According to one aspect of the present invention, an accumulation module for a product delivery system includes an input shaft configured to receive an external drive force. A transfer shaft reverses an operation of the external drive force to define a reversing drive force. An output shaft receives the reversing drive force. An accumulation belt is operated by the reversing drive force. The accumulation belt operates in opposition to the external drive force.

A system for processing fruit or vegetable products of the type of blueberries and the like, includes a first unit, in its turn having in series at least one loading station, at least one pre-sizing station, at least one pre-selection station and at least one first alignment station. The system further includes a second unit, in its turn having in series at least one second alignment station, at least one optical sizing station and at least one distribution station. Each of the first unit and the second unit has dimensions and space occupation compatible with its accommodation and transport in a single container.

A control system for an automated singulation system is provided. The control system detects a presence of a first item on a first conveyor and detects a presence of a second item on a second conveyor while the first item is present on the first conveyor. The second conveyor transfers items onto the first conveyor and is at a lower height than the second conveyor. The first conveyor is oriented perpendicularly with respect to the second conveyor. In response to detecting the presence of the second item, a location of the first item along a length of the first conveyor is determined. The first conveyor and the second conveyor are controlled based at least on the location of the first item.

A method and apparatus for loading substrates in an inspection station is disclosed herein. In one embodiment a loading module is disclosed that includes a loading station for two or more substrate cassettes, a first lane comprising a first conveyor that is substantially aligned with one of the two or more substrate cassettes and a conveyor system, a second lane comprising a second conveyor that is substantially aligned with another of the two or more substrate cassettes and positioned in a spaced-apart relation relative to the first lane, and a lateral transfer module positioned between the first lane and the second lane that is adapted to move substrates from the second lane to the first lane.

A conveyor element for transporting goods with a hook element for suspension on a conveyor rail and a holder hanging on the hook element, on which holder one or more goods can be received, is formed in such a way that the hook element comprises a first hook and at least one second hook, between which at least one engagement opening is formed. This allows the conveyor element to be effectively conveyed and separated in a conveying direction along a conveyor rail via a pawl conveyor.

A transfer conveyor for food process lines has an endless conveyor belt characterized by an upper, food-product carrying run and a lower, return run. The upper, food-product carrying run defines a transit plane. The upper, food-product carrying run also extends between an intake end and a discharge end. The upper, food-product carrying run furthermore has a first pleat below the transit plane proximate the intake end and a second spaced-away pleat below the transit plane proximate the discharge end. These spaced-away pleats partitioning the upper, food-product carrying run into an intake-end span and a discharge-end span cooperatively flanking a mid-span. Wherein the transfer conveyor additionally includes one scale servicing the intake-end span of the upper, food-product carrying run and another scale servicing the discharge-end span.

A method for establishing and transmitting the status parameters of a conveyor and it's articles accumulated includes recording a first signal and a second signal with the first signal received from at least one sensor of a plurality of sensors in a conveyor zone and the second signal transmitted in response to receiving the first signal. The first signal is indicative of an article presence status in the conveyor zone and the second signal is indicative of an actuation status of the conveyor zone. Further, the method includes storing the first signal and the second signal recorded over a periodic scan cycle in a memory to create a historical log of the first signal and the second signal.

A method for establishing and transmitting the status parameters of a conveyor and it's articles accumulated includes recording a first signal and a second signal with the first signal received from at least one sensor of a plurality of sensors in a conveyor zone and the second signal transmitted in response to receiving the first signal. The first signal is indicative of an article presence status in the conveyor zone and the second signal is indicative of an actuation status of the conveyor zone. Further, the method includes storing the first signal and the second signal recorded over a periodic scan cycle in a memory to create a historical log of the first signal and the second signal.

A control system for an automated singulation system is provided. The control system detects a presence of a first item on a first conveyor and detects a presence of a second item on a second conveyor while the first item is present on the first conveyor. The second conveyor transfers items onto the first conveyor and is at a lower height than the second conveyor. The first conveyor is oriented perpendicularly with respect to the second conveyor. In response to detecting the presence of the second item, a location of the first item along a length of the first conveyor is determined. The first conveyor and the second conveyor are controlled based at least on the location of the first item.

A conveyor for ferrous workpieces includes a frame. A static bed is affixed to the frame. The static bed has a workpiece support portion constructed from a non-magnetic material. The workpiece support portion defines a workpiece flow path. A drive assembly is arranged beneath the workpiece support portion. The drive includes multiple discrete magnets configured to move in a direction of the workpiece flow path. At least one guide rail extends upward with respect to the workpiece support portion on a side opposite the drive assembly. The guide rail is configured to orient a workpiece to a desired position with respect to the workpiece flow path.