(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2008/0016999 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jan. 24, 2008
`Mathues et al.
`
`US 20080016999A1
`
`(54)
`
`DUAL-MODE FEED MECHANISM FOR A
`FOOD SLICING MACHINE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Thomas P. Mathues, Hilliard, OH
`(US); William J. Locascio,
`Lancaster, OH (US); Paul M.
`Kemp, Mount Gilead, OH (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`KREMBLAS, FOSTER, PHILLIPS & POLLICK
`7632 SLATE RIDGE BOULEVARD
`REYNOLDSBURG, OH 43068
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee:
`
`J. E. Grote Company
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`11/490,830
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 21, 2006
`
`
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`B26D 3/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................................... 83/42
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A feed mechanism for a food slicing machine. The feed
`mechanism is capable of dual configurations: gripper mode
`and continuous feed mode. The apparatus has dual convey
`ors that can feed food products continuously, and a gripper
`mechanism that can feed food products reciprocatingly.
`Before engaging the continuous mode, the gripper mecha
`nism is driven to an end of the machine and then a drive belt,
`which a jaw clamps during the gripper mode, is released.
`The dual, opposing conveyors then feed the food product
`that rolls to them by gravity over a moveable roller frame
`extending beneath the gripper mechanism. During gripper
`mode, the upper conveyor can be removed or raised out of
`the way, and the moveable roller frame is positioned just
`beneath the gripper. The gripper jaw clamps the drive belt
`and the gripper is driven in a reciprocal manner over the
`lower conveyor.
`
`Weber EX1013
`IPR2020-01557
`U.S. Patent No. 10,639,812
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`DD ~
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`a H
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`om
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`StFOPSan a A |
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`FIG. 13
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2008/001 6999 A1
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`Jan. 24, 2008
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`DUAL-MODE FEED MECHANISM FOR A
`FOOD SLICING MACHINE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`0001
`0002 This invention relates generally to a feed mecha
`nism for a food slicing machine, and more particularly
`relates to an apparatus that conveys food products into a
`moving slicing blade and can operate in a continuous feed
`mode or in a reciprocating gripper mode.
`0003 2. Description of the Related Art
`0004 Food slicing machines typically are made in dif
`ferent configurations to accommodate different types of food
`products that must be sliced. The basic configuration of a
`food slicing machine includes a moving blade that slices the
`food products, and a feed mechanism that conveys the food
`product through the moving blade's path. The feed mecha
`nism can be a passive mechanism that uses a tube or other
`structure that delivers the product to the blade under the
`influence of gravity, or it can be an active mechanism that
`drives the food product through the blade.
`0005. A rotary blade slicer, such as those manufactured
`and sold by Weber Maschinenbau Gmbh. & Co., Breiden
`bach, Germany, conventionally slices with an orbital blade,
`which is a circular blade with a center that is offset from its
`axis of rotation. An orbital blade's cutting edge slices
`through food product during a portion of the blade's rota
`tion, and is spaced away from the food product during the
`remainder of the rotation. Orbital blade slicing machines
`conventionally have one of two types of active feed mecha
`nisms. The first type is a gripper feeder, which is charac
`terized by a driven gripping head that conveys a gripped
`food product along a path into the blade after moveable teeth
`grip the food product at an end opposite the end that is sliced
`first. Such a machine is typically side-loading, which means
`the food product is placed in the machine on the side of the
`path the food travels to the blade and is conveyed from one
`end of the machine toward the blade that is near the opposite
`end of the machine.
`0006 Gripper feed mechanisms are typically driven by a
`precision drive system that indexes the gripper head and the
`gripped product through the blade's path at precisely timed
`intervals and in increments that are substantially equal to the
`resulting slice's thickness. The gripper indexes the gripped
`product while the blade is raised above the food product so
`that when the blade rotates along its cutting path the product
`is in that cutting path.
