Abstract: An apparatus includes a guide with an inlet end, an outlet end and a hollow interior between inlet and outlet ends, the hollow interior sized and shaped to at least receive a stack of articles therewithin, and a device capable of conveying and advancing the stack within the hollow interior between ends of the guide. The guide may include at least one straight portion, at least one curved portion and a passageway or a hollow interior. The device may be provided with an actuator, a first component coupled to the actuator and adapted for a reciprocal movement along at least a portion of a length of the actuator, a second component, and a pivotal connection between the first component and the second component.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to correct an orientation of a product conveying within a plurality of products on a conveyor along a conveying direction. The apparatus may be adapted to lift or rotate improperly oriented products in a response to a signal from a sensor. The apparatus may include one or two devices with an arm attached to an actuator and a product clamp. The apparatus may be also adapted to classify and remove uncompliant products from a conveyor line with one or more sensors and additional actuated devices positioned along a conveyor. The apparatus may be also adapted with a movable rail to adjust a working width of the conveyor.

Abstract: A case loader is fed containers by a container conveyor. The containers then rest on a hinged ledge. When the number of containers required to fill the case is present in the loader, a first sensor is activated. The cases are conveyed to the loader below and beside the position of the containers. The cases are tipped up and, when in place, they activate the second sensor. When both sensors are activated, the containers drop and fall into a chute (directing the containers from the loading station and into the cases. When the containers have dropped, the ledge is reset to receive the next group of containers. The force of the containers tips the case back onto the conveyor and it is carried away. An optional device may assist in case tipping. An optional device may move case facing edge of each chute.

Abstract: An apparatus that produces and dispenses foam comprises a housing, an adjustable water flow member, an adjustable foam concentrate flow member, a first mixing chamber comprising an outlet, a water pressure reducing member with a portion thereof disposed within the first mixing chamber, a second mixing chamber in a communication with the outlet from the first mixing chamber, an air pressure reducing member with a portion thereof disposed within the second mixing chamber, a third mixing chamber in a communication with an outlet from the second mixing chamber, the third mixing chamber comprising a port in a communication with an external environment to the housing, and a screen member disposed within the third mixing chamber and configured to convert a mixture of air, water and foam concentrate exiting the outlet of the second mixing chamber into the foam, the foam being dispersed through the port during operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A material processing system includes an oven that cooks or bakes, with electrical resistance, dough contained within containers. The oven can include a frame defining, devices mounted, in a preselected pattern, on the frame for a reciprocal movement in a vertical direction during use of the system, each device configured to connect voltage to a respective container so as to cook or bake the dough with the electrical resistance, and one or more powered members configured to move the devices in the vertical direction. Conveyors are also provided to convey a plurality of rows of containers with a plurality of containers in each row along a material conveyance path, the conveyors disposed in a series with each other and with the oven along the material conveyance path, one of the conveyors disposed within the oven so as to position a batch of the containers in an alignment with the devices.

Abstract: A conveyor may include a track, a material carrying assembly, a powered member, a stationary frame and two movable frames configured for a movement in a relationship to the stationary frame by way of track assemblies mounted stationary on an interior of the stationary frame and roller assemblies affixed to the two movable frames. The material carrying assembly moves in a vertical direction between two positions to allow material movement in a first direction along the track and in a second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. A conveyor may also include a track, a material carrying and two or more powered members coupled to the material carrying assembly and configured to move the material carrying assembly in the vertical direction.

Abstract: An indexing or ratcheting conveyor configured to advance a load includes a frame defining the inlet end and the outlet end of the conveyor, a first device with a gravity rocking pushers and a powered member configured to advance the load in a direction from the inlet end to the outlet end of the conveyor. The conveyor can also include a second device configured to move the load, disposed at the outlet end only, in a direction from the outlet end to the inlet end prior to discharge of the load outwardly from the outlet end. The conveyor can be used as a component of an oven configured to cook or bake dough in containers with electrical resistance.

Abstract: An indexing or ratcheting conveyor configured to advance a load includes a frame defining the inlet end and the outlet end of the conveyor, a first device with a gravity rocking pushers and a powered member configured to advance the load in a direction from the inlet end to the outlet end of the conveyor. The conveyor can also include a second device configured to move the load, disposed at the outlet end only, in a direction from the outlet end to the inlet end prior to discharge of the load outwardly from the outlet end. The conveyor can be used as a component of an oven configured to cook or bake dough in containers with electrical resistance.

Abstract: An indexing or ratcheting conveyor configured to advance loads includes a frame defining the inlet end and the outlet end of the conveyor, an indexing device with a gravity rocking pushers mounted on moving rails and pushing on the loads, the rails mounted for movement on receptacles and a powered member linked to carrying members and configured to advance the loads along a conveyance path in a direction from the inlet end to the outlet end of the conveyor. The conveyor can also include a second device configured to move the loads, disposed at the outlet end only, in a direction from the outlet end to the inlet end prior to discharge of the load outwardly from the outlet end. The conveyor can be used as a component of an oven configured to cook or bake dough in containers with electrical resistance.

Abstract: An indexing or ratcheting conveyor configured to advance a load includes a frame defining the inlet end and the outlet end of the conveyor, a first device with a gravity rocking pushers and a powered member configured to advance the load in a direction from the inlet end to the outlet end of the conveyor. The conveyor can also include a second device configured to move the load, disposed at the outlet end only, in a direction from the outlet end to the inlet end prior to discharge of the load outwardly from the outlet end. The conveyor can be used as a component of an oven configured to cook or bake dough in containers with electrical resistance.

Abstract: A material processing system includes an oven that cooks or bakes, with electrical resistance, dough contained within containers. The oven can include a frame defining, devices mounted, in a preselected pattern, on the frame for a reciprocal movement in a vertical direction during use of the system, each device configured to connect voltage to a respective container so as to cook or bake the dough with the electrical resistance, and one or more powered members configured to move the devices in the vertical direction. Conveyors are also provided to convey a plurality of rows of containers with a plurality of containers in each row along a material conveyance path, the conveyors disposed in a series with each other and with the oven along the material conveyance path, one of the conveyors disposed within the oven so as to position a batch of the containers in an alignment with the devices.

Abstract: An indexing or ratcheting conveyor configured to advance a load includes a frame defining the inlet end and the outlet end of the conveyor, a first device with a gravity rocking pushers and a powered member configured to advance the load in a direction from the inlet end to the outlet end of the conveyor. The conveyor can also include a second device configured to move the load, disposed at the outlet end only, in a direction from the outlet end to the inlet end prior to discharge of the load outwardly from the outlet end. The conveyor can be used as a component of an oven configured to cook or bake dough in containers with electrical resistance.