Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a modular plant trimming system. A number of plant trimming machines are placed side by side. These plant trimming machines trim leaves from a plant. A sensor detects when one or more of the plant trimming machines are added or removed from the system. A processor then balances a load of plants to be trimmed to be split between the currently available number of plant trimming machines.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a modular plant trimming system. A number of plant trimming machines are placed side by side. These plant trimming machines trim leaves from a plant. A sensor detects when one or more of the plant trimming machines are added or removed from the system. A processor then balances a load of plants to be trimmed to be split between the currently available number of plant trimming machines.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a tiltable tumbler for use in a plant trimming machine. Plants are placed in a tumbler. As the tumbler rotates, leaves extending through slots in the tumbler by a vacuum are trimmed off. A mechanism is used to adjust the tilt of the tumbler. Thereby, the rate by which the plant material in the tumbler is processed is faster with a higher tilt or slower with a lower tilt. The degree of tilt is adjustable either manually or automatically via a computer.

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a tiltable tumbler for use in a plant trimming machine. Plants are placed in a tumbler. As the tumbler rotates, leaves extending through slots in the tumbler by a vacuum are trimmed off. A mechanism is used to adjust the tilt of the tumbler. Thereby, the rate by which the plant material in the tumbler is processed is faster with a higher tilt or slower with a lower tilt. The degree of tilt is adjustable either manually or automatically via a computer.

An inventory management system can include a mobile sorting assembly for sorting and transporting items to storage locations. The mobile sort assembly can receive and sort an item, move the item to storage location, and transfer the item to the storage location. The mobile sorting system can include a platform for receiving and positioning the items and one or more sorting shelves for receiving the items.

An inventory management system can include a mobile sorting assembly for sorting and transporting items to storage locations. The mobile sort assembly can receive and sort an item, move the item to storage location, and transfer the item to the storage location. The mobile sorting system can include a platform for receiving and positioning the items and one or more sorting shelves for receiving the items.

The machine (1) for laying sliced food products (2) in containers (3), comprises: a first conveyor (4) able to convey slices (2) or groups of slices (2) along at least one advancement direction and provided with an end portion (40) from which the slices (2) are released; a second conveyor (5) able to convey containers (3) suitable for receiving one or more slices (2) from the end portion (40) of the first conveyor (4), the second conveyor (5) being placed below the first conveyor (4); and a positioning apparatus (45, 46, 47, 81, 82) for regulating the arrangement of the first and the second conveyor (4, 5) with respect to each other. The machine (1) further comprises a detection apparatus (6) able to determine the arrangement of the slices (2) or of the groups of slices (2) on the first conveyor (4), and a processing unit (7) connected to the positioning and detection apparatuses and configured to control the activation of the positioning apparatus according to detections carried out by the detection apparatus (6).

The machine (1) for laying sliced food products (2) in containers (3), comprises: a first conveyor (4) able to convey slices (2) or groups of slices (2) along at least one advancement direction and provided with an end portion (40) from which the slices (2) are released; a second conveyor (5) able to convey containers (3) suitable for receiving one or more slices (2) from the end portion (40) of the first conveyor (4), the second conveyor (5) being placed below the first conveyor (4); and a positioning apparatus (45, 46, 47, 81, 82) for regulating the arrangement of the first and the second conveyor (4, 5) with respect to each other. The machine (1) further comprises a detection apparatus (6) able to determine the arrangement of the slices (2) or of the groups of slices (2) on the first conveyor (4), and a processing unit (7) connected to the positioning and detection apparatuses and configured to control the activation of the positioning apparatus according to detections carried out by the detection apparatus (6).

A supervisory controller determines the control status of a conveyor belt by a control unit. When it is determined that the control status of the conveyor belt is abnormal, the supervisory controller prohibits loading an article onto a traveling carriage and instructs the control unit to reset the control unit. When it is determined again that the control status of the conveyor belt by the control unit subjected to the reset instruction is abnormal, the supervisory controller prohibits loading an article onto the traveling carriage and acquires an abnormality record from the control unit. When it is determined that the control status of the conveyor belt by the control unit subjected to the reset instruction is normal, the supervisory controller acquires the abnormality record from the control unit.

A supervisory controller determines the control status of a conveyor belt by a control unit. When it is determined that the control status of the conveyor belt is abnormal, the supervisory controller prohibits loading an article onto a traveling carriage and instructs the control unit to reset the control unit. When it is determined again that the control status of the conveyor belt by the control unit subjected to the reset instruction is abnormal, the supervisory controller prohibits loading an article onto the traveling carriage and acquires an abnormality record from the control unit. When it is determined that the control status of the conveyor belt by the control unit subjected to the reset instruction is normal, the supervisory controller acquires the abnormality record from the control unit.