US3599689A - Apparatus for slicing comestible slabs - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to an apparatus for producing equal numbers of slices from uniform cross section slabs, each of which varies in length within a predetermined range comprising means for continuously slicing said slab, means for positioning the leading edge of each slab in alignment with the path of movement of said slicing means, means for displacing said slab predetermined distances beneath said slicing means to define the slice thicknesses, recording means for controlling said displacement means whereby the distances are programmed from known slab lengths, sensing means which measure said slab length within subdivisions of said range, said sensing means and said recording means being operatively associated whereby signals from said sensing means indicate the program for said slab.

Description

United 7 States Patent [72] Inventors CharlesJamesGrant 7l l Torke Terraoe, Plymouth, Wis. 53073; Paul E. Cheney, 103 Apple Tree Hill, Fltchhurg, Mass. 0 l 420; Kenneth J. lielnlto, 370 Merrlum Ave., Leomlnster,

Mass. 01453 Appl. No. 825,498 Filed May 19, 1969 Patented Aug. 17, 1971 APPARATUS FOR SLICING COMESTIBLE SLABS 3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 146/158, 146/78 R, 146/95,31/22 Int. Cl B26d 1/06, B26d 4/42, B26d 7/0'6 Field of Search 146/ l 58,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,433,278 3/1969 Comstock et al. 146/78 Primary Examiner-Willie G. Abercrombie Alt0rneyCharles C. Parsons ABSTRACT: This invention relates to an apparatus for producing equal numbers of slices from uniform cross section slabs, each of which varies in length within a predetermined range comprising means for continuously slicing said slab, means for positioning the leading edge of each slab in alignment with the path of movement of said slicing means, means for displacing said slab predetermined distances beneath said slicing means to define the slice thicknesses, recording means for controlling said displacement means whereby the distances are programmed from known slab lengths, sensing means which measure said slab length within subdivisions of said range, said sensingmeans and said recording means being operatively associated whereby signals from said sensing means indicate the program for said slab.

PATENTEDAUBIYIBYI 35995 9 SHEET1UF4 ATTORNEY PATENTEU AUG 1 7 I9?! SHEET 2 [1F 4 152k INN/U133 CHARLES J GRANT KENNETH J. BELSlTO PA E. CHENEY PATENTEDAUEIHBYI 3,599, 9

sum 3 0F 4 VICNIU/{S RLE GRANT NET BELSITO BY PAUL E. NEY

AI"I'()I{NI'IY APPARATUS FOR SLICINGCOMESTIBLE SLABS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore, numerous apparatus have been suggested for continuously cutting exact weight and/or random weight portions from slabs of foodstuff products, such as cheese, meat, and other comestibles for packaging. However, the known equipment has been unable to avoid wastage where the original slab was dimensionally nonuniform. For example, in the cheese industry, compression of curd into rectangular molds produces slabs of constant cross section but inconsistent lengthsJThereafter, when the slabs are cut to form smaller pieces of known weights for packaging, invariably, pieces are produced from the end cut which are not thick enough to wrap or do not fall within a standard weight range used in marketing. In large-volume production of cheese cuts, the loss of these high-quality'pieces is costly.

The prior art of high-volume, continuous cutting apparatus is devoid of equipment to produce predetermined number of cuts from inconsistent-length comestible slabs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the stated deficiencies of the prior art and has as its primary objective apparatus for measuring the length of a comestible slab and slicing each to obtain the same number of cuts, each cut weight falling within a predetermined, marketable range. More particularly, each slab is intermittently advanced beneath a vertically reciprocatingslicer in accordance with a preset program based on its length, the program having been selected by signals generated from slab-measuring apparatus. Additional apparatus is provided to continuously supply slabs for measuring and slicing.

Briefly stated, the present invention relates to apparatus for producing an equal number of cuts from uniform cross section slabs each of which varies in length within a predetermined range comprising means for continuously slicing said slab, means for positioning the leading edge of each slab in alignment withthe path of movement of said slicing means, means for displacing said slab predetermined distances beneath said slicing means to define the slice thicknesses, recording means for controlling said displacement means whereby the distances are programmed from known slab lengths, sensing means which measure said slab length within subdivisions of said range, said sensing means and said recording means being operatively associated whereby signals from said sensing means indicate the program for said slab.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The various features of the apparatus of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description set forth in connection with the accompanying drawings which relate to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and is given by way of illustration.

