Abstract:
A pocket conveyor for use in food processing in which the pockets move independently from each other. Each pocket contains a portion of food which is conveyed from one processing machine to another in the course of food production. Independent movement of the pockets provides for, among other things, greater efficiencies in food production by allowing independent operation of the various processing machines along the conveyor as well as allowing the use of multiple processing machines for each of one or more processes. Further, independent movement of the pockets eliminates the maintenance issues associated with pockets which are chain-linked, such as chain and motor related failure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to food handling machines and more particularly, to machines that convey food portions between various food processing machines.  
         BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    In modern food production, the food product undergoes a number of processes in a complex system of food processing machinery to transform the raw product into a finished product suitable for packaging. This food processing machinery may include, among others, food preparation, portioning, and packaging machines as well as the machinery required to convey the food product from one processing machine to another.  
           [0003]    A conveyor system commonly found in the production of food product that is of a solid or semi-solid form is the pocket conveyor. Pocket conveyors consist of a number of linked-together pockets that are transported from one machine to another. Each pocket receives a food portion at one machine and conveys the food portion to a second machine. The linked-together pockets are carried by a single lane conveyor, driven by a drive chain, in a continuous circuit between a first machine and a second machine and back again to the first machine. The chain, or in other designs, the linked-together pockets themselves, is coupled between a drive sprocket and an idler sprocket where the drive sprocket is driven by a motor.  
           [0004]    Pocket conveyors are frequently used between a machine that portions the food product into portions suitable for packaging and a machine that packages the food portion into containers. The chained or linked-together pockets travel in a continuous circuit between the portioning machine and the packaging machine. Machines of this type require that the chain of pockets be incrementally stopped for each pocket at the portioning machine in order for a pocket to receive a portion of food. The chain is restarted and incrementally stopped again at the packaging machine to present the portion of food to the packaging machine. The starting and stopping movement of the chain is not conducive to efficient processing or reliable machinery. Further, throughput speed is hindered by the slowest component of the food processing machinery, commonly, but not always, the portioning machine.  
           [0005]    Additionally, there are mechanical constraints and maintenance issues related to pockets being coupled to a chain or being linked together. Chains require lubrication and are prone to jamming and failure because of there multi-part components. Pockets coupled together with links have similar issues as chain, and also can make pocket change-out more labor intensive.  
           [0006]    There is a need for a pocket conveyor wherein the pockets are not chained or linked together resulting in a more reliable food processing machine. Further, there is a need for a pocket conveyor wherein the processing speed of one processing machine does not effect the processing speed of other processing machines along the food processing line. Additionally, there is a need for a pocket conveyor to provide for multiple conveying paths to service multiple processing machines. The present invention fulfills these needs.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0007]    One embodiment of the present invention provides a pocket conveyor for use in food processing in which the transfer pockets move independently from each other. Each transfer pocket contains a portion of food which is conveyed from one processing machine to another in the course of food production. Independent movement of the transfer pockets provides for, among other things, greater efficiencies in food production by allowing independent operation of the various processing machines along the pocket conveyor as well as allowing the use of multiple processing machines for each of one or more processes. Further, independent movement of the transfer pockets eliminates the maintenance issues associated with transfer pockets which are chain-linked, such as chain and motor related failure.  
           [0008]    The transfer pockets are conveyed from one location to another by any one or combination of conveying means. In one embodiment, the transfer pockets are carried by one or more continuously moving belts which provide mobility to the transfer pockets as well as moving freely beneath the transfer pockets as the transfer pockets are obstructed from moving, such as when the transfer pockets are receiving or discharging food portions or when waiting in queue for the same.  
           [0009]    In another embodiment of a conveying means, the transfer pockets are pushed along the conveyor by one or more drive turrets. The teeth of the drive turrets entrain the transfer pockets and push the transfer pockets down-line as the drive turrets rotate. The transfer pockets remain in close proximity to each other but are not linked or chained together. The abutment of subsequent transfer pockets cause the transfer pockets to advance along a stationary track.  
           [0010]    In another embodiment of the invention, the machine for conveying food portions from a portioning machine that prepares the food portions to a container handling machine that prepares containers to receive the food portions, comprises a plurality of transfer pockets and a conveyor, the conveyor adapted to convey each transfer pocket independently from another from the portioning machine to the container handling machine, the transfer machine arranged to present one or more transfer pockets to the food portioning machine to collect food portions, and the transfer machine arranged to present one or more transfer pockets containing food portions to the container handling machine for subsequent depositing of the food portions into food containers.  
