Abstract:
A system and method for dividing a single stream of long, cooked noodles into a plurality of product streams. The system includes an inlet conduit for receiving the stream of cooked noodles, a rough portioner for dividing the stream of noodles into discrete portions, and a diverter mechanism which selectively directs the discrete portions into one of two outlet streams. Additional diverter mechanisms may be disposed in the outlet streams to further divide and redirect the noodles into any number of final outlet streams. The final outlet streams are directed toward container filling machines which precisely measure the noodles and place them into containers. A computerized logic controller can accommodate the failure of any one or more container filling machines by stopping flow to any combination of final outlet conduits while maintaining uninterrupted operation of the remainder of the system.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of non-provisional application Ser. No. 09/454,896, filed on Dec. 3, 1999 for a Multipathway Product Distribution System. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to product filling machines for packaging food products and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved system for dividing a single product flow into multiple pathways in order to supply multiple product packaging machines.  
           [0004]    2. State of the Art  
           [0005]    In the food production and packaging industry, products known as long goods typically require special handling. Long goods include products such as spaghetti, linguini, fettuccini and similar pasta products. When cooked, these products present unique handling problems because of their length and flexibility, and also because they are typically sticky. These characteristics make it difficult to handle and package the product without damaging it, such as by cutting or crushing noodles. Those in the industry will understand that each increment of damage to the product causes a corresponding reduction in the value of the final product. Accordingly, product handling and packaging operations are judged by two criteria: speed and lack of damage to the product.  
           [0006]    In view of these twin criteria, dividing a large continuous stream of long goods, such as cooked spaghetti, into a plurality of smaller streams presents unique difficulties. In the product packaging industry, it is well known to divide a stream of product into several smaller streams and divert those smaller streams to individual packaging machines. For example, this approach is routinely used with dry or granular products such as nuts, berries, hard candies, or cigarettes. This approach is also used with liquid or mostly liquid products such as soup, stew, fruit cocktail, etc. In such operations, the product stream, normally flowing or rolling in an open conduit, is redirected by means of diversion gates which move from one position to another to send the entire flow of product down one or the other of two branching channels. A series of such gates can be used to divide one stream into many.  
           [0007]    While a system of diversion gates works well with granular or liquid products, it is not suitable for sticky long goods such as cooked spaghetti for several reasons. First, the long noodles tend to snag on the diversion gate, either preventing the gate from closing completely, or causing the noodles to be cut and damaged. This system also tends to cause clogs because the entire flow is diverted all at once, rather than just a portion of the flow. Additionally, the noodles which snag on the diversion gates also tend to cause clogs. All of these failures of prior art product diversion systems result in lost time, lost product, and needless maintenance effort and expense.  
           [0008]    Additionally, prior art product stream diversion methods frequently cannot adequately cope with sudden changes in the system. For example, where a product diversion system is configured to divide one stream into four to supply four container filling machines, if one of the four filling machines malfunctions and has to be shut down, many prior art product diversion systems cannot automatically cope with this sudden change in conditions. Prior art systems do not automatically detect the malfunction, and do not automatically adjust the product distribution to shut down one outlet line, and redistribute and balance the remaining flow to each of the remaining lines. In such a situation, significant worker time and expertise is required to adjust the entire system to allow the product run to continue. In many cases, this results in down time for the entire operation.  
           [0009]    It would thus be desirable to have a product distribution system that can quickly and efficiently divide a stream of long, sticky goods into a plurality of streams without damaging the product. It would also be desirable to have a product distribution system that can automatically detect the malfunction of any of its elements or of product filling machines associated with it, and automatically adjust the entire system to accommodate the malfunction without requiring shut down or significant operator attention.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a multipathway product distribution system and method which is suitable for redirecting long, sticky products without damaging the product.  
           [0011]    It is another advantage of this invention to provide a multipathway product distribution system which is less likely to clog or malfunction, and requires less manitenance.  
           [0012]    It is another advantage of this invention to provide a multipathway product distribution system which is computer controlled in conjunction with a series of container filling machines.  
