Abstract: An automated grouping system of bakery products increases a quantity of bakery products that may be fed to equipment having a larger processing capacity. The automated grouping system includes a supporting structure laterally arranged adjacent to a conveyor of bakery products. The structure includes two longitudinally-arranged lateral rails. Sliding supports, along with first linear driving actuators of regulated stroke, are mounted on the lateral rails. Each sliding support includes a vertical post and a cross guide fixed at an upper portion thereof. The structure also includes a pair of second linear vertical actuators, which support and actuate a pair of pulling plates and positioning mechanisms of bakery products. The pulling plates are also actuatable by third linear actuators of regulated stroke, which are provided on a lower cross member, to position the pulling plates in a direction transverse to a conveying direction of the bakery products.

Abstract: A method of moving a plurality of tortilla stacks from a counter-stacker machine to a packaging area comprises the steps of receiving a stack of tortillas at a location elevationally above a loading zone, sensing an initial position of a conveyor block in fixed spacial relationship with the loading zone, sensing a moving position of the conveyor block in relation to the initial position, determining that the block has entered the loading zone, and moving the stack of tortillas on to the conveyor block.

Abstract: A tortilla stack transfer system for moving a plurality of tortilla stacks from a counter-stacker machine to a packaging area comprises a plurality of transfer finger sets, a plurality of transfer stack supports corresponding to the transfer finger sets, a plurality of finger set actuators adapted to move each of the transfer finger sets from a loaded position to an unloaded position, a transfer conveyor located elevationally below the transfer finger sets and carrying a plurality of conveyor blocks, a block position detector, a conveyor position counter, and a processor in electrical communication with the finger set actuators, the block position detector, and the conveyor position counter.

Abstract: A tortilla stack transfer system for moving a plurality of tortilla stacks from a counter-stacker machine to a packaging area comprises a plurality of transfer finger sets, a plurality of transfer stack supports corresponding to the transfer finger sets, a plurality of finger set actuators adapted to move each of the transfer finger sets from a loaded position to an unloaded position, a transfer conveyor located elevationally below the transfer finger sets and carrying a plurality of conveyor blocks, a block position detector, a conveyor position counter, and a processor in electrical communication with the finger set actuators, the block position detector, and the conveyor position counter.