Apparatus and method for loading food articles
US8011494B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 3, 2010 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/5127
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A loading head for use with food articles has a main conveyor adapted to convey a plurality of food articles, an indexing conveyor positioned beneath the main conveyor, and a transfer member positioned between the main conveyor and the indexing conveyor. The transfer member is adapted to transfer each food article from the main conveyor to the indexing conveyor. A buffering mechanism is adapted to move the transfer member between a first position and a variable second position. A pusher mechanism is associated with the indexing conveyor to raise and lower gates from an open position permitting food article transfer to a closed position prohibiting food article transfer. The pusher mechanism includes a cam operably associated with the gates to open and close the gates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.