GB664744A - Improvements in or relating to slicing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

664,744. Slicing-machines. NORRIS, V. R. Oct. 13, 1949 [Oct. 14, 1948], No. 26310/49. Class 28 (ii). A loaf of meat &c. is supported on a stationary plate 24 and driven periodically through a feeding stroke of predetermined length by a feedplate 20 towards a vertically reciprocating knife 19. When slicing is completed the plate 20 is automatically returned for reloading. The plate 20 is secured to endless chains 32, 33 driven from a shaft 44, Fig. 2, the latter receiving its drive from one or the other of oppositely rotated clutches 56, 59. An electric motor 46, Fig 1, drives through gearing a shaft 55 which is connected by a chain and sprocket assembly 57 to the clutch 56. The latter rotates continuously, and when engaged by the shaft 44 drives the plate 20 away from the knife. A cam 63, Fig. 4, on the. shaft 55 actuates a pivoted arm 60 to which is secured a chain 65 passing over a sprocket of the clutch 59 and anchored at its other end through a spring 68 to a fixed collar 69. Reciprocation of the arm 60 rotates the clutch 59 intermittently to drive the plate 20 towards the knife in a series of separate strokes when the shaft 44 and clutch 59 are engaged. Engagement of the clutches with the shaft 44 is controlled by a shaft 70, Fig. 5, threaded to a shifter 73 connected to a block 75. Rotation of the shaft 70 in either direction effects the engagement of pins 85 into clutch 59 or 56 which thereby drives the shaft 44 in one or the other direction. Automatic clutch operating mechanism includes a disc 112 secured to the shaft 70 with an oblique portion 113 against which a spring roller is held. In this position the clutch 59 engages the shaft. A cleat secured to the chain 33 strikes an arm 126 on the disc 112 to rotate it slightly and thereby to disengage the clutch, and a spring 117 rotates shaft 70 still further and causes the engagement of the clutch 56. A cleat on the chain 32 rotates the shaft 70 to disengage both clutches when the loading position is reached. The forward feeding stroke is varied by moving the axially tapered cam 63 along the shaft 55 by a pivoted lever 141 which varies the throw of the lever 60. The lever 141 is controlled from a handwheel 153, Fig. 2, via a threaded shaft (not shown). The knife 19 pivoted on arms 170, Fig. 3, reciprocates diagonally within side members 165, 166 and is driven by a rod 175 connected to a stub shaft 178 driven from a gear 54. An adjustable guide plate, not shown, secured to the knife frame steadies the loaf during slicing.