A radio-frequency identification arrangement for a chain conveyor for piece goods having a driven linked chain is disclosed, comprising a support rail element 3 for guiding and supporting the linked chain 4 in the region of the radio-frequency identification arrangement and a radio-frequency reading device or radio-frequency writing/reading device 10 for performing contactless reading or reading/writing of information by means of a radio-frequency signal.

According to the invention, the radio-frequency reading device or radio-frequency writing/reading device 10 is disposed directly on a bottom 30 of the support rail element 3 and facing an underside of the linked chain 4. For this purpose, the latter may be accommodated in a recess or cavity of the support rail element 3.

By means of the radio-frequency identification arrangement, an RFID tag, which is mounted on a workpiece or workpiece carrier, can be read or read and written to through the linked chain of the chain conveyor. Furthermore, a relatively short distance between the radio-frequency reading device or radio-frequency writing/reading device and the RFID tag may be accomplished and thus an advantageously low power of the radio-frequency signal used for identification.

A loading apparatus for loading food products onto and/or into a slicing apparatus, in particular a high-speed slicer, comprises at least one magazine unit that includes a conveying means that endlessly circulates along a running direction. The conveying means is configured to lift the products to a transferring height at which the products can be transferred to the slicing apparatus and includes several product support surfaces, the product support surfaces being oriented essentially perpendicular to the running direction and positioned subsequently along the running direction with a space between each other. At least one product is loadable onto a respective product support surface for lifting the product to the transferring height.

A loading apparatus for loading food products onto and/or into a slicing apparatus, in particular a high-speed slicer, comprises at least one magazine unit that includes a conveying means that endlessly circulates along a running direction. The conveying means is configured to lift the products to a transferring height at which the products can be transferred to the slicing apparatus and includes several product support surfaces, the product support surfaces being oriented essentially perpendicular to the running direction and positioned subsequently along the running direction with a space between each other. At least one product is loadable onto a respective product support surface for lifting the product to the transferring height.

The invention relates to a method for packaging objects (2) which are included in a plurality of objects belonging to the fruit and vegetable group and the shape of which is such that the objects included in the plurality of objects can roll along a surface, characterised in that the objects (2) included in the plurality of objects are deposited onto a solid surface, referred to as the deposition surface (1), of a system (10) for packaging the objects, the deposition surface (1) being substantially horizontal, suitable for receiving the objects included in the plurality of objects and elastically deformable such that the deposition of each object on the deposition surface (1) creates, under the weight of the object concerned, a recess (3) in the deposition surface (1) which tends to wedge the object in the recess (3), then the objects included in the plurality of objects deposited onto the deposition surface (1) and held in a position

A connection adapter for a connection of profile segments of a rail profile in a conveying device for conveying hanging objects. The connection adapter has, on its inside, a running surface for the mounting of holding adapters mounted such as on rollers, where the running surface is disposed in an inclined manner with respect to a profile extension direction of the connection adapter in such a way that a cross-section of an inner space of the connection adapter, which is defined by the running surface, is larger at a first end face of the connection adapter than at a second end face of the connection adapter.

A slicing apparatus for slicing food products into slices comprises a feeding unit configured to feed products along a feeding direction into a cutting region in which a blade for slicing the products into slices is arranged, wherein the feeding unit comprises a moving device that is configured to move the products into the cutting region, and wherein the moving device comprises a transporting member that is configured to apply a pressure onto an upper product side while the product is fed into the cutting region.

Object adjusting apparatus and related methods for use with automotive manufacturing systems are disclosed. A disclosed object adjuster for an automotive manufacturing system includes a frame. The object adjuster also includes a guide supported by the frame and positioned near a conveyor configured to convey an object. The object adjuster also includes a receiver slidably coupled to the guide. The receiver includes a portion that is configured to engage an attachment movably coupled to the object to adjust the attachment when the object moves.

Various embodiments are directed to conveyor apparatuses and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, a conveyor apparatus comprises a conveyor frame including a plurality of opposing sidewalls extending in a length direction and a bottom panel comprising a hinged configuration relative to the opposing sidewalls such that the bottom panel is configured for movement throughout a range of rotational motion between a closed position and an open position; and a bottom panel positioning assembly comprising: a mounting bracket secured to one of the opposing sidewalls; a positioning element slidably engaged relative to the mounting bracket and configurable between a nominal position and an engaged position; and a retention element configured to bias the positioning element towards the nominal position; wherein the bottom panel positioning assembly is configured to facilitate selective arrangement of the bottom panel based at least in part on an arrangement of the positioning element.

A link for a conveyor chain includes a first portion and a second portion laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin protrude laterally away from one another. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin may each have an oblong cross-section. At least one retainer can secure a connecting pin against movement relative to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, and each retainer can be positioned substantially within one of the first portion and the second portion.

Various embodiments are directed to conveyor apparatuses and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, a conveyor apparatus comprises a conveyor frame including a plurality of opposing sidewalls extending in a length direction and a bottom panel comprising a hinged configuration relative to the opposing sidewalls such that the bottom panel is configured for movement throughout a range of rotational motion between a closed position and an open position; and a bottom panel positioning assembly comprising: a mounting bracket secured to one of the opposing sidewalls; a positioning element slidably engaged relative to the mounting bracket and configurable between a nominal position and an engaged position; and a retention element configured to bias the positioning element towards the nominal position; wherein the bottom panel positioning assembly is configured to facilitate selective arrangement of the bottom panel based at least in part on an arrangement of the positioning element.