Abstract: A particle size distribution measurement apparatus includes a coarse grain measurement device that acquires information indicating distribution of coarse grains, an adherent powder measurement device that acquires information indicating distribution of adherent powder, and a computation device that calculates distribution of a raw material.

Abstract: A singulator apparatus and system for use with a product conveying and/or sorting system to place products in a single layer line of such products that are also separated from each other so the products may be more effectively and efficiently sized, inspected, sorted or otherwise processed in the processing area of the conveying and/or sorting system. The singulator apparatus has at least one pair, preferably a plurality, of adjacent cylindrical assemblies that are linearly aligned to be parallel with each other and define a valley between the adjacent cylindrical assemblies. Jumbled products are directed to the valleys from a product transfer area that receives the products. The cylindrical assemblies each have a cylindrical member and a shaft, with the shaft connected to a rotating mechanism that rotates the cylindrical assemblies to singulate and separate the products as they move along the valley between cylindrical assemblies.

Abstract: A conveyer device with stepless adjustment is disclosed. The conveyer device includes a conveyer platform disposed above a base, a clasping rod of an adjusting module is disposed above the conveyer platform, partition plates can hook and engage the side edges of the clasping rod and the conveyer platform, to partition the conveyer platform to form conveying channels, a horizontal sliding unit is disposed under the conveyer platform, and a longitudinal sliding unit and a magnetic driving part are movably assembled on the horizontal sliding unit, and a magnetic sliding part is disposed on the surface of the conveyer platform corresponding to the magnetic driving part, the magnetic sliding part can be driven by magnetic force of the magnetic driving part, to move on the conveyer platform in longitudinal and horizontal directions, so as to align the magnetic sliding part to the conveying channel and move an object.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatic adjustment of guide rails for guiding articles on a conveyor via lanes is provided. The apparatus includes spaced apart first and second tracks, a carriage for driven travel along the first track, and a guide rail hanger for select slaved travel along the second track by the carriage in furtherance of lane adjustment. The guide rail hanger is operatively linked with a guide rail hanger positioning bar for select reversible affixation with respect thereto in furtherance of establishing a fixed guide rail position relative to the conveyor. A latch assembly, supported by the carriage, has a latch selectively operable for captured carrying of the guide rail hanger along the second track during travel of said carriage, the latch effectuating release of an affixed guide rail hanger from the guide rail hanger positioning bar in furtherance of enabling relocating and re-affixing the guide rail hanger relative to the guide rail hanger positioning bar in advance of captured carrying thereof.

Abstract: A firewood handling device for firewood pieces comprises a conveyor including one or more rotating, endless chains, wherein the conveyor extends from an input end to an output end. The conveyor chains are provided with carriers which project outwards from the outer sides of the chains and extend across and on a distance from each other in relation to the longitudinal extension of the conveyor such that spaces are formed between the carriers into which firewood pieces can be positioned. The carriers are formed with at least two, not cut through slots or recesses from below as well as from above which overlap each other. The conveyor in its output end is provided with at least two inner guiding members as well as with at least two outer guiding members.

Abstract: A method for counting and aggregating a pre-determined number of articles includes: driving, by a conveyor, an article stream to move to an end of the conveyor in a single layer state; conveying the article stream in a periodic motion; after the articles in the article stream leave the conveyor, accurately counting the number of the articles; and when a total number of articles in a combination of temporary storage bin is the same as a target number, transporting all articles in the combination of temporary storage bin to a storage device. Article batches are separately delivered to different temporary storage bins, and the total number of articles in temporary storage bins in different combinations is calculated, so as to obtain with a combination in which the number of articles is the same as the target number. The operation efficiency is improved and the manufacturing cost of device is reduced.

Abstract: A thin section preparation device includes: a cutting blade (21) which cuts out a thin section (M) from an embedding block (B); a storage tank (7) in which the thin section (M) is floated on a liquid (W) and is spread; a thin-section-conveying-mechanism (8) which conveys the thin section (M) in a direction intersecting in an X axis direction in a state where a first side of the thin section (M) is parallel with the X axis direction; a slide-glass-handling-mechanism (9) which places the thin section (M) floating in the storage tank (7) on a slide glass (G) in a state where a first side of the slide glass (G) is parallel with the X axis direction; and a rotary body (61) which is rotated in a state where the thin section (M) is placed on an outer surface and conveys the thin section (M) toward the slide-glass-handling-mechanism (9).

