Abstract: A method and apparatus for washing and sanitizing elongate rotary brushes used for cleaning fruit, produce, and other food products includes revolving the brushes along a travel path about a housing (14) and simultaneously spinning the rotary brushes about their individual longitudinal axis (18), applying a cleaning solution to the spinning rotary brushes in a cleaning zone of the housing, then applying a spray to the spinning rotary brushes in a spray zone of the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for washing and sanitizing elongate rotary brushes used for cleaning fruit, produce, and other food products includes revolving the brushes along a travel path about a housing (14) and simultaneously spinning the rotary brushes about their individual longitudinal axis (18), applying a cleaning solution to the spinning rotary brushes in a cleaning zone of the housing, then applying a spray to the spinning rotary brushes in a spray zone of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing and sanitizing elongate rotary brushes used for cleaning fruit, produce, and other food products includes a cylindrical housing (14), within which is installed a carrier assembly (16) for supporting the rotary brushes (12) to revolve around the interior of the housing and also to simultaneously spin the rotary brushes about their individual longitudinal axis (18). The interior of the housing is divided into separate zones for carrying out the steps of the cleaning and sanitation process. Effluent from the cleaning process is collected in a tank (30) located at the bottom of the housing. The brushes are conveniently loaded onto and removed from the apparatus (10) through a side door opening (52) provided in the housing.

Abstract: A mounting assembly 10 for mounting a roller brush 12 onto an operating apparatus includes a mounting structure 14 configured to be mountable on the operating apparatus. The mounting structure has a through hole for receiving an idle shaft 16 that is sized to be engageable within a blind hole 42 formed in the adjacent end hub 32 of the brush 12. The idle shaft 16 is resiliently loaded in the direction toward the brush hub 12 by a loader assembly 18 which includes a compression spring 16 acting against retaining ring 48 engaged with the idle shaft 16.

Abstract: A mounting assembly 100 for mounting a roller brush 12 onto a cleaning apparatus includes a mounting flange 102 and an end cap 104 interconnected together by extension springs 176 spanning therebetween. An idle shaft 106 is slidably mounted in the mounting flange 102 by a bearing interface 108. The distal end of the idle shaft 106 is fixed to the end cap 104 so that the springs 176 that urge the end cap 104 into engagement with the mounting flange 102 also bias the idle shaft to extend forwardly of the mounting flange while also permitting the idle shaft to retract to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the roller brush with the mounting assembly 100. The bearing interface 108 is designed to permit the projecting proximal end of the idle shaft to tilt upwardly to facilitate engagement with and disengagement from the roller brush 12.

Abstract: A mounting assembly 10 for mounting a roller brush 12 onto an operating apparatus includes a mounting structure 14 configured to be mountable on the operating apparatus. The mounting structure has a through hole for receiving an idle shaft 16 that is sized to be engageable within a blind hole 42 formed in the adjacent end hub 32 of the brush 12. The idle shaft 16 is resiliently loaded in the direction toward the brush hub 12 by a loader assembly 18 which includes a compression spring 16 acting against retaining ring 48 engaged with the idle shaft 16.

Abstract: A mounting assembly 100 for mounting a roller brush 12 onto a cleaning apparatus includes a mounting flange 102 and an end cap 104 interconnected together by extension springs 176 spanning therebetween. An idle shaft 106 is slidably mounted in the mounting flange 102 by a bearing interface 108. The distal end of the idle shaft 106 is fixed to the end cap 104 so that the springs 176 that urge the end cap 104 into engagement with the mounting flange 102 also bias the idle shaft to extend forwardly of the mounting flange while also permitting the idle shaft to retract to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the roller brush with the mounting assembly 100. The bearing interface 108 is designed to permit the projecting proximal end of the idle shaft to tilt upwardly to facilitate engagement with and disengagement from the roller brush 12.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing and sanitizing elongate rotary brushes used for cleaning fruit, produce, and other food products includes a cylindrical housing (14), within which is installed a carrier assembly (16) for supporting the rotary brushes (12) to revolve around the interior of the housing and also to simultaneously spin the rotary brushes about their individual longitudinal axis (18). The interior of the housing is divided into separate zones for carrying out the steps of the cleaning and sanitation process. Effluent from the cleaning process is collected in a tank (30) located at the bottom of the housing. The brushes are conveniently loaded onto and removed from the apparatus (10) through a side door opening (52) provided in the housing.

