Vacuum module for tortilla counter-stacker
US6168370A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 17, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 2, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 17, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S414/115
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A counter-stacker (10) for tortillas includes a housing (12), a perforated belt (16) within the housing (12), the perforated belt (16) adapted and arranged to receive incoming tortillas (42) and form vacuum-lifted tortillas (42A). At least one stacker belt (26) is rotatably mounted within the housing (12). A vacuum housing (28) is sealably mounted to the housing (12), the vacuum housing (28) connected to a means of producing vacuum (30). At least one stacker canister (32) is positioned under a rear end of the perforated belt (16). A bottom perforated plate (36A) has a plurality of bottom perforated plate openings (36AA) therethrough positioned within the perforated belt (16). A top perforated plate (36B) is slidably positioned on top of the bottom perforated plate (36A), the top perforated plate (36B) comprising a plurality of complimentary positioned top perforated plate openings (36BA). At least one actuator (38C) is connected to the top perforated plate (36B), such that when the at least one actuator (38C) shifts position of the top perforated plate (36B) and concurrently the plurality of bottom perforated plate openings (36AA) and the plurality of top perforated plate openings …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.