Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a container and fluid injection device. The fluid injection device includes a housing having a flow tube having an inlet end and an outlet end. A shroud is positioned between the inlet end and the outlet end and has a first end and a second end defining a ramped surface therebetween. The shroud redefines at least a portion of the fluid pathway as a constricted fluid pathway. A diverter port is between the inlet end and the shroud and diverts a portion of the inlet fluid into the container. An injection port is between the shroud and the outlet end and receives product from the container. The first end of the shroud includes a step defining a notch in fluid communication with the diverter port. The second end defines a recess in fluid communication with the injection port.

Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a container, fluid injection device and a fertigation basket. The fluid injection device includes a housing having a flow tube having an inlet end and an outlet end. A shroud is positioned between the inlet end and the outlet end and redefines at least a portion of the fluid pathway as a constricted fluid pathway. A diverter port is between the inlet end and the shroud and diverts a portion of the inlet fluid into the container. An injection port is between the shroud and the outlet end and receives an injection tube. The fertigation basket holds dry product which is dissolved into the container to be drawn out of outlet end via the injection tube.

Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a container, fluid injection device and a fertigation basket. The fluid injection device includes a housing having a flow tube having an inlet end and an outlet end. A shroud is positioned between the inlet end and the outlet end and redefines at least a portion of the fluid pathway as a constricted fluid pathway. A diverter port is between the inlet end and the shroud and diverts a portion of the inlet fluid into the container. An injection port is between the shroud and the outlet end and receives an injection tube. The fertigation basket holds dry product which is dissolved into the container to be drawn out of outlet end via the injection tube.

Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a container and fluid injection device. The fluid injection device includes a housing having a flow tube having an inlet end and an outlet end. A shroud is positioned between the inlet end and the outlet end and has a first end and a second end defining a ramped surface therebetween. The shroud redefines at least a portion of the fluid pathway as a constricted fluid pathway. A diverter port is between the inlet end and the shroud and diverts a portion of the inlet fluid into the container. An injection port is between the shroud and the outlet end and receives product from the container. The first end of the shroud includes a step defining a notch in fluid communication with the diverter port. The second end defines a recess in fluid communication with the injection port.

Abstract: A dual gate control assembly for a spreader includes a rotary plate pivotable between fully open and fully closed positions with respect to openings formed in the hopper. A spreader gate is provided at the outermost openings of the hopper and rotary plate with each spreader gate being independently movable between fully opened and fully closed positions allowing for a plurality of variable operational modes affecting both material drop amount and spread direction.

Abstract: A dual gate control assembly for a spreader includes a rotary plate pivotable between fully open and fully closed positions with respect to openings formed in the hopper. A spreader gate is provided at the outermost openings of the hopper and rotary plate with each spreader gate being independently movable between fully opened and fully closed positions allowing for a plurality of variable operational modes affecting both material drop amount and spread direction.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for feeding articles to and removing articles from an automatic washer, for example, a tunnel-type automatic washer are provided. The systems and methods employ conveyors, for example, belt conveyors, gantry-type conveyors, and shuttle-type conveyors, for handling and conveying articles to or from a washer or an intermediate station. The conveyors utilize arm-end tooling adapted to grasp and manipulate at least one article, but may typically handle a plurality of articles. The arm-end tooling includes cylinder-based actuators that can be operated and controlled by an automated control system. The handling of the articles can be assisted by using a vision-based system. Aspects of the invention are suited for use in handling laboratory equipment, for example, utensils and containers, such as, laboratory animal cages, in particular, cage tops and cage bottoms.

Abstract: A system for dispensing clean bedding material in a plurality of cage components is provided. The system includes an inline conveyor having receiving and dispatch ends, wherein the inline conveyor transports the plurality of cage components from the receiving end to a respective filling position located at the dispatch end. The system also includes a bedding dispensing unit positioned over the dispatch end of the inline conveyor, wherein the dispensing unit operates to simultaneously dispense clean bedding into the cage components. The dispensing unit includes preferably three or four filling chutes positioned over the filling positions to simultaneously dispense the bedding material from the internal chamber into the cage components. The inline conveyor includes cage positioning guides that position the cage components in the filling position. The dispensing unit may include a window to allow an operator to view the level of bedding located in the bedding dispensing unit.

Abstract: The automated cage cleaning system is comprised of a pair of robotic arms, a soil side robot and a clean side robot. The soil side robot is utilized for removing the dirty cage bottoms from a cart, rack, pallet, or fixture, emptying soiled bedding from the cage bottoms, and placing the cage bottoms on a conveyer leading to the tunnel washing equipment. The clean side robot is used to grip the clean cage bottoms, and place the cage bottoms on a cart, rack, pallet, or fixture. Additionally, the present invention comprises an optical arranger robot with vision processing for detecting, and moving skewed cage bottoms to a re-grip station. From the re-grip station, the clean side robot places the cage bottoms on a rack, pallet, fixture, or any other device suitable for holding a plurality of cage bottoms.