JPH0371335B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a stack of sausage slices.

In the preparation of sliced sausage products, a typical process involves cutting slices from a long sausage or meat loaf by a high-speed rotary slicer that releases the slices in a non-uniform pile of the desired quality and weight. It is to cut the. Before loading the stack into the closely fitting cavity of the preformed package, the slices must be aligned in a substantial alignment device, otherwise overlapping slices or dangling The flakes will interfere with the loading of the deposit into the package cage. Furthermore, uniform vertically aligned deposits visible through the generally transparent packaging are more attractive and draw the consumer's attention to the quality of the product even more.

Previously, the process of bringing the slices into generally vertical alignment was performed manually. Although this method has also resulted in satisfactory finished articles, industry desires to automate such operations for the purpose of lowering costs, increasing production rates, and improving product uniformity and quality control.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for the formation of sliced articles in substantially aligned uniform piles from non-uniform piles.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention.

According to the invention, the act of forming and aligning a stack of articles comprises at least one pair of stack engaging members movable in the same direction but at different speeds so as to taper or converge on opposite sides of said stack. This can be accomplished by placing non-uniform deposits in between and moving these deposits into vertical alignment as they move downstream from the slicer. The aforementioned stacking engagement member is intermittently moved with repeated stop and start operations to assist in movement of the slice into vertical alignment. The deposit can be moved by the deposit engaging member, but continuously in the same direction as the deposit engaging member but at a faster speed to continuously push the deposit against the most forward of said deposit engaging member. Preferably, it is conveyed on a moving lower conveyor. Additionally, converging side rails may be provided along the path of motion of the pile to force laterally overhanging articles into alignment.

According to a further feature of the invention, at the point where the stack engaging members converge to a desired stack width, said side rail exerts a lateral force on the stack so that the width of the stack is greater than the width of the stack. are also spaced apart by a slightly narrow distance. This lateral force, along with the simultaneous downward entraining action exerted on the deposit by the deposition apparatus, further assists in bringing the deposit into vertical alignment.

The above and deposition features of the invention are described in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

In summary, the present invention provides a conveyor apparatus having an elongated support frame 12 supporting a plurality of endless conveyor belts or bands 14 driven by a motor arrangement 16 for moving a stack 18 of sliced sausages, luncheon meat, etc. 10. This deposit 18 is located at the right-hand end of the apparatus shown in FIGS.
It is received on the conveyor vent 14 in a non-uniform condition resulting from the weighing process (not shown).

According to the invention, the slices of the stack 18 are moved along the conveyor device 10 by first and second longitudinally spaced stack engagement members in the form of upright pins 20,22. As the position increases, the position is gradually moved to a substantially vertically aligned state. These pins 22 are movable from an upstream position (indicated generally by A in FIG. 1) to a downstream position spaced sufficiently apart to receive non-uniform deposits. Until this downstream position is reached, the pin 22 is driven faster and the distance between the pins 20 and 22 gradually becomes closer. This relatively fast drive speed allows the pins 20, 22 to engage the leading and trailing edges of the slices and move the slices into generally vertical alignment to provide uniform deposition. It is what makes it possible. Pins 20, 22 are driven intermittently, with each set of pins stopping adjacent location A to receive a non-uniform slice deposit.

At relatively high production rates, this rapid change in stop and start operation of the pins helps form the slices into substantially uniform, vertically aligned stacks. Another aid in the formation of vertical alignment of the slices is that the sides of a pair of converging shapes engage the side edges of the slices and gradually move them into vertical alignment. Sectional rails 24 are attached to both sides of the conveyor belt 14.

At position B, where the pins 20, 22 converge or converge to the spacing necessary for uniform deposition, it is desirable that the side rails 24 be spaced apart by a distance slightly less than the desired width for uniform deposition.
This spacing, together with the downward clamping force from the roller 26 mounted above the stack, further contributes to the formation of a substantially vertically aligned stack (FIGS. 4 and 5). (best shown in the figure) is induced.

