AU691680B2

AU691680B2 - Feeding device for a bread slicer

Info

Publication number: AU691680B2
Application number: AU37730/95A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Russell Edward Daunt; John Van Rooy
Original assignee: ROOY MACHINERY VIC Pty Ltd VAN
Current assignee: VAN ROOY MACHINERY (VIC) Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1994-11-08
Filing date: 1995-11-08
Publication date: 1998-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 2015-11-08
Also published as: AU3773095A

Description

RguUluaon 3.2(2) Regulation 3.2(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged: ooe eooe OoO o oe o 6o *o 0 Invention Title: FEEDING DEVICE FOR A BREAD SLICER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us FEEDING DEVICE FOR A BREAD SLICER The present invention relates to a safety bread loaf feeding device for a bread slicer and to a bread slicer embodying such a safety feed device.

There are numerous bread slicing machines currently available. One such machine commonly used in hot bread shops and the like where it is desired to slice one or a minimum number of loaves at any one time provides slicing arrangement comprising a plurality of upright spaced knives or cutting elements, a substantially horizontal feed platform allowing one or two loaves to be placed adjacent to the array of cutting elements and a push member connected to a lever arrangement to allow the loaves to be pushed against and through the cutting elements to effectively slice the bread into a plurality of slices. The lever arrangement is commonly manually operated, however, a mechanised version of this arrangement is also possible. Such arrangements have operated quite satisfactorily for some time, however, they do have certain disadvantages. Firstly the loaves must be loaded one at a time or perhaps two at a time when the machine is wide enough to take two loaves with a single lever operation. Thus semi continuous feeding of loaves has not been possible.

Secondly, each time a loaf is loaded ready for slicing, the operator must necessarily place his or her hand or fingers in close proximity to the cutting elements thereby providing the possibility of accidental injuries.

Throughout this specification the word "bread", "bread loaves" or "bread loaf" are used and should be understood to mean any bread or bread-like product capable of being sliced.

The objective therefore of the present invention is to provide a novel arrangement for feeding bread loaves to a slicing machine of the aforementioned kind which will enable handling of multiple loaves in a simple and safe manner.

Accordingly, the present inventior provides a bread feeding arrangement for feeding bread loaves to a bread slicing machine including a plurality of cutting elements in a cutting element array and a bread loaf delivery path leading up to and through said cutting element array to slice bread loaves moved along said delivery path into a plurality of individual slices, said bread feeding arrangement comprising in combination a support and guide means for supporting a plurality of bread loaves in side by side configuration on top of one another whereby said loaves are sequentially fed along a feed path to an introduction position located in said delivery path forward of said cutting element array, and a pusher member co-operable with a said bread loaf located at said introduction position to push said loaf from said introduction position into and through the cutting element array, said pusher member being reciprocably movable in said delivery path and in a direction transverse said feed path.

In accordance with a second aspect, the present invention also provides a bread slicing arrangement for slicing bread loaves into a plurality of individual slices, said bread slicing arrangement including a plurality of cutting elements in V. a cutting element array and a bread loaf delivery path leading up to and through said cutting element array to slice bread loaves moved along said delivery path into a plurality of individual slices, said bread slicing arrangement further S 15 comprising a support and guide means for supporting a plurality of bread loaves in side by side configuration on top of one another whereby said loaves are sequentially fed along a feed path to an introduction position located in said delivery path forward of said cutting element array, and a pusher member cooperable with a said bread loaf located at said introduction position to push said loaf from said introduction position into and through the cutting element array, said pusher member being reciprocably movable in said delivery path and in a direction transverse to said feed path.

In preferred embodiments, the pusher member is movable between an extended position and a withdrawn position whereby in said extended position, said pusher member supports one or more bread loaves in said feed path and in said withdrawn position, said pusher member permits a said bread loaf to move from said feed path into said introduction position. Conveniently the bread loaves are moved along the feed path by gravitational forces.

In a further preferred embodiment, two or more said feed paths are provided permitting feeding of two or more bread loaf stacks sequentially 1o separate but adjacent said introduction positions. In one preferred arrangement separate said pusher members may be provided operable independently with 3 respective said feed paths. In a still further preferred arrangement the pusher member co-operates simultaneously with the or each said feed path. The pusher member (or members) may be manually movable between the withdrawn and the extended positions, or alternatively, the pusher member (or members) could be mechanically driven between the withdrawn and the extended positions.

