Abstract: A stack storage elevator for sliced, stacked comestible products includes a frame assembly disposed adjacent to a roller conveyor interposed in a conveyor delivering stacked slices to a packaging apparatus. A pair of vertically spaced sprocket wheels are secured to the frame to support an endless chain loop, one half of the loop traversing a vertically extending guide channel in the frame assembly. A plurality of elevator platform assemblies are provided, each secured to a link of the chain loop and arrayed in spaced, stacked relationship thereabout. Each elevator platform assembly includes a plurality of tines extending in parallel relationship from a pivot shaft joined to the respective chain link. The tines, which are disposed to define a platform adapted to support a stack of sliced comestible product, are spaced to interdigitate with the rollers of the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling individual sliced stacks of a comestible product includes a first roller dropper unit which arranges the output of a slicer into adjacent stacks, and drops the stacks onto a weighing scale. Accepted pairs of stacks are carried by parallel transfer conveyors to second and third roller dropper units which each accumulate two stacks, and which then drop them simultaneously onto a channelizer assembly. The channelizer assembly includes a plurality of parallel, drivable rollers mounted in a frame which is selectively translatable laterally in the direction of the roller axes. The channelizer receives four stacks from the roller dropper units, indexes laterally and receives four more stacks to form a 2.times.4 matrix. The rollers are then driven to unload the stacks onto a ramp conveyor which leads to a vacuum packaging machine. The ramp conveyor includes momentarily actuable stop tabs which bring the rows into exact alignment before being wrapped simultaneously.

Abstract: A variable feed drive mechanism comprises a novel linkage for delivering an adjustable amount of motion from a reciprocating drive lever to a unidirectional clutch output mechanism. A first linking member is pivotally joined to the distal end of the reciprocating lever and disposed substantially perpendicular thereto. An adjustment lever is joined at one end to a fixed pivot, and a second linking member is pivotally joined at one end to a distal portion of the adjustment lever, and at the other end to the distal end of the first linking member. A third linking member is pivotally joined at one end to an arm extending from the ratchet-clutch mechanism, and is pivotally joined at the other end to the junction of the first and second linking members.

Abstract: A device for transporting sliced comestible product from a slicer and loading the product in packages includes a belt drive system, with a plurality of transfer carriages supported thereon, extending between the slicer and the loader. Each transfer carriage includes a grid of horizontal, parallel tines to support the product. The loader includes a loader carriage slidably depending from a track, and a plurality of hooked tines pivotably secured to the loading carriage. The hooked tines are adapted to rotate down between the transfer tines to remove the product therefrom as the loader carriage translates along the track toward the package to be filled. The loader carriage stops above the package, where side guides grasp the sides of the product as the loader tines swing away. A loader plunger then descends to urge the product into the package. The transfer carriages are slidably supported on the belt drive system, so that one or more transfer carriages may be temporarily stopped on the belts.