(12) INTERNATIONAL
`
`APPLICATION
`
`PUBLISHED
`
`UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION
`
`TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`28 January 2010 (28.01.2010)
`
`(51) International Patent Classification:
`5262) 7/06 (2006.01)
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`PCT/US2008/080809
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`22 October 2008 (22.10.2008)
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`60/999,961
`61/000,202
`12/255,661
`
`22 October 2007 (22.10.2007)
`2 3 October 2007 (23.10.2007)
`2 1 October 2008 (21 .10.2008)
`
`U S
`U S
`U S
`
`(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): FOR-
`INC.
`MAX,
`[US/US];
`9150
`191st Street, Mokena,
`IL
`60448 (US).
`
`(72) Inventors; and
`(75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): LINDEE, Scott, A .
`[US/US]; C/o Formax,
`Inc., 9150 191st Street, Mokena,
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 2010/011237 Al
`
`IL 60448 (US). SANDBERG, Glenn [US/US]; C/o For¬
`max,
`Inc., 9150 191st Street, Mokena,
`IL 60448 (US).
`PASEK,
`James,
`E .
`[US/US]; C/o Formax,
`Inc., 9150
`191st Street, Mokena,
`IL 60448 (US). LAMARTINO,
`Salvatore [US/US]; C/o Formax,
`Inc., 9150 19 1st Street,
`IL 60448 (US). HANSEN, David [US/US]; C/o
`Mokena,
`Formax,
`Inc., 9150 191st Street, Mokena,
`IL 60448 (US).
`WOLCOTT,
`Thomas, C . [US/US]; C/o Formax,
`Inc.,
`9150 191st Street, Mokena,
`IL 60448 (US). HANCOCK,
`David [US/US]; C/o Formax,
`Inc, 9150 191st Street, Mo¬
`kena, IL 60448 (US).
`
`(74) Agent: ERICKSON,
`T.; 1749 S. Naperville
`Randall,
`Rd., Suite 202, Wheaton,
`IL 60189 (US).
`
`(81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
`AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BR, BW, BY, BZ,
`CA, CH, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DO, DZ,
`EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, HN,
`HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP, KR,
`KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME,
`MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO,
`
`[Continued on next page]
`
`(54) Title: MULTIPLE FOOD ARTICLE HIGH SPEED SLICING MACHINE
`
`FIG,
`
`(57) Abstract: A high
`and a
`apparatus
`slicing
`speed
`conveyor
`combination
`that pro¬
`weighing and classifying
`in productivity
`by enhancing por¬
`vides plural advantages
`food hygiene by implementing
`an
`tion control and yield,
`automated
`cleanup position,
`etc., and operation
`by em¬
`ploying a laser food article end detection system. The in¬
`vention
`provides
`a mechanism and method
`for
`slicing
`multiple
`food articles,
`independent
`of feed rate, and the
`ability to weigh each product group from each food article
`to achieve optimal weight control and yield of each food
`article.
`
`Weber EX1014
`IPR2020-01557
`U.S. Patent No. 10,639,812
`
`

`

`NZ, OM, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, RU, SC, SD, SE, SG,
`SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA,
`UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW.
`
`ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV,
`MC, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, TR), OAPI
`(BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR,
`NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`(84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH, Published:
`GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, — with international search report (Art. 21(3))
`ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ,
`TM), European (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE,
`
`

`

`Multiple Food Article High Speed Slicing Machine
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Many different kinds of food articles or food products, such as food slabs, food
`
`bellies, or food loaves are produced in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. There are meat
`
`loaves made from various meats, including ham, pork, beef, lamb, turkey, and fish. 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 six feet (183 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.
`
`Typically the food loaves 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
`
`article and the desire of the producer, the wholesaler, or the retailer. For some products,
`
`neatly aligned stacked slice groups are preferred. For others, the slices are shingled or folded
`
`so that a purchaser can see a part of every slice through a transparent package.
`
`Food articlescan be sliced on high speed slicing machines such as disclosed in U.S.
`
`Patents 5,628,237 or 5,974,925 or as commercially available as the FXl 80® slicer available
`
`from Formax, Inc. of Mokena, Illinois, USA.
`
`The FXl 80® machine can be configured as an automatically loaded, continuous feed
`
`machine, or an automatically loaded, back-clamp or gripper type machine.
`
`

