Inventors:
Gerald Ewer - Fairfield CA
Arnold Agre - Evergreen CO
International Classification:
B65B 2506
B65B 3540
B65B 5714
B65G 2508
Abstract:
Apparatus is disclosed for simultaneously transferring a plurality of stacks of sliced or bulk food product from a holding station, such as the output of a slicing and stacking machine, to a receiving station, or the like, for loading and packaging of the food product. The device includes a rapidly and continuously operating accumulating conveyor for transferring a plurality of stacks from the holding station to a transfer station, and a shuttle-like, product-engaging member mounted proximate the transfer station for rapid, reciprocating movement transverse to the conveyor for transferring the plurality of stacks from the transfer station to a loading station. The product-engaging member has a plurality of concave portions, each formed to receive one stack of the plurality of stacks of product. A stop is positioned at the transfer station for releasably detaining a first stack in approximate alignment with a first of the concave portions, and switchs are disposed at the transfer station to sense the presence of a plurality of stacks and to actuate the transverse movement of the product-engaging member. At the loading station a combination of support tines or fingers and knife edges hold the food product level over openings for loading of the product into packages at the receiving station.