`0007. The gripper of such machines must be able to travel
`along the machine a distance that is equal to or greater than
`the longest log of product that is intended for that slicer. This
`can range, conventionally, from 36 to 72 inches or more,
`depending on many variables. The region of the machine
`where the product is placed prior to being advanced into the
`blade is often constructed with a conveyor-type belt beneath
`the gripper that moves with the gripper head. Alternatively,
`Some machines Support the food product on bearing
`mounted rollers or polished plates that provide little resis
`tance to motion. The conveyor or rollers are often tilted
`toward the slicing Zone so that gravity can assist the feed
`mechanism. In machines built for long food logs the overall
`height can exceed eight feet.
`0008. When the gripped end of the food product is close
`to the slicing blade in machines of this type, the gripper is
`also close to the slicing blade, and a small piece of food
`
`product is gripped in the gripping teeth. This end piece,
`which can be referred to as a "heel', cannot be sliced
`because it is held in the gripper teeth, and if the gripper is
`advanced too far, the gripper teeth will contact the slicer
`blade. This is avoided in most conventional machines by a
`computer controlling the drive motor that advances the
`gripper, and restricting the gripper head from advancing
`beyond a predetermined limit. Normally a physical limit is
`provided to prevent contact in case of control failure. Upon
`reaching that predetermined limit, the gripper is returned to
`a loading position where a new log of food product may be
`gripped. As the gripper head is returned to the loading
`position, the teeth can open and the remaining piece of
`product is released to drop through a hole formed in the
`machine for receipt of discarded heels.
`0009 Heels of some food products are undesirable, and
`these food products are often easily accommodated with a
`gripper slice feeder, which have the ability to “reject’ the
`heels rather than permitting them to enter the slicing path of
`the blade. The gripper is also desirable for products with
`wide variations in cross section, such as Some whole muscle
`meats. It is also known that some food products are not
`easily fed using gripper-type feed mechanisms, or it is
`undesirable to feed them using these mechanisms. There
`fore, a second type of food product feeding mechanism has
`been developed. This type uses opposed conveyors, in which
`one conveyor is located under and the other conveyor is
`located over the food path. The conveyors are commonly
`angled toward the slicing Zone to enhance feeding toward
`the blade.
`0010. The lower conveyor of such machines is substan
`tially fixed in its relationship to the slicing blade, but the
`upper conveyor is commonly allowed to “float' vertically to
`allow for variation in thickness of food products. The upper
`conveyor is also commonly urged downward, such as by a
`spring, to provide a downward force on the product, thereby
`"pinching the product between the conveyors for more
`effective feeding. The conveyors are synchronously driven
`to move the product held between them precisely into the
`slicing Zone much like the gripper, but without the positive
`location of any part of the food product. Thus, conveyors
`cannot locate ends of the food product loafs for discarding.
`0011 Food products are fed into the opposed conveyors
`from the end of the conveyor opposite the blade. New
`product can be fed continuously into the feed conveyor end
`while slicing of already-conveyed product proceeds at the
`slicing end of the conveyor. As the product is indexed
`toward the slicing Zone, space opens for new product to be
`introduced to the conveyors.
`0012 Food products that have ends that will be utilized
`can be advanced using this type of feed mechanism. Addi
`tionally, when it is desired to run the slicer continuously this
`type of feed mechanism is desirable. Soft or easily broken
`logs can be accommodated by this type of feeder since the
`two conveyors spread the feeding loads over a large area.
`This type of feed mechanism is less suited to feeding
`products that are highly variable in cross section.
`0013 The need exists for a feeding mechanism for a
`slicing machine that has the benefits of both types of feed
`mechanisms.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0014. The invention is an apparatus for conveying food
`products along a food path into a blade of a food slicing
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`US 2008/001 6999 A1
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`Jan. 24, 2008
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`machine. The apparatus comprises a lower conveyor defin
`ing a base of the food path. The lower conveyor is drivingly
`linked to a drive means, such as a servo motor, that drives
`the lower conveyor. An upper conveyor, which is preferably
`vertically displaceable and removably mounted to the slicing
`machine, is disposed above the lower conveyor. The upper
`conveyor is preferably removably, drivingly linked to the
`same motor as the lower conveyor during a continuous feed
`mode.
