Transfer device metering apparatus and methods

Apparatus for metering products comprising, in combination:

• a first product conveyance mechanism conveying product in a continuous stream in a conveying direction;
• an output spaced from the first product conveyance mechanism in the conveying direction;
• a first platform for supporting product, with the first platform movable between a loading position adjacent to the first product conveyance mechanism and a transfer position adjacent to the output, with the first platform in the loading position receiving product in the continuous stream from the first conveyance mechanism, with the first platform moving from the loading position to the transfer position at a speed greater than the first product conveyance mechanism after product of the continuous stream has moved onto the first platform creating a gap between the product supported on the first platform and the product remaining in the continuous stream on the first product conveyance mechanism, with the product supported on the first platform in the transfer position being transferred onto the output;
• and
• a second platform movable in the closed path between the loading position and the transfer position, with the second platform initially moving at a speed in the conveying direction less than the first platform when the first platform with the product thereon is accelerated, with the second platform in the loading position receiving the product remaining in the continuous stream after the first platform with the product thereon is accelerated, with the second platform moving from the loading position to the transfer position at a speed greater than the first product conveyance mechanism after product of the continuous stream has moved onto the second platform creating a gap between the product supported on the second platform and the product remaining in the continuous stream on the first product conveyance mechanism, with the product supported on the second platform in the transfer position being transferred onto the output.

Apparatus for metering products comprising, in combination:

• a first product conveyance mechanism conveying product in a continuous stream in a conveying direction;
• an output spaced from the first product conveyance mechanism in the conveying direction;
• a first platform for supporting product, with the first platform movable between a loading position adjacent to the first product conveyance mechanism and a transfer position adjacent to the output, with the first platform in the loading position receiving product in the continuous stream from the first conveyance mechanism, with the first platform moving from the loading position to the transfer position at a speed greater than the first product conveyance mechanism after product of the continuous stream has moved onto the first platform creating a gap between the product supported on the first platform and the product remaining in the continuous stream on the first product conveyance mechanism, with the product supported on the first platform in the transfer position being transferred onto the output;
• a bearing surface moving in a closed path, with the first platform being supported by and moving together with the bearing surface in the closed path, with the closed path including arcuate portions, and with the first platform formed of material with a flexibility to conform to and follow the arcuate portions of the closed path;
• a length-adjustable flexible sheet having an end extending around an upstream portion of the closed path, with the length-adjustable flexible sheet controlling a point where the continuous stream of product from the first product conveyance mechanism comes in contact with the first platform;
• and
• a transfer plate extending between the upstream portion of the closed path and a downstream portion of the first product conveyance mechanism, and with the first product conveyance mechanism moving the product in the continuous stream across the transfer plate and the end of the length-adjustable flexible sheet onto the first platform.