Turning now to more detail, conveyor apparatus 10 is perhaps best shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIGS. The support frame 12 of the conveyor system is of sufficient length to convey the stack from an upstream slicing and/or weighing device (not shown) to a downstream device or work station for subsequent packaging. can do. A blind plate 30 is installed above the support frame of the conveyor.
is mounted, which for hygienic purposes associated with food handling is preferably made of high density polyethylene or similar material that is easy to clean and has a relatively low coefficient of friction.

The stack of slices is deposited on an endless conveyor belt 14 (second
(see figure) from the right end of the conveyor device 10 to the left side. For purposes of this description, the term "non-uniform" means that the slices are not in sufficient vertical alignment for subsequent loading into a close-fitting cavity or pre-prepared package cage. Denotes accumulation. However, in the present invention,
The slices of non-uniform deposition must at least partially overlap each other.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 5a, the conveyor belt 14 supporting the stack 18 has a generally circular cross section and passes within a longitudinal notch 40 in the top surface of the blind plate 30. It is desirable to do so. However, this conveyor belt 14 can also have a flat shape. Although a variety of materials can be used, the conveyor belt 14
is preferably made from polyurethane.

Referring again to FIG. 2, conveyor belt 14 is driven at a continuous speed (pin 20
or 22). At the upstream end of the conveyor system, another pair of outer conveyor belts 14 is provided to increase the width of the conveyor face on this right side where the conveyor belts 14 receive articles from the slicing and/or weighing operations. ' is provided.
These separate belts are required depending on the degree of polymerization of the slices upon receipt from the upstream process;
Or it becomes unnecessary.

The slices of non-uniform stack 18 are formed by pins moving in the same direction as the conveyor belt but at different individual speeds such that the pins 20, 22 gradually approach each other as they move along the present conveyor apparatus 10. 2
0,22 to be moved into approximately vertical alignment.

To explain this configuration in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the first pin 2
0 are evenly spaced on a continuous chain 46 extending between end sprockets 48, 50 and located below blind plate 30. The pins 20 extend upwardly through a notch 52 in the center of the blind plate to engage the stack 18 and at a sufficient distance so that non-uniform stacks can be received between adjacent pins. are spaced apart.

A central chain 46 supporting upright pins 20 is flanked on either side by a pair of chains 54 supporting subsequent pins 22 which are aligned and spaced apart. This chain 54 connects to the sprocket 4 at the upstream end of the chain 46 in the center.
8 and a downstream end sprocket 58 which is spaced apart beyond the end sprocket 50 of the central chain. As in the central chain, the chain 54 runs below the blind plate 30 and the pin 22 extends upwardly through a notch 60 in the blind plate.

As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the pins 22 of the chains 54 are aligned in a parallel relationship, with the pins 22 of each chain 54 separated by a distance between the pins 20 of the central chain 46. are spaced apart by a larger selected distance. This relative spacing, together referred to as the "pitch" of the pins, together with the relatively high drive speed for the pins 22, allows for the gradual approach of the pins 20 and 22 between the spaced receiving location A and the adjacent deposit forming location B. form a state.

Chains 46 and 54 are driven by motor assembly 16 which is coupled to drive chain 66 (FIG. 2) via drive belt 62 and clutch 64. Drive chain 66 directly drives sprocket 58 at the downstream end of relatively long chain 54;
In addition, the downstream end sprocket 5 of the central chain 46 is indirectly connected via the intermediate drive chain 68.
Rotate 0. All three chains are therefore driven (directly or indirectly) by the motor arrangement 16 via the clutch 64.

As briefly mentioned with respect to FIGS. 1 and 3, the pins 22 in the outer chain 54 are arranged in parallel pairs, each pair having a distance greater than the distance between adjacent pins 20 in the central chain 46. separated from adjacent pairs in chain 54 by a distance. Or in other words, the pitch of the rear pins 22 on the outer chains is greater than the pitch of the front pins 20 on the central chain. Outer chain 5 supporting pin 22
4 is driven at a greater speed than the central chain, so that each parallel pair of pins 22 moves toward or converges with respect to the next downstream central pin 20, thereby substantially Shaping the non-uniform deposit into a generally uniform deposit with aligned slices. The different speeds are achieved by using different sized drive sprockets for the conveyor chain.

