Continuous proofing and baking apparatus having magnetic conveyor system

• US 4,836,360 A
• Filed: 06/08/1987
• Issued: 06/06/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stewart Systems, Inc. (Middleby Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Stewart Systems, Inc. (Middleby Corporation)
• Inventors: Kasik, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spar, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GASTINEAU, CHERYL
• Application Number:
  US07/059,600
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 198/472.1, 198/474.1, 198/778, 198/690.1, 198/802, 198/803.6, 198/803.01, 198/689.1, 198/803.5, 198/803.11, 198/471.1, 198/473.1, 198/850 , 198/851, 198/852, 198/838, 198/470.1, 198/803.12, 198/697, 198/476.1, 198/477.1, 198/845, 99/477, 99/478, 99/479
• US Class Current: 198/803.6
• CPC Class Codes: A21C 13/02 with endless conveyors , e.g. for moving the dough pieces progressively through the prover
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/061 the load carrying surface being formed by profiles, rods, bars, rollers or the like attached to a single traction element B65G17/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/02 Articles

Abstract

A conveyor system for use in a continuous proofing and baking apparatus. The system has a conveyor chain, having a plurality of links, which moves along a track. Each link supports a product supporting grid, which has four circular rings. Pole pieces are located in at least some of the rings. Each pole piece has a conical section and can move horizontally relative to the grid. A magnet in each pole piece attaches the pole piece to a product pan.

Claims

1. A conveyor system for use in a continuous proofing and baking apparatus, the conveyor system comprising:

an elongated track;

a conveyor chain, mounted for movement through the track;

a product supporting grid, carried along the track by the conveyor chain;

a pole piece;

means for mounting the pole piece on the product supporting grid, so that the pole piece can move a limited distance in any horizontal direction relative to the supporting grid; and

connection means for releasably connecting a product pan to the pole piece.

2. A conveyor system as recited in claim 1, wherein the connection means is a magnet.

3. A conveyor system as recited in claim 2, further comprising locking means for locking the pole piece to the product supporting grid.

4. A conveyor system for use in a continuous proofing and baking apparatus, the conveyor system comprising:

an elongated track;

a conveyor chain, mounted for movement through the track;

a product supporting grid, carried along the track by the conveyor chain;

a ring carried by the product supporting grid;

a pole piece, mounted within the ring, so that the pole piece can move horizontally a limited distance with respect to the ring; and

connection means for releasably connecting a product pan to the pole piece.

5. A conveyor system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a conical portion on the pole piece, so that the pole piece tends to settle to a centered position within the ring.

6. A conveyor system as recited in claim 4, wherein the connection means is a magnet.

7. A conveyor system as recited in claim 4, further comprising locking means for locking the pole piece within the ring.

8. A conveyor system as recited in claim 7, wherein the locking means is a washer, mounted on the lower end of the conical portion.

9. A conveyor system as recited in claim 8, wherein the washer has a flat on one side, so that the pole piece can be removed from the ring.

10. A conveyor system for use in continuous proofing and baking apparatus, the conveyor system comprising:

an elongated track;

a conveyor chain, having a plurality of links, mounted for movement through the track;

a plurality of product supporting grids, each carried along the track by one of the links of the conveyor chains;

a plurality of rings carried by each of the product supporting grids;

a plurality of pole pieces, each pole piece having a conical portion mounted within one of the rings, so that the pole pieces can move horizontally a limited distance with respect to the ring, and so that the pole pieces tend to settle to a centered position within the ring;

a plurality of washers, each having a flat on one side, for releasably locking the pole pieces within the rings; and

connection means for releasably connecting a product pan to the pole pieces on two consecutive product supporting grids.

11. A conveyor system as recited in claim 10, wherein the connection means is a plurality of magnets.

12. A conveyor system as recited in claim 11, wherein the plurality of magnets are attached to the product pan for movement with the pan relative to the product supporting grids.

13. A conveyor system as recited in claim 12, wherein the plurality of magnets are attached to the pole pieces for movement with the pole pieces relative to the product supporting grids.