Abstract:
An automated food slicing device is provided. The automated food slicing device may automate the cutting, packaging, and/or labelling of food items such as delicatessen food items. The automated food slicing device may also have a computerized input that allows a user to provide inputs regarding selected options which the slicing device will follow to provide a customized food product.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to slicing devices. More particularly the present invention relates to an automated deli slicing device that automatically slices, weighs, packages, and dispenses deli items without the need for a human operator. 
       Description of Related Art 
       [0002]    Current operations at present day deli counters involve a number of associates who manually serve deli items to each customer as requested. These associates interact with customers to determine the product selection, the quantity of product required, and potentially the thickness of slice preferred. Once the customer&#39;s order has been determined, the associate puts on a pair of gloves, selects the product, determines which of a number of slicers to use, and then sets up the slicer for the correct thickness. The associate then operates the slicer and produces the sliced product for the customer. Once the associate has sliced an assumed correct weight of the product, it is moved to a scale and weighed. If the assumption is incorrect, the associate must return to the slicer and create additional slices to correct the weight or remove slices to correct the weight. Once corrected, the scale may produce a label with the weight, price, and product information on it. The associate then places the sliced product into a bag and affixes the label to the outside of the bag. The associate then delivers the package to the customer, completing that deli transaction. The associate then returns the product from the slicer back to a storage area and then removes the gloves. 
         [0003]    While this process is a tried and true method, it includes a number of steps that are time consuming, inefficient, and costly. 
         [0004]    Therefore, what is needed is a system that may automate the process of slicing and packaging deli items. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article. 
         [0006]    In one aspect, a slicer is provided. The slicer may be part of an automated deli slicing device. The slicer has a base which supports a conveyor. The conveyor passes over the top of the base and is capable of moving forwards and backwards in a reciprocating back and forth motion. A product carriage is positioned above the base over the conveyor and is separated from the conveyor by a spacing. The product carriage is reciprocally movable between a non-slicing position and a slicing position during a slicing operation. The conveyor is configured to move forward and backwards to follow the reciprocal motion of the product carriage during the slicing operation. A slicing blade is configured to cut a food product positioned within the product carriage. The slice may then fall to the conveyor below. As such, the product carriage moves back and forth over the blade, and with each passage over the blade, a slice from the food product is created. By the conveyor following the product carriage, an even stack of slices accumulates as the stack follows the slice being cut. Specifically, as the initial side of the slice lands, it is met by the moving stack, as opposed to falling on a stationary pile which leads to improper and uneven stacking. In one embodiment, the conveyor may fully follow the carriage through its entire motion, in another embodiment, the conveyor may follow the carriage only in the area where the slicing may occur. The slicing blade may have a releaser positioned on or by its rear face that is shaped to urge a sliced product off the blade to prevent a sticking of the product to the blade. Often, this releaser is shaped as a ramp—either angled or curving. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the base may further have a shaped portion that is positioned below the releaser, this shaped portion is shaped to mirror a shape of the releaser. For example, if the releaser is an angled face, the shaped portion may be a downwardly angled face of the base that has an angle approximately equal to that of the releaser. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the base of the slicer may be vertically movable in a downward and upward motion away from a closer to the blade and product carriage. This movement may be an incremental movement downward after each cutting motion of the carriage. The increment of movement may be the same distance as the thickness of the slice, such that the slice falls the same distance every time regardless of the quantity of food sliced. Once the slicing process concludes, the base may return to its home position for a new slicing operation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  provides a side view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  provides a side view of an embodiment of the present invention in slicing operation. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  provides a side view of another embodiment of the present invention in slicing operation. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  provides a side view of yet another embodiment of the present invention in another stage of slicing operation. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  provides a side view of an embodiment of the present invention after completion of slicing operation. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  provides a side view of an embodiment of the present invention in packaging operation. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  provides a side view of another embodiment of the present invention in packaging operation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. 
         [0018]    Generally, the present invention concerns a deli slicing machine that may provide automated slicing and packaging of a predetermined or input quantity of deli items (typically meat or cheese). 
         [0019]    The primary object of this invention is to reduce the time spent waiting to be served at a market delicatessen (deli) counter by automating at least one of the cutting, packaging, and labeling of items that is currently handled manually. Other objectives of the invention may include the reduction of some deli counter associates, improved hygiene by reduction of handling, less potential for accidents by reducing human interaction with the slicing process, and greater accuracy of delivery of the weight requested by the customer. The methodology for doing this allows the customer to select, for example, the thickness of the slices, the total weight of product to be delivered, and/or the number of slices to be delivered. This action is performed via a touch panel on the customer side of the equipment. Entering this information, initiating operation, and removing the completed package may be the only customer interaction with the equipment. On the working side of the equipment the counter associate will be required only when the product or packaging materials need to be replenished. Also, associate monitoring may be useful in the event that the equipment has some type of product related malfunction, which is expected to be very rarely. 
