Food process-line coating apparatus for coating a stream of food product in a food process line are provided with the improvement of a permanently-installed internal cleaning-fluid circuit and a plurality cleaning-fluid distribution devices. The cleaning-fluid distribution devices are any of a rotary spray head, a spherical spray nozzle, a rotary frame or a tubular (cylindrical) rotary manifold. The rotary spray head optionally has a multitude of flat spray nozzles mounted along the arms. The spherical spray nozzle might be mounted on a columnar base, and a plurality of those might stand like pickets and aimed a laterally-extending target, like a conveyor belt's nose roller. The rotary frame might have a spaced pair of parallel manifold tubes that rotate about a common axis. The tubular (cylindrical) rotary manifold preferably has a multitude of ports or nozzles distributed at spaced locations on its outer sidewall.

The invention relates to a device for moving objects (11), in particular food products, comprising a plurality of individually movable transport movers (12) for transporting the objects, a track system for the transport movers, in which the transport movers can be moved along at least one specified track (10), and a control apparatus for controlling the motions of the transport movers in the track system, wherein the track comprises a stator (14) and an associated guide (16) for the transport movers, and wherein the track can be converted from an operating configuration into a maintenance configuration at least in some segments, in which maintenance configuration at least one component of the track can be moved out of the working position thereof corresponding to a transport operation in relation to the stator.

The invention relates to a device for moving objects (11), in particular food products, comprising a plurality of individually movable transport movers (12) for transporting the objects, a track system for the transport movers, in which the transport movers can be moved along at least one specified track (10), and a control apparatus for controlling the motions of the transport movers in the track system, wherein the track comprises a stator (14) and an associated guide (16) for the transport movers, and wherein the track can be converted from an operating configuration into a maintenance configuration at least in some segments, in which maintenance configuration at least one component of the track can be moved out of the working position thereof corresponding to a transport operation in relation to the stator.

A cleaning tool is provided. The cleaning tool has an absorbent material that is elongated, a container that defines a space for holding a fluid, and a holder that is elongated, handheld, and configured to hold the absorbent material. The holder is removable from the container. It is also moveable between a first position in which the absorbent material contacts the space, and a second position in which the holder is removed from the container and the absorbent material is free to clean. The cleaning tool can be used to clean a conveyor belt.

A cleaning tool is provided. The cleaning tool has an absorbent material that is elongated, a container that defines a space for holding a fluid, and a holder that is elongated, handheld, and configured to hold the absorbent material. The holder is removable from the container. It is also moveable between a first position in which the absorbent material contacts the space, and a second position in which the holder is removed from the container and the absorbent material is free to clean. The cleaning tool can be used to clean a conveyor belt.

A multi-layered polymeric checkstand conveyor belt of the type used in grocery stores that is printed to display advertising information to engage the shopper at the point of sale and coated with a durable and impervious antimicrobial-containing surface coating. The inclusion of a QR code on the printed belt enables a shopper to easily access the information with a QR code reader app on the shopper's cell phone which directs to the store's website. The advertising and information content on the website can be easily changed and updated by the store so that the information content, including store promotions and special events are kept current. The antimicrobial agent in the surface coating is a quaternary ammonium organosilane compound that kills microbes on contact and has long-lasting residual effects to destroy and prevent the proliferation of microbes such as bacteria, viruses, mold, and the like. However, the cleanliness of the antimicrobial checkstand conveyor belt must be maintained by regular, and preferably at least daily, cleaning with an all-purpose cleaner and application of an antimicrobial surface protectant that inhibits the growth of bacteria the conveyor belt surface for an extended period of time. Compliance with the cleaning procedure is facilitated and ensured by the provision of an App downloaded to a tablet PC, for example, that has a detailed dashboard and accessible data to remind, report, and confirm cleaning of the belt.

A multi-layered polymeric checkstand conveyor belt of the type used in grocery stores that is printed to display advertising information to engage the shopper at the point of sale and coated with a durable and impervious antimicrobial-containing surface coating. The inclusion of a QR code on the printed belt enables a shopper to easily access the information with a QR code reader app on the shopper's cell phone which directs to the store's website. The advertising and information content on the website can be easily changed and updated by the store so that the information content, including store promotions and special events are kept current. The antimicrobial agent in the surface coating is a quaternary ammonium organosilane compound that kills microbes on contact and has long-lasting residual effects to destroy and prevent the proliferation of microbes such as bacteria, viruses, mold, and the like. However, the cleanliness of the antimicrobial checkstand conveyor belt must be maintained by regular, and preferably at least daily, cleaning with an all-purpose cleaner and application of an antimicrobial surface protectant that inhibits the growth of bacteria the conveyor belt surface for an extended period of time. Compliance with the cleaning procedure is facilitated and ensured by the provision of an App downloaded to a tablet PC, for example, that has a detailed dashboard and accessible data to remind, report, and confirm cleaning of the belt.

A dynamic, reconfigurable, and modular cleaning device utilizes software, sensors, and modular components to provide a one-size-fits-all approach to cleaning conveyor belts. The cleaning device secures to a body or frame associated with a conveyor belt, in which an associated cleaning head cleans the conveyor belt's surface. The cleaning head has an arm that extends from its body and inserts into a corresponding opening on a connecting frame associated with the cleaning device. The cleaning head is then secured in place via a cylindrical pin that extends through aligned holes on the arm and the connecting plate. Insertion of the pin connects the components together, and removal of the pin enables a user to disconnect the cleaning head and swap a new one in its place, such as to provide a different cleaning action.

Systems, devices, and methods including: a conveyor belt (302) having a plurality of openings (608, 610, 612); a first plurality of nozzles (314) disposed in complementary opposition to a top surface (310) of the conveyor belt; a shard plate (318, 320) disposed below the top surface of the conveyor belt opposite from the plurality of nozzles, the shard plate disposed at an angle from the conveyor belt; and a shard catch (322, 324) disposed along at least one edge of the shard plate; where shard passes through the openings of the conveyor belt, falls onto the shard plate, and is collected in the shard catch.

Systems, devices, and methods including: a conveyor belt (302) having a plurality of openings (608, 610, 612); a first plurality of nozzles (314) disposed in complementary opposition to a top surface (310) of the conveyor belt; a shard plate (318, 320) disposed below the top surface of the conveyor belt opposite from the plurality of nozzles, the shard plate disposed at an angle from the conveyor belt; and a shard catch (322, 324) disposed along at least one edge of the shard plate; where shard passes through the openings of the conveyor belt, falls onto the shard plate, and is collected in the shard catch.