Abstract: A system and a method for gently loading, transporting and unloading frangible products using totes is provided. The system includes a loading station at a first location, an unloading station at a second location and a plurality of totes for use in storing the frangible products for transportation from the first location to the second location. The totes include an interior space that is upwardly curved for gently receiving the frangible products therein as they are laterally discharged off of a lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor. Two or more totes can be sequentially loaded along the lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor using backpressure caused by accumulation of frangible product along the edge of the lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor to redirect incoming frangible products towards a downstream section of the lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor system including detectable markers disposed in a series on a moving component of the conveyor system. A stationary sensor disposed in close proximity to the markers generates a signal when the moving component is in a first range of motion to dispose the markers proximal to the sensor, and the sensor either fails to generate a signal when the moving component is not within the first range of motion. The sensor signal causes a current conditioning device to condition current from a current source to operate a motor to power the conveyor tray at a first rate of acceleration in a first mode, and the lack of the signal causes the current conditioning device to operate the motor to power the conveyor tray at a second rate of acceleration in a second mode. Markers may be positionable to optimize the timing of the current modes.

Abstract: A method and system for correcting mass flow rate measurements relating to a conveyor used to move a stream of first component material portions to and through a mixing station in which a second component material is dispensed in a predetermined mass percentage of the mass of the first component material portions. The correction of the measurements is adapted to correct for inaccuracies that arise in the measurements due to, for example, differences in the first component material portions properties, differences in the second component material properties, environmental conditions, drift of electronic instruments, and changing conditions that occur during extended use of an upstream conveyor that delivers first component material portions to the mixing station.

Abstract: A system and a method for gently loading, transporting and unloading frangible products using totes is provided. The system includes a loading station at a first location, an unloading station at a second location and a plurality of totes for use in storing the frangible products for transportation from the first location to the second location. The totes include an interior space that is upwardly curved and concave for gently receiving the frangible products therein as they are laterally discharged off of a lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor. Two or more totes can be sequentially loaded along the lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor using backpressure caused by accumulation of frangible product along the edge of the lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor to redirect incoming frangible products towards a downstream section of the lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor system including detectable markers disposed in a series on a moving component of the conveyor system. A stationary sensor disposed in close proximity to the markers generates a signal when the moving component is in a first range of motion to dispose the markers proximal to the sensor, and the sensor either fails to generate a signal when the moving component is not within the first range of motion. The sensor signal causes a current conditioning device to condition current from a current source to operate a motor to power the conveyor tray at a first rate of acceleration in a first mode, and the lack of the signal causes the current conditioning device to operate the motor to power the conveyor tray at a second rate of acceleration in a second mode. Markers may be positionable to optimize the timing of the current modes.

Abstract: A tumble drum for recovering at least some flavoring material dispensed onto food portions processed within the tumble drum, the tumble drum having an interior mixing chamber, a first set of apertures in a wall of the tumble drum, a circumferential cavity surrounding the interior mixing chamber, an exterior section in the wall, and a second set of apertures in the exterior section, wherein a receiver coupled to a suction source can engage the exterior section to draw air from within the interior mixing chamber, through the first set of apertures, into the circumferential cavity, through the second set of apertures and into the receiver, and at least some airborne flavoring material is deposited onto food portions through which the air passes on it path. The exterior section may be in an anterior wall surrounding an inlet of the tumble drum or a circumferential portion of the exterior.

Abstract: A rotary to linearly reciprocating motion converter includes a case, a closure member engaging an opening of the case to dispose a pinion gear rotatably coupled to the closure member, the pinion gear having half the diameter as an interior ring gear of the case, and further includes a pinion shaft connected to the pinion gear on a first side of the closure member and to an inboard end of a crank arm on a second side of the closure member, the outboard end of the crank arm having a force transfer member aligned with a point on the periphery of the pinion gear. Rotation of the closure member relative to the case results in the force transfer member moving in a linearly reciprocating mode. The force transfer member may be coupled to a conveyor to reciprocate the conveyor as the closure member rotates.

Abstract: An adjustable conveyor gate for receiving goods from a conveyor and for selectively being adjusted to direct the received goods to one of at least two receiving structures, the adjustable conveyor gate having a rotatable trough extender with an opening therein with a proximal drop wall and a distal drop wall angularly and axially spaced from the proximal drop wall. Positioning the proximal drop wall at an elevated position, with the distal drop wall at a lowered position, causes goods moving through the adjustable conveyor gate to drop from the distal drop wall to a first receiving structure there beneath. Positioning the distal drop wall at an elevated position, with the proximal drop wall at a lowered position, causes goods moving through the adjustable conveyor gate to drop from the proximal drop wall to a second receiving structure there beneath.

