Importance

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Abstract

A food product hopper assembly is provided for a food patty molding machine. The food product hopper of the assembly is configured for containing a supply of food product and is in flow-communication with a food delivery apparatus for discharging food product from the hopper. The hopper is hinged along one side to a machine housing and can be pivoted upwardly to reveal a hopper bottom for cleaning and inspection. Hopper sidewalls define an open bottom face and the food delivery apparatus comprises a hopper conveyor having a top conveying surface closing a substantial portion of the open bottom face. The hinge arrangement comprises a hinge shaft fixed to the hopper and supports carried by the housing, the support having an aperture wherein the hinge shaft is journaled for rotation about an axis of the shaft by the aperture. A lever fixed to the shaft, and an actuator connected to a position on the lever eccentrically located with respect to the axis of the shaft, are used to exert a movement on the shaft to pivot the hopper. The conveyor is also arranged to pivot about an axis of the shaft for cleaning, inspection and maintenance.

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First Claim