`0.015 The apparatus also includes a gripper that can grip
`food during a reciprocating gripper mode, and means for
`linking the gripper to, and unlinking the gripper from,
`gripper drive means. Preferably the means for linking and
`unlinking is a clamping jaw connected to the gripper for
`clamping and releasing a drive belt driven by the same motor
`used to drive the conveyors. When the gripper clamps the
`drive belt, the gripper can be disposed into the food path.
`This occurs during a reciprocating gripper mode. During the
`continuous feed mode, the gripper releases the drive belt,
`thereby unlinking the gripper from the gripper drive means
`and disposing the gripper out of the food path.
`0016. In a more preferred embodiment, the apparatus has
`a moveable roller frame that extends from near one end of
`the lower conveyor to beneath the gripper during the con
`tinuous feed mode for food products to be conveyed over the
`moveable roller frame, into the conveyors and then fed into
`the blade. This permits the gripper to be disposed above the
`moveable roller frame and out of the food product path
`during continuous feed mode, but permits the gripper feed
`mode to be engaged simply by repositioning the moveable
`roller frame to the upward position, clamping the gripper to
`the belt and disposing the gripper in the food path again. In
`gripper mode, the upper conveyor is preferably either raised
`out of the way or removed from the apparatus.
`0017. The invention also contemplates methods of
`engaging the gripper mode and later converting to the
`continuous feed mode. The gripper mode includes the steps
`of disposing a lower conveyor at a base of the food path and
`drivingly linking the lower conveyor to means for driving
`the lower conveyor. Another contemplated Step includes
`spacing an upper conveyor from the lower conveyor adja
`cent the food path and drivingly linking the upper conveyor
`to means for driving the upper conveyor. Still another step
`includes disposing a gripper into the food path and drivingly
`linking the gripper to means for driving the gripper.
`0.018. The continuous feed mode method includes the
`step of disposing a lower conveyor at a base of the food path
`and drivingly linking the lower conveyor to means for
`driving the lower conveyor. Another step includes spacing
`an upper conveyor from the lower conveyor adjacent the
`food path and drivingly linking the upper conveyor to means
`for driving the upper conveyor. Still another step includes
`disposing a gripper out of the food path and unlinking the
`gripper from means for driving the gripper.
`0019. The food product feeding mechanism of the present
`invention is capable of operating in the continuous feed
`mode and the reciprocating gripper mode with a very short
`time required for changing modes. In the continuous feed
`mode, conveyors convey the food product toward a slicing
`blade, and the conveyors can be end or side-loaded without
`interference from the gripper mechanism. In the gripper
`mode, a gripper conveys the food product toward a slicing
`
`blade. In the gripper mode, the upper conveyor can be
`removed or, in certain circumstances, left in place.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
`0020 FIG. 1 is a view in perspective illustrating an
`embodiment of the present invention attached to a food
`slicing machine.
`0021
`FIG. 2 is a view in perspective illustrating the
`embodiment of FIG. 1 from a different side.
`0022 FIG. 3 is a view in perspective illustrating an
`embodiment of the upper conveyor of the FIG. 1 embodi
`ment.
`0023 FIG. 4 is a view in perspective illustrating the
`machine of FIG. 1.
`0024 FIG. 5 is a view in perspective illustrating the
`machine of FIG. 1.
`(0025 FIG. 5b is a view in perspective illustrating the
`gripper head from the underside.
`0026 FIG. 6 is a view in perspective illustrating the
`machine of FIG. 1 with the gripper head mounted in an
`operable position.
`0027 FIG. 7 is a view in perspective illustrating a drive
`means of the present invention.
`0028 FIG. 8 is a view in perspective illustrating an
`alternative embodiment of the present invention in the
`continuous feed mode.
`(0029 FIG. 9 is a view in perspective illustrating the
`embodiment of FIG. 8 in the gripper mode position.
`0030 FIG. 10 is a view in perspective illustrating an
`alternative embodiment of the upper conveyor.
`0031
`FIG. 11 is a view in perspective illustrating the
`present invention.
`0032 FIG. 12 is a view in perspective illustrating the
`present invention with the mounting apparatus partially
`removed to illustrate the underlying structure.
