Patent ID: 9278817
Filing Date: 2016-03-08
CPC Classification: A21C,A23P,B01J,B29B,B29C,B65G

Claim Text:
1. A method of spreading a plurality of discrete products issuing from a die unit having a generally horizontal axis, comprising the steps of: directing said discrete products into a hollow, open-ended deflector comprising a generally frustoconical wall section presenting a substantially horizontal central longitudinal axis, a product inlet opening having a first cross-sectional area, a spaced product outlet opening having a second cross-sectional area greater than said first cross-sectional area, said product outlet opening presenting an outer margin, and a product-receiving area located between said product inlet and outlet openings; causing said discrete products to impinge upon said frustoconical wall section to pass out of said product outlet opening into and through a product delivery opening, said product delivery opening located outboard of said product outlet opening's outer margin, so to gravitate away said discrete products from the open ended deflector in a direction transverse to said horizontal central longitudinal axis during passage of said discrete products into and through said product delivery opening; and using an air delivery assembly to direct air currents into said product-receiving area from a point proximal to said inlet opening towards said outlet opening, said air currents operable to substantially maintain said discrete products in a separated condition as the products pass through said outlet opening.