Abstract: An air retriever, such as a bellows (24) is used in an end effector (18) for lifting work products (22) in prearranged configurations, and delivery to a container (20) in a predetermined pattern. An air flow control valve (50) is positioned in each bellows (24) for individually controlling the flow of air through each bellows so that the bellows in a pick zone may draw air for picking up work products while air flow is not applied to the other bellows out of the pick zone.

Abstract: Cable manager 30 is positioned between the distal end of a robot arm 16 and the robot end effector 18. Elongated cable carrier 44 positioned in a circular cable track 34 extends in an arc about the axis of connection 17 between the robot arm and the end effector. One end 56 of the cable carrier moves with the robot arm and the other end 54 moves with the end effector. The cable carrier forms a U-shape 60 between its ends so that the movements of the ends of the cable carrier result in the U-shape accommodating the change in distance between the ends of the utility line and the cable carrier. Utility lines 62 are gathered in one or more cables that extend through the cable carrier to provide the end effector with the controls necessary for its operation.

Abstract: The dough portioner 10 includes a manifold 36 defining a chamber 38 for receiving bakers dough or other viscous flowable material from a feed pump 14. A plurality of delivery channels 44 in communication with said chamber pass the viscous material to a dough cutter 66. A meter wheel 52 is positioned between the manifold and the cutter for receiving a stream of the material from each of the delivery channels and discharging the streams of material independently of others of said meter wheels.

Abstract: An endless conveyor chain assembly (10) includes two piece enclosed curved track sections (15) having curved sections (15) for the passage therethrough of a series of conveyor chain links (12). Outer race (18) of the curved track sections (15) include an impervious horizontal bottom wall (22) that is U-shaped in cross section for retaining any lubricants or other liquids or debris. Inner race (20) with a wear strip (44) attached thereto is removable from the outer race (18) without having to cut the curved conveyor track sections (15) from the track and without having to remove the conveyor chain from the track when performing maintenance to the conveyor chain assembly.

Abstract: Dough pump 12 includes an auger 22 that moves oncoming dough from the upwardly facing entry opening 19 of the cylindrical housing 24 and expels the dough laterally from a side delivery conduit 26. A developer 14 includes a laterally facing entry conduit 40 aligned with the side delivery conduit 26 of the dough pump. Developer paddle 48 gently moves the dough along the developer housing 44 to a downwardly facing delivery conduit 46. The dough pump motor 30 and the developer motor 50 are located on opposite ends of their respective housings. The dough pump auger 22 pushes the dough away from the motor and its transmission and toward the side delivery conduit 26. Likewise, the developer paddle 48 moves the dough in the opposite direction away from the motor and its transmission so that the seals at the inlet end portions of the dough pump and developer are less likely to be over-pressurized and are less likely to leak.