`0033 FIG. 13 is a view in perspective illustrating the
`present invention from the side opposite the FIG. 12 view.
`0034 FIG. 14 is a view in perspective illustrating a
`magnified view of the present inventions upper conveyor
`mounting structure.
`0035. In describing the preferred embodiment of the
`invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific
`terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity.
`However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to
`the specific term so selected and it is to be understood that
`each specific term includes all technical equivalents which
`operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
`For example, the word connected or terms similar thereto are
`often used. They are not limited to direct connection, but
`include connection through other elements where such con
`nection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in
`the art.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`0036. The food slicing machine 10 is shown in FIG. 1.
`The machine has two modes: continuous and gripper, which
`are described in detail below. The machine is shown in the
`continuous feed mode in FIG. 1. The lower conveyor 20 is
`mounted to the frame 12 in a conventional manner for
`conveyor belts. The conveyor belt 22 forms the food
`supporting surface of the lower conveyor 20 around the
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`Jan. 24, 2008
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`rollers rotatably mounted at opposing ends of the conveyor
`frame 26. A timing or cog drive belt 24 (FIG. 2) is drivingly
`linked to the shaft 25, which is connected to the roller that
`drives the endless conveyor belt 22. The drive belt 24 is a
`toothed belt that extends around a gear on the drive shaft of
`the electric servo motor 90 mounted to the frame 12 (FIG.
`2), but could be replaced by equivalent drive mechanisms,
`including pulleys and belts, gears and drive shafts or gears
`and chains, as is understood for drive mechanisms. The
`servo motor 90 can be replaced by other equivalent drive
`means. Such as a hydraulic motor, pneumatic motor, or other
`prime mover.
`0037. The servo motor 90 is preferably contained in a
`sealed housing 94 in order that food particles and washing
`Solution do not contact it during ordinary use. The housing
`94, some components of which are not shown in FIG. 2 to
`make the underlying mechanism visible, incorporates por
`tions of the frame 12. The driveshaft 25 preferably extends
`through the housing 94 sidewall via a seal that prevents or
`reduces water infiltration into the housing.
`0038. The servo motor 90 preferably has its drive gear 92
`oriented with its axis perpendicular to the length of the lower
`conveyor 20. When the servo motor 90 engages, it drives the
`top surface of the endless belt 22 to convey food products in
`one direction, but the servo motor 90 can be reversed to
`drive the belt 22 in the opposite direction.
`0039. The upper conveyor 30 (FIGS. 1 and 3) is mounted
`to the frame 12 in a manner that permits vertical displace
`ment thereof, such as by pivotably mounting the linkage
`members 31, 32, 33 and 34 near one of their ends to the
`frame 12 and near the other of their ends to the frame 36 of
`the upper conveyor 30 (see FIG. 3). The members 31-34
`pivotably mount to the upper conveyor 30 at points 34c and
`31c, and similar points on members 32 and 33. The members
`31-34 pivotably mount to the frame 12 at points 31f. 32fand
`34f.
`0040. The member 33 extends between the drive shaft
`33d and the driven shaft 33c, which rotate to drive the
`conveyor belts 38. The member 33 can pivot about the axes
`of the two shafts 33d and 33c, thereby creating no interfer
`ence with the vertical displacement of the conveyor 30. The
`drive shaft 33d is mounted to the spline shaft 35, which is
`driven by drive means, preferably the same servo motor 90
`that drives the lower conveyor 20. The spline shaft 35
`preferably extends through the housing 94 via a seal.
`0041. The axis of the spline shaft 35 is not displaced
`vertically, even when the conveyor 30 is displaced vertically,
`and therefore the drive motor or linkage to the drive motor
`does not need to be vertically displaceable. Instead, a timing
`belt (not shown) extends from the drive shaft 33d to the
`driven shaft 33c, and thereby drives the driven shaft 33c.
`The driven shaft 33c is drivingly linked to the roller 36
`around which the belts 38 extend, preferably by having the
`axis of the driven shaft 33c coincident with the axis of the
`roller 36. Thus, upon rotation of the servo motor 90, the
`spline shaft 35 rotates, thereby rotating the drive shaft 33d,
`the timing belt, the driven shaft 33c, the roller 36 and the
`belts 38. And as the upper conveyor is displaced vertically,
`the distance between the axes of the drive shaft 33d and the
`driven shaft 33c remains the same, thereby causing no
`negative effect on the driving of the upper conveyor 30.