         [0020]    The present invention utilizes a conveyor that is movable both forward and backwards and upwards and downwards to optimize the stacking of cut items during the slicing process. This operation, coupled with the unique structure of the conveyor and base provide advantageous distinctions from the prior art, among other unique aspects of the present invention. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the automated deli slicer may have a computerized controller. The computerized controller may comprise include a processor, memory, and an input system, among other aspects. The computerized controller may be programmed or pre-programmed to control the various mechanical elements to operate the system and output a packaged, sliced deli product. For example the controller may be programmed to output one pound of sliced ham. 
         [0022]    In further embodiments, the automated deli slicer of the present invention may be in communication with a computerized interface. This interface may be consumer-facing in some embodiments, or may be operated by a dedicated operator in either retail or non-retail settings. In one embodiment, the computerized interface may be a touch screen allowing the user (deli customer, associate, etc.) to select a type of deli product (for example a meat item or cheese item) and the weight or number of slices desired. In some cases the user may also select slice thickness. Once input, the user may initiate operation of the slicer, or this operation may begin as soon as all information is received. Once the slicer has completed the operation, the system will output a packaged, labeled and sliced product as input by the user. 
         [0023]    Turning now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a perspective and side view of an embodiment of the present invention is provided. The slicer has a base  10  with a conveyor  12  mounted thereon. 
         [0024]    The conveyor may move an item resting on it forward and backwards along the top length of the base  10 , as controlled by motor  11 . The base  10  also has a nose  20  at a front end, and shaped portion shown here as a sloping portion  14  at the opposite end. The sloping portion  14  is structured to be parallel to, or approximately parallel to (+/−15 degrees) the sloped releaser  17  which operates to urge sliced product off of a rear of the slicing blade  16 . The belt  12  passes over the top surface of the base  10  including the sloping portion  14 , a flat central area, and the nose  20 . 
         [0025]    A deli product carriage  19   b  holds a quantity of non-sliced deli product  19   a . This carriage is configured for reciprocating back and forth movement (using a motive source such as a motor (not shown), for example) over blade  16  to achieve slicing. The spacing between a bottom of the product  19   a  and blade  16  determines the thickness of the slice, and may be adjustable by control of the position of product support plate  18 . Accordingly, in some embodiments, product support plate  18  may be movable, either manually or through an automated mechanism controlled by the computerized controller. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, a scale may be included anywhere on the device to weigh the quantity of sliced product. This scale may be in communication with the computerized controller, which may use the input from the scale to control slicing operation stopping once a selected weight has been sliced. In a particular embodiment, the scale may be positioned on the carriage  19   b  and support plate  18  assembly. In this embodiment, the scale may measure the difference in weight of the product  19   a  before slicing started and after slicing has completed and/or after each slice motion. 
         [0027]    In other embodiments, a slice counter may be utilized to measure the amount of product sliced. The slice counter may be in communication with the computerized controller, which may use its input to control slicing operation. The slice counter may be any structure capable of counting slices. For example, slice count may be monitored by revolutions of the carriage motion. In another embodiment, an optical sensor may be used to count slices. In still another embodiment, base position and movement may be used to count slices. 
         [0028]    Blade  16  may be any cutting solution, but in the embodiment shown is a rotating circular blade  16  rotated by motor  15 . Closely below the blade  16  is a sloped releaser  17  which is angled downward and serves to urge each slice off the rear of the blade. It should be understood that any sort of releasing structure may be used to release a sticking product from the blade without straying from the scope of the present invention. Upon a slice being released from the rear of the blade  16 , it will fall a short distance across spacing  13  at least partially onto the sloping portion  14 . In varying embodiments, anywhere from approximately 5-100% of the area of the slice may rest initially on this portion  14  after slicing. 
         [0029]    In operation, as will be demonstrated with discussion below of additional figures, the conveyor  12  moves so as to mirror the reciprocating movement of the carriage  19   b . Accordingly, after a first slice is received by the downward angled face, it will be moved forward towards the nose  20  of the base  10  in alignment with the carriage  19   b  and product  19   a . When the carriage  19   b  moves back towards the blade  16  for an additional slice, the conveyor  12  also moves back, such that as the next slice is cut, it is dropped onto the slice already on the conveyor  12 . Further, the base  10  is positioned on a mechanism configured to move downward incrementally one slice width at a time, allowing the space  13  between the releaser  17  and blade  16  to be the same each time a slice is cut. This may allow for optimal and controlled stacking of the slices. 
