Apparatus for counting and stacking tortillas
US5601397A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2207/14
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus having a series of conveyor belts for flattening and stacking a plurality of flexible, generally planar articles, such as tortillas. The apparatus includes a first conveyor belt extending along first end, upper, second end and lower surfaces of a belt support. The conveyor belt is adapted to move the planar articles placed on the upper surface of the belt support from the first end to the second end. A second conveyor belt is biased against the first belt at the second end of the belt support for applying compressive and lateral forces to the planar articles as they are moved along the second end of the belt support. A third conveyor belt is located beneath the first and second conveyor belts for receiving the planar articles from the first belt, forming stacks of them, and then discharging the stacked planar articles. Motor assemblies drive the first, second, and third conveyor belts.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.