Automated packaging systems with electric motor driven actuators for compression chambers

摘要

Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly.

主权项

1. A packaging system, comprising:
a frame supported by a floor; a product chute attached to the frame; a lower breech chute member residing upstream of the product chute attached to the frame, the lower breech chute member having an elongate axially extending arcuate cavity; an electric motor attached to the frame and residing above the lower breech chute member; an upper breech chute member with an elongate axially extending arcuate cavity in communication with the electric motor, wherein the upper breech chute is a breech press configured to controllably travel from a lockable home position above the lower breech chute member to one or more lower operative positions to engage the lower breech chute member and define a substantially cylindrical enclosed chamber of a substantially fixed diameter; and a pusher assembly aligned with the enclosed chamber and the product chute, the pusher assembly comprising:
a pusher head;a shaft attached to the pusher head;a linear drive assembly in communication with the shaft; andan electric motor having an output rotor that is attached to the linear drive assembly to drive the linear drive assembly to reciprocate the pusher head between extended and retracted positions.