Andrew H Vedvik

US Patent:

44780249, Oct 23, 1984

Filed:

Sep 28, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/306461

Inventors:

Andrew H. Vedvik - Poynette WI
Myron J. Merdler - Monona WI

Assignee:

Oscar Mayer Foods Corp. - Madison WI

International Classification:

B65B 506
B65B 3902
B65B 3912

US Classification:

53473

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are disclosed for aligning the slices in stacks of sliced food products and for loading the stacks into container cavities. Stacks are received sequentially from a supply conveyor onto a stack support surface, where the stacks are detained either by friction with the support surface or by a stack catcher. A stack positioning member movable along the support surface pushes the stacks into engagement with a stack former for aligning the slices. Simultaneously, the stack positioning member retards movement of the next upstream stack on the supply conveyor so that the stack comes to rest on the support surface, and then pushes the previously aligned stack to a downstream pick-up station for loading into a container cavity. Each stack is removed from the loading station by a gripper assembly which pivots between the loading station and the container. Each gripper assembly has a plurality of pick-up fingers which may be spread to receive a stack at the loading station or to release the stack into a container.

US Patent:

45977046, Jul 1, 1986

Filed:

Sep 20, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/652785

Inventors:

Andrew H. Vedvik - Poynette WI
Myron J. Merdler - Monona WI

Assignee:

Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation - Madison WI

International Classification:

B65H 3140

US Classification:

414 28

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are disclosed for aligning the slices in stacks of sliced food products and for loading the stacks into container cavities. Stacks are received sequentially from a supply conveyor onto a stack support surface, where the stacks are detained either by friction with the support surface or by a stack catcher. A stack positioning member movable along the support surface pushes the stacks into engagement with a stack former for aligning the slices. Simultaneously, the stack positioning member retards movement of the next upstream stack on the supply conveyor so that the stack comes to rest on the support surface, and then pushes the previously aligned stack to a downstream pick-up station for loading into a container cavity. Each stack is removed from the loading station by a gripper assembly which pivots between the loading station and the container. Each gripper assembly has a plurality of pick-up fingers which may be spread to receive a stack at the loading station or to release the stack into a container.