A control system for a cargo handling system is disclosed. The control system may be configured to advance larger containers at a slower speed than smaller containers. For instance, all containers may be initially advanced by the same first velocity control signal. At the expiration of a certain time period, all containers may thereafter be advanced by a different velocity control signal (from the first velocity control signal) that should least substantially maintain the velocity of the container as it existed at the time of the expiration of the noted time period. The length of the time period (for advancing the container at the first velocity control signal) may be varied based upon the size of the containers such that larger containers are accelerated for a shorter time than smaller containers and which in turn should then advance larger containers at a lower velocity compared to smaller containers.

A control system for a cargo handling system is disclosed. The control system may be configured to advance larger containers at a slower speed than smaller containers. For instance, all containers may be initially advanced by the same first velocity control signal. At the expiration of a certain time period, all containers may thereafter be advanced by a different velocity control signal (from the first velocity control signal) that should least substantially maintain the velocity of the container as it existed at the time of the expiration of the noted time period. The length of the time period (for advancing the container at the first velocity control signal) may be varied based upon the size of the containers such that larger containers are accelerated for a shorter time than smaller containers and which in turn should then advance larger containers at a lower velocity compared to smaller containers.

A transport apparatus for transporting a plate comprising: a shell, a drive system, and a first set of rollers. The shell comprises an entrance and an exit that are disposed opposite to each other in relation to the shell. The drive system is disposed on the shell. The first set of rollers is disposed in the shell. The first set of rollers comprises: a first roller and a first adjustment roller. The first roller is electrically coupled to the drive system and configured to be rotated by the drive system. The first adjustment roller is movably disposed in the shell and is configured to adjust a first distance between the first roller and the first adjustment roller.

A transport apparatus for transporting a plate comprising: a shell, a drive system, and a first set of rollers. The shell comprises an entrance and an exit that are disposed opposite to each other in relation to the shell. The drive system is disposed on the shell. The first set of rollers is disposed in the shell. The first set of rollers comprises: a first roller and a first adjustment roller. The first roller is electrically coupled to the drive system and configured to be rotated by the drive system. The first adjustment roller is movably disposed in the shell and is configured to adjust a first distance between the first roller and the first adjustment roller.

A transfer module assembly includes a frame, a conveyor belt with internal rotating elements, where the conveyer belt is supported by the frame, conveyor drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the conveyor belt, a flat transfer belt mounted beneath the conveyor belt and configured to contact undersides of the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt in operation, and flat transfer belt drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the flat transfer belt. The conveyor drive rollers are friction-based and operate without use of a sprocket, and comprise depressions for receiving the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt.

A transfer module assembly includes a frame, a conveyor belt with internal rotating elements, where the conveyer belt is supported by the frame, conveyor drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the conveyor belt, a flat transfer belt mounted beneath the conveyor belt and configured to contact undersides of the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt in operation, and flat transfer belt drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the flat transfer belt. The conveyor drive rollers are friction-based and operate without use of a sprocket, and comprise depressions for receiving the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt.

Various embodiments are directed to a conveyor roller apparatus and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, a conveyor roller apparatus comprises an exterior roller shell configured to support at least a portion of an object disposed on an outer surface thereof to facilitate transportation of the object along a conveyor surface, the exterior roller shell having an at least substantially tubular configuration so as to define an interior roller portion along a central axis thereof; an internal roller housing disposed within the interior roller portion of the exterior roller shell, the internal roller housing comprising a PCB compartment defined by an internal channel within the internal roller housing that is configured for housing the PCB assembly therein; and at least one potting material disposed within the PCB compartment and configured to facilitate a dissipation of heat generated by the PCB assembly from within the PCB compartment.

Various embodiments are directed to a conveyor roller apparatus and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, a conveyor roller apparatus comprises an exterior roller shell configured to support at least a portion of an object disposed on an outer surface thereof to facilitate transportation of the object along a conveyor surface, the exterior roller shell having an at least substantially tubular configuration so as to define an interior roller portion along a central axis thereof; an internal roller housing disposed within the interior roller portion of the exterior roller shell, the internal roller housing comprising a PCB compartment defined by an internal channel within the internal roller housing that is configured for housing the PCB assembly therein; and at least one potting material disposed within the PCB compartment and configured to facilitate a dissipation of heat generated by the PCB assembly from within the PCB compartment.

An apparatus 10 for removing the skin of poultry pieces includes a frame 12 for supporting an infeed conveyor 14 for transporting and feeding poultry pieces to be skinned to a skinning station 16 located closely adjacent the downstream end of the conveyor. An outfeed conveyor 18 is also supported by the frame to carry the skinned poultry pieces away from the skinning station 16 for further processing. The infeed and outfeed conveyors are carried by a lift mounting systems 40 and 42 to mount the conveyors to the underlying frame 12. The lift mounting systems 40/42 function to shift the infeed and outfeed conveyors between an in-use lowered position closely adjacent the skinning station 16 and a retracted position raised above and shifted longitudinally away from the skinning station to provide access to the conveyors 14/18, as well as access to the skinning station 16.

An apparatus 10 for removing the skin of poultry pieces includes a frame 12 for supporting an infeed conveyor 14 for transporting and feeding poultry pieces to be skinned to a skinning station 16 located closely adjacent the downstream end of the conveyor. An outfeed conveyor 18 is also supported by the frame to carry the skinned poultry pieces away from the skinning station 16 for further processing. The infeed and outfeed conveyors are carried by a lift mounting systems 40 and 42 to mount the conveyors to the underlying frame 12. The lift mounting systems 40/42 function to shift the infeed and outfeed conveyors between an in-use lowered position closely adjacent the skinning station 16 and a retracted position raised above and shifted longitudinally away from the skinning station to provide access to the conveyors 14/18, as well as access to the skinning station 16.