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross section view broken away in part to disclose salient features of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the ratchet and pawl assembly used to rotate shaft 123.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view through the disk arrangement on shaft 44.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the overall assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross section view taken along the line Vl-Vl of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the preferred embodiment of the present invention best seen in FIG. 1 and 2, a measuring and slicing apparatus 10 is situated on a first pair of parallel horizontal braces 11, each provided with a plurality of spaced, vertical braces 12. A second pair of parallel braces 13 is secured to the vertical braces in the same horizontal plane and are positioned by spacers 14 in the vertical plane of the first pair. Similar horizontal spacers 15 interconnect the braces 11 for stability.

A conventional cylinder 16 in which is telescopingly received piston 17 is positioned atop spacers 14, its axis parallel to braces 13. A rectangular flange 18 is secured to the free end of the piston, its face dimensionally equal to or larger than the cross section of each slab of comestible 19 to be cut; in this instance, cheese is to be severed, though any other pliable material may be processed. A horizontal brace 20 having integral depending legs 21, the spacing of which is equal to that of braces 13, is rigidly positioned above the latter members in a conventional manner, as by welding. Intermediate the legs 21 are a pair of depending spaced stanchions 22 between which is suspended, on one end, a plate 23.

The opposite end of plate 23 is secured to spacer 14 so that the plate lies in a horizontal plane aligned beneath the path of travel of piston 17. Comestible slabs 19 are positioned on the plate and advanced between the stanchions by actuation of cylinder 16. A conventional horn cutter 24 may be situated between the stanchions to dimension the slab in either the horizontal or vertical direction.

Movementof the slab by actuation of the cylinder positions the comestible on conveyor 25, an endless belt entrained about rollers 26 and 27, the latter members being disposed on journaled shafts 28 and 29, respectively. The upper surface of conveyor is horizontally aligned with plate 23.

A motor 30, which may be any conventional electric, pneumatic, or internal-combustion engine, is mounted on base 31, the upper surface of which is in the same horizontal plane as the uppersurface of horizontal brace 11. The armature 32 of 'motor is provided with a pulley 33 about which is entrained belt 34, The latter is likewise entrained about a second pulley 35 on an armature 36 of clutch 41 to impart torque thereto. Axially aligned shafts 38 and 38' are suitably journaled for rotation adjacent clutch 41 on which are mounted sprockets 39 and 40, respectively (see FIG. 6). Torque is imparted to one or the other of the shafts by actuation of a solenoid in the clutch, the details of which are set forth hereinafter. Current supplied to the solenoid serves to engage one or the other of the shafts and is controlled by a counter assembly later to be described. p

A drive chain 42 is entrained about the gear'40 and drives the sprocket 43 positioned on shaft 44, the latter being jour naled in partitions 45 mounted between upstanding braces 12. Also positioned on shaft 44 is sprocket 46 about which is entrained the chain 47; the chain in turn drivingly engages the sprocket 48 in cam box 49. The box is supported on a horizontally extending plate 50 interposed between the upstanding braces 12. As shown in FIG. 4, a cam 149 is positioned on shaft 51 whose function will be hereinafter described. The cam is rotate, via chain 47, in timed relation with the rotational movement of shaft 44. v

A second drive chain 52 is entrained about sprocket 39 on the shaft 38' and extends upwardly to the sprocket 53 on shaft 54, the latter being suitably journaled in partitions provided between the upstanding braces 12. Sprocket 55 is also secured on the shaft and chain 56 drawn about thereabout imparts rotation to sprocket 57 on shaft 29 of conveyor 25. A sprocket 58 on shaft 59 is positioned to take up slack in chain 56. From this arrangement. lineal movement of conveyor 25 is effected by engagement of shaft 38 by clutch 41.

The shaft 44 is provided with disk 60 having annular notch 61 provided on one face thereof in concentric relation to the shaft. An arm 62 is secured on shaft 63, the latter being journaled in the partitions 45 between the upstanding braces. A roller 64, moveable relative to the arm, is mounted on the free end thereof and is received in the annular notch. Also provided on the shaft 63 is a pair of cranks 65, only one of which is illustrated in FIG. 2; both cranks, however, are pivotally connected at their free ends via pin 66 to upwardly extending arms 67. The explanation given herein describes but one of the arms 67 though it-should be understood to apply to the structure and operation of both arms.

