Patent ID: 8181767

Claim:
A pan inverting apparatus for inverting magnetic baking pans, the pan inverting apparatus comprising: a rotating device rotatably mounted to a frame, the rotating device being rotatable about a transverse axis which extends through the center of the rotating device; a first conveyor positioned on the rotating device, the first conveyor having a first pan-receiving surface, the first conveyor having a first pan-engagement mechanism which engages respective magnetic baking pans and causes the respective magnetic baking pans to be maintained in position on the first pan-receiving surface as the rotating device is rotated and the respective magnetic baking pans are inverted, the first pan-engagement mechanism being a magnet which generates sufficient force to attract the respective magnetic baking pans on the first conveyor and to maintain the respective magnetic baking pans in the inverted position against the first pan-receiving surface as the pan inverting apparatus is rotated; a second conveyor positioned on the rotating device, the second conveyor having a second pan-receiving surface which is opposed to the first pan-receiving surface, the second conveyor having a second pan-engagement mechanism which engages respective magnetic baking pans and causes the respective magnetic baking pans to be maintained in position on the second pan-receiving surface as the rotating device is rotated and the respective magnetic baking pans are inverted, the second pan-engagement mechanism being a magnet which generates sufficient force to attract the respective magnetic baking pans on the second conveyor and to maintain the respective magnetic baking pans in the inverted position against the second pan-receiving surface as the an inverting apparatus is rotated; the first pan-receiving surface being spaced and maintained from the second pan-receiving surface a distance greater than the height of the respective magnetic baking pan to be inverted in the pan inverting apparatus.