Abstract: A system for sorting items such as fruit includes a movable transport belt for each serial stream. The transport belt has first and second portions that are spaced a distance apart for receiving and carrying items previously singulated into serial streams. The first and second portions of the transport belts gradually diverge to slowly lower the items onto movable carriers which are introduced directly below the diverging sections of the transport belt portions. As a result, the fruit experiences little vertical drop and need not be accelerated by the carrier cups. Fruit or other items being gradually released from the belts can be transported at the same speed as the carrier cups to avoid the bruising effect caused by the rear portions of the carrier cups striking the items as they are dropped in. In addition, the transport belt can be arranged to carry the items through a sorter section without guides.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling an object such as fruit having a major axis, includes at least one roller and a drive unit. The roller frictionally engages the object. The drive unit rotates the roller at a speed sufficient to cause the major axis of the object to be reoriented in a predetermined direction. This facilitates measuring the size and density of objects in a consistent manner.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for conveyor systems is disclosed that enables components of the system to unfasten when an object, like a person's finger, becomes lodged in a space between two components of the system. The mechanism is automatically releasable when pressure is exerted upon it.