           [0011]    In another embodiment of the invention, the machine comprises a portioning machine, a transfer machine and container handling machine. The portioning machine processes bulk food product to form food portions of a determined size, shape, weight and consistency. The portioning machine deposits the food portions into individual transfer pockets of the transfer machine. The transfer machine is arranged to move the transfer pockets independently from the other transfer pockets from the portioning machine to the container handling machine along one or more transfer lanes. The transfer pockets are independent from each other allowing the portioning machine to operate independently from the container handling machine. The container handling machine presents an open container to the filled transfer pocket for transfer of the food portion into the food container.  
           [0012]    The present invention provides for a food handling machine that permits the various components of the machine, such as the portioning machine and the filling machine, to operate at their own speed, independent from each other, providing greatly increased processing speed through the food handling machine. The present invention also provides a food handling machine that permits the use of multiple processing machines, such as multiple container filling machines, to operate with one or more machines, such as a portioning machine. The increased speed of one type of machine is thus optimized as it handles the transfer pockets independently from a slower machine. The present invention is compatible with many variations of tray, pouch, and can filling machines in both speed fluctuations and container spacing. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1A is a top view of an embodiment of a pocket conveyor in accordance with the invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1B is a top view of another embodiment of a pocket conveyor in accordance with the invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1C is a side view of the embodiment of a pocket conveyor in accordance with FIG. 1B as viewed on view lines  1 C- 1 C;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1D is a top view of another embodiment of a pocket conveyor in accordance with the invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2A is a view of an embodiment of the food processing machine in accordance with the invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2B is a view of another embodiment of the food processing machine in accordance with the invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2C is a view of an embodiment of the food processing machine in accordance with the invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2D is a view of another embodiment of the food processing machine in accordance with the invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3A is a view of another embodiment of the food processing machine in accordance with the invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3B is a view of another embodiment of the food processing machine in accordance with the invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a view of another embodiment of the food processing machine in accordance with the invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a view of another embodiment of the food processing machine in accordance with the invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is a view of the food processing machine of FIG. 5 as viewed on view lines  6 - 6 ;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 is a view of a portion of the machine of FIG. 5;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating another embodiment of a food processing machine in accordance with the invention; and  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating another embodiment of a food processing machine in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0029]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 1A illustrates a pocket conveyor  10  for use in food processing in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The pocket conveyor  10  consists of a plurality of transfer pockets  142   a  and a conveyor  50   a.  The transfer pockets  142   a  are moved along the conveyor  50   a  from one location to another in a continuous circuit. The transfer pockets  142   a  are not coupled to each other, but are in close proximity or in touching relationship to each other.  
         [0031]    The transfer pockets  142   a  comprise a topless and bottomless container which can be of any shape suitable for the particular purpose, such as, but not limited to, a box, cylinder, and octagon shape. The transfer pockets  142   a  as shown in FIG. 1A are in the shape of open-ended cylinders. Each transfer pocket  142   a  receives a portion of food from above and subsequent emptying of the food portion from below. The transfer pocket  142   a  supports the food portion during the conveying process. The transfer pocket  142   a  is supported from the bottom by the conveyor  50   a  to contain the food portion within.  
         [0032]    The transfer pockets  142   a  are conveyed from one location to another by any one or combination of conveying means. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 1A, the conveyor  50   a  comprises two drive turrets  52 . The drive turrets  52  comprise a plurality of spaced-apart teeth  53 . The space between adjacent teeth  53  conforms to the shape of the transfer pocket  142   a.  In operation, the turrets  52  rotate in the desired direction to push the transfer pockets  142   a  along the conveyor. As a transfer pocket  142   a  approaches one of the turrets  52 , the transfer pocket  142   a  is entrained by the teeth  53  imparting forward movement to the transfer pocket  142   a.  As the transfer pocket  142   a  is advanced and released by the turret  52 , the transfer pocket  142   a  abuts and pushes against the transfer pocket  142   a  before it, thereby pushing the transfer pockets  142   a  along the conveyor  50   a.  The conveyor  50   a  incorporates guard rails  54  to restrain the transfer pockets  142   a  to the desired path.  
