Food processing system with simplified loading and transfer

Abstract

A food processing system (10) includes a first conveyor (12) having sprocket driven chains (14 and 16) extending along a loading run (26) and a return run (28) at a loading station (80). A support bar (52) extends transversely between the chains (14 and 16), and has a first movable hook (62) and a second stationary hook (64) mounted thereto. A food stick (74) for supporting a food product (76), such as a string of hot dogs, has a leading end (72) engageable with the movable first hook (62) for manually pushing the first hook along the support bar, and a trailing end (82) engageable with the stationary second hook. A second conveyor (102) at a transfer station (114) has spaced parallel sprocket driven chains (104 and 48) for transporting the food stick (74) and food product (76) to a processing station for cooking, smoking, chilling, etc. A transfer assembly (112) at the transfer station (114) engages the food stick (74) during advancement of the first conveyor (12) and transfers the food stick (74) to catches (108 and 110) on the chains (104 and 48) of the second conveyor (102). A return guide rail (88) along the return run (28) of the first conveyor (12) extends diagonally relative to the transverse extension of the support bar (52). During the return run of the first conveyor, the movable hook (62) engages the return guide rail (88) and is slid thereby along the support bar (52) toward the stationary hook (64) such that the movable hook (62) is returned to a loading position for the loading run (26).