Abstract: An apparatus that functions as a linear bearing for supporting a reciprocating structure that reciprocates along a linear path includes a first body including a pinion gear with a first diameter and a first number of teeth for engagement with a second number of teeth that is twice the first number and on an interior ring gear of a second body. The interior ring gear is disposed within an interior cavity. The first body also includes a support member connected to the pinion gear with a crank, the support member being aligned with a point at the periphery of the pinion gear so that it will, upon rotation of the pinion gear while engaged with the ring gear, cyclically reciprocate along a linear path. The apparatus can be used to support reciprocating structures such as, for example, a reciprocating conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus that functions as a linear bearing for supporting a reciprocating structure that reciprocates along a linear path includes a first body including a pinion gear with a first diameter and a first number of teeth for engagement with a second number of teeth that is twice the first number and on an interior ring gear of a second body. The interior ring gear is disposed within an interior cavity. The first body also includes a support member connected to the pinion gear with a crank, the support member being aligned with a point at the periphery of the pinion gear so that it will, upon rotation of the pinion gear while engaged with the ring gear, cyclically reciprocate along a linear path. The apparatus can be used to support reciprocating structures such as, for example, a reciprocating conveyor.

Abstract: A rotary to linearly reciprocating motion converter includes a case, a closure member engaging an opening of the case to dispose a pinion gear rotatably coupled to the closure member, the pinion gear having half the diameter as an interior ring gear of the case, and further includes a pinion shaft connected to the pinion gear on a first side of the closure member and to an inboard end of a crank arm on a second side of the closure member, the outboard end of the crank arm having a force transfer member aligned with a point on the periphery of the pinion gear. Rotation of the closure member relative to the case results in the force transfer member moving in a linearly reciprocating mode. The force transfer member may be coupled to a conveyor to reciprocate the conveyor as the closure member rotates.

Abstract: A distribution conveyor having a proximal and a distal ends, a first and a second sides and one or more adjustable side-discharging flow control valves between the proximal and distal ends, and a recirculation conveyor having a proximal end, proximal to the distal end of the distribution conveyor, and a distal end proximal a redeposit section of the distribution conveyor, wherein the valves can discharge a portion of a source stream of product from the distribution conveyor to a receiving structure underneath each valve, wherein the distal end of the recirculation conveyor is positioned to recirculate a tail stream from the distal end of the distribution conveyor to a redeposit section of the recirculating conveyor, and wherein the distal end of the recirculation conveyor is positioned to return the tail stream to the distribution conveyor laterally offset to a centerline of the distribution conveyor for preferential discharge in the valve(s).

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor (10) is provided for moving goods, including a tray (12) having a tray floor (14) supporting goods, with the tray movable in a forward direction and a backward direction. A drive motor (16) is provided for moving the tray floor in the forward direction and the backward direction. The tray floor includes plurality of dimples (20) each projecting upward from an adjacent product supporting surface (22) of the tray floor. Each dimple (20) includes an upwardly projecting pusher portion (24) for pushing goods forward during the forward movement of the tray, and a tapered ramp portion (26) extending upward from the product supporting surface and engaging the pusher portion for moving goods in front of the pusher portion.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor (10) is provided for moving goods, including a tray (12) having a tray floor (14) supporting goods, with the tray movable in a forward direction and a backward direction. A drive motor (16) is provided for moving the tray floor in the forward direction and the backward direction. The tray floor includes plurality of dimples (20) each projecting upward from an adjacent product supporting surface (22) of the tray floor. Each dimple (20) includes an upwardly projecting pusher portion (24) for pushing goods forward during the forward movement of the tray, and a tapered ramp portion (26) extending upward from the product supporting surface and engaging the pusher portion for moving goods in front of the pusher portion.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor (10) includes a tray (12) laterally moveable in a forward direction at a first speed and in a backward direction at a second speed greater than the first speed, thereby moving goods along the tray. A plurality of legs (18, 20) support the tray during lateral movement, and a motor (30) powers a drive pulley (30). A driven pulley (36) is powered by the drive pulley, and a flexible member (34) interconnects the driven pulley and the drive pulley. At least the driven pulley has an eccentric pulley axis, thereby imparting lateral movement to the tray. A tension mechanism (38, 40) is provided to take up slack in the flexible member.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor (10) includes a tray (12) laterally moveable in a forward direction at a first speed and in a backward direction at a second speed greater than the first speed, thereby moving goods along the tray. A plurality of legs (18, 20) support the tray during lateral movement, and a motor (30) powers a drive pulley (30). A driven pulley (36) is powered by the drive pulley, and a flexible member (34) interconnects the driven pulley and the drive pulley. At least the driven pulley has an eccentric pulley axis, thereby imparting lateral movement to the tray. A tension mechanism (38, 40) is provided to take up slack in the flexible member.

Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10, 11, 13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112, 114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10, 11, 13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112, 114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

Abstract: An improved tumble drum is provided for mixing one food product with another food product, and includes a rotating tumble drum for rotating the products about a drum axis of rotation, with the drum having a product input in one end and a product output in an axial opposing end. A tumble drive motor rotates the tumble drum. Another drive mechanism reciprocates the tumble drum linearly in a direction aligned with the axis of rotation. The product is discharged from the axial opposing end of the tumble drum. A product tray is providing for inputting food product to the tumble drum, and the rotating tumble drum may be fixed to the product tray such that the drive mechanism linearly rotates both the tumble drum and the product tray in a slow forward/backward manner.

Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10, 11, 13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112, 114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.