The vertically extending arms 67 are each provided with an I reciprocated vertically. The blocks are mounted in vertical guides 70 which define the path of movement of wire 69. The

movement of slicer 69 is controlled by the rotational speed of disk 60 which rocks crank 62 to impart movement to arms 67.

A second shaft 71, parallel to shaft 63, is fixedly secured in the partitions 45; An arm 72 is rotatably positioned on the fixed shaft intermediate its ends and is pivotally connected via pivot pin 73to link 74. The link extends downwardly and has rotatably positioned on its free end roller 75, the latter received in concentric annular notch 76 of disk 77 also secured at its central axis to the shaft 44. A vertically disposed arm 78 is pivotally connected at one end by pin 79 to arm 72 and at the opposite end to crank 80. The crank 80 is rigidly secured to, shaft 82', the latter journaled in stub brace 83 secured at right angles to the vertically projecting brace 12. A link 84 is secured to the rotatable shaft 82 and pivotally connected to arm 85 by the pivot-pin 86. Arm 85 -is rigidly secured to horizontal rotatable shaft 87, the latter secured in position by braces 88 rigidly secured to the vertical guides 70.

Intermediate the spaced braces 88 and rigidly secured to rotatable shaft 87 is a hollow, arcuate arm 89 which includes a flange 90 on its free end. The flange is provided with centrally disposed apertures 91 which communicate with the hollow interior of arcuate arm 89 and a conduit 92 also communicable with the interior of arm 89 is connected to avacuum pump (not shown) whereby a vacuum is continuously applied to the face of the flange 90. Portions of the slab sliced by the wire 69 may be picked up by the vacuum imposed through the apertures.

As the arm 72 is rotated counterclockwise about shaft 71, the arm,78 imparts a clockwise motion to crank 84 which inturn transmits counterclockwise movement to the shaft 87 to rotate arcuate arm 89. This sequence moves the comestible slice secured to the flange 90 in a counterclockwise direction to overlie conveyor 93 (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2). Release in the vacuum will cause the slice to' drop by gravity onto the conveyor where it is transferred to another station for weighing and thereafter, packaging. Rotation of shaft 87 to effect removal of the slice onto the conveyor 93 is in timed relation to the movement of the slicer 69 since both arms 78 and 67 are driven by the common shaft 44. It should be appreciated that other suitable removal means might be positioned on arm 89 to effect transfer of the comestible slices onto the removal conveyor 93.

The opposite face of disk 77 is provided with a concentric annular notch 94 which receives therein the roller 95 on crank arm 96. The crank 96 is rotatable about shaft 71 to impart rotational movement to the arm 97 pivotally connected thereto by pin 98. The arm 97 is pivotally connnected to link 99 via pivot pin 100; the opposite end of the link is rigidly secured to a walking beam assembly 101 used to advanced the comestible slabs beneath the slicer 69. The walking beam includes a pair of bars 102 to which the link 99 is secured having longitudinal slots 103 along one surface thereof and aligned in facial relation. A plurality of parallel bars 104 are positioned between the two slots 103 and interconnected by transverse, parallel shafts 105 having rollers 106 on each end received in the slots 103. A plurality of fixed bars 107 are positioned between bars 104 whose upper surfaces are aligned in the same horizontal plane as the upper surface of the conveyor 25. When arm 96 elevates the link 99 upwardly by rotation of the wheel 77, thebars 104 are elevated above the surface 107 to lift the slab above the surface of the bars 107.

A shaft 109parallel to shafts 63 and 71 is journaled in the partition walls 45 for rotation; an arm 110 is rigidly secured to the shaft and pivotally connected to the piston 11 1 of the conventional air cylinder 1 12. The opposite end of the cylinder is pivotally secured by a pin 113 to one of the upstanding braces 12. A spring 114 is disposed within the upper portion of the cylinder to bias the piston to the retracted position and gas is supplied on the lower, opposite face of the piston to extend same. The gas supply is controlled by a solenoid-controlled air valve disclosed in detail hereinafter which receives signals from a cam within the cam box 49 at periodic intervals to rotate the arm in a timed sequence with vertical movement of the walking beam 101.

