least two sorting functions can be performed.

Abstract: A device for sorting and selectively collecting flat products, such as shipping pouches, printed products or workpieces, which are placed at predetermined collecting points along the conveying path of an endless conveyor and below the conveyor in collecting containers, includes a pushing device for moving the empty collecting containers transversely of the direction of movement of the conveyor on a transfer path between a lateral pick-up position and the collecting point. The pushing device is reversibly driven in a guide arrangement of the transfer path, wherein the filled collecting containers can be ejected from the collecting point. For driving the pushing device, the pushing device is connected to a drive member of a fixedly mounted drive unit, wherein the drive member is attached to an endless or revolving traction unit.

Abstract: A sorting system includes trolleys traveling along a path between respective stations for loading and unloading items in a direction transversely of the direction of travel of the trolleys. Each station includes an inductor for generating a variable magnetic induction field which is sensed by a detecting mechanism, such as an antenna, disposed on the trolley. In response to the magnetic induction field being detected, a loading/unloading device on the trolley (e.g., an endless belt) is actuated to load or unload items.

Abstract: A device for removal of trimmings obtained from cutting of logs of web material by means of a log cutting machine which include a cutting blade for log cutting and a supporting surface downstream of the cutting blade to support cut out rolls. The device for removal of trimmings is disposed downstream of the supporting surface and at least one pair of conveyor belts for conveying the rolls toward an unloading station, the lower conveyor belt having a back-up horizontally movable roller able to move toward or away from the supporting surface thus creating a gap between the supporting surface and the conveyor sufficient for the trimmings to pass through and fall beneath the machine, while the cut out rolls pass form the supporting surface to the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting containers traveling in sequence on a linear conveyor that includes an infeed mechanism having a first endless drive belt with a portion overlying the conveyor for abutting engagement by containers in sequence traveling on the conveyor, and a first motor driving the belt at a speed greater than the speed of the conveyor for diverting containers laterally at least partially off the conveyor. An abutment assembly is disposed in opposition to the first belt for abutting engagement by containers diverted by the infeed mechanism, such that containers diverted from the conveyor and engaged between the first belt and the abutment assembly are rotated during longitudinal travel along the abutment assembly. Apparatus inspects the containers as they are rotated during travel along the abutment assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting individual pieces includes a plurality of conveying elements which are guided along a closed track and are coupled to each other to form an endless conveying chain. The conveying elements have an at least approximately horizontal support plane configured to place the individual items thereon. For feeding the conveying elements, they travel along the track past at least one feeding station and they travel past several target stations for emptying the conveying elements. Each target station is provided with a sweeping or deflecting device which travels alongside of the conveying elements and pushes the individual piece from the conveying elements.

Abstract: A sortation and sequencing system for sorting a plurality of different items into discrete orders and putting the items into a predetermined sequence within each discrete order or group of orders. The system includes an induction station for accepting items in random succession, and a sensor at the induction station for sensing an identifying characteristic unique to each item and for generating tracking signals uniquely corresponding to the items for tracking the items through the system. A controller receives the tracking signals and generates sort command and sequence command signals which are in part responsive to the tracking signals. A sorter receives the items from the induction station and directs individual items to selected ones of a plurality of sort locations, each sort location corresponding to an individual order or group of orders, in response to sort command signals from the controller.

Abstract: A sorting system for sorting packages at high speed to a large number of destinations by automation. The sorting system provides a feeding mechanism for depositing flat packages in an upright position on a conveying system. The conveying system includes lower and upper conveyors for supporting the package. Ejection modules are included along the length of the conveying system for guiding as well as ejecting individual packages along the conveying system. The ejection module extends around the items to prevent falling of the items in a first position, and breaks away from the around the article when a plunger pushes the article from the path.

