John Bean Technologies Corporation

Fmc Corporation

Clint P Arrington

Kent A Tabor

Robert R Goetz

D Frank Kelsey

Kent Tabor

Robert Goetz

A printer assembly () for applying labels () on produce P being transported on a conveyance system (). The printer assembly receives labels () mounted on a substrate tape () from a label supply () and prints content on the labels pertaining to the produce being transported. An accumulator (), together with the printer (), are mounted on a chassis (). The accumulator receives labels from the printer, temporarily stores a variable number of the printed labels and supplies the stored labels as needed to an applicator (). The applicator removes the labels from the substrate tape and applies the labels on the produce as the produce is being transported by the conveyance system. The accumulator accommodates the difference in the operational speeds of the printer relative to the applicator.

Produce label printer and applicator

A produce bin washer for washing produce bins of an open-box type may include a housing and a conveyor for advancing a plurality of empty produce bins along a path of travel through the housing. The produce bin washer may include at least one scrubbing brush within the housing adjacent the conveyor and along the path of travel. The produce bin washer may also include a positioner within the housing for sequentially lifting and rotating each empty produce bin from the conveyor onto the at least one scrubbing brush to scrub the interior, and returning the empty produce bin to the conveyor. A sprayer may be within the housing for spraying a cleaning solution onto the empty produce bins, and a collector may also be within the housing for collecting sprayed cleaning solution.

Produce bin scrubber and related methods

A labeling apparatus is for applying labels to articles advanced along an article conveyor. The labeling apparatus may include a frame to be positioned adjacent the article conveyor, and a labeler carried by the frame. The labeler may include a housing, and a label supply carried by the housing and having a label strip being separable along a longitudinal centerline, and labels carried by the label strip. The labeler may also include a separation notch member carried by the housing for separating the label strip into separated strip portions as it is advanced thereover, a rotary bellows wheel carried by the housing, and bellows carried by the rotary bellows wheel to pick up labels from the separation notch member and to place the labels on the articles advanced along the article conveyor. The labeler may also include a pay-out motor adjacent the label supply to pay out the label strip therefrom, and a take-up motor downstream from the separation notch member to take up the separated strip portions.

Labeling apparatus with pay-out and take-up stepper motors and related methods

A labeling apparatus is for applying labels to articles advanced along an article conveyor. The labeling apparatus may include a frame to be positioned adjacent the article conveyor, and a labeler carried by the frame. The labeler may include a housing, a rotary bellows wheel carried by the housing, and bellows carried by the rotary bellows wheel. The rotary bellows wheel and adjacent portions of the housing may define a porting arrangement for selectively connecting the rotary bellows wheel to a fluid flow to selectively control internal fluid pressure for the bellows so that each bellows is movable between a retracted label pick-up position and an extended label-applying position and so that a peak negative internal fluid pressure is applied at the label pick-up position and a peak positive internal fluid pressure is applied at the label-applying position.

Labeling apparatus having porting arrangement and related methods

A labeling apparatus is for applying labels to articles advanced along an article conveyor. The labeling apparatus may include a frame to be positioned adjacent the article conveyor, and a labeler carried by the frame. The labeler may include a housing having a sidewall, a shaft extending outwardly from the sidewall, a rotary bellows wheel carried by the shaft, and bellows carried by the rotary bellows wheel. The rotary bellows wheel and adjacent portions of the housing may define a porting arrangement for selectively connecting the bellows wheel to a fluid flow to selectively control internal fluid pressure for the bellows so that each bellows is movable/between, a retracted label pick-up position and an extended label-applying position.

Labeling apparatus with sidewall shaft and related methods

A labeling apparatus is for applying labels to articles advanced along an article conveyor. The labeling apparatus may include a frame to be positioned adjacent the article conveyor, and a labeler carried by the frame. The labeler may include a housing, a rotary bellows wheel carried by the housing, bellows carried by the rotary bellows wheel and a fluid pump within the housing and connected in fluid communication with the rotary bellows wheel to provide a fluid flow for the bellows so that each bellows is movable between a retracted position and an extended label-applying position.

Labeling apparatus with housing having fluid pump and related methods

A method of operating a drenching apparatus for drenching fruit and vegetables with an aqueous chemical solution having a pit for holding a large volume of the solution, a drench pump for drawing the solution from the pit and discharging it into manifolds equipped with nozzles for drenching the fruit, recovery apparatus for returning excess solution to the pit which is a holding tank for holding a volume of the solution; a heater, including a heater pump, connected to the holding tank and arranged to maintain the temperature of the solution therein; a re-circulation pump connected to draw solution from the pit and direct it to a heater with a conduit connecting said holding tank to said pit. The volume of the holding tank being sufficient to assure that portions of the solution are maintained at said temperature for a time to eradicate pathogens.

Method of operating a drenching apparatus

An improved drench apparatus for drenching fruit and vegetables with an aqueous chemical solution having a pit for holding a large volume of said solution, drench pump for drawing solution from the pit and discharging it into manifolds equipped with nozzles for drenching the fruit, a recovery system for returning excess solution to the pit; comprising a holding tank for holding a volume of said solution; a heater, including a heater pump, connected to said holding tank and arranged to maintain the temperature of the solution therein; a re-circulation pump connected to draw solution from said pit and direct it to said heater with a conduit connecting said holding tank to said pit. The volume of said holding tank being sufficient to assure portions of the solution are maintained at said temperature for a time to eradicate pathogens.

Growing community of inventors

Lakeland, FL, United States of America

Clint P Arrington