Patent ID: 6523462
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: A22C,A23B

Abstract:
A system for processing an elongated strand of food product in a casing having tubular segments serially joined by pinched connection segments, comprising a conveyor comprising a chain traversing in a horizontal plane around a sprocket at a strand loading station adjacent a discharge station of a strand producing machine, said sprocket rotating about a vertical axis, said chain comprising a plurality of groups of chain pins, each group having a lead pin, a middle pin, and a trailing pin, a plurality of links connecting adjacent pins, a plurality of studs each connected to a respective said middle pin, each stud having a bore therethrough defining a pivot axis parallel to the direction of chain travel, a plurality of hooks each having a normally vertical shank with an upper end extending laterally horizontally into a respective said bore of a respective said stud in pivotal relation, and having a lower distal hook end, a cam at said loading station camming said hooks upwardly to an upwardly cammed position receiving said strand at a reference loading point at said loading station, said first, second and third chain pins of each group lying in a straight rectilinear line at said loading station.