Abstract: A flight conveyor for conveying articles while preventing injuries to an operator, the flight conveyor comprising a frame defining a trough, a drive system defining a rotating pathway and at least one flight driven by the drive system along the rotating pathway for conveying the articles through the trough, wherein the at least one flight is detachably fastened to the drive system and configured to be detached when subjected to a resistive force capable of injuring an operator.

Abstract: A conveyorized baking system having improved dust shield support. The system includes including a conveyor track, a conveyor chain that moves through the conveyor track, flanged support struts attached to the conveyor chain, and dust shields supported by the flanged support struts for preventing dust and debris from entering the conveyor track.

Abstract: A conveyorized baking system having improved dust shield support. The system includes including a conveyor track, a conveyor chain that moves through the conveyor track, flanged support struts attached to the conveyor chain, and dust shields supported by the flanged support struts for preventing dust and debris from entering the conveyor track.

Abstract: The invention relates to an axle and bearing for a conveyor chain link, such as those used in commercial bakery equipment. The conveyor chain link generally includes at least one roller bearing wheel with a central hole, an axle pin, and a link component with a bore. The axle pin is configured to extend through the hole in the roller bearing wheel and the bore in the link component to attach the at least one roller bearing wheel to the link component. The axle pin includes a medial portion having at least one surface engagement feature configured for anti-spin engagement with the link component. The roller bearing wheel includes at least one engagement feature for anti-spin engagement with the distal end of the axle pin.

Abstract: The invention relates to an axle and bearing for a conveyor chain link, such as those used in commercial bakery equipment. The conveyor chain link generally includes at least one roller bearing wheel with a central hole, an axle pin, and a link component with a bore. The axle pin is configured to extend through the hole in the roller bearing wheel and the bore in the link component to attach the at least one roller bearing wheel to the link component. The axle pin includes a medial portion having at least one surface engagement feature configured for anti-spin engagement with the link component. The roller bearing wheel includes at least one engagement feature for anti-spin engagement with the distal end of the axle pin.

Abstract: An adjustable magnetic grid assembly is provided in a conveyor system. The magnetic grid assembly eliminates wear and tear on metal pans placed on the grid and transported through the conveyor system. Locations of magnets in the magnetic grid assembly are adjustable to accommodate metal pans of different sizes and configurations.

Abstract: In a conveyor belt system, a static dissipative sprocket constructed of a static dissipative plastic material creates a path of conveyance for dissipating static electricity between a conveyor belt and a grounded drive shaft. The static dissipative sprocket includes an attachment collar incorporated into the sprocket as a single unitary component. The static dissipative sprocket can include a set screw and metal insert to assist in the transfer of static electricity from the static dissipative sprocket to the drive shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to an axle and bearing for a conveyor chain link, such as those used in commercial bakery equipment. The conveyor chain link generally includes at least one roller bearing wheel with a central hole, an axle pin, and a link component with a bore. The axle pin is configured to extend through the hole in the roller bearing wheel and the bore in the link component to attach the at least one roller bearing wheel to the link component. The axle pin includes a medial portion having at least one surface engagement feature configured for anti-spin engagement with the link component. The roller bearing wheel includes at least one engagement feature for anti-spin engagement with the distal end of the axle pin.

Abstract: The invention relates to an axle and bearing for a conveyor chain link, such as those used in commercial bakery equipment. The conveyor chain link generally includes at least one roller bearing wheel with a central hole, an axle pin, and a link component with a bore. The axle pin is configured to extend through the hole in the roller bearing wheel and the bore in the link component to attach the at least one roller bearing wheel to the link component. The axle pin includes a medial portion having at least one surface engagement feature configured for anti-spin engagement with the link component. The roller bearing wheel includes at least one engagement feature for anti-spin engagement with the distal end of the axle pin.

Abstract: A chain tensioning sprocket is moveable with a predetermined force into a U-shaped path of a chain to apply continuous tensioning force to the chain. The change in length of the chain is measured by detecting the movement of the chain tensioning sprocket into the U-shaped path of the chain, and measurement of movement of the chain tensioning sprocket indicates a change in the length of the whole chain, which, in turn, indicates the wear on the parts of the chain and the expected operative life of the chain.

