I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 IIIII 11111 1111111111111111 IIII IIII IIII
`US007270039B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Lindee et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,270,039 B2
`Sep.18,2007
`
`(54) RELOAD SYSTEM FOR SLICING MACHINE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Mokena, IL (US);
`Steven C. Ill, Mokena, IL (US); James
`E. Pasek, Mokena, IL (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Formax, Inc., Mokena, IL (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 164 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/247,126
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep. 19, 2002
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2004/0055439 Al Mar. 25, 2004
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`B26D 7106
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`B26D 1/157
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................ 83/277; 83/280; 83/409;
`83/417; 83/932
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 83/279,
`83/280,417, 932,228,250,251,272,276-278,
`83/281, 42, 252-254, 409, 409.1, 409.2
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,522,093 A
`6/1985 Rattmann
`4,583,435 A * 4/1986 Fessler .......................... 83/90
`4,644,729 A
`2/1987 Fessler
`5,566,600 A * 10/1996 Johnson et al. ................ 83/77
`5,628,237 A
`5/1997 Lindee et al.
`5,649,463 A
`7/1997 Lindee et al.
`5,697,275 A * 12/1997 Lindee et al. ............. 83/932 X
`5,704,265 A
`1/1998 Johnson et al.
`5,724,874 A * 3/1998 Lindee et al. ............. 83/932 X
`5,974,925 A
`11/1999 Lindee et al.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`0 713 753 A2
`* cited by examiner
`
`5/1996
`
`Primary Examiner----Clark F. Dexter
`(7 4) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-The Law Office of Randall
`T. Erickson, P.C.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A loaf reload mechanism for a slicing machine that includes
`a loaf-loading position wherein during a loading operation a
`loaf is placed in the loaf-loading position to be engaged by
`a gripper and driven into a cutting plane. The loaf reload
`mechanism includes a loaf-staging position located over the
`loaf-loading position, the loaf-staging position having a
`lowering mechanism to position a loaf from the loaf-staging
`position to the loaf-loading position. The reload mechanism
`also includes a loaf-ready position located laterally adjacent
`to the loaf-staging position, and a sweep mechanism con(cid:173)
`figured to laterally move a loaf from the loaf-ready position
`into the loaf-staging position.
`
`1/1984 Lindee et al.
`4,428,263 A
`4,457,194 A * 7/1984 Mally ............................ 83/42
`
`14 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`602 (604, 606)
`
`~ 1 1 3
`
`113--0
`
`Weber EX1059
`Weber v. Provisur
`IPR2020-01557
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.18,2007
`Sep. 18, 2007
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
`Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 7,270,039 B2
`US 7,270,039 B2
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.18,2007
`Sep. 18, 2007
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 7,270,039 B2
`US 7,270,039 B2
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.18,2007
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 7,270,039 B2
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`

`

`US 7,270,039 B2
`
`1
`RELOAD SYSTEM FOR SLICING MACHINE
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention relates to food-loaf slicing machines. Par(cid:173)
`ticularly, the invention relates to loaf reload systems for food
`loaf-slicing machines.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`port means defining a food loaf path, loaf feed means that
`grips and feeds a food loaf along the food loaf path toward
`a slicing station, and then retracts, and a food loaf reload
`mechanism for progressively reloading a succeeding loaf
`from a staging position into the food loaf path during
`retraction of the loaf feed means. According to a preferred
`embodiment, the staging position is over the food loaf path,
`although the invention encompasses a staging position ori-
`ented at any position adjacent to the food loaf path.
`According to another aspect of the invention, the reload
`mechanism can comprise a loaf storage tray for storing a
`food loaf in a ready position, ready for transfer to a staging
`position over the loaf path, first loaf transfer means for
`moving a food loaf from the loaf storage tray to the staging
`15 position, and second loaf transfer means for moving the food
`loaf from the staging position to the loaf path.
