Abstract: The speed, effectiveness, and convenience with which pallets and other objects are cleaned can be increased by using a vehicle-towed portable pressure power-washing apparatus. The apparatus includes a platform that can be towed. On the platform is positioned at least one pressure-washer that pumps liquid from a tank into rotary arms within a cleaning chamber positioned on the platform, causing the rotation of the arms as the arms eject streams of the liquid pumped under a high pressure from angled nozzles. Belt conveyors carry an object in need of cleaning into the cleaning chamber, first exposing the object to the streams of the liquid, and then to a drying chamber. Guide rails positioned on the platform guide the object during cleaning, with the shape of one of the guide rails causing the object to fall off the platform following the drying to remove excess liquid left on the object.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for item processing. The systems can include a PASS module that can include features that receive inputs relating to an item for processing and provide those inputs to other components and/or modules of a PASS system and/or of another system. The PASS system can include a variety of modules, including the PASS module, and can collect information and/or inputs from the variety of modules of the PASS system and use that information in item processing. The methods of item processing can use the PASS system and the PASS module to perform a variety of functions including, for example, revenue protection, sorting of items, task management, sampling and data collection, redirecting if enroute items, and personnel management.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for item processing. The systems can include a PASS module that can include features that receive inputs relating to an item for processing and provide those inputs to other components and/or modules of a PASS system and/or of another system. The PASS system can include a variety of modules, including the PASS module, and can collect information and/or inputs from the variety of modules of the PASS system and use that information in item processing. The methods of item processing can use the PASS system and the PASS module to perform a variety of functions including, for example, revenue protection, sorting of items, task management, sampling and data collection, redirecting if enroute items, and personnel management.

Abstract: A hanger frames transportation device with gearing driven by a fixed block and a plurality of sticks from a gearing that can stably move, fix, and detach hanger frames, so as to form a continual transportation device. The hanger frames slide along a first transverse track in lines and can be transported to a parallel second transverse track by a longitudinal rail switch in order to lengthen the transportation route; furthermore, a plurality of paralleled first and second transverse tracks are connected by moving devices in order to extend the transportation distance, therefore enabling a wet manufacturing process at the micrometer level during the continual transportation.

Abstract: Tablet flow for the conveying away of tablets pressed in a tablet press, with a main flow channel, which has at least one branching into at least one first flow channel and at least one second flow channel separated from the first flow channel by at least one separating wall, wherein a separator is provided at the branching, which can be actuated such that tablets are directed out of the main flow channel alternatively into the first flow channel or into the second flow channel, characterized in that the separator has a guide channel for the tablets and in that a guide gear drive is provided, with which the guide channel is moveable between a first position connecting the main flow channel with the first flow channel and a second position connecting the main flow channel with the second flow channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switcher for product supply lines, which comprises a support frame (2), a guide channel (8) which is transversally mobile on the support frame (2) with respect to the advancing direction of the products being supplied in inlet. The switcher (1) comprises a telescopic channel (10), located at an end (9) of the guide channel (8), and being slidably mobile with respect thereto. The guide channel (8) is mobile by a support element (6), slidable on respective transversal portions (4, 5) of the support frame (2). The support element (6) is in turn activated by cooperation between a cursor (13), slidable on the support element (6), and a con rod (15), hinged both to the cursor (13) and to a fixed transversal portion (4) of the support frame (2). The guide channel (8) is further provided with a separator device (20) for controlled distancing of the products which are grouped during the input supply stage.

Abstract: The switcher comprises a support frame (2), a guide channel (13) rotatably mobile about a fixed axis (8) and a telescopic channel (15) located at an end (14) of the guide channel (13) and being slidable with respect thereto. The switcher (1) comprises a support element (6), connected to the guide channel (13), having a first end (7) hinged to a first transversal portion (4) of the frame (2) at the fixed axis (8), a first cursor (16) slidable on the support element (6) and connected to the telescopic channel (15), a second cursor (17) slidable on the support element (6) and a con rod (21) having a first end (22) hinged to the first transversal portion (4) of the frame (2) and a second end (24) hinged to the second cursor (17). The invention also relates to a machine for separating or grouping products provided with the switcher (1).