           [0013]    It is another advantage of this invention to provide a multipathway product distribution system and method which can accommodate the malfunction of any one or more container filling machines by redirecting the product flow to the remaining filling machines without interruption or operator effort.  
           [0014]    The above and other advantages are realized in an apparatus and method for dividing a single stream of long, sticky product into a plurality of product streams. The system comprises a product input conduit for providing a single stream of product, and having a rough portioner disposed therein for dividing the stream of product into discrete rough portions. The rough portions are then dropped into a first diverter mechanism comprised of a reciprocating slide block mechanism, which selectively directs the rough portions into two outlet streams. Additional diverter mechanisms may be disposed in the outlet streams to further divide and redirect the product into any number of final outlet streams, such as four, eight, etc. The final outlet streams are directed through conduits toward container filling machines which precisely measure the product and place it into containers as desired.  
           [0015]    Some of the above advantages are also realized in a multipathway product distribution system further comprising a computerized logic controller integrated into the system. The logic controller can accommodate the failure of any one or more container filling machines in any combination by adjusting the motion of the slide blocks and rough portioner to stop flow to any combination of final outlet conduits while maintaining uninterrupted operation of the remainder of the system.  
           [0016]    Other advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, based on the following description, taken in combination with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    FIGS.  1 A-D provide a schematic diagram of a four branch multipathway product distribution system of the present invention in operational relationship to a container filling machine, through each of its four phases of operation;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 shows a pictorial view of the needle separator of the present invention; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional pictorial view of a slide block product diverter of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]    Reference will now be made to the drawings in which the various elements of the present invention will be given numeral designations and in which the invention will be discussed so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that the following description is only exemplary of the principles of the present invention, and should not be viewed as narrowing the pending claims.  
         [0021]    FIGS.  1 A- 1 D provide a schematic diagram of a four outlet multipathway product distribution system  10  according to the present invention. These figures show the system  10  through each of its four phases of operation in relationship to one product packaging machine  12 . Multipathway product distribution system  10  generally comprises an inlet tube  14 , which receives the incoming product  16 , a rough portioner  18 , knife gate  34 , first slide block assembly  20 , subsequent slide block assemblies  22  and  24 , and final outlet conduits  28 A-D, which will each typically lead to a product packaging machine  12 , only one of which is shown in FIGS.  1 A-D. Inlet  14  is connected to and receives product from mainline  17  by means of overflow mechanism  15 , which is described in more detail below. Product packaging machine  12  may be a bag filler, a tray filling machine, or any other suitable packaging machine known to those skilled in the art. Inlet conduit  14  is preferably a 4¾″ diameter tube. However, while the various product conduits shown in the attached figures, including inlet conduit  14  and final outlet conduits  28 A-D, are shown as round in cross-section, it will be apparent that other cross-sectional shapes may also be used without affecting the operation of the system. Likewise, various materials may be used for the conduits, including stainless steel, aluminum, polymers, and so forth.  
         [0022]    Rough portioner  18  is disposed within inlet tube  14  as near to its top as practicable, and preferably comprises a needle separator  32  powered by pneumatic cylinder  36 . It will be apparent that other types of rough portioners could be utilized, such as a slide gate, a rotary separator, etc. However, a needle separator is preferred because it is gentle to the product. The needle separator  32  comprises a plurality of parallel needles or wires, which are moveable from a first position wherein the needles extend across the cross-section of the inlet conduit  14 , to a second position wherein the needles are retracted out of the conduit to allow product to pass. Because of the rapidity of its operation, the timed reciprocation of needle separator  32  is not apparent from FIGS.  1 A- 1 D. In each of these figures separator  32  is shown extended, and knife gate  34  is shown retracted.  
