US 11,807,472 B2
Product transfer roller
Geno N. Gasbarro, Columbus, OH (US)
Assigned to Prime Equipment Group, LLC, Columbus, OH (US)
Filed by Prime Equipment Group, LLC, Columbus, OH (US)
Filed on Nov. 16, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/099,084.
Prior Publication US 2022/0153534 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. B65G 47/82 (2006.01); A22C 21/00 (2006.01); B65G 15/58 (2006.01); B65G 39/02 (2006.01); B65G 37/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 47/82 (2013.01) [A22C 21/0092 (2013.01); B65G 15/58 (2013.01); B65G 37/00 (2013.01); B65G 39/02 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0202 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A poultry product skinning apparatus, comprising:
(a) an infeed conveyor for transporting poultry pieces toward a skinning station, the infeed conveyor having a textured endless conveyor belt for gripping the skin of the poultry piece, the infeed conveyor having a downstream end at the skinning station where the conveyor belt travels along an arcuate path;
(b) a powered outfeed conveyor for transporting skinned poultry pieces away from the skinning station;
(c) a pinch block at the skinning station, the pinch block having an arcuate surface in close proximity to the arcuate path of the infeed conveyor belt to define an opening sized to engage the outer skin of the poultry piece between the infeed conveyor belt and the arcuate surface of the pinch block to pull the skin from the poultry piece;
(d) a powered transfer roller positioned between the downstream end of the infeed conveyor and the upstream end of the outfeed conveyor to support and facilitate transfer of the skinned poultry piece from the infeed conveyor to the out feed conveyor; and
(e) a hold down structure spaced above the skinning station, the hold down structure mounted to apply downward pressure to the poultry piece while at the skinning station.