Abstract: A conveyor line system for carrying frozen comestibles in which the conveyor line support rail is formed of an elongated aluminum extrusion having incorporated within it a fluid passage extending along its length with radially and longitudinally spaced orifices for washing the conveyor line assembly during a cleaning cycle.

Abstract: A tiered ice cream product tray for attaching to a conveyor includes a sheet member with a mounting region for affixing the sheet to the conveyor, and a support region extending therefrom and including vertically offset horizontal portion support tables. At least one region of the sheet member extends transversely between an upper end thereof at a first product support table, and a lower end thereof at an adjacent product support table. An ice cream product fabrication system includes a conveyor oriented along a direction of conveyor motion and having a plurality of such trays attached thereto. The vertical regions of the tray are aligned parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor. A preferred embodiment of the system fabricates ice cream portion having a thickness t, and the vertical faces have a height at least (t/2). The system includes a stick inserting work station for inserting a stick into ice cream portions along a horizontal direction transverse to the direction of motion.

Abstract: An automatic conveyor packaging apparatus for high speed packing of frozen confections in containers with provision for interaction between product conveyors carrying confections from a confection manufacturing process and a conveyor carrying empty cartons to be loaded with these confections. Provision is made for interrupting the flow of confections from the manufacturing process to the packaging apparatus without necessity of stopping the manufacturing process. The mechanism provides for placing the confection pieces in rectilinear arrays within cartons and includes inhibiting mechanisms to prevent improper loading if certain portions of the apparatus malfunction.

Abstract: A continuous conveyor transports food products in, through and out of a rectangular freezing vault containing a blower and a refrigeration coil. The conveying strand is made up of a series of individual plates attached outwardly of the chain connecting the plates and is free to flex in only one direction. Within the vault the conveyor travels about two parallel elongated spiral networks, each including two vertical shafts supporting a stacked array of rotating sprockets. A crossover strand connects the two networks at the base of two adjacent shafts and a second crossover strand connects at the top of the opposite pair of shafts. The top crossover strand is brought outside the vault and there travels about a driving sprocket and an idler forming an outside loop enclosing a work table for performing operations on the products. The outside loop traces out an asymmetrical geometrical figure having two parallel sides, with the driver located at the acute angle formed therein.