         [0023]    To measure and dispense a rough portion  46 , the pneumatic cylinder  36  preferably causes needle separator  32  to rapidly retract from blocking conduit  14  for a brief time, and then extends it again to block the conduit. Naturally, when the separator retracts, product retained thereabove will begin to fall into conduit  14 . Then, when the needles are extended, the stream is blocked again, thus allowing only a discrete quantity of product, designated for example at  46 , to fall toward opening  49  in the bottom of conduit  14 , into aperture  58   a  in first slide block  54   a.  It will be apparent that the time interval during which needle separator  32  is retracted will determine the volume of the discrete quantity. The needle separator also provides the advantage that the abrupt beginning and end of its motion tends to separate the product with a jerk, thus reducing the amount of product that clings or hangs.  
         [0024]    Portion  46  is intended to be rough only. Precise measurement and disbursement of the product is preferably accomplished by product packaging machine  12 . For example, in one configuration of the preferred embodiment of the invention, rough portions  46  comprise approximately 30 oz. of spaghetti, while the product packaging machine  12  dispenses more accurately measured portions of 9 oz. each.  
         [0025]    While the timed retraction and extension of needle separator  32  is the preferred method of measuring discrete quantities, particularly of long sticky goods such as spaghetti, it will be apparent that other methods of rough portioning may also be employed. For example, rather than a single needle separator which measures product by time, a second needle separator  33  and pneumatic cylinder  37  (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1A) could also be provided some distance d below needle separator  32 . A discrete portion would be separated by alternately extending and retracting the first and second needle separators  32  and  33 , so that a portion of product is first trapped between the needle separators, and then dropped by the retraction of second needle separator  33  while the remainder of the product flow is retained above needle separator  32 . It will be apparent that the volume of the discrete quantity would depend upon the diameter of conduit  14  and the distance d between the first and second needle separators, which distance could be mechanically adjustable, such as by means of a sliding collar or tube.  
         [0026]    Located at the bottom of inlet conduit  14  is knife gate  34 , powered by pneumatic cylinder  38 . This knife gate is preferably placed as near to the bottom of conduit  14  as possible, and serves to catch and hold slow moving product to prevent its being damaged in first slide block  20 . For example, in the case of long sticky product such as spaghetti, when needle separator  32  extends and the measured quantity drops, some noodles will tend to hang down, and others which may be stuck to them may gradually slide down and then drop off after the first slide block has begun its movement. Consequently, these slow moving noodles would be damaged if not prevented from continuing into opening  49  at the bottom of inlet  14 . Accordingly, a substantially solid knife gate  34  is provided, and may be extended across opening  49  between measurements or whenever first slide block  54   a  is moving. Then, when the next portion is ready to be dropped, the slide gate retracts, allowing the slow moving product to be swept away by the next rough portion. The inventors have found that use of the slide gate is generally only necessary when the system is operating in a non-standard mode, such as when only three of four packaging machines are operating, as described below.  
         [0027]    Needle separator  32  and knife gate  34  are preferably separated by some distance h to prevent hanging product from being damaged in first slide block assembly  20 . It will be apparent that distance h will depend on the nature of the product. For example, with 10″ spaghetti noodles, the inventors have found that a distance of h=20″ is preferable to prevent noodles which hang from separator  32  and other noodles which hang from those noodles from dangling down past opening  49 .  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 provides a pictorial view of needle separator  32 . Needle separator  32  generally comprises a plurality of parallel rods  40  with blunt pointed free ends  41 , which are attached at their opposite ends to transverse frame  42 . Rods  40  are preferably formed of stainless steel, though other strong metallic and non-metallic materials may also be used, such as aluminum, polymers, etc. Frame  42  is connected to pneumatic cylinder  36 , which causes the rods to extend or retract through manifold  44  as desired from a first extended position wherein rods  40  extend entirely across the opening in inlet conduit  14  to block the passage of product  16 , to a second position where rods  40  are all retracted out of the conduit to allow product to pass therethrough. In FIG. 2, rods  40  are shown in a position midway between the first position and second position.  
