Patent ID: 8082831
Filing Date: 2011-12-27
Classification: B26D,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for auto centering and dividing a cheese loaf having a height, a width defined by opposing side surfaces and a length, the apparatus comprising: a support frame; a bottom conveyor secured to the support frame having a continuous belt including first and second side edges and a vertical centerline positioned at the midpoint between the first and second side edges of the belt, the belt having an upper working surface configured to transport the cheese loaf from a front end to a back end thereof; a first positioning mechanism secured to a bottom portion of the support frame and extending a portion of the length of the upper working surface of the bottom conveyor, the first positioning mechanism comprising first and second pivotally interconnected arms coupled to a single pneumatic cylinder and extending vertically in the same plane, the arms configured in a mirror image fashion and configured to straddle opposite side edges of the belt, wherein the arms pivot about a pivot point that is substantially vertically aligned with the centerline of the continuous belt, wherein upper portions of each of the interconnected arms are configured to engage the cheese loaf, wherein each arm moves simultaneously the same distance dimension toward the centerline and away from the centerline of the belt; and a cutting harp located close adjacent to the rear end of the bottom conveyor, the cutting harp including a vertical cutting wire positioned at the centerline of the belt.