Patent ID: 7422425
Filing Date: 2008-09-09
Classification: A22C,A23P

Abstract:
1. In a reciprocating mold plate patty-forming machine, a knockout drive for reciprocating a knockout plunger to discharge molded food patties from a cavity in the mold plate, the mold plate being reciprocated by a mold plate drive between a cavity fill position and a cavity discharge position, the knockout drive comprising: at least one knockout plunger; an electric motor mechanically independent of the mold plate drive, said electric motor adjustable in speed independent of speed of the mold plate, said electric motor having a rotary output shaft controllable in rotary movement independent of the movement of the mold plate drive; a rotary-to-linear motion apparatus comprising a crank rod eccentrically connected to a rotary member; said rotary member operatively connected to said rotary output shaft of said electric motor; and at least one knockout member operatively connected to said rotary-to-linear motion apparatus, said knockout member connected to the knockout plunger to reciprocate said knockout plunger.