Conveniently the or each said pusher member includes a plurality of finger members adapted, in said extended position to pass at least partially between the cutting elements of the cutting element array. Preferably a top surface of each said finger member provides a support surface for at least partially supporting bread loaves in the or each said feed path when said push member or members are at said extended position or are moving towards or away from said extended position. Preferably, the or each said pusher member also includes a platform means located rearwardly of said finger members 15 adapted to support bread loaves in the or each said feed path when said push member or members are at said extended position.

A still further preferred aspect of the present invention is that the support and guide means may include an adjustable sized opening leading to the or each said uction position from said delivery path whereby an irregular shaped bread loaf can be positioned in the or each said introduction position other than being supplied from the or a said feed path.

By the arrangements described above, it is possible to provide an inexpensive feed arrangement for slicing bread while at the same time protecting operators from inadvertent accidents.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bread feed and sling arrangement; and Figure la is a perspective view of an attachment to the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 wherein the arrangement can be used with irregular loaves.

As illustrated, the device of the present invention may comprise a substantially vertical magazine 10 having one or two paths 11, 12 adapted to receive conventional bread loaves at the top in side by side relation one on top of the other. The magazine may be built from stainless steel square tubing and plate by any suitable means. Loaves stacked in the vertical paths 11, 12 will feed sequentially downwardly to an introduction position 13,14. A pusher member 15 is provided to reciprocate from a withdrawn position (as illustrated) to an extended position extending into and through the introduction positions 13,14 so that a loaf in these positions will be pushed through an array of cutting elements 16 to slice the bread. In the extended position, the push member will support a stack of, loaves and upon withdrawal, permit the stack to lower under gravitational forces to position a new loaf in the introduction position 13,14. Preferably the push member 15 further includes a rearwardly extended plate section 17 to act as a bread support when the puLsh member is extended through the introduction positions. It will of course be appreciated that devices S using one, two or more vertical paths for stacks of loaves could be employed. It will also be appreciated that the device illustrated might be supplied as part of a bread slicing arrangement or might be supplied separately as an addition to an existing bread slicing machine that already includes a push member and cutting element array.

In a particularly preferred arrangement, an adjustable rear guide plate 18 is provided to close the rear wall of the guide paths 11, 12. The or each plate is supported via an upper hooked part 19 engaging over the cross bar 20 at the top of the paths 11, 12. If desired, the or each plate 18 can be lifted so that a .second hooked part 21 engages over the cross bar 20. In this configuration the guide paths 11, 12 are at least partially open at their rear faces to allow an operator to introduce odd or different shaped bread if desired.

By the arrangement illustrated, it is possible for an operator to feed one or more loaves at the top of the guide path 11,12 so that fingers and hands are protected from the moving parts (cutting element array and push member).

Moreover a plurality of loaves can be sequentially fed rather than necessarily having to feed loaves one at a time as is common with this type of bread slicing equipment.

Claims

1. A bread feeding arrangement for feeding bread loaves to a bread slicing machine including a plurality of cutting elements in a cutting element array and a bread loaf delivery path leading up to and through said cutting element array to slice bread loaves moved along said delivery path into a plurality of individual slices, said bread feeding arrangement comprising in combination a support and guide means for supporting a plurality of bread loaves in side by side configuration on top of one another whereby said loaves are sequentially fed along a feed path to an introduction position located in said delivery path forward of said cutting element array, and a pusher member co-operable with a said bread loaf located at said introduction position to push said loaf from said introduction position into and through the cutting element array, said pusher member being reciprocably movable in said delivery path and in a direction transverse to said feed path.

2. A bread feeding arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said pusher member is movable between an extended position and a withdrawn position whereby in said extended position, said pusher member supports one or more bread loaves in said feed path and in said withdrawn position, said pusher member permits a said bread loaf to move from said feed path into said introduction position. a*.

3. A bread feeding arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein bread loaves are moved along the feed path by gravitational forces. a.:

4. A bread feeding arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein two or more adjacent said feed paths are provided permitting feeding of two or more bread loaf stacks sequentially to separate but adjacent said a .C a go introduction positions. 0 C C& 0oo• A bread feeding arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said pusher member is provided co-operable independently with each said feed path.

6. A bread feeding arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the pusher member co-operates simultaneously with the or each said feed path.

7. A bread feeding arrangement according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the or each said pusher member is manually movable between said withdrawn and said extended positions.

8. A bread feeding arrangement according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the or each said pusher member is mechanically driven between said withdrawn and said extended positions.

