Apparatus configured for dispensing bedding inside of breeding cages for use in pharmaceutical preclinical research centres, including: a loading hopper located in the upper part of the apparatus, and adapted to contain the bedding to be supplied to the cages; at least one supporting plane adapted to support one or more cages, and positioned under the hopper; an actuator under the hopper, adapted to raise or lower the hopper and the at least one supporting plane; one or more dosing mouths located in the lower part of the loading hopper, and adapted to feed into the cages given quantities of bedding from the hopper; a dispensation system adapted to dispense bedding into the cages through the one or more dosing mouths; a control system adapted to determine the quantity of bedding and to control the actuator; and a base for supporting the apparatus.

A mobile earth working machine (10), the earth working machine (10), in a reference state ready for earth-working operation, encompassing: a machine frame (20); a working apparatus for material-removing earth working; a functional apparatus that is different from the working apparatus (12) and is connected to the machine frame (20) pivotably movably relative to the machine frame (20); a pivot joint arrangement, arranged functionally between the machine frame (20) and the functional apparatus, having a frame-associated joint element (46) that is connected to the machine frame (20) immovably relative to the machine frame (20), and having an apparatus-associated joint element (50) that is coupled to the frame-associated joint element (46) pivotably relative thereto by means of a pivot joint (54) around a pivot axis (S) and is connected to the functional apparatus. There is embodied between the machine frame (20) and the functional apparatus (34, 86) a mechanical coupling structure (44) by means of which the functional apparatus is coupled intentionally physically detachably to the machine frame (20); the coupling structure (44) comprising a frame-side coupling configuration (56) and comprising an apparatus-side counterpart coupling configuration (58); the frame-side coupling configuration (56) and the apparatus-side counterpart coupling configuration (58) being either both embodied on the frame-associated joint element (46) or both embodied on the apparatus-associated joint element (50).

A roller conveyor system configured for installation on top of a mobile robot to provide robotic transport of a payload includes: a roller conveyor, the roller conveyor comprising: a roller assembly, the roller assembly comprising a plurality of rollers, the rollers configured to move a payload, each of the rollers being configured to rotate, the roller assembly comprising a motorized roller and one or more auxiliary rollers, the motorized roller comprising a motor configured to cause the motorized roller to rotate; and a hybrid power transmission configured to drive the rollers, the hybrid power transmission coupling the motorized roller to at least one of the one or more auxiliary rollers, the hybrid power transmission using at least two power transmission methods.

A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed that includes a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed, the plurality of bins being provided on a conveyance system, a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects, the programmable motion device being capable of reaching any of the objects within at least one of the plurality of bins in an input area of the conveyance system, a perception system for providing perception data regarding a selected object that is presented to the perception system by the programmable motion device, and a routing conveyance system including a routing conveyor for receiving the selected object, and for moving the selected object in each of vertical and rotational directions toward a destination container responsive to the perception data.

A conveyor bed including a conveyor frame, a first set of rollers, a second set of rollers, and a pivotable frame is provided. The first set of rollers are coupled to the conveyor frame to transport an article from an upstream location to a downstream location. The pivotable frame pivotably coupled to a side of the of the conveyor frame. The second set of rollers mounted to the pivotable frame, positioned below the first set of rollers. A belt wrapped is around the second set of rollers, and selectively engages and disengages the first set of rollers in response to pivoting the pivotable frame based on predefined criteria.

A machine includes a frame having a first frame member selectively coupled to a second frame member. The machine also includes an alignment and connection assembly including a protrusion coupled to the first frame member. The protrusion is receiveable within the second frame member to align the first frame member with the second frame member. The alignment and connection assembly also includes a fastener coupled to the protrusion. The fastener is operable to secure the first frame member relative to the second frame member.

A towable conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for towing a conveyor and conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor system has an elevating carriage and a plurality of support elements for conveying articles up the conveyor. Specifically, the towable conveyor system comprises a conveyor having a support frame, a plurality of support elements, a drive end with a motor, and an idle end; an elevating carriage having a first end interconnected to the support frame of the conveyor, a second with two or more wheels, and a support member extending upwardly from the elevating carriage; a cable system for raising the conveyor into a position of use and for lowering the conveyor into a towing position; one or more locking mechanisms; and a hitch for connecting the conveyor to a rear end of a towing vehicle.

A roller conveyor system configured for installation on top of a mobile robot to provide robotic transport of a payload includes: a roller conveyor, the roller conveyor comprising: a roller assembly, the roller assembly comprising a plurality of rollers, the rollers configured to move a payload, each of the rollers being configured to rotate, the roller assembly comprising a motorized roller and one or more auxiliary rollers, the motorized roller comprising a motor configured to cause the motorized roller to rotate; and a hybrid power transmission configured to drive the rollers, the hybrid power transmission coupling the motorized roller to at least one of the one or more auxiliary rollers, the hybrid power transmission using at least two power transmission methods.

Conveyors are disclosed having transport and operational configurations. Some embodiments include conveyor sections supportable on an upper support rail. Some embodiments are sized to be transported in a conveyor. Some embodiments include conveyor sections slidingly engaged with one another. Some embodiments include a reel for supporting a conveyor belt. Some embodiments include individually foldable conveyor sections.

A system for unloading and conveying material includes a drive over dump conveyor apparatus including a main frame with opposite lateral sides and a conveyor assembly. The system includes at least one ramp assembly mounted on one of the lateral sides and extendable to a utilization condition of the ramp assembly and retractable to a transport condition of the ramp assembly. The ramp assembly may include inboard and outboard ramp portions accordion foldable inwardly to the transport condition and foldable outwardly to the utilization condition. The system may include a movement assembly configured to move the ramp assembly between the transport and utilization conditions, actively extend the inboard ramp portion and passively extend the outboard ramp portion to the utilization position, and actively retract the inboard ramp portion and passively retract the outboard ramp portion to the transport position.