Retractable Transfer Device Metering Apparatus and Methods

Abstract

Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor ( 12 ) unto a transfer plate ( 32 ) and a transfer device ( 42 ). The transfer device ( 42 ) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position extending over a sweep conveyor ( 22 ). In a preferred form, the transfer device ( 42 ) is in the form of a thin piece of flexible material and is moved in the conveying direction from the retracted position to the extended position by engaging with the sweep conveyor ( 22 ) and is moved to the retracted position by being wrapped around a rotated roller ( 46 ). Product is transferred from the transfer device ( 42 ) to the sweep conveyor ( 22 ) as the transfer device ( 42 ) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar ( 52 ba ) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor ( 22 ) to match the meter conveyor ( 12 ) until the product group leaves the transfer device ( 42 ). With nested product, the leading edge of the transfer device ( 42 ) is scalloped to represent the product bottom leading edge.

1 - 18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . Method for metering product comprising: conveying a continuous stream of product arranged in multiple rows in a conveying direction at a first conveyance speed for transfer unto a first product conveyance mechanism moving in the conveyance direction at a second conveyance speed greater than the first conveyance speed; and abutting lead product on the first product conveyance mechanism with a metering bar moving in the conveying direction at the first conveyance speed until a group of product including a number of rows from the continuous stream of product has been transferred onto the first product conveyance mechanism at which time the group of product on the first product conveyance mechanism is allowed to accelerate to match the second conveyance speed.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  with conveying the continuous stream of product comprising conveying the continuous stream of product from a second product conveyance mechanism onto a transfer device and from the transfer device to the first product conveyance mechanism.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  with conveying the continuous stream of product onto the transfer device comprising conveying the continuous stream of product onto the transfer device having a leading edge which is scalloped to represent a bottom leading edge of product which is not linearly straight.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20  with conveying the continuous stream of product onto the transfer device comprising conveying the continuous stream of product onto the transfer device movable between a retracted position and an extended position positioned over the first product conveyance mechanism with product being transferred from the transfer device as the transfer device moves from the extended position to the retracted position.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  with conveying the continuous stream of product onto the transfer device comprising conveying the continuous stream of product onto the transfer device in the form of a thin piece of flexible material.  
   
   
       24 . Apparatus for metering product comprising, in combination: a first product conveyance mechanism moving in a conveying direction at a first conveyance speed; a second product conveyance mechanism moving in the conveying direction at a second conveyance speed greater than the first conveyance speed; and at least one metering bar positioned above the second product conveyance mechanism moving away from the first product conveyance mechanism in the conveying direction at least initially at the first conveyance speed, with product transferred onto the second product conveyance mechanism from the first product conveyance mechanism being retained from accelerating with the second product conveyance mechanism until after a group of product including a number of rows has been transferred onto the second product conveyance mechanism from the first product conveyance mechanism.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 24  further comprising, in combination: a transfer device positioned between the first product conveyance mechanism and the second product conveyance mechanism, with product being transferred from the first product conveyance mechanism onto the transfer device and then from the transfer device to the second product conveyance mechanism.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 25  with the transfer device having a leading edge which is scalloped to represent a bottom leading edge of product which is not linearly straight.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 25  with the transfer device being movable between a retracted position and an extended position positioned over the second product conveyance mechanism with product being transferred from the transfer device as the transfer device moves from the extended position to the retracted position.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 27  with the transfer device being a thin piece of flexible material.  
   
   
       29 . Transfer device over which product in a continuous stream passes, with each product having a bottom including a lead bottom edge which is not linearly straight, comprising a piece of material having an upper surface of a size upon which the bottom of the product is adapted to be supported, with the piece of material having a leading edge scalloped to represent the lead bottom edge of the product.  
   
   
       30 . The transfer device of  claim 29  with the piece of material having a thinness and flexibility requiring external support to support product thereon.