Automated loader with cone horn

Abstract

An improved automated loader has a cone horn to prevent or minimize contact between the chicken and the bag. The loader has a loading tube and the tube has a cone horn comprising a plurality of plates configured to form a cone, each one of the plurality of plates attached to the proximal end of the loading tube by a spring-loaded hinge, each hinge biased radially inward.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An automated loader comprising:
 a frame having a first end and a second end;   a ram mounted on a second end of the frame;   a loading tube mounted on the frame between the frame first end and the ram, the loading tube having an end proximal the frame first end and a second end adjacent the ram; and   a cone horn comprising a plurality of plates configured to form a cone, each one of the plurality of plates attached to the proximal end of the loading tube by a spring-loaded hinge, each hinge biased radially inward.   
     
     
         2 . The automated loader of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of plates has an inner surface and the inner surface comprises dimpled steel. 
     
     
         3 . The automated loader of  claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of plates has an inner surface and each inner surface comprises dimpled steel. 
     
     
         4 . The automated loader of  claim 1 , wherein the tube has an inner surface and the inner surface comprises dimpled steel. 
     
     
         5 . The automated loader of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of plates has an inner surface and the inner surface is coated with a slippery synthetic substance. 
     
     
         6 . The automated loader of  claim 4 , wherein the substance comprises a thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The automated loader of  claim 5 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         8 . The automated loader of  claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of plates has an inner surface and each inner surface is coated with a slippery synthetic substance. 
     
     
         9 . The automated loader of  claim 4 , wherein the substance comprises a thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The automated loader of  claim 5 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         11 . The automated loader of  claim 1 , wherein the tube has an inner surface and the inner is coated with a slippery synthetic substance. 
     
     
         12 . The automated loader of  claim 1 , wherein the ram is mounted on a ram carriage, the ram carriage is mounted on a conveyor belt, and the conveyor belt is mounted on the frame. 
     
     
         13 . The automated loader of  claim 1 , wherein the ram comprises a pair of air-actuated cylinders. 
     
     
         14 . The automated loader of  claim 13 , wherein a one of the pair of air-actuated cylinders comprises a hocking head. 
     
     
         15 . The automated loader of  claim 14 , wherein the ram is mounted on a ram carriage, the ram carriage is mounted on a conveyor belt, and the conveyor belt is mounted on the frame. 
     
     
         16 . The automated loader of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of plates has an inner surface and the inner surface comprises dimpled steel. 
     
     
         17 . The automated loader of  claim 15 , wherein the tube has an inner surface and the inner surface comprises dimpled steel. 
     
     
         18 . The automated loader of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of plates has an inner surface and the inner surface is coated with a slippery synthetic substance. 
     
     
         19 . The automated loader of  claim 15 , wherein the tube has an inner surface and the inner is coated with a slippery synthetic substance.