`

`For an automatically loaded, continuous feed machine, side-by-side upper and lo ver
`
`conveyor pairs drive food articles into the cutting plane. A gate is located in front of the
`
`conveyors. The initial food articles are loaded with leading ends abutting the gate. The gate is
`
`lowered and the food articles proceed into the conveyors. When the initial food articles are
`
`sliced to the extent that the trailing ends of the food articles clear the gate, the gate is raised
`
`and new food articles are loaded in the feed paths, held back by the gate. Shortly thereafter
`
`the gate is lowered and new food articles slide down to where lead ends of the new food
`
`articles abut trailing ends of the initial food articles being sliced. The new food articles are
`
`driven into the cutting plane trailing the initial food articles. Food articles are sequentially
`
`and continuously loaded in this manner, lead end-to-trailing end, in abutting contact with the
`
`preceding food articles.
`
`U.S. Patent 5,628,237 and European patent EP 0 713 753 describe a back-clamp or
`
`gripper type slicing machine. According to this type of slicing machine, two food articles are
`
`loaded onto a lift tray and the lift tray is raised to a ready-to-sweep position. Two loaf
`
`grippers are retracted after the previous food articles are sliced. During retraction of the loaf
`
`grippers, loaf-to-slicing blade gate doors are closed and ends of the previous food articles are
`
`dropped through a loaf end door. After the grippers have reached the retracted position or
`
`"home position" remote from the slicing blade, a loaf sweep mechanism is activated, moving
`
`the food articles laterally together into the slicing position. A spacing mechanism moves
`
`down and spaces the food articles apart. The grippers then advance after it has been
`
`determined that the loaf sweep mechanism has moved the food articles to the slicing
`
`position. The grippers have onboard sensing mechanisms that are triggered by contact with
`
`the food articles. After sensing and gripping the food articles, the food articles are retracted
`
`slightly, and the loaf-to-slicing blade gate doors are opened and the food articles are
`
`

`

`advanced to the slicing plane of the slicing blade. The loaf sweep mechanism retracts and the
`
`loaf lift tray lowers, ready for the next reload cycle. According to this design, in practice, the
`
`reload cycle is accomplished in about eight seconds. In a high volume slicing operation,
`
`reload cycle time can be a significant limitation to optimum production efficiency.
`
`In either configuration the FXl 80® slicing machine has achieved great commercial
`
`success. However, the present inventors have recognized that it would be desirable to slice
`
`up to four food articles or more with independent feeding and weighing capabilities, with
`
`hygienic and operational enhancements.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention provides a mechanism and method for slicing multiple food articles
`
`with independency of feed rate and the ability to weigh each product group from each food
`
`article respectively to
`
`optimal weight control and yield of each food article.
`
`The present invention provides a high speed slicing apparatus and a weighing and
`
`classifying conveyor combination that provides plural advantages in productivity, food
`
`hygiene, and operation.
`
`The combination provides food hygiene advantages by use of unibody construction
`
`with minimal penetrations, double sealed door closures, self draining angled surfaces, the use
`
`of hygienic, round, sealed adjustable legs, the use of an automatic debris or scrap removal
`
`conveyor, a hygienic configuration of a food article lift and sweep mechanism. Further, the
`
`combination provides an automated cleanup position wherein, the elevated food article feed
`
`mechanism can be collapsed to a more convenience plane or maintenance position, the
`
`weighing and classifying conveyor is oriented at a distance from the slicing apparatus for
`
`ease of cleanup and maintenance, and the blade cover is automatically lifted to a cleanup
`
`

