Multi-layer frankfurter loading system and method

A system for loading food items in multiple layers comprising:

• a staging device for sequentially collecting food items into a plurality of groups, each of said groups having a plurality of food items, and for displacing said plurality of groups substantially downwardly;
• an accumulating and storage device for receiving said groups substantially simultaneously from said staging device, thereby sequentially forming successive layers of groups of said food items in an accumulating and storage area, and for displacing a predetermined number of received layers of said groups downward substantially simultaneously;
• and
• a packing device for receiving said predetermined number of received layers of said groups from said accumulating and storage device in a packing area.

A method of loading food items in multiple layers comprising the steps of:

• collecting food items in a first plurality of groups, each of said groups having a plurality of food items, in a staging area;
• displacing said first plurality of groups by allowing said first plurality of groups to fall by gravity substantially simultaneously downwardly into an accumulating and storage area, thereby forming a plurality of first layer groups of said food items therein;
• collecting in said staging area a second plurality of said groups of food items, each of said second plurality of said groups having a plurality of food items;
• displacing said second plurality of groups by allowing said second plurality of groups to fall by gravity substantially simultaneously downwardly into said accumulating and storage area such that said second plurality of groups forms a plurality of second layer groups of said food items superposed to said plurality of first layer groups of said food items, thereby forming a plurality of two layer-groups of food items;
• and
• displacing substantially simultaneously said plurality of two-layer groups of food items downwardly by gravity into a receptacle in a packing area.

A method of loading food items in multiple layers comprising the steps of:

• collecting food items in a first plurality of groups, each of said groups having a plurality of food items, in a staging area;
• displacing said first plurality of groups by allowing said first plurality of groups to fall by gravity substantially simultaneously downwardly into an accumulating and storage area, thereby forming a plurality of first layer groups of said food items therein;
• collecting in said staging area a second plurality of said groups of food items, each of said second plurality of said groups having a plurality of food items;
• displacing said second plurality of groups by allowing said second plurality of groups to fall by gravity substantially simultaneously downwardly into said accumulating and storage area such that said second plurality of groups forms a plurality of second layer groups of said food items superposed to said plurality of first layer groups of said food items, thereby forming a plurality of two layer-groups of food items;
• and
• displacing substantially simultaneously said plurality of two-layer groups of food items downwardly by gravity into a receptacle in a packing area and substantially simultaneously performing a subsequent step of collecting food items in a first plurality of groups, each of said groups having a plurality of food items, in said staging area.

A system for loading food items in multiple layers comprising:

• a staging device for sequentially collecting food items into a plurality of groups, each of said groups having a plurality of food items, said staging device including a lug chain drive having lugs spaced to form said groups therebetween, and for allowing said plurality of groups to fall substantially downwardly by gravity;
• an accumulating and storage device for receiving said groups substantially simultaneously from said staging device, thereby sequentially forming successive layers of groups of said food items in an accumulating and storage area, and for allowing a predetermined number of said received layers of said groups to fall downwardly substantially simultaneously by gravity;
• and
• a packing device for receiving in receptacles said predetermined number of received layers of said groups from said accumulating and storage device in a packing area.

A system for loading food items in multiple layers comprising:

• a staging device for sequentially collecting food items into a plurality of groups, each of said groups having a plurality of food items, said staging device including a lug chain drive having lugs spaced to form said groups therebetween, and for allowing said plurality of groups to fall substantially downwardly by gravity;
• an accumulating and storage device for receiving said groups substantially simultaneously from said staging device, thereby sequentially forming successive layers of groups of said food items in an accumulating and storage area, and for allowing a predetermined number of said received layers of said groups to fall downwardly substantially simultaneously by gravity, said accumulating and storage area including a plurality of dividers positioned to direct said groups and maintain said groups intact and aligned as said groups fall from said staging area;
• and
• a packing device for receiving in receptacles said predetermined number of received layers of said groups from said accumulating and storage device in a packing area.

A system for loading food items in multiple layers comprising:

• a staging device for sequentially collecting food items into a plurality of groups, each of said groups having a plurality of food items, said staging device including a lug chain drive having lugs spaced to form said groups therebetween, and for allowing said plurality of groups to fall substantially downwardly by gravity;
• an accumulating and storage device for receiving said groups substantially simultaneously from said staging device, thereby sequentially forming successive layers of groups of said food items in an accumulating and storage area, and for allowing a predetermined number of said received layers of said groups to fall downwardly substantially simultaneously by gravity, said accumulating and storage area including a plurality of dividers positioned to direct said groups and maintain said groups intact and aligned as said groups fall from said staging area, said accumulating and storage device including a pair of laterally reciprocating rods, whereby said rods support said groups thereon and displace sidewardly to allow said groups to fall downwardly by gravity;
• and
• a packing device for receiving in receptacles said predetermined number of received layers of said groups from said accumulating and storage device in a packing area.

A system for loading food items in multiple layers comprising:

• a staging device for sequentially collecting food items into a plurality of groups, each of said groups having a plurality of food items, said staging device including a lug chain drive having lugs spaced to form said groups therebetween, and for allowing said plurality of groups to fall substantially downwardly by gravity, said staging device including a pair of laterally reciprocating rods, whereby said rods support said groups thereon and displace sidewardly to allow said groups to fall downwardly by gravity to said accumulating and storage area;
• an accumulating and storage device for receiving said groups substantially simultaneously from said staging device, thereby sequentially forming successive layers of groups of said food items in an accumulating and storage area, and for allowing a predetermined number of said received layers of said groups to fall downwardly substantially simultaneously by gravity, said accumulating and storage area including a plurality of dividers positioned to direct said groups and maintain said groups intact and aligned as said groups fall from said staging area;
• and
• a packing device for receiving in receptacles said predetermined number of received layers of said groups from said accumulating and storage device in a packing area.

A system for loading food items in multiple layers comprising:

• a staging device for sequentially collecting food items into a plurality of groups, each of said groups having a plurality of food items, said staging device including a lug chain drive having lugs spaced to form said groups therebetween, and for allowing said plurality of groups to fall substantially downwardly by gravity;
• an accumulating and storage device for receiving said groups substantially simultaneously from said staging device, thereby sequentially forming successive layers of groups of said food items in an accumulating and storage area, and for allowing a predetermined number of said received layers of said groups to fall downwardly substantially simultaneously by gravity;
• and
• a packing device for receiving in receptacles said predetermined number of received layers of said groups from said accumulating and storage device in a packing area, said packing device including a pair of rotatable tucking flaps positioned between said accumulating and storage area and said packing area, said tucking flaps being shaped to rotate downwardly into said packing area to ensure that said predetermined number of received layers of said groups fall into said cavities in proper alignment.