Abstract There is disclosed a method and an apparatus for alternately effecting the actuation and non-actuation of a responsive instrumentality in a manner such that during actuation of the instrumentality, cooperation can be effected for a variable system condition. The apparatus comprises a first timer having a timing period and a non-timing period, a second timer connected to the first timer also having a timing period and a non-timing period wherein the first timer is adapted to switch to the nontiming period after the timing period is completed and upon switching to the non-timing period actuates the second timer into its timing period. The second timer is connected to the instrumentality to be actuated and the instrumentality is actuated whenever the second timer is in its timing period and is not actuated when the second timer is in its non-timing period. Sensing means are connected to the second timer for continuously sensing a predetermined system condition and wherein the duration of the timing period of the second timer is responsive to the sensing means. Control means are connected in circuit with the instrumentality to be actuated as well as to the first and second timer wherein the control means is adapted to initially place the first timer to its timing period and the second timer into its non-timing period wherein after the timing period of the first timer is completed, the first timer switches to its non-timing period thereby placing the second timer into its timing period and thereby causing the instrumentality to be actuated, this actuation continuing until the second timer switches into its non-timing period whereby the first timer again switches to its timing period thereby effecting the alternate actuation and nonactuation of the instrumentality.
A timer control circuit in combination with a meat slicing machine having a rotatable cutting blade and a movable meat carrier to feed said meat to the blade for cutting, the improvement comprising: first timer means having a first condition and a second condition, said first condition representing a timing period and said second condition representing an ambient non-timing period wherein said first timer means is adapted to switch to said second condition after said timing period is completed; a second timer means connected in circuit with said first timer means and said movable meat carrier, having a first condition and a second condition, said first condition representing a timing period and said second condition representing an ambient non-timing period wherein said second timer meAns is placed in said first condition when said first timer means switches from said first condition to said second condition and wherein said meat on said movable meat carrier is placed in engagement with said blade thereby slicing said meat whenever said second timer means is in said timing period and said meat on said meat carrier is placed out of engagement from said blade when said second timer is in said second condition; sensing means connected to said second timer means for continuously sensing the cross-sectional area of said unsliced meat and wherein the duration of said timing period of said second timer means is responsive to said sensing means; and control means connected in circuit to said first timer means, said second timer means and said movable meat carrier wherein said control means is adapted to place said first timer means into said timing period and said second timer means into said second condition wherein after said timing cycle of said first timer means is completed, said second time means switches to said first condition, thereby causing said meat to be sliced and wherein after said timing cycle of said second timer means is completed said first timer means switches to said first condition thereby ending said slicing action until said second timer means again switches to said first condition. 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said control means further comprises means to synchronize said engagement of said meat with the position of said rotatable blade.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said synchronizing means comprises: an OR gate connected in circuit with said second timer means; a synchronizing switch connected between said rotatable knife blade and the output of said OR gate wherein said synchronizing means provides a signal to said movable meat carrier so as to synchronize the starting movement of said carrier with the position of said rotatable blade.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for automatically slicing a product and collecting said sliced product into preselected measured weight groups comprising the steps of: placing said product to be sliced in contact with a slicing instrument thereby initiating the start of a slicing period; continuously sensing the cross-sectional area of said product to be sliced prior to said slicing of said product; timing said slicing period wherein the duration of said slicing period is variable and is determined by the preselected amount of said product required and by said cross-sectional area of said unsliced product; timing a non-slicing period wherein said non-slicing period is initiated when said slicing period is terminated; and automatically reinitiating said slicing period when said non-slicing period is terminated thereby causing an automatic sequential operation of slicing and non-slicing of said product.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for automatically slicing a product and collecting said sliced product into preselected measured weight groups comprising the steps of: placing said product to be sliced in contact with a slicing instrument thereby initiating the start of a slicing period; continuously sensing the cross-sectional area of said product to be sliced prior to said slicing of said product; timing said slicing period wherein the duration of said slicing period is variable and is determined by the preselected amount of said product required and by said cross-sectional area of said unsliced product; timing a non-slicing period wherein said non-slicing period is initiated when said slicing period is terminated; and automatically reinitiating said slicing period when said non-slicing period is terminated thereby causing an automatic sequential operation of slicing and non-slicing of said product.