Conveyor system with pivotable hooks
View Patent ↗A conveyor system for linked sausage strands having a frame with an operating platform. The platform has opposite first and second ends, opposite sides, a top surface, and a wall extending along the sides and ends. A channel is formed in the top surface and a conveyor chain is disposed within the channel. Secured to the chain are a plurality of pivotable hooks that are movable between a loading position and an unloading position.
1. A conveyor system for linked sausage strands, comprising:
a frame member having an operating platform with opposite first and second ends, opposite sides, a top surface, and a wall extending along the sides and first and second ends;
a channel in the frame member having a continuous conveyor chain in the channel,
a plurality of spaced pivotable hooks secured to a conveyor chain; and
a side guide rail mounted directly to the wall.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the side guide rail engages the plurality of hooks to move the hooks to a loading position as the hooks are transported from a loading station to a discharge station.
3. The system of claim 1 further comprising an end guide rail mounted directly to the wall adjacent a loading station.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the end guide rail engages the plurality of hooks to move the hooks to a loading position.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the hooks are momentarily dropped to a neutral position after the hooks are loaded.
6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a cam guide mounted directly to the wall adjacent a discharge station.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein the cam guide engages the hooks to move the hooks to an unloading position.