The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 25, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 07, 2000
Lyndon R. Leining, Austin, MN (US);
Hormel Foods, LLC, Austin, MN (US);
Abstract
A rack unloader apparatus ( ) is used for unloading bars ( ) having a plurality of pepperoni sticks ( ) from a drying rack ( ). The apparatus ( ) includes a rail ( ) operatively connected to a support frame ( ). A motor ( ) is operatively connected to a sliding mechanism ( ) mounted on the rail ( ) for moving the sliding mechanism between first and second positions. A pickup arm ( ) has the sliding mechanism ( ) operatively connected thereto proximate its first end ( ). A pickup arm assembly ( ) is operatively connected to the second end ( ) of the pickup arm ( ). A lifting mechanism ( ) is carried by the sliding mechanism ( ). The lifting mechanism ( ) is operatively connected to the pickup arm ( ) to move the second end of the pickup arm vertically, wherein the pickup assembly ( ) is indexed to the rack ( ) and lifts the pickup arm assembly ( ) and removes the bar ( ) from the rack ( ).