A product distribution system including a chute and a controller. The chute includes a variable friction angled surface configured to receive a product and/or slidably transport the product along the angled surface. The controller is operatively coupled with the chute. The controller is configured to vary an amount of friction at the angled surface based on information about the product.

A picking device for piece goods is disclosed, in which cleaning of the picking device is facilitated. The picking device may include a shelf row having shelf bases, each including a plurality of storage chutes, and a retrieving device, via which piece goods can be retrieved. A shelf base may include a frame structure, chute partitions, chute bases, and blocking devices, which are coupled to a control device. Two chute partitions and one chute base may define one elongate storage chute, assigned to each chute base is a support device, on which the chute base rests and which is designed such that another chute base can be slid between the resting chute base and the support device. Assigned to each chute base is a holding means, which prevents the chute base from sliding in the longitudinal direction of the storage chute when the chute base is on the support device.

Provided is a dew condensation prevention device for a discharge chute. A tip end portion of the discharge chute has inverted truncated cone-shaped internal and external chutes, a space is provided between an outer surface of the internal chute and an inner surface of the external chute, and a first air discharge port that communicates with the space is provided between respective lower ends of the two chutes. A cylindrical portion having an air reservoir in the interior thereof is provided to surround an outer peripheral surface of the external chute, and by providing an opening between an inner peripheral edge of a lower surface of the cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the external chute, a second air discharge port that communicates with the air reservoir is provided. Air input pipes for introduction of dry air are connected to the external chute and the cylindrical portion, respectively.

Provided is a dew condensation prevention device for a discharge chute. A tip end portion of the discharge chute has inverted truncated cone-shaped internal and external chutes, a space is provided between an outer surface of the internal chute and an inner surface of the external chute, and a first air discharge port that communicates with the space is provided between respective lower ends of the two chutes. A cylindrical portion having an air reservoir in the interior thereof is provided to surround an outer peripheral surface of the external chute, and by providing an opening between an inner peripheral edge of a lower surface of the cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the external chute, a second air discharge port that communicates with the air reservoir is provided. Air input pipes for introduction of dry air are connected to the external chute and the cylindrical portion, respectively.

A folding feeder hopper includes a locking assembly and side walls, which are configured to lock themselves when unfolded or deployed for operation. The locking assembly has a first locking device provided on the side wall and configured to engage with a second locking device provided on a support assembly. The second locking device includes an elastic element and retaining members on front and rear ends of the hopper for providing alignment to the side walls when they move between locked and unlocked positions. A method for locking the side walls in a deployed position is also provided.

A transporting element for accommodating and for transporting spherical, cylindrical or egg-shaped articles, in particular foodstuffs, in particular eggs, along a conveying route, has a plurality of mounts arranged one beside the other along the longitudinal extent. The transporting element is designed in the form of a channel-like body with an accommodating space curved in the form of part of a circle, as seen in cross section, and encloses an angle of at least 180. The mounts are designed in the form of slot-form apertures in that region of the channel-like body that is curved in the form of part of a circle. The apertures extending parallel to one another, and transversely to the longitudinal extent of the channel-like body, as far as longitudinal crosspieces on either side, these forming a respective longitudinal periphery.

A material distribution system for efficiently distributing a material such as molasses products into one or more containers. The material distribution system generally includes an auger for conveying a material and a hopper connected to the auger. The hopper is adapted to receive the material from the auger. A distributor is rotatably connected below the lower opening of the hopper such that the material may flow through the lower opening into the distributor. A cutter is slideably connected between the hopper and the distributor, wherein the cutter is adjustable between a first position covering the lower opening of the hopper and a second position not covering the lower opening of the hopper. The cutter is adapted to cut through the material such that a portion of the material exits the distributor via an outlet.

A conveyance apparatus (1) according to an embodiment includes: a trough (11) that receives an article from an outside and conveys the article in a conveyance direction from upstream to downstream; and a drive unit (20) that drives the trough. The trough includes a plurality of protrusions (92) on a front surface (91) on which the article is conveyed, and an opening (91A) passing from the front surface to a back surface (93) is formed at an end (92E) on a downstream side of the plurality of protrusions.

A picking device for piece goods is disclosed, in which cleaning of the picking device is facilitated. The picking device may include a shelf row having shelf bases, each including a plurality of storage chutes, and a retrieving device, via which piece goods can be retrieved. A shelf base may include a frame structure, chute partitions, chute bases, and blocking devices, which are coupled to a control device. Two chute partitions and one chute base may define one elongate storage chute, assigned to each chute base is a support device, on which the chute base rests and which is designed such that another chute base can be slid between the resting chute base and the support device. Assigned to each chute base is a holding means, which prevents the chute base from sliding in the longitudinal direction of the storage chute when the chute base is on the support device.

A modular chute system for providing safe convenient access to an inside cavity of the chute system from a variety of locations to enhance safer serviceability features a chute channel formed from a plurality of chute sections. Each chute section is formed from a plurality of rigid structural panels. An edge flange is disposed on each panel edge encompassing an entire panel outer periphery, and the edge flange of one panel is connected to the edge flange of another structural panel. Upon removal of a structural panel or set of adjacent structural panels, the chute channel is self-supporting and non-collapsing. Chute serviceability, such as replacement of interior liners or panels, can be accomplished by removing panels and replacing liners without entering the chute cavity.