Methods and systems for sorting hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that enhances the traceability of hides by capturing and utilizing data related to the unloading, tanning, sorting, and packaging of hides. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency by sorting hides based, at least in part, on data generated during prior tanning processes. Additionally, one or more embodiments facilitate the tanning control system in customizing the sorting and packaging of hides based, at least in part, on one or more hide characteristics and/or customer specifications.

Methods and systems for sorting hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that enhances the traceability of hides by capturing and utilizing data related to the unloading, tanning, sorting, and packaging of hides. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency by sorting hides based, at least in part, on data generated during prior tanning processes. Additionally, one or more embodiments facilitate the tanning control system in customizing the sorting and packaging of hides based, at least in part, on one or more hide characteristics and/or customer specifications.

Methods and systems for sorting hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that enhances the traceability of hides by capturing and utilizing data related to the unloading, tanning, sorting, and packaging of hides. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency by sorting hides based, at least in part, on data generated during prior tanning processes. Additionally, one or more embodiments facilitate the tanning control system in customizing the sorting and packaging of hides based, at least in part, on one or more hide characteristics and/or customer specifications.

A collection bin (2) for an in-line product inspection system (1) is arranged downstream of an inspection device (5) along a transport conveyor (4) for the inspected articles (8) and is positioned to receive articles that are pushed off the transport conveyor by an ejection device. The collection bin is configured as an enclosed compartment divided into a top part (11) and a bottom part (16). The top part is solidly attached to the supporting structure and includes a chute with an entry opening (13) facing towards the transport conveyor, and with a downward-sloped slide surface (14) leading to a bottom opening (15) of the chute. The bottom part, which serves to collect the ejected articles, is constrained to the supporting structure with limited guided mobility between a closed position where the open top of the receptacle lines up with the bottom opening, and with an open position where the bottom part is moved out from underneath the bottom opening of the chute so that the collected articles can be removed. A closure gate (18) which is hinged to the bottom part along a hinge axis (19) slides over the sloped slide surface when the bottom part is closed and slips out of the sloped slide surface into a position to block the bottom opening of the chute when the bottom part is opened.

A collection bin (2) for an in-line product inspection system (1) is arranged downstream of an inspection device (5) along a transport conveyor (4) for the inspected articles (8) and is positioned to receive articles that are pushed off the transport conveyor by an ejection device. The collection bin is configured as an enclosed compartment divided into a top part (11) and a bottom part (16). The top part is solidly attached to the supporting structure and includes a chute with an entry opening (13) facing towards the transport conveyor, and with a downward-sloped slide surface (14) leading to a bottom opening (15) of the chute. The bottom part, which serves to collect the ejected articles, is constrained to the supporting structure with limited guided mobility between a closed position where the open top of the receptacle lines up with the bottom opening, and with an open position where the bottom part is moved out from underneath the bottom opening of the chute so that the collected articles can be removed. A closure gate (18) which is hinged to the bottom part along a hinge axis (19) slides over the sloped slide surface when the bottom part is closed and slips out of the sloped slide surface into a position to block the bottom opening of the chute when the bottom part is opened.

A mail item sortation system and method that includes an external controller for culling candidate letters in a mailing job to produce groupings of letters based on industry average weights and/or thicknesses in order to place all the candidate letters going to a single address adjacent to each other, an internal controller, interfaced with the external controller, that utilizes the groupings of letters to manage multiple letter sorters, wherein a specific letter sorter is selected to pair a calculated number of pockets to accommodate the groupings with an actual number of pockets in the selected letter sorter, and a transfer process for moving letters within the letter sorter pockets to a StatementPack machine.

This disclosure concerns methods for processing and grading food articles including x-raying the food articles a first time and taking a 3D image of the food articles.

A parcel sorting system and related process. The parcel sorting system includes a parcel sorter, a plurality of shuttles, and a control system. The control system is configured to control the parcel sorting system to assign a first sorting destination to a first output of a plurality of outputs. A first container is positioned to receive parcels sorted to the first output. The control system is configured to control the parcel sorting system to sort parcels corresponding to the first sorting destination to the first output and deposit the parcels into the first container; when the first container has reached a target capacity, remove the full first container using a first shuttle; and position a third container to receive parcels sorted to the first output using a second shuttle.

A parcel sorting system and related process. The parcel sorting system includes a parcel sorter, a plurality of shuttles, and a control system. The control system is configured to control the parcel sorting system to assign a first sorting destination to a first output of a plurality of outputs. A first container is positioned to receive parcels sorted to the first output. The control system is configured to control the parcel sorting system to sort parcels corresponding to the first sorting destination to the first output and deposit the parcels into the first container; when the first container has reached a target capacity, remove the full first container using a first shuttle; and position a third container to receive parcels sorted to the first output using a second shuttle.

Methods and systems for sorting hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that enhances the traceability of hides by capturing and utilizing data related to the unloading, tanning, sorting, and packaging of hides. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency by sorting hides based, at least in part, on data generated during prior tanning processes. Additionally, one or more embodiments facilitate the tanning control system in customizing the sorting and packaging of hides based, at least in part, on one or more hide characteristics and/or customer specifications.