Production flow-rate measurement options for food process lines

Abstract

A transfer conveyor for food process lines has an endless conveyor belt characterized by an upper, food-product carrying run and a lower, return run. The upper, food-product carrying run defines a transit plane. The upper, food-product carrying run also extends between an intake end and a discharge end. The upper, food-product carrying run furthermore has a first pleat below the transit plane proximate the intake end and a second spaced-away pleat below the transit plane proximate the discharge end. These spaced-away pleats partitioning the upper, food-product carrying run into an intake-end span and a discharge-end span cooperatively flanking a mid-span. Wherein the transfer conveyor additionally includes one scale servicing the intake-end span of the upper, food-product carrying run and another scale servicing the discharge-end span.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Flow-rate measurement apparatus for food process lines, comprising:
 at least one transfer conveyor comprising an endless conveyor belt having an upper, food-product carrying run and a lower, return run;   wherein the upper, food-product carrying run defines a transit plane; the upper, food-product carrying run extends between an intake end and a discharge end; and the upper, food-product carrying run has a first pleat below the transit plane proximate the intake end and a second spaced-away pleat below the transit plane proximate the discharge end; said spaced-away pleats partitioning the upper, food-product carrying run into an intake-end span and a discharge-end span cooperatively flanking a mid-span;   at least one food process line machine disposed relative the at least one transfer conveyor to discharge food product onto the intake end of the belt of the transfer conveyor;   at least one other food process line machine disposed relative to the at least one transfer conveyor to receive food product from the discharge end of the belt of the transfer conveyor;   wherein the at least one transfer conveyor further comprises one scale servicing the intake-end span and another scale servicing the discharge-end span.