A carrier includes a chassis that is configured to travel from a loading point to an unloading point and a tillable platform is mounted on the chassis. A resilient piston is connected between the chassis and the tillable platform, the piston configured to store energy when the platform is rotated from an unloading orientation to a loading orientation. The platform, when in the loading orientation, is configured to stably support one or more items that are loaded onto the platform at the loading point. A restraining mechanism is configured to maintain the platform in the loading orientation and a triggering mechanism is operable to release the restraining mechanism, releasing the stored energy of the piston to exert a restoring force to tilt the platform from the loading orientation to the unloading orientation.

A carrier includes a chassis that is configured to travel from a loading point to an unloading point and a tillable platform is mounted on the chassis. A resilient piston is connected between the chassis and the tillable platform, the piston configured to store energy when the platform is rotated from an unloading orientation to a loading orientation. The platform, when in the loading orientation, is configured to stably support one or more items that are loaded onto the platform at the loading point. A restraining mechanism is configured to maintain the platform in the loading orientation and a triggering mechanism is operable to release the restraining mechanism, releasing the stored energy of the piston to exert a restoring force to tilt the platform from the loading orientation to the unloading orientation.

A system and an apparatus capable of independently driving movers are described herein. The system and apparatus includes: a track that forms a path for movers; a plurality of movers movably mounted on the track for moving along the path; and a plurality of drive elements fixedly arranged along the track. The drive elements each have a surface that is oriented to contact a driven member of the movers. The drive elements are configured to sequentially engage the driven member of a plurality of the movers to provide controlled independent motion of the movers along the track. The drive elements may be driven by rotary motors. A method of independently driving movers is also described herein.

A linear electrical machine comprising a frame with a level reference plane and an array of electromagnets, connected to the frame to form a drive plane at a predetermined height relative to the reference plane. The array of electromagnets being arranged so that a series of electromagnets of the array of electromagnets define at least one drive line within the drive plane, and each of the electromagnets being coupled to an alternating current power source energizing each electromagnet. At least one reaction platen of paramagnetic, diamagnetic, or non-magnetic conductive material disposed to cooperate with the electromagnets of the array of electromagnets so that excitation of the electromagnets with alternating current generates levitation and propulsion forces against the reaction platen that controllably levitate and propel the reaction platen along at least one drive line, in a controlled attitude relative to the drive plane.

A linear electrical machine comprising a frame with a level reference plane and an array of electromagnets, connected to the frame to form a drive plane at a predetermined height relative to the reference plane. The array of electromagnets being arranged so that a series of electromagnets of the array of electromagnets define at least one drive line within the drive plane, and each of the electromagnets being coupled to an alternating current power source energizing each electromagnet. At least one reaction platen of paramagnetic, diamagnetic, or non-magnetic conductive material disposed to cooperate with the electromagnets of the array of electromagnets so that excitation of the electromagnets with alternating current generates levitation and propulsion forces against the reaction platen that controllably levitate and propel the reaction platen along at least one drive line, in a controlled attitude relative to the drive plane.

A confection mold conveying system and methods for manufacturing of confection products, the system including a first conveyor segment and a second conveyor segment. The first conveyor segment has a first pusher bar and a series of spaced apart first pusher fingers extending therefrom. The first pusher fingers are oriented to engage confection mold trays while the first pusher bar is translated in a first direction. The first pusher fingers are re-oriented to avoid engagement with the confection mold trays while the first pusher bar is translated in a second direction opposite the first direction. The second conveyor segment receives the confection mold trays from the first conveyor segment and can include a first rotatable shaft with a first helical channel to receive a first tab of one of the confection mold trays. Rotation of the rotatable shaft thereby continuously advances the respective confection mold tray in the first direction.

A linear electrical machine comprising a frame with a level reference plane and an array of electromagnets, connected to the frame to form a drive plane at a predetermined height relative to the reference plane. The array of electromagnets being arranged so that a series of electromagnets of the array of electromagnets define at least one drive line within the drive plane, and each of the electromagnets being coupled to an alternating current power source energizing each electromagnet. At least one reaction platen of paramagnetic, diamagnetic, or non-magnetic conductive material disposed to cooperate with the electromagnets of the array of electromagnets so that excitation of the electromagnets with alternating current generates levitation and propulsion forces against the reaction platen that controllably levitate and propel the reaction platen along at least one drive line, in a controlled attitude relative to the drive plane.

A linear electrical machine comprising a frame with a level reference plane and an array of electromagnets, connected to the frame to form a drive plane at a predetermined height relative to the reference plane. The array of electromagnets being arranged so that a series of electromagnets of the array of electromagnets define at least one drive line within the drive plane, and each of the electromagnets being coupled to an alternating current power source energizing each electromagnet. At least one reaction platen of paramagnetic, diamagnetic, or non-magnetic conductive material disposed to cooperate with the electromagnets of the array of electromagnets so that excitation of the electromagnets with alternating current generates levitation and propulsion forces against the reaction platen that controllably levitate and propel the reaction platen along at least one drive line, in a controlled attitude relative to the drive plane.

A conveyance apparatus includes: a conveyance member including a reception surface configured to receive an article; a movable member connected to a lower surface of the conveyance member; and a driving device configured to move the movable member in one axial direction along a conveyance direction of the conveyance member.

A conveyance apparatus includes: a conveyance member including a reception surface configured to receive an article; a movable member connected to a lower surface of the conveyance member; and a driving device configured to move the movable member in one axial direction along a conveyance direction of the conveyance member.