| 摘要 |
A lift assist assembly ( 20, 20 a) is provided to facilitate transfer of individual segments ( 24 ) of linked food products (e.g., hot dogs) between a first location such as a linker output ( 40 ) to a second, spaced location such as a smokehouse delivery rail assembly ( 30 ). The assembly ( 20 ) includes an elongated rail ( 52, 228 ) supporting a depending lift unit ( 34 ) and a lower, transverse transfer arm assembly ( 36 ). The transfer arm ( 36 ) is equipped with selectively extensible and retractable hooks ( 200 ) designed to engage and support the segments ( 24 ) during transfer thereof; preferably, the hooks ( 200 ) are controlled by a pneumatic control circuit ( 92 ) so as to automatically retract upon transfer of a food segment at the second, delivery location. The assembly ( 20 ) allows the operator to transfer multiple segments ( 24 ) without the physical strain associated with manual transfer thereof.
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