Patent Application
20230345977
The disclosure relates to methods, systems, and devices for cooling and equilibrating products on a conveyor system.
After food products are removed from an oven, the food products often undergo a series of cooling or equilibrating procedures to reduce the food product temperature before it can be packaged or undergo further processes. Current methods of cooling food products involve placing the food products on a series of conveyor belts. Often, the products must be elevated using a separate inclined conveyor belt to reach the first cooling conveyor belt system.
Various systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for providing cooling and equilibration to food products using a single conveyor system. The systems, methods, and devices of the disclosure each have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes disclosed herein.
Many conveyor systems for cooling use a series of conveyor systems including a stacked conveyor system and a separate inclined conveyor belt or “boom”. The boom elevates food product to a height greater than the top belt of the stacked conveyor system and a transfer member is used to transfer the food product from the boom to the stacked conveyor system. However, transferring food product between the boom and stacked conveyor system can result in food waste during the transfer process. Additionally, the multiple systems take up a significant amount of space in a manufacturing facility because they must be spaced a distance from each other to utilize the transfer member and because the area under the boom is wasted space (e.g., does not provide cooling benefits).
Combining the boom and the stacked conveyor system such that a top conveyor belt spans both the inclined portion of the boom and the horizontal portion of the stacked conveyor system can provided improved space management, improved cooling, and reduce the risk of wasted food product. Because top conveyor belt spans both the inclined portion and the horizontal portion, there is no need for a transfer member between the inclined portion and the horizontal portion, reducing the risk of wasted food product associated with transfers between systems. Additionally, no gap is present between the inclined portion and the horizontal portion, reducing the space required by the system. Further, the lower layers of the stacked conveyor system can extend beneath the inclined portion, utilizing the otherwise wasted space beneath the inclined portion.
Thus, in accordance with some embodiments, a conveyor system can comprise a support frame comprising a first side member and a second side member. The first side member and the second side member can be supported by the plurality of legs. The first and second side members can include an inclined section and a horizontal section. The conveyor system can include one or more conveyor portions driven by one or more motors. For example, the conveyor system can include a top conveyor portion extending along the inclined section and the horizontal section. The top conveyor portion can include a top conveyor belt supported by a top return roller. The top return roller can extend between the first side member and the second side member. The top conveyor portion can be driven by a top motor. The conveyor system can include a middle conveyor portion positioned below the top conveyor portion. The middle conveyor portion can include a middle conveyor belt supported by a middle return roller. The middle return roller can extend between the first side member and the second side member. The middle conveyor portion can be driven by a middle motor. The conveyor system can include a bottom conveyor portion positioned below the middle conveyor portion. The bottom conveyor portion can include a bottom conveyor belt supported by a bottom return roller. The bottom return roller can extend between the first side member and the second side member. The bottom conveyor portion can be driven by a bottom motor. The conveyor systems can include one or more conveyor belts that are configured to travel in different directions. For example, the top conveyor belt and the bottom conveyor belt can be configured to travel in a first direction and the middle conveyor belt can be configured to travel in a second direction, the first direction opposite the second direction.
The conveyor systems described herein can transfer food product between different conveyor belts. For example, the conveyor system can include a first transfer member configured to transport food product from the top conveyor belt to the middle conveyor belt. The conveyor system can include a second transfer member configured to transport food product from the middle conveyor belt to the bottom conveyor belt. At least one of the transfer members can optionally reject food product from the conveyor system. For example, any of the transfer members can be configured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration, the second transfer member is configured to transport food product between conveyor belts, and wherein in the second configuration, the second transfer member is configured to allow food product to be rejected from the conveyor system. In some examples, a transfer motor is configured to move the second transfer member from the first configuration to the second configuration.
