Patent GB-611193-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in apparatus for cutting slabs of material into pieces of predeterminedsize
IPC: A01J23/00
Filed: 1946-04-25
Abstract: 611,193. Slicing-machines. HAMILTON & SONS, Ltd., J., JOHNSON, L. H., and FITCHEW, J. T. April 25, 1946, No. 12466. [Class 5(i)] [Also in Group V] Relates to apparatus for cutting slabs of ice-cream, cake and the like, into blocks of predetermined size, wherein the slab is fed in steps of variable amplitude to a plurality of reciprocating knives synchronized with the feeding mechanism, so that the lengths of the blocks may be varied. According to the invention, the feed is effected by co-operation of a ratchet-wheel with a pawl carried by a lever pivoted co-axially with the wheel, the lever being attached to a bar having a lostmotion connection to a vertically slidably carrier for the knives, the bar being normally supported by an abutment so that the final portion of the upstroke of the knife carrier effects the operative movement of the pawl. A table 10 has slots through which project lugs 12 of a pusher 13 acting on a board 14 carrying the slab of material and passing between adjustable guides 15. The lugs 12 engage with endless chains 16 running over sprockets 17 on transverse shafts 18, 19. Above the table a knife 22 is attached to blocks 21 slidably mounted on vertical posts 20. A plate 23 connecting the blocks 21 has a slot 24 in which are adjustably clamped knives 26 perpendicular to the knife 22. Vertical rods 27 extend from the blocks 21 to a cross-bar 28 linked to an actuating treadle 30 having a counterbalance 31. Springs 32 act on the cross-bar 28 to hold the knife-carrier assembly in the raised position and retain the treadle 30 against a stop 33. Fixed on the shaft 18 is a ratchet wheel 34 engaging with a pawl 36 pivoted on a lever 35 oscillatably mounted on the shaft 18. The lever 35 is pivotably connected to a vertical bar 37 having a longitudinal slot 39, in which engages a pin 38 mounted on the adjacent sliding block 21. At the upper end of the bar 37 is a rod 40 projecting through a plate 41 connecting the posts 20. A nut 42 on the rod 40 abuts on the plate 41 and can be adjusted to limit the downward movement of the bar 37. On depression of the treadle, the knives descend, and on release of the treadle the pin 38 engages the upper end of the slot 39 before the knife carrier has completed its upward travel so that the slotted bar 37 is raised and rocks the lever 35 thus turning the ratchet-wheel and advancing the feed mechanism by an amount proportional to the lift of the bar 37. The abutment formed by the nut 42 may be provided with a scale 43 co-operating with a finger 44 to indicate the setting of the bar 37. A crank handle 45 on the shaft 18 returns the feeding mechanism to its starting position. Adjustable stripper plates 46 may be provided to hold down the slab of material. Various modifications of the engagement of the bar 37 and sliding block 21 of the abutment between bar 37 and plate 41 and of the pawl and ratchet mechanism are described. The shaft 18 may be provided with braking means and the board 14 may be supported by a slide. The treadle may be replaced by a hand lever or the knife carrier actuated through connecting rods from a crankshaft. When the crankshaft is power driven, the pusher 13 and board 14 are replaced by an endless belt.