         [0033]    In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS.  1 B-C, the pocket conveyor  12  comprises a conveyor  50   b  having two parallel but oppositely rotating belts  55 , and two semi-circular end chutes  56 . The transfer pockets  142   a  are carried in one direction by one belt  55 , deposited on the end chute  56 , and subsequently propelled along the chute  56 , and carried back in the opposite direction by the second belt  55  to the origin. The transfer pockets  142   a  move along the chute  56  by any number of means, including, but not limited to, the momentum transferred by the belt  55  to the transfer pockets  142   a,  or from the impact of advancing transfer pockets  142   a.  The two belts  55  continuously move imparting forward mobility to the transfer pockets  142   a.  The belts  55  move freely beneath transfer pockets  142   a  that are held stationary, such as when the transfer pockets  142   a  are receiving or discharging food portions, or when waiting in queue for the same. The transfer pockets  142   a  are independent of each other; that is, there is no connection between each transfer pocket  142   a.  Therefore, each transfer pocket  142   a  can be processed independently from the processing of any other transfer pocket  142   a.    
         [0034]    In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1D, the pocket conveyor  14  comprises a conveyor  50   c  having two parallel but oppositely rotating belts  55 , and two drive turrets  52 . The transfer pockets  142   a  are advanced onto one of the belts  55  by the rotation of one of the drive turrets  52 , carried in one direction by the belt  55 , received and advanced by the second of the drive turrets  52 , and carried back in the opposite direction by the second belt  55  to the origin. The two belts  55  continuously move imparting forward mobility to the transfer pockets  142   a.  The belts  55  move freely beneath transfer pockets  142   a  that are held stationary, such as when the transfer pockets  142   a  are receiving or discharging food portions, or when waiting in queue for the same. The transfer pockets  142   a  are independent of each other; that is, there is no connection between each transfer pocket  142   a.  Therefore, each transfer pocket  142   a  can be processed independently from the processing of any other transfer pocket  142   a.    
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2A illustrates a portion of a food processing machine  100   a  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention wherein individual food portions are processed independently from each other. The machine  100   a  comprises a portioning machine  120 , a transfer machine  140 , and a container-handling machine  160   a.  The portioning machine  120  prepares food product into a food portion based on desired parameters, such as size, shape, weight, and consistency. The transfer machine  140  transports food portions between the portioning machine  120  and the container-handling machine  160   a.  The container-handling machine  160   a  receives the food portions from the transfer machine  140  for packaging into food containers  170   a,  such as pouches, jars, and cans.  
         [0036]    The portioning machine  120  can be one of many types of machines suitable for preparing food portions to be presented to the transfer machine  140 . Portioning machines  120  are known and used by those in the food processing industry. A portioning machine  120  can be used singularly or in combination with other portioning machines  120  to present the desired food portions to the transfer machine  140 .  
         [0037]    The container-handling machine  160   a  can be one of many types of machines suitable for accepting food portions from the transfer machine  140 . Container-handling machines  160   a  are known and used by those in the food processing industry. The container-handling machine  160   a  can be used singularly or in combination with other container-handling machines  160   a  to accept the desired food portions from the transfer machine  140 . The container-handling machine  160   a  presents empty containers  170   a  to the transfer machine  140  to be filled with the food portions, wherein the filled containers  170   a  are subsequently further processed down-line.  
         [0038]    The transfer machine  140  comprises a plurality of transfer pockets  142   a  that transport food portions from the portioning machine  120  to the container-handling machine  160   a.  A food portion is deposited into a transfer pocket  142   a  and the transfer pocket  142   a  carries the food portion to the container-handling machine  160   a.    
         [0039]    The transfer pocket  142   a  can be of any number of shapes, sizes, and configurations, including open ended cylinders and boxes, as discussed below.  
         [0040]    The transfer machine  140  comprises two parallel but oppositely rotating belts  55  and two drive turrets  52 . The transfer pockets  142   a  are advanced onto one of the belts  55  by the rotation of one of the drive turrets  52 , carried in one direction by the belt  55 , received and advanced by the second of the drive turrets  52 , and carried back in the opposite direction by the second belt  55  to the origin. The two belts  55  continuously move imparting forward mobility to the transfer pockets  142   a.  The belts  55  move freely beneath transfer pockets  142   a  that are held stationary, such as when the transfer pockets  142   a  are receiving or discharging food portions, or when waiting in queue for the same.  
