In a method for the high-speed coating of the inner surface of a blank (1), preferably a can, the blank (1) rotates about it axis of rotation and a coating is applied to an inner surface of the blank (1). In order to allow for an increase in production rates and for a homogeneous coating of the inner surface of the blank (1), even with low coating thicknesses, without causing an increase in operating costs, a gas flow (10) is blown into the blank (1) via a nozzle (9) to accelerate the blank (1) and to distribute the coating in the direction of the axis of rotation (12).

Hollow bodies which are closed on one side and which are cylindrical are sorted by a sorting device. The hollow bodies have an end-side opening, a base surface situated opposite the opening and a shell surface extending between the base surface and the opening. The sorting device includes first nozzles arranged on an upper guide for conducting a first fluid flow in the direction of a lateral guide, and second nozzles arranged on a lower guide for conducting a second fluid flow in the direction of an outlet. Since the force of the fluid flow is several times greater if the fluid flow strikes a part of the shell surface of the hollow body through the end-side opening of the hollow body than if the fluid flow strikes the base surface of the hollow body from the outside, sorting of the hollow bodies is made possible.

A method is disclosed for sorting a plurality of objects including an object that is one of a grain, a nut, a tree nut, or a bean. The plurality objects are conveyed along a guide plate having at least two channels between a first end and a second end of the corresponding channel. The channels have a first aperture provided at a first longitudinal position thereof and an additional aperture provided at a second longitudinal position on the guide plate located downstream of the first aperture. An optical measurement associated with a property of the object of the plurality of objects is conducted when the object passes the first aperture towards the second end with an object measurement unit. The object conveyed on the corresponding channel is ejected with an ejector unit when reaching the second longitudinal position based on the measured property of the object and a timing signal.

An image inspection device has a platform, a controlling unit, multiple image capture units, and a discharging unit. The platform has a carrier being capable of rotating for carrying products under inspection. The controlling unit is capable of controlling rotation of the carrier. The image capture units are disposed around the platform and electrically connected to the controlling unit. Each image capture unit has a zoom lens electrically connected to the controlling unit for transmitting digital information of images captured by the zoom lens to the controlling unit. The discharging unit is configured to move the products under inspection away from the carrier and electrically connected to the controlling unit.

A system for count separation of objects comprises a controller, cameras adapted to detect each individual object in a stream of falling objects such that the controller can count the objects, a first receiving location adapted to directly receive the stream of falling objects, a second receiving location adapted to receive objects diverted from the stream of falling objects or to receive the stream of falling objects when the stream of falling objects is diverted from the first receiving location; a mechanical diverter having (a) a first position to not divert the stream of falling objects from the first receiving location and (b) a second position in to divert the stream of falling objects to the second receiving location, and an air blast diverter adapted (a) to divert specific objects or the stream of falling objects to the second location.

An unloading apparatus for horticultural products such as blueberries and the like, which are conveyed along a predefined advancement path by respective movement units includes at least one dispenser of pressurized fluid, which can be activated on command during the transit of each product in order to send a jet of the pressurized fluid toward the product and consequently cause its fall from the respective movement unit. The apparatus also includes at least one deflector screen arranged facing and proximate to the dispenser, on the opposite side with respect to the predefined trajectory in order to intercept the products struck by the jet. The screen is inclined so as to define, between its face directed toward the dispenser and a vertical plane that passes through the dispenser, a work angle one and ninety degrees configured for the optimum downward deflection of the products.

A system and method for moving a plurality of eggs from a distal end of a feeder to a proximal end of a conveyor for loading the eggs onto the conveyor. The conveyor comprises a plurality of egg-receiving positions. The distal end of the feeder and the proximal end of the conveyor are aligned such that the plurality of egg-receiving positions accepts the plurality of eggs as the conveyor moves past the distal end of the feeder. A nozzle emitting a stream of fluid is positioned proximal to the distal end of the feeder so that the stream of fluid urges the plurality of eggs toward the distal end of the feeder.

A container-transport machine that selectively ejects container includes a transporter that is movable relative to a base and grippers arranged at the transporter. Each gripper suspends a container that is to be transported. An actuator is arranged at the base so as to be stationary relative to the transporter. The actuator is disposed at an ejection position for participating in selectively ejecting an individual container. A selectively-actuatable air nozzle disposed on the base at the ejection position promotes ejection of a container when an opening lever of a gripper interacts with the actuator while the opening lever passes through an ejection position.

A cross-conveyor sorter with a clearing apparatus for removing misplaced items (Sd) is described, wherein the cross-conveyor sorter has a plurality of carriages which are connected to one another on an endless conveying track, the carriages are provided with a cross-conveyor device, which is oriented transversely to the transportation direction (x) and on which the items (Sp) can be transported and unloaded at predetermined unloading locations. The cross-conveyor sorter clearing apparatus enables the risk-free removal of misplaced items (Sd) during operation. The clearing apparatus is a blow-off device which is arranged on a first side alongside the conveying track.

A sorting conveyor system (46) comprising a main conveyor line (48) intersected by cross conveyors (18) having roller-top conveyor belts (20). The roller-top conveyor belts, which can be driven bidirectionally perpendicular to the conveying direction of the main conveyor line, have article-supporting belt rollers (22) that can rotate freely in the main conveying direction (14). Articles (38) fed from the main conveying line onto the cross conveyor can be sorted to the left or the right by the conveyor belt. Articles destined for sorting downstream pass over the stopped roller-top conveyor belt atop the freely rotatable belt rollers and back onto the main conveyor line. A booster (40), such as a motorized roller (40), between the main conveyor line and the cross conveyor applies a force in the main conveying direction against articles destined to cross the cross conveyor.