Vacuum transfer apparatus and process
US6413020B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G53/66
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for vacuum transferring food product having a hopper for retaining food product, the hopper including a discharge port; a vacuum chamber having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is coupled to the hopper at the hopper's discharge port; a vacuum source for inducing a vacuum pressure between the hopper and the vacuum chamber so as to cause food product retained by the hopper to be drawn into the vacuum chamber though the inlet; a first timing circuit for controlling the length of time that the vacuum pressure is to be applied between the hopper and the vacuum chamber; and a second timing circuit for controlling the rate at which the food product is dispensed from the outlet. The first timing circuit may be adjusted to increase or decrease the length of time that the vacuum pressure is drawn though the apparatus, and the second timing circuit may be adjusted to increase or decrease the frequency of the opening of the outlet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.