`According to one embodiment of the invention, a loaf(cid:173)
`loading mechanism is provided for a slicing machine that
`includes a loaf-loading position. During a loading operation,
`20 a loaf is placed in the loaf-loading position, and a gripper
`moves from a home position that is clear of a loaf in the
`loaf-loading position, to an engagement position wherein the
`gripper engages a trailing end of the loaf. During a slicing
`operation, the gripper moves with the loaf along a longitu-
`25 dinal path, the loaf moving into a slicing plane of a moving
`slicing blade, until the loaf is effectively entirely sliced by
`the blade. The gripper is then retracted in a reverse direction
`to the home position. During the retraction, the gripper is
`released over an open space to discharge a buff end of the
`30 loaf.
`The loading mechanism of the invention provides a
`loaf-staging position over the loaf-loading position, the
`loaf-staging position having a loaf-lowering mechanism to
`position a loaf from the loaf-staging position to the loaf-
`35 loading position. A loaf-ready position is located laterally
`adjacent to the loaf-staging position. During a reload cycle,
`a sweep mechanism is configured to laterally move a new
`loaf from the loaf-ready position into the loaf-staging posi-
`tion.
`The loaf-lowering mechanism comprises a series of loaf
`supports spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the
`loaf path that are sequentially removed along the longitudi(cid:173)
`nal direction as the gripper is retracted, to sequentially
`undermine the loaf to cause the loaf to drop progressively
`into the loaf-loading position as the gripper is retracted.
`The invention minimizes the time it takes to reload a loaf
`into a high-speed slicing machine by staging the next loaf to
`be sliced over the loaf currently being sliced. That way, as
`the gripper is retracting, the next loaf may be lowered into
`the slicing position while the grippers are retracting. The
`support rods may be retracted sequentially, such that the
`product will progressively fall into the slicing position so
`that the grippers may be immediately advanced to grip the
`new loaf. The time savings is the time it heretofore took to
`55 wait for the grippers to fully retract, and then to sweep the
`product into position in front of the grippers.
`The reload mechanism has the potential to greatly
`increase productivity. As in the case of bacon slicing, where
`the bacon slabs or bellies are small, the reload time takes a
`60 significant proportion of the cycle time for each belly. For
`example, if it takes nine seconds to slice an eight pound belly
`and the typical reload time is 6 seconds, the total time for
`converting that belly is 15 seconds or four bellies in a
`minute. According to the invention, if the reload time can be
`65 reduced to three seconds, then the total for a belly is twelve
`seconds or five bellies in a minute. This represents an
`increase in productivity of 25 percent.
`
`10
`
`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, and fish. These meat loaves come
`in different shapes (round, square, rectangular, oval, etc.)
`and in different lengths. The cross-sectional sizes of the
`loaves are also variable. Loaves of cheese or other foods also
`vary in shape, length, and transverse size.
`Typically, the food loaves are sliced, the slices are
`grouped in accordance with a particular weight requirement,
`and groups of slices are packaged and sold at retail. 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.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,263 describes a high speed food
`loaf-slicing machine. Some other known high speed food
`slicing machines have provided for slicing two food loaves
`simultaneously with a single, cyclically driven knife blade,
`such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,628,237; 5,649,463;
`5,704,265; 5,974,925; and European published application
`EP O 713 753 A2.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,237 and European published appli(cid:173)
`cation EP O 713 753 A2 describe a back-clamp type slicing
`machine. According to this type of slicing machine, two
`loaves 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 loaves are sliced. During retraction of the
`loaf grippers, loaf-to-slicing blade gate doors are closed and
`butt ends of the previous loaves are dropped through a butt 40
`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 loaves about 20.6
`inches laterally into the slicing position. The grippers then
`advance after it has been determined that the loaf sweep 45
`mechanism has moved the loaves to the slicing position.
`After sensing and gripping the loaves, the loaves are
`retracted slightly, and the loaf-to-slicing blade gate doors are
`opened and the loaves are advanced to the slicing plane of
`the slicing blade. The loaf sweep mechanism retracts and the 50
`loaflift tray lowers, ready for the next reload cycle. Accord(cid:173)
`ing to this design, in practice, the reload cycle is accom(cid:173)
`plished in about six seconds. In a high volume slicing
`operation, reload cycle time can be a significant limitation to
`optimum production efficiency.
`The present inventors have recognized that it would be
`advantageous to provide a more time-effective method of
`reloading slicing machines.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides a new and improved
`automatic loaf loading arrangement for a slicing machine
`that effectively reduces the loaf reload cycle time between
`successive reloads.