A second arm 115 is fixedly secured to the shaft 109 and secured by pivot pin 116 to one of the bars 104 to impart a horizontal displacement to the walking beam 101 when the shaft is rotated. A metal block 117, secured to one of the upstanding braces, has a threaded stop member 118 aligned with the piston 111 which the arm 1 10 contacts to limit the degree of horizontal movement of the walking beam. A microswitch 118 operatively connected to counter is situated on stop 118 and contacted by the arm. A signal is generated which records the number of horizontal movements of the beam in a manner disclosed hereinafter. 1

After the arm contacts stop 118, it remains there until the cam on shaft 51 closes the valve which supplies air to cylinder 112. This event occurs after arm 99 has been retracted downwardly by rotation of cam 77 to position the slab on the bars 107 beneath the slicer. Thereafter, when gas is no longer supplied to cylinder 112, spring 114 biases the piston 111 to the retracted position; the gas used to extend the piston is exhausted through a suitable port in the valve.

The shaft 109 is additionally provided with arm 120 on the free end of which is positioned an adjustable set screw 121. The arm is aligned in the same vertical plane as program cam 122 secured to rotatable shaft 123, the latter journaled in spaced partitions disposed between the upright braces 12. When the spring 114 biases the piston 111 to the retracted position, the amount of angular rotation'of the shaft 109 is limited by the contact of the adjustment pin 12] on the face of cam 122. It should thus be appreciated that the radial dimension of the cam face defines the reset position of arm 120 on the rotated shaft, and, consequently, the extent of the horizontal movement of the walking beam on the next actuation of the cylinder-112. A detailed discussion will follow on the cam face configuration since the length of the slices cut from the slab by the wire 69 is proportional by the degree of rotational movement of the arm 120 when it contacts the cam face.

Consideration is next given to the manner in which the earn 122 is positioned beneath arm 120 by rotation of shaft 123. Referring to FIG. 2, a cylinder 124 is arranged in tandem with cylinders 125 and 126, the latter two being actuated by independent air-injection systems to be described hereinafter. The

cylinder includes a piston 127 having a rack 128 positioned along the longitudinal edge thereof which meshes with spur gear 129 secured to the shaft 123. Accordingly, as the piston 126 is extended from the cylinder 124, the shaft 123 is rotated in a clockwise direction A second cylinder 130 including piston 131 is suitably secured in an upright position on the opposite side of shaft 123. The piston is pivotally connected to one end of arm 132 by pin 133 best seen in FIG. 3, and is biased to the extended position by spring 134 within the cylinder. The arm 132 in cludes a bore intermediate its ends which receivesshaft 123 for relative rotation. The free end of the arm is provided with a pawl 136 mounted in juxtaposed relation for rotation by pin 137. The prong 138 of the pawl engages radial notches 139 of ratchet 140 on shaft 123 so that rotation of arm 132 advances the shaft in a clockwise direction. A spring 141 interconnects the pawl with the am 132 to retain the prong 138 in close relation with the notches 139.

The coordinated operation of cylinder 112, cylinder 130, cylinder 124, clutch 41, and conveyor 25 will not be described in detail. As is best seen in FIG. 5, a conventional gas reservoir 142 supplies gas to the various air-actuated cylinders of the system. A pump 143 insures that a constant supply of gas under pressure is maintained on conduits 144, 145, 146, and 147. Conduit 144 includes a solenoid-controlled air valve 148 and links the reservoir with the cylinder 112. In this instance, the valve is controlled by a microswitch assembly actuated by cam 149 in the cam box 49. As was previously stated, chain 47 drives the shaft 51 in a clockwise direction and in timed relation with shaft 44. When protuberance 150 on cam 149 engages microswitch 151, a signal is generated and conveyed in conductor 152 to the amplifier 153. Thereafter, the amplified signal is conveyed by conductor 154 to the solenoid valve 148 to open same and supply gas to the cylinder 1 12. As was previously described, the piston 1 1 1 is moved in timed relation with arm 99 which elevates walking beam 101, and extension of the piston imparts horizontal displacement to the walking beam. Upon full extension of the piston 111, contact is made with microswitch 119 which conveys a signal via conductor 155 to conventional counter 156 to record the number of strokes. The number of strokes of piston 111 is equal to the number of cuts by slicer 69 since both are driven or actuated by rotation of shaft 44. The counter is of the type disclosed in the patent to Anderson us. Pat No. 2,175,865).

