Abstract: This invention relates to a deep fat fryer of the external heat exchanger, pumped-recirculation type, and more specifically, discloses a control system for automatically heating and recirculating the fat either continuously or intermittently as needed to accommodate one or both of two conditions existing in such a fryer. First, during continuous circulation and frying vapor lock may occur at the pump impeller, inhibiting recirculation. Automatic shifting to intermittent operation is made to occur until the vapor "burps" itself from the pump. Additionally, when starting a fryer and using solid shortening, the pump and burner are operated intermittently until such time as the pump and heat exchanger are sufficiently full of melted shortening to permit continuous circulation. Upon sensing that full condition and our associated pressure, the system shifts automatically to continuous recirculation.

Abstract: A dropped-article sensor is positioned beneath the platform conveyor of a wrapping machine wherein articles are received at a feed-in station and conveyed to a wrapping station along a conveyor path extending between and including the feed-in station and the wrapping station with sheets of wrapping material being wrapped about the packages at the wrapping station. Articles dropped from the conveyor path fall upon the dropped-article sensor which not only catches the articles, but generates a wrapping machine stop signal or interrupt such that the dropped article must be retrieved before restarting the wrapping machine.

Abstract: Sheets of wrapping film are drawn into a wrapping machine from a continuous film source to accommodate large girth packages. Predetermined lengths of film corresponding to the entering lengths of the packages to be wrapped are initially drawn into the machine, with additional film being drawn in accordance with the girth dimensions of the packages. In a first embodiment, the additional film is drawn from the source by fully elevating packages into the film with the stress thus produced pulling the additional film required. In a second embodiment, a secondary package pusher is connected to a rear underfolder such that as the film is folded beneath a package, any portion of the package exceeding a given length is pushed from the wrapping station beyond a film edge-engaging position to draw additional film approximately equal in length to the extended portion of the package.

Abstract: A method of forming a spray nozzle along a fluid conduit includes forming a hole into a length of tubing and then providing a countersink for the hole. A portion of the tubing is then depressed inwardly along an imaginary line along the tubing outer surface that is parallel to the central tube axis and that passes over the hole. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A package is conveyed to a package elevator which elevates it into a film sheet stretched above the elevator. Side folding levers and a coordinated rear folder fold three sides of the film sheet about the package such that edges of first and second opposed sides of the film sheet are overlapped by edges of a third or rear side of the film sheet. The infolding of the third side of the film sheet by the side underfolders is delayed at the rear edge of the package by expanding the opening between the side underfolders in that area. Thus, the rear underfolding of the third side commences substantially at the rear corners of the package to expand the underfolded third side and ensure film overlap. The package is then pushed onto a conveyor to underfold the fourth side of the film and entirely cover the underside of the package by overlapping edges of the folded sides of the film sheet.

Abstract: Packages which may drop from an elevator or other package supporting/conveying apparatus in a package elevating wrapping machine are caught by a package catcher comprising a pan having upwardly extending edges which is coupled to the elevator and reciprocated therewith. The pan is supported in a generally horizontal attitude to receive dropped packages. A package guide is positioned adjacent to a package feed-in tray to direct packages which may drop to the pan. The edge of the pan which extends toward the package guide is preferably angularly oriented and lengthened to be substantially aligned with the package guide when the elevator is in its lowered position. The distal end of the lengthened pan edge is maintained in close proximity to the package guide throughout the reciprocating motion of the elevator and package catcher to facilitate passage of a dropped package to the pan.

Abstract: A control system and method of controlling a conveyor-type dishwasher is disclosed, with the dishwasher including a plurality of sequentially arranged work stations, each of the stations performing an operation on ware located therein such as washing, rinsing, drying and the like. A conveyor carries the ware into the dishwasher, past each of the stations, and out of the dishwasher. A sensor mounted at a reference point adjacent the conveyor near the entrance for ware to the dishwasher senses the presence of ware items on the conveyor as the items are carried past the reference point. Positional advance of the conveyor is monitored to define a current conveyor position and track movement of the items through the dishwasher.

Abstract: A label applicator device receives a label from a label printer and applies the label to a package by means of a pressure-sensitive adhesive which coats one side of the label. The applicator device includes a label support means which receives a label with the adhesive coated side facing upward. The label support means includes a pair of fingers upon which the label rests. A label transfer nozzle is pivoted about a horizontal axis beneath the label support means into a first position in which it is received between the pair of fingers and engages the printed side of the label by means of a partial vacuum supplied through a vacuum port in the transfer nozzle. The transfer nozzle is then pivoted into a second position in which the adhesive coated side of the label is facing generally downward. The applicator device includes an applicator head which moves downward, removing the label from the transfer nozzle and pressing it into contact with the surface of a package.

Abstract: A multiple-fill dishwasher and method includes a wash chamber having a sump at the bottom thereof, a remotely controlled inlet valve for supplying cleansing liquid into the sump, a drain for draining liquid and entrained soil from the sump, and a recirculating pump having a spraying system receiving the output thereof for spraying liquid onto soiled ware contained within the chamber. A control circuit controls the valve, drain means, and pump to perform a selected one of a plurality of different cleansing cycles which are automatically selected according to the extent of soil on the ware. An operator-actuated switch for commencing operating of the control circuit, and a chamber for collecting soil particles in a concentrated fashion during liquid recirculation, are also provided.