`0042. As an alternative to the vertically displaceable
`conveyor mechanism described above, the mechanism
`shown in FIG. 10 could be used. The FIG. 10 mechanism
`
`includes an upper conveyor 330 mounted to the bearings
`331, 332, 333 and 334 which are slidably mounted on
`vertical rods 341, 342, 343 (not visible in FIG. 10) and 344,
`respectively. The vertical movement of the upper conveyor
`330 occurs as the bearings 331-334 slide along the rods
`341-344. Other alternatives to the vertically displaceable
`upper conveyor are also contemplated.
`0043. It should be noted that, as is conventional, the
`spans of the belts of the upper conveyor 30 and the lower
`conveyor 20 that seat against the food product are synchro
`nously driven in the same direction when the apparatus is in
`continuous feed mode. Thus, both conveyors feed food
`product into the blade, or away from the blade if necessary,
`such as to dislodge food or to hold food away from the blade
`during a pause between slicing events. In order to drive both
`conveyors synchronously with the same motor, the drive
`direction of one of the drive mechanisms must be reversed.
`The driveshaft 25 can have its direction of rotation reversed
`by conventional gearing, the reverse side of a two-sided
`toothed belt or any other conventional mechanism. Alterna
`tively, the upper conveyor's direction can be reversed by the
`two-sided toothed belt as shown in FIG. 2.
`0044) The blade 40 (FIG. 2) is mounted in a conventional
`manner and is driven by its own drive motor 42 (FIG. 5) with
`the center of the circular blade 40 offset from the drive
`motors driveshaft to provide movement of the blade's
`sharp, outer edge around a path that is larger than the blade's
`diameter. As shown in FIG. 2, the blade 40 is in a position
`that permits food product to be fed through the food path
`between the conveyors 20 and 30 and into the blade's cutting
`path at this stage in the blade's revolution. Before the blade
`rotates further and begins to enter the food path again, the
`food product is advanced into the blade's cutting path, and,
`when the blade advances farther, a food slice is formed. The
`blade, its drive motor and its cutting method are conven
`tional.
`0045. As described above, the upper conveyor 30 utilizes
`linkage members 31-34 pivotably mount to the frame 12 at
`points that are spaced from complementary pivot points on
`the upper conveyor's 30 frame 36. Because of this structure,
`the upper conveyor 30 can be displaced vertically, such as
`when food product is disposed in the space between the
`upper and lower conveyors. When the upper conveyor 30 is
`displaced downwardly from the position shown in FIG.3, its
`motion follows an arcuate path that extends downwardly and
`away from the blade 40. This is due to the pivoting linkage
`members 31-34. A force generating drive means, such as a
`spring or pneumatic ram 39 (FIG. 1), can be drivingly linked
`to the legs of the members 31 and 32 where the pivots 31s
`and 32s, respectively, are formed in order to apply a force to
`the pivots 31s and 32s that is at a right, or substantially right,
`angle to the legs of the members 31 and 32. Such a force
`generates a torque in the members 31 and 32 that tends to
`raise or lower at least the end of the conveyor 30 that is
`farthest from the blade 40. Raising the conveyor 30
`increases the space between the conveyors 20 and 30 to
`accommodate a larger food product, whereas applying a
`downward force to the conveyor 30 will either decrease the
`space between the conveyors or increase the force on a food
`product therebetween.
`0046. As noted above, the mounting apparatus 52 shown
`in FIG. 1 attaches to the frame 12. As is more clearly shown
`in FIG. 11, the mounting apparatus 52 has a hook 54 that
`extends over a pin that extends inwardly from the ear 53 that
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`Jan. 24, 2008
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`protrudes from the frame 12. A similar hood, ear and pin are
`formed on the opposite side of the mounting apparatus 52.