A second protuberance 157 on cam 149, spaced counterclockwise from the protuberance 150, contacts the microswitch 151 to send a second signal to valve 148 to close same. A conventional port is opened when the valve is closed to permit the escape of exhaust gases from chamber 112 and the piston 111 is retracted within the cylinder by the bias of spring 1 14. I

The conduit 145 including solenoid-controlled valve 158 links the reservoir 142 to the cylinder 130. A second microswitch 159 positioned adjacent switch 151 is contacted by protuberance 150 subsequent to the latter switch and conveys a signal via conductor 160 to the amplifier 153. The amplified signal is conveyed via conductor 161 to valve 158 to open same and gas passes into the cylinder 130to retract piston 13]. This action rotates the shaft 123 about l5'by.the actuation of the ratchet and pawl assembly 136, 140, to reposition the cam beneath pin 121 on arm 120. The repositioning occurs when the pin is out of contact with the cam. The second protuberance 157 engages microswitch 159 and sends a signal to the valve 158 to close same and permit the exhaust of gas from the cylinder 130. Thereafter, the spring 134 biases the piston 131 to the extended position so that the pawl 136 engages another peripheral notch in the ratchet.

The conduit 146 includes a solenoid-controlled valve 162 and links the gas reservoir 142 with the cylinder 124. Conductor 163 interconnects the valve 162 electrically with the counter 156. A preselected number N is set within the counter to indicate the number of cuts by slicer 69 and the recording apparatus records the number of actuations of the microswitch 119 which is proportional to the cutting of the slab by the slicer. ,At N-l in the counter, a signal is conveyed via conductor 163 to the valve 162 to open same and inject gas to retract the piston 127. Retraction of the piston and the rack 128 in mesh with gear 129 on shaft 123 imparts a counterclockwise rotational movement to the cam 122 and positions an extremely recessed portion of the cam face beneath pin 121. The maximum horizontal displacement will take place and the remainder of the slab is carried past the slicer 69 and a new slab is positioned for measurement (as hereinafter explained) with leading edge aligned with the vertical plane of movement of the slicer.

The conduit 147, including solenoid-controlled valve 164, links the reservoir 142 with the cylinder 165. The cylinder overlies the walking beam and includes piston 166 having a flange 167 secured to the free end thereof. A spring 168 within the cylinder biases the piston to the retracted position. Extension of piston 166 positions the flange 167 in the path of travel of comestible slabs from the conveyor 25 to establish the starting point of movement of the slab. The movement culminates when-the leading edge is aligned with the plane of movement of slicer 69.

A conductor 169 interconnects the solenoid-controlled valve 164 with the counter 156. At N-l within the counter, a signal is conveyed via conductor 169 to the valve to open same and permit the injection of gas into the cylinder to extend the piston 166. This action is concurrent with movement of a slab onto the beam and defines the starting position of a second slab as its forwardmost counterpart of being measured for slicing A conductor 170 is connected to the counter 156 and to a light,source 172 comprising a pair of spaced lights 173 is suspended by braces above the walking beam 101. Disposed beneath the walking beam is a cell assembly 174 comprising two photosensitive cells 175 and 176 aligned in the same vertical plane as the spaced lights 173.

A pair of conductors 177 and 178 are operatively connected to cells 175 and 176 respectively and extend to solenoid valves 179 and 180. The valves are positioned on the supply conduits 181 and 182 respectively, which communicate with a gas supply (not shown) to convey gas to the'tandem cylinders 125 and 126. When light is sensed by one or the other, or both, of the photosensitive cells, signals are conveyed to the solenoid-controlled valves to actuate the tandem cylinders and initiate extension of the piston 127 a predetermined linear distance. The rack 128 which meshes with'the spur gear 129 rotates shaft 123 in clockwise direction to select the proper initial starting position on the program cam 122 for a particular slab length. Thereafter, during the slicing opera tion, cylinder 130 rotates the shaft 123 in a clockwise direction and in 15 increments to position a new radial dimension of the cam into contact with the pin 121 of arm 120, thus establishing the horizontal displacement of the beam and consequently, the cheese cut thickness.

