Product settler having vertically movable rollers

Abstract

A product settler comprising a pair of spaced-apart carriages mounted for independent reciprocal movement in a generally vertical direction relative to a surrounding frame assembly. Each carriage has a longitudinal beam generally traversing the length of the product settler and disposed on opposing sides of an intermediate zone. Extending inwardly from each beam are a plurality of rollers, each roller being mounted for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, and extending substantially across the intermediate zone. The rollers are generally parallel to one another and preferably disposed within a horizontal plane, the rollers associated with one carriage being interspersed in a one-to-one ratio with the rollers of the opposing carriage. The carriages and rollers may be moved between completely raised and completely lowered positions at controlled rates of descent and ascent, the rollers being maintained in contact with or close proximity to the bottom of the bag and alternatingly reciprocated or oscillated to produce vibrations or discreet striking motions to settle the product within the bag. When moved to the completely lowered position, the underside of each roller contacts the top surface of one of two spaced-apart frictional drive belts moving in a closed path, contact with the drive belts thereby causing the rollers to rotate and carry the bag to a conveyor belt positioned adjacent to the downline end of the product settler. The sets of rollers may be disposed in varying staggered configurations, and be slanted across or along the intermediate zone.