Yield monitoring system for a slicing apparatus

In a system for slicing and packaging a comestible product, a method for monitoring system yield comprising the steps of:

• providing an automated yield monitor;
• providing a comestible loaf to an input scale to determine the weight thereof;
• slicing the comestible loaf to form a plurality of product slices in the form of at least one comestible draft;
• weighing the comestible draft to determine whether the draft is within a predetermined weight range;
• electronically communicating the weight of the comestible draft to the automated yield monitor;
• forwarding the comestible draft to a makeweight station if the draft is not within the predetermined weight range;
• adding or subtracting slices of the comestible product to or from the comestible draft at the makeweight station to bring the draft within the predetermined weight range;
• electronically communicating the weight of the comestible product added to or subtracted from the draft at the makeweight station to the automated yield monitor;
• calculating yield data based upon a comparison of the electronically communicated weight measurements in the automated yield monitor;
• providing the calculated yield data to a user;
• forwarding the at least one comestible draft to an input of a packaging machine.

In a system for slicing and packaging a comestible product, a method for monitoring system yield comprising the steps of:

• providing an automated yield monitor;
• providing a comestible loaf to an input scale to determine the weight thereof;
• slicing the comestible loaf to form a plurality of product slices in the form of at least one comestible draft;
• weighing the comestible draft to determine whether the draft is within a predetermined weight range;
• electronically communicating the weight of the comestible draft to the automated yield monitor;
• forwarding the draft to a makeweight station if the draft is not within the predetermined weight range;
• adding or subtracting slices of the comestible product to or from the comestible draft at the makeweight station to bring the draft within the predetermined weight range;
• electronically communicating the weight of the corrected draft from the makeweight station;
• calculating yield data based upon a comparison of the electronically communicated weight measurements in the automated yield monitor;
• providing the calculated yield data to a user;
• forwarding the at least one comestible draft to an input of a packaging machine.

An apparatus for use in a system for slicing a comestible product comprising:

• at least one product input scale;
• a slicing mechanism for slicing the comestible product after the product has been weighed on the at least one product input scale;
• at least one product output scale capable of weighing the product after slicing by the slicing mechanism to determine a post-processing weight;
• and
• a yield monitor connected to electronically receive weight information corresponding to weight data obtained by the at least one product input scale and the at least one product output scale, the yield monitor using the received weight information to provide system yield data to a user.

An apparatus for use in a system for slicing a comestible product comprising:

• at least one product input scale;
• a slicing mechanism for slicing the comestible product after the product has been weighed on the at least one product input scale;
• at least one product output scale capable of weighing the product after slicing by the slicing mechanism to determine a post-processing weight;
• at least one product makeweight scale capable of electronically communicating makeweight data;
• and
• a yield monitor connected to electronically receive weight information from the at least one product input scale, the at least one product output scale, and be at least one product makeweight scale, the yield monitor using the received weight information to provide system yield data to a user.