Apparatus and methods for transferring fragile items

A method of vertically transferring whole nuts from a first elevation to a second, lower elevation, the method comprising:

• providing whole nuts to a transfer apparatus having a run extending between an entrance and an exit, and including a plurality of alternatingly arranged conveying panels between the entrance and exit, each conveying panel inclined at approximately 30 degrees to horizontal and having a predefined width;
• wherein 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 method of making an apparatus for vertically transferring whole nuts from a first elevation to a second, lower elevation, the method comprising:

• forming a run comprising an entrance, an exit, and a plurality of alternatingly arranged conveying panels between the entrance and exit, each conveying panel inclined at approximately 30 degrees to horizontal and having a predefined width;
• wherein the predefined width of the conveying panels is selected based on a predetermined mass flow rate of nuts through the run 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.