         [0041]    The function of the drive turrets  52  may be performed by a processing machine along the food processing machine  100   a  line. For example, the portioning machine  120  and/or the container-handling machine  160   a  can be of the type that comprises a transfer pocket drive mechanism, which would take the place of one of the drive turrets  52 , that advances the transfer pockets  142   a  to the corresponding belts  55 .  
         [0042]    In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, in accordance with the present invention, the transfer pockets  142   a  are independent of each other; that is, there is no connection between each transfer pocket  142   a.  Therefore, each transfer pocket  142   a  can be processed independently from the processing of any other transfer pocket  142   a.  A transfer pocket  142   a  is filled by the portioning machine  120  and does not interfere with a second transfer pocket  142   a  being processed by the container-handling machine  160   a.  This provides the ability to independently control the portioning machine  120  and the container-handling machine  160   a.  Independent control is desired for processing efficiencies. Further, each component of the food processing machine  100   a  can be operated at optimal speeds independently from the other components.  
         [0043]    The container-handling machine  160   a  provides the containers  170   a  on a continuously moving conveyance  452   a.  The transfer pockets  142   a  move into alignment with the containers  170   a  at the container-handling machine  160   a  during the filling operation. When the transfer pockets  142   a  are aligned with the containers  170   a,  the food portion is dropped through the bottom of the transfer pocket  142   a  into the container  170   a  below. The turret  52  indexes the transfer pockets  142   a  such that the transfer pockets  142   a  are positioned in proper alignment with the containers  170   a.  In this embodiment, the transfer pockets  142   a  and the containers  170   a  are in continuous movement.  
         [0044]    Simultaneously with the filling of the containers  170   a,  other transfer pockets  142   a  are being filled with food portions by the portioning machine  120 . The container-handling machine  160   a  will not be hindered by the portioning machine  120  as each transfer pocket  142   a  can move independently from the others. This is especially beneficial when the portioning machine  120  operates by stopping each transfer pocket  142   a  while depositing a food portion therein.  
         [0045]    The transfer machine  140  provides the capability of using processing machines of different types and speeds. For example, one processing machine, such as the portioning machine  120  that operates most efficiently by holding the transfer pockets  142   a  stationary, can be used along the same processing line with another processing machine, such as the container-handling machine  160   a  that operates most efficiently in a continuously moving conveyance. The processing machines operate simultaneously and without interference. Independently movable transfer pockets  142   a  accommodate the operational aspects of the various components of the food processing machine  100   a.    
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 2B illustrates a food processing machine  100   b  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The embodiment of FIG. 2B is substantially similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2A but for the container-handling machine  452   b  and the method of depositing the food portions into the containers  170   b.  The food processing machine  100   b  enables multiple food portions to be deposited into multiple containers  170   b  simultaneously. A determined plurality of transfer pockets  142   a  are conveyed to and held in wait at the container-handling machine  160   b  during the filling operation.  
         [0047]    A number of methods can be used to hold the awaiting transfer pockets  142   a  in proper alignment with the corresponding containers  170   b  held below include, but are not limited to, the following methods. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the physical dimensions of the transfer pockets  142   a  provide the proper spacing between food portions contained within the transfer pockets  142   a  when the transfer pockets  142   a  are in abutment with each other.  
         [0048]    In another embodiment in accordance with the invention shown in FIG. 2C, a comb  172  with multiple teeth  173  is used to position and hold the transfer pockets  142   a  stationary and in proper alignment. The comb  172  is positioned out of the path of the transfer pockets  142   a  to let the transfer pockets  142   a  move freely. The comb  172  is positioned into the path of the transfer pockets  142   a  and the teeth  173  are used to separate and position the transfer pockets  142   a  subsequent to releasing the food portion into the awaiting corresponding containers  107   a  held below.  
         [0049]    In another embodiment in accordance with the invention shown in FIG. 2D, a plurality of swing gates  174   a - d  are used to position and hold the transfer pockets  142   a  stationary and in proper alignment. The gates  174   a - d  are positioned out of the path of the transfer pockets  142   a  to let the transfer pockets  142   a  move freely. Each gate  174   a - d  is positioned in sequence into the path of the transfer pockets  142   a  such that one transfer pocket  142   a  is held by each of the gates  174   a - d.  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2D, the farthest down-stream gate  174   a  would close first, followed in sequences by each adjacent gate  142   b - d.  Sufficient spacing between each incoming transfer pocket  142   a  is required to allow the gates  174   a - d  to close between the transfer pockets  142   a.  This can be done, for example, by incorporating an upstream gate that meters the oncoming transfer pockets  142   a  in time with the gates  174   a - d.  The gates  174   a - d  separate and position the transfer pockets  142   a  subsequent to releasing the food portions into the awaiting corresponding containers  170   a  held below.  
