Present embodiments relate to a tie plate dispenser which aligns tie plates for dispensing based on rail base rather than outer edges of the tie plate. Thus tie plates are aligned and located in a differing manner than prior art systems. Further, the tie plate dispenser includes an opening over which a magnet is disposed to retain a tie plate over the opening. The tie plate over the opening may be selectively released by disengaging the tie plate from the magnet.

Present embodiments relate to a tie plate dispenser which aligns tie plates for dispensing based on rail base rather than outer edges of the tie plate. Thus tie plates are aligned and located in a differing manner than prior art systems. Further, the tie plate dispenser includes an opening over which a magnet is disposed to retain a tie plate over the opening. The tie plate over the opening may be selectively released by disengaging the tie plate from the magnet.

There is provided a device, system, and method for flexible feeding capable of being integrated into an assembly system. The device includes a disperser, a part retainer, a vibrator, an excess part removal device, a pick-and-placer, carriers, a transporter, a carrier inspection disc, a part remover, a gate, a transfer station, and re-entry tracks. The method includes dispersing parts, agitating parts, removing excess parts, picking captured parts, placing the captured parts into carriers, inspecting the carriers, positioning the carriers at a transfer station, and transferring the parts to a downstream processor. The system includes a flexible feeding device configured to perform flexible feeding operations, a data processor, and a medium having machine-readable instructions executable by the data processor and configured to cause the data processor to generate signals useful in the synchronization of two or more flexible feeding operations.

There is provided a device, system, and method for flexible feeding capable of being integrated into an assembly system. The device includes a disperser, a part retainer, a vibrator, an excess part removal device, a pick-and-placer, carriers, a transporter, a carrier inspection disc, a part remover, a gate, a transfer station, and re-entry tracks. The method includes dispersing parts, agitating parts, removing excess parts, picking captured parts, placing the captured parts into carriers, inspecting the carriers, positioning the carriers at a transfer station, and transferring the parts to a downstream processor. The system includes a flexible feeding device configured to perform flexible feeding operations, a data processor, and a medium having machine-readable instructions executable by the data processor and configured to cause the data processor to generate signals useful in the synchronization of two or more flexible feeding operations.

Provided is a reject selection device for selecting rejects from a set of dried fruit or nuts moved on a conveyor belt, the device including a support element with a central zone above the conveyor belt at a distance thereto, parallel and transversal thereto, a sensor suitable for detecting physical and/or chemical qualities of the dried fruit or nuts and the position thereof on the conveyor belt, suction means with a set of suction nozzles arranged in the central zone, and identification software in communication with the sensor and suction means for identifying rejected pieces of fruit or nuts and instructing the suction means to remove the rejected pieces from the conveyor belt.

Provided is a reject selection device for selecting rejects from a set of dried fruit or nuts moved on a conveyor belt, the device including a support element with a central zone above the conveyor belt at a distance thereto, parallel and transversal thereto, a sensor suitable for detecting physical and/or chemical qualities of the dried fruit or nuts and the position thereof on the conveyor belt, suction means with a set of suction nozzles arranged in the central zone, and identification software in communication with the sensor and suction means for identifying rejected pieces of fruit or nuts and instructing the suction means to remove the rejected pieces from the conveyor belt.

An apparatus for dispensing ophthalmic lens packages comprises a first spool and a second spool rotatably mounted to a least one support, and a flexible sheet, having a hole, that coils or uncoils around the spools in response to their rotation. A cartridge with a hole and a means for releasably holding a package is attached to the flexible sheet, and the hole of the flexible sheet and the hole of the cartridge are aligned to permit an object to pass therethrough. A pushing means, between said first spool and said second spool, extends a pushing member through the hole of the flexible sheet and the hole of the cartridge. A scanning means moves in response to an electrical or mechanical signal between said first spool and said second spool.

A packaging machine includes a series of stations or assemblies, including a carton feeding system and a product conveyor that receives a series of articles or products at a first, upstream or intake end of the packaging machine. The products generally can be grouped into a series of products, such as for forming six-packs, four-packs or other package configurations, and will be wrapped by or loaded into a series of carton blanks, after which the loaded cartons will be moved through a discharge station. The discharge station meters the loaded cartons or packages for discharge from the packaging machine.

A packaging machine includes a series of stations or assemblies, including a carton feeding system and a product conveyor that receives a series of articles or products at a first, upstream or intake end of the packaging machine. The products generally can be grouped into a series of products, such as for forming six-packs, four-packs or other package configurations, and will be wrapped by or loaded into a series of carton blanks, after which the loaded cartons will be moved through a discharge station. The discharge station meters the loaded cartons or packages for discharge from the packaging machine.

An example cold planer system includes a machine frame, a milling drum, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a swivel sensor and a control module. The milling drum is rotatably coupled to the machine frame. The first conveyor is configured to convey a milled material away from the milling drum. The second conveyor is configured to convey the milled material from the first conveyor to a discharge location and the second conveyor is pivotably connected to the machine frame. The swivel sensor is configured to generate swivel data corresponding to a swivel position of the second conveyor. The control module is in electrical communication with the swivel sensor, and the control module is configured to receive the swivel data and to control motion of the second conveyor based on the swivel data.