The counter 156 is provided with a suitable energy source 183 which may be direct or alternating current. An additional conductor 184 is operatively connected to the microswitch 185 disposed beneath the horizontal portion of the conveyor.

25. A plurality of resilient projections 186 extend from the inner face of the conveyor and contact the microswitch at spaced intervals to convey a signal to the counter indicating that a new slab has been positioned on the walking beam and against flange 167. A time interval for linear movement of projection to'the microswitch is sufficient to allow the cells 175 and 176 to measure the new slab and effect angular movement of cam 122 to the starting position to slice the newly measured comestible.

The counter 156 is connected, via conductor 187, to the solenoid-controlled clutch 41 which supplies torque from the motor 30 to either sprocket 39 about which chain 52 is entrained or sprocket 40 about which chain 42 is entrained. As best shown in FIG. 6, the shaft 38 on which sprocket 39 is disposed is provided with a spur gear 188 and in like manner, a second spur gear 189 is disposed on shaft 38 in spaced relation with sprocket 40. The clutch 41 includes an extensible shaft 190 which is part of a solenoid (not shown) on which is positioned a pair of spaced spur gears 191 and 192 respectively. A signal generated in counter 156 andconveyed via conductor 187 to clutch 41 extends or retracts the shaft 190 to position either spur gear 191 in mesh with spur gear 188 to impart torque to shaft 38 and consequently chain 52, or spur gear 192 in mesh with gear 189 on shaft 38 to drive the chain 40. When the counter registers N, the solenoid extends shaft 190 to drive chain 52 and thus conveyor 25 to position a new slab on the walking beam; when projection 186 on the conveyor contacts microswitch 185, the solenoid retracts the shaft and drives chain 42 to initiate the slicing operation.

Referring again to FIG. 5, a conduit 193 is adapted to supply gas under pressure from the reservoir to cylinder 194 in which extensible piston 195 is reciprocally positioned; the piston is urged to the retracted position by spring 196 disposed within the cylinder. When the piston is extended, it engages a stop disposed on the free end of extended piston 111 to retain in the extended position. When cam 122 is reset and projection 186 on conveyor 25 contacts microswitch 185, the counter deactivates valve 198. Spring 196 then retracts piston 195, piston 111 is urged by spring 114 to the retracted position, and pin 121 contacts cam 122 for a slicing operation.

OPERATION In operation, the user places a comestible slab 19 on the plate 23 and actuates the cylinder 16 to advance the cheese by extension of the piston 17 through the horn cutter 24 and onto the conveyor belt 25.

Upon completion of the slicing of the slab 19 already on the walking beam 101 (when the counter registers N-1 upon the appropriate number of registerings on the microswitch 119) the counter 156 directs air to the openings of valve 162. The piston 127 is retracted within cylinder 124 and the cam face is rotated so that its minimal radial dimension is aligned with pin 121 and the horizontal displacement of the walking beam will carry the remainder of the slab past slicer 69 where arm 89 will position same on conveyor 93. This horizontal displacement positions the leading edge of the next slab in alignment with vertical plane of travel of slicer and at the same time the microswitch is contacted; the counter now registers N.

At this counter registration, the following events transpire; the clutch 41 is activated by'the counter via conductor 187 to extend shaft 190 and thus disengage chain 42 and engage chain 52 to drive the conveyor 25, a signal is conveyed via conductor 197 to open valve 198 and extend the piston 195 to retain piston 111 in the extended position thereby maintaining pin 121 out of contact with cam 122, a signal is conveyed via conductor 169 to cylinder 165 to position flange 167 in the path of travel of the next slab from conveyor 25 onto walking beam 101', a signal is conveyed via conductor 170 to the spaced lights 173 to measure the slab aligned with the slicer and thereby actuate tandem cylinders 125,126, to position the cam 122 initially.

When projection 186 on the conveyor 25 engages a microswitch 185, the counter conveys a signal via conductor 197 to close valve 198 and retract piston 195. At the same time, the shaft 190 of the solenoid-controlled clutch 41 is retracted to reengage chain drive 42. Signals are conveyed via conductors 169 and 170 to retract piston 166 and deactivate lights 173 respectively. The counter is reset to zero and a new slicing sequence begins; the number of strokes of piston 111 and consequently the number of slice movements of slicer 69 are again recorded by the counter.