Abstract: In airports, large amounts of luggage have to be sorted and transported. Departing the luggage comes from check-in areas (14) to various finger conveyors (4) that radiate from a central area. A large amount of transit luggage must be handled directly between different finger conveyors (4). Arriving luggage comes from the finger conveyors for delivery to a central delivery area. The invention provides for a transportation system having a high degree of simplicity and clearness both in construction and in operative control. A central rotating conveyor system (2) receives luggage both from the check-in areas (14) and from individual conveyor loops (4) that extend along the separate finger conveyors, whereby departing luggage, as well as transit luggage can easily be sorted out to the correct finger conveyors (4), and arriving luggage conveyed to the central delivery area.

Abstract: A sorting system for sorting packages at high speed to a large number of destinations by automation. The sorting system provides a feeding mechanism for depositing flat packages in an upright position on a conveying system. The conveying system includes lower and upper conveyors for supporting the package. Ejection modules are included along the length of the conveying system for guiding as well as ejecting individual packages along the conveying system. The ejection module extends around the items to prevent falling of the items in a first position, and breaks away from the around the article when a plunger pushes the article from the path.

Abstract: A document sorting section for sorting flat documents wherein a plurality of primary document conveying paths are interposed between rows of opposing document stacking elements and document diverters are positioned in the primary paths. Each of the primary conveying paths are in conveying communication with separate diverters and corresponding sorting paths, such as angularly disposed sorting paths, wherein each of the sorting paths is in conveying communication with either of the primary conveying paths, but not both. A primary pivotal diverter, located upstream from the first and second primary conveying paths, diverts documents from the main transport path to either of the primary conveying paths.

Abstract: Sorting apparatus for flat, stackable articles, such as CDs, micro-cassettes, video tapes or similar articles. A single article is continuously removed from a stacked stock at the bottom side of the stack, and is then coded and moved forward by pushing members of a conveyor along an horizontal path, which is inclined transverse to the direction of travel. A series of discharge stations are positioned at the lower side of said path. The code applied ensures that each article is discharged at the correct station. Characterizing features of the apparatus are:1) the slanting position of both the stock, the path of travel and the conveyor;2) the adjustable bottom construction of the stock holder in conjunction with the pushing members of the conveyor.3) the transparent first portion of the path along which the objects are moved by the conveyor with scanning means and additional printers for stickers to be applied upon the passing articles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting cylindrically configured pellets for surface defects is disclosed. At least one axially extending linear portion of the peripheral surface of the pellet is optically sensed. A set of discrete digital values representative of the optically sensed linear portion of the pellet surface is generated and the set of digital values is compared to a predetermined standard. Groups of digital values representative of adjacent locations on the surface of the pellet having values greater or less than the predetermined standard are identified. The area of adjacent digital values having a value above the standard, and the area of adjacent digital values having a value below the standard are calculated and compared to a predetermined area. The pellet is rejected when the calculated area exceeds a predetermined area.

Abstract: A device for identifying and sorting objects includes a low-friction surface for supporting parcels to be identified and sorted, each provided with a bar code on at least one side thereof, a dragging mechanism capable of conveying parcels from a staging area to a sorting area via a readout station which identifies each parcel by means of its bar code, and a plurality of trap doors, responsive to the readout station and located at predetermined positions on the low-friction surface, through which the identified parcels are selectively discharged and thereby routed to a corresponding plurality of intermediate or final destinations. The dragging mechanism comprises a pair of pulleys between which a flexible cable is operatively engaged which in turn pulls a plurality of drag arms over the low-friction surface.