The speed of the one or more conveyor belts can be controlled. The conveyor belts may travel at the same or different speeds. For example, the top conveyor belt can be configured to travel at a first speed, the middle conveyor belt can be configured to travel at a second speed, and the bottom conveyor belt can be configured to travel at a third speed in use. For example, the second speed can be greater than the first speed and the third speed can be greater than the second speed. At least one of the first side member and the second side member can include one or more side openings. The conveyor belts can comprise any suitable structure. For example, the top conveyor belt, the middle conveyor belt, and the bottom conveyor belt can comprise a mesh structure with a plurality of openings. The speed of at least one of the motors, for example, the top motor, the middle motor, or the bottom motor can be configured to run at variable speeds. The lower conveyor portions can extend underneath an inclined portion of the top conveyor portion. For example, at least one of the middle conveyor portion or the bottom conveyor portion can extend below an inclined portion of the top conveyor portion. The conveyor system described herein can include additional conveyor portions positioned between the top conveyor portion and the bottom conveyor portion. For example, the conveyor system can comprise a plurality of conveyor portions positioned below the middle conveyor portion. Each conveyor portion of the plurality of conveyor portions can comprise a conveyor belt that can be supported by a return roller extending between the first side member and the second side member.
In additional embodiments, a conveyor system can comprise a first side member and a second side member. The first and second side members can be supported by a plurality of leg. The first and second side members can include an inclined section and a horizontal section. The conveyor system can include one or more conveyor portions driven by one or more motors. For example, the conveyor system can include a first conveyor portion that includes a first conveyor belt supported by a first return roller. The first return roller can extend between the first side member and the second side member. The first conveyor portion can be driven by a first motor assembly. The conveyor system can include a second conveyor portion positioned below the first conveyor portion. The second conveyor portion can include a second conveyor belt supported by a second return roller. The second return roller can extend between the first side member and the second side member. The second conveyor portion can be driven by a second motor assembly, where the second motor assembly can extend between the first side member and the second side member in the inclined section. In this arrangement, a portion of the second conveyor belt extends into the inclined section. The conveyor system can include a third conveyor portion positioned below the second conveyor portion. The third conveyor portion can include a third conveyor belt, which can be supported by a third return roller. The third return roller can extend between the first side member and the second side member. The third conveyor portion can be driven by a third motor assembly, where the third motor assembly can extend between the first side member and the second side member in the inclined section. In this arrangement, a portion of the third conveyor belt extends into the inclined section.
The conveyor system described herein can include one or more conveyor belts that are configured to travel in different directions. For example, the first conveyor belt and the third conveyor belt are configured to travel in a first direction and the second conveyor belt is configured to travel in a second direction, the first direction opposite the second direction. In some examples, at least one of the first side member and the second side member includes one or more side openings. The conveyor system described herein can transfer food product between different conveyor belts. For example, the conveyor system can include one or more transfer members, such as a first transfer member and a second transfer member. The first transfer member can be configured to transport food product from the first conveyor belt to the second conveyor belt and the second transfer member can be configured to transport food product from the second conveyor belt to the third conveyor belt.
In yet additional embodiments, a conveyor system can comprise a support frame comprising a first side member and a second side member. The first side member and the second side member can be supported by the plurality of legs. The first side member and/or the second side member can include one or more side openings. The conveyor system can include a plurality of conveyor portions. For example, the conveyor system can include a first conveyor portion that includes a first conveyor belt. The first conveyor belt can extend between a first return roller and a first motor assembly. The first return roller and the first motor assembly can extend between the first side member and the second side member. The conveyor system can include second conveyor portion that includes a second conveyor belt. The second conveyor belt can extend between a second return roller and a second motor assembly. The second return roller and the second motor assembly can extend between the first side member and the second side member. The conveyor system can include a third conveyor portion that includes a third conveyor belt. The third conveyor belt can extend between a third return roller and a third motor assembly. The third return roller and the third motor assembly can extend between the first side member and the second side member. The conveyor system can transfer food product between the different conveyor belts. For example, the conveyor system can include a transfer member that can extend between the first side member and the second side member. The transfer member can rotate between different configurations. For example, the transfer member can be configured to transfer food product from the second conveyor belt to the third conveyor belt when in a closed configuration and the transfer member can be configured to rotate to an open configuration. In the open configuration, food product is ejected from the conveyor system.
The conveyor systems described herein can include one or more conveyor belts that are configured to travel in different directions. For example, the first conveyor belt and the third conveyor belt are configured to travel in a first direction and the second conveyor belt is configured to travel in a second direction, where the first direction is opposite the second direction. The conveyor system can include a transfer motor, that can be configured to move the transfer member from the closed configuration to the open configuration and vice-versa.