`

`position. The weighing and classifying conveyor includes way conveyor belts that are
`
`separable from their respective drive motors for ease of cleaning and maintenance.
`
`Additionally, all product contact conveyor belts throughout
`
`the combination are easily
`
`removable.
`
`The combination provides for enhanced portion control and yield. A food article
`
`feed mechanism ensures accurate feeding by the use of servo driven and controlled feed
`
`belts and grippers. The slicing mechanism includes up to four independent drives for slicing
`
`four or more food articles simultaneously. An enhanced food article gate swing is withdrawn,
`
`not laterally but longitudinally toward the knife blade to ease the food articles toward the
`
`slicing plane.
`
`Operationally, food article grippers are provided which minimize the longitudinal
`
`length of remainder ends of sliced food articles. In this regard, food article sensors have
`
`been removed from the grippers and a laser food article end detection system is employed
`
`which allows for a more compact, smaller-bite gripper.
`
`A mechanism is provided to retract the slicing blade from the slicing plane during
`
`the dwell between sliced groups to prevent scrap generation. Further, a mechanism is
`
`provided to both dynamically and mechanically brake the slicing blade to a quick stop.
`
`Laser intrusion detectors are used to shut down systems when an unwanted intrusion
`
`by an operator is detected.
`
`An onboard information carrier system utilizing a RFID target and a read/write head
`
`is provided on the slicing blade and the shear support to simplify equipment set up,
`
`operation and maintenance.
`
`An automated, sequenced food article tray loading method and apparatus is provided
`
`wherein food articles can be loaded sequentially into the lift tray into designated and
`
`

`

`separated lanes which automatically sequentially assume a preload condition, and after the
`
`food articles are loaded, food article separation is maintained on the lift tray. A food article
`
`transfer mechanism or sweep mechanism is provided which receives the food articles on the
`
`lift tray in their separated positions and transfers the food articles into the food article feed
`
`mechanism while maintaining the separated positions.
`
`A stack/draft completion feature is possible with the apparatus of the invention
`
`wherein incomplete stacks/drafts can be moved from the jump conveyor to the deceleration
`
`conveyor and new food article scrap can be offloaded to the scrap or debris conveyor for
`
`disposal. The incomplete stacks/drafts can then be reloaded to the jump conveyor for
`
`completion of the stacks /drafts.
`
`Two involute-shaped blade sizes are compatible with the slicing apparatus wherein a
`
`quick changeover between blade types is provided.
`
`The combination of the invention provides multiple configurations to slice, weigh
`
`and classifying 1, 2, 3, 4 or more food articles.
`
`Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become
`
`readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the
`
`embodiments thereof, and from the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Figure 1 is a near side elevational view of a slicing machine and a weighing and
`
`classifying conveyor combination of the present invention;
`
`Figure 2 is an elevational view of the combination of figure 1 with some panels
`
`removed or made transparent illustrating some underlying components;
`
`

`

`Figure 3 is an elevational view of the combination of figure 1 with further panels
`
`removed or made transparent and underlying components revealed;
`
`Figure 4 is a rear view of the combination shown in figure 3;
`
`Figure 4A is an elevational view of the combination of figure 1 in a clean-up, non-
`
`operational position;
`
`Figure 4B is a fragmentary, elevational, enlarged view of a portion of the slicing
`
`machine shown in figure 1;
`
`Figure 5 is a far side elevational view of the combination shown in figure 1;
`
`Figure 6 is a far side perspective view of the combination shown in figure 5;
`
`Figure 7 is a rear view of the combination shown in figure 3;
`
`Figure 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary near side elevational view of food article lift tray
`
`and food article positioning systems;
`
`Figure 8A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 8A-8A
`
`of Figure 9;
`
`Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view of a food article lift tray;
`
`Figure 10 is a rear view of the food article lift tray shown in figure 9;
`
`Figure 11 is a rear view of the food article lift tray and food article transfer apparatus;
`
`Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the food article lift tray and food
`
`article transfer apparatus;
`
`Figure 12A is an enlarged elevational view of the food article transfer apparatus;
`
`Figure 13 is a plan view of the food article transfer apparatus;
`
`Figure 14 is a plan view of the food article feed apparatus;
`
`Figure 15 is an elevational view of the food article feed apparatus shown in figure 14;
`
`Figure 15A is a sectional view taken generally along line 15A-15A;
`
`

