Abstract: The disclosure provides an automated process, apparatus and system for decanting containers wherein the form of the container is altered during the decanting process. The decanting includes altering the form of the containers for the separation or removal of the product from the containers. The altering can include a pushing motion, a pulling motion, or both on one or more sides of the containers. In one example, a method of automatically decanting products from containers includes: (1) opening a portion of a container, (2) lifting and rotating the container using a robotic depositing device, and (3) separating product from the container after the lifting and rotating by altering a form of the container using the robotic depositing device.

Abstract: The disclosure provides improved X-bars and end frames that can prevent or at least reduce sagging in conveyors, such as flexible conveyors. The improved X-bars and end frames are referred to as riveted X-bars and leg plates, respectively. An expandable conveyor system, an expandable conveyor segment, and a riveted assembly are disclosed. Expandable conveyor segments can be coupled together via a riveted assembly to form an expandable conveyor system. In one example, the riveted assembly includes; (1) a leg plate and (2) two riveted x-bars connected to the leg plate via at least one slot insert.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an automated container cutting system, a compliant cutting tool, and a process for automatically cutting containers that have one or more non-planar sides. The compliant cutting tool is attached to a moveable support of the automated container cutting system and uses a blade to cut an outer surface of a container along a cut line. The cut line can be independent of a cutting path of the moveable support that is used to move the compliant cutting tool. In one example the compliant cutting tool includes: (1) a wear plate that contacts one or more outer surfaces of a container during cutting and positions a blade against the outer surfaces during the cutting, and (2) a mechanical interface configured to control repositioning of the blade for the cutting. A blade bank can be used with the compliant cutting tool to allow automatic blade replacements.

Abstract: The disclosure provides improved X-bars and end frames that can prevent or at least reduce sagging in conveyors, such as flexible conveyors. The improved X-bars and end frames are referred to as riveted X-bars and leg plates, respectively. An expandable conveyor system, an expandable conveyor segment, and a riveted assembly are disclosed. Expandable conveyor segments can be coupled together via a riveted assembly to form an expandable conveyor system. In one example, the riveted assembly includes; (1) a leg plate and (2) two riveted x-bars connected to the leg plate via at least one slot insert.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an automated process, apparatus and system for decanting containers wherein the form of the container is altered during the decanting process. The decanting includes altering the form of the containers for the separation or removal of the product from the containers. The altering can include a pushing motion, a pulling motion, or both on one or more sides of the containers. In one example, a method of automatically decanting products from containers includes: (1) opening a portion of a container, (2) lifting and rotating the container using a robotic depositing device, and (3) separating product from the container after the lifting and rotating by altering a form of the container using the robotic depositing device.