Taco shell nesting apparatus and method

An apparatus for aligning a nested group of taco shells, the apparatus comprising:

• means for holding a nested group of taco shells;
• a pair of opposed vertical surfaces forming two sides of the holding means and adapted to converge towards each other to align the nested group of taco shells;
• and
• a structure located above the holding means and adapted to limit the vertical travel of the nested group of taco shells as aligning occurs.

An assembly for folding an insert for placement within the opening of a taco shell, nesting individual taco shells to form a nested group of taco shells, and aligning the nested group of taco shells comprising:

• a first apparatus for folding the insert for placement within the opening of a taco shell including:
• a frame;
• at least one belt for supporting the taco shell and transporting the taco shell by the frame;
• a first pivot shaft rotatably connected to a frame, said first pivot shaft defining a first rotational axis;
• a second pivot shaft rotatably connected to the frame, said second pivot shaft defining a second rotational axis which is distinct from the first rotational axis;
• a first lever arm substantially perpendicularly connected to the first pivot shaft;
• a second lever arm substantially perpendicularly connected to the second pivot shaft;
• a first folder finger connected to and extending substantially perpendicularly from the first pivot shaft and adapted to engage the insert for folding a first portion of the insert, said first folder finger being rotatable about the first rotational axis;
• and a second folder finger connected to and extending substantially perpendicularly from the second pivot shaft and adapted to engage the insert for folding a second portion of the insert, said second folder finger being rotatable about the second rotational axis;
• a second apparatus for nesting the individual taco shells to form the nested group of taco shells including:
• means for transporting taco shells at multiple, varying operational speeds to a taco shell nesting station;
• and a first sensor adapted to detect the passage of taco shells traveling to the nesting station, wherein the transporting means shifts between the multiple, varying operational speeds when the passage of a predetermined number of taco shells has been detected by the first sensor;
• and
• a third apparatus for aligning the nested group of taco shells including:
• means for holding a nested group of taco shells;
• a pair of opposed vertical surfaces forming two sides of the holding means and adapted to converge towards each other to align the nested group of taco shells;
• and a structure located above the holding means and adapted to limit the vertical travel of the nested group of taco shells as aligning occurs.