Abstract: A caser for packaging a product container in a case includes an infeed conveyor configured to receive the product container at an upstream first conveyor end and convey the product container downstream to a second conveyor end from which the product container is dispensed, the infeed conveyor has a first orientation at a first conveyor end and a second orientation at a second conveyor end, wherein the orientation of the infeed conveyor transitions from the first orientation to the second orientation from the first conveyor end to the second conveyor end such that the infeed conveyor is configured to change orientation of the product container as the product container is conveyed by the infeed conveyor, and a casing station configured to receive the product container from the infeed conveyor and dispense the product container into the case.

Abstract: An apparatus is for conveying cases from an upstream end to one of a first downstream end and a second downstream end. The apparatus includes a conveyor and a diverter assembly that receives the case and dispenses the case toward the first downstream end or the second downstream end. The diverter assembly is pivotable to thereby direct the case toward the first downstream end or the second downstream end, and the diverter assembly is configured to clamp the case to thereby stop conveyance of the case as the diverter assembly pivots and also pivot the case to clear an obstruction presented by an adjacent conveyor.

Abstract: A case washer for use in a dairy processing machine has an enclosure through which the cases are conveyed, a plurality of nozzles that spray a fluid into the enclosure to thereby remove debris from the cases as the cases are conveyed through the enclosure, and a funnel that receives the fluid and the debris from the enclosure. A sidehill screen assembly receives the fluid and the debris from the funnel. The sidehill screen assembly has a screen along which the fluid and the debris are conveyed such that the fluid percolates through the screen and the debris is collected on the screen and the debris falls off the screen under force of gravity.

Abstract: A system for loading containers onto a pallet or a dolly includes a conveyor configured to convey the pallet or the dolly from an upstream end to an opposite downstream end. The conveyor has a first conveyance device configured to convey the pallet and a second conveyance device configured to convey the dolly. The second conveyance device is vertically below the first conveyance device such that the pallet is conveyed above the second conveyance device. A loading system is configured to receive, organize, and load the containers onto the dolly or the pallet conveyed by the conveyor.

Abstract: A system for loading containers onto a transport structure includes a slip sheet configured to receive the containers. The slip sheet is moveable from a first position in which the containers are received onto the slip sheet and a second position in which the slip sheet is vertically above the transport structure. A first brace member is adjacent to the second end of the slip sheet and a second brace member is adjacent to the first end of the slip sheet when the slip sheet is in the second position such that when the slip sheet is moved in a second direction from the second position to the first position the second brace member is configured to prevent the containers from moving in the second direction with the slip sheet and the containers vertically fall off the slip sheet onto the transport structure.

Abstract: Various continuous chain conveyors, parts for same (e.g., chain guides, chain drives, etc.), packaging and handling equipment and systems and related methods are disclosed herein. In one form, a chain conveyor comprising a primary continuous chain having a first portion configured to carry objects along a path and a return portion, a motor operably coupled to the primary continuous chain so as to induce movement of the chain, a first sprocket engaging the return portion of the primary continuous chain, wherein movement of the return portion causes the first sprocket to rotate, a second sprocket coupled to the first sprocket by a drive shaft, wherein rotation of the first sprocket causes the second sprocket to rotate, and an auxiliary chain operably coupled to the second sprocket such that rotation of the second sprocket causes movement of the auxiliary chain.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying and supporting a chain includes a frame member having a first slot and a second slot spaced apart from each other along the frame member and a liner configured to support the chain relative to the frame member. A first fastener and a second fastener are spaced apart from each other and extend from the liner toward the frame member such that the liner is installed onto the frame member by moving the first fastener into the first slot and sliding the liner along the frame member until the second fastener is aligned with the second slot and can be moved into the second slot.

Abstract: An apparatus is for conveying cases from an upstream end to one of a first downstream end and a second downstream end. The apparatus includes a conveyor and a diverter assembly that receives the case and dispenses the case toward the first downstream end or the second downstream end. The diverter assembly is pivotable to thereby direct the case toward the first downstream end or the second downstream end, and the diverter assembly is configured to clamp the case to thereby stop conveyance of the case as the diverter assembly pivots and also pivot the case to clear an obstruction presented by an adjacent conveyor.

Abstract: Various continuous chain conveyors, parts for same (e.g., chain guides, chain drives, etc.), packaging and handling equipment and systems and related methods are disclosed herein. In one form, a chain conveyor comprising a primary continuous chain having a first portion configured to carry objects along a path and a return portion, a motor operably coupled to the primary continuous chain so as to induce movement of the chain, a first sprocket engaging the return portion of the primary continuous chain, wherein movement of the return portion causes the first sprocket to rotate, a second sprocket coupled to the first sprocket by a drive shaft, wherein rotation of the first sprocket causes the second sprocket to rotate, and an auxiliary chain operably coupled to the second sprocket such that rotation of the second sprocket causes movement of the auxiliary chain.