         [0029]    Each rod in the group of rods  40  is preferably formed to have a length approximately corresponding to the transverse distance across the cross section of the inlet conduit  14  at the location of the individual rod, so that when the group of rods is extended, pointed free end  41  of each rod  40  approximately simultaneously arrives at the opposite curved inside of the conduit. The rods preferably do not actually contact the opposite inside surface of the conduit, but are just clear of the surface in the extended position. As can be seen, this configuration requires that each rod be a different length than those on either side of it, causing the free end of the group of rods  40  to outline a semi-circular shape as shown. The inside surface of conduit  14  opposite manifold  44  is preferably formed with a plurality of sockets  46 , which are aligned with and receive free ends  41  of rods  40  when extended. This configuration provides additional support to the rods when extended, and also helps keep them properly aligned.  
         [0030]    Needle separator  32  provides several significant advantages to the present invention. Because it is comprised of a plurality of parallel rods with spaces between them, and because the needles are blunt on their ends, the separator is gentle to delicate products such as cooked noodles, etc. For example, when separator  32  is retracted, allowing spaghetti to flow through conduit  14 , and then is extended through the product stream, the needles will thread through the mass of noodles, pushing them aside as needed, without cutting them, as would tend to happen with a flat plate separator, for example. Then, any noodles that dangle through the spaces between rods  40  will either stay with the mass above the upper separator, or drop with measured quantity  46 , or in the case of slowly dropping noodles, will be caught by knife gate  34 . By virtue of this design, the present invention significantly reduces damage to the product while still handling and portioning it quickly and efficiently.  
         [0031]    A detailed, partial cross-sectional pictorial view of a typical slide block assembly is given in FIG. 3. As shown, each slide block assembly generally comprises a housing  48  having an inlet opening  49 , first outlet opening  50 , second outlet opening  52 , slide block  54  having a first aperture  56  and a second aperture  58 , and a reciprocal actuation means  60  for causing linear reciprocation of the slide block within housing  48 . Actuation means  60  may be any mechanical or electromechanical device capable of causing the slide block to reciprocate as required, and as shown herein is preferably a pneumatic cylinder. In FIGS.  1 A-D, first slide block assembly  20 , second slide block assembly  22 , and third slide block assembly  24  are shown with similar numbering, with the designations a, b, and c, respectively.  
         [0032]    Slide blocks  54  are preferably formed as a substantially solid rectangular block of material, such as UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight) Polyethylene. First and second apertures  56  and  58  extend entirely through the block from the top surface to the bottom, and are preferably configured to have a size significantly larger than the intended volume of rough portion  46 , so that when the rough portion is contained within an aperture there is less likelihood of damage to the product due to the motion of slide block  54 . For example, long sticky products may tend to stick to the sides of the aperture, and protrude through inlet opening  49 . When the slide block slides past the inlet opening, these long pieces will then be cut by the scissor-like action of opposite edges of apertures sliding past each other. However, if the aperture is significantly larger than the required volume, the rough portion is more likely to be entirely contained within the aperture, with no product protruding up through the aperture, reducing the likelihood of damage to the product. In one embodiment, the aperture is sized to contain a volume approximately twice that of the intended volume of the rough portion.  
         [0033]    Referring back to FIG. 1A, subsequent slide blocks  22  and  24  have their inlet openings  49   b  and  49   c  connected to first and second outlet openings  50   a  and  52   a,  respectively, of first slide block assembly  20 , to create four final outlet streams. In this manner, any number of slide block assemblies may be similarly interconnected to divide the incoming product stream into any number of final streams. As shown in FIG. 1A, the final streams exit through final outlet conduits  28 A-D, which could alternatively be connected to inlets of additional subsequent slide block assemblies for further division of the product stream.  
         [0034]    Second and third slide block assemblies  22  and  24  are preferably provided with jets  118 A-D, positioned above outlet conduits  28 A-D. These jets are provided to inject a fluid stream  19 , depicted in FIG. 1A in second aperture  58   b  of second slide block  54   b.  Fluid stream  19  may comprise hot or cold water, air, or other gas, depending on the product, to help eject portion  46  from aperture  56  or  58  at the appropriate time. These jets may also be used to flush clogs. Similar jets, though not shown, may also be provided with first slide block assembly  20  to assist in moving the product along or to flush clogs.  
