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`(12)
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`*EP000713753B2*
`EP 0 713 753 B2
`NEW EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION
`After opposition procedure
`
`(11)
`
`(45) Date of publication and mention
`of the opposition decision:
`17.06.2015 Bulletin 2015/25
`
`(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
`10.05.2000 Bulletin 2000/19
`
`(21) Application number: 95116064.7
`
`(22) Date of filing: 11.10.1995
`
`(51) Int Cl.:
`B26D 1/00 (2006.01)
`B26D 7/01 (2006.01)
`B26D 7/32 (2006.01)
`B26D 7/08 (2006.01)
`
`B26D 7/06 (2006.01)
`B26D 7/30 (2006.01)
`B26D 7/28 (2006.01)
`
`(54) Slicing machine for slicing two or more food loaves
`
`Auschnittschneidevorrichtung zum Schneiden von zwei oder mehreren Fleischstücken
`
`Machine à trancher des produits alimentaires
`
`(84) Designated Contracting States:
`DE FR GB NL SE
`
`(30) Priority: 11.10.1994 US 320759
`11.10.1994 US 320752
`11.10.1994 US 320749
`11.10.1994 US 320750
`
`(43) Date of publication of application:
`29.05.1996 Bulletin 1996/22
`
`(73) Proprietor: Formax, Inc.
`Mokena,
`Illinois 60448-0330 (US)
`
`(72) Inventors:
`• Lindee, Scott A.
`New Lenox,
`Illinois 60451 (US)
`• Sandberg, Glenn A.
`Lockport,
`Illinois 60441 (US)
`• Janssen, Wilbur A.
`New Lenox,
`Illinois 60451 (US)
`
`• Hansen, David M.
`Orland Park, Ill. 60462 (US)
`• Johnson, Arthur A.
`Orland Park
`Illinois 60462 (US)
`• Wolcott, Thomas C.
`Oak Lane, Illinois 60433 (US)
`
`(74) Representative: Heusler, Wolfgang
`v. Bezold & Partner
`Patentanwälte
`Akademiestrasse 7
`80799 München (DE)
`
`(56) References cited:
`EP-A- 0 547 389
`DE-A1- 3 010 732
`DE-A1- 4 113 435
`DE-C- 4 108 605
`FR-A- 2 601 280
`US-A- 3 605 837
`US-A- 4 428 263
`
`AT-A- 386 792
`DE-A1- 3 912 445
`DE-A1- 4 206 196
`DE-U- 8 229 720
`GB-A- 1 125 710
`US-A- 3 827 319
`
`Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)
`
`EP0 713 753B2
`
`Weber EX1008
`IPR2020-01557
`U.S. Patent No. 10,639,812
`
`

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`EP 0 713 753 B2
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`Description
`
`Background of the Invention
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`[0001] Many different kinds of food loaves are produced; they come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. There are
`meat loaves made from various different meats, including ham, pork, beef, lamb, turkey, fish, and even meats not usually
`mentioned. The meat in the food loaf may be in large pieces or may be thoroughly comminuted. These meat loaves
`come in different shapes (round, square, rectangular, oval, etc.) and in different lengths up to four feet (122 cm) or even
`longer. The cross-sectional sizes of the loaves are quite different; the maximum transverse dimension may be as small
`as 1.5 inches (4 cm) or as large as ten inches (25.4 cm). Loaves of cheese or other foods come in the same great ranges
`as to composition, shape, length, and transverse size.
`[0002] Many of these food loaves meet a common fate; they are sliced, the slices are grouped in accordance with a
`particular weight requirement, and the groups of slices are packaged and sold at retail. The number of slices in a group
`may vary, depending on the size and consistency of the food loaf and even on the whim of the producer, the wholesaler,
`or the retailer. For some products, neatly aligned stacked slice groups are preferred. For others, the groups are shingled
`so that a purchaser can see a part of every slice through a transparent package. And when it comes to bacon or other
`food products of variable shape, the problems do not just increase; they literally multiply.