`According to one aspect, the invention provides a high
`speed food loaf slicing machine, including: food loaf sup-
`
`

`

`US 7,270,039 B2
`
`3
`Another embodiment slicing machine of the invention
`comprises a slicing station including a knife blade and a
`knife blade drive that drives the knife blade along a prede(cid:173)
`termined cutting path. A loaf support means supports 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 invention provides an improved loaf reload
`system wherein after the two loaves are sliced, two new
`loaves are dropped from staging positions over the first and 10
`second loaf paths into the first and second loaf paths. The
`two loaves can be independently deposited into the first and
`second loaf paths. Two new loaves can then be swept
`laterally from ready positions into the staging positions.
`Numerous other advantages and features of the present 15
`invention will be become readily apparent from the follow(cid:173)
`ing detailed description of the invention and the embodi(cid:173)
`ments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying
`drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`4
`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).
`Slicing machine 50, as seen in FIG. 1, includes a conveyor
`5 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.
`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. Sup(cid:173)
`port 68 is affixed to and projects outwardly from a member
`7 4 that constitutes a front part of the housing of slicing head
`66. Cabinet 67 and its computer display touch screen 69 are
`20 pivotally mounted so that screen 69 can face either side of
`slicing machine 50, allowing machine 50 to be operated
`from either side.
`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 the 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 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.
`Slicing machine 50, FIG. 1, further includes a pivotal
`upper back frame 81 and an upper back housing 82. Back
`frame 81 supports the upper ends of many of the components
`ofloaf feed mechanism 75. A loaf feed guard 83 protects the
`near side of the loaf feed mechanism 75 and shields mecha(cid:173)
`nism 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 to load a food loaf into
`mechanism 75 during an automated loafloading operation in
`machine 50 as described in detail below. A fixed loaf storage
`45 tray, used for manual loaf loading, may be located on the
`opposite side of machine 50 but is not visible in FIG. 1.
`A loaf lift switch 88 is provided for initiating automated
`loading of a loaf from tray 85 into mechanism 75. There
`would be a like switch on the opposite side of slicing
`50 machine 50 if that side of the machine were equipped for
`automated loaf loading. Switch 88 and any counterparts on
`the opposite (far) side of slicing machine 50, are all elec(cid:173)
`trically connected to the controls in enclosure 53.
`As shown in FIG. 1, slicing machine 50 is ready for
`55 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
`60 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
`65 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
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slicing machine com(cid:173)
`prising a preferred embodiment of the invention, the por(cid:173)
`tions of the covers on the machine base cut away to show 25
`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 30
`some guards and covers cut away to show further operating
`components of the slicing machine, some illustrated in
`simplified form;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic, simplified illustration of operating
`components of the slicing machine of FIGS. 1-3;
`FIG. 5 is a schematic, simplified longitudinal section view
`of principal components of the loaf feed mechanism for the
`slicing machine of FIGS. 1-4, taken generally along line 5-5
`of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic, simplified sectional view of the 40
`automated loaf feed mechanism, taken generally as indi(cid:173)
`cated by line 6-6 in FIG. 5;
`FIG. 7 is a schematic, simplified sectional view of an
`alternate embodiment automated loaf feed mechanism,
`taken generally as indicated by line 6-6 in FIG. 5; and
`FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of controls for the loaf feed
`mechanism.
`
`35
`
`DETAILED 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.
`FIG. 1 illustrates a food loaf slicing machine 50 con(cid:173)
`structed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention. The slicing machine 50 is of a type
`described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,628,237; 5,649,463; 5,704,
`265; 5,974,925; and European published application EP 0
`713 753 A2, herein incorporated by reference. Slicing
`machine 50 comprises a base 51. Base 51 has a housing or
`enclosure 53 surmounted by a top 58. Base 51 typically
`affords an enclosure for a controller or computer 54, a low
`
`

`

`US 7,270,039 B2
`
`5
`
`40
`
`5
`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 configu(cid:173)
`ration. 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.
`FIG. 2 illustrates the slicing machine 50 of FIG. 1 with a
`number of the covers omitted to reveal operating compo(cid:173)
`nents of the automated loaf feed mechanism 75 on the near
`side of the machine. 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 20
`automated loaf loading from both sides.
`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 310 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 are mounted on
`the back frame and are pivotally movable (through a small
`angle) relative to the fixed frame 111-113.
`A manual feed tray 115 is shown at the far side of slicing
`machine 50 as illustrated in FIG. 2.
`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.
`The loaf feed mechanism 75 of slicing machine 50, FIG.
`2, further includes a central barrier or divider 121. This
`central barrier/divider 121 is suspended from frame member
`114 by a plurality of pivotal supports 122, 123 and 124. 60
`During operation of slicing machine 50, divider 121 is
`elevated from the position shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG.
`6, particularly the position marked 121A, to permit loading
`of one or more food loaves onto the support rod 622 of each
`of the support mechanisms 602, 604, 606, 612, 614, 616, 65
`described below and shown in one or more of FIGS. 5, 6 and
`7 and FIG. 8, schematically. Barrier 121 is also elevated
`
`6
`during loaf slicing so that it will not interfere with other
`components of mechanism 75.
`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
`10 shafts, and carriage drive on the far side of slicing machine
`50.
`As shown in the 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
`15 slicing machine 50. Gripper 151, which is connected to
`carriage 125 (FIG. 2), may have any of the constructions
`shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,237 and Euro(cid:173)
`pean published application EP O 713 753 A2, herein incor-
`porated by reference.
`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
`25 mechanism (not shown) could be located on the far side of
`slicing machine equipped for automated loaf loading from
`both sides. 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
`30 actuation thereby.
`Slicing machine 50 is intended to accommodate food
`loaves of widely varying sizes, including bacon slabs 600 as
`illustrated in FIG. 7. This makes it necessary to afford a
`height adjustment for the food loaves as they move from loaf
`35 feed mechanism 75 into slicing head 66. In FIG. 3, this
`height adjustment, described more fully hereinafter, is gen(cid:173)
`erally indicated at 161.
`Slicing machine 50 further comprises a system of short
`conveyors for advancing food loaves from loaf feed mecha(cid:173)
`nism 75 into slicing head 66. The short conveyor systems are
`actually a part ofloaffeed 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
`45 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
`50 163 and 165 is displaceable so that the displacement
`between conveyors 163 and 165 can be varied to accom(cid:173)
`modate 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
`55 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.
`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 (not
`shown) within the base enclosure 53. A like motor (not
`shown) on the far side of machine 50 affords an independent
`drive for the gripper and the "short" loaf feed conveyors 164
`and 166 on that side of the slicing machine. The motor
`arrangements are described more completely in U.S. Pat.
`No. 5,628,237 and European published application EP O 713
`753 A2, herein incorporated by reference.
`
`

`

`US 7,270,039 B2
`
`7
`FIG. 4 affords a simplified schematic illustration of most
`of the loaf loading and loaf feed mechanisms in the slicing
`machine. Starting at the left-hand side of FIG. 4, it is seen
`that there is a loaf lift cylinder 365 having an actuating rod
`266 connected to a crank 267 that in turn drives a loaf lift 5
`lever 268. These members are a part of the loaf lift mecha(cid:173)
`nism 107 that lifts storage tray 85 from its storage position
`(FIGS. 1-3) into a ready position. The loaflift mechanism is
`actuated only during loaf loading; during a loaf feeding/
`slicing operation, cylinder 365 (FIG. 4) is not normally 10
`actuated and keeps tray 85 in its storage position. However,
`tray 85 may be elevated, ready to load a new loaf or loaves
`into feed mechanism 75, near the end of slicing.
`FIG. 4 shows the "short" conveyors 163-166, with the two
`upper "short" conveyors 165 and 166 mounted on the 15
`housings of cylinders 167. Cylinders 167 have fixed shafts;
`air applied under pressure to the cylinders tends to drive
`their housings, and hence conveyors 165 and 166, down
`toward the lower conveyors 163 and 164. Downward move(cid:173)
`ment of the upper conveyors is blocked by a shear edge 20
`member 501 that is specific to the size of loaves being sliced,
`so that each pair of the conveyors engages opposite sides
`(top and bottom) of a food loaf being sliced.
