Abstract: An inventory handling system may implement a backstop to facilitate container engagement by a robotic manipulator. The system may include a second set of rollers positioned lower than a first set of rollers so as to define a stepped interface. The roller sets may be configured to carry a container. A backstop surface may be positioned along the stepped interface between the first set of rollers and the second set of rollers. The backstop surface may be arranged so as to contact a trailing side of the container traveling on the second set of rollers and in response to a robotic end effector pushing a leading side of the container towards the backstop surface and the first set of rollers. The backstop surface may be configured to resist movement of the container to enable the robotic end effector to engage with the leading side of the container.

Abstract: A side-loading pendulum slicer for slicing short and/or oddly-shaped food products. The pendulum slicer has an aperture in the upstream side of the product holder through which food products are injected. A loading conveyor holds large numbers of food products that are sequentially and individually loaded onto an injecting conveyor that injects the food products through the aperture and into the product holder. A weight that is raised above the aperture is lowered onto the food product to compress the food product against a thickness tray while the product holder reciprocates through a blade adjacent the thickness tray. Slices are removed from the food product and conveyed away for use.

Abstract: A side-loading pendulum slicer for slicing short and/or oddly-shaped food products. The pendulum slicer has an aperture in the upstream side of the product holder through which food products are injected. A loading conveyor holds large numbers of food products that are sequentially and individually loaded onto an injecting conveyor that injects the food products through the aperture and into the product holder. A weight that is raised above the aperture is lowered onto the food product to compress the food product against a thickness tray while the product holder reciprocates through a blade adjacent the thickness tray. Slices are removed from the food product and conveyed away for use.