`[0003] A variety of different known slicing machines have been used to slice food loaves. They range from small,
`manually fed slices used in butcher shops and in retail establishments to large, high speed slicers usually employed in
`meat processing plants. The present invention is directed to a high speed slicing machine used in a meat processing
`plant and to a method of operation for the machine.
`[0004] Some known high speed food loaf slicing machines have provided for slicing two food loaves simultaneously
`with a single, cyclically driven knife blade. Other prior high speed slicing machines, including that shown in S. Lindee et
`al. U. S. Patent No. 4,428,263, have sliced one loaf at a time, but could be expanded to slice two or more loaves
`simultaneously. But none of the prior high speed slicing machines have had the versatility needed to slice food loaves
`of the many different sizes and shapes referred to above, particularly with provision for either stacking or shingling of
`the sliced output, variations in slice thickness and slice count from two different loaves, and precision control of the
`weight of slice groups. Moreover the previously known slicing stations have had problems with closing off the slicing
`station during machine clean up, sharpening of the knife blade, and unwanted intrusion of a food loaf into the slicing
`station at the wrong time.
`[0005] DE-A-30 10 732 discloses
`a High speed food loaf slicing machine comprising
`a slicing station including a knife blade and a knife blade drive driving the knife blade along a predetermined cutting
`path, and
`loaf support means for supporting a first food loaf for movement along a first loaf path, into the slicing station for repetitive
`slicing by the knife blade, wherein the food loaf is loaded onto the loaf support means and rests on the loaf support
`means during slicing;
`the machine comprising:
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`a first loaf feed drive for advancing the first food loaf along the first loaf path at a first preselected loaf feed rate;
`
`means for cutting slices from said first loaf, and said loaf feed drive moving said loaf along said loaf path on a plane
`perpendicular to the cutting path of said knife blade,
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`a first loaf door, mounted for movement between a blocking position blocking access of a food loaf to the knife blade
`on the food loaf path and an inactive position clear of that path;
`
`and door actuation means to actuate the food loaf door between its blocking and inactive positions.
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`Summary of the Invention
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`[0006]
`It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved versatile high speed slicing
`machine for slicing one, two, or more food loaves with a single cyclically driven knife blade with either automatic or
`manual loading, and with accommodation for food loaves that vary widely in dimensions, a machine that can vary the
`slice thickness and slice count for groups of slices cut simultaneously from different loaves. This object is achieved by
`the machine of claim 1.
`[0007] Further developments of the invention are characterized by the features of the dependent claim.
`[0008] Accordingly, the invention relates to an improved high speed food loaf slicing machine comprising a slicing
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`EP 0 713 753 B2
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`station including a knife blade and a knife blade drive driving the knife blade along a predetermined cutting path, and
`loaf support means for supporting a first food loaf and a second food loaf for movement along parallel first and second
`loaf paths, respectively, into the slicing station for repetitive slicing of both loaves by the knife blade. The machine
`comprises a first loaf feed drive for advancing the first food loaf along the first loaf path at a first preselected loaf feed
`rate, and a second loaf feed drive for advancing the second food loaf along the second loaf path at a second preselected
`loaf feed rate. Means are provided for varying one loaf feed rate independently of the other so that slices cut from one
`loaf can differ in thickness from slices cut from the other.
