Suspension device for linked products

A suspension device for a chain of linked products comprising:

• a link support portion pivotally coupled to a conveyor, the link support portion configured to suspend a portion of the chain of linked products therefrom;
• and
• a lower portion downwardly extending from the link support portion, the lower portion configured to engage a portion of a respective link of the chain upon a pivoting motion of the link support portion about a pivot axis in order to open a respective loop suspended from the link support portion to an unloading orientation for unloading;
• wherein the link support portion comprises:
• a downwardly extending portion pivotally coupled at an upper end to the conveyor;
• and
• a holding portion extending from a portion of the downwardly extending portion, the holding portion adapted to suspend the portion of the chain therefrom,
• wherein at least a portion of the holding portion extends upward from the downwardly extending portion and extends forward relative to a direction of conveyor movement.

An apparatus for forming loops in a chain of linked products comprising:

• a conveyor;
• a set of suspension devices coupled to the conveyor;
• each suspension device comprising:
• a link support portion pivotally coupled to a conveyor, the link support portion being pivotal about a pivot axis, the link support portion configured to suspend therefrom a portion of the chain of linked products, wherein the chain is suspended from the set of suspension devices and conveyed by the conveyor;
• and
• a lower portion downwardly extending from the link support portion;
• and
• a member coupled to a conveyor support structure and configured to engage and laterally pivot the set of suspension devices about the pivot axis into an unloading orientation;
• the lower portion of each suspension device configured to engage a portion of a respective link of the chain upon the pivoting motion of the suspension device about the pivot axis in order to open a respective loop suspended from the link support portion for unloading;
• wherein the link support portion of each suspension device comprises:
• a downwardly extending portion pivotally coupled at an upper end to the conveyor;
• and
• a holding portion extending from a portion of the downwardly extending portion, the holding portion adapted to suspend the portion of the chain therefrom,
• wherein at least a portion of the holding portion of each suspension device extends upward from the downwardly extending portion and extends forward relative to a direction of conveyor movement.

An apparatus for forming loops in a chain of linked products comprising:

• a conveyor;
• a set of suspension devices coupled to the conveyor;
• each suspension device comprising:
• a link support portion pivotally coupled to a conveyor, the link support portion being pivotal about a pivot axis, the link support portion configured to suspend therefrom a portion of the chain of linked products, wherein the chain is suspended from the set of suspension devices and conveyed by the conveyor;
• and
• a lower portion downwardly extending from the link support portion;
• and
• a member coupled to a conveyor support structure and configured to engage and laterally pivot the set of suspension devices about the pivot axis into an unloading orientation;
• the lower portion of each suspension device configured to engage a portion of a respective link of the chain upon the pivoting motion of the suspension device about the pivot axis in order to open a respective loop suspended from the link support portion for unloading;
• wherein the lower portion of each suspension device comprises two downward extending portions spaced apart from each other and adapted to engage the portion of the respective link upon the pivoting motion;
• and
• wherein the lower portion of each suspension device further comprises a bottom portion coupling the two downward extending portions and adapted to engage the portion of the respective link upon the pivoting motion.