US 2002/0059858 A1 · IMPROVED SLICING BLADE FOR CONCURRENTLY SLICING A PLURALITY OF PRODUCT LOAVES DISPOSED IN A SIDE- BY -SIDE RELATIONSHIP

Abstract

A slicing machine for slicing at least first and second product loaves disposed in a side-by-side arrangement using a single rotation of a single slicing blade in a slicing station is set forth. The slicing station includes a slicing edge of the slicing blade and a midway axis passing generally equidistant between the at least first and second product loaves. The midway axis lies generally in a plane of the slicing blade. The blade is mounted in the slicing station for rotation about an offset rotation axis that is displaced from the midway passing axis. As such, the slicing edge generates substantially similar but oppositely directed product throwing angles for the first and second product loaves with respect to the midway axis. Preferably, the offset rotation axis is laterally displaced from the midway passing axis. In accordance with a further inventive aspect of the presently disclosed system, a single rotation of the slicing edge about the center of rotation results in a penetration gradient into each of the first and second product loaves that diminishes in magnitude over the single rotation. To this end, the slicing edge may have a profile defined by a plurality of constant radius sections. Each constant radius section has a section center defining the center of the constant radius for that constant radius section. Further, each constant radius section has a section center differing from the section center of an adjacent constant radius section. Such a blade and its associated slicing station provide great control of slices from the loaves as they proceed from the loaf to a receiving conveyor of the slicing station. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a single rotation of the slicing edge about the center of rotation results in substantially concurrent severance of first and second slices from the first and second product loaves thereby facilitating a decrease in the duration of a slicing cycle.

Claims32

Dependent claims

In a slicing machine for slicing at least first and second product loaves disposed in a side-by-side arrangement using a single rotation of a single slicing blade in a slicing station, the slicing station comprising:

a slicing edge defining a true involute profile of the slicing blade;
a midway passing axis that passes generally midway between the at least first and second product loaves, the midway passing axis lying generally in a plane of the slicing blade;
a blade center, the true involute profile of the slicing edge creating disparate product slice throwing angles with respect to the midway passing axis when the blade is rotated about an axis of rotation disposed at the blade center and through which the midway passing axis passes;
the blade being mounted in the slicing station for rotation about an offset rotation axis at the blade center, the offset rotation axis being displaced from the midway passing axis whereby the slicing edge creates substantially similar but oppositely directed product slice throwing angles for the first and second product loaves with respect to the midway passing axis.

1 more element

In a slicing machine for slicing at least first and second product loaves disposed in a side-by-side arrangement using a single slicing blade, the slicing blade comprising:

a slicing edge having a profile defined by a plurality of constant radius sections, each constant radius section having a section center defining the center of the constant radius for that constant radius section, each constant radius section having a section center differing from the section center of an adjacent constant radius section;
a center of rotation;
a single rotation of the slicing edge about the center of rotation resulting in a penetration gradient into each of the first and second product loaves that diminishes in magnitude over the single rotation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Improved slicing blade for concurrently slicing a plurality of product loaves disposed in a side- by -side relationship

Life of this patent

Improved slicing blade for concurrently slicing a plurality of product loaves disposed in a side- by -side relationship

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32