Patent classifications
B65G2207/26
MODULAR CONVEYOR BELT HAVING ALTERNATING DRIVE SURFACES
A modular conveyor belt (10) comprises a plurality of first rows of one or more belt modules (20) and a plurality of second rows of one or more belt modules (40). Each of the first rows comprises a first drive surface (26) for receiving a force-transmitting surface of a first series of force-transmitting surfaces of a drive sprocket, the first drive surfaces (26) of the first rows being arranged along a first line in a direction of belt travel (T). Each of the second rows comprises a second drive surface (48) for receiving a force-transmitting surface of a second series of force-transmitting surfaces of the drive sprocket, the second drive surfaces (48) of the second rows being arranged along a second line in the direction of belt travel (T). The first line and the second line are offset with respect to each other. Each belt module (20) of the first rows comprises a first middle section (22) between two link sections (21), which has a first flat top surface and is arranged adjacent to a second middle section (42) between two link sections (41) of an adjacent belt module (40) of one of the adjacent second rows having a second flat top surface. The first flat top surface and the second flat top surface have a different width in the direction of belt travel (T) at least in adjacent zones and the first and second middle sections (22, 42) are devoid of linking means.
An Apparatus and Method for Imaging Containers
A control unit is disclosed to control an imaging unit to perform imaging of a tray/container. The control unit can cause the performance of actions on the container using automated machines and/or directing humans to perform an action. For example, the presence of contamination in a container can be detected based on an image of the container captured by an imaging unit. The control unit can receive an image of the container from the imaging unit, determine whether the container is contaminated, and direct the container to a cleaning unit. Moreover, the control unit can detect a product based on an image of the product, determine an identity of the product based on the received image, and command an indicating unit to indicate a failure to determine the identity of the product.
PRODUCT CONTAINMENT GUARD FOR A CONVEYOR
A conveyor employs an adjustable product containment guard adjacent to a carryway for containing product on the carryway. The product containment guard is mounted to an end plate that includes multiple seats for moving the product containment guard between different positions.
Spiral cooking devices and methods of using the same
In one aspect, a spiral cooking device includes a first cooking zone with air configured to move horizontally therethrough in a first direction, a second cooking zone with air configured to move horizontally therethrough in a second direction different than the first direction, and a spiral conveyor belt at least partially positioned in the first and second cooking zones and configured to transport food product thereon through the first and second cooking zones. In one aspect, a spiral cooking device includes a spiral conveyor belt providing a central opening inside the belt and a conveyor belt drive member positioned externally of the central opening. In one aspect, a conveyor belt cleaning device is provided. In one aspect, a cooking device includes a frame including a plurality of coupled pipes for providing structural support to the device and at least one of the pipes is configured to have liquid pass therethrough.
CONVEYOR BELT WITH ARTICULATED LINKS PROVIDED WITH ROLLING BALLS
A conveyor belt includes a plurality of modules arranged in succession and articulated with each other. First and second projections of the modules have mating profiles to allow the insertion of a connecting pin between adjacent modules. Each module includes housings for respective rolling balls projecting through a respective circular opening. The ratio between the diameter of at least one circumferential portion of the housing and the diameter of the respective rolling ball is between 0.8 and 0.6, while at least part of a rib is provided below, near the lower surface, with at least one respective projecting portion arranged for snap-fit insertion of the rolling ball into the respective housing seat.
Techniques for Directing Ultraviolet Energy Towards a Moving Surface
An ultraviolet (“UV”) emission device may emit energy towards a movable surface of a conveyor system. A housing of the UV emission device may attach to a frame of the conveyor system. A lateral edge of the housing may extend across the moveable surface. The housing and a portion of the moveable surface may be inclined with respect to the frame. A barrier bracket of the UV emission device may support an absorptive barrier along the lateral edge, the absorptive barrier configured to contact the moveable surface. In a first position of the barrier bracket, the absorptive barrier contacts the moveable surface and the barrier bracket activates an interlock switch. In a second position of the barrier bracket, the barrier bracket deactivates the interlock switch. Responsive to deactivation of the interlock switch, a controller may provide a control signal to decrease power to the UV energy emission element.
Techniques for Directing Ultraviolet Energy Towards a Moving Surface
An ultraviolet (“UV”) emission device may emit energy towards a movable surface of a conveyor system. A housing of the UV emission device may attach to a frame of the conveyor system. A lateral edge of the housing may extend across the moveable surface. The housing and a portion of the moveable surface may be inclined with respect to the frame. A barrier bracket of the UV emission device may support an absorptive barrier along the lateral edge, the absorptive barrier configured to contact the moveable surface. In a first position of the barrier bracket, the absorptive barrier contacts the moveable surface and the barrier bracket activates an interlock switch. In a second position of the barrier bracket, the barrier bracket deactivates the interlock switch. Responsive to deactivation of the interlock switch, a controller may provide a control signal to decrease power to the UV energy emission element.
Techniques for Directing Ultraviolet Energy Towards a Moving Surface
An ultraviolet (“UV”) emission device may emit energy towards a movable surface of a conveyor system, A housing of the UV emission device may attach to a frame of the conveyor system. A lateral edge of the housing may extend across the moveable surface. The housing and a portion of the moveable surface may be inclined with respect to the frame. A barrier bracket of the UV emission device may support an absorptive barrier along the lateral edge, the absorptive barrier configured to contact the moveable surface. In a first position of the barrier bracket, the absorptive barrier contacts the moveable surface and the barrier bracket activates an interlock switch. In a second position of the barrier bracket, the barrier bracket deactivates the interlock switch. Responsive to deactivation of the interlock switch, a controller may provide a control signal to decrease power to the UV energy emission element.
Cleaning bin for cleaning a storage grid of a storage system
A vehicle operated cleaning bin for cleaning a storage grid of a storage system, wherein the cleaning bin includes a connector for attaching the cleaning bin to a lifting device of a remotely operating vehicle being configured to vertically convey the cleaning bin inside a column of the storage grid by aid of the lifting device, and a plurality of cleaners for removing foreign debris from the storage grid. The plurality of cleaners are arranged on at least one lateral wall of the cleaning bin.
TRANSPORT SYSTEM
System comprising a clean room (50), a transport element (10) movable inside the clean room (50), and a drive element (30) of the transport element (10), which is arranged outside the clean room (50), wherein the transport element (10) is not connected to the drive element (30) and is only coupled to the drive element (30) or driven by the drive element (30) via contactless remote forces, wherein the transport element (10) is a separate element, in particular separate from the floor, ceiling, walls and/or other parts of the clean room (50), and in particular has no positive connection acting in any spatial direction to the floor, ceiling, walls and/or other parts of the clean room (50) and/or other elements. The invention also relates to a corresponding transport element (10).