`
`Brief Description of the Drawings
`
`[0009]
`
`In the Drawings:
`
`Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a slicing machine comprising a preferred embodiment of the invention, with portions
`of the covers on the machine base cut away to show typical power supply and computer enclosures;
`Fig. 2 is a perspective view, like Fig. 1, with some guards and covers for the loaf feed mechanism removed and
`some operating components shown in simplified form;
`Fig. 3 is a perspective view, like Figs. 1 and 2, with other guards and covers cut away to show further operating
`components of the slicing machine, some illustrated in simplified form;
`Figs. 4A, 4B and 5 are schematic, simplified illustrations of operating components of the slicing machine of Figs. 1-3;
`Figs. 6A and 6B jointly comprise a flow chart for a computer control used in the slicing machine of Figs. 1-5;
`Figs. 7A and 7B, which fit together as shown in Fig. 7C, jointly afford a longitudinal section view of principal com-
`ponents of the loaf feed mechanism for the slicing machine of Figs. 1-5;
`Fig. 8 is a detail section view, similar to Fig. 7B, of a portion of the loaf feed mechanism that feeds loaves into the
`slicing station of the machine of Figs. 1-5;
`Fig. 9 is a detail section view, on an enlarged scale, of a lower "short" conveyor used in the slicing machine of Figs. 1-5;
`Fig. 10 is a plan view of a preferred construction for a gripper device used in the slicing machine of Figs. 1-5;
`Figs. 11 and 12 are section views, taken approximately along line 11-11 in Fig. 10, showing the gripper actuated
`and unactuated, respectively;
`Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation view of the automated loaf feed mechanism, taken generally as indicated by line
`13-13 in Fig. 7B;
`Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation view of the manual loaf feed mechanism, taken at about the same location as Fig. 13;
`Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a gripper used in the slicing machine;
`Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram of slicing level variations in the slicing machine;
`Figs. 17, 18 and 19 are plan, front elevation, and side views of one shear edge member used in the slicing station
`of the present invention;
`Figs. 20 and 21 are front elevation views, like Fig. 19, of other shear edge members usable in the slicing station of
`the present invention;
`Fig. 22 is a plan view of a horizontal adjustment mechanism for a shear edge member of the kind shown in Figs. 17-19;
`Fig. 23 is a section view taken approximately along line 23-23 in Fig. 13;
`Fig. 24 is a schematic sectional plan view of a portion of a slicing station;
`Figs. 25 and 25 are detail section views of the part of the slicing station of Fig. 15 enclosed in the circle marked Fig.
`25 in Fig. 15;
`Fig. 27 is a detail view that illustrates a honing device for use in the slicing station of the invention;
`Fig. 27A is a simplified schematic illustration of an energizing circuit for the slicing station drives;
`Fig. 28 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, of a part of the honing device shown in Fig. 18;
`Fig. 29 is a schematic drawing showing a different type of knife blade usable in some forms of the slicing station of
`the invention;
`Fig. 30 is a timing chart employed to illustrate and explain the operation of the slicing machine of the invention; and
`Fig. 31 is a timing chart, on an enlarged scale, of two cycles from Fig. 30.
`
`Description of the Preferred Embodiments
`
`A. The Basic Slicing Machine, Figs. 1-3, 4A, 4B and 5.
`
`[0010] Fig. 1 illustrates a food loaf slicing machine 50 constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention. Slicing machine 50 comprises a base 51 which, in a typical machine, may have an overall height H
`of approximately 32 inches (81 cm), an overall length L of about 103 inches (262 cm), and a width W of approximately
`41 inches (104 cm). Base 51 is mounted upon four fixed pedestals or feet 52 (three of the feet 52 appear in Fig. 1) and
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`EP 0 713 753 B2
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`has a housing or enclosure 53 surmounted by a top 58. Base 51 typically affords an enclosure for a computer 54, a low
`voltage supply 55, a high voltage supply 56, and a scale mechanism 57. Base enclosure 53 may also include a pneumatic
`supply or a hydraulic supply, or both (not shown).
`[0011] Slicing machine 50, as seen in Fig. 1, includes a conveyor drive 61 utilized to drive an output conveyor/classifier
`system 64. There is a front side guard 62 extending upwardly from the top 58 of base 51 at the near side of the slicing
`machine 50 as illustrated in Fig. 1. A similar front side guard 63 appears at the opposite side of machine 50. The two
`side guards 62 and 63 extend upwardly from base top 58 at an angle of approximately 45° and terminate at the bottom
`65 of a slicing station 66; member 65 constitutes a part of the housing for slicing station 66. There is a conveyor/classifier
`guard (not shown) between side guards 62 and 63, below the bottom 65 of slicing station 66.
