CA2035220A1 - Apparatus and method for portioning material - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for portioning materialInfo
- Publication number
- CA2035220A1 CA2035220A1 CA 2035220 CA2035220A CA2035220A1 CA 2035220 A1 CA2035220 A1 CA 2035220A1 CA 2035220 CA2035220 CA 2035220 CA 2035220 A CA2035220 A CA 2035220A CA 2035220 A1 CA2035220 A1 CA 2035220A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tray
- stack
- movable
- knife
- conveyor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D5/00—Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
- B26D5/20—Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting with interrelated action between the cutting member and work feed
- B26D5/22—Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting with interrelated action between the cutting member and work feed having the cutting member and work feed mechanically connected
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D7/00—Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
- B26D7/27—Means for performing other operations combined with cutting
- B26D7/30—Means for performing other operations combined with cutting for weighing cut product
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Forests & Forestry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- De-Stacking Of Articles (AREA)
- Crushing And Pulverization Processes (AREA)
Abstract
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PORTIONING MATERIAL
Abstract of the Disclosure A portioning mechanism for supplying a strand of ground meat to a conveyor includes a positive displacement pump supplying a grinder head, which outputs ground meat to the conveyor. The strand of meat on the conveyor has a predetermined cross-section and density, and a portioning system is provided for intermittently separating the ground meat on the conveyor in predetermined lengths for providing a relatively accurate weight of ground meat portions. A
tray supply system positions empty trays at the outlet of the conveyor, and the ground meat portions are deposited onto the trays for subsequent packaging.
Abstract of the Disclosure A portioning mechanism for supplying a strand of ground meat to a conveyor includes a positive displacement pump supplying a grinder head, which outputs ground meat to the conveyor. The strand of meat on the conveyor has a predetermined cross-section and density, and a portioning system is provided for intermittently separating the ground meat on the conveyor in predetermined lengths for providing a relatively accurate weight of ground meat portions. A
tray supply system positions empty trays at the outlet of the conveyor, and the ground meat portions are deposited onto the trays for subsequent packaging.
Description
352~
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PORTIONING I~ATERIAL
Background and Summary This invention relates to a system for portioning material, such as ground meat, as the material is being conveyed at a substantially constant rate of speed, and for thereafter depositing the portioned material on a tray or the like.
In the past, a labor-intensive and relatively inaccurate manual operation has been employed to portion material, such as ground meat, as the material is conveyed on a conveyor belt or the like. The ground meat is output onto the conveyor belt in a ribbon or strand havlng a substantially constant cross-section, and thereby a controlled density. The strand of meat is manually cut to a predetermined length with the assistance of evenly spaced markings on the conveyor belt, thereby providing a portion having a predeter-mined weight according to its length. The portion is then placed onto a tray and wrapped.
The present invention provides an automatic system for providing a portion of material, such as ground meat, having a predetermined weight according to its length, and for automatically depositing the individual meat portions onto a tray.
In accordance with one aspect of the inven-tion, a mechanism f or portioning material includes material supply means for depositing a strand of material onto conveying means for moving the material in a first direction. Portioning means is provided for intermittently separating the material at predetermined intervals. The conveying means uninterruptably moves the material in the first direction at a substantially constant rate of speed, and the portioning means inter-mittently separates the material as it is being moved -2- ~3~
in the first direction by the conveying means. In this manner, portioning of the material can be accomplished without interruption of the conveying means. In a preferred embodiment, the portioning means comprises carriage means selectively movable in the first direction at the same rate of speed as the conveying means. Selectively actuable knife means is mounted to the carriage means, and the knife means acts to separate the material when the carriage means is moving in the irst direction. The carriage means is prefer-ably reciprocably movable between a first position and a second position, alternately moving in the first direction and in a second direction opposite thereto between the first and second positions. The conveying means is preferably a belt conveyor, and the knife means provides a downward cutting stroke for severing the material against the conveyor belt. Thereafter, the knife means undergoes an upward return stroke during movement of the carriage means in the second direction, for readying the knife for another downward cutting stroke. Reciprocating movement of the carriage means is preferably provided by a reciprocating mechanism including means traveling in the first direction at the same rate of speed as the conveying means; means traveling in the second direction, and means interconnected with the carriage means for alternately selectively coupling the carriage means with the first direction traveling means and the second direction traveling means, respectively. In a pre-ferred embodiment, the means traveling in the first direction and the means traveling in the second direction comprise a timing belt providing an upper run and a lower run, one of which travels in the first direction and the other of which travels in the second -3- 2~35~
direction. The means interconnected with the carriage means selectively couples the carriaye means to the upper and lower runs of the timing belt for alternately moving the carriage means in ~he first and second directions. The timing belt is preEerably driven by the same drive mechanism as the conveyiny means so as to ensure that the run of the timing belt traveling in the irst direction travels at the same rate of speed as the conveyor. First and second clutches are preferably interconnected with the carriage means for selectively engaging the first direction traveling means and the second direction traveling means, respectively. ~ith the timing belt system mentioned previously, the first and second clutches are pr~fer-ably mounted to a shuttle which provides passages for the upper and lower runs of the timing belt. Th~ first and second clutches preferably cornprise selectively actuable clutch plates mounted to the piston rods of clutch cylinders, for alternately coupling and decou-pling the shuttle to and from ~he upper and lower runs of -the timing belt. In this ~anner, reciprocating movement of the carriage is provided. An actuating system is employed for controlling actuation of the first and second clutches, and thereby their engayement with the timing belt, and also for controlliny r~ovement of the knife. The actuating system is preferably pneu-matically operated, and includes selectively placed air actuator valYes for controlling movement of the clutches and the knife.
