Patent ID: 7390246
Filing Date: 2008-06-24
Classification: A22C

Abstract:
1. An automated food handling system, comprising: (a) a plurality of elongated support members having a length and sized and configured to hold multiple loops, bights of an elongated food product thereon and/or multiple discrete lengths of draped elongated product thereon; (b) an automated winder configured to be cooperatively positioned and aligned with the discharge port of an extrusion and/or stuffer device configured to discharge-elongated food product therefrom, the automated winder comprising; (c) an automated positioning and advancing system for substantially continuously presenting and positioning in serial order a respective one of the plurality of elongated support members to the winding arm so that the winding arm is positioned in spaced apart cooperating alignment with the elongated support member and is able to load the support members with a plurality of loops or discrete lengths of the elongated food product; and (d) a packing mechanism for arranging suspended elongated product on the support member, the packing mechanism cooperably arranged and positioned with the automated positioning and advancing system, comprising: