Method and apparatus for volumetric metering and depositing

A method of transporting and depositing a metered volume of food product into a container, the method comprising:

• transporting a plurality of food products in a downstream direction at a discharge speed;
• spreading the plurality of food products during the step of transporting the plurality of food products;
• transferring the plurality of food products into at least one closed receiving receptacle, while the receptacle is traveling at a receptacle speed from a first, upstream position toward a second, downstream position;
• aligning one or more containers below the at least one receiving receptacle in the second downstream position;
• opening the at least one receiving receptacle while the receptacle is in the second, downstream position to transfer the food products from the at least one receiving receptacle to the one or more containers;
• and
• wherein the step of transporting a plurality of food products includes using a discharge conveyor, and further comprising pausing the discharge conveyor when the receptacle is in the second position and until the receptacle returns to the first position.