Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vertical displacement conveyor system for collecting and transporting objects, such as food trays, from a drop-off area to a receiving area. The conveyor system follows a vertical planar path, thereby allowing the drop-off area and the receiving area to be set at different elevations or at the same elevation and providing a smaller space footprint. The present invention is also directed to a vertical conveyor system for transporting and displaying object, such as bottles. A basket holding bottles is coupled to the conveyor system and then is transported in planar path for display.

Abstract: A granule dishwashing apparatus with easily removable granule collectors and method of use. The dishwashing apparatus consists primarily of a treatment chamber, a tank, one or more granule collectors and one or more pumping devices. Soiled articles are placed in the treatment chamber to be washed with a mixture consisting of liquid and granules that is sprayed at the articles under high pressure. The mixture falls toward the tank after impacting the articles, passing through the granule collector(s). A liquid only portion is separated from the mixture at some point using the granule collector(s) so that the articles can be rinsed. At any point following a cleaning cycle, the granule collector(s) can be removed to add more granules and to simplify the cleaning of the apparatus. In a multiple collector system, the granule collectors are connected to actuators so that the collectors can be placed in a release mode or a collect mode depending on the function desired.