An overhead sweep rejecter (16) removes an object from a conveyor belt of a conveyor line. The rejecter has a kicker portion (22) that suspended for limited rotation about a pivot axis (40) from the housing. When a horizontal impulse is applied to the kicker portion by a rod (52), the limited rotation converts the impulse into a combination of vertical and horizontal impulses on the object, as would be provided by a pendulum. However, a contacting plate (34) on the kicker portion is pinned at a lower end (64) to a pair of guide rails (30) so that a vertical separation of the lower end remains at a constant vertical separation above the conveyor belt during rotation.

Described is a system for conveying wet sand. The system includes containers with a slip coating for storing wet sand. Each container includes an outlet formed in a bottom portion to facilitate removal of the wet sand from the container to a hopper. Each hopper has end walls, side walls, and an interior wall extending at an angle from the top to the bottom of the hopper to reduce an area of the outlet. A flow gate over the outlet controls discharge of the wet sand from the hopper onto a conveyor belt of a conveyor system. The hopper also includes a vibration system coupled to its exterior surface for shaking the hopper to assist in releasing sand. A discharge assembly is located at the end of the conveyor system for directing wet sand from the conveyor belt.

Described is a system for conveying wet sand. The system includes containers with a slip coating for storing wet sand. Each container includes an outlet formed in a bottom portion to facilitate removal of the wet sand from the container to a hopper. Each hopper has end walls, side walls, and an interior wall extending at an angle from the top to the bottom of the hopper to reduce an area of the outlet. A flow gate over the outlet controls discharge of the wet sand from the hopper onto a conveyor belt of a conveyor system. The hopper also includes a vibration system coupled to its exterior surface for shaking the hopper to assist in releasing sand. A discharge assembly is located at the end of the conveyor system for directing wet sand from the conveyor belt.

A method for auto-calibration of a sorter is described. The method includes transmitting, by a carrier transmit board of a sorter, a short discharge command to a first section of the sorter. The short discharge command can be generated based on a first clock offset. Further, the method includes receiving at the carrier transmit board a status message indicative of a status of a first motor control board associated with the first section of the sorter. Furthermore, in response to the status message indicating that the first motor control did not receive the short discharge command, the method includes modifying the first clock offset to a second clock offset and retransmitting the short discharge command based on a second clock offset. If the first motor control receives the short discharge command, the method includes configuring a sorter control system based on the first clock offset.

A method for auto-calibration of a sorter is described. The method includes transmitting, by a carrier transmit board of a sorter, a short discharge command to a first section of the sorter. The short discharge command can be generated based on a first clock offset. Further, the method includes receiving at the carrier transmit board a status message indicative of a status of a first motor control board associated with the first section of the sorter. Furthermore, in response to the status message indicating that the first motor control did not receive the short discharge command, the method includes modifying the first clock offset to a second clock offset and retransmitting the short discharge command based on a second clock offset. If the first motor control receives the short discharge command, the method includes configuring a sorter control system based on the first clock offset.

A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a plurality of supply bins providing supply of a plurality of objects, with the plurality of supply bins being provided with a bin conveyance system, a programmable motion device in communication with the bin conveyance system, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected supply bin, and a movable carriage for receiving the selected object from the end effector of the programmable motion device, and for carrying the selected object to one of a plurality of destination containers.

A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a plurality of supply bins providing supply of a plurality of objects, with the plurality of supply bins being provided with a bin conveyance system, a programmable motion device in communication with the bin conveyance system, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected supply bin, and a movable carriage for receiving the selected object from the end effector of the programmable motion device, and for carrying the selected object to one of a plurality of destination containers.

The present disclosure is directed to devices for manipulating meat pieces and methods therefore. In one form, a device comprises a chute, a conveyor, a backstop, and a paddle wheel. The chute is configured to hold pieces of a food product, and the conveyor is configured to receive pieces of the food product released from the chute. The first backstop is positioned above the conveyor and comprises a plate that is configured to align pieces of food product received at the conveyor into a single row. The paddle wheel is positioned above the conveyor downstream from the first backstop and is configured to manipulate the single row of pieces of food product traveling along the conveyor and cause only a single layer of pieces of food product to discharge from the conveyor.

The present disclosure is directed to devices for manipulating meat pieces and methods therefore. In one form, a device comprises a chute, a conveyor, a backstop, and a paddle wheel. The chute is configured to hold pieces of a food product, and the conveyor is configured to receive pieces of the food product released from the chute. The first backstop is positioned above the conveyor and comprises a plate that is configured to align pieces of food product received at the conveyor into a single row. The paddle wheel is positioned above the conveyor downstream from the first backstop and is configured to manipulate the single row of pieces of food product traveling along the conveyor and cause only a single layer of pieces of food product to discharge from the conveyor.

A transport device having a plate; a conveyor to transport articles; a pusher to push and move a row of articles on the conveyor onto the plate; and a stopper to prevent the articles from being moved by the conveyor and to define the start of a row of articles being moved onto the plate by the pusher. The conveyor causes the positions of rows of articles stopped by the stopper to move alternately so that the positions of rows of articles moved onto the plate are shifted alternately.