Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing waste from a soiled container that houses laboratory animals and has an opening is disclosed. The apparatus includes a conveyor having a receiving end for receiving containers from a stack of containers. The stack is disposed such that the openings are upwardly oriented. The apparatus also includes a manipulator that aligns with and engages an uppermost container of the stack and causes the uppermost container to be separated from the stack and to be flipped over onto the receiving end of the conveyor such that the opening is downwardly disposed. Waste discarded from the container falls through openings in the conveyor, and a waste receptacle disposed below the conveyor collects the discarded waste. The conveyor advances to transport the container away from the receiving end toward a discharge end of the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing waste from a soiled container that houses laboratory animals and has an opening is disclosed. The apparatus includes a conveyor having a receiving end for receiving containers from a stack of containers. The stack is disposed such that the openings are upwardly oriented. The apparatus also includes a manipulator that aligns with and engages an uppermost container of the stack and causes the uppermost container to be separated from the stack and to be flipped over onto the receiving end of the conveyor such that the opening is downwardly disposed. Waste discarded from the container falls through openings in the conveyor, and a waste receptacle disposed below the conveyor collects the discarded waste. The conveyor advances to transport the container away from the receiving end toward a discharge end of the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing orientation of a container to facilitate subsequent processing of the container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a ramp having a first end and a second end. The ramp is disposed to receive the container from the feed path in a first orientation and to cause the container to slide down the ramp toward the second end of the ramp. The apparatus also includes an obstruction located at the second end of the ramp. The obstruction is configured to contact a leading edge of the container to arrest a sliding motion of the container down the ramp. The ramp is configured to pivot to impart an angular acceleration to the container to provide sufficient angular momentum to cause a center of gravity of the container to move past the leading edge causing the container to change orientation such that the container is received on the discharge path in a second orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing orientation of a container to facilitate subsequent processing of the container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a ramp having a first end and a second end. The ramp is disposed to receive the container from the feed path in a first orientation and to cause the container to slide down the ramp toward the second end of the ramp. The apparatus also includes an obstruction located at the second end of the ramp. The obstruction is configured to contact a leading edge of the container to arrest a sliding motion of the container down the ramp. The ramp is configured to pivot to impart an angular acceleration to the container to provide sufficient angular momentum to cause a center of gravity of the container to move past the leading edge causing the container to change orientation such that the container is received on the discharge path in a second orientation.

Abstract: A tunnel dryer apparatus and method is disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a drying chamber having an infeed end for receiving articles to be dried, and a conveyor for conveying the articles through the drying chamber along a drying path to a discharge end of the drying chamber. The drying path includes at least one portion having a gradient for causing the articles to be tilted to distribute accumulated liquid on surfaces of the articles thereby facilitating drying of the article. In another aspect the apparatus includes a nozzle, operably configured to direct a pulsating jet of air toward passing articles thereby causing accumulated liquid on surfaces of the articles to be dispersed to facilitate drying of the article.