Abstract: A method for counting and aggregating a pre-determined number of articles includes: driving, by a conveyor, an article stream to move to an end of the conveyor in a single layer state; conveying the article stream in a periodic motion; after the articles in the article stream leave the conveyor, accurately counting the number of the articles; and when a total number of articles in a combination of temporary storage bin is the same as a target number, transporting all articles in the combination of temporary storage bin to a storage device. Article batches are separately delivered to different temporary storage bins, and the total number of articles in temporary storage bins in different combinations is calculated, so as to obtain with a combination in which the number of articles is the same as the target number. The operation efficiency is improved and the manufacturing cost of device is reduced.

Abstract: A lane forming apparatus can include a first arm, a second arm, a moving device, and at least one supporting device. The first arm can be disposed for lateral, pivoting movement about a pivot axis and across a rectilinear path. The second arm can be telescopically engaged with the first arm and extend between a proximal end and a distal end. The moving device can be engaged with the distal end and configured to move the distal end in at least two dimensions relative to the pivot axis. The supporting device can be positioned on an underside of one of the first arm and the second arm and can be configured to bear at least a portion of a weight of at least one of the first arm and the second arm during the lateral, pivoting movement.

Abstract: A method for counting and aggregating a pre-determined number of articles includes: driving, by a conveyor, an article stream to move to an end of the conveyor in a single layer state; conveying the article stream in a periodic motion; after the articles in the article stream leave the conveyor, accurately counting the number of the articles; and when a total number of articles in a combination of temporary storage bin is the same as a target number, transporting all articles in the combination of temporary storage bin to a storage device. Article batches are separately delivered to different temporary storage bins, and the total number of articles in temporary storage bins in different combinations is calculated, so as to obtain with a combination in which the number of articles is the same as the target number. The operation efficiency is improved and the manufacturing cost of device is reduced.

Abstract: A system for holding one or more bags. The system includes a cart, a first chute disposed on the cart, and a second chute also disposed on the cart. The first chute includes a first edging along each side of the first chute. The second chute includes a second edging along each side of the second chute. The second chute is intertwined with the first chute. The system may further include a third chute and a fourth chute disposed on the cart. The third chute may include a third edging along each side of the third chute, and the fourth chute may include a fourth edging along each side of the fourth chute. The top and bottom of the first chute and the top and bottom of the second chute are positioned on opposite ends of the cart at about 180 degrees apart, while the top and bottom of the third chute and the top and bottom of the fourth chute are positioned on opposite ends of the cart at about 180 degrees apart.

Abstract: An automated medicament dispensing machine for dispensing and counting individual medicaments. A medicament supply bin holds a plurality of medicaments. A singulator extends into the medicament supply bin and functions to singulate the plurality of medicaments. The singulator includes a trough that extends into the medicament supply bin. A helix is positioned over the top of the trough. The helix is uncovered at its top. A motor is connected to the helix and rotates the helix so that excess medicaments fall backwards along the trough or into the medicament supply bin as individual medicaments are singulated.

Abstract: A singulator for sorting a single item from a supply of such items stored randomly in bulk is provided, including at least one primary vertically reciprocating elevator defining a platform reciprocating between first lower position in which the platform receives and holds an initially limited number of the items delivered from bulk storage, and a first upper position in which the items are delivered to at least one secondary elevator. Each secondary elevator has a second platform and reciprocates between a second lower position in which the second platform receives a further limited number of the items and a second upper position in which the items are delivered to a desired location. The platforms are constructed and arranged for orienting the items in a desired orientation at the desired location.

Abstract: The invention concerns a conveyor lane divider for dividing trays that are received in one lane from an infeed conveyor and are passed on to a two-lane production unit. The conveyor lane divider has a line motion control system that can be automatically initialized when starting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for, in a conveying direction T during conveyance, continuously distributing a flow or products, for instance eggs, comprising: —a distributing assembly with at least two feed channels extending in a conveying direction T for each forming a single row of products, wherein at least edge elements compose the edges of these channels over a well-defined distribution length and wherein these edge elements are provided above and adjacent a conveying surface at the downstream end of a feed conveyor, and —a control for monitoring and controlling the distribution of the products over the channels, wherein, based on monitoring signals and control signals, from the downstream end of the channels, only two products are transferred simultaneously to the conveyor, wherein the control, based on the monitoring signals and control signals, increases or reduces the speed of the conveyor according to a continuous adjustment.