In the preferred embodiment, the outer chain 5
Sprockets 56 and 58 for chain 4 are similar to end sprockets 48 and 5 for center chain 46.
Greater than 0. The sprockets for both chains are rotated at the same speed, so the outer chain moves faster. The relative difference in speed of these chains is such that the rear outer pin 22 approaches the front center pin 20 and the distance between the outer pin and the center pin increases to the required width or pin. such that by reaching position B, a position can be reached where the diameter of the deposit is aligned. The lengths of chains 46 and 54 are selected for the spacing between the pins so that one pair of pins 22 returns to upstream sprockets 48 and 56 at the same time as that of center pin 20 returns. (See Figures 1 and 6). At this time, as the pins move along the top of the conveyor system from position A to position B, the outer pins 22 gradually advance toward the next most downstream central pin 20. This relative movement is caused by the rear pin 22 and the front pin 20.
are schematically illustrated in FIG. 6 for one pair.

Clutch 64, which controls the movement of chains 46 and 54, is connected to stack 18 in the position shown in FIG.
associated with an electrically active eye or other detection device to detect the presence of the Upon detecting a portion of a buildup, the electrically actuating eye biases the clutch to move the chain forward until the next set of pins 20 and 22 are positioned over the upstream end sprockets 48 and 56. drive one incremental distance. While pins 20 and 22 move intermittently, conveyor belt 14 moves continuously to force the stack against center pin 20. Since the shape of the conveyor belts is circular and the contact area with the pile is very small, these belts move downwards of the pile when further movement of the pile is prevented by the abutment with the pins 20. Slide freely. The repeated starting and stopping of the intermittent motion at the production rate vibrates the stacked slices and helps pins 20 and 22 form the slices into vertical alignment. Preferably, the stacks 18 are cut from frozen sausages or meat loaves so that they slide into each other more easily than thawed slices.

To further aid in forming the stack 18, side rails 24 are attached to both sides of the conveyor support frame 12 to force the slices into vertical alignment in a lateral deflection from the line. It helps the action of These side rails, like the blind plates 30, are preferably made of high-density polyethylene for hygienic purposes and because of their low coefficient of friction. The side rails extend substantially the entire length of the conveyor and gradually converge to position B, where pins 20 and 22 are located at the required spacing selected to obtain a vertically aligned stack of slices. It is becoming. In this position, the inner edges of side rails 24 are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the normal width of a vertically aligned stack. This results in lateral compression of the pile,
This results in bending of the sliced piece as shown in FIG. This effect has been found to assist in shaping the stack slices into a vertically uniform configuration. This compressive action and immediate release from this compressive action as the pile passes the edge of the side rail creates an escape and slight lifting effect of the pile that overcomes the frictional resistance between adjacent slices. It is believed that this helps align one slice to the top of another. pins 20 and 22
Position B, where the front side pins 20 are spaced apart by the selected final width of the stack and the side rails are spaced slightly less than the final width of the stack, It is located immediately upstream of the point where the movement starts.

In combination with the lateral compression action by the side rails 24, the freely rotatable pivot is such that when the stack 18 is pushed laterally by the side rails, a downward holding force rides on top of the stack. Arrival arm 72
It is applied to the pile at position B by a drive roller 26 supported at the end (see FIG. 2). Although the weight of this roller is sufficient to assist in forming a uniform pile, it is also possible for this roller to be spring loaded or otherwise exert a downward force on the pile. .

The operation of this deposit forming apparatus and its method is perhaps best understood by referring again to FIGS. 1 and 6. Preferably, the slices forming each stack 18 are frozen and cut from frozen meat loaves or sausages using a slicer. This frozen state not only allows for more uniform slicing, but also facilitates alignment of the slices by allowing them to slide into each other with relative ease for the purposes of the present invention. be.

When the conveyor system 10 is in operation, there is a stack 18 located between each adjacent set of stack engagement pins 20 and 22 located along the surface of the conveyor (indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 1). . Before a new deposit arrives, pins 20 and 22 are stationary. At the upper or upstream end A, the pins 20 and 22 are aligned generally side by side to prevent fresh deposits 1 from the slicing or weighing process.
Waiting for supply of 8. Along the conveyor, the piles that had arrived earlier are attached to the front and rear pins 20.
and 22 adjacent pairs. pin 2
2 converge to a position B spaced apart by the required width of the completed vertical stack, so that a pair of pins 22 for each aligned rear side that are further along the conveyor where the stack is located are each It is arranged with respect to the pin 20 for the front side on the downstream side.