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence of a workpiece carrier in a predetermined track portion of a workpiece carrier transporting path has a housing, a slider which is displaceably guided in the housing and is displaced by the workpiece carrier, at least one proximity switch which is releasable by the slider, two turning elements provided with teeth and arranged on the housing, each of the turning elements being supported turnably around an axis provided on the housing, the turning elements being in tooth engagement with one another, the turning elements being also in tooth engagement with linear tooth sets provided on opposite sides of the slider and extending in a linear displacement direction.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.

Abstract: Device which is part of a picking system, including a conveyor for carrying containers, a device for automatically labelling the containers, and a device for removing the labels from the containers. In order to allow a straightforward inspection of the contents of a container, the containers feature on their outside a holder, which is open on its top side, designed to hold waybills. The device for labelling the containers comprises a printer arranged above the conveyor, and the device for removing the labels comprises a suction nozzle.

Abstract: A diverter mechanism, for use with a conveying system having a conveying surface along which articles are carried in a longitudinal direction, has an endless member that is at an oblique angle to the longitudinal direction, and has a plurality of diverter members mounted thereon. Articles to be diverted which are passing along the conveying surface are sensed, and a pivotable section of one diverter member is rotated about an axis substantially parallel to the endless member from a position where the entire diverter member lies beneath the conveying surface to a position where the pivotable section is above the conveying surface.

Abstract: An automatic beverage dispensing system for use with a plurality of remote point of sale units with order entry keyboards, each having selector buttons for different flavors and cup sizes, the dispenser including an automatic cup dropper, an automatic ice dispenser, a transverse conveyor system for conveying an ice filled cup to any of a plurality of parallel lanes each having a forward conveyor system, a beverage dispenser valve associated with each of the lanes, and each forward conveyor system conveying a cup received from the transverse conveyor to a beverage fill station and then to a cup pick-up station. The dispenser can also be operated manually using buttons on the dispenser itself.

Abstract: Empty boxes for packing articles thereinto, typically fruit, are packed by handpackers, for example, stationed along a plurality of fruit packing lines, each line provided with an empty box accumulation station. As soon as a box is packed and conveyed to a palletizer, an empty box is conveyed to the accumulation station on conveyor belt means from a box buffer station in closest proximity thereto and immediately upstream thereof to stack up against the last, or most upstream of the accumulated boxes, causing each box in each upstream buffer station to be conveyed downstream to thereby maintain each buffer station satisfied, the last box of the most upstream buffer station being supplied from a main box holding station. Box movement is controlled by photocell switches inputting signals to a microprocessor indicating the absence or presence of a box at a predetermined location.

Abstract: A control system for a conveyor having a plurality of trolley carriers movable along a path of travel and having at least one latching type reed switch whose open or closed condition is sensed in a reading station through which the trolley carrier moves, to effect some desired control function with respect to the trolley carrier. At another station, such as a writing or reset station upstream of the reading station, the switches are latched in an open or closed condition which accompanies the trolley carrier during movement of the trolley carrier along the path of travel and through the reading station. The writing station has a plurality of permanent or electromagnets conditioning each switch separately and remotely; and a reset station may be provided upstream of the writing station for separately initiating each carrier switch to an inoperable condition.

Abstract: A workpiece elevator is disclosed having a series of workpiece carriers thereon which move in an endless vertical path and from which workpieces are discharged by gravity. On each carrier there is mounted a latch mechanism which selectively blocks or opens the outlet end of each carrier. The elevator includes a plurality of outlet chutes for receiving workpieces from the carriers. Members are mounted on a stationary part of the elevator for selectively actuating the latch mechanism as the outlet of each carrier aligns with an outlet chute in accordance with the workpiece requirements of the outlet chute.