Abstract: Provide an oven and optional cooking accessories having a high emissivity thermal protective layer on a substrate surface which comprises a metal or ceramic. The layer comprises from about 5% to 30% of an inorganic adhesive, from about 45% to 92% of at least one filler, and from about 1% to 25% of one or more emissivity agents; or from about 5% to 35% of colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, or combinations thereof, from about 23% to 79% of at least one filler, and from about 1% to 25% of one or more emissivity agents.

Abstract: A chain tensioning sprocket is moveable with a predetermined force into a U-shaped path of a chain to apply continuous tensioning force to the chain. The change in length of the chain is measured by detecting the movement of the chain tensioning sprocket into the U-shaped path of the chain, and measurement of movement of the chain tensioning sprocket indicates a change in the length of the whole chain, which, in turn, indicates the wear on the parts of the chain and the expected operative life of the chain.

Abstract: End of arm tool (10) is used to load goods A and B in two layers in a packing container (8), with a packing insert positioned between the layers. The tool (10) also grasps a packing insert in the form of a flat sheet, bends the ends of the packing sheet downwardly to form an inverted U shape, and then inserts the packing insert in a straddling relationship about the lower layer of goods A, to protect the lower layer of goods from the weight applied by the upper layer of goods B.

Abstract: A bellows 10 is configured for connection to an end effector of a robot and includes a valve 28 supported in the interior space of the bellows. A flow of low pressure air is induced from inside the bellows into a vacuum plenum 24 for retrieving a work product by the open end 16 of the bellows. High pressure air is moved through a conduit 50 into the valve to terminate the flow of low pressure air and terminate the suction applied by the bellows to the work product.

Abstract: A valve 28 is positioned in the upper portion of the interior space of the bellows 10. A flow of low pressure air is induced inside the bellows when the valve elements 40 move away from the air inlet openings 38. When high pressure air is moved into the central portion of the valve housing 30, the valve elements 40 tend to move radially outwardly to block the air passages 38 and 42, thereby terminating the suction applied to the bellows.

Abstract: Stacker 10 engages its end of arm tool 35 against a pan 40 and lifts the pan through an arc so that the pan revolves about its support framework 12 to a delivery position. The pair of lift arms 22 and 23 revolves about the pivot shaft 30 as the pivot shaft moves vertically so that the pans may be moved from a higher elevation to a lower elevation, and vice versa. The end of arm tool is maintained in its upright attitude throughout the movement by a timing belt 50 so that the pan is also deposited in the same attitude as when it was received.

Abstract: End of arm tool (10) is used to load goods A and B in two layers in a packing container (8), with a packing insert positioned between the layers. The tool (10) also grasps a packing insert in the form of a flat sheet, bends the ends of the packing sheet downwardly to form an inverted U shape, and then inserts the packing insert in a straddling relationship about the lower layer of goods A, to protect the lower layer of goods from the weight applied by the upper layer of goods B.

Abstract: Cable manager 30 is positioned between the distal end of a robot arm 16 and the robot end effector 18. Elongated cable carrier 44 positioned in a circular cable track 34 extends in an arc about the axis of connection 17 between the robot arm and the end effector. One end 56 of the cable carrier moves with the robot arm and the other end 54 moves with the end effector. The cable carrier forms a U-shape 60 between its ends so that the movements of the ends of the cable carrier result in the U-shape accommodating the change in distance between the ends of the utility line and the cable carrier. Utility lines 62 are gathered in one or more cables that extend through the cable carrier to provide the end effector with the controls necessary for its operation.

Abstract: A valve 28 is positioned in the upper portion of the interior space of the bellows 10. A flow of low pressure air is induced inside the bellows when the valve elements 40 move away from the air inlet openings 38. When high pressure air is moved into the central portion of the valve housing 30, the valve elements 40 tend to move radially outwardly to block the air passages 38 and 42, thereby terminating the suction applied to the bellows.

Abstract: A bellows 10 is configured for connection to an end effector of a robot and includes a valve 28 supported in the interior space of the bellows. A flow of low pressure air is induced from inside the bellows into a vacuum plenum 24 for retrieving a work product by the open end 16 of the bellows. High pressure air is moved through a conduit 50 into the valve to terminate the flow of low pressure air and terminate the suction applied by the bellows to the work product.