`but are not visible in the figures. A tab 57 seats against the
`frame 12, and a similar tab (not visible) is formed on the
`opposite side of the mounting apparatus 52. It is contem
`plated, although not required, that pins will extend out
`wardly from the frame 12 into apertures formed in the tabs.
`In order to remove the mounting apparatus 52, one pivots the
`upstream end thereof upwardly to rotate the tabs away from
`the frame, and then lifts to unhook the hooks from the pins
`on the ears that protrude from the frame.
`0047. The embodiment shown in FIG. 11 includes the
`attachment of the upper conveyor 30 by a much simpler
`mechanism than that shown in FIG. 3. In the embodiment of
`FIG. 11, the pneumatic ram 39 mounts to the mounting
`apparatus, and extends downwardly to a pair of inverted
`U-shaped arms 130 and 132 that extend downwardly to the
`sides of the upper conveyor 30. The arms are shown clearly
`in FIGS. 12 and 13, which have the mounting apparatus 52
`removed for clarity. The ram 39 displaces the arms 130 and
`132 as desired, and can apply a downward force on the arms
`130 and 132 in order to increase the force on the food
`product between the conveyors.
`0048. The pins 140, 141, 142 and 143 extend laterally
`outwardly from the sides of the upper conveyor frame and
`insert into slots formed in the brackets 150 and 152 mounted
`to the arms 130 and 132. Thus, the conveyor 30 is mounted
`to the machine by inserting the pins 140 and 143 into the
`downstream slots on the brackets 150 and 152, the pins 141
`and 142 are aligned with the upstream slots on the brackets,
`and the conveyor frame is slid downstream to the full extent
`of the slots.
`0049. Because the brackets 150 and 152 are mounted to
`the arms 130 and 132, the conveyor is mounted to the
`mounting apparatus 52, and therefore the frame 12, by
`installing it as described. Rotatable hooks 160 and 162 are
`mounted to the brackets 150 and 152 to hook around the pins
`141 and 142 when the conveyor is in its installed position,
`thereby preventing unintentional removal from the brackets
`150 and 152. Removal is accomplished by simply unhook
`ing the hooks 160 and 162, sliding the conveyor 30 in the
`upstream direction and dropping it downwardly for removal.
`0050. Of course, the arrangement described above for the
`attachment of the upper conveyor could be combined with
`the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, such as by extending pins
`from the members 31-34 that insert into slots in brackets
`similar to the brackets 150 and 152.
`0051
`Referring again to FIG. 1, the moveable roller
`frame 60 has rollers 50 mounted on low-friction bearings.
`The moveable roller frame 60 is a rigid member removably
`mounted to the frame 12 by connectors at its opposing ends.
`The moveable roller frame 60 is substantially planar, but has
`a curved end that forms a gentle transition between the
`rollers 50 and the lower conveyor 20 when the machine 10
`is in the continuous mode, as described below. Preferably,
`the moveable roller frame 60 is tilted toward the frame 12 in
`a conventional manner to encourage food products placed on
`the rollers 50 to roll downhill toward the conveyors 20 and
`30. Upon contacting the conveyors 20 and 30, the food
`product is grasped by the driven belts thereof and driven
`along the food path toward the blade to be sliced in a
`conventional manner.
`0052. The moveable roller frame 60 is mounted to the
`frame 12 with its planar section oriented substantially par
`
`allel to and coplanar with the lower conveyor 20 and with
`the curved end farthest from the lower conveyor 20 during
`the gripper mode (FIG. 9). The roller frame 60 can be
`removed from the frame 12, rotated 180 degrees and re
`attached with the curved end mounted to the frame 12 at the
`upstream end of the lower conveyor 20 so that the continu
`ous feed mode (FIGS. 1 and 8) can be engaged. The
`dual-positioning feature permits the same moveable roller
`frame 60 to be mounted in one position, spaced beneath the
`gripper mechanism to allow end loading of the rollers 50
`without interference from the gripper mechanism, and then
`be moved to a second position in which the gripper mecha
`nism is adjacent to, and moves food products along, the
`rollers 50. During the continuous mode, the moveable roller
`frame 60 is spaced far enough below the gripper that the
`food products on the rollers 50 are spaced from the gripper.