`

`Figure 16 is an elevational \iew of the food article feed apparatus;
`
`Figure 17 is a plan view of a gripper taken from the food article feed apparatus of
`
`figure 16;
`
`Figure 17A is a front view of the gripper taken generally along line 17A-17A of
`
`figure 17;
`
`Figure 18 is a sectional view taken generally along line 18-18 of figure 17A,
`
`Figure 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of the food article feed apparatus;
`
`Figure 20 is an enlarged sectional view of the attachment of the gripper to the belt;
`
`Figure 2 1 is a sectional view taken generally along line 20-20 of figure 16;
`
`Figure 22 is a sectional view taken generally along line 22-22 of figure 21;
`
`Figure 23 is a sectional view taken generally along line 23-23 of figure 21;
`
`Figure 24 is a plan view taken along line 24-24 figure 21;
`
`Figure 25 is an elevational \iew taken generally along line 25-25 of figure 24;
`
`Figure 26 is a fragmentary elevational view of a food article gate mechanism;
`
`Figure 27 is a near side perspective view of the food article gate mechanism and a
`
`food article end removal mechanism in a first operative position;
`
`Figure 28 is a near side perspective view of the food article gate mechanism and the
`
`food article end removal mechanism in a second operative position;
`
`Figure 29 is a far side perspective view of the food article end removal mechanism;
`
`Figure 30 is a top far side perspective view of the food article end removal
`
`mechanism;
`
`Figure 3 1 is a far side
`
`view of the food article gate mechanism and the food
`
`article end removal mechanism,
`
`Figure 32 is a sectional view taken generally along line 32-32 of figure 2;
`
`

`

`Figure 33 is a sectional view taken generally along line 33-33 of figure 32,
`
`Figure 33A is a sectional view taken generally along line 33A-33A of figure 33,
`
`Figure 34 is a perspective view of a portion of a slicing blade assembly taken from
`
`figure 32,
`
`Figure 35 is a sectional view taken generally along line 35-35 of figure 32,
`
`Figure 36 is a sectional view taken generally along line 36-36 of figure 32,
`
`Figure 37 is an enlarged fragmentary far side elevational view of the combination of
`
`figure 1 showing underlying components and features,
`
`Figure 38 is an enlarged fragmentary near side elevational view of the combination of
`
`figure 1 showing underlying components and features,
`
`Figure 39 is a plan view of mechanical components within the base section of the
`
`combination shown in figure 1,
`
`Figure 40 is a bottom perspective view of the lift tray and food article feed apparatus,
`
`Figure 4 1 is a far side perspective view of a front portion of the combination of
`
`figure 1,
`
`Figure 42 is a near side perspective view of a food article positioning apparatus and
`
`food article feed elevation adjusting apparatus,
`
`Figure 43 is a near side perspective view of a food article shear support,
`
`Figure 44 is a front elevational view of the shear support shown in figure 43,
`
`Figure 44A is a front elevational view of a slicing blade with respect to the shear
`
`support,
`
`Figure 44B is a sectional view taken generally along line 44B-44B of figure 44A,
`
`Figure 44C is a sectional view of a jump conveyor drive assembly taken generally
`
`along line 44C-44C of figure 35,
`
`

`

`Figure 45 is a front perspective view of the slicing apparatus with the weighing and
`
`classifying conveyor removed,
`
`Figure 46 is a near side perspective view of a front portion of the slicing apparatus
`
`with a cover removed to view inside components,
`
`Figure 46A is a near side elevational view of the slicing apparatus showing underlying
`
`components,
`
`Figure 47 is a far side of elevational view of the slicing apparatus showing underlying
`
`components,
`
`Figure 48 is a front elevational view of the slicing apparatus with the weighing and
`
`classifying conveyor removed;
`
`Figure 49 is a enlarged near side perspective view of the slicing apparatus;
`
`Figure 50 is an enlarged near side perspective view of the slicing apparatus and
`
`weighing and classifying conve}or,
`
`Figure 5 1 a is a diagrammatic plan view of a onboard information system according
`
`to one aspect of the invention,
`
`Figure 52 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the onboard information system taken
`
`generally along line 52-52 of figure 51,
`
`Figure 53 is a far side perspective view of a laser guard system according to another
`
`aspect of the invention,
`
`Figure 54 is a near side perspective view of the laser guard system,
`
`Figure 55 is a near side elevation view of the weighing and classifying conveyor of
`
`figure 1 showing underlying components,
`
`Figure 56 is a perspective view of a portion of a weighing conveyor with the
`
`conveyor belt and rollers removed,
`
`

