A modular pulley assembly for a continuous belt conveyor can be assembly from a plurality of modular pulley disks that can be axially aligned and abut against each other to provide pulleys of differing lengths per demand. The modular pulley disks can be made from a non-metallic material such as a polymer and can manufactured by a suitable molding process. Making the modular pulley disks from non-metallic materials enables the disks to be formed with structural geometries such that the assembled pulley is structurally more rigid and can better distribute torsional loads and momentum from the belt to the support shaft.

A modular pulley assembly for a continuous belt conveyor can be assembly from a plurality of modular pulley disks that can be axially aligned and abut against each other to provide pulleys of differing lengths per demand. The modular pulley disks can be made from a non-metallic material such as a polymer and can manufactured by a suitable molding process. Making the modular pulley disks from non-metallic materials enables the disks to be formed with structural geometries such that the assembled pulley is structurally more rigid and can better distribute torsional loads and momentum from the belt to the support shaft.

A roller for a conveyor system comprises a nonlinear bore hole to facilitate retention of the roller on a roller-receiving portion of a corresponding shaft. A nonlinear bore hole comprises a central cylindrical portion for receiving a roller-receiving portion of the shaft and unaligned slots in communication with the central cylindrical portion to prevent migration of the roller from the roller-receiving portion.

A roller for a conveyor system comprises a nonlinear bore hole to facilitate retention of the roller on a roller-receiving portion of a corresponding shaft. A nonlinear bore hole comprises a central cylindrical portion for receiving a roller-receiving portion of the shaft and unaligned slots in communication with the central cylindrical portion to prevent migration of the roller from the roller-receiving portion.

A device for manipulating items for facility operations is described. The device includes a first arm assembly that includes a first arm, a second arm parallel to the first arm, a first shaft disposed between the first arm and the second arm at a first location along the first arm and the second arm, and a first head attachment disposed between the first arm and the second arm at a second location along the first arm and the second arm. The device also includes a first driver coupled to the first shaft and configured to control movement of the first arm assembly about a first axis extending along a length of the first shaft. The device further includes a second driver coupled to first head attachment and configured to control movement of the first head attachment about a second axis extending along a length of the first head attachment.

A conveyor system includes an upper and lower synchronized conveyors that transfer a food product, such as eggs, through a heating system to cook the food product. The lower conveyor includes a belt and the upper conveyor includes rings that are moveably held within frames. The rings and belt are brought together to define receptacles in which the food product is arranged during cooking. After cooking, the rings are lifted off of the belt, leaving the food product on the belt. A transfer roller transfers the cooked food product from the belt for further processing, such as freezing of the food product.

A conveyor system includes an upper and lower synchronized conveyors that transfer a food product, such as eggs, through a heating system to cook the food product. The lower conveyor includes a belt and the upper conveyor includes rings that are moveably held within frames. The rings and belt are brought together to define receptacles in which the food product is arranged during cooking. After cooking, the rings are lifted off of the belt, leaving the food product on the belt. A transfer roller transfers the cooked food product from the belt for further processing, such as freezing of the food product.

A friction drive wheel for conveyor systems includes a cylindrical central disk formed of aluminum. Joined to the curved outer surface of the aluminum disk is a base layer that is cylindrical and sleeve-like and coaxial with the disk. The base layer is formed of a hard polymer (like polyurethane) material, with a hardness in the range of 75 Shore D, to eliminate torsional stress and flexure at the mechanical interface between the base layer and the central disk. A tread layer is secured about the base layer, formed of a softer polymer (like polyurethane) that is more yielding and compliant in contact with the trolley to maximize the frictional engagement. The base layer serves as a thermal insulator between the outer tread layer and the central disk, protecting the bond at the base/central disk interface.

A friction drive wheel for conveyor systems includes a cylindrical central disk formed of aluminum. Joined to the curved outer surface of the aluminum disk is a base layer that is cylindrical and sleeve-like and coaxial with the disk. The base layer is formed of a hard polymer (like polyurethane) material, with a hardness in the range of 75 Shore D, to eliminate torsional stress and flexure at the mechanical interface between the base layer and the central disk. A tread layer is secured about the base layer, formed of a softer polymer (like polyurethane) that is more yielding and compliant in contact with the trolley to maximize the frictional engagement. The base layer serves as a thermal insulator between the outer tread layer and the central disk, protecting the bond at the base/central disk interface.

A sound attenuated material handling element reduces vibration and sound in a material handling system. The material handling element may be a sound attenuated roller for use in a roller conveyer or a sound attenuated nestable tote for receiving and transporting articles in the material handling system. Reducing vibration in material handling element reduces the noise produced by the element. The sound attenuated roller includes sound attenuating material disposed inside of the roller and in contact with the inner surface of the roller body. The sound attenuated nestable tote includes sound dampening material disposed in or formed with the tote structure. The sound damping material may be integrally formed with the roller or tote in order to maximize vibration and noise attenuation. Three dimensional computer analysis may be used to determine optimized locations for placement of the sound damping material on the roller or tote.