An apparatus for vertical transfer of whole nuts from a first elevation to a second, lower elevation includes a run extending between an entrance and an exit, and having a plurality of alternatingly arranged conveying panels between the entrance and the exit. Each conveying panel is inclined at approximately 30 degrees to horizontal and has a predefined width. The apparatus further includes arcuate turn-arounds disposed between respective conveying panels to facilitate transferring the nuts from one conveying panel to the next lower conveying panel. The predefined width of the conveying panels is selected based on a predetermined mass flow rate of nuts such that whole nuts move along the run in a continuous stream without tumbling, and wherein each nut is in contact with adjacent nuts in its respective layer.

A distribution system is disclosed for use in an induction system with an object processing system. The distribution system provides distribution of dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes an urging system for urging an object on a conveyor from the conveyor to one of a plurality of adjacent receiving stations via a receiving chute, wherein each receiving station is lower than the conveyor.

A distribution system is disclosed for use in an induction system with an object processing system. The distribution system provides distribution of dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes an urging system for urging an object on a conveyor from the conveyor to one of a plurality of adjacent receiving stations via a receiving chute, wherein each receiving station is lower than the conveyor.

An article discharge system includes a placement unit in which the article group is placed, plural grippers, a movable member, a robot that moves the movable member, weight acquisition units, and a control unit. The plural grippers grip some articles with gripping member. The plural grippers are attached to the movable member. The weight acquisition units acquire weight values of the articles that each of the grippers grips. The control unit moves the movable member, brings the plural grippers closer to the placement unit, causes the plural grippers to grip some of the articles of the article group placed in the placement unit, and, based on the result of a combination calculation using the weight values of the articles that each of the grippers grips and which the weight acquisition units have acquired, causes predetermined grippers among the plural grippers to release the articles and thereby discharge the articles.

An article discharge system includes a placement unit in which the article group is placed, plural grippers, a movable member, a robot that moves the movable member, weight acquisition units, and a control unit. The plural grippers grip some articles with gripping member. The plural grippers are attached to the movable member. The weight acquisition units acquire weight values of the articles that each of the grippers grips. The control unit moves the movable member, brings the plural grippers closer to the placement unit, causes the plural grippers to grip some of the articles of the article group placed in the placement unit, and, based on the result of a combination calculation using the weight values of the articles that each of the grippers grips and which the weight acquisition units have acquired, causes predetermined grippers among the plural grippers to release the articles and thereby discharge the articles.

A distribution system is disclosed for use in an induction system with an object processing system. The distribution system provides distribution of dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes an urging system for urging an object on a conveyor from the conveyor to one of a plurality of adjacent receiving stations via a receiving chute, wherein each receiving station is lower than the conveyor.

A distribution system is disclosed for use in an induction system with an object processing system. The distribution system provides distribution of dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes an urging system for urging an object on a conveyor from the conveyor to one of a plurality of adjacent receiving stations via a receiving chute, wherein each receiving station is lower than the conveyor.

A feeding mechanism and method for feeding objects singulated from a bulk mass of objects includes receiving the bulk mass into a hopper system having a hopper screw set including first and second hopper screws and a plurality of feeding pockets defined by the thread forms of the hopper screws. Rotation of the hopper screws tumbles the bulk mass to cascade and singulate individual objects into respective feed pockets. An object set including at least one singulated object is discharged from the hopper screw set by rotation of the hopper screws. A discharge assembly including a ramp and star wheel receives the discharged object set, and transfers the object set to a discharge outlet. The object set output from the discharge outlet is received by a target defined by a receiving article. In one example, the object is rounded, the target is an opening of a container.

Multiple types of leaded components 410a, 410b, and 410c are scattered on component support member 285, and those multiple types of components are imaged by an imaging device. Identification information for identifying each type of the multiple types of components, and position information representing the position of the components on the component support section, is acquired from image data captured by the imaging device 84. Then, based on the identification information and the position information, any of the multiple types of components on the component support member 285 are held by a holding tool. By this, it is possible to pick up any of the multiple types of components scattered on the component support section 285 and it is possible to supply many types of components using the component supply device 32. Also, there is no need for an operator to check components on the component support section 285, so the operator workload is reduced.

Multiple types of leaded components 410a, 410b, and 410c are scattered on component support member 285, and those multiple types of components are imaged by an imaging device. Identification information for identifying each type of the multiple types of components, and position information representing the position of the components on the component support section, is acquired from image data captured by the imaging device 84. Then, based on the identification information and the position information, any of the multiple types of components on the component support member 285 are held by a holding tool. By this, it is possible to pick up any of the multiple types of components scattered on the component support section 285 and it is possible to supply many types of components using the component supply device 32. Also, there is no need for an operator to check components on the component support section 285, so the operator workload is reduced.