Abstract: A conveyor line (10) for the transport of articles (20, 24) in an article stream (18) from a first processing line (50) to a second processing line (52). The conveyor line (10) includes a first conveyor section (11) and a second conveyor section (12). On the first conveyor section (11) the article stream (18) is formed by at least two articles (20, 24) arranged mostly side by side, whereby the second conveyor section (12) includes at least one lane dividing plate (30) for the separation of the articles (20, 24) into at least two lanes (31). A third conveyor section (13) is arranged between the first conveyor section (11) and the second conveyor section (12), the third conveyor section (13) including multiple deflections of the articles (20, 24) along a path with multiple curves.

Abstract: The invention concerns a conveyor lane divider for dividing trays that are received in one lane from an infeed conveyor and are passed on to a two-lane production unit. The conveyor lane divider has a line motion control system that can be automatically initialized when starting.

Abstract: Conveyor for transporting bottles or containers having varying diameters in lines to a bottle or container cleaning machine or packaging machine, and a method and apparatus for conveying bottles or containers.

Abstract: A conveyor system and a method for feeding articles of at least two different types to a downstream processing unit are disclosed. The conveyor system comprises an infeed unit for the articles, an arrangement zone downstream from the infeed unit, and a lane zone downstream from the arrangement zone. In the lane zone the articles are transported to the downstream processing unit in an ordered state. The infeed unit comprises at least two conveyor belts, to each of which there corresponds a direction of transport for the articles in a section of the arrangement zone, wherein the directions of transport enclose an angle between them.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing goods delivered on one or more feeding conveyor belts onto two or more removal conveyor belts, wherein the feeding conveyor belts as well as the removal conveyor belts are subdivided into a plurality of individual conveyor belts which are arranged in parallel side by side and are driven jointly. A rotary table having an essentially circular contour and also comprising a plurality of parallel individual conveyor belts which are also allocated to a joint drive is positioned between the feeding and the removal conveyor belts, wherein the feeding and the individual removal conveyor belts each closely reach up to the individual conveyor belts of the rotary table and are, in essence, adjusted in their length to the circular contour of the rotary table.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for aligning food products in a plurality of rows for feeding a subsequent processing operation in a production process. The apparatus includes first and second continuous belt conveyors adjacent to each other, a dispensing plate operable to delay movement of the plurality of food products and cluster the food products together. The food products are then periodically distributed onto the second continuous belt conveyor, improving dispersion of the food products thereon. Guide fingers that extend and retract over the second continuous belt conveyor contact and displace the food products into rows within channels formed by longitudinal members extending over at least a portion of the second continuous belt conveyor. The rows of food products are then conveyed to the next processing operation.

Abstract: A method of operating a transfer station in a container filling plant. The transfer station comprises a plurality of spaced apart webs between which containers are to be conveyed. A plurality of vertical directing elements are disposed upstream of and adjacent to the webs. The directing elements contact and deflect containers into the receiving spaces in between the webs to minimize backing up or jams of the containers, to thus minimize interruptions in the container handling process.

Abstract: A transfer station in a container filling plant comprising an input, an output, a conveyor for feeding containers, a plurality of spaced apart webs disposed upstream of the input of the transfer station, and vertically oriented rotatable directing elements, each rotatable about its vertical rotational axis and disposed upstream of the webs for contacting the bodies of the containers to steer the containers into the receiving spaces between the webs.

Abstract: The device for sorting items, such as rolls, is provided downstream of a first number (N) of feeding channels (Ca) of items (R), which feeding channels (Ca) are provided with dispensing members (S) for a controlled release of the items (R). The device (100) includes: a number of mobile tracks (5) equal to the first number (N), arranged downstream of the (N) feeding channels (Ca) and operatively associated in pairs, so as to define operating gaps (H1) between successive pairs. The first mobile tracks (5) are movable in reciprocal synchronism, transversally (W) to the feeding channels (Ca). A second number (M) of second mobile tracks (6) are arranged downstream of the feeding channels (Ca) and are disposed each one between successive pairs of the first tracks (5) at the operating gaps (H1).