         [0050]    Simultaneously with the filling of the containers  170   a,  other transfer pockets  142   a  are being filled with food portions by the portioning machine  120 . The container-handling machine  160   a  will not be hindered by the portioning machine  120  as each transfer pocket  142   a  can move independently from the others. This is especially beneficial when the portioning machine  120  operates by stopping each transfer pocket  142   a  while depositing a food portion therein.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 3A illustrates a food processing machine  100   c  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The food portions are deposited into containers  170   c,  such as trays, which are in continuous movement upon a common conveyance  452   c.  The transfer pockets  142   a  continuously move in alignment with the containers  170   c  at the container-handling machine  160   c  during the filling operation while other transfer pockets  142   a  are being individually processed to receive food portions at the portioning machine  120 .  
         [0052]    The embodiment of FIG. 3A shows a turret  57  that is able to convey transfer pockets  142  of various sizes to the container-handling machine  160   c.  The turret  57  comprises evenly spaced teeth  58  that define a containment space  59 . The transfer pockets  142   a  are conveyed into proximity of the turret  57  by one of the rotating belts  55 . The rotating belt  55  moves freely beneath transfer pockets  142   a  that are held waiting in queue for capture by the turret  57 . Each transfer pocket  142   a  is captured within each of the containment spaces  59 . The containment space  59  is shaped such that the turret  57  can convey and align transfer pockets  142   a  having a variety of shapes, for proper placement over the corresponding container  170   c.  A second rotating belt  55  receives the emptied transfer pockets  142   a  for conveyance down-line.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 3B illustrates a food processing machine  100   d  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is much like the embodiment of FIG. 3A, but does not include the rotating belts  55 . The transfer pockets  142   a  are not coupled to each other, but are in close proximity or in touching relationship to each other. As the turret  57  rotates in the desired direction, the transfer pocket  142   a  is entrained by the teeth  53  imparting forward movement to the transfer pocket  142   a.  As the transfer pocket  142   a  is advanced and released by the turret  57 , the transfer pocket  142   a  abuts and pushes against the transfer pocket  142   a  before it, thereby advancing the transfer pockets  142   a,  in similar fashion as the embodiment of FIG. 1A. The turret  52  can passively rotate in response to the passing transfer pockets  142   a  to guide the transfer pockets  142   a.  The turret  52  can actively rotate in synchronic relationship with the turret  57  to assist in moving the transfer pockets  142   a.  This present embodiment is particularly useful in food processing machines  100   c  wherein the path taken by the transfer pockets  142   a  is relatively short.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 4 illustrates a food processing machine  100   e  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The transfer pockets  142   a  are processed by a plurality of container-handling machines  160   d  wherein the transfer pockets  142   a  are individually processed to receive food portions at one portioning machine  120 . Neither the operation of the portioning machine  120  nor the container-handling machines  160   d  interfere with each other.  
         [0055]    Additional embodiments are provided below. These are illustrative of specific embodiments and are not to be taken in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 5 illustrates a food processing machine  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The machine  200  is based on a filling machine as identified in U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,562, Anderson, incorporated herein by reference. The machine  200  comprises a portioning machine  120 , a transfer machine  140 , and a container-handling machine  160 . The machine  200  has a programmable operating control unit  180  to control the operation of the machine  200 . The portioning machine  120  prepares food product  190  into a food portion  192  of a desired size, shape, weight, and consistency. The transfer machine  140  transports the food portion  192  between the portioning machine  120  and the container-handling machine  160 . The container-handling machine  160  receives the food portion  192  from the transfer machine  140  for packaging the food portion  192  into a food container  170   d.    
         [0057]    The portioning machine  120  has a product sizing machine  122  for processing a bulk quantity of food product  190  and subsequently sizing the food product  190  into food portions  192 . The sizing machine  122  has an expandable forming chamber  124  to receive a quantity of the food product  190 . The chamber  124  is expanded to receive the food product  190  from an infeed conveyor  126  and is collapsed to form the food product  190  into a food product column  193 . An upper plunger  128  and a lower plunger  129  in opposing relationship to each other act to compress the food product column  193 . The degree of compaction of the food product  190  is determined to produce a food product  190  of a desired consistency.  