`The curvature near the connection to the lower conveyor 20
`provides a gentle transition between the planar section and
`the upstream end of the planar lower conveyor 20.
`0053. During the gripper mode, the planar region of the
`moveable roller frame 60 is substantially coplanar with the
`lower conveyor 20. The curved end is placed outside of the
`range of the gripper. Therefore, the rollers 50 are directly
`beneath the gripper during the gripper mode so that food on
`the rollers 50 can be displaced by the gripper.
`0054. In an alternative embodiment, the moveable roller
`frame is completely planar and pivotably mounts to the
`frame 12 at one end. In another alternative, the moveable
`roller frame is a multi-piece structure with pivots along its
`length which permit the components thereof to pivot relative
`to one another in the manner of a bicycle chain. In this
`alternative, the roller frame sections pivot relative to one
`another to form any desired shape. Thus, in order to move
`the moveable roller frame from its position during the
`gripper mode to its position during the continuous feed
`mode, structures that support this alternative roller frame are
`moved and the roller frame sections pivot to form the curved
`moveable roller frame below the gripper mechanism.
`0055. The term “food path” is defined herein as the path
`that food products traverse when they are driven toward the
`blade 40. The food path need not be a straight line, and can
`change when the configuration of the machine changes from
`one feed mode to another. For example, in the continuous
`feed mode, the food path extends along the moveable roller
`frame 60 between the conveyors 20 and 30 and into the
`blade 40. In the gripper mode, the food path extends from
`the gripper head on the rollers 50 over the lower conveyor
`and into the blade.
`0056 Referring again to FIG. 1, the drive belt 70 is
`driven by a prime mover, preferably the electric servo motor
`90 that drives the conveyors 20 and 30. The drive belt 70
`preferably extends from the driven gear 71 that is on the
`driveshaft 25 (FIG. 5) to the idler gear 72 (FIGS. 4 and 5b)
`that mounts to the frame 12 with a low-friction bearing.
`Thus, upon rotation of the driven gear 71, the belt 70 is
`displaced.
`0057. A pair of parallel bars 73 and 74 extend from the
`frame 12 and have very Smooth outer Surfaces against which
`the bearings (FIG. 5b) of the gripper base 76 seat. Thus, the
`gripper base 76 can be displaced linearly along a path
`parallel to the bars 73 and 74 with little resistance. The
`gripper base 76 has a clutch mechanism, preferably ajaw 78
`(FIG. 5b) that opens and closes by actuation of the lever 79.
`This clutch mechanism engages and disengages the drive
`
`

`

`US 2008/001 6999 A1
`
`Jan. 24, 2008
`
`belt 70, which is also referred to herein as “linking and
`unlinking the gripper to the gripper drive means, by clamp
`ing the drive belt 70 in the jaw 78. The jaw has a lower
`Surface (not shown) with mating teeth that correspond to the
`cog teeth on the inside of the belt 70. Thus, by engaging the
`clutch mechanism, the jaw 78 is closed to the position shown
`in FIG. 5. By disengaging the clutch, the jaw 78 is opened
`and the belt 70 is released from the jaw 78. In the preferred
`embodiment, the belt 70 is displaced whenever the servo
`motor 90 is driven. However, only when the jaw 78 is in the
`clutched state does the gripper base 76 move with the belt 70
`whenever the belt 70 is driven. By releasing the belt 70, the
`gripper base 76 remains stationary, even when the motor 90
`drives the belt 70.
`0058. It is contemplated for a less preferred embodiment
`that the gripper base 76 have other drive means, such as a
`motor, separate from the servo motor 90 that drives the
`upper and lower conveyors. In this embodiment, the gripper
`drive means can be actuated when it is desired to move the
`gripper base. In another contemplated embodiment, an actu
`atable clutch engages and disengages a drive pulley that
`drives the gripper drive belt, thereby permitting engagement
`and disengagement of the belt by engaging or disengaging
`the actuatable clutch.
`0059 Agripper head 80 is attached to the gripper base 76
`when the apparatus 10 is operational, notwithstanding the
`deliberate om