Patent ID: 6263640
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
An apparatus for depositing predetermined quantities of sliced bacon in shingled condition on bacon boards, comprising:(a) a frame having an input end, output end, support side and operating side;(b) a bacon infeed conveyor operatively connected to the frame;(c) a cantilevered output conveyor operatively connected to the support side and extending to the operating side;(d) a dispenser mechanism operatively connected to the frame, the dispenser mechanism comprising:(i) a first vacuum member for grasping a bacon board from the bacon board magazine, the first vacuum member operatively connected to the dispenser mechanism for movement between a first grasping position and second releasing position;(ii) a second vacuum member for grasping a bacon board from the bacon board magazine, the second vacuum member operatively connected to the dispenser mechanism for movement between the first and second positions, the second vacuum member spaced from the first vacuum member;(iii) a valve to selectively supply a vacuum to the first and second vacuum members, wherein bacon boards of different configurations may easily be dispensed;(e) a multi-positioned bacon board magazine, the magazine comprising:(i) a generally vertical bearing member;(ii) a first frame mounted for vertical movement on the bearing member, the frame having a carrying surface for holding the bacon boards;(iii) a lift operatively connected to the first frame for moving the first frame vertically;(iv) a cradle operatively connected to the bearing member, the cradle having a plurality of stops at different vertical heights;(v) the cradle slidable laterally to position a selected stop under the frame, wherein the frame is lowered to contact the selected stop, thereby positioning the frame; and(f) a cantilevered feeding mechanism operatively connected to the support side and extending to the operating side, the feeding mechanism for taking a bacon board dispensed by the dispenser mechanism and placing the bacon board under the sliced bacon, wherein the operating side is open thereby easing bacon board loading, cleaning and maintaining the apparatus.