`[0012] The slicing machine 50 of Fig. 1 further includes a computer display touch screen 69 in a cabinet 67 that is
`pivotally mounted on and supported by a support 68. Support 68 is affixed to and projects outwardly from a member 74
`that constitutes a front part of the housing of slicing head 66. Cabinet 67 and its computer display touch screen 69 are
`pivotally mounted so that screen 69 can face either side of slicing machine 50, allowing machine 50 to be operated from
`either side. Cabinet 67 also serves as a support for a cycle start switch 71, a cycle stop switch 72, and a loaf feed on-
`off switch 73. Switches 71-73 and display/touch screen 69 are electrically connected to computer 54 in base 51.
`[0013] The upper right-hand portion of slicing machine 50, as seen in Fig. 1, comprises a loaf feed mechanism 75
`which, in machine 50, includes a manual feed from the right-hand (far) side of the machine and an automated feed from
`the left-hand (near) side of the machine. Loaf feed mechanism 75 has an enclosure that includes a far side manual loaf
`loading door 79 and a near side automatic loaf loading door 78. Slicing machine 50 is equipped for automated loading
`of loaves from the near side, as seen in Fig. 1, and manual loading of food loaves on the far side of the machine. It will
`be understood that automated loaf loading may be provided on either or both sides of the machine; the same holds true
`for manual loaf loading. Indeed, different versions of slicing machine 50 may have automated loaf loading from the near
`side and manual loading on the far side, as shown herein, or can be reversed as regards the sides using manual and
`automated loading. Other versions of slicing machine 50 may have automated loaf loading or manual loaf loading on
`both sides of the slicing machine.
`[0014] Slicing machine 50, Fig. 1, further includes a pivotable upper back frame 81 and an upper back housing 82.
`Back frame 81 supports the upper ends of many of the components of loaf feed mechanism 75. A loaf feed guard 83
`protects the near side of the loaf feed mechanism 75 and shields mechanism 75 from a machine operator. There may
`be a similar guard on the opposite side of the machine. Behind loaf feed guard 83 there is a loaf lift tray 85 employed
`to load a food loaf into mechanism 75 during an automated loaf loading operation in machine 50 as described in detail
`below. A fixed loaf storage tray, used for manual loaf loading, may be located on the opposite side of machine 50 but
`is not visible in Fig. 1.
`[0015] There are some additional switches seen in Fig. 1. An emergency stop switch 87 for interrupting all operations
`of slicing machine 50 is mounted on the near side of loaf feed guard 83. There may be a similar emergency stop switch
`on the opposite side of the machine. A loaf lift switch 88 for initiating automated loading of a loaf from tray 85 into
`mechanism 75 is located immediately below switch 87. There would be a like switch on the opposite side of slicing
`machine 50 if that side of the machine were equipped for automated loaf loading. An emergency stop switch 89 is
`mounted on slicing station 66 on the near side of machine 50, and there is a similar switch (not shown) on the opposite
`side of the slicing station. Switches 87, 88, and 89, and any counterparts on the opposite (far) side of slicing machine
`50, are all electrically connected to the controls in enclosure 54.
