Patent ID: 7000816
Filing Date: 2006-02-21
Classification: A22C

Abstract:
1. A loading system for loading an elongated strand of food product of a given diameter on a transport conveyor, comprising a first loading conveyor extending along a forward travel direction from an upstream entrance end to a downstream exit end, a second loading conveyor spaced above said first loading conveyor by a gap having a dimension less than or equal to said given diameter such that said strand is frictionally engaged by both of said first and second loading conveyors to pull said strand into said gap and such that said strand is conveyed from said upstream entrance end to said downstream exit end by an indexed drive and discharged at said downstream exit end to said transport conveyor, wherein said first and second loading conveyors comprise respective first and second upstream rotary drive pulleys each driven by a motor, wherein the same said motor drives both of said first and second drive pulleys, wherein said motor drives said first and second pulleys at the same rotational speed and in opposite rotational directions, wherein said first drive pulley comprises a first driven gear on a first shaft rotational about a first axis, said second drive pulley comprises a second driven gear on a second shaft rotational about a second axis, and wherein said motor has an output drive shaft rotating about a third axis and having a drive gear on said drive shaft engaging at least one of said first and second driven gears, and wherein said drive gear comprises a worm gear extending between and engaging each of said first and second driven gears on distally opposite sides of said worm gear.