         [0035]    FIGS.  1 A- 1 D show the preferred four outlet multipathway product distribution system  10  in each of its four phases of operation. In the following description of these phases of operation, each slide block will be referred to as having a first position when disposed at the left side of the corresponding housing, and a second position when disposed at the right side of the housing. In FIG. 1A, first slide block  54   a  is shown in its first position, second slide block  54   b  in its second position, and third slide block  54   c  in its second position. First aperture  56   a  of first slide block  54   a  is disposed below the lower end of inlet conduit  14 , and second aperture  58   a  is disposed above second outlet opening  52   a.  In operation, rough portion  46  drops into second aperture  58   a,  and a previous rough portion  46   a,  which was previously deposited in first aperture  56   a,  simultaneously drops through first outlet  50   a,  through inlet  49   b  of second slide block assembly  22 , and into first aperture  56   b,  disposed therebelow. Also simultaneously, another rough portion  46   b,  previously deposited in second aperture  58   c  of third slide block  54   c  drops therefrom and into final outlet conduit  28 D, toward product packaging machine  12 . This is phase one.  
         [0036]    Phase two is depicted in FIG. 1B. Between phase one and phase two, first slide block  54   a  moves from its first position to its second position, second slide block  54   b  moves from its second position to its first position, and third slide block  54   c  remains in its second position, as in phase one. Simultaneously, the rough portioner measures another rough portion  46   c,  which drops into first aperture  56   a,  now disposed below inlet conduit  14 . Rough portion  46 , previously deposited in second aperture  58   a  drops into first aperture  56   c  of third slide block  54   c,  and rough portion  46   a,  previously deposited in first aperture  56   b  of second slide block  54   b  drops into final outlet conduit  28 A, toward another final packaging machine (not shown). This is phase two.  
         [0037]    Phase three is depicted in FIG. 1C. Between phase two and phase three, first slide block  54   a  moves from its second position back to its first position, second slide block  54   b  remains in its first position as in phase two, and third slide block  54   c  moves from its second position back to its first position. Simultaneously, again, the rough portioner measures another rough portion  46 d, which drops into second aperture  58   a,  again disposed below inlet conduit  14 . Rough portion  46   c,  previously deposited in first aperture  56   a  drops into second aperture  58   b  of second slide block  54   b,  and rough portion  46 , previously deposited in first aperture  56   c  of third slide block  54   c  drops into final outlet conduit  28 C, toward another final packaging machine (not shown). This is phase three.  
         [0038]    Phase four is depicted in FIG. 1D. Between phase three and phase four, first slide block  54   a  moves from its first position to its second position, second slide block  54   b  moves from its first position to its second position, and third slide block  54   c  remains in its first position, as in phase three. Simultaneously, the rough portioner measures another rough portion  4 e e,  which drops into first aperture  56   a,  now disposed below inlet conduit  14 . Rough portion  46   d,  previously deposited in second aperture  58   a  drops into second aperture  58   c  of third slide block  54   c,  and rough portion  46   c,  previously deposited in second aperture  58   b  of second slide block  54   b  drops into final outlet conduit  28 B, toward a fourth final packaging machine (not shown). This is phase four.  
         [0039]    Following phase four, the apparatus returns to the condition of phase one, portion  46   d  takes the place of portion  46   b,  dropping through final outlet conduit  28 D, portion  46   e  takes the place of portion  46   a,  dropping into first aperture  56   b  of second slide block  54   b,  and a subsequent portion (not shown) is measured and dropped into second aperture  58   a  of first slide block  54   a.  Thereupon, the process repeats itself, continually and sequentially measuring and dispensing rough portions into each of the four final outlet conduits.  
         [0040]    The coordinated operation of needle separator  32  and each of the slide block assemblies  20 ,  22 , and  24 , is controlled by controller  80 , which precisely controls the speed, timing, direction, and all other aspects of motion of the slide blocks and separators. Controller  80  is preferably a programmable logic controller, or PLC, which incorporates a programmable and replaceable program chip so that the program may be altered from time to time as needed. For example, adjustment of the speed, timing, etc. of the slide blocks and other components may be required following conversion to a different product, expansion of the system, or conversion to different types of packaging machines.  
