A method of forming an oral product includes gripping a rod of oral product material with a gripping device, indexing the rod forward to have a leading end of the rod abut a stop at a first location, cutting a leading portion of the rod to create an oral product, moving the stop to a second location to allow the oral product to fall, moving the stop back to the first location, and repeating the process. A machine for forming an oral product can include a cutting device adapted to cut through a rod of plastic material, a stop spaced from the cutting device, the stop being adapted to be moved from a first location to a second location, a gripping device adapted to hold and index a rod towards the stop, and a load cell positioned to receive oral products cut from a rod by the cutting device.

The invention relates generally to conveying systems, for moving work pieces from work station to work station including conveyors which generally move at a constant speed and include load carrying units which can be coupled for movement therewith between work stations and uncoupled from the conveyor so that they will be stationary at the work stations while work is done on a work piece carried by the load carrying units. More particularly, the present invention pertains to improved systems, methods, and apparatuses for joining, repairing, replacing, or altering conveyor system track and track configurations.

The invention relates generally to conveying systems, for moving work pieces from work station to work station including conveyors which generally move at a constant speed and include load carrying units which can be coupled for movement therewith between work stations and uncoupled from the conveyor so that they will be stationary at the work stations while work is done on a work piece carried by the load carrying units. More particularly, the present invention pertains to improved systems, methods, and apparatuses for joining, repairing, replacing, or altering conveyor system track and track configurations.

A method of forming an oral product includes gripping a rod of oral product material with a gripping device, indexing the rod forward to have a leading end of the rod abut a stop at a first location, cutting a leading portion of the rod to create an oral product, moving the stop to a second location to allow the oral product to fall, moving the stop back to the first location, and repeating the process. A machine for forming an oral product can include a cutting device adapted to cut through a rod of plastic material, a stop spaced from the cutting device, the stop being adapted to be moved from a first location to a second location, a gripping device adapted to hold and index a rod towards the stop, and a load cell positioned to receive oral products cut from a rod by the cutting device.

A method of forming an oral product includes gripping a rod of oral product material with a gripping device, indexing the rod forward to have a leading end of the rod abut a stop at a first location, cutting a leading portion of the rod to create an oral product, moving the stop to a second location to allow the oral product to fall, moving the stop back to the first location, and repeating the process. A machine for forming an oral product can include a cutting device adapted to cut through a rod of plastic material, a stop spaced from the cutting device, the stop being adapted to be moved from a first location to a second location, a gripping device adapted to hold and index a rod towards the stop, and a load cell positioned to receive oral products cut from a rod by the cutting device.

A brake assembly for a conveyor system includes a first bracket, a second bracket and a brake member. The first bracket is configured to receive a channel of the conveyor system. The second bracket is spaced from the first bracket and configured to receive the channel of the conveyor system. The brake member is pivotally connected to the second bracket. A pivot axis about which the brake member is configured to pivot is disposed outwardly of the second bracket. A biasing member is configured to bias the brake member inwardly.

A brake assembly for a conveyor system includes a first bracket, a second bracket and a brake member. The first bracket is configured to receive a channel of the conveyor system. The second bracket is spaced from the first bracket and configured to receive the channel of the conveyor system. The brake member is pivotally connected to the second bracket. A pivot axis about which the brake member is configured to pivot is disposed outwardly of the second bracket. A biasing member is configured to bias the brake member inwardly.

The technology disclosed provides a joint for connecting carrier units together so as to dissipate and absorb axial forces experienced by the carrier units. The joint may be comprised of a joint housing and an elastomeric insert. The housing may be comprised of a body portion and a head portion and the head portion may include an annular flange in which the elastomeric insert is configured to be secured. The elastomeric joint is capable of absorbing and dissipating horizontal, rotational, and vertical forces experienced by the carrier units in non-linear travel along a track.

Belt modules with wear pads for constructing modular plastic conveyor belts. A conveyor belt made of the modules is supported in the carryway of a conveyor atop linear wearstrips along which the belt's wear pads slide as the belt advances.

Belt modules with wear pads for constructing modular plastic conveyor belts. A conveyor belt made of the modules is supported in the carryway of a conveyor atop linear wearstrips along which the belt's wear pads slide as the belt advances.