Abstract: A weighing scale and a label printer/applier are cooperatively combined with a wrapping machine to form a packaging machine into which a trayed commodity can be inserted and a wrapped and priced package removed. The weight of a trayed commodity is preferably determined as it is transported into the packaging machine. The tray size, known commodity and weight of the trayed commodity or package are utilized to determine the length and width of a sheet of film to be used to wrap the package. The package weight is passed to a label printer which calculates the price for the commodity being packaged, prints the label and passes it to a labeling head incorporated into a portion of the wrapping machine. The package weight is determined by subtracting a tare weight based on sensed package dimensions from the gross weight of the package to arrive at an accurate net pricing weight.

Abstract: In a stretch film wrapping machine wherein packages are elevated into a stretched sheet of film and underfolded, an improved control system monitors the operation of the wrapping machine to detect a jam condition and stop the machine for such jam conditions. A microprocessor monitors clock counts generated by the main drive shaft of the wrapping machine to detect a jam condition. Microprocessor operating cycles are counted between consecutive clock counts generated. If the drive shaft hesitates for a defined period of time, the counter overflows indicating a jam condition. The system also provides for operating the film wrapping machine in a reverse direction in discrete steps within a defined and limited range of the machine operating cycle to thereby facilitate removal of jams. To further facilitate jam removal, the rear film underfolder and package pusher are mounted to be moved away from the machine to thereby remove pressure from packages jammed beneath the rear underfolder.

Abstract: In a stretch film wrapping machine an improved adjustable mechanism controls the film drawing stroke of a film gripper to select the length of film pulled from a continuous roll of film. The adjustable mechanism comprises an output lever arm which is pivotally mounted to the wrapping machine and an adjustable lever arm pivotally mounted to the distal end of the output lever arm. A link is connected between the adjustable lever arm and an arcuate slot, the arc of which is centered upon the point of connection of the link to the adjustable lever arm when the film gripper is in the position to engage an end of the film roll. This arrangement adjusts the articulation of the adjustable lever arm when the output lever arm is in an extended film pulling position but returns the film gripper to the film end engaging position regardless of the adjustment of the link within the arcuate slot.

Abstract: In a stretch film wrapping machine improved film feeding apparatus facilitates the threading of stretch film into film feeding jaws. Sealing/conveying apparatus is closely located above the film feeding jaws and is mounted to be pivotally moved in line with the machine away from the film feeding jaws. A package sealing holddown is positioned over the sealing/conveying apparatus to ensure firm contact between wrapped packages and the sealing/conveying apparatus. The sealing holddown is pivotally mounted to similarly move away from the film feeding jaws in line with the film wrapping machine. Inexpensive latching means are incorporated into the sealing holddown and the package sealing conveyor to maintain them in an elevated position to provide free access to the film feeding jaws. The package holddown comprises a roller with a central section of a first diameter and two outer sections of a second larger diameter which are connected to the central section by frustum sections.

Abstract: A package sensing system provides length, width and height signals to a film control system which selects the width and length of stretch film to be used by a film wrapping machine to wrap the sensed package. Package width is sensed by spring biased swing arms which active electrical switches upon deflection by an entering package. A wide package is indicated if both swing arms are deflected. The length and height of a package are sensed by a generally vertical downwardly extending lever arm which is pivotally mounted above the package entryway into the machine. A first electrical switch coupled to the lever arm generates a length signal upon initial contact by an entering package and a second electrical switch coupled to the lever arm generates a height signal depending upon the ultimate deflection of the lever arm by the package.

Abstract: In a stretch film wrapping machine an improved control system provides for automatic or manual selection of one of at least two differing width film rolls and provides individualized wrapping parameters dependent upon the film width selected. Automatic film selection is performed in response to signals identifying the height, width and length of a package to be wrapped which characteristics are sensed or measured by a package sensing system. Both automatic and manual film selection includes timing controls for synchronizing film gripping and clamping apparatus with underfolding apparatus dependent upon the film selected to provide improved control over the tensioning of film wrapped about individual packages.

Abstract: In a film wrapping machine for wrapping packages in stretchable film, a monitoring system is provided to generate a signal each time film is drawn into the machine. If no film is drawn into the machine indicating that the film source has expired, broken or otherwise become disengaged from the film feeding apparatus for the wrapping machine, the machine is stopped. The film draw into the machine is monitored by an electrical switch which is coupled to a tensioning roller, the motion of which is adjusted to activate the switch each time even at least a minimum length of film is drawn into the machine.

Abstract: In a package wrapping machine wherein packages are transported horizontally on a beyond platform to a wrapping station and deposited at the wrapping station by contact or collision of the package with a package stop as the platform travels beynd the stop, improved package handling apparatus is provided for catching trayed commodities upon rebound from the package stop and for urging them toward the stop such that they are correctly positioned for wrapping. The improved apparatus comprises a ramped projection extending upwardly from the rear of the conveying platform with the ramped projection being formed to facilitate passage beneath a package to be wrapped as the platform travels beyond the package stop. Package restraints at the wrapping station retain packages at the correct position on the wrapping station as the ramped projection passes beneath the trayed commodity.

Abstract: A roller conveyor comprises an inner track formed from bearing material positioned in parallel to an outer track with a plurality of rollers rotatably disposed between the tracks. Each roller includes a central shaft having a necked portion near one end which necked portion engages one of a plurality of U-shaped slots formed in the inner track. A twin-V drive belt is supported on a plurality of open-faced pulleys for motion parallel to the inner track with the upper edge of the drive belt being exposed by the open-faced pulleys. The ends of the roller shafts beyond the necked portions extend beyond the inner track to form driven members which engage and are driven by the exposed upper edge of the twin-V drive belt to rotate the rollers.