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.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A transfer mechanism for use in a continuous cooking system which has a first continuous belt that travels around a roller located at an end of the continuous cooking system, the transfer mechanism comprising:
 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 sized to span a useable width of the belt, the load sized to urge the contact bar into continued contact with a portion of the first continuous belt as the first continuous belt travels around the roller;   means for pivoting the counter-balance toward and away from the portion of the first continuous belt, the pivoting means arranged to provide a predetermined amount of travel relative to the first continuous belt; and   means for adjusting a position of the counter-balance relative to the first continuous belt.   
     
     
         2 . A transfer mechanism according to  claim 1  wherein the load is at least one physical counterweight. 
     
     
         3 . A transfer mechanism according to  claim 1  wherein the means for pivoting the counter-balance is a rotational joint. 
     
     
         4 . A transfer mechanism according to  claim 1  wherein the means for adjusting the position of the counter-balance is an adjustment slot that receives a rotational joint connected to the counter-balance. 
     
     
         5 . A transfer mechanism according to  claim 1  further comprising a scraper located on a upper surface of the counter-balance. 
     
     
         6 . A transfer mechanism according to  claim 1  wherein the counter-balance is a thermoplastic capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 200° F. 
     
     
         7 . A transfer mechanism according to  claim 6  wherein the counter-balance is a thermoplastic capable of withstanding a temperature up to 450° F. 
     
     
         8 . A transfer mechanism according to  claim 6  wherein the thermoplastic is polyetheretherketone. 
     
     
         9 . A transfer mechanism for use in a continuous cooking system which has a first continuous belt that travels around a roller located at an end of the continuous cooking system, the transfer mechanism comprising:
 a non-metallic counter-balance having a contact bar located toward its uppermost end and a load located toward its lowermost end, the load sized to urge the contact bar into continued contact with a portion of the first continuous belt as the first continuous belt travels around the roller; the contact bar having an uppermost product-contact surface with a temperature rating of at least 200° F.   
     
     
         10 . A transfer mechanism according to  claim 9  wherein the uppermost product-contact surface is cylindrical-shaped. 
     
     
         11 . A transfer mechanism according to  claim 9  wherein the uppermost product-contact surface is angled. 
     
     
         12 . A transfer mechanism according to  claim 9  wherein the uppermost product-contact surface includes a plurality of grooves arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the contact bar. 
     
     
         13 . A transfer mechanism according to  claim 9  wherein the uppermost product-contact surface is tapered along a length of the contact bar. 
     
     
         14 . A transfer mechanism according to  claim 9  further comprising means for pivoting the counter-balance toward and away from a portion of the first continuous belt, the pivoting means arranged to provide a predetermined amount of travel relative to the first continuous belt. 
     
     
         15 . A transfer mechanism according to  claim 9  further comprising means for adjusting a position of the counter-balance relative to the first continuous belt.