`[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, slicing machine 50 is ready for operation. There is a food loaf 91 on tray 85, waiting to be
`loaded into loaf feed mechanism 75 on the near side of machine 50. Two, three, or even four food loaves may be stored
`on tray 85, depending on the loaf size. A similar food loaf or loaves may be stored on a corresponding loaf lift tray on
`the opposite side of machine 50. Machine 50 produces a series of stacks 92 of food loaf slices that are fed outwardly
`of the machine, in the direction of the arrow A, by conveyor classifier system 64. Machine 50 also produces a series of
`stacks 93 of food loaf slices that also move outwardly of the machine on its output conveyor system 64 in the direction
`of arrow A. Stack 92 is shown as comprising slices from a rectangular loaf, and stack 93 is made up of slices from a
`round loaf. Usually, both of the slice stacks 92 and 93 would be either round or rectangular. Stacks 92 and 93 may have
`different heights, or slice counts, and hence different weights; as shown, they contain the same number of food loaf
`slices in each stack, but that condition can be changed. Both groups of slices can be overlapping, "shingled" groups of
`slices instead of having the illustrated stacked configuration. Groups 92 and 93 must be the same in one respect; both
`must be stacks or shingle groups. Three or more loaves can be sliced simultaneously; slicing of two loaves is more
`common.
`[0017] Fig. 2 illustrates the slicing machine 50 of Fig. 1 with a number of the covers omitted to reveal operating
`components of the automated loaf feed mechanism 75 on the near side of the machine. As shown in Fig. 2, there is a
`stack/shingle conveyor drive 101 located on the near side of slicing machine 50. One part of the drive for slicing station
`66 is enclosed within a support enclosure 104 on the near side of machine 50. A manual slicing station rotation knob
`103 is mounted on and projects into enclosure 104 for mechanical connection to the slicing station drive. At the opposite
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`EP 0 713 753 B2
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`side of slicing machine 50 there is an enclosure 105 for a knife drive. Slicing station drive enclosure 104 and knife drive
`enclosure 105 extend upwardly from table top 58 at an angle, preferably approximately 45°, corresponding to the angular
`alignment of mechanism 75. There is a manual knife rotation knob (not shown) on the far side of machine 50, corresponding
`to knob 103.
`[0018] A loaf tray pivot mechanism 107 is located above top 58 of base 51 on the near side of slicing machine 50.
`Mechanism 107 is connected to and operates the automatic loaf lift tray 85, as described below. A similar loaf tray pivot
`mechanism may be provided on the opposite side of slicing machine 50 in a machine equipped for automated loaf
`loading from both sides.
`[0019] Slicing machine 50 includes a fixed frame pivotally supporting the automated feed mechanism 75 for feeding
`food loaves into slicing head 66. In the construction shown in Fig. 2, this fixed frame includes a pair of vertical frame
`members 111 affixed to base 51 and interconnected by two horizontal frame members 112 and joined to two angle
`frame members 113 (only one shows in Fig. 2). Frame members 111-113 are all located above the top 58 of machine
`base 51. The frame for loaf feed mechanism 75 in slicing machine 50 also includes a frame member 114 that extends
`from the upper back frame 81 downwardly, parallel to frame members 113, toward slicing head 66. The upper back
`frame 81 is mounted on pivot pins between the upper ends of two fixed frame members 127; only one member 127
`appears in Fig. 2. All of the operating elements of the automated food loaf feed mechanism (see Fig. 5) are mounted
`on the back frame and are pivotally movable (through a small angle) relative to the fixed frame 111-113.
`[0020] A manual feed tray 115 is shown at the far side of slicing machine 50 as illustrated in Fig. 2. A similar manual
`feed tray may be located at the near side of the machine in a slicing machine using manual feed from both sides of the
`machine.
