Patent ID: 7335013

Claim:
In a molded food product forming machine, a drive system for reciprocating a mold plate between a cavity fill position and a patty discharge position, the drive system comprising: an electric motor having a motor output shaft; an electric motor control that is configured to precisely control the rotational position of said motor output shaft; a first gear train operatively connected to said motor output shaft and having a first output shaft arranged having a first vertical axis; a first crank arm having a base end and a distal end and connected at said base end to said first output shaft and arranged to rotate with said first output shaft about said first vertical axis; a first drive rod operatively connected to said distal end of said first crank arm and arranged to linearly reciprocate with the rotation of said first crank arm; a second gear train operatively connected to said motor output shaft and having a second output shaft arranged having a second vertical axis; a second crank arm having a base end and a distal end and connected at said base end to said second output shaft and arranged to rotate with said second output shaft about said second vertical axis; a second drive rod operatively connected to said distal end of said second crank arm and arranged to linearly reciprocate with the rotation of said second crank arm; wherein said first and second gear trains are configured such that said first and second output shafts rotate simultaneously in opposite rotational directions about said first and second vertical axes; said first and second drive rods connectable to a mold plate; and a controller in communication with said electric motor control, coordinating the rotation of said motor output shaft of said electric motor, said controller controls the precise positions of said first and second drive rods during reciprocation thereof by controlling said electric motor control according to a pre-selected routine.