Abstract Apparatus is provided for stacking and weighing slices of cold cuts coming from the discharge end of a slicing machine. The apparatus is initially set to receive slices in stack form on a stacker. A scale is operatively connected to the stacker to register the weight after a preselected amount of slices are collected on the stacker. In one embodiment the scale actuates the stacker to transfer the stack of slices when it attains the desired weight. The scale in another embodiment serves to feed back appropriate signals to the feeding mechanism of the slicing machine to adjust sliced thickness to compensate for over or under weight slices or stacks registered by the scale. In this embodiment a preset count of slices are stacked before the weight is registered. The scale may also serve to actuate a reject mechanism for isolating those stacks not within the prescribed weight tolerances.
In combination a slicing machine having a slicing blade, a feeding means for feeding the product to be sliced into said blade and control means for determining the rate of advance of said feeding means towards said blade, and consequently, the sliced thickness; apparatus for stacking slices of said products as they are discharged by said slicing machine and then transferring the stacks of sliced product, said apparatus comprising in combination a paddle stacker to be located adjacent to the discharge end of said slicing machine for receiving the slices discharged therefrom, said stacker comprising a pair of mating paddles connected to means for driving each paddle in synchronized opposite directions; weighing means operatively supporting said stacker such that it is adapted to register the weight of the sliced product being stacked thereon; stacker actuating means coupled with said stacker for actuating said driving means to rotate said paddles in opposite directions to transfer the stack of slices of said product and ready said stacker for reception of another stack of slices; stack receiving means and conveying means in stack receiving position adjacent said stacker, and being adapted to receive thereon the stacks of sliced product transferred by said stacker.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
In combination a slicing machine having a slicing blade, a feeding means for feeding the product to be sliced into said blade and control means for determining the rate of advance of said feeding means towards said blade, and consequently, the sliced thickness; apparatus for stacking slices of said products as they are discharged by said slicing machine and then transferring the stacks of sliced product, said apparatus comprising in combination a paddle stacker to be located adjacent to the discharge end of said slicing machine for receiving the slices discharged therefrom, said stacker comprising a pair of mating paddles connected to means for driving each paddle in synchronized opposite directions; weighing means operatively supporting said stacker such that it is adapted to register the weight of the sliced product being stacked thereon; stacker actuating means coupled with said stacker for actuating said driving means to rotate said paddles in opposite directions to transfer the stack of slices of said product and ready said stacker for reception of another stack of slices; stack receiving means and conveying means in stack receiving position adjacent said stacker, and being adapted to receive thereon the stacks of sliced product transferred by said stacker.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein coupling means connect the weighing means with said stacker actuating means to actuate the stacker upon the registration of a predetermined weight by said weighing means of the sliced product in stack form on said stacker.