Various embodiments are depicted in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes and should in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the embodiments. Furthermore, various features of different disclosed embodiments can be combined to form additional embodiments, which are part of this disclosure.
Various embodiments and aspects of the inventions will be described with reference to details discussed below, and the accompanying drawings will illustrate the various embodiments. The following description and drawings are illustrative of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to provide a concise discussion of embodiments of the present inventions.
Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “another embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.
Although the various embodiments disclosed herein may have specific relevance to food product production, the features, advantages, and other characteristics disclosed herein may have direct or indirect applicability to other applications, such as, for example, in other manufacturing applications that require cooling product, other mechanical devices, and/or the like.
During the production of products, such as, for example, food products, there is often a baking process prior to packaging or further processing. Following the baking process, the products generally must be cooled or equilibrated before they can be packaged or further processed. Cooling, as the term is used herein, may refer to the overall reduction in temperature of a product. Equilibration, as the term is used herein, may refer to the temperature stabilization of a product, desirability resulting in even temperature and/or moisture distribution of a food product. Generally, throughout the disclosure, the terms “cooling” and “equilibrating” may be used interchangeability, as the systems disclosed herein may be capable of performing both product cooling and product equilibration. For example, a product may exit an oven at a temperature of, for example, 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and may need to be cooled to a temperature of, for example, 100, 80, 60, and/or the like degrees Fahrenheit before it can be packaged. It is recognized that the foregoing temperatures are given as examples only and products exiting an oven may start at any normal temperature and be cooled to any desired temperature using the systems disclosed herein. One method of cooling products is to place the products on a conveyor system involving one or more conveyor belts and allow the products to gradually cool during their travel on the system. Sometimes, the cooling system may be in a room with a cooling system, such as, for example, a refrigerated room, or there may be a series of fans around the cooling system to accelerate the cooling process.
In order to maximize floor space in, for example, a production facility, stacked conveyor systems may be used for cooling. Because the products often exit an oven near floor level, the products must be raised using, for example, an inclined conveyor belt, to reach the top conveyor belt in the conveyor series. The space under the incline conveyor is generally considered wasted space and is not maximized for the cooling process. Depending on the scale of the cooling system, the wasted space can be detrimental to maximizing production facility resources. For example, if a conveyor system used for cooling is between, for example, 100 to 140 feet long, the system may require an incline conveyor of, for example, 20 to 30 feet. This space could be put to better use.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the transfer devices 132 may be removable from the conveyor system 100. In some embodiments, the transfer devices 132 may be rotatable such that an operator could rotate the transfer device to gain better access to the belts 110 and/or the products on the belts 110. The transfer devices 132 may include a lever or other device to facilitate rotation. Rotatable or removable transfer devices 132 may provide the advantage on enabling easier access to the conveyor system 100 to fix or mitigate problems that arise, such as, for example, a stuck or jammed product. An additional advantage may be to facilitate easier cleaning of the transfer devices 132 and/or the conveyor system 100.
In some embodiments, the conveyor belts 110 in the conveyor system 100 may be generally rectangular. In some embodiments, individual motors 134 may be used for each conveyor belt 110 in the conveyor system 100. For example, the individual motors may be coupled to the frame 101 at one end of each conveyor belt 110. Each motor 134 may comprise a drive shaft (not shown) configured to drive each conveyor belt 110. For example, the top conveyor belt 106 may be driven by a first motor 134A (see e.g.,
As shown in
Compared to traditional cooling systems, the conveyor system 100 may provide additional benefits as a result of the system being more open (e.g., including openings 136 in the sides 138). Additionally, the conveyor system 100 may be produced at a reduced cost if individual motors 134 are used rather than traditional serpentine motor drive systems. Individual motors 134 may provide an additional benefit of allowing each belt in the tiered system 110 to operate at a different speed. For example, the top conveyor belt 106 may operate at a first speed, the second conveyor belt 112 may operate at a second speed, the third conveyor belt 114 may operate at a third speed, and/or the like. Speed control may provide additional cooling benefits to the conveyor system 100. Additionally, because each tier 110 may be controlled by its own motor 134, the direction of travel may be changeable for each tier. For example, the conveyor system 100 may allow one of more tiers 110 to change direction using, for example, a control system, such that one or more tiers 110 may be able to operate in both directions of travel. Multi-directional tiers 110 may provide an advantage of, for example, allowing the system to reverse and/or reject certain products.