`

`Figure 57 is a bottom view of a weighing conveyor belt with frame and rollers
`
`removed from the weighing conveyor shown in figure 56;
`
`Figure 58 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of the weighing and classifying
`
`conveyor;
`
`Figure 59 is a near side elevation view of the weighing and classifying conveyor
`
`shown in a clean-up position;
`
`Figure 60 is a far side elevational view of the weighing and classifying conveyor;
`
`Figure 6OA is an end view of the weighing and classifying conveyor showing
`
`underlying components,
`
`Figure 6OB is a plan view of the weighing and classifying conveyor;
`
`Figure 6 1 is a schematic representation of the combination of figure 1 showing a
`
`four food article set up;
`
`Figure 62 is a schematic representation of the combination of figure 1 showing a
`
`three food article set up;
`
`Figure 63 is a schematic representation of the combination of figure 1 showing a two
`
`food article set up,
`
`Figure 64 is a progressive schematic diagram showing the loading of four food
`
`articles onto a food article lift tray;
`
`Figure 65 is a schematic plan view showing the weighing and classifying conveyor
`
`configured for four lanes of sliced product,
`
`Figure 66 is a schematic plan view showing the weighing and classifying conveyor
`
`configured for two lanes of sliced product;
`
`Figure 67 is a schematic plan view showing the weighing and classifying conveyor
`
`configured for one lane of sliced product ;
`
`

`

`Figure 68 is a schematic plan view showing the weighing and classifying conveyor
`
`configured for three lanes of sliced product
`
`;
`
`Figure 69 (not used)
`
`Figure 70 is a schematic rear end view of the food article lift tray showing the tray
`
`configured to hold four square cross section food articles;
`
`Figure 7 1 is a schematic rear end view of the food article lift tray showing the tray
`
`configured to hold four circular cross section food articles;
`
`Figure 72 is a schematic rear end view of the food article lift tray showing the tray
`
`configured to hold four large D-shaped food articles;
`
`Figure 73 is a schematic and view of the food article lift tray showing the tray
`
`configured to hold for large rectangular cross section food articles;
`
`Figure 74 is a schematic and view of the food article lift tray showing the tray
`
`configured to hold two large prone rectangular food articles;
`
`Figure 75 is a schematic elevational view of a round knife blade to be used with the
`
`apparatus of the present inv ention;
`
`Figure 76 is a schematic elevational view of an involute- shaped knife blade for slicing
`
`large food articles to be used with the apparatus of the present invention,
`
`Figure 77 is a schematic elevational view of an involute- shaped knife blade for slicing
`
`small food articles to be used with the apparatus the present in\ ention;
`
`Figure 78 is a near side elevational view of a laser guard system of the present
`
`invention;
`
`Figure 79 is a sectional view taken generally along line 79-79 of figure 78,
`
`Figure 80 is a plan view of a rear portion of the weighing classifying conveyor;
`
`Figure 8 1 is in elevation view taken generall}- along line 81-81 of figure 80;
`
`

`

`Figure 82 is a plan view of the rear portion of the weighing and classifying conveyor
`
`of figure 80 with deceleration conveyor belts removed for clarity, and
`
`Figure 83 is an exploded view of a portion of the deceleration conveyor taken from
`
`figure 82.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`While this invention is susceptible of embodiment
`
`in many different forms, there are
`
`shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof
`
`with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification
`
`of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific
`
`embodiments illustrated.
`
`U.S. Patent Application No. 60/999,961 filed on October 22, 2007 and U.S. Patent
`
`Application No. 61/000,202 filed on October 23, 2007 are both herein incorporated by
`
`reference.
`
`Figures 1-3 illustrate a high speed slicing apparatus 100 and a weighing and
`
`classifying conveyor or output conveyor 102 according to a preferred embodiment of the
`
`invention. The slicing apparatus 100 includes a base section 104, a collapsible frame 105, an
`
`automatic food article loading apparatus 108 that receives food articles 110 to-be-sliced, a
`
`food article feed apparatus 120, a food article feed elevation adjusting apparatus 121, a food
`
`article end removal apparatus 122 (Figure 27), a laser safety guard system 123, a slicing head
`
`apparatus 124, and a slice receiving apparatus 130. The slicing apparatus also includes a
`
`computer display touch screen 131 that is pivotally mounted on and supported by a support
`
`132.
`
`