`[0021] The principal support for one or more food loaves in mechanism 75, whether food loaf loading is being carried
`out on an automated basis or on a manual feed basis, includes three support components, two of which are preferably
`of unitary one-piece construction. At the top of slicing machine 50, as seen in Fig. 2, there is an upper loaf support tray
`116 that has its upper surface aligned with the top surface of a lower loaf support tray 117. Supports 116 and 117 are
`preferably one piece, being joined by side members omitted in Fig. 2 to avoid overcrowding. The gap between loaf
`supports 116 and 117 is normally filled by a loaf end discharge door 118; thus, members 116-118 normally afford a
`continuous loaf support surface that is the bottom for the two loaf paths in slicing machine 50. In Fig. 2, however, door
`118 is shown in its open discharge position. Door 118 is hinged at the lower edge of loaf support 116 and can be elevated
`to provide a direct, uninterrupted surface for support of a loaf throughout mechanism 75 during most of the slicing
`operations carried out by machine 50. A textured upper surface is preferred for support members 116-118 to improve
`sliding movement of a food loaf along those support members toward slicing station 66.
`[0022] The loaf feed mechanism 75 of slicing machine 50, Fig. 2, further includes a central barrier or divider 121. In
`the position for barrier 121 shown in Fig. 2, barrier 121 is used to position two food loaves on supports 116-118. This
`central barrier/divider 121 is suspended from frame member 114 by a plurality of pivotal supports 122, 123 and 124.
`During operation of slicing machine 50 divider 121 is elevated from the position shown in Fig. 2 (see Figs. 7A,7B) to
`permit loading of one or more food loaves onto the supports 116-118. Barrier 121 is also elevated during loaf slicing so
`that it will not interfere with other components of mechanism 75.
`[0023] The part of food loaf feed mechanism 75 shown in Fig. 2 also includes a carriage 125 that is mounted upon a
`rotatable shaft 126 and a stationary shaft 128 that extend parallel to the loaf support 116-118 throughout the length of
`food loaf feed mechanism 75. That is, carriage 125 moves along shafts 126 and 128 on a path approximately parallel
`to support members 113. There is a like carriage, carriage shafts, and carriage drive on the far side of slicing machine 50.
`[0024] Fig. 3 illustrates the same slicing machine 50 that is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in a conceptual view showing
`additional components for loaf feed mechanism 75 and other parts of the slicing machine. Thus, Fig. 3 also illustrates
`the general arrangement of operating components within slicing head 66, one construction that may be used for con-
`veyor/classifier system 64, and the drive motors for parts of slicing machine 50.
`[0025] Referring first to conveyor/classifier system 64 at the left-hand (output) end of slicing machine 50, in Fig. 3, it
`is seen that system 64 includes an inner stacking or receiving conveyor 130 located immediately below slicing head 66;
`conveyor 130 is sometimes called a "jump" conveyor in some versions of machine 50. From conveyor 130 groups of
`food loaf slices, stacked or shingled, are transferred to a decelerating conveyor 131 and then to a weighing or scale
`conveyor 132. From the scale conveyor 132 groups of food loaf slices move on to an outer classifier conveyor 134. On
`the far side of slicing machine 50 the sequence is the same, but that side of system 64 ends with a second outer classifier
`conveyor 135 located next to conveyor 134; see Fig. 4B.
`[0026] Slicing machine 50, Fig. 3, may further include a vertically movable stacking grid 136 comprising a plurality of
`stack members joined together and interleaved one-for-one with the moving elements of the inner stack/receive conveyor
`130. Stacking grid 136 can be lowered and raised by a stack lift mechanism 138, as shown in Fig. 3. Alternatively, food
`loaf slices may be grouped in shingled or in stacked relationship directly on the receive/stack conveyor 130, with a series
`of stacking pins 137 replacing grid 136 (see Fig. 4B). When this alternative is employed, lift mechanism 138 is preferably
`connected directly to and is used for vertical positioning of conveyor 130.
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`[0027] Slicing machine 50 further comprises a scale or weighing grid comprising a first plurality of scale grid elements
`141 and a second similar group of scale grid elements 142; each group of grid elements is interleaved one-for-one with
`the moving belts or like members of scale conveyor 132. Scale grids 141 and 142 are a part of scale mechanism 57
`(see Fig. 1). A scale conveyor lift mechanism 143 is provided for and is mechanically connected to scale conveyor 132.
