US 7,544,119 B2
Apparatus, system, and method for positioning poultry, meat, and fish product pieces on a conveyor
James Ruff, Springdale, Ark. (US); Kelvin D. Lasse, Springdale, Ark. (US); Tim Reddell, Bentonville, Ark. (US); Marshall Vanderpool, Bentonville, Ark. (US); Charley Lee Reed, Jr., Tontitown, Ark. (US); and Brandon Haley, Springdale, Ark. (US); Angela D. Haley, legal representative
Assigned to Tyson Foods, Inc., Springdale, Ark. (US)
Filed on Mar. 18, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/83,455.
Prior Publication US 2006/0210674 A1, Sep. 21, 2006
Int. Cl. A22C 25/08 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 452—183 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for positioning poultry, meat, or fish product pieces on a conveyor comprising:
an array of at least two upwardly arched product channels having a receiving side and a delivery side and said upwardly arched product channels having slots therein extending from said receiving side to said delivery side;
a plurality of catch members mounted for retractably projecting from said slots and for rotating through said upwardly arched product channels in a manner effective for catching and lifting said product pieces on said receiving side, pulling said product pieces through said upwardly arched product channels to said delivery side and retracting from said slots on said delivery side; and
a rotatable assembly for rotating said catch members through said upwardly arched product channels and wherein said catch members are pivotably mounted on said rotatable assembly for retracting said catch members from said slots.