`

`The apparatus 100 can also include an onboard information carrier system 135
`
`(Figures 51, 52) that allots installed parts to be tagged with an information read and write
`
`data carrier that can communicate control or maintenance or other information to machine
`
`control.
`
`Base Section
`
`The base section 104 includes a compartment 136 having side walls 138a, 138b, a
`
`bottom wall 140, and an inclined top wall 142. The apparatus 100 is supported on four
`
`adjustable feet 144. The compartment 136 has a tapered side profile from back to front
`
`wherein the top wall 142 slants down from back to front. The slanted orientation of the top
`
`wall 142 ensures water drainage off the top of the compartment 136.
`
`The adjustable feet 144 are shown in figure 4B. The feet include a cylinder 144a that
`
`is bolted to the bottom wall 140. The cylinder 144a includes an internal threaded bore 144b
`
`that receives a threaded portion 144f of a shaft 144c that is mounted on a foot base 144d.
`
`The shaft 144c includes a smooth portion 144g of below the threaded portion 144f. The
`
`smooth portion 144g is sealed to the cylinder 144a by an o-nng 144h carried inside the
`
`cylinderl44a. This design prevents threads from being exposed which can collect particles
`
`and spray water from clean up.
`
`The compartment 136 includes near side doors 152,154, far side doors 156, 158
`
`(figure 5), and a rear door 162 that permit access into the compartment or to modules
`
`normally within the compartment 136. The compartment 136 typically affords an enclosure
`
`for a computer, motor control equipment, a low voltage supply, and a high voltage supply
`
`and other mechanisms as described below. The compartment may also include a pneumatic
`
`supply or a hydraulic supply, or both (not shown).
`
`

`

`Base section 104 also includes a debris or scrap conveyor 170 that can be operated to
`
`slowly circulate at all times to remove food pieces or other debris that would otherwise
`
`collect on top of the top wall 142, and delivers the debris to a collector bucket 173 located
`
`below an output end 170a of the conveyor 170.
`
`The debris conveyor 170 is shown in Figures 45 and 47-50. The debris conveyor
`
`includes a belt 163 that circulates around a rear idle roller 164a, a front tensioning roller 164b
`
`and a drum motor roller 164c. The belt circulates against a front idle roller 164d. The rollers
`
`164b and 164c are supported by side plates 165a, 165b. The side plates 165a, 165b are fixed
`
`to support shafts 166a, 166b which are attached in cantilever fashion to a far side of the
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`machine by a triangular base plate 167 that is fastened to end nuts 2066a, 2066b of the
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`tubular shafts 2067a, 2067b described below. The cantilever mounting allows for the belt to
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`be removed off the rollers at a near side of the machine for cleaning.
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`Each of the rollers 164a, 164b, 164d are rotatably carried on a pair of bearings 168
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`that have a block shaped outer contour 168a with a recessed square block shaped region
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`168b. The square block shaped region 168b of each bearing 168 is configured to tightly fit
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`within a respective support bracket 169a, 169b, 169c to removably support the respective
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`roller. The outer contour 168a captures the respective support bracket 169a, 169b, 169c by
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`sandwiching both sides of the respective bracket 169a, 169b, 169c. The support brackets
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`169a are J-shaped hangers located on the far side and near side of the machine. The support
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`brackets 169b, 169b are U-shaped brackets mounted to the side plate 165a at the far side of
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`the machine and to the front of the compartment 136 at a near side of the machine. The
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`support brackets 169c, 169c are formed as part of the side plates 165a, 165b and are open
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`upward.
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`A tensioning shaft 171 extends across the conveyor 170 below the roller 164b. The
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`shaft 171 is connected to cams I 7 Ia, 171b at positions adjacent to and outside of the side
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`plates 165a, 165b. At a near side of the machine a handle 171h is fixed to the shaft 171. The
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`cams 171a, 171b ride against bottoms 168c of the rectangular block shaped contours 168a of
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`the bearings 168. Each cam 171a, 171b has a substantially flat portion 171c on its cam
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`surface that underlies the bottoms 168c to lock the roller 164b in an elevated position to
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`tension the belt 173
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`To tension the belt 163, the handle 171h is turned from the pointing down position
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`shown in Fig. 46A to the pointing up position shown in Fig 46A, i.e., turned clockwise.
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`Collapsible Frame and Elevated Housings
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`The base section 104 supports the collapsible frame 105 as shown in Figs. 1-4A. The
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`collapsible frame 105 includes a foldable support mechanism 17 4 that supports a food article
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`feed mechanism frame 190.
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`The foldable support mechanism 174 includes a servomotor 175 that drives a gear
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`reducer 176 having a drive shaft 178 that extends out of the gear reducer 176 at opposite
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`ends. The dnve shaft 178 is fixed to parallel levers 180a, 180b which swing out with a
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`turning of the dnve shaft 178 The levers 180a, 180b are pivotally connected to parallel
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`support columns 182a, 182b via an axle joint 184. The columns 182a, 182b are pivotally
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`connected to the frame 190 which pivotally supports the food article feed apparatus 120 on
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`an axle 192.
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`The food article feed mechanism frame 190 also supports a sweep mechanism
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`housing 194, a feed conveyor drive housing 196, and a end disposal housing 198, all on the
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`

