Conveyor system for slicer apparatus
AssigneeFormax, Inc.
InventorScott A. Lindee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A conveying surface for a slicing apparatus that can be moved in two orthogonal directions in a coordinated manner to allow a depositing of slices in a pattern on the conveying surface. The conveying surface can be an endless belt conveyor circulated in the longitudinal direction by a servo-motor via a telescopic drive shaft and shifted in the lateral direction by servo-motor driving a crank arm mechanism.
Claims37
A conveying system for a slicing apparatus, comprising:
- a conveying surface arranged to receive slices from a slicing apparatus;
- a first mechanism for moving said conveying surface in a longitudinal direction in both forward and reverse;
- a second mechanism for moving said conveying surface in a lateral direction in both forward and reverse;
- and
- a control for coordinating movement of said first and second mechanisms to deposit a two dimensional pattern of slices on said conveying surface.
A conveying system for a slicing apparatus, comprising:
- a first roll and a second roll arranged in parallel and having lateral axis;
- at least one belt wrapped around said first and second rolls;
- a precisely controlled first motor operatively connected to one of said rolls to circulate said conveyor belt;
- a precisely controlled second motor and a rotary-to-linear movement converting mechanism operatively connected to said second motor, said movement converting mechanism operatively connected to said conveyor frame;
- and
- a controller signal-connected to said first and second motors to coordinate precise longitudinal and lateral movement of said conveying surface to form two-dimensional patterns of slices deposited on said conveying surface from a relatively stationery slicing mechanism.
A method of arranging slices on a surface, comprising the steps of:
- providing a succession of slices at a first position;
- providing a flat conveying surface below said first position;
- moving said conveying surface to receive said succession of slices from said first position at differing positions on said conveying surface;
- while receiving said succession of slices, moving said conveying surface in both a longitudinal and lateral direction to create a two dimensional pattern of slices on said conveying surface.
A method of stacking slices sliced from two different product loaves comprising the steps of:
- slicing first and second loaves of two different products, said loaves arranged side-by-side;
- depositing a first slice from said first loaf to be supported on a conveyor;
- and
- moving said conveyor laterally to deposit a second slice of said second loaf at least partially onto said first slice.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.