In some embodiments, the conveyor belts 110 in the conveyor system 100 may be generally horizontal or parallel to ground level. In other embodiments, one or move tiers 110 in the conveyor system 100 may be at an angle relative to the ground 110. In some embodiments, there may be more than one incline conveyor belts (similar to the inclined portion 102 of the top conveyor belt 106) such as, for example, where a product is raised multiple times during the cooling process. Individual motors 134 may provide the benefit of allowing some tiers 110 to have angles that are different than the other tiers 110. In some embodiments, the inclined portion 102 and the horizontal portion 104 of the top conveyor belt 106 may be separate conveyor belts driven by separate motors 134. In other embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated in
The conveyor system 200 further comprises a front end 210 and a back end 212. The front end 210 may be considered the proximal end such that the back end 212 is distal to the front end 210. In normal operations, food product enters the conveyor system 200 via the front end 210, travels along the plurality of conveyor portions 300 until reaching the back end 212. Food entering the conveyor system 200 via the front end 210 is generally received from an oven discharge and is traveling along the conveyor portions 300 to be cooled or equalized. Once the food product reaches the back end 212, the food product may be discharged for further processing or packaging.
The conveyor system 200 may be supported by a plurality of legs 214. The plurality of legs 214 may be connected to the support frame 201. For example, the first side member 202 and the second side member 204 may each be coupled to a plurality of legs 214. As shown in
The support frame 201 may comprise any suitable material for supporting the conveyor system 200. In some examples, the support frame 201 comprises sheet metal. For example, the support frame 201 may comprise one or more of carbon steel, aluminum profile, stainless steel, negative steel, channel steel, and/or the like. In some examples, the support frame 201 may be formed by coupling multiple sheets of metal together. For example, the support frame 201 may include screw joints, rivet joint, clinching joints, welding joints, folding joints, sheet metal joints, adhesive bonding, and/or the like. In some examples, the support frame 201 may include one of more z-bends 218. For example,
In some examples, the first side member 202 and/or the second side member 204 may include one or more openings 216. For example,
As shown in
In the example illustrated in
The roller shaft 456 extends between the first roller bearing assembly 452 at the first end 460 and the second roller bearing assembly 454 at the second end 462. The roller shaft 456 may comprise a cylindrical rod. In the example illustrated in
The conveyor system 200 may comprise additional rollers positioned between the motor assemblies 400 and return roller assemblies 450 of the conveyor portions 300. The additional rollers may provide additional support to the conveyor belts and may be coupled to the first side member 202 and the second side member 204. For example,
With continued reference to the example illustrated in
The first conveyor belt 312 extends between and is supported by the first motor assembly 400A and the first return roller assembly 450A, such that the first conveyor belt 312 extends along both the inclined section 206 and the horizontal section 208. Therefore, the first conveyor belt 312 is configured to transport food product along the inclined section 206 and the horizontal section 208. Generally, the first conveyor belt 312 is configured such that the top side 314 is taut and does not sag or stretch under the weight of the food product. In used, a first drive shaft 412A of the first motor assembly 400A is driven by a first motor 410A. As explained with reference to
The second conveyor portion 320 comprises a second conveyor belt 322. The second conveyor belt 322 is a continuous conveyor belt extending between the second motor assembly 400B and the second return roller assembly 450B. The second conveyor belt 322 comprises a first end 323, a second end 325, a top side 324, and a bottom side 326. The first end 323 is defined as the proximal most portion (i.e., the portion closest to the front end 210) of the second conveyor belt 322 at any given time. Similarly, the second end 325 is defined as the distal most portion (i.e., the portion farthest from the front end 210) of the second conveyor belt 322 at any given time. The top side 324 is defined as the portion of the second conveyor belt 322 that travels in the second direction. The top side 314 is configured to carry food product in the second direction in use. The bottom side 326 is defined as the portion of the second conveyor belt 322 that travels in the first direction in use. It is recognized that when the conveyor system 200 is in use and the second conveyor belt 322 is continually moving, the specific portion of the second conveyor belt 322 that is the first end 323, the top side 324, the second end 325, and the bottom side 326 is continually changing.