Abstract: Fruit, which may be oblong fruit such as olives, are mechanically sorted into two separate vessels, depending on whether they are, or are not individually thick enough to be clamped between a reciprocating head and a plate, while the head and plate rotate about a drum axis at a downstream end of a carrying run of an endless conveyor for the fruit. The clamped (oversized) fruit are carried further about the periphery of the drum than are the non-clamped (undersized) fruit, allowing these two classes of fruit to be collected separately. In a preferred embodiment, the fruit are individually deposited on the conveyor and subjected to common orientation before passing between the reciprocating head and the plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for high-speed processing of fruit or the like wherein the fruit is initially accumulated and aligned at a pick-up point for capture in spaced-apart pockets of a singulation conveyor at the pick-up point to maintain the fruit in predetermined linear spacing and to accelerate the fruit to a predetermined processing speed, a processing conveyor being operated at a synchronized speed relative to the singulation conveyor for receiving the individual units of fruit, the fruit being carried in trays past a sensor station after which the fruit is discharged from the trays into one of a plurality of discharge passages according to the individual characteristics of the fruit units. A preferred construction for accumulating and aligning the fruit at the pick-up point comprises multiple interconnecting ramps of different inclinations to further assure a continuous supply of fruit at the pick-up point.

Abstract: A seedling grading machine for sorting and collecting seedling trees according to size comprises a conveyor including a longitudinal grate and carrier rods that extend through the grate for moving the seedlings sideways along the grate; an electronic photocell control for measuring the height of each seedling at a front portion of the grate; a series of longitudinally separated gates positioned downstream of the photocell control, each gate corresponding to a given size classification of seedling and opening downwardly to drop the seedling through the gate in accordance with the measured height of the seedling; a dumpable bin in position below each gate to collect the seedlings; an electronic counting means for counting the number of seedlings deposited in each collector bin; a dumping mechanism for dumping each collector bin after a predetermined number of seedlings have been deposited therein; and a conveyor for conveying the seedlings dumped from the collector bin to a packaging station.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating peanuts and like commodities from vines and debris entrained with the peanuts during the harvesting process includes an endless conveyor forming a screen structure made up of elongated platelike members interconnected by spaced apart endless roller chains trained over a triangular arrangement of drive shafting and supporting sprockets. The conveyor screen members are formed by the elongated plates which include horizontally projecting spaced apart tines and vertically extending rake teeth aligned with the tines. The adjacent tines and adjacent plates form openings of predetermined size for allowing peanuts to drop through the conveyor screen into a first receiving hopper while retaining stems, vine parts and other debris on the conveyor screen to be deposited in a second receiving hopper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for advancing eggs from a candling station through a plurality of weighing stations in an egg grading apparatus. The eggs are received from the candling station by elongated guide members and are advanced continuously on the guide members through the weighing stations by advancing bars disposed vertically above the guide members. After weighing, the eggs are advanced to a plurality of holding stations disposed in alignment with and downstream of the guide members and weighing stations. Pairs of eggs are lifted from the holding stations and horizontally adjacent pick-up locations by a rotatable and reciprocal lifting mechanism which rotates about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide members so as to facilitate engagement and vertically upward lifting of the eggs during upward rotational movement thereof.

Abstract: A conveying device for rectangular substantially flat objects, for example, letters, including first and second conveyor sections each including a guide trough which defines a conveying path for the objects and supports a longitudinal edge of same, a direction changing conveyor section connecting the first and second sections together so that objects can be conveyed from the first to the second section, and a rotating pulling device having a plurality of pusher fingers mounted thereon for moving the fingers along the guide troughs of the first and second conveyor sections so as to move objects along the conveying path. The pulling device is mounted on a plurality of drums with one of these drums being disposed in the direction changing conveyor section and having a first contact surface for the pulling device.

Abstract: A device for the bunkering and sorted feeding of small parts, particularly to processing machines, by which the small parts are removed from a bunker space in the bottom area of the bunker, which bunker space is refillable from the top, and via an intermediate inserted lifting unit are fed into the inlet prechamber of a sorting stretch, the latter being formed for example in the shape of a vibrating conveyor. The bunker, lifting unit and sorting section are accommodated in a container, such that the lifting unit rends with the upper end of the lifting device in front of the inlet prechamber of the sorting stretch. The subspace is partitioned-off relative to the bunker space, and the lifting unit is arranged in the subspace of the container, the lifting unit conveying-up rises transversely relative to the bunker outlet opening. The sorting stretch extends on the upper longitudinal edge of the container in a direction opposite to the bunker outlet direction.