Automated loaders or winders and related systems, devices and methods
AssigneeConAgra Foods, Inc.
InventorsSarid M. Shefet, Lawrence Alan Chandler, John Michael Phillips, Frank Michael Horvath JR., Richard Rodeheaver Hawkins, Larry Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Automated loaders are configured with winding mechanisms that wind elongated products directly onto transfer members, such as sticks or rods, by causing the arm to follow a repetitive motion pattern above and below the stick or rod to discharge the elongated product in a winding motion onto the stick or rod. Methods for discharging elongated product, such as encased meats, so that they loop directly onto the stick, bar or other desired food support is also described.
Claims58
A method for winding or looping an elongated item onto a stick member, comprising:
- receiving a contiguous length of an elongated product onto an elongated arm, the elongated arm having opposing receiving and releasing end portions;
- moving the elongated arm to cause it to travel repetitively along a first path;
- directing the elongated product to travel forward a desired distance over the elongated arm during the moving step;
- positioning a transfer support member in alignment with the elongated arm during the moving step;
- and then
- translating the transfer support member along a second path that travels adjacent the first path as the elongated product is released from the releasing end portion of the elongated arm thereby winding the elongated product directly onto the transfer support member so that the elongated product is arranged in a looped configuration thereon.
An automated winder for an elongated product, comprising:
- an elongated arm having an associated length and opposing first and second end portions, wherein, in position, said first end portion is adapted to receive an elongated item thereon from an extrusion and/or stuffer device located upstream of the automated winder, and wherein the second end portion is configured to release the elongated item therefrom after the item travels a desired distance over the length of the arm away from the extrusion and/or stuffer device;
- and
- a winding mechanism attached to said elongated arm a distance from said first end portion, said winding mechanism configured to cause said elongated arm to travel repetitively in a desired motion pattern so that, in operation, the winding mechanism causes the arm to release the elongated item in a manner that winds the elongated item about a suitably aligned transfer support member.
An automated winder system, comprising:
- at least one elongated transfer support member having a length and sized and configured to hold a looped arrangement of an elongated product thereon;
- an automated winder configured to be cooperably positioned and aligned with the discharge port of an extrusion/stuffer device configured to discharge-elongated product therefrom, the automated winder comprising;
- an elongated arm having an associated length that is longer than the length of the transfer support member, said elongated arm having opposing first and second end portions, wherein, in position, said first end portion is adapted to receive an elongated item thereon from the extrusion device, wherein said second end portion is configured to release the elongated item therefrom after the item travels greater than a major portion of the length of the arm in a direction that is away from the extrusion/stuffer device, and wherein the arm is positioned in spaced apart cooperating alignment with the transfer support member;
- and
- a winding mechanism attached to said elongated arm, said winding mechanism is configured to cause said elongated arm to travel repetitively in a desired motion so that, in operation, the winding mechanism causes the elongated product to wind about the transfer support member as it is released from the second end portion of the arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.