Abstract: The present invention relates to equipment for assembling food products, and more specifically to an apparatus and method for separating or parting stacked food products during a food production process. The invention, a de-topper, facilitates the desired parting or separation of stacked products having at least upper and lower sections defining a separation line. In parting stacked products along the separation line, the de-topper comprises a longitudinal arm and at least one primary conveying path for conveying the at least upper and lower sections of the stacked products towards the arm. A drive reciprocates the arm so that the reciprocating arm sweeps the upper sections of the stacked products from the at least one primary conveying path and onto a secondary conveying path, located outwardly thereof. The lower and upper sections are thereafter conveyed on the respective primary and secondary conveying paths away from the reciprocating longitudinal arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to equipment for assembling food products, and more specifically to an apparatus and method for separating or parting stacked food products during a food production process. The invention, a de-topper, facilitates the desired parting or separation of stacked products having at least upper and lower sections defining a separation line. In parting stacked products along the separation line, the de-topper comprises a longitudinal arm and at least one primary conveying path for conveying the at least upper and lower sections of the stacked products towards the arm. A drive reciprocates the arm so that the reciprocating arm sweeps the upper sections of the stacked products from the at least one primary conveying path and onto a secondary conveying path, located outwardly thereof. The lower and upper sections are thereafter conveyed on the respective primary and secondary conveying paths away from the reciprocating longitudinal arm.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to conveyors, particularly to a sanitary conveyor adapted for use in production applications requiring usually frequent, periodic cleaning procedures in strict compliance with sanitary standards. The conveyor comprises a frame which comprises a conveyor bed supported by a plurality of legs or a suspension system, and at least one rotatable roller supported by the frame. At least one endless belt is in contact with the at least one roller of the conveyor, the at least one belt defining both an upper portion (conveying run) and lower portion (return run), with the upper portion (conveying run) supported by the conveyor bed. At least one longitudinal shield is movably attached to the frame and is movable between at least opened and closed positions, with the at least one longitudinal shield located laterally of at least the conveyor bed when the shield is in the closed position.