`There is no weighing mechanism associated with either of the two output or classifier conveyors 134 and 135. However,
`there is a classifier conveyor lift mechanism 144 connected to the near side classifier conveyor 134. A similar lift device
`145 is provided for the other output classifier conveyor 135. Lift devices 144 and 145 are employed to pivot conveyors
`134 and 135, respectively, from their illustrated positions to elevated "reject" positions, depending on the results of the
`weighing operations in machine 50 ahead of conveyors 134 and 135. See also Fig. 4B.
`[0028]
`In Fig. 3, slicing station 66 is shown to include a rotating spindle or head 148. Head 148 is driven to rotate
`counterclockwise, as indicated by arrow D; the range of head speeds is quite large and may typically be from ten to
`seven hundred fifty rpm. A round knife blade 149 is shown rotatably mounted at a non-centralized location on head 148.
`Knife blade 149 is driven separately from head 148, rotating clockwise in the direction of arrow E. The range of knife
`blade speeds again is quite large and may typically be from ten to four thousand six hundred rpm. Blade 149 thus
`performs an orbital motion while it rotates. Other slicing head constructions may be used in machine 50, so long as the
`cutting edge of knife blade 149 moves along a predetermined cutting path in each cycle of operation; however, the
`illustrated configuration is preferred.
`[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, loaf feed mechanism 75 includes a near side clamp or gripper mechanism 151. There is a
`similar gripper mechanism (not shown) at the far side of slicing machine 50. Gripper 151, which is connected to carriage
`125 (Fig. 2), may have the construction shown in Fig. 15, or it may use the preferred construction of Figs. 10-12.
`[0030]
`Loaf feed mechanism 75 further comprises a near side sweep member 153 suspended from two sweep carriages
`154 which in turn are each mounted upon a pair of sweep support rods 155. Sweep mechanism 153-155 is employed
`on the near side of machine 50. A corresponding sweep mechanism (not shown) may be located on the far side of a
`slicing machine equipped for automated loaf loading from both sides. A somewhat different manual food loaf load
`arrangement is used in machine 50; see Fig. 14. Sweep carriages 154 are driven along rods 155 by belts, not shown
`in Fig. 3, as indicated by arrows B. Rods 155 are connected to a rotatable sweep actuator 156 for actuation thereby.
`[0031] Slicing machine 50 is intended to accommodate food loaves of widely varying sizes; it can even be used as a
`bacon slicer. This makes it necessary to afford a height adjustment for the food loaves as they move from loaf feed
`mechanism 75 into slicing head 66. In Fig. 3, this height adjustment, described more fully hereinafter, is generally
`indicated at 161.
`[0032] Slicing machine 50 further comprises a system of short conveyors for advancing food loaves from loaf feed
`mechanism 75 into slicing head 66. The short conveyor systems are actually a part of loaf feed mechanism 75. Fig. 3
`shows two short lower loaf feed conveyors 163 and 164 on the near and far sides of slicing machine 50, respectively.
`These short lower conveyors 163 and 164 are located immediately below two short upper feed conveyors 165 and 166,
`respectively. As used in describing conveyors 163-166, the term "short" refers to the length of the conveyors parallel to
`the food loaf paths along support 116-118, not to the conveyor lengths transverse to those paths. The upper conveyor
`165 of the pair 163 and 165 is displaceable so that the displacement between conveyors 163 and 165 can be varied to
`accommodate food loaves of varying height. This adjustment is provided by a conveyor lift actuator 167 that urges
`conveyor 165 downwardly. A similar conveyor actuator is located on the far side of machine 50 to adjust the height of
`the other upper short conveyor 166; the second actuator cannot be seen in Fig. 3.
