This disclosure concerns methods for processing and grading food articles including x-raying the food articles a first time and taking a 3D image of the food articles.

This disclosure concerns methods for processing and grading food articles including x-raying the food articles a first time and taking a 3D image of the food articles.

A system (500) for distributing a stream of articles (100) at a fix pitch (P) includes a belt assembly (250) with belt segments (252) carrying a stream of articles (100), a sensor assembly (510) with sensors (512), a control system (550) interfacing with the belt assembly (250) and the sensor assembly (510), wherein the sensor assembly (510) provides measurements of initial positions of each article of the stream of articles (100) and transmits the measurements to the control system (550), wherein the control system (550) utilizes the measurements to determine deficits of the initial positions to final positions for each article based on a predefined pitch value (P), and wherein the control system (550) controls a speed of the plurality of belt segments (252) to provide the final positions for each article according to the predefined pitch value (P).

A system (500) for distributing a stream of articles (100) at a fix pitch (P) includes a belt assembly (250) with belt segments (252) carrying a stream of articles (100), a sensor assembly (510) with sensors (512), a control system (550) interfacing with the belt assembly (250) and the sensor assembly (510), wherein the sensor assembly (510) provides measurements of initial positions of each article of the stream of articles (100) and transmits the measurements to the control system (550), wherein the control system (550) utilizes the measurements to determine deficits of the initial positions to final positions for each article based on a predefined pitch value (P), and wherein the control system (550) controls a speed of the plurality of belt segments (252) to provide the final positions for each article according to the predefined pitch value (P).

Parcel processing systems and methods. A method for singulating parcels includes receiving an input stream of a plurality of parcels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) including at least a leading parcel (1) and a lagging parcel (2) in a singulator system (10). The method includes updating position information of the leading parcel (1) and the lagging parcel (2) on a list (1650). The method includes determining a leading speed of the leading parcel (1). The method includes determining an actual gap between the leading parcel (1) and the lagging parcel (2). The method includes determining a speed factor between the leading parcel (1) and the lagging parcel (2). The method includes setting a lagging speed of the lagging parcel (2) according to the leading speed and the speed factor. The method includes controlling conveyors (20) to transport the leading parcel (1) at the leading speed and to transport the lagging parcel (2) at the lagging speed.

Parcel processing systems and methods. A method for singulating parcels includes receiving an input stream of a plurality of parcels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) including at least a leading parcel (1) and a lagging parcel (2) in a singulator system (10). The method includes updating position information of the leading parcel (1) and the lagging parcel (2) on a list (1650). The method includes determining a leading speed of the leading parcel (1). The method includes determining an actual gap between the leading parcel (1) and the lagging parcel (2). The method includes determining a speed factor between the leading parcel (1) and the lagging parcel (2). The method includes setting a lagging speed of the lagging parcel (2) according to the leading speed and the speed factor. The method includes controlling conveyors (20) to transport the leading parcel (1) at the leading speed and to transport the lagging parcel (2) at the lagging speed.

A packaging apparatus (1) and method is provided. The packaging apparatus comprises: a support platform (100) for supporting packaging containers (10) positioned thereon, the support platform comprising a support portion moveable between a first position and a second position; and a belt transport arrangement (800) for transporting packaging containers away from the support platform (100) in a first transport direction (52); the belt transport arrangement (800) comprising a belt arrangement comprising a pair of belts (802a, 802b), the pair of belts defining opposing contacting surfaces for contacting packaging containers. The apparatus is operable between: a first configuration wherein the support portion is in the first position to support one or more packaging containers positioned thereon; and a second configuration wherein the support portion is in the second position and contacting surfaces of the belts engage the one or more packaging containers.

An arranging conveyor system has outlet conveyors in a plurality of lines, intermediate conveyors in the plurality of lines, and transferring/discharging conveyors in the plurality of lines. When a discharging interval has not passed from a previous discharging action and a predetermined clog condition in a specific line is fulfilled, a conveyed object which is present in the specific line at a stop position on the transferring/discharging conveyor is discharged outside of the arranging conveyor system.

An arranging conveyor system has outlet conveyors in a plurality of lines, intermediate conveyors in the plurality of lines, and transferring/discharging conveyors in the plurality of lines. When a discharging interval has not passed from a previous discharging action and a predetermined clog condition in a specific line is fulfilled, a conveyed object which is present in the specific line at a stop position on the transferring/discharging conveyor is discharged outside of the arranging conveyor system.

Elongate workpieces are transported in a transport direction and assembled to a string in the transport direction. A leading elongate workpiece is removed from the string and accelerated in a downstream discharge device such that a gap is formed between the leading elongate workpiece and a following elongate workpiece of the string. A stop is moved into the gap and prevents the following elongate workpiece of the string from being transported farther. The stop is removed when the leading elongate workpiece has left the discharge device and then the following elongate workpiece is removed from the string.