Abstract: A mounting assembly 10 for mounting a roller brush 12 onto a cleaning apparatus includes a mounting housing 14 configured to be mountable on the cleaning apparatus. The mounting housing has a through hole for receiving an idle shaft 16 that is sized to be engageable within a blind hole 42 formed in the adjacent end hub 32 of the brush 12. The idle shaft 16 is resiliently loaded in the direction toward the brush hub 12 by a loader assembly 18 which includes a compression spring 16 acting against retaining ring 48 engaged with the idle shaft 16.

Abstract: A mounting assembly 10 for mounting a roller brush 12 onto a cleaning apparatus includes a mounting housing 14 configured to be mountable on the cleaning apparatus. The mounting housing has a through hole for receiving an idle shaft 16 that is sized to be engageable within a blind hole 42 formed in the adjacent end hub 32 of the brush 12. The idle shaft 16 is resiliently loaded in the direction toward the brush hub 12 by a loader assembly 18 which includes a compression spring 16 acting against retaining ring 48 engaged with the idle shaft 16.

Abstract: A labeling device may include a platform configured to advance objects, a sensing device directed toward the objects as the objects are advanced, and a label supply. The labeling device may include a robot configured to pick-up labels from the label supply and apply the labels to the objects as the objects are advanced, and a controller configured to operate the robot based upon the vision device.

Abstract: A labeling device may include a platform configured to advance objects, a sensing device directed toward the objects as the objects are advanced, and a label supply. The labeling device may include a robot configured to pick-up labels from the label supply and apply the labels to the objects as the objects are advanced, and a controller configured to operate the robot based upon the vision device.

Abstract: A pineapple coating application device may include a frame, and a pineapple roller conveyor carried by the frame and having laterally extending conveyor brushes to advance pineapples along a longitudinal path of travel. Adjacent ones of the laterally extending conveyor brushes may rotatably capture the pineapples therebetween. The pineapple coating application device may include a pineapple coating dispenser, and a laterally extending applicator brush positioned above the pineapple roller conveyor to cooperate with the laterally extending conveyor brushes to apply a coating to the pineapples from the pineapple coating dispenser as the pineapples are rotated and advanced along the longitudinal path of travel.

Abstract: A pineapple coating application device may include a frame, and a pineapple roller conveyor carried by the frame and having laterally extending conveyor brushes to advance pineapples along a longitudinal path of travel. Adjacent ones of the laterally extending conveyor brushes may rotatably capture the pineapples therebetween. The pineapple coating application device may include a pineapple coating dispenser, and a laterally extending applicator brush positioned above the pineapple roller conveyor to cooperate with the laterally extending conveyor brushes to apply a coating to the pineapples from the pineapple coating dispenser as the pineapples are rotated and advanced along the longitudinal path of travel.

Abstract: A labeler for applying labels to articles is provided. The labeler includes a label application device having an opening in an end thereof. The label application device is expandable when subjected to pressure. The labeler also includes a positioner for supporting the label application device and moving the label application device between a label pick-up position and a label application position. A vacuum source and a pressure source are also provided which can be selectively connected to the label application device such the label application device is subject to pressure when adjacent the label application position and subject to vacuum for picking up and retaining a label on the label application device at the label pick-up position. The labeler also includes a flow control element having at least one flow control passage therein which defines at least one air flow path through the flow control element to the label application device opening.

Abstract: A labeler for applying labels to articles is provided. The labeler includes a label application device having an opening in an end thereof. The label application device is expandable when subjected to pressure. The labeler also includes a positioner for supporting the label application device and moving the label application device between a label pick-up position and a label application position. A vacuum source and a pressure source are also provided which can be selectively connected to the label application device such the label application device is subject to pressure when adjacent the label application position and subject to vacuum for picking up and retaining a label on the label application device at the label pick-up position. The labeler also includes a flow control element having at least one flow control passage therein which defines at least one air flow path through the flow control element to the label application device opening.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining the inventory of labels is presented. An inventory count for each label type is maintained in a database. The database is updated when the labeler is operated by detecting the label type being used by a labeler by counting and subtracting the number of labels dispensed from the inventory count. The inventory count is adjusted from a remote location or via an operator interface. The system may be integrated with a labeler controller. The system includes a label sensor and counter for detecting and counting labels, a label database, a processing unit, an operator interface, and a gateway connection. An alarm is provided when the inventory of a label type is low and labels of the label type are automatically reordered if a reorder option is selected.