Abstract: A packaging machine (10) includes a lane assembly (12) that includes one or more lanes (L) which guide cylindrical articles (B), such as cans or bottles, across a series of substantially parallel conveyors. The lane assembly (12) includes an adjustable guide bar (34) which defines an adjustable portion (V) of the lane (L) that can be adjusted to adapt to the diameter of articles (B). The lane assembly (12) also includes lane extensions (70) that can be adjusted to control the position of rows of articles (B) as the articles (B) exit the lanes (L) onto a conveyor (20).

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for transport and placement of articles in single file order includes dual parallel infeed conveyors each having an elevating portion for discharging articles onto transverse conveyors whose discharge ends are disposed over elevated discharge conveyors traversing in the opposite direction from the direction of movement of the infeed conveyors. The discharge conveyors include horizontal conveyor runs over which are disposed elongated article guide fences operable to guide articles into single file order but to also force articles not in proper order off of the conveyors into bottomless bins which guide the articles onto the inlet portions of the infeed conveyors for recycling through the apparatus.

Abstract: The apparatus serves to distribute a random stream of items into several lanes in which the items are transported individually one after the other. The apparatus has a transport device for the items, wherein the transport device has one or more driven conveyor belts and side rails as well as a lane divider. The lane divider has at least one movable divider which divides the stream of transported items. A middle divider can project against the direction of transport and side dividers can be set back staggered. In an embodiment, the lane divider has a frame to which the dividers are attached. The apparatus also has a device for driving the lane divider, so that the at least one divider carries out a back-and-forth movement in the direction of transport and/or transversely to it.

Abstract: A conveyor system transports a multiplicity of product items from an input portion to an output portion and is provided with a first conveyor that transports the product items from the input portion to a distal turnaround region. A second conveyor transports the product items from the distal turnaround region to a redistribution region. A first product transfer arrangement urges the product items from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. A plurality of exit conveyors are arranged to be parallel to each other for transporting the product items from the redistribution region to a product exit region located at the output portion, and are arranged to transport the product items at a respectively associated rates of transport. A product redistribution arrangement directs the product items to respective input ends of the plurality of exit conveyors.

Abstract: A hopper releases articles onto a selecting sieve which selects and keeps complying articles, separating them from defective and/or fragmented ones and from powders. A linear conveyor, situated downstream of the selecting sieve, receives the complying articles for sending them, in an orderly way, to inlets of a plurality of feeding channels. A collecting vessel is situated near the inlets and collects the exceeding articles accumulated near the inlets. A transferring container receives the exceeding articles coming from the collecting vessel and transfers them upstream of the selecting sieve.

Abstract: In laner apparatus for automatically arranging articles into lanes on a conveyor, for example for packaging or further processing, the articles are fed onto a conveyor upstream of a fence that extends at an acute angle to the direction of travel of the conveyor. The fence has gateways at intervals along its length and gates that control passage of the articles through the gateways and into lanes downstream of the fence. These downstream lanes may feed the articles onto slides for packaging or further processing. Articles that do not pass through a gateway move to the downstream end of the fence by the reaction forces resulting from motion of the conveyor and the angle of the fence. A control unit reads signals from sensors which are placed downstream of the fence, and preferably downstream of the laner apparatus, to determine whether each downstream lane is full and sends signals to selectively open and close the gates.

Abstract: A conveyor device for containers having multiple narrow lanes formed by guide railings adjustable horizontally across the direction of conveyance, with horizontally adjustable sensors for the containers arranged above the narrow lanes across the direction of conveyance. The adjustable sensors are coupled to the guide railings in such a way that they are necessarily adjusted along with an adjustment of the guide railings.

Abstract: This invention provides a seed-sorting apparatus that includes an alignment trough having a plurality of grooves into which the seeds are distributed, a line sensor camera for inspecting the seeds, a nozzle device having a number of nozzles that is the same as the number of grooves on the upper surface of the alignment trough, and a control unit. The control unit, through a series of calculations, is capable of differentiating between different types of seeds and can direct a seed sorting and sucking device to suck the seed.

