GB818500A - Improvements in or relating to a slicing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

818,500. Cutting and grouping slices. ERNHART MANUFACTURING CO. Nov. 7, 1956 [Feb. 20, 1956], No. 34060/56. Class 28 (2). [Also in Groups XXIX and XXX] A slicing machine S cuts off a predetermined number of slices and delivers them to a conveyer in a partially overlapped pile as determined by the set speed (by hand wheel) of a conveyer C. The group of slices then pass to a weighing machine W which determines the over or underweight of the required weight and which accordingly alters the amount of push of the ram or pusher 10 to alter the slice thickness. The amount of push of the pusher is also varied by feeling fingers 16, Fig. 15, which press on the top contour of the bacon &c. slab and so measure its depth and so varies the slice thickness to give the required weight for a set number of slices. The number of slices to be cut is set by a dial 14, Fig. 11. Slicer.-The pusher 10 includes a group of pointed fingers which swing down and grip the bacon slab B during pushing forward, and when the pusher is retracted, they pivot up and release the slab. By hydraulic controls, Fig. 9, the pusher 10 feeds the slab B to the knife 11 at a pre-selected rate which is variable to control slice thickness, weight and number. Slice thickness feed.-A solenoid actuated hydraulic two-way valve 41, Fig. 9, controls the feed of the ram 10, and is operated by the counter 13, Fig. 10, attached to the end of the shaft 12 of the knife blade 11. The counter 13 counts the revolution of blade 11 and is adjusted to set the valve 41 to advance the ram 10 for 20 revs. of the blade 11 and then shift the valve 41 so that the ram is stationary for 16 revs. of the blade 11. Thus groups of 20 overlapping slices are produced with a group equal to 16 slices between successive groups. The bacon slab B is advanced by the ram 10 whenever the solenoid valve 41 and the spool valve 44 co-operate to connect the inlet pipe 45 of the ram motor 46 with the constant pressure hydraulic pipe 39 from the pump 35. The valve 44 allows automatic or manual selective advance and retraction of the ram 10. Slice count control.-A shaft 72, Fig. 10, is coupled in line to the blade shaft 12. A worm 77 on 72 through gears rotates a pinion 78 which completes one rev. for every 36 revs. of the blade which gives 20 cut slices and a gap equal to 16 slices. The pinion 78 may be replaced to give a different cycle. Rotation of the dial 14, Fig. 11, sets the number of slices which will be cut in the particular cycle through rack and pinion and cam mechanism activating the limit or micro switch (67 not shown). Slice thickness control.-The thickness controller 56 is responsive to the weigher W and also to the depth of the bacon slab B, both of which actuate a valve shaft 103 to vary the orifice 106. This decreases or increases the resistance of valve 102 to the discharge of pressure fluid from the ram motor 46 and thereby varies the ram speed and consequently the slice thickness. A hand adjustable valve 107 is provided for the coarse adjustment of the slice thickness. Hydraulic drives, Fig. 9, operated by electrical controls, Fig. 19).-In Fig. 9 the ram or pusher 10 is pushed forward intermittently and withdrawn by a hydraulic piston 46 supplied with fluid from a pump 35 through a two-way valve 41 with a solenoid 63 and then through a spool valve 44. When the pusher reaches the end of its stroke a depending ring fixed to the pusher rod engages and moves a stop collar 50 on a stop rod 51 whereby 51 rocks a lever which rotates a direction control valve 52 whereby fluid flows through 53 to the spool valve 44 which then supplies oil to the back of the piston 46 to withdraw the pusher 10 quickly. The spool valve rod 44a then closes a micro switch to energize valve solenoid 58 and also solenoid 63. When the pusher is advancing the micro switch contacts 61a are always open so that solenoid 63 is not energized. A controller 56, Fig. 9, compensates for variation in size and shape of the bacon slab, the feelers of which operate a throttling valve 102 to increase or decrease the resistance offered to the discharge of pressure fluid to the ram motor 46 which increases or decreases the ram speed and consequently the thickness and weight of the bacon slices to compensate for under or overweight and size. A manually adjustable valve 107 also regulates the fluid discharge to the ram motor 46 and so provides a coarse adjustment for slice thickness. The valve 102 automatically provides the finer thickness adjustment. Further, a compensating valve 108, Fig. 9, is set to offer the same resistance to fluid from the valve 41 as is offered to the flow to the motor 46 by the bacon slab load on the ram piston 46a. Thus, whether the valve 41 is in the slice or no slice position the back pressure on the fluid from the valve 41 is always the same so there is no momentary build up and the slice thickness is not affected by starting and stopping slicing by the valve 41. Weight adjustment.-With under-weight the weight closes switch 150, Fig. 19, whereby solenoid 135 is energized in the circuit of a micro switch 152 which is closed only when engaged and actuated by a group of slices. The solenoid rotates a ratchet wheel (121, not shown) to correct the slice thickness. Conveyer -The slices fall on a slightly inclined roller 154, Fig. 2, with spikes to prevent slip of the slices. The roller is also provided with endless belts 157 which convey the slices to a second set of raised-up conveyer belts 169 having a higher speed. The speed of the belts 157 is increased during the no-slicing period of the operation to increase the spacing between each group of slices. This increased speed of the 157 belts then becomes the same as that of the next belts 169. The conveyer drive comprises a motor 170, Fig. 3, a variable speed Reeves belt and pulley drive 171 and a speed reducer 172 and chains and a sun and planet gear assembly 191, Fig. 2, provided with an automatic spider. The drive also includes a one revolution clutch and solenoid responsive to the opening of a switch by the slice counter and a pawl and ratchet wheel 204. A cam or shaft 205 closes a micro switch 213, Fig. 19. An adjustable crank 218 engages a pin with a ratchet wheel and moves the spider of the sun and planet gear 191 all to increase the speed of the belts 157 to that of the next belts 169 for smooth transfer. The transfer is effected by a crank tipping up the second conveyer belts 169 at one end above the belts 157 to lift off the group of slices. Cam 248 swings crank 245 to lower the second belts. These speed controls are operated by electrical relays &c. The two groups of conveyer belts 157 and 169 are partially interdigitated to effect smooth transfer. The feed of paper to receive the slices is in Figs. 7 and 8 (not shown), and actuated by a feeler in the absence of a sheet. Suction cups slip off the top sheet from a pile. Slice receiving paper board.-A paper board is lifted off a stack of suction cups and placed in position to receive a group of slices fed over a guide shoe and pressed on the board by spiked rollers (269, Fig. 8, not shown). A group of slices automatically covers a board to be placed in position.