Other

Lyco Manufacturing, Inc.

Steven B Malchow

David R Zittel

A vibratory conveyor and method of making the conveyor having a frame to which a locator sheet having accurately punched and shaped locator holes for locating spring mounts fixed to the frame. Each mount preferably is a plug having corners which engage notches of one of the holes to accurately locate the plug. Each hole also has a portion which extends beyond the periphery of the plug to expose the frame so that the plug can be welded to the frame. After welding, a protective washer is slipped over each plug and welded to the plug and sheet. When located and fixed in this manner, each mount is located relative to one end of the conveyor, angularly located, and horizontally located. The sheet or another locator sheet can also have other holes to locate other conveyor components such as cross tubes, braces, and the conveyor drive. Each sheet preferably is constructed of corrosion resistant cladding for enabling a less corrosion resistant material to be used for the frame. The conveyor pan is constructed from a blank that is sheared and punched to unitarily form locators that locate spring mounts. In one pan embodiment, the locator is the mount which comprises a tab punched from the pan, bent to the desired angle, and fixed to the pan preferably by welding. In another embodiment, the locators are dimples or holes in the pan for locating mounts that preferably are plugs welded to the pan after being located.

Method and vibratory conveyor

A machine for peeling and cleaning fruits and vegetables using a plurality of rotating abrasive rollers which are each driven by an electric motor. The machine has a frame with a pair of end plates that rotatively carry the rollers. Each motor is carried by an end plate and coupled to a roller solely to drive only that roller. In one preferred embodiment, the motor is coupled to a gear reducer that preferably is a cycloidal gear reducer having an output shaft coupled to one end of a roller and which has an output shaft axis of rotation generally coaxial with the axis of rotation of the roller. In another preferred embodiment, the motor can be directly coupled to the roller with its output shaft axis of rotation generally coaxial with the roller axis of rotation. To control operation and speed of the abrasive rollers, the motors are controlled by a motor controller that preferably is a variable frequency electric motor drive. Where the machine uses an auger to urge food product through the machine, the auger can be driven by an electric motor whose operation and speed preferably is controlled by a variable frequency electric motor drive. Where the machine is a rotating cage machine, the cage can be driven by an electric motor whose operation and speed preferably is controlled by a variable frequency electric motor drive. Each motor preferably is a three phase alternating current electric motor.

Electric motor driven abrasive roller peeler and cleaning machine

A blancher or cooler has a drum made up of a plurality of stainless steel perforated panels. The drum is rotatably mounted within a water tank, and has an auger for progressing food products from an inlet to an outlet. The panels are bolted between C-channels which are welded to end plates to define the drum, and steel angle brackets clamp the panels in place. The angle brackets have slots with enlarged openings at one end. For periodic cleaning the nuts which clamp the brackets to the C-channels are loosened part way, the brackets are removed by passing the bolt heads through the enlarged openings, and the unclamped panels are allowed to hang freely on the C-channels. In this condition all regions of the panels are accessible to cleaning spray as the drum is rotated. The brackets are rapidly replaced and the nuts fully tightened to return the apparatus to service. Alternatively, the panels are held to the C-channels by quick release push pull clamps which, when released, allow the panels to hang from the C-channels for cleaning. A clean in place system has a manifold mounted to a tank side wall which discharges warm water upwardly onto the rotating loosened panels of the drum.

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Lake Mills, WI, United States of America

Steven B Malchow