A disinfection station for disinfection of a storage container in an automated storage and retrieval system includes a frame and a disinfection system. The frame includes a support, by which the storage container is supported in a disinfection position during disinfection, and an opening through which the storage container is transported between a storage position in the automated storage and retrieval system and the disinfection position. The disinfection system is for disinfecting the storage container in the disinfection position. The disinfection system includes a disinfection fluid applicator, a disinfection fluid container, and a pump controlled to pump the disinfection fluid from the container to the applicator. The opening is a top opening. The storage container is lowered through the top opening to the support before disinfection. The disinfection station includes a splash cover for protecting the surroundings from disinfection fluid. The disinfection station includes a collector for collecting excessive disinfection fluid.

Thorough spraying and draining freshly cut produce and the equipment processing it in a one-pass system that uses a dilute solution of chilled ultrapure water and chlorine dioxide or chlorine or both significantly reduces bacterial counts. Raw produce is sprayed as it is conveyed to cutting heads and as the cut pieces fall into a hopper above a conveyor. The conveyed cut produce is vibrated and tumbled while being sprayed from above. At the end of the process, the cut produce is sprayed with potable water and deposited in a dryer basket. Drainage from the equipment is collected and processed through a multi-stage water filtration system to potable quality. The near freezing water temperature, its ultra-purity, and the concentrations of biocides in the sanitizing spray are carefully established, monitored and maintained by a process controller.

A cleanable conveyor frame and a method for making a cleanable frame having a simplified frame design. Infeed and outfeed assemblies are movable between operating and cleaning positions. An outfeed assembly includes a drive for a conveyor belt and a scraper assembly. The scraper assembly comprises a scraper blade mounted to a mounting bar extending between two connecting plates and a leaf spring extending rearward from the mounting bar for biasing the scraper blade into contact with the conveyor belt.

A cleanable belt conveyor and a method for making a cleanable belt conveyor having a simplified frame design. One version of such a conveyor comprises a frame and an insertable conveyor belt support. Another version comprises a modular frame formed by a plurality of shafts connected using connectors. Another version comprises a unitary frame and carryway structure, whereby the carryway for supporting a conveyor belt constitutes support structure for the frame. Another version comprises a carryway support rail including an integral curved reversing element. Another version comprises components connected through curvaceous connecting members.

A magnetic tray for a tray conveyor has a permanent-magnet array producing a magnetic field that interacts with an electromagnetic flux wave produced by a linear-motor stator to propel the tray in a conveying direction. The tray includes a top conveying platform supported on a mover housing the permanent-magnet array and a tray-clearing tool that removes conveyed articles or debris from the platform. The tray-clearing tool is powered by the stator.

A housing element (1) for the magnets (12, 14) of a support and guide magnetic structure (100) for conveyors (102) with articulated links is described. The housing element comprises a box-shaped body (10) comprising two seats (24, 26) for the magnets, openings (28, 30) for inserting the magnets in the seats, a housing portion (32) for a ferromagnetic plate (34), which is designed to come into contact with the magnets, and at least one retaining portion (36) to retain the magnets to the box-shaped body. The retaining portion is shaped and sized in such a way that it can retain the magnets by friction, while the plate is held in the respective housing portion by the magnetic force of the magnets. On the external surface of the box-shaped body at least one notch (38), which is designed to house and retain at least one corresponding sealing element (40), is obtained. This sealing element is arranged to prevent the access of unwanted substances inside the seats of the magnets and the housing portion when the housing element is mounted onto the support and guide magnetic structure.

For a controlled environment (1), adjacent drive modules (5) of a transport device (4) of the controlled environment (1) are sealed against each other in a sealing region (12) such that particles and/or impurities, in particular microbiological impurities, do not enter the controlled environment (1) from the outside. Each drive module (5) is designed for levitation (6) of at least one transport unit (7), in particular a mover (8), and a coupling side (9) of the drive module (5) is very substantially covered by a sealing member (10).

The present disclosure relates to a system for conveying articles in an aseptic environment. The system includes at least one conveyor belt, a first sidewall portion and a second sidewall portion. The conveyor belt, and the first and second sidewall portions define a conveyor path portion. Further, at least one of the first and second sidewall portions is a displaceable wall portion, and it is configured to adjust a width of the conveyor path portion to a width of the conveyed article. The displaceable wall portion includes a guided portion configured to be displaced along a guide. The guided portion and the guide are configured to be sanitized according to GMP standards.

A method transports a product item stored within a first storage container within an automated storage and retrieval system to an access station. The method includes moving the first storage container from a storage column to a transfer station; transferring the product item from the first storage container to a second storage container at the transfer station; and returning the first storage container from the transfer station to the automated storage and retrieval system. The method further includes moving the second storage container from the transfer station to an access station at which a person may access the product item; and returning the second storage container from the access station to the transfer station.

A conveyor track assembly section for a mechanical chain comprises a base plate, a wear track profile and a z-spring. The z-spring comprises a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm, in which the first arm, the second arm, and the third arm form a Z shape, and the z-spring is used to secure the wear track profile to the base plate. The mechanical chain is received within the wear track profile. A conveyor track assembly section may further comprise a plurality of placement pins and a plurality of z-springs to secure and align the wear track profile and the base plate. Multiple conveyor track assembly sections may be assembled together to form a conveyor track assembly for the mechanical chain.