         [0041]    To facilitate operation of the system, sensors and detectors of various types are desirable. For example, product sensor  82  (or more than one such sensor) may be disposed within inlet conduit  14  to allow controller  80  to cause the system to operate only when product is available, reducing needless wear on the machine. Other sensors may also be provided as desired, and one skilled in the art may devise any sensor/detector system to allow precise control of the system. For example, product sensors  84 , similar to product sensor  82  may be disposed in inlet tube  86  of product measuring and packaging machine  12  to detect whether additional product is needed. Sensor  84  may send a signal to controller  80  if product accumulated in inlet tube  86  becomes too much or too little, causing the timing of needle separator  32  to change to allow more or less product to be dispensed to the corresponding outlet conduit  28 . It will be apparent that controller  80  may independently adjust the timing of the needle separator  30  for each product packaging machine, thus allowing the system to accommodate product packaging machines with different capacities, whether intentional or not. Other sensors (not shown) may be associated with the product measuring and packaging machine  12  to detect whether it is operating properly, and sensors may also be provided to detect the precise position and function of slide blocks  54 , needle separator  32 , and knife gate  34  for the same purposes.  
         [0042]    Product measuring and packaging machine  12  is also provided with a send product button  85 . The sensors and send product button are connected to controller  80  by communication lines  88 . Controller  80  is electrically connected to an actuator drive means  90  for powering actuators  36 ,  38 , and  60 . In the preferred embodiment, actuator drive means  90  comprises a pneumatic power source (i.e. a compressor) and is connected to pneumatic cylinders  36 ,  38 , and  60  by high pressure pneumatic lines  92 . Drive means  90  also preferably contains appropriate electronically controlled valves, etc. so that actuators  36 ,  38 , and  60  may be controlled based on signals transmitted from controller  80 . While a pneumatic system is presently preferred, other mechanical or electromechanical actuation systems may be employed. For example, rather than pneumatic cylinders, actuators  36 ,  38 , and  60  may comprise servo motors, and drive means  90  may comprise an electric power source. In such a system, controller  80  directs current from the power source to each of the servos as needed to cause the required motion. As yet another alternative, the system may use hydraulic actuators.  
         [0043]    Controller  80  is advantageously configured to adjust the operation of product distribution system  10  to allow for malfunctions in any of its parts or malfunction of any one or all of the product packaging machines  12 . By detecting the presence of product in various places within the system, and also detecting the proper operation of container filling machines  12 , controller  80  may prevent product from going down any one or more final outlet conduits  28 A-D if any one or more filling machines malfunctions. For example, viewing FIG. 1A, if the container filling machine connected to final outlet conduit  28 B malfunctions, controller  80  will detect this condition, and adjust accordingly. Specifically, assuming the three remaining container filling machines  12  are operating at full capacity, controller  80  will signal needle separator  32  to hesitate and not drop a rough portion  46   c  as depicted in FIG. 1B, because this portion would ultimately be discharged into outlet conduit  28 B (FIG. 1D). Otherwise, the operation of the system remains the same. It will be apparent that this hesitation will cause the entire system to portion product 25% slower than normal, to account for the 25% loss of total capacity. Simultaneously, the controller may also cause slide blocks  54  to alter their timing and motion because portion  46   c  does not exist.  
         [0044]    Likewise, because distribution system  10  is utilizing product at a rate 25% slower than normal in the present example, product will tend to back up in inlet  14 . For this reason, an overflow mechanism  15  is disposed upstream of inlet  14 , and allows excess product from mainline  17   a  to flow past inlet  14  and into mainline  17   b  so as to only allow inflow into the distribution system at a rate consistent with its reduced capacity. Mainline  17   b  is advantageously connected to some means (not shown) for dealing with product overflow, such as an auxiliary product packaging machine, or a temporary product storage reservoir, or a waste receptacle, for example.  
