Patent GB-532230-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to slicing machines
IPC: B26D7/32
Filed: 1939-08-23
Abstract: 532,230. Slicing-machines. BERKEL & PARNALL'S SLICING MACHINE MANUFACTURING CO., Ltd. (Maatschappij van Berkel's Patent N. V.). Aug. 23, 1939, No. 24240. [Class 28 (ii)] In a slicing-machine of the type having a slicestacking mechanism and a slice-thickness gauge, the stacking mechanism includes a slice-conveyer which is adjustable in unison with the gauge; the slice-discharge fly is also adjustable in unison with the conveyer; the stacking-mechanism is displaceable into an inoperative position; and improved means are provided for actuating the stacking mechanism from a push-pull substancecarrier of variable stroke, comprising means for giving the conveyer a quick approach to and return from its operating zone and for imparting a quick slice-discharging action to the discharge fly and for absorbing the shock of such action. by springs. As shown in elevation in Fig. 1 and plan in Fig. 2, the slicing-machine comprises a stationary base 15, a casing 16 for a rotary disc-knife 17 driven by an electric motor 18, a substance-carrier 21 of the push-pull type, and a slice-thickness gauge plate 23 provided with adjusting means 24. The carrier 21 is fixed to an outer sleeve which is slidable along a guide bar and is adjustable relatively to an inner sleeve by means of a rack and a spring urged latch lever so as to vary the slicing stroke, the inner sleeve engaging a stop in a constant position at the end of each return stroke of the carrier 21. The stacking mechanism comprises via conveyer 32 (with rows of prongs 33) mounted on a vertical shaft 35 journalled in a bracket 36, which is pivoted on a vertical shaft 37 so that it can be swung into an inoperative position, shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2. The setting of the bracket 36 in the operative position is determined by the slice-thickness gauge plate 23, against the base 40 of which abuts a rubber-ended projection 41 on the bracket, which is forced into position by a spring. A discharge fly 38 is also pivoted to the bracket 36. The conveyer 32 is swung to and fro by the substance carrier 21, the drive including an endless cable 48 attached at 49 to the above-mentioned inner sleeve of the carrier and passed around a series of pulleys 50, 52, 53, 54, the pulley 54 being secured to the shaft 37, which is connected to the conveyer shaft 35 by a pinion 55, rack 56, a periodically-active motion-magnifying gear, a rack 57, and a pinion 58. When the motion-multiplying gear is inactive, it couples the racks 56, 57 rigidly together so that the conveyer 32 moves in harmony with the carrier 21. The motion-multiplying gear, which imparts to the conveyer a quick approach to and return from its operating zone, comprises telescopic parts secured to the racks 56, 57, a lever with pin-and-slot connections, a slide block on a guide rod, and two oppositely-set spring- urged tilting rings adapted to act as one-way clutches. The discharge fly 38 is given a sharp downward movement by a spring at its pivot, under the control (in timed relationship with the conveyer 32) of two cams on the shaft 37 actuating levers connected to two slide blocks, one of which is connected by a link to the fly. Two blade springs form a yielding connection between the slide blocks and act as a shock-absorbing device on relative movement between the blocks, in order to bring the fly smoothly to rest at the end of its slice-discharging action.