Patent ID: 7735630

Claim:
An apparatus for forming loops in a chain of linked products comprising: a conveyor; a set of suspension devices coupled to the conveyor; each suspension device comprising: a link support portion pivotally coupled to a conveyor, the link support portion being pivotal about a pivot axis, the link support portion configured to suspend therefrom a portion of the chain of linked products, wherein the chain is suspended from the set of suspension devices and conveyed by the conveyor; and a lower portion downwardly extending from the link support portion; and a member coupled to a conveyor support structure and configured to engage and laterally pivot the set of suspension devices about the pivot axis into an unloading orientation; the lower portion of each suspension device configured to engage a portion of a respective link of the chain upon the pivoting motion of the suspension device about the pivot axis in order to open a respective loop suspended from the link support portion for unloading.