Patent ID: 6983678
Filing Date: 2006-01-10
Classification: A22C,B26D,B26F,B65G,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A system for portioning workpieces to pieces of predetermined weight, comprising: (a) a first conveyor adapted to support and advance a workpiece to be portioned; (b) a portioning subsystem positioned proximate the first conveyor and comprising a cutter to portion a workpiece into one or more pieces of predetermined weight; (c) a pickup device positioned proximate the first conveyor and comprising an attachment subdevice attachable to a portioned piece, the pickup device moveable relative to the first conveyor to carry a portioned piece to a location remote from the first conveyor; and (d) a control subsystem controlling the operation of the cutter to portion a workpiece into pieces of predetermined weight, tracking the location on the first conveyor of a piece portioned by the cutter, and directing the pickup device to pick up a desired piece portioned to a desired weight and carry such a piece to a specified location remote from the first conveyor; wherein the desired portions are of a desired, predetermined weight and the control subsystem controls the operation of the pickup device to automatically remove the desired weight portions to different remote locations depending on the weight of the portion.