In accordance with another as~ect of the invention, a mechanism for depositing an article, such as a tray, by gravi~y onto a surface, such as a tray supply conveyor, comprises a receptacle adapted to receive a stack of articles. Dispensing ~eans is _4_ 2~5~0 disposed toward the lower end of the receptacle for depositing the articles one by one onto a surface therebelow from the bottom o the stack of articles.
The dispensing means deposits the articles by allowing the lowermost article to fall onto the surface while supporting the articles in the stack above the lowermost article. In a preferrecl embodiment, the dispensing means comprises first movable stack support means movable into and out of engagement with the lowermost article in the stack, and second movable stack support means movable into and out of engagement with the tray above the lowermost tray in the stack.
When the first stack support means is engaged with the lowermost article for supporting it along with the remainder of the stack, the second stack support means is out of engagement with the stack. Upon movement of the second stack support means into engagement with the article above the lowermost article, for supporting it along with the remainder of the stack, the first stack support means is moved out of engagement with the lowermost article, thus releasing it to fall onto the surface. Both the first and second stack support means preferably comprise spaced pairs of movable members such as support plates, with the stack of articles disposed therebetween. The support plates are prefer-ably mounted in horizontal slots formed in a pair of spaced support blocks, and actuator means controls the retraction or extension of the plate members in a predetermined sequence. The actuator means preEerably comprises a vertically movable actuator plate having cam slots formed therein, with the horizontally movable support plates having cam followers mounted in the cam slots for controlling extension and retraction thereof. A pivotable tray kicker is preferably 2~35~
provided for assisting in forcing the lowermost tray downwardly onto the lower surface.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the portioning system and the tray dispenser are incorporated into a single apparatus in which the trays are supplied to the portioning apparatus in a manner so that the portions of material are deposited onto the trays upon discharge from the r,~aterial conveyor.
Brief Description of the Drawings The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a material portioning system constructed according to the invention, including a hopper for receiving meat to ~e ground, a positive displacement pump for supplying the meat to a grinder head, a conveyor onto which ~he meat is deposited from the grinder head, an automatic portioning apparatus for separating the meat at predetermined intervals, and a tray supyly mechanism for providing a tray onto which the portioned meat is deposited;
FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken general].y along line 2-2 of Fig . 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the discharge auger of the hopper which suppl;es meat to the pump;
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of Fig. l;
FIG. S is a partial side elevation view, reference beiny made to line 5-5 o~ Fig. l;
FIG. 6 is a partial elevation view of the internal components of the portioniny system shuttle ~ Z~352;~:~
and actuator system, reference being Made to line 6-6 of ~ig. l;
FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken generally along line 7-7 of Fig. 6;
FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the pneu matic system operating the portioning system and a portion of the tray supply mechanism;
FIG. 9 is an elevation view showing the tray supply system and a partial end elevation view o~ the portioning system, reference being made to line 9-9 of Fig. l;
FIGo 10 is a partial sectional view taken generally along line 10-10 of Fig. l;
FIG. 11 is a broken away end elevation view of the tray supply dispensing system shown in FigO 10;
FIG. 12 is a side elevation view, partially in section, showing a portable pump system for use with an existing mixer, adapting it for use with the portioning system of the invention; and FIG. 13 is a partial top plan view, reference being made to line 13-13 of Fig. 12.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment As shown in Fig. 1, a system for accurately portioning ground meat and depositin~ the ground meat portions onto a tray broadly includes a hopper 20 which supplies mixed meat to a positive displacement pump 22 feeding a sizing head 24 through a pipe 26. A conveyor shown generally at 28 i5 positioned so as to receive ground meat from the outlet of sizing head 24, and a portioning apparatus 30 separates the meat supplied to conveyor 28 into portions having a predetermined length. A tray dispenser apparatu~ 32 supplies trays below conveyor 28, which are supplied to the discharge -7- ~3~
of conveyor 28 for receiving a portion of the ground meat as it is discharged therefrom.