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`far side of the apparatus, shown in figures 5 and 6 . The frame also supports the laser safety
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`guard system 123.
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`For cleaning and maintenance purposes, the collapsible frame 105 is collapsed down
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`by actuating the servomotor 175 and gear reducer 176 to rotate the levers 180a, 180b, which
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`draws down the columns 182a, 182b as the frame 190 rotates on the axle 192. The frame
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`190, and all equipment supported thereby, is lowered for more convenient maintenance and
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`cleaning as illustrated in Figure 4A. In some cases this eliminates the need for ladders or
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`platforms when servicing the slicing apparatus 100.
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`Automatic Food Article Loading Apparatus
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`As illustrated in figure 7-9, the automatic food article loading apparatus 108 includes
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`a lift tray assembly 220, a lift tray positioning apparatus 228 and a food article lateral transfer
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`apparatus 236. The lift tray assembly 220 receives food articles to-be-sliced. The tray
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`positioning apparatus 228 pivots the tray assembly 220 to be laterally adjacent to, and parallel
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`with, the food article feed apparatus 120. The food article lateral transfer apparatus 236
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`moves the food articles from the lift tray assembly 220 onto the food article feed apparatus
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`120.
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`Lift Tray Positioning Apparatus
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`Figures 7 , 9 and 10 illustrate the food article lift tray assembly 220 includes a frame
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`290 that supports four movable food article support plates 302, 304, 306, 308.
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`As illustrated in figure 8, the frame 290 is connected by a rear connection 330 and a
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`front connection 332 to a lever 336. The lever 336 is pivotally connected to a height
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`adjustment bar 340 at a pivot connection 342. A servomotor 350 drives a gear reducer 351
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`that has an output shaft 352 that is fixed to a crank arm 360. The crank arm 360 is pivotally
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`connected to a lift arm 362 at a pivot connection 364. The lift arm 362 is pivotally connected
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`to the lever 336 at a pivot connection 366.
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`When the servomotor 350 turns the crank arm 360 via the gear reducer 351, the
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`crank arm 360 is turned counterclockwise in Fig 8 and the lift arm 362 is elevated to pivot
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`the lever 336 about the pivot connection 342. This pivots and elevated the rear end of the
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`frame 290 and the food article lift tray assembly 220.
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`Lift Tray Assembly
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`As illustrated in figs. 9 and 10, the support plates 302, 304 are separated by a divider
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`312. The support plates 304, 306 are separated by a divider 314. The support plates 306,308
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`are separated by a divider 316. The dividers 312, 314, 316 are fixed with respect to the frame
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`290. The support plates 302, 304, 306, 308 are movable in a perpendicular direction "P" to a
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`length direction of the frame 290 (Fig. 8). When the frame 290 is horizontally oriented,
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`direction "P" is substantially vertical.
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`Each food article support plate 302, 304, 306, 308 is supported by a selective lift
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`mechanism 326 described in Figs. 8, 9 and 40. Figure 8 discloses the selective lift mechanism
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`326 for the support plate 302 with the understanding that the selective lift mechanism 326
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`for each of the food article support plates 302, 304, 306, 308 is identical.
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`The support plate 302 is fastened to two parallel lift bars 370, 372. Three swing
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`levers 380, 382, 384 are pivotally connected to transverse shafts 388, 400, 402 of the frame
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`290, at base ends 380a, 382a, 384a of the swing lexers 380, 382, 384, respectively. Distal ends
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`380b, 382b, 384b of the swing levers 380, 382, 384, respectively, are pivotalh. connected to
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`the two parallel lift bars 370, 372. A pneumatic cylinder 416 is prvotally connected at a first
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`

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`end 416a to a transverse strut 420 of the frame 290. The cylinder 416, particularly the
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`cylinder rod 426, is pivotally connected at a second end