The disclosure relates to a conveyor device that comprises a conveyor belt with a conveying strand for conveying bulk material and a return strand. The conveying strand has a conveying surface on which a material flow is running whose feed rate is given by the product of a linear velocity of the conveying strand and a conveying cross-section of the material flow. The disclosure is characterized by a variable flow limiting device that is movable between a first position and a second position. The conveying cross-section downstream of the flow limiting device is smaller in the second position than in the first position.

A metal container conveyor system is provided. The metal container conveyor system includes (i) a conveyor body for moving metal containers, and (ii) at least one diverter mechanism configured to change a width of a portion of the conveyor body.

An automatic case separating apparatus includes a feeding mechanism configured to receive and deliver a plurality of cases after unpacked, a delivery mechanism configured to receive and deliver the cases output by the feeding mechanism, and a combing mechanism configured to comb and separate at least two overlapping cases on the delivery mechanism, so that the cases are separated from each other. The plurality of cases maintain a first state before unpacked. When the feeding mechanism delivers the cases to the delivery mechanism, the cases are in a second state on the delivery mechanism.

A singulator is provided for orienting, sorting and conveying at least one rail fastener, from a bulk supply of such fasteners, and includes a frame defining a lower end and an upper end. A plurality of transverse magnet bars is connected to an endless conveyor system disposed on the frame to move from the lower end to the upper end. A ramp is disposed on the frame, has an underside facing the magnet bars, and an opposite sorting surface opposite the underside and receiving the fasteners. At least one deflector assembly is associated with the ramp and is constructed and arranged for sorting fasteners drawn along the ramp by the magnet bars from the lower end to the upper end so that single fasteners are delivered at the upper end.

A singulator is provided for orienting, sorting and conveying at least one rail fastener, from a bulk supply of such fasteners, and includes a frame defining a lower end and an upper end. A plurality of transverse magnet bars is connected to an endless conveyor system disposed on the frame to move from the lower end to the upper end. A ramp is disposed on the frame, has an underside facing the magnet bars, and an opposite sorting surface opposite the underside and receiving the fasteners. At least one deflector assembly is associated with the ramp and is constructed and arranged for sorting fasteners drawn along the ramp by the magnet bars from the lower end to the upper end so that single fasteners are delivered at the upper end.

A material handling system includes a belted conveyor that longitudinally transports low profile articles. An actuating mechanism selectively positions a counter rotating cylindrical roller brush diagonal across the conveyor surface to divert the low profile articles to a lateral destination off a side of the belted conveyor and can position the cylindrical roller brush away the belted conveyor to allow the low profile articles to transport to a longitudinal destination at a terminal end of the belted conveyor.

A handling installation for handling food items, includes a conveying device, and at least one separating device downstream from the conveying device. The separating device has at least one conveying space through which the food items can be conveyed and at least one deflecting device positionable to at least partially protrude into the conveying space to deflect at least one first food item at least partially away from at least one second food item in order to increase the spacing between at least the first food item and the second food item to separate a food cluster. Alternatively, a rotating device for rotating and changing an orientation of the food item may be provided. Methods for handling food items and a food processing installation may include the handling installation.

In certain embodiments, a system may include at least one optical sensor configured to capture optical data associated with a waste product and a processor coupled to the at least one optical sensor. The processor may be configured to determine information about the waste product based on the optical data and to selectively direct the waste product to a selected destination in response to determining the information.

A material handling system includes a belted conveyor that longitudinally transports low profile articles. An actuating mechanism selectively positions a counter rotating cylindrical roller brush diagonal across the conveyor surface to divert the low profile articles to a lateral destination off a side of the belted conveyor and can position the cylindrical roller brush away the belted conveyor to allow the low profile articles to transport to a longitudinal destination at a terminal end of the belted conveyor.

A material handling system includes a belted conveyor that longitudinally transports low profile articles. An actuating mechanism selectively positions a counter rotating cylindrical roller brush diagonal across the conveyor surface to divert the low profile articles to a lateral destination off a side of the belted conveyor and can position the cylindrical roller brush away the belted conveyor to allow the low profile articles to transport to a longitudinal destination at a terminal end of the belted conveyor.