         [0058]    The food product column  193  is presented to a slicing machine  130  that slices the food portion  192  from the food product column  193 . The food portion  192  is subsequently presented to the transfer machine  140 . The portioning machine  120  cooperates with the transfer machine  140  to place the food portion  192  into an open-ended transfer pocket  142   b.  The transfer pocket  142   b  is a topless and bottomless container which can be of any shape suitable for the particular purpose, such as, but not limited to, a box, cylinder, and octagon. The transfer pocket  142   b  in the embodiment of FIG. 5 is a topless and bottomless square cup that rides on a guide plate  144 . The guide plate  144  acts as a bottom of the transfer pocket  142   b.  The transfer pocket  142   b  is positioned between the food product column  193  and the lower plunger  129 . The guide plate  144  has a guide plate opening  145  to allow the lower plunger  129  to extend upwardly through the transfer pocket  142   b  to abut the food product column  193 .  
         [0059]    During the process of filling the transfer pocket  142   b,  the lower plunger  129  retracts as the upper plunger  128  extends to force the food product column  193  into the transfer pocket  142   b.  The lower plunger  129  operating in conjunction with the upper plunger  128  determines the size of the food portion  192  to be received in the transfer pocket  142   b.  The lower plunger  129  is arranged to enter the transfer pocket  142   b  a determined distance to establish the height of the food portion  192  to be received by the transfer pocket  142   b.    
         [0060]    The slicing machine  130  comprises a slicing blade  132  that severs the food portion  192  to be received in the transfer pocket  142   b  from the balance of the food product column  193 .  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 6 is a top view of the transfer machine  140  in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 5 along view lines  6 - 6 . The transfer pockets  142   b  are moved upon a transfer conveyor  150  comprising a guide plate  144 . The transfer pockets  142   b  are supported by and travel on the guide plate  144  that in effect provides a bottom for the transfer pockets  142   b  as the transfer pockets  142   b  are moved from the portioning machine  120  to the container-handling machine  160 . Any number of devices suitable for the intended purpose, such as conveyor belts and/or wall-mounted motorized rollers  148 , can be utilized to impart forward movement to the transfer pockets  142   b  to move the transfer pockets  142   b  along the guide plate  144 .  
         [0062]    The food portion  192  is subsequently presented to the container-handling machine  160  by the transfer machine  140  as further shown in FIG. 7. The container-handling machine  160  comprises a container conveyor  164 . The container conveyor  164  presents a plurality of food containers  170   d  individually to the transfer machine  140  such that the food container  170   d  may be filled.  
         [0063]    The guide plate  144  has a slide plate  152  that is movable substantially transverse to the direction of travel of the transfer pockets  142   b  as indicated by arrow  153  in FIG. 6. The slide plate  152  has a slide plate opening  154  positioned strategic to the container conveyor  164  and is movable to position the slide plate opening  154  directly under the transfer pocket  142   b  from which the food portion  192  is to be dispensed into the food container  170   d.  The slide plate  152  is shown in FIG. 6 with the slide plate opening  154  out of the travel path of the transfer pocket  142   b.  The movement of the slide plate  152  is coordinated with the food container filling cycle of the machine  200 . When the transfer pocket  142   b  containing the food portion  192  has been advanced to the container-handling machine  160 , the slide plate  152  is moved by a known actuator to position the slide plate opening  154  under the transfer pocket  142   b  enabling the food portion  192  to be dispensed into the food container  170   d  from the transfer pocket  142   b.  The slide plate  152  movement is coordinated with the determined cycle of the machine  200  and in particular the dispensing of the food portion  192  from the transfer pocket  142   b  into the food container  170   d.  The food container  170   d  is presented on the container conveyor  164  as an open-ended container into which the food portion  192  may be deposited.  
         [0064]    In applications wherein a larger quantity of food portion  192  is to be packaged into the food container  170   d,  the slide plate  152  may be controlled such that the transfer pocket  142   b  traverses the container-handling machine  160  without depositing the food portion  192 . The transfer pocket  142   b  will return to the portioning machine  120  to receive a second food portion  192 . This re-circulation of the transfer pocket  142   b  may take place any number of times until the desired quantity of food portion  192  is deposited into the transfer pocket  142   b.  Upon reaching the desired quantity of food portion  192 , the slide plate  152  actuates to deposit the quantity of food portion  192  into the food container  170   d.    
