Claims
- 1. A conveyor system for transporting products comprising:
- an elongate track extending along a path including at least one arcuate section;
- a chain conveyor coupled to the track for movement along said path, the chain conveyor comprising a plurality of links;
- at least one magnetically attractable product pan for transporting product along said arcuate path;
- at least two grids, a portion of each of said grids extending laterally relative to said elongate track;
- a connection member associated with each of said grids for coupling said grids to said chain conveyor; and
- at least one magnet for coupling by magnetic force the magnetically attractable product pan to at least one of said grids, and for allowing limited movement of both the magnet, and the pan coupled to the magnet, relative to said grid, while retaining the pan in engagement with the grid.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said grids is formed from a plurality of rods.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of said grids comprises a pair of laterally extending rods.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said rods are connected to form product support grids.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said grids are connected to said chain conveyor at predetermined intervals.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a continuous proofing and baking apparatus.
- 7. A continuous proofing and baking apparatus including a conveyor system for transporting products comprising:
- an elongate track extending along a path including at least one arcuate section;
- a chain conveyor coupled to said track for movement along said path, said chain conveyor comprising a plurality of links;
- at least one magnetically attractable product pan for transporting product along said arcuate path;
- at least two grids, formed from a plurality of rods, a portion of each of said grids extending laterally relative to said elongate track;
- a connection member associated with each of said grids for coupling said grids to said chain conveyor; and
- at least one magnet for coupling by magnetic force the magnetically attractable product pan to at least one of said grids, and for allowing limited movement of both the magnet, and the pan coupled to the magnet, relative to said grid, while retaining the pan in engagement with the grid.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a plurality of said grids are connected to said chain conveyor at predetermined intervals.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of said grids comprises a pair of laterally extending rods.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said rods are connected to form product support grids.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein a plurality of said grids are connected to said chain conveyor at predetermined intervals.
- 12. A continuous proofing and baking apparatus including a conveyor system for transporting products comprising:
- an elongate track extending along a path including at least one arcuate section;
- a chain conveyor coupled to said track for movement along said path, said chain conveyor comprising a plurality of links;
- a plurality of magnetically attractable product pans for transporting product along said arcuate path;
- a plurality of grids, formed from a plurality of rods, a portion of each of said grids extending laterally relative to said elongate track;
- a plurality of connection members associated with each of said grids for coupling said grids to said chain conveyor; and
- a plurality of magnets for coupling by magnetic force the magnetically attractable product pan to at least one of said grids, and for allowing limited movement of both the magnet, and the pan coupled to the magnet, relative to said grid, while retaining the pan in engagement with the grid.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation application Ser. No. 07/906,442, filed Jun. 30, 1992, now abandoned which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/729,389, filed Aug. 2, 1991, issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,033 on Sep. 15, 1992, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/578,539, filed Sep. 7, 1990, issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,654 on Oct. 15, 1991, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/320,492, filed Mar. 8, 1989 issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,941 on Nov. 27, 1990, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/059,600, filed Jun. 8, 1987 issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,360 on Jun. 6, 1989.
US Referenced Citations (41)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
1014932 |
Aug 1957 |
DEX |
2402242 |
Jan 1974 |
DEX |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (6)
Entry |
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Matz, Equipment for Baker, 1988, pp. 176-361. |
Bakery Mart, New continous proofer/oven system meets high production requirements, Jan. 1981, p. 193. |
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Continuations (5)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
906442 |
Jun 1992 |
|
Parent |
729389 |
Aug 1991 |
|
Parent |
578539 |
Sep 1990 |
|
Parent |
320492 |
Mar 1989 |
|
Parent |
59600 |
Jun 1987 |
|