A tire-enhancement product has a container comprising a dissolvable packaging material; and a solute encased in the container that is inert to the solute. The container is configured to be placed in an interior volume of a tire, to which solvent can be added. The container is configured to dissolve when placed in a predetermined solvent, and the solute is configured to mix with the solvent to form a tire-enhancement mixture.

A container-treatment machine includes a frame, transport devices for conveying containers, and intermediate conveyors. Treatment stations, some of which are treatment modules, are arranged between the first and second transport-devices. The intermediate conveyors convey containers to corresponding ones of the treatment stations. The intermediate conveyors extend transversely between the transport devices. Some of the treatment modules are held on the frame so as to be removable from operating positions thereof.

In one or more arrangements, a system is presented for preventing the spread of fire through a conveyor opening in a fire wall. In one or more arrangements, a fire door system is connected to the fire wall and/or conveyor proximate to the conveyor opening. The fire door system includes a door assembly, a door frame assembly, and an actuator. The door frame assembly is connected to the fire wall, covers portions of the opening below the conveyor and between belts of the conveyor, and forms a door opening above the conveyor. The door assembly is configured to move between a closed position, where door assembly covers the door opening, and an open position, where the door assembly at least partially uncovers the door opening. The actuator is configured to cause the door to be moved to the closed position in response to fire.

An automated system for de-stacking a plurality of stacked objects, the automated system comprising a lift assembly and a grabber assembly. The lift assembly comprises a tower, and a number of electric motors. The tower is configured to rotate about a vertically-extending axis. One of the electric motors is configured to rotate the tower. Another one of the electric motors is configured to raise and lower the grabber assembly. The grabber assembly is configured to move with the tower as the tower rotates and comprises a claw and an electric motor. The claw is configured to grasp the objects individually. The electric motor of the grabber assembly is configured to actuate the claw. The first, second, and third electric motors are configured to operate in a refrigerated environment.

The invention relates to devices and methods for making purchases in supermarkets and other large commercial centres at checkouts and is aimed at simplifying and speeding up checkout operations, as well as at reducing the number of actions taken by a purchaser. A method for controlling the operation of a checkout equipped with a conveyor belt comprises the following steps, at which: —sections on the conveyor belt arranged between items of the purchasers next in line are designated manually or determined automatically; —virtual dividers are set on said sections by entering relevant coordinates in the control unit memory; —the location coordinates of the virtual separators are changed by the control unit in such a way that the virtual separators move synchronously with the conveyor belt.

In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for efficiently handling dry additives to be mixed with bulk material in a blender are provided. The systems may include a support structure used to direct bulk material from one or more portable containers on the support structure to a first outlet location, and a combined metering/transferring system for directing dry additives from another portable container to a second outlet location. Specifically, the metering/transferring system may output a metered flow of dry additives to the blender mixer to be combined with bulk material that is released from the portable containers. The metering/transferring system may utilize a gravity feed outlet coupled to a metered screw or other conveying device to move the dry additive from the portable container to the second outlet location.

A proppant delivery assembly receives and supports a plurality of containers having proppant stored therein. A cradle has a top surface which receives and supports the plurality of containers when positioned thereon. The cradle enables the plurality of containers to dispense the proppant stored therein. A proppant mover is positioned to underlie and extend along the top surface of the cradle aligned with the plurality of containers to receive proppant from the plurality of containers. The proppant mover carries proppant away from the plurality of containers. A chute is coupled to the cradle for receiving proppant from the proppant mover and directing the proppant to a blender hopper. A hood assembly is disposed at an end of the chute opposite the proppant mover for directing a vacuum air flow that removes a volume of air containing proppant dust particles directed from the chute. The hood assembly includes a curtain extending about a perimeter of the hood assembly and downward therefrom to at least partially define the volume of air being removed by the hood assembly.

A proppant delivery assembly receives and supports a plurality of containers having proppant stored therein. A cradle has a top surface which receives and supports the plurality of containers when positioned thereon. The cradle enables the plurality of containers to dispense the proppant stored therein. A proppant mover is positioned to underlie and extend along the top surface of the cradle aligned with the plurality of containers to receive proppant from the plurality of containers. The proppant mover carries proppant away from the plurality of containers. A chute is coupled to the cradle for receiving proppant from the proppant mover and directing the proppant to a blender hopper. A hood assembly is disposed at an end of the chute opposite the proppant mover for directing a vacuum air flow that removes a volume of air containing proppant dust particles directed from the chute. The hood assembly includes a curtain extending about a perimeter of the hood assembly and downward therefrom to at least partially define the volume of air being removed by the hood assembly.

In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for efficiently handling dry additives to be mixed with bulk material in a blender are provided. The systems may include a support structure used to direct bulk material from one or more portable containers on the support structure to a first outlet location, and a combined metering/transferring system for directing dry additives from another portable container to a second outlet location. Specifically, the metering/transferring system may output a metered flow of dry additives to the blender mixer to be combined with bulk material that is released from the portable containers. The metering/transferring system may utilize a gravity feed outlet coupled to a metered screw or other conveying device to move the dry additive from the portable container to the second outlet location.

Loading units are collections of goods to be placed in sequence and compiled, as onto a pallet, for shipment. An apparatus is provided for sequencing loading units in a predetermined order. The apparatus includes a sequencing zone with a plurality of belts for receiving units to be sequenced, and a feeding device for units arranged upstream of the sequencing zone. Also included is a separation device with intakes for loading units. A distribution device distributes units onto the belts; a relocation device conveys separated units toward a downstream conveying device. The distribution device and the relocation device include a transverse pusher for pushing the units transversely to the belts or the intakes.