Abstract: Apparatus and methods for grading products and forming predetermined mixes of graded products. Graders sort products into different grades. The graded products are formed into batches of known quantity. Each batch is designated for deposit in a bin specified to have a certain mixture of graded products. A conveyor conveys the batches to the designated bin. The quantity of each batch is determined by count or weight.

Abstract: A motor driven agitator comprises a frame and a plurality of shafts rotatably coupled within the frame. The plurality of shafts are operationally coupled to the motor. The axes of the plurality of shafts are substantially parallel when coupled within the frame. The agitator further comprises a plurality of scalping agitators coupled to each shaft of the plurality of shafts. The agitator may further comprise a plurality of screening spaces each having a predetermined spacing. Material placed on a top side of the agitator is agitated by the plurality of scalping agitators while the plurality of shafts rotate, screening small material through the plurality of screening spaces while maintaining the larger material on the top side of the agitator. The agitator may be removably coupled to a mechanical bucket.

Abstract: A separating system includes a chute and at least one rotatable roller disposed adjacent an end of a chute such that articles traversing the chute in the longitudinal direction impact the roller and are displaced to one or the other side of the roller. Various methods of separating articles are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating recyclable material from waste material in a material handling system. The material separator comprises a screw conveyor that separates waste material from recyclable material. The screw feeder also feeds the recyclable material into a crusher for pulverization. The waste material bypasses the crusher and is deposited onto a screen for removal into a waste bin. The crusher generally pulverizes the material received by the screw conveyor. However, if uncrushable material is dropped into the crusher assembly, a ballistic part ejector is provided for use with the crusher. The crusher apparatus has a housing and a rotary crusher member. The housing of the crusher apparatus includes convergent walls along one portion to direct ballistic or thrown uncrushable debris in a predetermined direction toward an ejector aperture formed in the housing. A closure member operably obstructs the ejector aperture in the housing.

Abstract: A roller conveyor bed is formed by a plurality of driven conveyor spools or rollers rotating in the same direction for conveying and sorting objects. The conveyor rollers define a substantially common conveyor plane along the upper surfaces of the conveyor rollers and are selectively spaced apart for selectively passing objects through the selective spaces between conveyor rollers thereby sorting the objects by a size dimension. An anti-pinch surface is positioned adjacent to each of the conveyor rollers on the downstream side of the conveyor roller with reference to the conveying direction. Each surface is positioned below the conveyor plane and provides an anti-pinch surface which substantially shields the downstream side of the adjacent conveyor roller where the roller surface is turning in a downward direction.

Abstract: A sizing apparatus for produce or the like comprises a framework supporting a plurality of vertically spaced levels of sizer assemblies comprising a number of horizontally spaced apart, rotating screw conveyors each cooperating with an associated adjustable sizer blade arranged to provide an equally sized opening between each screw and associated sizer blade on a level whereby to permit produce having a diameter smaller than the opening to fall through to the next lower sizing level. Each successive lower sizing level has progressively smaller sized openings in order that only successively smaller diameter produce may pass through the sizer openings. The sizing apparatus utilizes a specially configured screw conveyor in which each thread between adjacent crests is semi-circular in profile in order to facilitate the separation of produce according to its smallest diameter.

Abstract: A driven, rotatable cylinder (11-1) spaced from a counterstructure (11-4, 11-2&3, 11b-2,3&4, 11c-2&2', 11B-2, 11C-2, 11-5, 11-6) to permit parts or connectors (P or C) to fall between the rotatable cylinder and the counterstructure. A continuous drive belt (16) is employed with an idler (14-6) to permit adjustment of the separation between the cylinder and the counterstructure while the cylinder is in motion.

Abstract: A feeder mechanism for controlling delivery of fruits to a processing apparatus such as a juice extractor and wherein the delivered fruits must be of a size equal to or less than a predetermined size, and in particular where the fruits from the feeder are to be delivered to a hopper of the rotary type having magazines or other restrictive passages through which the fruits must pass en route to the processing apparatus, the feeder mechanism being arranged to provide a gating roll for limiting the maximum size of fruit admitted from a supply source to a feed path which contains an adjustable discharge opening for limiting the minimum size of fruit to be fed to the processing apparatus and also discharge unwanted foreign objects, the feed path at its delivery end having a feed roll for moving fruits which are within the predetermined maximum and minimum size limitations from the feed path to a delivery path, and in the case of delivery to a hopper having a control for sensing the fruit level in the hopper, and b

Abstract: Device for separating-out inadequately wound coils from coils conveyed individually and serially by an horizontal or inclined conveyor in direction of the longitudinal axis of the coils including means defining at least one coil support surface for the coils disposed at a section of the conveyor, the support surface being formed with at least one sorting opening widening in conveyance direction of the conveyor.