Patent ID: 6428303
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: A22C

Abstract:
A patty forming machine, comprising:a reciprocating device including a single pivotal rocker arm having a distal end, and an electric motor operatively connected to oscillate said pivotal rocker arm, said distal end oscillating in a longitudinal plane; a compartment which encloses said reciprocating device and which has a front wall; a mold plate arranged to reciprocate outside of said compartment by force from said rocker arm, said mold plate having plural, transversely arranged cavities for receiving food product to form patties; two seals mounted to said front wall, surrounding two respective openings through said front wall; two drive rods arranged in parallel and penetrating said two seals, both said drive rods having round cross-sections along lengths thereof which reciprocate through said seals; and a slide plate means for bridging between said two drive rods, said pivotal rocker arm connected at said distal end thereof to said slide plate means, said slide plate means for distributing reciprocating force to said two drive rods, said slide plate retained within said compartment throughout reciprocating travel of said slide plate, said two drive rods extending longitudinally from said slide plate means at positions on opposite sides of said longitudinal plane.