US 12,330,331 B2
Portioner mist management assembly
Harrison T. Gill, Redmond, WA (US); and Erick A. Sorenson, Shoreline, WA (US)
Assigned to JBT Marel Corporation, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by JBT Marel Corporation, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on May 6, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/655,635.
Application 18/655,635 is a division of application No. 18/316,116, filed on May 11, 2023, granted, now 12,017,377.
Application 18/316,116 is a division of application No. 16/931,282, filed on Jul. 16, 2020, granted, now 11,685,073, issued on Jun. 27, 2023.
Application 16/931,282 is a continuation of application No. 15/824,963, filed on Nov. 28, 2017, granted, now 10,751,902, issued on Aug. 25, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0286308 A1, Aug. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. B26F 3/00 (2006.01); A22C 17/00 (2006.01); A22C 21/00 (2006.01); A22C 25/18 (2006.01)
CPC B26F 3/004 (2013.01) [A22C 17/0006 (2013.01); A22C 21/003 (2013.01); A22C 25/18 (2013.01); B26D 2210/02 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of managing mist generated within a processing machine by operation of a liquid jet cutter, the method comprising:
conveying a workpiece on a conveyor along a conveying direction of a portioning station of the processing machine, the portioning station comprising an enclosed portioner housing having:
a front wall extending along the portioning station,
a rear wall opposite the front wall,
at least one hood portion extending above the conveyor between the front wall and the rear wall,
a floor defined opposite the at least one hood portion,
a first end wall extending between the front wall and the rear wall, and
a second end wall extending between the front wall and the rear wall opposite the first end wall;
activating at least one liquid jet cutter to generate the water jet within the portioner housing;
portioning the workpiece using the at least one liquid jet cutter;
creating a low pressure chamber beneath the conveyor in pneumatic communication with the enclosed portioning station through at least one orifice of the rear wall of the enclosed portioner housing; and
directing air through at least one opening in the at least one hood portion of the enclosed portioner housing, through the conveyor, and through the at least one orifice of the rear wall into the low pressure chamber.