Patent ID: 6360787
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
In an automated produce packaging system (12) for packaging produce (2) into containers (4) carried on a conveyer (20), a dispensing mechanism (10) for dispensing a volume of produce in to the container carried past the dispensing mechanism by the conveyer, the dispensing mechanism (10) comprising:hopper (40) elevated above and spaced laterally from the containers carried by the conveyer, the hopper (40) defining an interior for receiving produce therein, including interior partitions (46, 48) for dividing the hopper interior into a first interior area (50) and a second interior area (60), and having a first opening (53) for dispensing produce form the first interior area into the second interior area and a second opening (63) for dispensing produce from the second interior area into the containers; first gate means (52) disposed within the interior of the hopper for metering produce through the first opening from first interior area into the second interior area so as to maintain a constant volume of produce within the second area; second gate means (62) disposed within the hopper for metering the produce through the second opening from the second interior area at a substantially constant rate of flow; and means (70, 80) for directing produce from the second gate means laterally into the containers at a selectable angle.