Abstract: A transport system for transport of containers has a switch with an entry zone, an exit zone with at least two different transport paths for conveying a container, and a switch mechanism for selectively controlling the transport of the container to the transport paths. During their travel, the containers are supported by a support assembly, and aligned and advanced in a controlled manner in the entry zone by an alignment and propulsion mechanism. A propulsion and guide assembly in the exit zone is rendered operative in response to a transport of the container along the transport paths and includes at least two modules which respectively cooperate with the transport paths and are disposed in the exit zone below the plane of the support assembly. The modules are hereby so controlled that only the one of the modules is raised into a plane above the plane of the support assembly, when the container is transported along the associated transport path.

Abstract: A package delivery notification system reports impending package deliveries and precisely notifies recipients of when to expect the deliveries. The package delivery notification system utilizes memory, a communications device, and a system manager. Package data identifying a package that is to be delivered to a recipient is stored in the memory. The package data indicates that the recipient is to receive the package and indicates the expected time that the package is to be delivered. When the package is assigned to a vehicle that will deliver the package to a premises of the recipient, the system manager transmits, via the communications device, a notification message to the recipient. The notification message preferably indicates the approximate time that the package is expected to arrive.

Abstract: There are disclosed a conveying apparatus and a conveying system in which a force is efficiently transmitted to an article so as to smoothly convey the article in an arbitrary direction. In each of feed portions 15 provided at a conveying apparatus 10, 11 of the invention, a twist gear 34 is mounted on a twist base 16, and is disposed below feed rollers 17, and therefore the degree of freedom of the configurations of the twist gear 34 and feed rollers 17 are higher as compared with a conventional construction in which a feed roller is provided within a twist gear. Therefore, a compact design of the twist gear 34 can be achieved, and also the feed portions 15 and 15 can be disposed closer to each other as compared with the conventional construction. And besides, a large-size design of the feed rollers 17 can be achieved, so that an area of contact of the feed rollers 17 with the article can be increased.

Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one induction unit follows the speed of the continuous member. This includes starting as soon as the continuous member is moving and decreasing in speed substantially only when the continuous member decreases in speed. The invention is useful with linear sorters, such as positive displacement sorters, and the like. The invention is also useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: An egg transfer apparatus is configured to distribute eggs substantially evenly with reduced breakage on a moving conveyor. The egg transfer apparatus includes a conveyor having opposite first and second ends and a plurality of elongated, flexible guides extending between the conveyor first and second ends in adjacent, spaced apart relationship with each other. The guides define a plurality of channels that are configured to evenly distribute eggs placed on the conveyor. The guides are elevated above the conveyor by an amount that decreases in a direction towards the conveyor second end. In addition, the guides converge toward the conveyor second end.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating articles includes providing a bed having at least one conveying surface. The conveying surface is adapted to move articles in a direction of conveyance from an upstream end to a downstream end of the bed. At least one sensor is provided to determine the position of any articles on the bed. Selected articles are moved in the direction of conveyance at a speed that is generally higher than articles traveling on the bed that have yet to be manipulated and the articles are selectively rotated.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus is described. The dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of slats, each having one or more holders for holding and dispensing articles. Each slat has a cavity and an open end. Further, each holder includes an aperture through which a pin may extend into and retract from the cavity to assist in dispensing articles held therein. Each open end may include a curved surface to assist in inhibiting the articles from being dispensed prematurely. Further, each slat may include a tongue on one side and a groove on another side. The tongues of each slat fit within the grooves of adjacent slats, allowing them to ride in close conformity to each other and allowing for relatively unencumbered movement between the slats.

Abstract: A continuous product conveyor system of loop configuration is provided to receive products from an upstream destination in a given product delivery path arrangement and to deliver those products to a downstream destination in a different product delivery path arrangement. The system is adapted, for example, to deliver a single file product path from an upstream destination and deliver multiple delivery paths downstream. The system also can be used to receive multiple product delivery paths from an upstream destination and deliver a single file product path or a different number of product paths downstream. The system can further be used for receiving mass product flow and delivering one or more product delivery paths downstream.

Abstract: A product conveying and accumulation system is provided for use with products of various sizes, shapes, and stability characteristics. The system comprises multiple moving conveyors, including a first conveyor which transports product from an upstream location. This same conveyor or another conveyor delivers product to a downstream location. An accumulator conveyor, traveling at a substantially similar speed or a designated variable speed as the first conveyor or conveyors, is aligned in the same plane as, is adjacent to, and may mate with the first conveyor at a predetermined location for contiguous movement in the same direction as the first conveyor at this predetermined location. A product guide is provided which allows for the movement of product from the upstream to downstream locations during normal operation and directs product to the accumulator section of the second conveyor when there is a disruption or malfunction downstream.