9. A bread feeding arrangement according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the or each said pusher member includes a plurality of finger members adapted, in said extended position to pass at least partially between the cutting elements of the cutting element array. A bread feeding arrangement according to claim 9 wherein a top surface of each said finger member provides a support surface for at least partially supporting bread loaves in the or each said feed path when said push member or members are at said extended position or are moving towards or away from said extended position.

11. A bread feeding arrangement according to claim 10 wherein the or each said pusher member includes a platform means located rearwardly of said finger members adapted to support bread loaves in the or each said feed path when said push member or members are at said extended position. 7

12. A bread feeding arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the support and guide means includes an adjustable sized opening leading to the or each said introduction position from said delivery path whereby an irregular shaped bread loaf can be positioned in the or each said introduction position other than being supplied from the or a said feed path.

13. A bread slicing arrangement for slicing bread loaves into a plurality of individual slices, said bread slicing arrangement including a plurality of cutting elements in a cutting element array and a bread loaf delivery path leading up to and through said cutting element array to slice bread loaves moved along said delivery path into a plurality of individual slices, said bread slicing arrangement further comprising a support and guide means for supporting a plurality of bread loaves in side by side configuration on top of one another whereby said loaves are sequentially fed along a feed path to an introduc.ion position located in said 9* ot delivery path forward of said cutting element array, and a pusher member co- operable with a said bread loaf located at said introduction position to push said loaf from said introduction position into and through the cutting element array, said pusher member being reciprocably movable in said delivery path and in a Sodirection transverse to said feed path.

14. A bread slicing arrangement according to claim 13 wherein said pusher member is movable between an extended position and a withdrawn position whereby in said extended position, said pusher member supports one or more bread loaves in said feed path and in said withdrawn position, said pusher member permits a said bread loaf to move from said feed path into said introduction position. A bread slicing arrangement according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein bread loaves are moved along the feed path by gravitational forces.

16. A bread slicing arrangement according to any one of claims 13 to wherein two or more adjacent said feed paths are provided permitting feeding of two or more bread loaf stacks sequentially to separate but adjacent said introduction positions.

17. A bread slicing arrangement according to any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein said pusher member is provided co-operable independently with each said feed path.

18. A bread slicing arrangement according to any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein the pusher member co-operates simultaneously with the or each said feed path.

19. A bread feeding arrangement according to claim 17 or claim 18 wherein the or each said pusher member is manually movable between said withdrawn t and said extended positions. 4 4o t o. 20. A bread slicing arrangement according to claim 17 or claim 18 wherein the or each said pusher member is mechanically driven between said withdrawn and said extended positions.

21. A bread slicing arrangement according to any one of claims 17 to wherein the or each said pusher member includes a plurality of finger members adapted, in said extended position to pass at least partially between the cutting elements of the cutting element array.

22. A bread slicing arrangement according to claim 21 wherein a top surface of each said finger member provides a support surface for at least partially supporting bread loaves in the or each said feed path when said push member or members are at said extended position or are moving towards or away from said extended position.

23. A bread slicing arrangement according to claim 22 wherein the or each said pusher member includes a platform means located rearwardly of said finger members adapted to support bread loaves in the or each said feed path when said push member or members are at said extended position.

24. A bread slicing arrangement according to any one of claims 13 to 23 wherein the support and guide means includes an adjustable sized opening leading to the or each said introduction position from said delivery path whereby an irregular shaped bread loaf can be positioned in the or each said introduction position other than being supplied from the or a said feed path. DATED this 3rd day of November, 1995 VAN ROOY MACHINERY (VIC) PTY. LTD. WATERMARK PATENT TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS 290 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN VICTORIA 3122 AUSTRALIA SKP:JL DOC 40 AUPM9322.WPC SKP:JL DOC 40 AUOOOPM9322.WPC f oo 8 8 .e8 ~L L~s~ ABSTRACT A bread feeding and slicing arrangement is disclosed wherein a support and guide device (11, 12) enables ioaves to be supported on top of one another and fed sequentially to an introduction position (13, 14) in a delivery path (21) leading to a cutting element array the arrangement further including one or more pusher members (15, 17) configured to support a stack or multiple stacks of bread loaves in the support and guide device (11, 12) when moved to an extended position pushing a bread loaf (or loaves) through the cutting element array and to allow a further bread loaf or loaves to move to the introduction position(s) when in a withdrawn position.