Food slicing apparatus for a food processing line
First Claim
1. A drive system for a food slicing apparatus comprising:
- a precision motion creator;
gears operatively connected to said motion creator;
a link having first and second end portions, said first end portion being operatively mounted to said gears;
a cam element mounted to said second end portion of said link;
a cam follower element including a slot for receiving said cam element; and
a quick connect and disconnect connector for engaging said cam follower element and a food transporting assembly.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A food slicing apparatus and components where the apparatus includes a frame and a pivotally mounted carriage. The frame mounts a height adjustable conveyor system while the carriage hosts a latch for a slice thickness adjustment cam. The carriage also supports a drive system which precisely moves a food transporting tube assembly over a base, such as pizza dough, while food is cut by a laterally moving blade mounted around two drums, one of which is adjustable to change tension in the blade. The blade is further supported by a blade guide which also guides the sliced food to the pizza dough base. The drive system includes a servomotor, a group of gears, a crank connected to the gears, a cam roller and a cam follower plate with a slot. The cam follower plate is connected by a quick connect and disconnect connector to the food tube assembly. The result is a compact, efficient slicing apparatus with a small footprint that is usable in a food processing line. The apparatus is easy to clean and the food tube assembly is easily exchanged with an assembly having a different arrangement of the food tubes.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A drive system for a food slicing apparatus comprising:
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a precision motion creator; gears operatively connected to said motion creator; a link having first and second end portions, said first end portion being operatively mounted to said gears; a cam element mounted to said second end portion of said link; a cam follower element including a slot for receiving said cam element; and a quick connect and disconnect connector for engaging said cam follower element and a food transporting assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A slicing apparatus for a product processing line comprising:
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a frame; a conveyor system mounted to said frame, said conveyor system for forming a first path along which bases move; a cutting blade mounted on structure for moving generally perpendicular to said first path; a tube assembly connected to said frame for moving along a second path parallel to and above said first path and for moving items to be sliced passed said cutting blade; a compact drive system connected to said tube assembly for moving said tube assembly, said drive system including a precision motion generator and a connected crank; and a control system for cycling said drive system in a predetermined manner; and
whereinsaid drive system includes a group of gears, a cam and a cam follower plate, said gears being driven by a servomotor; said crank has first and second end portions, said first end portion being operatively mounted to said gears; said cam being mounted to said second end portion of said crank; and said cam follower plate having a slot for receiving said cam. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A drive system for a food slicing apparatus, where said apparatus includes a conveyor system for moving a series of bases, a pair of rails and a control system, said drive system comprising:
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a precision motion creator located above said conveyor system; gears operatively connected to said motion creator; a link having first and second end portions, said first end portion being operatively mounted to said gears; a cam mounted to said second end portion of said link; a cam follower movable along said pair of rails, said cam follower including a slot for receiving said cam; and
a connector for engaging said cam follower and a food transporting assembly, said food transporting assembly also being movable along said pair of rails whereby food product transported by said food carrier assembly is deposited upon said moving bases. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A slicing apparatus for a product processing line comprising:
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a frame; a conveyor system mounted to said frame, said conveyor system for forming a first path along which bases move; a cutting blade mounted to move across said first path; a tube assembly connected to said frame to move along a second path parallel to and above said first path and to move items to be sliced passed said cutting blade; a compact drive system connected to said tube assembly to move said tube assembly; and a control system to cycle said drive system in a predetermined manner;
wherein said drive system includes a motor, a crank connected to the motor, and a plate having a slot with a predetermined geometry;said crank includes first and second end portions, said first end portion being operatively connected to said motor and said second end portion being connected to a cam; and said cam is disposed in said slot and is restrained to move in a predetermined manner wherein said tube assembly is moved above said first path in a predetermined manner.
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12. A slicing apparatus for a product processing line comprising:
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a frame; a conveyor system mounted to said frame, said conveyor system for forming a first path along which bases move; a cutting blade mounted to structure to enable said blade to move across said first path; a tube assembly connected to said frame to move along a second path parallel to and above said first path and to move items to be sliced passed said cutting blade; a drive system connected to said tube assembly and positioned compactly above said cutting blade to move said tube assembly along said second path; and a control system for cycling said drive system in a predetermined manner wherein said drive system includes a motor, a crank connected to said motor, a cam connected to said crank and a plate with a slot dimensioned to received said cam, and wherein said motor, said cam, said crank and said plate are positioned above said cutting blade. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification