GB487073A - Improvements in slicing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

487,073. Slicing machines. LAMBERT, F. T. Feb. 1, 1937, Nos. 2916 and 10475. [Class 28 (ii)] A slicing-machine has a horizontally arranged rotating and reciprocating disc knife 3, a slicethickness regulating gauge plate 26 reciprocating with the knife, and a food guide 1 in which the food descends by gravity on to the gauge plate. The reciprocating assemblage comprises a knife-driving motor 14, a bracket 12 in which the knife is journalled, and a bracket 10 which carries a table 9 on which the plate 26 is adjustably supported. The assemblage reciprocates on guides 17, the table 9 being additionally guided by a roller 23 running over a fixed track 24, and the reciprocation is effected by a hand wheel 18, skew gearing 20 and a connecting-rod 22. The food guide 1 is of trough shape, the front being closed by a gate 4 slidable on a square rod 5 which is turnable for removing the gate from operative position, but is normally locked by a pin 7 on the arm 6. A liner 8 slides in the trough in unison with the gate, and the food is gripped between the gate and the liner, the gate having food-gripping spikes on its inner face. The guide may be adjusted in inclination about its pivot support 2 by a turntable 52, to cut slices on the bias. The adjustment of the plate 26 is effected by a screw 27 which slides the plate over the table 9, wedge surfaces on each of the members effecting the rise or fall. The plate 26 and table 9 are kept from separating by a screw 31 which slides with the plate and acts also as an abutment for a pawl lever 38 which drives a ratchet 37 on a screw 34. The screw 34 is engaged by a nut member 33 carrying a slice-receiving platform 32 which is thus lowered intermittently as the pile of slices increases in height. The nut 33 and platform 32 are prevented from turning with the screw 34 by a fixed guide 25 and a displaceable guide 36 which is locked in the operative position by a latch 44. The ratchet wheel 37 is slidable on the end of the screw 34, being in. driving engagement therewith when in its upper position in which it is retained by a forked lever 49. When the guide 36 is displaced, the lever 49, which is normally retained in position thereby, falls and allows the wheel 37 to drop out of driving engagement with the screw 34. By rotating an external handle, the gearing 46 and screw 34 are actuated, and, the guide 36 being displaced, the platform 32 swings out through an opening in the cover 48 to permit removal of the slices. Reversal of the handle swings back the platform and raises it to its uppermost position. Replacement of the guide 36 repositions the lever 49 and the wheel 37. The gate 4 may be pressed into engagement with the meat by a spring-loaded lever pivoted at the top of the guide 1, a stop being provided on the reciprocating assemblage which withdraws the lever from the gate at the end of the return stroke, the food being then free to gravitate on to the plate 26. At the commencement of the slicing stroke, the stop leaves the lever which is then urged by the spring against the gate which thus clamps the food. In Fig. 10, the liner 8 is formed with curved sides which allow it to tilt, the tilting being positively effected by a pin 58 on the liner engaging with a slot 59 in an angularly adjustable plate set by a lockable hand lever 61. As the liner and the food drop, the pin 58 descends in the slot until the central position is reached, the cutting then being square or normal. The gate is preferably not provided with teeth. The boss of a revoluble graduated index 42, which is set according to the number of slices to be cut, has a protuberance which, in the zero position of the index, touches an electric contact and thus lights up a signal lamp and, electromagnetieally, opens the motor switch. By setting the index, the protuberance is separated from the contact and the motor can then be started by turning the switch knob. A lever 43 has a one-way drive connection with the index, and is swung by the roller 23 at each slicing reciprocation, so that the index is restored, step-by-step, to zero. The machine may be operated wholly by hand or power, and the feed may be assisted by hand or springs.