A conveying system for shock-sensitive items, in particular eggs, comprises a plurality of conveying devices in which the items are transferred from one conveying device to another. More particularly, the items are transferred from a conveying device oriented in a substantially horizontal direction to an adjacent conveying device oriented in a substantially vertical direction, without the risk of being damaged. The advancing movement of the conveying device having a substantially horizontal orientation is not movement at constant speed but, on the contrary, it is a movement at variable speed, sometimes accelerated and sometimes decelerated, and the transfer of the conveyed item from the conveying device to the conveying device having a substantially vertical orientation takes place when the advancement speed of the conveying device having a substantially horizontal orientation is at its minimum value.

A sorting system for sorting parcels (2) comprises a first parcel conveyor (3) suitable for conveying the parcels in series in a certain conveying direction (D1), a second parcel conveyor (4) extending above a plurality of sorting outlets that is suitable for conveying the parcels in series. The first and second conveyors have respective contiguous conveying portions (PC) via which the first conveyor feeds the second conveyor with parcels via an injection device (6). The second conveyor is a tray conveyor having trays distributed in series and at constant pitch, each of said trays being mounted to pivot between a tilted position in which it is tilted down along the conveying direction, and a level position in which it is flush with the first conveyor. The system comprises first and second mechanical members that are designed to move the trays between their tilted positions and their level positions.

A sorting system for sorting parcels (2) comprises a first parcel conveyor (3) suitable for conveying the parcels in series in a certain conveying direction (D1), a second parcel conveyor (4) extending above a plurality of sorting outlets that is suitable for conveying the parcels in series. The first and second conveyors have respective contiguous conveying portions (PC) via which the first conveyor feeds the second conveyor with parcels via an injection device (6). The second conveyor is a tray conveyor having trays distributed in series and at constant pitch, each of said trays being mounted to pivot between a tilted position in which it is tilted down along the conveying direction, and a level position in which it is flush with the first conveyor. The system comprises first and second mechanical members that are designed to move the trays between their tilted positions and their level positions.

A packaging machine for placing articles into a carton includes rotating flight assemblies that receive a carton or carton blank, and rotate the carton blank and carton with articles while the flight assemblies move downstream. The flight assemblies each include two fixed segments and one segment that includes a block and associated bracket that rotate as the flight assembly is pulled through the machine by a conveying system. A method includes carton blanks being fed by a carton feeder onto the flight assemblies. Articles are formed into an article group, which is then placed onto a carton blank. As the blank and article group move in a downstream direction, the side panels of the carton blank are wrapped around the article group and the carton and article group are rotated to assist in closing the carton end flaps.

A packaging machine for placing articles into a carton includes rotating flight assemblies that receive a carton or carton blank, and rotate the carton blank and carton with articles while the flight assemblies move downstream. The flight assemblies each include two fixed segments and one segment that includes a block and associated bracket that rotate as the flight assembly is pulled through the machine by a conveying system. A method includes carton blanks being fed by a carton feeder onto the flight assemblies. Articles are formed into an article group, which is then placed onto a carton blank. As the blank and article group move in a downstream direction, the side panels of the carton blank are wrapped around the article group and the carton and article group are rotated to assist in closing the carton end flaps.

An apparatus for loading live turkeys from a barn floor to cages on a transport trailer. A continuous motorized drive chain moves attached, solid sheets that are loaded with turkeys from the barn floor into the cage, and then back to the loading position. The drive chain is looped around first and second sprockets. Each rectangular sheet is rotationally connected at two of its corners to the drive chain forming a fixed end and a loose end. When the drive chain rounds the barn end, the loose end of the sheet slides upwards on a guide flap to keep the top of the sheet facing up. The sheets are driven forward to the cages, round the end at the cage end, pulled backwards from the cages toward the barn end, and then driven forward again, all without stopping the motion of the drive chain.

An apparatus for loading live turkeys from a barn floor to cages on a transport trailer. A continuous motorized drive chain moves attached, solid sheets that are loaded with turkeys from the barn floor into the cage, and then back to the loading position. The drive chain is looped around first and second sprockets. Each rectangular sheet is rotationally connected at two of its corners to the drive chain forming a fixed end and a loose end. When the drive chain rounds the barn end, the loose end of the sheet slides upwards on a guide flap to keep the top of the sheet facing up. The sheets are driven forward to the cages, round the end at the cage end, pulled backwards from the cages toward the barn end, and then driven forward again, all without stopping the motion of the drive chain.

A system for supplying power to a trolley chain. The system includes: a trolley chain, consisting of at least two trollies coupled with one another, wherein the trolley chain has a closed bus; and a stationary energy conductor along the track of the trolley chain. The stationary energy conductor consists of one or more successive segments, which are spaced apart from each other. The closed bus has several transmission heads, which are designed to supply the closed bus with electricity from the stationary energy conductor without contacting the stationary energy conductor, if they are within a pre-determined distance to the stationary energy conductor. During a journey of the trolley chain along the track, at each moment in time, at least one of the transmission heads supplies the closed bus with electricity from the stationary energy conductor.

A system for supplying power to a trolley chain. The system includes: a trolley chain, consisting of at least two trollies coupled with one another, wherein the trolley chain has a closed bus; and a stationary energy conductor along the track of the trolley chain. The stationary energy conductor consists of one or more successive segments, which are spaced apart from each other. The closed bus has several transmission heads, which are designed to supply the closed bus with electricity from the stationary energy conductor without contacting the stationary energy conductor, if they are within a pre-determined distance to the stationary energy conductor. During a journey of the trolley chain along the track, at each moment in time, at least one of the transmission heads supplies the closed bus with electricity from the stationary energy conductor.

The present invention includes conveying and sorting systems utilizing a plurality of continuous rails which support a plurality of sliding pucks that are urged forward using a plurality of sprocket wheels, and which utilize magnetically operated activation components for causing produce to be selectively dropped from cups carried by the pucks into sorting bins. The structures for the conveying and actuating components of the systems have smooth external surfaces reducing potential contamination by bacteria, contaminants and debris, thereby making them easily accessible for cleaning, and allowing for longer continuous operation times and higher efficiency.