The radial dimensions of cam 122 are established so that the cumulation of horizontal displacements of the walking beam 101 will advance one'slab leading edge from alignment with flange 167 to alignment with the vertical plane of movement of slicer 69 during N number of cuts set on counter 156.

.The measurement of each slab while in alignment with the slicer 69 by the photosensitive cell 174 positions the cam 122 so that a selected series of radial dimensions register with pin 121 on arm 120 during the rotation of shaft 123 by ratchet and paw] assembly during slicing. However, in each slicing sequence, regardless of slab length when the counter registers N-l, the cylinder 124 retracts piston 127 to position the cam at its-minimum radial dimension so that the remaining portion of the slab on the walking beam is carried past the slicer and positioned on conveyor 93. This same action aligns the leading edge of the nextslab with the slicer whereupon measuring of same takes place when clutch 41 engages drive chain 52. In each instance, the portion carried past the slicer is dimensionally within the weight range of the sliced portions already conveyed by the conveyor 93.

It should be appreciated that the translation of radial dimensions on an angularly rotated cam into horizontal displacement of the walking beam as utilized in the present embodiment could be accomplished by other means, as for example the use of a Selsyn motor assembly wherein signals received at the transmitter could be conveyed to the receiver to control the degree of the horizontal displacement. The input signals would be slab-measuring mechanism utilizing photosensitive cells as disclosed with the preferred embodiment.

It should be appreciated that in order to cut equal weight slices, a circular disk may be employed in lieu of the cam 122: the radius of the disk would determine the slice thickness.

However, this use of the machine would not maximize the yield of slices from the slab.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for producing an equal number of slices from uniform cross section slabs, each of which varies in length within a predetermined range comprising means for continuously slicing said slab; means for positioning the leading edge of each slab in alignment with the path of movement of said slicing means; means for displacing said slab predetermined distances beneath said slicing means to define the slice thicknesses; recording means for controlling saiddisplacement means whereby the distances are programmed from known slab lengths; and sensing means which measure said slab length within subdivisions of said range; said displacement means including a walking beam, means for elevating said walking beam to lift said slab from a base on which it is disposed, and means for advancing under the control of said recording means said walking beam beneath said slicing means; said sensing means and said recording means being operatively associated whereby signals from said sensing means indicate the program for said slab.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said measuring means comprises a plurality of spaced lights disposed on one side of said slab and aligned photosensitive cells disposed on the opposite sides whereby the spacing between said lights defines said subdivisions, said cells being operatively connected with said recording means to convey signals thereto when light is sensed to select the appropriate subdivision program.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said recording means is a cam having a radially inconsistent face, said advancing means operatively contacting said cam after positioning said slab beneath the slicing means to determine the extent of the next displacement, means for repositioning said cam during slab advancement.

Claims (3)

1. Apparatus for producing an equal number of slices from uniform cross section slabs, each of which varies in length within a predetermined range comprising means for continuously slicing said slab; means for positioning the leading edge of each slab in alignment with the path of movement of said slicing means; means for displacing said slab predetermined distances beneath said slicing means to define the slice thicknesses; recording means for controlling said displacement means whereby the distances are programmed from known slab lengths; and sensing means which measure said slab length within subdivisions of said range; said displacement means including a walking beam, means for elevating said walking beam to lift said slab from a base on which it is disposed, and means for advancing under the control of said recording means said walking beam beneath said slicing means; said sensing means and said recording means being operatively associated whereby signals from said sensing means indicate the program for said slab.

2. Apparatus accOrding to claim 1 wherein said measuring means comprises a plurality of spaced lights disposed on one side of said slab and aligned photosensitive cells disposed on the opposite sides whereby the spacing between said lights defines said subdivisions, said cells being operatively connected with said recording means to convey signals thereto when light is sensed to select the appropriate subdivision program.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said recording means is a cam having a radially inconsistent face, said advancing means operatively contacting said cam after positioning said slab beneath the slicing means to determine the extent of the next displacement, means for repositioning said cam during slab advancement.

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