Patent ID: 7040975
Filing Date: 2006-05-09
Classification: A22C

Abstract:
1. A method for supplying and loading carrier members at a loading station comprising a winding mechanism with an associated winder arm, comprising: automatically advancing in spaced-apart relationship, a plurality of elongate carrier members having opposing first and second ends and an associated width and length, along a predetermined endless travel path to a loading station; presenting, in serial order, the carrier members to the loading station in a substantially horizontal orientation responsive to the automatic advancing step; discharging elongated product from a winder arm that moves in a selected pattern about the carrier member at the loading station; straddling elongated product over a generally horizontal length of each respective carrier member at the loading station responsive to the discharging step so that portions of the elongated product are automatically serially and directly draped over the respective elongate carrier member along a length thereof, the straddling being carried out so that certain lengths of the elongated product hang from opposing sides of the carrier member to define a plurality of generally horizontal suspension segments that contact the carrier member to suspend adjacent lengths of the elongated product that hang a distance down from the opposing sides of the carrier member, the suspension segments being axially spaced apart along a length of the carrier member; and automatically advancing the carrier members loaded with the straddled product away from the loading station with the carrier members held in a generally horizontal orientation along the predetermined travel path to cause the loaded members to travel downstream of the loading station.