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a food processing machine  300  of the present invention. The machine  300  is arranged and operated in a similar manner as the machine  200  in FIGS.  5 - 7 . The machine  300  comprises a portioning machine  120 , a transfer machine  240 , and a container-handling machine  160 . The portioning machine  120  fills the transfer pockets  142   b  in similar fashion as described above.  
         [0066]    The food portion  192  is presented to the container-handling machine  160  by the transfer machine  240  in similar fashion as shown in FIG. 7. The transfer machine  240  comprises a movable tamper plunger  162 . The tamper plunger  162  is movable upwardly and downwardly by a cylinder  166  as indicated by arrow  167 . The cylinder  166  is adapted to move the tamper plunger  162  downward into the transfer pocket  142   b  that is positioned below the tamper plunger  162  during the food container filling cycle.  
         [0067]    The guide plate  144  has a slide plate  152  that is movable substantially transverse to the direction of travel of the transfer pocket  142   b  as indicated by arrow  153 . The slide plate  152  has an slide plate opening  154  positioned strategic to the container conveyor  164  and is movable to position the slide plate opening  154  directly under the transfer pocket  142   b  from which the food portion  192  is to be dispensed into the food container  170   e.  The movement of the slide plate  152  is coordinated with the food container filling cycle of the machine  300 . When the transfer pocket  142   b  containing the food portion  192  has been advanced to the container-handling machine  160 , the slide plate  152  is moved by a known actuator to position the slide plate opening  154  under the transfer pocket  142   b.  The tamper plunger  162  moves downward into the transfer pocket  142   b  to assist in removing the food portion  192  from the transfer pocket  142   b.  The tamper plunger  162  pushes the food portion  192  free of the transfer pocket  142   b  allowing the food portion  192  to be deposited into the food container  170   e.  The slide plate  152  movement is coordinated with the determined cycle of the machine  300  and, in particular, the dispensing of the food portion  192  from the transfer pocket  142   b  by the tamping plunger  162  into the food container  170   e.    
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the food processing machine  400  of the present invention. The machine  400  is arranged in a similar manner as the machine  200  in FIGS.  5 - 7 . The machine  400  comprises a portioning machine  120 , a transfer machine  340 , and a container-handling machine  160 . The transfer machine  340  comprises a plurality of individual open-ended transfer pockets  142   b.  The transfer pockets  142   b  are moved upon a transfer conveyor  350  comprising a guide plate  344 . The transfer pockets  142   b  are supported by and travel on the guide plate  344  that in effect provides a bottom for the transfer pockets  142   b  as the transfer pockets  142   b  are moved from the portioning machine  120  to the container-handling machine  160 . Any number of devices suitable for the intended purpose, such as conveyor belts and/or wall-mounted motorized rollers  348 , as shown in FIG. 9, can be utilized to impart forward movement to the transfer pockets  142   b  to move the transfer pockets  142   b  along the guide plate  344 .  
         [0069]    The transfer pockets  142   b  are directed along multiple outflow paths  358  to enable the use of more than one container-handling machines  160 . The transfer pockets  142   b  are metered through the multiple outflow paths  358  using flow control doors  356  and the like. Multiple outflow paths  358  are particularly beneficial when, for example, the speed of the portioning machines  120  loading the transfer pockets  142   b  is faster than the container-handling machine  160  receiving the food portion  192  from the transfer pockets  142   b.  Product throughput can thus be made more efficient as the speed of the components of the machine  400  is accommodated without effecting the speed of the other components.  
         [0070]    It will be appreciated that other food processing machines using various combinations and multiples of portioning machines, transfer machines, and container-handling machines are within scope of the invention. In one embodiment, not shown, the machine  200  is arranged to fill two transfer pockets  142   b  simultaneously using two portioning machines  120 .  
         [0071]    Similarly, it will be appreciated that the number of transfer pockets  142   b  that are simultaneously emptied into a number of food containers  170   e  may be varied to suit the requirements. In one embodiment, not shown, the machine  300  comprises a plurality of tamping plungers  162  to simultaneously push a plurality of food portions into corresponding containers  170   e.  In another embodiment, not shown, the machine  200  comprises a plurality of slide plates  152  to enable the transfer of multiple food portions  192  into multiple food containers  170   e.    
         [0072]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for purposes of description of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Those with skill in the food processing industry will readily appreciate that the present invention may be implemented in a very wide variety of embodiments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.