Patent GB-180010-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in stackers for slicing machines
IPC: B26D7/32
Filed: 1921-02-11
Abstract: 180,010. Marks, E. C. R., (U. S. Slicing Machine Co.). Feb. 11, 1921. Cutting slices in succession. - Relates to slicing-machines of the type in which the slices are impaled during the cutting operation on spikes 50 carried by an oscillating chain conveyer which then positions each slice in front of oscillating discharging fingers 28 whereby the slice is removed to a receiving- tray 100<a> which automatically descends through a distance equal to the slice thickness after each slice is deposited. The conveyer comprises upper and lower chains 54, 55 having triangular links 53, to the inner apices of which are secured vertical bars 52 which connect the chains 54, 55 and are provided with the spikes 50. The conveyers are retained in position by upper and lower guides formed between vertical flanges of the casings 60, 61 and 65, 66 respectively the casings being connected by bolts 67, washers 68, 70, and nuts 71. The pivots 56<a> are extended into the guide space and are provided with rollers 57. The conveyer and its frame are supported from the main machine frame 20 by a bracket and are bodily detachable therefrom, centring-pins 72 retaining the frame in position. The conveyer is oscillated at an initial speed equal to the cutting speed of the reciprocating table 23 and, after the slice is severed and impaled on the spikes, at a much higher speed, during which motion the slice is transferred to the receiving-tray side of the conveyer and is positioned for removal thereto, the slice being pressed more firmly on the spikes by a guide-plate 85 which is shaped, at its engaging edge, to conform with the shape of the cutting-edge of the knife and is situated eccentrically relatively to the conveyer curvature. The plate 85 is vertically and angularly adjustable, and is provided with slots through which the spikes 50 project. The conveyer is moved by a lever 76 pivotally attached to a bar 52 and to a bracket on the table 23, the lower end of the lever 76 having a roller 80 which moves in a horizontal guide 81 which is provided at its forward end with a downwardly directed part so that at this point the lower end of the lever 76 is held stationary and the motion of the upper end is accelerated. The discharging- fingers 28, which are secured by a strip 29 to an oscillating arm 27 pivoted at 25 and operated by a rod 35, are semicircular in section and are flattened and curved at their engaging extremities to conform with the conveyer curvature. The arm 27 is operated by a lost-motion device comprising cams 43, 44 attached to a gear-wheel 40 which is driven by a gear-wheel 41 on the main drive shaft 21 and rollers 45, 46 attached to the rod 35, an elongated slot 36 through which the shaft 37 passes allowing longitudinal motion; the shafts 21, 37 being mutually positioned by journaled yokes 39. The discharging fingers are thus held stationary against the rods 52 whilst the slice is positioned in front of them, and when the conveyer reaches its limiting position the fingers are moved angularly away from the rods 52, thus removing the slice from the spikes 50 and laying it horizontally on the receiving tray 100<a>, the fingers returning to receive the slice brought forward with the next forward movement of the conveyer. A channel 96 at the base cf the conveyer receives scraps which are removed to a curved plate 100 by a scraper 99 attached to a bar 52, the outer flange of the channel being cut away adjacent to the curved plate. The receiving-tray 100<a> is mounted on vertical guiderods 102, 103, rollers 105 facilitating vertical motion. A spring-pressed half-nut 109, connected with the tray 100<a> and manipulated by handles 114, 116, engages with a screw 118, which derives an intermittent motion from a ratchet-wheel 123 and a spring-pressed pawl operated by a rod 127, which is reciprocated by a crank-pin 128 and bevel-gearing 131, 132 in connection with the shaft 37. By disengaging the half-nut 109, the tray may be adjusted. A shaft 134 passes through the screw shaft 118 and operates a shroud 133 for the ratchet teeth by means of which the tray movement is adjusted, the shaft 134 being adjusted by a lever 135 having at its end a pointer moving over a graduated scale and a spring-pressed ball 144 which works over a serrated arc 139 and retains the lever 135 in the desired position. The tray 100<a> and its accessories are supported by bars from the main frame. A readily removable scrap tray 150 is provided.