A transfer conveyor for food process lines has an endless conveyor belt characterized by an upper, food-product carrying run and a lower, return run. The upper, food-product carrying run defines a transit plane. The upper, food-product carrying run also extends between an intake end and a discharge end. The upper, food-product carrying run furthermore has a first pleat below the transit plane proximate the intake end and a second spaced-away pleat below the transit plane proximate the discharge end. These spaced-away pleats partitioning the upper, food-product carrying run into an intake-end span and a discharge-end span cooperatively flanking a mid-span. Wherein the transfer conveyor additionally includes one scale servicing the intake-end span of the upper, food-product carrying run and another scale servicing the discharge-end span.

A transport system comprising a manipulator device and a housing device. The manipulator device has a hand capable of grasping target objects. The hand position can be controlled relative to a manipulator main body section which is the main body section of the manipulator device. The housing device has a housing section capable of housing a plurality of target objects. The housing device is configured so as to carry the target objects housed in the housing section, one at a time, to a prescribed position accessible by the hand. The manipulator device and the housing device are configured so as to travel as an integrated unit in which the manipulator main body section and the housing device are coupled. The prescribed position is set at a known position using the manipulator main body section as a reference in which the manipulator main body section and the housing device are coupled.

A transport system comprising a manipulator device and a housing device. The manipulator device has a hand capable of grasping target objects. The hand position can be controlled relative to a manipulator main body section which is the main body section of the manipulator device. The housing device has a housing section capable of housing a plurality of target objects. The housing device is configured so as to carry the target objects housed in the housing section, one at a time, to a prescribed position accessible by the hand. The manipulator device and the housing device are configured so as to travel as an integrated unit in which the manipulator main body section and the housing device are coupled. The prescribed position is set at a known position using the manipulator main body section as a reference in which the manipulator main body section and the housing device are coupled.

A modular processing machine includes a first module comprising a first mounting plate including a first hole, and a first rail extending along a longitudinal axis, the first rail having a first axial end facing the first hole, the first hole being coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis. A second module comprises a second mounting plate including a second hole coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, and a second rail extending coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, the second rail having a second axial end facing the second hole. The first rail has a first alignment feature at the first axial end thereof, and the second rail has a second alignment feature at the second axial end thereof. The first alignment feature is engaged with the second alignment feature to coaxially align the first rail with the second rail along the longitudinal axis.

A modular processing machine includes a first module comprising a first mounting plate including a first hole, and a first rail extending along a longitudinal axis, the first rail having a first axial end facing the first hole, the first hole being coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis. A second module comprises a second mounting plate including a second hole coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, and a second rail extending coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, the second rail having a second axial end facing the second hole. The first rail has a first alignment feature at the first axial end thereof, and the second rail has a second alignment feature at the second axial end thereof. The first alignment feature is engaged with the second alignment feature to coaxially align the first rail with the second rail along the longitudinal axis.

A modular processing machine includes a first module comprising a first mounting plate including a first hole, and a first rail extending along a longitudinal axis, the first rail having a first axial end facing the first hole, the first hole being coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis. A second module comprises a second mounting plate including a second hole coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, and a second rail extending coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, the second rail having a second axial end facing the second hole. The first rail has a first alignment feature at the first axial end thereof, and the second rail has a second alignment feature at the second axial end thereof. The first alignment feature is engaged with the second alignment feature to coaxially align the first rail with the second rail along the longitudinal axis.

A modular processing machine includes a first module comprising a first mounting plate including a first hole, and a first rail extending along a longitudinal axis, the first rail having a first axial end facing the first hole, the first hole being coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis. A second module comprises a second mounting plate including a second hole coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, and a second rail extending coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, the second rail having a second axial end facing the second hole. The first rail has a first alignment feature at the first axial end thereof, and the second rail has a second alignment feature at the second axial end thereof. The first alignment feature is engaged with the second alignment feature to coaxially align the first rail with the second rail along the longitudinal axis.

A conveyor chain includes a first flight including a first side portion having a first aperture, a first flight bar, and a first sprocket-engaging portion. The conveyor chain also includes a second flight including a second side portion having a second aperture, a second flight bar, and a second sprocket-engaging portion. The conveyor chain further includes a connecting pin having a first end portion received within the first aperture and a second end portion received within the second aperture. The connecting pin couples the first and second flights together. The first sprocket-engaging portion is positioned laterally outwardly of the first end portion of the connecting pin and the second sprocket-engaging portion is positioned laterally outwardly of the second end portion of the connecting pin.

A conveyor chain includes a first flight including a first side portion having a first aperture, a first flight bar, and a first sprocket-engaging portion. The conveyor chain also includes a second flight including a second side portion having a second aperture, a second flight bar, and a second sprocket-engaging portion. The conveyor chain further includes a connecting pin having a first end portion received within the first aperture and a second end portion received within the second aperture. The connecting pin couples the first and second flights together. The first sprocket-engaging portion is positioned laterally outwardly of the first end portion of the connecting pin and the second sprocket-engaging portion is positioned laterally outwardly of the second end portion of the connecting pin.

Systems and methods are provided for an apparatus for moving objects along a predetermined path. A system includes plurality of conveying units, each conveying unit being connected to two other conveying units. A particular conveying unit includes a first link unit configured for connection to a first neighbor conveying unit. A second link unit is configured for connection to the first link unit, the second link unit further being configured for connection to a first link unit of a second neighbor conveying unit. A cup is detachably connected to the second link unit.