Transfer mechanism for a continuous heat transfer system

Abstract

A transfer mechanism for use in a continuous cooking system includes a non-metallic counter-balance having a contact bar located toward its uppermost end and a load located toward its lowermost end. The contact bar is sized to span a useable width of the belt and the load is sized to urge the contact bar into continued contact with a portion of the belt as the belt travels around the end roller. Means such as a rotational joint is provided for pivoting the counter-balance toward and away from belt, the joint being arranged to provide a predetermined amount of travel relative to the belt. Means such as a slot is provided for adjusting a position of the counter-balance relative to the belt. The uppermost product-contact surface of the bar can be round, flat, or angled and can include grooves to reduce the amount of contact area.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates generally to continuous heat transfer systems of the kind used in commercial settings to produce pre-cooked food products. More particularly, the invention relates to transfer mechanisms and devices used to transfer food product into and out of these continuous heat transfer systems such as fryers, water cookers, steamers, microwave, infrared systems, and linear and spiral ovens.[0002]The development of continuous ovens in the food industry has grown significantly over the past 20 years, along with the increased demand for pre-cooked food products and the range of those products. Products ranging from roasted vegetables to teriyaki chicken and other marinated chicken products are now cooked on continuous ovens and an increasing number of food products are cooked in continuous fryers, water cookers, steamers, microwave, and infrared systems. Practically every heat transfer system now known to man is utilized on food products.[00...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]Objectives of the invention include but are not limited to providing a transfer mechanism that (1) does not wear out quickly and or occasionally jam against the belt; (2) eliminates or reduces the chance of product adhering to the transfer mechanism during product transfer; (3) can reliably transfer product off the hot, non-smooth radius, end-portion of the belt that is in a variable state of collapse and, potentially, with a temporary bump, peak, or valley in the belt; (4) can remain in constant (no-gap) contact with the belt and (5) can be retrofitted for use in existing continuous cooking systems.

Problems solved by technology

A constant challenge for the manufacturers of this equipment is the transfers into and out of the continuous heat transfer system.

However, this solution restricts the residence time in each zone to a fixed formula.

The reliability of this transfer system is critical because if it fails on any part of the belt, product can be ruined during the transfer (or failed transfer) and not recovered.

This type of transfer, while effective, can wear out quickly and can occasionally jam against the belt.

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