         [0045]    The inventors have found, however, that for many product packaging operations it is desirable to only have three of four packaging machines running at any given time, and to send product to the distribution system at that rate, thus producing no waste. Having only three of four packaging machines operating at any given time allows maintenance personnel to load new packaging material, and then test and calibrate the fourth machine without interruption to the overall operation. Then, when the fourth machine is ready to come on line, one of the other three is ready to be taken off line for the same maintenance, and so forth.  
         [0046]    To place a product filling machine  12  on-line while the product distribution system  10  is operating, the operator first starts the packaging machine to verify that it is operating properly. This may involve the production of a few empty packages, which are normally discarded. The operator then presses the send product button  85 , which signals the controller  80  to adjust the motion of the rough portioner  18  so that product is sent down the outlet  28  corresponding to the packaging machine. To take a packaging machine off line, the operator presses the send product button  85  again, which stops any additional product from entering the corresponding outlet conduit  28 . The packaging machine may then be run until the product which has accumulated in inlet tube  86  has been used up.  
         [0047]    With the system  10  as shown in FIG. 1A, with first slide block  54   a  in its first position, second slide block  54   b  in its second position, and third slide block  54   c  in its second position, the adjusted operation will proceed as follows. First slide block  54   a  will slide to its second position, dropping a measured quantity into first aperture  56   c  of third slide block  54   c,  and second slide block  54   b  will move to its first position, dropping a measured portion into final outlet  28 A. Immediately thereafter, a new measured portion will drop from conduit  14  into first aperture  56   a  of first slide block  54   a,  and second slide block  54   b  will return to its second position. This is phase one.  
         [0048]    At the beginning of phase two, first slide block  54   a  returns to its first position, dropping a measured portion into the first aperture  56   b  of the second slide block, and simultaneously receiving a new measured portion from inlet  14  into second aperture  58   a.  At the same time, third slide block  54   c  moves to its first position, and a measured quantity is dropped into outlet C. This is phase two.  
         [0049]    Finally, in phase three, first slide block  54   a  moves back to its second position, and third slide block  54   c  moves to its second position, dropping a measured quantity into outlet D, and receiving a measured quantity into first aperture  56   c  from second aperture  58   a  in the first slide block  54   a.  Immediately thereafter, first slide block  54   a  will return to its first position before receiving another measured quantity. This is phase three, and the cycle then repeats itself.  
         [0050]    When operating in a non-standard mode, portioning mechanism  18  may maintain a uniform rate of operation at 75% of the normal rate, or it may pause in its cadence depending on which outlets are active. As noted above, knife gate  34  will close during such pauses to prevent damage to the product. Likewise, the motion of the various slide blocks will change during non-standard operation, as described above, so as to prevent the distribution of product into the inactive outlet. By this change in operation, a rough portion will not be separated and dropped into conduit B as in the normal operating sequence, advantageously allowing the packaging machine  12  connected thereto to be serviced or otherwise dealt with, while the packaging operation goes on uninterrupted.  
         [0051]    The system thus described allows the efficient and rapid handling of long, sticky, fragile goods. It will be apparent, however, that the system as described is not limited to long goods, and may also be advantageously used with cooked short goods, such as maccaroni, penne noodles, orzo, etc. In an operative example of the system, the inventors have tested a complete system configured to distribute cooked spaghetti into four packaging machines configured to precisely measure and package the spaghetti into 9 oz. portions. The needle separator  32  and slide block assemblies  20 ,  22 , and  24  were configured to measure out rough portions of approximately 30 oz. With the needle separator operating to produce these rough portions at 80 cycles/min., the entire system was able to produce 67 portions/min. per filling machine, or 268 portions/min. total. The inventors were able to maintain this production rate while simultaneously experiencing less than 2% damage to the product within the product distribution system, which is well within acceptable range. A similar arrangement was tested with cooked penne noodles and cooked maccaroni, with similar results.  
         [0052]    The product distribution system and method disclosed herein advantageously allows for diversion of product to multiple outlets while handling the product gently, and also allows for any one or more outlets to be automatically skipped during the operation of the machine. Accordingly, its operation meets the twin requirements of speed and lack of damage to the product. It is also very flexible and requires very low maintenance. It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements.