Abstract: A process, mechanical and electrical system and data structures, allow high speed sorting of pallets of HFI cans using a depalletizer, a sequence of narrowing transfer conveyors and a single filer making the cans into a single file. Simultaneously, data containers begin a process of compiling complete data on the pallet, the individual cans, can counts good and bad, the inspection events and potentially a marking process. Cans are inspected individually by three or more cameras in three positions, sequentially inspecting the interior, exterior sides, and exterior bottom, and if an individual can fails any one of three tests, the can is individually directed to a can reject chute. A can may be undetectably marked to indicate it has passed the inspection process. By use of comprehensive data flows and inputs, comprehensive data reports may be generated for the can maker but more importantly for the can buyer/user.

Abstract: A process, mechanical and electrical system and data structures, allow high speed sorting of pallets of HFI cans using a depalletizer, a sequence of narrowing transfer conveyors and a single filer making the cans into a single file. Simultaneously, data containers begin a process of compiling complete data on the pallet, the individual cans, can counts good and bad, the inspection events and potentially a marking process. Cans are inspected individually by three or more cameras in three positions, sequentially inspecting the interior, exterior sides, and exterior bottom, and if an individual can fails any one of three tests, the can is individually directed to a can reject chute. A can may be undetectably marked to indicate it has passed the inspection process. By use of comprehensive data flows and inputs, comprehensive data reports may be generated for the can maker but more importantly for the can buyer/user.

Abstract: An internal coating spray machine for cans or containers having spray gun(s) with nozzle(s) which may be automatically cleaned. Each spray gun has a clamp bracket which carries an actuator carrying a cleaning brush. When the actuator is actuated, it carries the brush from a first location (out of the way) to a second location in which the brush moves across the nozzle, cleaning it. The IC machine HMI (human-machine interface) may have a manually actuated control, for example, a button or soft button, which pauses can spraying and carries out a cleaning cycle. It may also use the low infeed sensor of the IC spray machine to detect when cans will be momentarily delayed coming in, and automatically clean during that small hiatus. A timer automatically initiates a cleaning cycle if one has not otherwise happened in a given time Xt.

Abstract: A retractable awning includes a roller reversibly driven and mounted within a housing for support on a support structure and both inner and outer sets of pivotally interconnected support arms for supporting an awning canopy when extended. The inner set of support arms support the canopy beneath an inner segment of the canopy adjacent the support surface and are designed to deploy before the outer set of support arms with the outer set of support arms supporting the canopy beneath an outer segment of the canopy further away from the support surface than the inner segment. Both the inner and outer sets of support arms can be partially or fully deployed to regulate the extent to which the awning is extendible away from the support surface.

Abstract: A retractable awning includes a roller reversibly driven and mounted within a housing for support on a support structure and both inner and outer sets of pivotally interconnected support arms for supporting an awning canopy when extended. The inner set of support arms support the canopy beneath an inner segment of the canopy adjacent the support surface and are designed to deploy before the outer set of support arms with the outer set of support arms supporting the canopy beneath an outer segment of the canopy further away from the support surface than the inner segment. Both the inner and outer sets of support arms can be partially or fully deployed to regulate the extent to which the awning is extendible away from the support surface.

Abstract: An article sorting apparatus and method is disclosed and which conveys a mixture of articles on a conveyor belt and through an inspection zone, and which includes at least one illumination source emitting red, green, and infrared radiation for illuminating the articles in the inspection zone; a detector system for sensing the red, green, and infrared radiation reflected from the articles in the inspection zone, and which generates red data, green data, and infrared data; a processor receiving the red data, green data, and infrared data and which generates article sorting data; and a sorter responsive to the sorting data for separating the articles into acceptable articles and unacceptable articles.

Abstract: A stabilizing system stabilizes light-weight articles carried on conveyors for automated bulk processing equipment. In a preferred embodiment, the light-weight articles, such as, for example, tobacco leaf products or wood chips, are moved and stabilized along a conveyor from a first infeed end to a second discharge end where they are projected in-air along a trajectory through an illumination station and sorting station. An enclosed off-belt housing is provided within which the light-weight articles are projected along a controlled trajectory to be processed by the optical inspection and sorting systems.