Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for transfer of workpieces such as stacks of sliced sausage from a band conveyor into the cavities of a molded package, the latter being advanced transversely of the movement of the band conveyor. The device utilizes a system of stems protruding between the bands of the band conveyor to raise the product upwardly from the band conveyor, whereupon a shuttle engages two workpieces by two finger systems having spring-loaded transverse fingers moving transversely of the movement of the band conveyor. The stems are then lowered below the level of the band conveyor. The shuttle is shifted to a position above the particular packaging cavities, whereupon a plunger strikes each workpiece in a downward direction, whereby the spring-loaded, normally generally horizontal fingers of the finger systems are forced to swing downwardly into open position to allow discharge of the workpieces. The finger systems are then moved apart from each other, the plungers raised and the entire shuttle driven back to a position above the respective band conveyor. The advance in the art is in structural simplicity of the mechanism for raising the workpieces above the band conveyor and of the structure of the shuttle itself, in particular of its finger systems with the spring-loaded fingers.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim