Method and apparatus for auto-centering and cutting cheese loaves

An apparatus for auto centering a cheese loaf having side surfaces and an upper surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a horizontally disposed support frame;
• a bottom conveyor system secured to the frame, the bottom conveyor system having a length dimension, a width dimension defined by opposing sides and a vertical centerline between the opposing sides;
• a top conveyor having a length dimension secured to the frame and having a substantially horizontal belt that is vertically adjustable with respect to the bottom conveyor system;
• at least one centering section secured to the frame and including a least one set of pivotally interconnected arms, each arm including an upper end, a middle section and a lower end, wherein the middle sections of each of the arms in the at least one set of arms are pivotally secured to each other at a pivot point that is vertically aligned with the centerline of the bottom conveyor system, wherein the upper end of one arm is located on one side of the bottom conveyor system and the upper end of the other arm of the set of pivotally interconnected arms is located on the opposing, other side of the bottom conveyor system;
• a first set of spaced apart and longitudinally aligned rollers secured to the upper portion of one of the arms of the at least one centering section;
• a second set of spaced apart and longitudinally aligned rollers secured to the upper portion of the other arm of the set of pivotally interconnected arms, wherein the first and second set of rollers are configured a distance away from each other, the midpoint of the distance being substantially the same location as the centerline of the belt, wherein the first and second rollers are configurable between a first position in which each set of rollers is spaced apart from the side surfaces of the cheese loaf and a second position in which each set of rollers contacts the side surfaces of the cheese loaf;
• and
• a cutting harp including at least one cutting wire secured to the frame at a rear end of the bottom conveyor system.

An auto-centering and cutting apparatus for use with a cheese loaf having side surfaces, the apparatus comprising:

• a horizontally disposed support frame;
• a bottom conveyor system secured to the frame and having an upwardly disposed working surface including a front end, a rear end, a length therebetween, and a vertical centerline disposed at the midpoint between first and second opposing sides of the working surface;
• a top conveyor system secured to the frame and having an downwardly disposed working surface that is space apart from and vertically adjustable with respect to the upper working surface of the bottom conveyor system;
• a first set of roller side rails including a first roller side rail positioned on the first side of the working surface of the bottom conveyor system and a second roller side rail positioned on the second side of the working surface of the bottom conveyor system, the first and second roller side rails each having a bottom portion that is pivotally interconnected at a pivot point that is substantially vertically aligned with the vertical centerline of the bottom conveyor system, wherein the first set of roller side rails extends from the front end of the bottom conveyor to a distance along the length of the bottom conveyor and wherein the first and second roller side rails are configurable between a first position in which each of the first and second roller side rails is spaced apart from the side surfaces of the cheese loaf and a second position in which each set of rollers contacts the side surfaces of the cheese loaf;
• and
• a cutting harp including at least one vertical cutting wire removably secured to the frame at a position close adjacent to the rear end of the bottom conveyor system.

A method of centering and dividing a cheese loaf having a top surface, a transverse width defined by side edges, a length and a centerline extending longitudinally between the side edges, the apparatus comprising:

• providing a bottom conveyor having a belt including a movable working surface having a front end, a rear end, opposing side edges and a vertical centerline between the first edge and the second edge of the working surface;
• providing a cutting device adjacent to the rear end of the working surface of the bottom conveyor system, wherein the cutting device includes a vertical cutting wire aligned with the vertical centerline of the movable working surface;
• providing at least one set of roller side rails interconnected in a scissors-like manner, with one group of rollers positioned on one side of the working surface and a second group set of rollers positioned on the other opposite side of the working surface;
• aligning the centerline of the cheese loaf with the vertical cutting device by moving the first and second groups of rollers into contact with the side edges of the cheese loaf;
• vertically positioning a top conveyor such that a downwardly disposed belt portion contacts the top surface of the cheese loaf;
• and
• moving the cheese loaf through cutting device at the rear end of the bottom conveyor, wherein the cheese loaf is cut along its centerline providing substantially equally divided cheese loaf portions.