The second conveyor belt 322 extends between and is supported by the second motor assembly 400B and the second return roller assembly 450B, such that the second conveyor belt 322 extends along at least the horizontal section 208. Unlike the first conveyor belt 312, the second conveyor belt 322 does not include an inclined portion and the second conveyor belt 322 is configured to transport food product along the horizontal section 208. Generally, the second conveyor belt 322 is configured such that the top side 324 is taut and does not sag or stretch under the weight of the food product. In used, a second drive shaft 412B of the second motor assembly 400B is driven by a second motor 410B. As explained with reference to
The bottom conveyor portion 330 comprises a third conveyor belt 332. In the example illustrated, the third conveyor belt 332 is a continuous conveyor belt extending between the third return roller assembly 450C and the discharge roller 340. The third conveyor belt 332 comprises a first end 333, a second end 335, a top side 334, and a bottom side 336. The first end 333 is defined as the proximal most portion (i.e., the portion closest to the front end 210) of the third conveyor belt 332 at any given time. Similarly, the second end 335 is defined as the distal most portion (i.e., the portion farthest from the front end 210) of the third conveyor belt 332 at any given time. The top side 334 is defined as the portion of the third conveyor belt 332 that travels in the first direction) in use. The top side 334 is configured to carry food product in the first direction. The bottom side 336 is defined as the portion of the third conveyor belt 332 that travels in the second direction in use. It is recognized that when the conveyor system 200 is in use and the third conveyor belt 332 is continually moving, the specific portion of the third conveyor belt 332 that is the first end 333, the top side 334, the second end 335, and the bottom side 336 is continually changing.
The third conveyor belt 332 extends between and is supported by the third return roller assembly 450C and the discharge roller 340, such that the third conveyor belt 332 extends along at least the horizontal section 208. Unlike the first conveyor belt 312, the third conveyor belt 332 does not include an inclined portion and the third conveyor belt 332 is configured to transport food product along the horizontal section 208. Generally, the third conveyor belt 332 is configured such that the top side 334 is taut and does not sag or stretch under the weight of the food product. In used, a third drive shaft 412C of the third motor assembly 400C is driven by a third motor 410C. As explained with reference to
The conveyor belts described herein (e.g., first conveyor belt 312, second conveyor belt 322, third conveyor belt 332, and/or the like) may comprises any suitable material. For example, the conveyor belts may comprise one or more of: thermoplastics, metal, rubber, and/or the like. In some examples, the conveyor belts may comprise modular belts with a plurality of openings/holes. For example, the conveyor belts may comprise a mesh structure. The size of the holes may vary between different embodiments of the conveyor system 200. For example, the hole size may depend on the type of product being cooled/equalized. While the holes provide benefits for driving the conveyor belts, as described herein, the holes also provide air exposure to food product traveling on the conveyor system 200.
In operation, each of the first, second, and third motor assemblies 400A, 400B, 400C, are configured to drive their respective conveyor belts 312, 322, 332 at the same time. The motor assemblies 400A, 400B, 400C may be configured to drive the conveyor belts 312, 322, 332 are variable speeds. For example, each conveyor belt 312, 322, 332 may be driven at a range of speeds. The speed of each conveyor belt 312, 322, 332 may depend on a number of factors, including: the type of food product, the number of conveyor portions 300, the temperature of the food product entering the conveyor system 200, the desired temperature of the food product exiting the conveyor system 200, the required time to cool/equalize the food product, and/or the like. In operation, the first motor assembly 400A drives the first conveyor belt 312 such that the top side 314 travels in the first direction at a first speed, the second motor assembly 400B drives the second conveyor belt 322 such that the top side 324 travels in the second direction at a second speed, and the third motor assembly 400C drives the third conveyor belt 332 such that the top side 334 travels in the first direction at a third speed. In some examples, one or all of the first, second, and third speed may be the same. In other examples, one or all of the first, second, and third speed may vary. For example, it may be desirable for the second speed to be greater than the first speed and the third speed be greater than the first speed and/or the second speed. Increasing the speed of each conveyor portion 300 moving from top to bottom may provide benefits such as preventing damage to the food product traveling on the on the conveyor system 200. For example, if the food product is traveling as a speed greater than the speed of the conveyor belt the food product is being transferred to, there may be damage to the food product.
