Patent ID: 8746432
Filing Date: 2014-06-10
Classification: A22C,B30B,B65B,B65G

Abstract:
1. A loading chute for a packaging system, comprising: a frame; a ceiling with a semi-cylindrical shape configured to open and close held by the frame, wherein the ceiling semi-cylindrical shape has lower long edges along respective long sides thereof; a pair of spaced apart vertical sidewalls, wherein the vertical sidewalls are held by the frame and extend in a longitudinal direction, wherein one of the ceiling lower long edges is pivotably attached to an upper end portion of one of the vertical sidewalls; a detachable floor having a semi-cylindrical shape that corresponds to the ceiling semi-cylindrical shape underlying and in cooperating alignment with the ceiling held by the frame inside the sidewalls, wherein, in a closed operative position, the ceiling and floor are configured to abut one another to encase a product chamber with an axially extending open channel therebetween and define a portion of the product chamber in the loading position but not in the closed operative position, wherein at least one of the floor and ceiling reciprocates in a substantially vertical direction between (i) a loading position corresponding to when at least a portion of the ceiling is open while the detachable floor is detached from and spaced a distance apart from the ceiling and (ii) the closed operative position; and a cradle that resides under the ceiling between the vertical sidewalls and abuts a lower surface of the floor, the cradle being releasably held by the frame, wherein the cradle moves with the floor and has an arcuate upper surface, wherein the floor vertically reciprocates and directly contacts product in the product chamber in the closed operative position, and wherein, in the loading position, the floor resides a distance below the closed operative position of the floor.