Rotary powered snack piece turnover

a technology of snack pieces and rotating wheels, which is applied in the direction of conveyor parts, mechanical conveyors, transportation and packaging, etc., can solve the problems of snack pieces b, inconsistent or reliable snack piece retention, and problematic vacuum rolls

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-12-22
FRITO LAY NORTH AMERICA INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The solution provides a reliable, energy-efficient method for flipping snack pieces, reducing breakage and misalignment, and enabling consistent orientation for improved packaging and seasoning, while avoiding the costs and inefficiencies associated with vacuum roll technology.

Problems solved by technology

However, with prior art devices such as the vacuum roller 22 shown in FIG. 1, snack piece retention to the roller is critical to the flipping process.
Vacuum rolls are problematic as snack piece retention is not particularly consistent or reliable.
Another problem is that the snack pieces 12 can stick to the upper belt 20 for too long or too short a period of time.
Furthermore, vacuum rolls require a significant amount of energy to create the necessary suction force.

Method used

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  • Rotary powered snack piece turnover
  • Rotary powered snack piece turnover
  • Rotary powered snack piece turnover

Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

embodiment 200

[0032] In a preferred embodiment 200 as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, the end roller 222, which resembles a grooved roller or pulley, has a plurality of sections having alternating diameters—larger diameter sections 242 and smaller diameter sections 244. At a minimum, the end roller 222 has at least two larger diameter sections 242 interspersed along its length by at least one smaller diameter section 244. A plurality of slots or channels is defined between the smaller diameter sections 244 and the larger diameter sections 242. Each channel should be wide enough to fit at least one lane of product 212 and tall enough to allow product 212 to pass through without being crushed or jammed. In such an embodiment the end roll 222 essentially comprises a plurality of evenly spaced discs (the larger diameter sections 242) that are interconnected along a shared axis by a plurality of smaller diameter sections 244. A first conveyor 240, which comprises a plurality of individual endless conveyors...

embodiment 300

[0034]FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment 300 in which a second conveyor 330 translates about a grooved end roller 322 having different diameter sections. Like the end roller 222 in FIGS. 4 and 5, the end roller 322 shown in FIG. 6 has at least two diameters—larger diameter sections 342 and smaller diameter sections 344. A plurality of slots or channels is defined between the smaller diameter sections 344 and the larger diameter sections 342. The larger diameter sections 342 substantially mate with the second conveyer 330 from about a twelve o'clock position to about a six o'clock position as both the end roller 322 and the top roller 332 rotate. Unlike the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, however, a first conveyor 340 does not rotate about the end roller 322. Rather than share the same rotating shaft, the first conveyor 340 instead translates about its own terminal support member 346, which, for example, can comprise a roller or nose bar. Again, the first conveyor 340 can comprise ...

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PUM

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Abstract

A flipping apparatus for turning over product pieces such as potato crisps having a first conveyor and a second conveyor. A terminal portion of the first conveyor is nested within a concavity defined by an upturned and curved portion of the second conveyor. A channel is provided between the first conveyor and the curved portion of the second conveyor through which the product pieces can pass. Centrifugal force along the curved portion promotes a gentle and effective transfer of the product pieces from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. Thereby, the product pieces are turned over.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 684,937 entitled “Rotary Powered Snack Piece Turnover” and filed on Oct. 14, 2003.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Technical Field [0003] The present invention relates to a snack piece turnover device and method of using the same. More particularly, the invention relates to a snack piece turnover device employing a curved conveyor, which uses centrifugal force to turn snack pieces over, and the method of using the same. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Snack pieces are known to be prepared with the use of fryers. Generally, snack pieces such as potato and corn crisps are formed from dough and are sheeted and cut into discrete pieces (preforms) for treatment. Treatment involves cooking the preforms in a fryer to produce cooked snack pieces. Particularly with potato and corn crisps, a form fryer is beneficial because performs, which are sheeted and cut pieces ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B65G15/14B65G29/02B65G47/252
CPCB65G15/14B65G47/252B65G29/02
InventorDICKINSON, EDWARD L.DOVE, KATHRYN MELISSAGOLD, JOSEPH H.JOSEPH, PONNATTU KURIANLEDOYT, BRUCE
OwnerFRITO LAY NORTH AMERICA INC