In use, food product enters the conveyor system 200 via the front end 210 and begins traveling along the first conveyor belt 312 in the first direction. The food product travels in the first direction over both the inclined section 206 and horizontal section 208 on the first conveyor belt 312. As the food product reaches the second end 315 of the first conveyor belt 312, the first conveyor belt 312 causes the food product to contact a transfer member 470 (e.g., first transfer member 470A), which transfers the food product to the second conveyor belt 322. The transfer members 470 are described in greater detail with respect to
While the example conveyor system 200 illustrated in
One benefit of the conveyor system 200 is the option to extend the middle conveyor portions 320 and the bottom conveyor portion 330 under the inclined portion of the top conveyor 310. In the example illustrated in
The reject transfer member 470B may comprise a first side 472, a second side 474, a top edge 476, a bottom edge 478, an inside surface 480, and an outside surface 482. The first side 472 may comprise a plate extending from the outside surface 482 in a direction towards and past the inside surface 480. The first side 472 may be connected to the top edge 476 and the bottom edge 478. Similarly, the second side 474 may comprise a plate extending from the outside surface 482 in a direction towards and past the inside surface 480. The second side 474 may be connected to the top edge 476 and the bottom edge 478.
The first side 472 may be rotationally coupled to one of the first side member 202 or the second side member 204. In the example illustrated, the first side 472 is coupled to a transfer shaft 484. The transfer shaft 484 is rotationally coupled to a bracket assembly 486, which in turn is coupled to the first side member 202. As a result of this configuration, the reject transfer member 470B can rotate about an axis of rotation C relative to the first side member 202. The second side 474 is coupled to a shaft assembly 492 of a transfer motor 490 along the axis of rotation C. In the example illustrated, the transfer motor 490 is coupled to the second side member 204 and is configured to cause the reject transfer member 470B to rotate about the axis of rotation C. For example, the transfer motor 490 is configured to rotate the reject transfer member 470B from the closed configuration, as shown in
In the conveyor system 200, the reject transfer member 470B may be positioned above a receiver member 488. The receiver member 488 is configured to assist the reject transfer member 470B in transferring the food product between conveyor portions 300. The receiver member 488 may comprise a first side 494, a second side 496, and a back plate 498 comprising a top edge 493 and a bottom edge 495. The back plate 498 may be sloped in the direction of movement (i.e., the first direction or the second direction) towards the conveyor portion the reject transfer member 470B is directing the food product to. For example, as illustrated, the back plate 498 is sloped from the top edge 493 to the bottom edge 495 in the proximal to distal direction because the bottom conveyor portion 330 is traveling in the first direction. The first side 494 and the second side 496 may be sloped inwardly and towards each other. For example, the first side 494 may be sloped inwardly from the first side member 202 and the second side 496 may be sloped inwardly from the second side member 204.
In use, food product traveling from the second conveyor portion 320 contacts the reject transfer member 470B on the inside surface 480, moves in a downward direction to contact the receiver member 488, and is delivered to the bottom conveyor portion 330. Generally, the food product is rotated 180 degrees during the transfer between conveyor portions. For example, a bottom side of a food product may be supported by the second conveyor belt 322 prior to being transferred to the third conveyor belt 332. After being transferred via the reject transfer member 470B and the receiver member 488, the food product may be traveling with a top side supported by the third conveyor belt 332.
