Abstract: A line is provided for assembling a product including proteinaceous patties having a filling therebetween. All components of the line are mechanically synchronized to maintain a consistent pitch throughout the assembling procedure. Included is a patty forming means that deposits proteinaceous patties such as ground meat patties onto a moving conveyor assembly to thereby define the desired pitch. Edible filling materials such as sauces, condiments and/or cheeses are deposited onto this patty at the given pitch. Another patty is deposited thereover while the product being formed continues to flow on the generally straight-line conveyor assembly. Thereafter, a knitting station impresses projections or pins through the outer periphery of the upper patty and into the lower patty such that, after removal of the pins by the device, the patties are knitted together, and the filling is encapsulated therewithin.

Abstract: A line is provided for assembling a product including proteinaceous patties having a filling therebetween. All components of the line are mechanically synchronized to maintain a consistent pitch throughout the assembling procedure. Included is a patty forming means that deposits proteinaceous patties such as ground meat patties onto a moving conveyor assembly to thereby define the desired pitch. Edible filling materials such as sauces, condiments and/or cheeses are deposited onto this patty at the given pitch. Another patty is deposited thereover while the product being formed continues to flow on the generally straight-line conveyor assembly. Thereafter, a knitting station impresses projections or pins through the outer periphery of the upper patty and into the lower patty such that, after removal of the pins by the device, the patties are knitted together, and the filling is encapsulated therewithin.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a series of proteinaceous patties such as ground meat patties and for depositing those patties in timed sequence onto aconveyor belt assembly that passes through the entire longitudinal length of the apparatus, including passage through a protective tunnel assembly.

Abstract: A stacker assembly is provided that removes a product from a conveyor moving a flow of spaced products and that transfers such products to a discharge assembly. A plurality of products are deposited in this manner onto the discharge assembly until a stack of products having a desired size is formed. A product lifter assembly is included that passes through spacings in the conveyor in order to raise the product above the conveyor, and a comb assembly passes through spacings of the product lifter in order to subsequently receive the raised product for transfer to the discharge assembly.

Abstract: A product line is provided for forming a sheet product composed of products such as bacon slices resting on a pre-cut thin substrate such as a sheet of paper. The substrate sheets are pre-cut to a predetermined length, and a flow of individual products and a flow of pre-cut sheets are coordinated such that the products deposit onto the pre-cut sheets in a predetermined pattern. The line may also include an assembly for reducing the flow rate of the thus formed sheet products, after which the reduced flow is conveyed to a stacking assembly for forming stacks of sheet products of a preselected size.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a molded meat product on a continuous basis, including the stuffing of a meat material into molds, where a plurality of molds are arranged together in a magazine and a plurality of magazines are utilized in the continuous process. The method and apparatus further includes a closed loop through which the magazines are driven incrementally through cooking, chilling, product knockout, washing and release agent application stations. The magazines of molds are removed from the closed loop for stuffing of the meat material and then reinserted in the closed loop to be processed in the stations of the closed loop.

Abstract: The method of forming a uniform cross-sectionally dimensioned loaf of food in a mold by filling a mold, which has a moveable plug covering one end, with stuffable food, cooking the food which expands and pushes the plug in one direction, and thereafter squeezing the food while chilling by pushing the plug in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An assembly of loaf molds defining a magazine, including a pair of vertically extending and horizontally spaced forks and a plurality of horizontally extending and vertically spaced molds secured near opposite ends to the forks. Wheels are mounted on the forks to coact with support rails along which the magazine may be driven. Driving pins are also mounted on the forks to coact with a suitable driving mechanism.

Abstract: A product knockout and receiving means for removing a loaf meat from a mechanism of loaf molds including a gang of knockout bars, one each in alignment with each mold for engaging and pushing a plug within the mold to drive the loaf meat product from the mold, and a gang of receiving means (such as trays) for receiving the loaf meat product as it is removed from the molds.

Abstract: A conveyer for indexing wheeled support magazines along a track or rail, including coacting moving and locking bars which alternately connect to the unit for either moving the unit from one position through a given distance to a next position or locking the unit at a position for a desired dwell time.

Abstract: Mechanism for applying a squeezing force to a food product in a mold, including a fluid motor driving a reciprocal rod for engaging and applying a force to a plug movably positionable within the mold. The reciprocal rod is driven by the fluid motor to move the plug into the mold until the resisting force of the food produce within the mold balances the force exerted by the fluid motor. The squeezing force is applied a plurality of times to obtain a uniform cross-sectionally dimensioned food product.