`The drive pulley 180 is in meshing engagement with a
`near side timing belt 334 that extends the full length of the 25
`loaf feed mechanism 75. Belt 334 is connected to the gripper
`carriage 125 on the near side of the slicing machine and is
`used to drive the carriage toward the slicing station. There is
`a like gripper carriage 125 driven by another long timing belt
`334 on the far side of the machine. Timing belt 334 engages 30
`an idler sprocket 335 at the right-hand end of the transfer
`mechanism 75. Two parallel shafts 126 and 128 guide
`movements of each of the carriages 125. Shafts 128 are
`stationary but each of the shafts 126 can be rotated by means
`of a loaf door cylinder 271 and a connecting crank 272. Each 35
`carriage 125 has an extension 597 for connection to a loaf
`end gripper.
`Two loaf doors 377, one on each side of the feed mecha(cid:173)
`nism 75, are arranged immediately to the right of conveyors
`163-166. The near side loaf door 377 is mounted on shaft 40
`126 so that it can be rotated to close off access of a food loaf
`into the space between conveyors 163 and 165. Similarly,
`the far side loaf door 377 is mounted on the other shaft 126
`and can be rotated to close off access of a food loaf into the
`space between conveyors 164 and 166.
`FIG. 4 shows the central barrier or divider 121 that is
`suspended from an auxiliary frame member 114 by three
`pivotal hangers 122-124. The hanger 122 at the right-hand
`end of barrier 121, as seen in FIG. 4, is connected by a shaft
`304 to air cylinder or other linear actuator 302. Linear
`actuator 302 can be used to lift barrier 121, pivotally, to a
`point clear of any food loaves in the loaf feed mechanism,
`as described hereinafter.
`On the near side of the slicing machine, in mechanism 75,
`there is an elongated sweep member 153; see the lower
`right-hand portion of FIG. 4. Sweep member 153 is sus(cid:173)
`pended from two hangers/carriages 504, each connected to
`a drive belt 507. There are structural members, not shown in
`FIG. 4, that afford further support for the hanger-carriages.
`Belts 507 are timing belts, each engaging a drive pulley 508
`and an idler pulley 509. The idlers 509 are mounted on a
`shaft 511. The drive pulleys 508 are affixed to a shaft 505
`rotated by a loaf sweep motor 281.
`FIG. 4 shows a loaf discharge door 118 that is the central
`part of the loaf support for the slicing machine. Door 118 is
`shown, in FIG. 4, in its elevated normal position, the
`position the door occupies when slicing is going forward.
`
`8
`Door 118 is connected by a long rod 325 to a linear actuator
`321 that opens the door to allow discharge of an unsliced
`butt end of a loaf, as described below.
`Some of the manual loaf loading components of mecha-
`nism 75 do not appear in FIG. 4; they are masked by the
`manual loaf door 79 which is mounted on a shaft 515. Shaft
`515 is rotated by a manual door cylinder 291 connected to
`the shaft by its operating rod 292 and a crank 293.
`FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the mechanism 75 used to feed
`two or more loaves along parallel paths, on the supports
`116-118 that lead into slicing head 66.
`FIG. 5 illustrates three of six support mechanisms 602,
`604, 606 (the remaining three 612, 614, 616 being in
`complimentary positions over the far side loaf path, see
`FIGS. 6 and 8) that together constitute the loaf supports for
`the staging positions indicated at 500A, 502A (FIG. 6).
`From the previous description, it will be recognized that
`slicing machine 50 provides loaf feed means for advancing
`food loaves along each of the two loaf paths based on
`supports 116-118. There are independent drives or feed
`means for each of the loaf paths. One such feed means and
`its associated drive are shown in FIG. 5. These mechanisms
`are duplicated for the other, parallel food path.
`To understand basic operation of gripper 151, it is suffi(cid:173)
`cient to note that each gripper has a plurality of tines 332 that
`can be actuated to penetrate and grip one end of a feed loaf
`supported on members 116-118. Tines 332 can also be
`released from gripping engagement with the end of the loaf
`when desired. In FIG. 5, gripper 151 is shown at its home
`position, ready for use, with its tines 332 retracted.
`In