In some examples, the bottom edge 478 of the reject transfer member 470B may be configured to be in contact with an aligned with the top edge 493 of the receiver member 488 in the closed configuration. In other examples, a small gap may exist between the bottom edge 478 and the top edge 493 in the closed configuration. The reject transfer member 470B and the receiver member 488 may comprise any suitable material. For example, the reject transfer member 470B and the receiver member 488 may comprise a metal, a plastic, and/or the like.
Under normal operations, the reject transfer member 470B is generally in the closed configuration. However, the reject transfer member 470B may be rotated to the open condition via the transfer motor 490 when an operator wishes to discard food product without allowing the food product to travel to the discharge section 338. For example, if there is damaged or undesirable food product traveling on the conveyor system 200, an operator can move the reject transfer member 470B to the open configuration and the food product will travel along the second conveyor belt 322 until the food product reaches the first end 323 of the second conveyor belt 322. At this point, the food product will not encounter the reject transfer member 470B or the receiver member 488 and the velocity of the food product will allow the food product to be rejected from the conveyor system 200. A waste collection bin may be positioned under the inclined section 206 to received rejected food product. Being able to reject food by opening the reject transfer member 470B may provide benefits of not requiring food product designated for waste to travel the entire conveyor system 200. For example, in other systems, waste food product may be separated from quality food product after exiting conveyor system. This type of system may require sorting at the discharge section 338.
The conveyor system 200 includes a plurality of transfer member 470. Generally, the plurality of transfer member 470 comprises one less than the number of conveyor portions 300 in the conveyor system 200. In the example illustrated, the conveyor system 200 includes three conveyor portions 300 and two transfer members 470A, 470B. In another example, if the conveyor system 200 comprised five conveyor portions 300, then the conveyor system 200 would include four transfer members 470. Each transfer member 470 may be similar or identical to the reject transfer member 470B described above. However, it may not be desirable for every transfer member 470 to be configured to rotate between opened and closed configurations. Generally, a conveyor system 200 may only include one transfer member 470 that can be used to reject waste food products. The other transfer members, such as first transfer member 470A may comprise the same components as reject transfer member 470B, with the exception of the transfer shaft 484, transfer motor 490, and shaft assembly 492. Instead, the first transfer member 470A may be coupled to the first side member 202 and the second side member 204 on its first and second sides. Additionally, the first transfer member 470A may include a first receiver member 488A and may be a single unit. For example, a top edge 476A of the first transfer member 470A would be joined to a top edge 493 of the first receiver member 488A such that the first transfer member 470A and the first receiver member 488A comprise a single unit. The word “joined” is used for illustrative purposes. In some examples, the first transfer member 470A may be manufactured to include both the first transfer member 470A and the first receiver member 488A as a unitary member.
Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include these features, elements and/or states.
Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.
While the above detailed description may have shown, described, and pointed out novel features as applied to various embodiments, it may be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and/or changes in the form and details of any particular embodiment may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. As may be recognized, certain embodiments may be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features may be used or practiced separately from others.
Additionally, features described in connection with one embodiment can be incorporated into another of the disclosed embodiments, even if not expressly discussed herein, and embodiments having the combination of features still fall within the scope of the disclosure. For example, features described above in connection with one embodiment can be used with a different embodiment described herein and the combination still fall within the scope of the disclosure.
It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with, or substituted for, one another in order to form varying modes of the embodiments of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the disclosure herein should not be limited by the particular embodiments described above. Accordingly, unless otherwise stated, or unless clearly incompatible, each embodiment of this disclosure may comprise, additional to its essential features described herein, one or more features as described herein from each other embodiment disclosed herein.
Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added.
Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.
For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, 0.1 degree, or otherwise.
The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.
Reference to any prior art in this description is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor in any country in the world.
The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the description of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.
Where, in the foregoing description, reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. In addition, where the term “substantially” or any of its variants have been used as a word of approximation adjacent to a numerical value or range, it is intended to provide sufficient flexibility in the adjacent numerical value or range that encompasses standard manufacturing tolerances and/or rounding to the next significant figure, whichever is greater.
It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. For instance, various components may be repositioned as desired. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, not all of the features, aspects and advantages are necessarily required to practice the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to be defined only by the claims.
Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 C.F.R. § 1.57. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/362,287, filed Mar. 31, 2022, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63362287 | Mar 2022 | US |
