Transfer mechanism for use with a food processing system
AssigneeLyco Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorsGlenn W. Stousland, David R. Zittel, Daniel D. Maupin, Steve J. Schultz, Scott K. Weisman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.
Claims9
A food processing system comprising:
- a compartment operable to process a food product;
- and
- a transfer mechanism for transferring food product from the compartment;
- the transfer mechanism including:
- a conduit including
- a first end portion, including an inlet conduit section, wherein food product enters the transfer mechanism through the inlet conduit section, and wherein the inlet conduit section has a round cross-section and a circumference, the first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment, wherein the first end portion of the conduit is configured to be positioned below a fluid level in the compartment,
- a main conduit section, wherein the main conduit section has a round cross-section, and
- a second end portion, wherein the second end portion of the conduit is configured to be positioned above the fluid level in the compartment
- the inlet conduit section having an inlet end in fluid communication with the compartment and an opposite end with an outer surface, and
- the main conduit section having a first end with an inner surface, the opposite end of the inlet conduit section being inserted in the first end of the main conduit section;
- a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, the fluid discharge including a slot at least partially defined between the outer surface of the opposite end of the inlet conduit section and the inner surface of the first end of the main conduit section, wherein the fluid discharge includes a slot at least partially defined between the outer surface of the opposite end of the inlet conduit section and the inner surface of the first end of the main conduit section, the slot extending about the circumference of the opposite end of the inlet conduit section;
- and
- a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge, the pressurized fluid source operable to propel a fluid through the through the slot to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.
A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system, the transfer mec anism comprising:
- a conduit including a first end portion having an inlet conduit section through which food product can enter the mechanism, and the first end portion is configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, the conduit including
- the inlet conduit section having an inlet end in fluid communication with the compartment and an opposite end with an outer surface, the inlet conduit section having a round cross-section and a circumference, and
- a main conduit section having a first end with an inner surface, the main conduit section having a round cross-section, the opposite end of the inlet conduit section being inserted in the first end of the main conduit section;
- a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, the fluid discharge including a slot at least partially defined between the outer surface of the opposite end of the inlet conduit section and the inner surface of the first end of the main conduit section, the slot extending about the circumference of the opposite end of the inlet conduit section;
- and
- a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge, the pressurized fluid source operable to propel a fluid through the slot to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion;
- and
- wherein the first end portion of the conduit is configured to be positioned below the fluid level in the compartment, and wherein the second end portion of the conduit is configured to be positioned above a fluid level in the compartment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.