Automated laterally offset retractable food dislodgement or guiding mechanisms and associated methods and systems
AssigneeConAgra Foods, Inc.
InventorsSarid M. Shefet, Lawrence Alan Chandler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Commercial production transport systems, mechanisms, and guides for food processing are configured so as to automate food handling and/or transport. The systems employ fingers that can be inserted to gap spaces in a carrier surface so as to dislodge, guide and/or route food to travel over predetermined travel lanes. Associated methods can angularly translate food being transported in an automated food processing system in a longitudinally offset direction.
Claims38
A method for routing, dislodging or guiding food in a food processing system, comprising:
- advancing at least one food item on a carrier surface having a plurality of laterally extending recesses with associated lengths, widths, and depths formed therein, the at least one food item positioned so that it overlies a portion of at least one of the plurality of laterally extending recesses;
- inserting a laterally extending arm member into at least one of the recesses under the at least one food item;
- and
- moving the arm member so that it travels in a predetermined direction having horizontal and/or vertical components relative to the laterally extending recess to dislodge the at least one food item.
A method for routing or guiding food in a food processing system, comprising:
- advancing at least one food item on a carrier floor in a first travel direction, the carrier surface having at least one recess with associated length and width formed therein, the at least one food item positioned so that it overlies a portion of the at least one recess;
- positioning a food diverter having a forwardly extending finger so that it engages the carrier floor and allows the finger to enter into the recess under the at least one food item;
- and
- routing the at least one food item so that it departs from the first travel direction to an angularly offset second travel direction responsive to the positioning step.
A system for processing food, comprising:
- means for advancing at least one food item on a carrier surface having a plurality of laterally extending recesses with associated lengths and widths formed therein, the at least one food item positioned so that it overlies a portion of at least one of the plurality of laterally extending recesses;
- means for directing an outwardly extending arm member to engage the carrier surface so that the arm member enters into at least one of the recesses at a first side portion in the carrier surface under the at least one food item;
- and
- means for moving the arm member so that it travels a distance along a desired length in the laterally extending recess and dislodges the at least one, food item off of the carrier surface.
A system for routing or guiding food in a food processing system, comprising:
- means for advancing at least one food item on a carrier surface in a first travel direction, the carrier surface having at least one recess with associated length and width formed therein, the at least one food item positioned so that it overlies a portion of the at least one recess;
- means for positioning a food diverter with a moveable arm member so that the arm member enters into the recess under the at least one food item;
- and
- means for routing the at least one food item so that it departs from the first travel direction to an angularly offset second travel direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.