In an induction system for use with an object processing system, a distribution system is disclosed for providing dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes a conveyor section that travels over a vacuum roller, and the plurality of receiving units arranged generally below the vacuum roller such that an object with a mass will fall toward one of the plurality of receiving units based on both the object's mass and a vacuum force applied to the object through the conveyor section.

In an induction system for use with an object processing system, a distribution system is disclosed for providing dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes a conveyor section that travels over a vacuum roller, and the plurality of receiving units arranged generally below the vacuum roller such that an object with a mass will fall toward one of the plurality of receiving units based on both the object's mass and a vacuum force applied to the object through the conveyor section.

An article transport facility of the present invention includes a transport device that is arranged below a traveling surface and transports articles below the traveling surface, door members that are provided in correspondence with openings and change in orientation between an open orientation in which the openings are open and a closed orientation in which the opening are closed, and a door control section that controls the door members. The transport device is configured to transport multiple articles synchronously and simultaneously in an article group, and the door control section opens all of the door members provided in a receiving section group synchronously and simultaneously.

An article transport facility of the present invention includes a transport device that is arranged below a traveling surface and transports articles below the traveling surface, door members that are provided in correspondence with openings and change in orientation between an open orientation in which the openings are open and a closed orientation in which the opening are closed, and a door control section that controls the door members. The transport device is configured to transport multiple articles synchronously and simultaneously in an article group, and the door control section opens all of the door members provided in a receiving section group synchronously and simultaneously.

A mushroom handling apparatus includes a frame, a mushroom transfer device, and a first guide extending around mushroom growing beds. Mushroom holders are mounted at spaced locations along the first guide. A drive moves the mushroom holders to transfer mushrooms between growing beds and a mushroom transfer region. A mushroom handling device adjacent the transfer device incorporates a second guide that at least partially overlaps the first guide in the transfer region. Mushroom grippers are mounted on the second guide, the mushroom holders and mushroom grippers being indexed on the guides such that the grippers are aligned with respective mushroom holders in the transfer region to transfer the mushrooms from the holders to the grippers. A lift adjusts the height of the frame with respect to vertically tiered shelving to bring the mushroom transfer device and mushroom handling device into vertical alignment with selected vertically tiered growing beds.

A mushroom handling apparatus includes a frame, a mushroom transfer device, and a first guide extending around mushroom growing beds. Mushroom holders are mounted at spaced locations along the first guide. A drive moves the mushroom holders to transfer mushrooms between growing beds and a mushroom transfer region. A mushroom handling device adjacent the transfer device incorporates a second guide that at least partially overlaps the first guide in the transfer region. Mushroom grippers are mounted on the second guide, the mushroom holders and mushroom grippers being indexed on the guides such that the grippers are aligned with respective mushroom holders in the transfer region to transfer the mushrooms from the holders to the grippers. A lift adjusts the height of the frame with respect to vertically tiered shelving to bring the mushroom transfer device and mushroom handling device into vertical alignment with selected vertically tiered growing beds.

A distribution system for use in an induction system with an object processing system. The distribution system provides dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes an air intake system with an opening that is a fixed distance from a conveyor section, said air intake system aiding in moving an object on the conveyor section from the conveyor section to one of a plurality of adjacent transport units.

A distribution system for use in an induction system with an object processing system. The distribution system provides dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes an air intake system with an opening that is a fixed distance from a conveyor section, said air intake system aiding in moving an object on the conveyor section from the conveyor section to one of a plurality of adjacent transport units.

Item singulation systems and methods may include an input conveyor, a vision system, and an output conveyor that receives items from the input conveyor. The vision system may determine individual columns of items from among a plurality of items on the input conveyor. Operations of the input conveyor and output conveyor may be controlled substantially as a pull system to transfer individual columns of items to the output conveyor, such that singulated items can be transferred by the output conveyor to downstream processes.

A system and method for separating granular particles according to particle size, and more particularly enhance ore grades by removing unwanted material. The system (10) comprises means (11) for transporting granular material (12) comprising multiple sized fractions with gradation of the particles according to particle size between relatively fine fractions and relatively coarse fractions, in a direction having a horizontal component; and subjecting the granular material (12) to vibration while being so transported to induce some separation of particles according to particle size. The system (10) further comprises means (13) for causing the granular material (12) to subsequently move as a granular flow (14) along a curved path (15) under the influence of gravity to further induce separation of particles according to particle size. The system (10) still further comprises means (16) for dividing the granular flow (14) moving along the curved path (15) into different streams (17) according to their trajectory.