         [0030]    A packaging portion of the automated deli slicer may be positioned slightly beyond the nose  20  of the base  10 . The packaging portion includes a delivery tray  25  which receives the stack of sliced deli product once sliced. A hinge  26  in this embodiment allows the delivery tray to swing downward thereby releasing the sliced deli product once packaged. However, any other release and or delivery mechanisms may be used without straying from the scope of the present intention. A three sided backup seal  24  is formed on the top of the delivery tray  25 . For packaging, a quantity of film  21  is positioned on two rollers above and below the tray  25 . A three sided seal bar  23  is positioned above the delivery tray  25 . In operation, a quantity of sliced deli product may be passed into the film  21 , which envelops the product. The seal bar  23  then closes onto the backup seal  24 , cutting the film  21 , and also re-connecting it, the seal bar  23  also seals the product in a four sided bag. Once bagged, the delivery tray  25  swings downwardly about hinge  26 , releasing the packaged and sliced product. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 3-5  provide views of the present invention in operation at various stages of the slicing process.  FIG. 3  provides a view of the slicer after a first slice  27  has been cut. The slice falls on the sloping portion  14  and rests on the conveyor  12 . When the advance of the carriage  19   b  is complete, both the conveyor  12  and carriage  19   b  stop. The carriage  19   b  returns to the start position and the conveyor  12  follows this movement. As the deli product  19   a  retracts, the conveyor  12  and slice  27  resting on it moves to mirror the product  19   a  above. As the next slice is cut, the conveyor  12  similarly moves to mirror the uncut product  19   a  to keep the slice  27  below it at all times. This operation may, among other advantages, provide for a reliable and even stack of slices. Further, as indicated by the downward arrow, for each slice that is cut, the base  10  moves down incrementally by the thickness of each slice  27 . So for example if the slice is ⅛ inch thick, the base  10  moves downward away from the blade  16  by ⅛ inch each time the slicing is done. In one embodiment, the movement may be initiated by the position of the carriage  19   b . The slicer carriage  19   b  and conveyor  12  continue in this fashion until the required weight or number of slices has been delivered to the conveyor  12 . In this way, the stack of sliced product is very uniform. 
         [0032]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , as the carriage  19   b  moves back away from blade  16 , the conveyor  12  and the stack of slices  27  thereon follows. As the stack of slices  27  accumulates, the conveyor  12  tracks the motion of the carriage  19   b  to ensure the slices  27  accumulate evenly and with little to no distortion. In a particular embodiment, the slicer may be configured to automatically insert a sheet of, for example, paper, plastic, and the like, between each slice. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  provides a view of the automated deli slicer after cutting a number of slices. As can be seen the stack of slices  27  has accumulated in an even fashion. Further, base  10  has moved downward away from the blade incrementally slice width by slice width. Conveyor  12  will continue to move so that stack of slices  27  follows the carriage  19   b  until the slicing has completed. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 6-8  provide views of the operation of the packaging portion of the present invention.  FIG. 6  provides a view of stack of slices  27  after the slicing has completed. The conveyor  12  has moved the stack of slices  27  to the nose  20  of the base  10 . The carriage  19   b  has returned to a “home” resting position when not in use. The base  10  is moved back up to its initial starting position closer to the blade  16 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  shows operation of an extending nose feature of the present invention. In this embodiment, nose  20 , along with conveyor  12  and stack of slices  27  extends outwardly into the film to deliver the completed stack to the delivery tray  25 . The conveyor  12  may then slowly move as the nose  20  retracts, causing the stack of slices  27  to be deposited onto the delivery tray  25 . It should be understood at this point that the film  21  has enveloped the stack of slices  27 . In some embodiments, a blocker bar  70  may extend from the nose  20 . The blocker bar is used to hold the film  21  away from the front of the nose  20  which has the conveyor  12  moving over it. This prevents film  21  from sticking to conveyor  12  and being caught and drawn excessively by conveyor  12  movement. Once the stack of slices  27  has been transferred to the tray  25  and the nose  20  is retracted, seal bar  23  may move downward and seal over the film  21 , simultaneously forming a bag, and also joining the film layers back together to make a continuous sheet. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  provides a view of the stack of slices  27  of sliced deli product packaged in a bag  80  that is fully sealed. An optional labeling machine, such as a coding and tagging device (not shown) controlled by the computerized controller may create and place a label containing the product, weight, barcode, and/or price information on the bag, identifying its contents (not shown). The computerized controller may receive information such as a weight of the deli product from the scale, which may be, in this embodiment, in communication with the computerized controller. As shown in broken lines, the tray  25  may swing about hinge  26 , releasing the bag  80  from the automated deli slicer. The slicer is again ready to cut and package the next order. 
         [0037]    While several variations of the present invention have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.