Abstract: A machine and method are provided for washing a tote or other container having a bottom wall, and first and second opposed side walls that are connected by first and second opposed end walls to define an access opening. The machine and method involve utilizing an automated washing machine having a housing that includes a wash zone for spraying wash liquid onto the container, a downstream rinse zone for spraying rinsing liquid onto the tote and a downstream drying zone for directing air flow onto the container to promote drying of the container and a conveyor mechanism for moving the container through the housing. The container is placed in an inverted position on the conveyor mechanism with the bottom wall facing upward and the access opening facing downward, and the conveyor mechanism moves the container through the zones for cleaning.

Abstract: A machine and method are provided for washing a tote or other container having a bottom wall, and first and second opposed side walls that are connected by first and second opposed end walls to define an access opening. The machine and method involve utilizing an automated washing machine having a housing that includes a wash zone for spraying wash liquid onto the container, a downstream rinse zone for spraying rinsing liquid onto the tote and a downstream drying zone for directing air flow onto the container to promote drying of the container and a conveyor mechanism for moving the container through the housing. The container is placed in an inverted position on the conveyor mechanism with the bottom wall facing upward and the access opening facing downward, and the conveyor mechanism moves the container through the zones for cleaning.

Abstract: A protective body for a heat sealing system is provided. The protective body includes a flexible supporting layer and an exposed layer. The flexible supporting layer has opposite first and second sides. The first side can be coupled to a tool of a heat sealing system. The heat sealing system heat seals a film to a container to enclose the container or to heat seal films together. The exposed layer has a lower coefficient of friction than the supporting layer and is bonded to the second side of the supporting layer. The exposed layer prevents the film that is being heat sealed from sticking to the tool, or to prevent the films being heat sealed together from sticking to the tool.

Abstract: A vending system including a machine housing having an operative side configured to interface with an individual. The vending system also includes a product dispenser supported by the machine housing. The product dispenser is configured to dispense a controlled product. The vending system also includes an imaging system that is configured to capture visual data when the individual is positioned proximate to the operative side. The visual data includes a present image of the individual and a card image of the identification card. The identification card includes a personal image of a person. The vending system also includes a computing system that is configured to analyze the visual data to determine whether the person in the personal image is the individual positioned proximate to the operative side. The computing system is also configured to determine whether the individual is permitted to purchase the controlled product.