When a new deposit is moved by conveyor belt 14 to contact upstream-most pin 22 located directly above sprocket 48, this deposit is detected by an electrically actuated eye or other sensing device 70 which energizes clutch 64. and a new set of pins 2
0 and 22 are around the upstream end sprocket.
is driven forward by one increment. At this time the clutch is de-energized and the conveyor belt 1 is moved until another pile is moved into position from the slicer or weigher.
4, the conveyor chain becomes stationary.
Conveyor belt 14 is continuously driven;
The pile cannot move past the pin 20 for the front side of the center and the conveyor belt 14 slides below this pile. Polyurethane belt 1
Since belt 4 has a circular cross section and the friction between the belt and the pile is small, the impact on the food product is minimal. As the stack moves from the right side to the left side, the laterally offset slices in the stack engage the side rails 24, which force the slices into a vertically aligned position within the stack. That's what I do.

For a stack 18 located at position B, when the conveyor chain moves forward an incremental amount, the front pin 20 located at the front of the stack immediately moves around its end sprocket 50. The pile is then released for forward movement by the lower conveyor belt 14, which moves continuously at a faster speed than either of the pins 20 and 22. When the front pin 20 is released, the conveyor belt 1
4 is the rear pin 22 for vertically shaped stacking.
conveying away from the stack so that as the pins move around their respective end sprockets 58 they do not touch or tear the trailing edge of the stack. Although the stack may be forced to collide with the next most downstream pair of rear pins 22 by such action, this condition is not strong enough to destroy or disturb the alignment of the stack.

To form a uniform stack of bologna sausage having a slice diameter of approximately 4-1/4 inches, pins 20 are spaced approximately 9 inches apart and pins 22 are spaced approximately 9 inches apart. (8 inches) apart. Drive sprockets 56 and 58 for chain 54 supporting pin 22
is the drive sprocket 4 of the chain 46 in the center.
It has 18 teeth compared to 16 teeth in 8 and 50. Therefore, pin 22 moves 9/8 or 1.125 times faster than pin 20. The lengths of chains 46 and 54 are such that pins 20 and 22 converge to a spacing of approximately 4-1/4 inches at position B at the upstream end of the chain on the conveyor's downward return cycle. It is as if the same phase has to be taken again so that they are on the same line. To further aid in the formation of aligned stacks, the side rails 24 converge to a spacing of approximately 4-1/8 inches at location B so that the downward holding force is reduced by the weight of the polyethylene rollers 26. This results in a slight compression of the deposit 18 during application.

