Tray dispensing apparatus and method
US5207351A · kind A · utility
10Cited by
17References
6Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 1991 |
| Grant date | May 4, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB26D7/30
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A portioning mechanism for supplying a strand of ground meat to a conveyor includes a positive displacement pump supplying a grinder head, which outputs ground meat to the conveyor. The strand of meat on the conveyor has a predetermined cross-section and density, and a portioning system is provided for intermittently separating the ground meat on the conveyor in predetermined lengths, for providing a relatively accurate weight of ground meat portions. A tray supply system positions empty trays at the outlet of the conveyor, and the ground meat portions are deposited onto the trays for subsequent packaging.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.