Abstract: An automatic packaging system for dry lasagna noodle product includes a vacuum drum which automatically lifts a top layer of lasagna noodle from a bottom layer. The layers are travelling on a conveyor belt. The vacuum drum replaces the top layer back onto the conveyor belt behind the bottom layer. A water knife cutter is disposed downstream from the vacuum drum. The water knife cuts the lasagna in half. An inspection/rejection station is disposed downstream from the water knife cutter. The inspection/rejection station inspects piece of lasagna to ensure that it is of uniform shape and satisfies a predetermined minimum quality standard. A swing conveyor is disposed downstream from the inspection/rejection station. The swing conveyor transmits the lasagna onto one of two travelling conveyors. The travelling conveyors transmits the lasagna onto a loading conveyor. The loading conveyors transmits the lasagna into a bucket in a bucket indexer station.

Abstract: Elimination of the problems of a manual burrito folding operation is obtained by a high speed burrito folding machine which eliminates the need for human operators. The machine includes an endless conveyor having an entrance portion, an intermediate portion downstream of the entrance portion, and an exit portion downstream of the intermediate portion. A plurality of platform assemblies are pivotally mounted on the conveyor about a substantially vertical axis and spaced apart from one another. The swinging of a first movable platform of each platform assembly sequentially forms a first fold in each burrito. Downstream of the forming of the first fold, each burrito is sequentially revolved to a position in which the axis of the first fold is substantially transverse to the length of the conveyor. Each of a pair of spaced apart portions of the burrito are folded to form spaced apart second and third folds in the burrito which extend along fold lines which are transverse to the first fold.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to apparatus for delivering a predetermined portion of product to a plurality of containers. The apparatus includes a driven endless conveyor having a plurality "of" horizontal flat plates pivotally connected to one another. Fences extend along the length of each of the opposite sides of the endless conveyor adjacent the upper surface portion of each plate to confine product upon the upper surfaces of the plates as the conveyor is driven. Each of the plates has an opening extending therethrough. A cup having an open top portion, an open bottom portion, and a predetermined volume therein is disposed in the opening of each of the plates with the open top portion of the cup in register with the opening in the plate. Means are provided for closing the bottom portion of the cups. Means are provided along the path of travel of the endless conveyor for delivering product to the upper surfaces of the plates and thereby to the cups.

Abstract: Accurately reproducible filling to a selected headspace level of a rapidly moving line of containers is obtained by using a single feeder screw through at least a final portion of a filling region and an outfeed zone following the filling region. The containers are tilted to a predetermined angle, depending on the selected headspace level, during their progress through the filling region and then return smoothly to an upright condition in the outfeed transition zone, without splashing any of the liquid content. Apparatus for filling the containers includes a container support structure in the filling region that can be adjusted through a range of tilt angles in an arc centered on the longitudinal axis of the feeder screw. The apparatus also includes an elongated funnel for delivering liquid to the containers and that can be pivoted forward to permit access to the filling region.

Abstract: A device for discharging material from a succession of filled open top transfer receptacles includes a guideholder having a pair of elongated parallel spaced-apart deadplates extending from an input end of the device toward an output end of the device. The spacing of the deadplates is sufficient to slidably receive the height of a transfer receptacle, and the length of the deadplates is sufficient to contain at least one transfer receptacle in a single station, and preferably two contiguous transfer receptacles in respective first and second stations. With two stations, the deadplates prevent loss of material from a receptacle in the first station but have openings in the second station to permit discharge of the contents of an inverted transfer receptacle in the second station.