Although one preferred embodiment has been described, the invention may be practiced in many different forms and, therefore, should be considered as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus embodying the invention for forming a substantially vertically uniform stack of sliced meat products; FIG.
3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a side view taken along line 4-- of FIG. 2 showing where a substantially vertically uniform deposit is formed.
4, FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 5--5 in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the pile engagement pins as they progress from right to left on the conveyor system of FIG. 1. 10... conveyor device, 12... support frame, 14... conveyor belt, 16... motor device, 18... stacking, 20, 22... pin, 24
... Side rail, 26 ... Drive roller, 30 ...
Blind plate, 32... End roller, 34... Idler.
Roller, 38... Drive roller, 40... Longitudinal notch, 42... Gear box, 44... Drive chain, 46, 54... Chain, 48, 56, 58
... Sprocket, 49, 50 ... End sprocket, 52, 60 ... Notch, 57 ... Shaft, 62
... Drive belt, 64 ... Clutch, 66, 68
... Drive chain, 70 ... Detection device, 72 ...
Pivot arm.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. An apparatus for forming a stack 18 of sausage slices in a non-uniform at least partially polymeric relationship into a flat, substantially aligned and uniform stack comprising: an elongated support structure 12; , first and second longitudinally movable stacking engagement devices 20, 22 supported by the support structure.
and a receiving position A in which said first and second deposit engagement devices are spaced apart sufficiently to receive non-uniform deposits.
and a deposit forming position B spaced apart from the receiving position.
a drive device for moving the first and second stacking engagement devices in the same direction along the support structure between the stacking and stacking engagement devices; The first and second stack engaging devices approach each other and engage the sausage slice and form it in substantially vertical alignment when the first and second stack engaging devices are different enough to move toward the stack forming position. A conveyor system 14 is adapted to move the first and second pile engaging devices at a speed and is supported on the support structure 12, the conveyor system being adapted to receive non-uniform piles. each having a horizontal upper run extending between a receiving location A and a stack forming location B, and the conveyor device having a longitudinal axis in the same direction as the first and second stack engaging devices. the device is movable in a direction, and the device is configured to move the sausage slice at a speed greater than the speed of either of the first and second piling and engaging devices to move it to the forward piling and engaging device; A deposition forming device characterized by being adapted to press. 2 supported by the support structure and arranged to engage sides of the deposit to assist in forming a uniform deposit as the deposit and deposit engagement device moves toward the deposit formation location; lateral engagement device 24, the device including at least one pair of side rails 24 converging in the direction of movement of the pile at a predetermined position, and comprising at least one pair of side rails 24 converging in the direction of movement of the pile and extending from the width of the uniform pile. further comprising means for exerting a downward clamping force on the top of the stack at selected locations where the side rails are spaced apart a distance less than the width of the uniform stack; An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3. A plurality of equidistantly spaced first stacking engagement devices 20 and a plurality of equidistantly spaced second stacking engagement devices 22 prevent uneven sausage slice deposition between their adjacent ones. arranged alternately along said support structure for receiving said second pile-engaging devices, the distance between adjacent ones of said second pile-engaging devices being greater than the distance between adjacent ones of said first pile-engaging devices; 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said drive means (46, 54) move the second pile engagement device faster than the first pile engagement device. 4. The driving devices 46, 54 move the plurality of first and second stacking and engaging devices by intermittent motion,
and stopping the first and second stacking and engaging devices adjacent the receiving position for receiving the stack of sausage slices between each adjacent pair of the first and second stacking and engaging devices. Claim 3
Apparatus described in section. 5. The spacing between adjacent second stacking engagement devices 22 is greater than the spacing between adjacent first stacking engagement devices 20, and the first and second stacking engagement devices are arranged along the support device. 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the devices are arranged substantially alternately. 6 each pair of adjacent first and second stacking engagement devices forming a set of combination stacking engagement devices, the first stacking engagement device of each set moving along said conveyor device; A patent characterized in that the second stack engaging device of each set is arranged to engage a forward side of the stack, and each second stack engaging device of each set is arranged to engage a rear side of the same stack. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. In a method for forming sausage slices into a substantially aligned uniform stack in at least partially overlapping position, the longitudinal arranging a non-uniform stack of flat sausage slices between at least one pair of spaced apart stack engaging members movable in the same direction, the stack engaging members being disposed between the receiving position and the stack forming position; moving in the same longitudinal direction at different speeds sufficient to bring the stacks closer together to engage and form the sausage slices into substantially vertical alignment as the stacks move toward the stack formation location; a conveyor system disposed below the pile, the conveyor system being adapted to apply a force to the pile thereon to continuously move in the same direction as the movement of the pile engaging member; A method of forming a stack, characterized in that the conveyor device has a speed greater than the speed of the stack engagement member to move the sausage slices to and press against the forward stack engagement member. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of laterally pressing the deposit to assist in forming a substantially aligned, uniform deposit. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of applying a downward pressing force to the stack at substantially the same time as the stack is laterally pressed. 10. characterized in that said pressing step is accomplished by moving the deposit between a pair of fixed side engagement members spaced apart by a distance slightly less than the normal width of a uniform deposit. The method according to claim 8 or 9. 11. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the stacking engagement member is moved intermittently in the longitudinal direction. 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the downward pressing force is provided by a roller arranged to engage the top of the pile when the pile moves to the pile forming position. Method.