SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING A CLUSTER OF INTERCONNECTED FOOD PRODUCTS

摘要

A system for separating a cluster of interconnected food products (138) is disclosed. The system includes a first conveyor (18), a second conveyor (20), a suction subsystem (166), and a sensor (134). The first conveyor (18) includes a discharge end (82) and a first permeable conveyor belt (80). The second conveyor (20), in series with the first conveyor (18), includes an intake end (94) and a second permeable conveyor belt (92). The first and second conveyors (18, 20) are configured to independently accelerate and decelerate. The suction subsystem (166), which includes an intake portion (96) proximate to the discharge end (82) and the intake end (94), is configured, arranged and disposed to generate suction through the first permeable conveyor belt (80) at a first region proximate to the discharge end (82) and through the second permeable conveyor belt (92) at a second region proximate to the intake end (94). The sensor (134) is configured, arranged and disposed to sense a leading edge (136) of the cluster as the cluster is conveyed by the system.