Patent GB-126191-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Slicing Machines.
Inventor: STILES EDWARD MICHAEL
IPC: B26D7/32
Filed: 1918-06-04
Abstract: 126,191. Stiles, E. M. June 4, 1918. Cutting slices in succession.-A meat-slicing machine of the type having a disk-knife and a reciprocating table, is provided with stacking devices consisting of a vertical conveyer having projecting prongs which receive the cut slice and carry it by means of a curved track to the front of the machine, where a fly-stripping device removes the Slice from the prongs and deposits it upon a table. The frame 1 supports the disk-knife 3 operated in a known manner, and a meat table 5, which is reciprocated by a handwheel 9 (or by power), a main shaft 8, a pitman 7, and a crank G as usual. The meat &c. 4 is fed across the table by means of a plate 10 and a ratchet mechanism 11 in the usual way. The vertical conveyer consists of chains 14, 15, travelling in guide-channels 7, 18 which are supported by posts 19, 20, and are pivoted on a post 21. The links are connected together by upright bars 13 bearing prongs 12. The conveyer is caused to travel backwards and forwards in its curved guide in unison with the table 5, (see Fig. 9), by a bracket 25 connected to the table and to which is pivoted at 26 a lever 27. One end of the lever has a pin 28 which works in a slot 29 in the end bar 30 of the conveyer, while the other end has a roller 31 which travels in a fixed curved track 32. As the table 5 carries the meat to the knife 3, the conveyer also moves, and its prongs engage the cut meat, a guard-plate 40, Figs. 2, 9, and 11, deflecting the slice away from the knife and forcing it upon the prongs. By means of the curved portion 34, Fig. 9, of the track 32, and of the lever 27 and slot 29, the conveyer, when near the end of its forward travel, moves faster than the table, and the slide 35 is carried completely around the track so as to be in the front of the machine, Fig. 11. The fly-stripping device 45 consists of a series of horizontal bars 46 arranged to pass between the rows of prongs 12 and between the uprights 13 and the slice 35. It is carried by an upright 47 which is rigidly secured to a shaft 48. This shaft is operated, to place the stripping device in its upright or receiving position, from the main shaft 8 by means of gear wheels 57, 56, Fig. 4, a shaft 54, a cam 59 thereon, a lever 53, Fig. 6, having a bifurcated end and a pivoted link 61, and a rocker arm 52 on the shaft 48. When the cam rotates in the direction indicated in Fig. 6, the stripper is raised, and in consequence of the shape of the cam, is maintained for half a revolution in its raised position. If the cam be rotated in the opposite direction, the device is not affected, as the link 61 rises idly with the cam. After the cam has released the end of the link 61, the stripper is lowered at a uniform rate by means of a spring 65 to place the meat on the table 70. A lever 73 pivoted at 74 is provided at one end with a brake or shock-absorber 71 which acts upon a cam on the shaft 48, and at the other end with a spring 75; an adjusting screw 76 is also provided. This device results in the fly being brought to a stop without any noise or jar. The table 70 is supported by a lever 77, Fig. 16, from the sleeve 78 of a vertical support 79, and is lowered step by step to an amount corresponding to the thickness of the slice and therefore to the movement of the food across the feed table The means for accomplishing this consists of levers 109, 107, 106, and an arm 104 carrying a pawl 105 which engages with a ratchet 103 on a screw-shaft 85, with which engages a half-nut 91 connected to the sleeve 78 carrying the table, by a dog 89 having a 'lug 92 fitting in the bifurcated end of a lever 93 pivoted to the sleeve 78. An adjustable cam or shroud is placed over the ratchet 103 so as to regulate the length of stroke of the pawl in accordance with the feed of the meat &c. To adjust the tray in any desired position on the upright bar 79, the half-nut is removed from the screw 85 by means of a hand-lever 97 having a nosepiece bearing upon the bar 93, and a handle 96 secured to the lever. The table 70 may be returned automatically to its upper position after the stack of slices has been removed, by the construction shown in Fig. 17, wherein the table is supported bv two arms pivoted to the sleeve 78, and an arm 118, formed integral with the sleeve, holds a spring 119 which tends normally to tilt the table, and does do so when the table is not loaded, whereby the half-nut 91 is moved out of engagement with the screw-shaft 85, thereby allowing the spring 121 to lift the table and its connexions to its highest point ready to receive a fresh stack. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 135,508.