Abstract: A method and device for feeding elongated tobacco articles, whereby, on a wrapping machine, a mass of articles, oriented a given way, is fed along an annular path in a hopper connected to at least one channel for feeding the articles and in which the articles are fed in an orderly column.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprises a novel row former, a novel array rake and a novel sweep mechanism that are all designed to prevent relative movement between objects arranged in rows and then formed in two dimensional arrays of the objects as the objects are moved through the conveyor system, where the objects have triangular shaped cross sections.

Abstract: A parts feeder for an automated robotic selection system has a hopper with an integral hopper conveyor for transporting parts to a chute integral with a frame. A feed conveyor transports parts from the chute to a tilting pan which alternately dumps parts received from the feed conveyor to first and second return conveyors. The first and second return conveyors alternately move the parts into the operating range of a robotic arm whereupon the robotic arm selects and picks a part to be reoriented as desired. Parts not picked by the robotic arm are recycled back to the chute where they will be thereafter transported by the feed conveyor to the parts pan. A parts sensor is provided to detect the quantity of parts held within the chute to determine if more parts need to be supplied from the hopper to the parts feeder.

Abstract: A small-parts feed and conveying device includes a movable section in which trains having a plurality of through holes are arranged along a direction of conveying the small parts, a parts drawing means for drawing the small parts to parts-conveying surface and holding them by reducing the pressure of an air opposite thereto, a conveying path cover in which open faces of spaces for conveying the parts slidably come into contact with the parts-conveying surface, and a parts mixing means for blowing a pressurized air to the small parts from nozzles in the conveying path cover and mixing them. The through holes may be arranged so as to form a plurality of parallel trains. The movable section may be a rotor or a belt.

Abstract: A unit for feeding cigars from an input hopper to a pocket conveyor for feeding single cigars successively along a given path, wherein the cigars are fed along a downfeed channel, an outlet of which faces a rotary transfer member for feeding the cigars successively into respective pockets on the conveyor and in time with the pockets; the channel receives a column of superimposed cigars oriented crosswise to their feed direction along the channel; and a screw conveyor extends along at least one end portion of the channel to feed single cigars successively to the outlet of the channel in time with the transfer member.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus is described. The dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of slats, each having one or more holders for holding and dispensing articles. Each slat has a cavity and an open end. Further, each holder includes an aperture through which a pin may extend into and retract from the cavity to assist in dispensing articles held therein. Each open end may include a curved surface to assist in inhibiting the articles from being dispensed prematurely. Further, each slat may include a tongue on one side and a groove on another side. The tongues of each slat fit within the grooves of adjacent slats, allowing them to ride in close conformity to each other and allowing for relatively unencumbered movement between the slats.

Abstract: A system for capturing multiple images of an object, the system including: means, in communication with a source of objects, for delivering an object into an image capture zone whereby the object passes through a predetermined point in space within the image capture zone; a first image capture device located a first predetermined distance from the predetermined point in space; and a second image capture device located a first predetermined distance from the predetermined point in space, the second image capture device being substantially 90 degrees offset from the first image capture device.

Abstract: A dual lane board handling apparatus includes a first zone including first and second parallel pairs of rails extending in a first direction; a second zone including third and fourth parallel pairs of rails extending in the first direction; first tracks supporting the first and second pairs of rails so that the first and second pairs of rails can move on the first tracks in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a drive for moving the first pair of rails on the first tracks in the second direction such that the first pair of rails can be selectively moved between a first orientation wherein it is in alignment with the fourth pair of rails and a second orientation wherein it is in alignment with the third pair of rails; a drive for moving the second pair of rails in the second direction; and belts on the first, second, third, and fourth pairs of rails for conveying boards along the rails in the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dough handling includes a first conveyor for receiving dough and having a first discharge end for discharging dough. A second conveyor receives dough and is positioned along side the first conveyor to convey in the direction of the first conveyor. The second conveyor has a second discharge end that is spaced-apart from the first discharge end. The first and second conveyors can be used to separate dough pieces from an elongated dough product such as a roll and/or phase individual dough pieces to provide them in succession for packaging or further processing.