The invention relates to a machine for handling waste material, the machine comprising an upper conveyor member with a conveying portion of a first width, a downstream lower conveyor member with a receiving portion of equal or greater width and an apparatus for distributing material from the upper conveyor member to the downstream lower conveyor member, wherein the apparatus comprises oscillating means, a drive mechanism connected to the oscillating means; and a protruding element attached to the oscillating means for oscillatory movement thereof, wherein the protruding element is a reciprocating attachment adapted to oscillate in a direction transverse to the direction in which it extends, wherein the apparatus is mountable between the conveying portion of the upper conveyor member and the receiving portion of the downstream lower conveyor member such that the protruding element extends substantially in the direction of conveyance of the downstream conveyor member; and wherein in use the osciallating protruding element agitates material being transferred from the upper conveyor member to the downstream lower conveyor member.

A conveying device includes a plurality of conveying zones having conveying elements, each conveying zone having at least one conveying drive for the conveying elements of the zone in question and being associated with a control unit that controls the conveying drive of the conveying zone, with the conveying device being designed having a support structure. Each conveying zone is formed by an individual independent conveying module that is fastened on the support structure as a complete individual unit and forms the entirety of the conveying device with additional adjacent conveying modules.

A conveying device includes a plurality of conveying zones having conveying elements, each conveying zone having at least one conveying drive for the conveying elements of the zone in question and being associated with a control unit that controls the conveying drive of the conveying zone, with the conveying device being designed having a support structure. Each conveying zone is formed by an individual independent conveying module that is fastened on the support structure as a complete individual unit and forms the entirety of the conveying device with additional adjacent conveying modules.

A system and method for moving a plurality of eggs from a distal end of a feeder to a proximal end of a conveyor for loading the eggs onto the conveyor. The conveyor comprises a plurality of egg-receiving positions. The distal end of the feeder and the proximal end of the conveyor are aligned such that the plurality of egg-receiving positions accepts the plurality of eggs as the conveyor moves past the distal end of the feeder. A nozzle emitting a stream of fluid is positioned proximal to the distal end of the feeder so that the stream of fluid urges the plurality of eggs toward the distal end of the feeder.

Heating systems utilizing radio frequency (RF) energy and methods for using the same to rapidly and uniformly heat packaged articles moving through the system on one or more convey lines. These systems may be useful for a variety of processes, including the pasteurization or sterilization of packaged foodstuffs.

Heating systems utilizing radio frequency (RF) energy and methods for using the same to rapidly and uniformly heat packaged articles moving through the system on one or more convey lines. These systems may be useful for a variety of processes, including the pasteurization or sterilization of packaged foodstuffs.

A product inspection apparatus includes a conveyor system for transporting items. The conveyor system includes a weigh conveyor with a load detector for detecting the weight of items transported on the conveyor system and a transport conveyor adjacent the weigh conveyor. The apparatus also includes a support structure with a support beam. The transport conveyor is mounted to the support beam by at least one support column externally mounted to the support beam such that vibrations are suppressed by the at least one externally mounted support column.

A product inspection apparatus includes a conveyor system for transporting items. The conveyor system includes a weigh conveyor with a load detector for detecting the weight of items transported on the conveyor system and a transport conveyor adjacent the weigh conveyor. The apparatus also includes a support structure with a support beam. The transport conveyor is mounted to the support beam by at least one support column externally mounted to the support beam such that vibrations are suppressed by the at least one externally mounted support column.

Insect sorting conveyor systems include at least first and second insect conveyor stages. The first and second insect sorting conveyor stages each include an outwardly facing grasping surface forming at least part of a continuous loop having an upper section and a lower section, and an insect diverter positioned adjacent to the lower section. The second insect sorting conveyor stage is disposed below the first insect sorting conveyor stage.

Insect sorting conveyor systems include at least first and second insect conveyor stages. The first and second insect sorting conveyor stages each include an outwardly facing grasping surface forming at least part of a continuous loop having an upper section and a lower section, and an insect diverter positioned adjacent to the lower section. The second insect sorting conveyor stage is disposed below the first insect sorting conveyor stage.