초록 ▼

Apparatus and method for controlling the distribution of product items over a manufacturing line, in particular, for controlling the distribution of potato slices across the width of a fryer in a commercial potato chip manufacturing process, includes a number of sensors for measuring the moisture co

Apparatus and method for controlling the distribution of product items over a manufacturing line, in particular, for controlling the distribution of potato slices across the width of a fryer in a commercial potato chip manufacturing process, includes a number of sensors for measuring the moisture content of potato chips exiting the frying and a controller for determining whether a moisture content variation state exists that should be corrected. A number of rotatable flume distributors are provided which are controlled by the controller in accordance with position adjustment values in a look-up table corresponding to detected moisture content variations. The flume distributors are then adjusted to modify the distribution of potato slices across the fryer to reduce or eliminate the variation in moisture content of the chips leaving the fryer.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Apparatus for controlling the distribution profile of product items over a product manufacturing line, comprising:means for measuring a physical characteristic parameter of individual product items at a predetermined location in said line; means for comparing a measured characteristic parameter w

1. Apparatus for controlling the distribution profile of product items over a product manufacturing line, comprising:means for measuring a physical characteristic parameter of individual product items at a predetermined location in said line; means for comparing a measured characteristic parameter with a predetermine value; a rotatable distributor that places said product items on said conveyor at an adjustable position on said conveyor, wherein said product items are distributed over the width of a conveyor; a controller for changing the distribution profile of product items over said manufacturing line as a function of the result of said comparison, said controller sending a control signal to said rotatable distributor to change said position when the result of said comparison indicates that said measured parameter is not equal to said predetermined value.