`[0033] Some of the drive motors for the operating mechanisms in slicing machine 50 are shown in Fig. 3. The drive
`motor for the head or spindle 148 in slicing station 66 is a D.C. variable speed servo motor 171 mounted in the machine
`base 51. A similar servo motor 172 drives the knife blade 149. The receiver lift mechanism 138 is driven by a stacker
`lift motor 173, again preferably a variable speed D.C. servo motor. On the near side of machine 50 the loaf feed drive
`mechanism comprising gripper 151 and the short loaf feed conveyors 163 and 165 is driven by a servo motor 174. A
`like motor 175 on the far side of machine 50 (not shown in Fig. 3) affords an independent drive for the gripper and the
`"short" loaf feed conveyors 164 and 166 on that side of the slicing machine; see Fig. 4B.
`[0034] Fig. 4A affords an extended, simplified illustration of the slicing station 66 of the slicing machine of Figs. 1-3,
`along with the loaf feed drives. In Fig. 4A, servo motor 174 is shown connected, as by a series of timing belts 177 and
`a pair of universal-joint drive connectors 178, in driving relation to loaf feed conveyor drive pulleys 181 and 182 and to
`another loaf feed belt drive pulley 180. Pulley 181 is the drive pulley for the near side lower "short" loaf feed conveyor
`163; pulley 182 is the drive pulley for the near side upper "short" loaf feed conveyor 165 (Fig. 3). Pulley 180 is the drive
`pulley for a belt 334 (Fig. 6) that drives gripper carriage 125. All of the loaf feed drive pulleys 180-182 (Fig. 4A) have the
`same peripheral speed. Variation of the operating speed of servo motor 174 serves to vary the speed at which one food
`loaf (e.g., loaf 502) is advanced into slicing station 66.
`[0035] On the far side of Fig. 4A there is another servo motor 175 that, through a series of belts 184 and a pair of
`universal-joint drive connectors 185, drives the drive pulleys 187 and 188 for the far side "short" loaf feed conveyors
`164 and 166; see Fig. 3. Motor 175 also drives a drive pulley 189 for a gripper carriage drive belt (not shown) that is a
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`part of the food loaf feed on the far side of machine 50. The peripheral speeds for the loaf food drive pulleys 187-189
`are all the same. The two servo motors 174 and 175 are adjustable in speed, independently of each other. Thus, either
`motor may have its speed regulated to adjust slice thickness for one loaf (e.g. loaf 503) independently of the other (e.g.
`loaf 502).
`[0036] Fig. 4A schematically illustrates the drive connection from servo motor 171 to the head or spindle 148 in slicing
`station 66, through a belt 190; head 148 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by arrow D. Servo motor 172, on the
`other hand, rotates knife blade 149 clockwise (arrow E) through a drive connection afforded by two timing belts 191.
`Orbital movement of knife blade 149 depends upon the rotational speed of servo motor 171 and the speed of rotational
`movement of the blade is controlled by motor 172. Each can be varied independently of the other. A marker 901 is
`mounted on spindle 148; a sensor 902 is positioned to detect the presence of marker 901. Marker 901 may be a permanent
`magnet. Devices 901 and 902, when aligned, determine that spindle 148 is in a predetermined "home" position; when
`head 148 is in its "home" position, as shown in Fig. 4A, blade 149 is also located at "home". Marker 901 may comprise
`a small permanent magnet and sensor 902 can be an electromagnetic sensor responsive to magnetic flux.
`[0037] Fig. 4B shows the manner in which lift motor 173 is connected to receiving conveyor 130 by lift mechanism
`138; the drive connection is afforded by connection of a yoke 192 to a timing belt 193 driven by servo motor 173. Thus,
`motor 173 acts to lift or lower receiver conveyor 130; these actions (arrows F) are carried out cyclically for each group
`of slices cut from a loaf or loaves 502 and 503 fed into slicing station 66 in the direction of arrow L, Fig. 4A. Conveyor
`130 also requires a drive motor, shown in Fig. 5 as the servo motor 176, driving conveyor 130 through a belt 194 in drive
`101. During slicing of a pair of loaves moto