Hopper 20 is of the type as generally des-cribed in Lesar U.S. Patent 4,823,936, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. General-ly, hopper 20 has a V-shaped cross-section, with a discharge auyer having oppositely flighted portions 34, 36 for supplying mixed meat to an outlet 38. A motor 40 moun~ed to the end wall of hopper 20 drives the discharge auger. An unload screw 42 is rotatably mounted within a tubular housing 44 mounted below hopper 20, which has its inlet in communication with outlet 38 of hopper 20 ~or receiving mixed meat therefrom. A motor 46 drives unload screw 42 in a direction so as to move the mixed meat rightwardly away from hopper outlet 38 and toward the discharge of tubular housing 44, at which is positioned a right angle transfer shroud 48 to which a bearing member 50 is mounted.
Reference is briefly made to Figs. 2 and 3, which illustrate certain details of the mechanism for unloading hopper 20. As shown in Fig. 2/ tubular housing 44 is provided with an end plate 52, which is adapted to be connected to shroud 48. The inner wall of tubular housing 44 is provided with a series of longitudinally extending flutes shown at 54a, 54b, 54c and 54d. Duriny rotation of unload screw 42 within housing 44 for advancing meat therethroughr flutes 54a-54d prevent the meat from spinning within housing 44, providing substantially straight-line movement of the meat therethrouyh.
Referring to Fig. 3, unload screw 42 is provided with spiral flighting 56. As is known, flighting 56 acts to move meat within tubular houslng ;~3S;~
44 upon rotation of unload screw 42, rightwardly along screw 42 toward the discharge of housing 44. Flighting 56 is arranged on the center shaft of unload screw 42 so that its center-to-center pitch decreases toward the end of unload screw 42 adjacent the discharge of housing 44. Illustratively, dimensions a and b are nine inches, while dimensions c and d are six and three-quarter inches, and dimension e four and one-half inches. It has been found that this feature compresses the mixed meat as it approaches the discharye of housing 44, so as to squeeze out any air which may be present in the mixed meat and force the air rearwardly for ultimate discharge through hopper outlet 38. In this manner, substanti~lly all air is eliminated from the mixed meat once it reaches shroud 48 and a constant density of meat is supplied to the inlet of pump 22.
Referring back to Fig. 1, shroud 48 receives the compressed mixed meat from the dischar~e of tubular housing 44, and routes the meat toward its outlet formed in a side of shroud 48. A gasket assembly 58 is provided between the outlet of shroud 48 and the inle~
of positive displacement pump 22.
Pump 22 is mounted to a pedestal supporting hopper 20, and is driven by a drive shaft 60 extendiny between the input shaft 62 of pump 22 and the output shaft 64 of a parallel shat reducer 66. In the event there is a difference in elevation between pump input shaft 62 and reducer output shaft 64, a double universal joint type drive shaft may be employed.
Reducer 66 receives power through its input shaft 68, which is connected through a belt 70 to the output shaft 72 of a motor 74.
Pump 22 is a positive displacement double rotary lobe type pump, and may representatively be such ~352~g.~
as manufactured by the Waukesha Pump Company under its l~odel No. 234.
Pipe 26 is connected to the outlet 76 of pump 22 for receiving mixed meat under positive pressure therefrom. The outlet of pipe 26 is connected to a housing 78 of sizing head 24.
Referring to Fig. 4, the mixed meat is suppl.ied to an inlet 80 in communication with the interior of siziny head housing 78. A drive shaft 82 is rotatably mounted within housing 78, and is provided at its leftward end with a pin 84 engageable by an outlet member associated with a motor 86 mounted to the end plate 88 of housing 78, for imparting rotation to drive shaft 82. A seal 90 is provided between the interior of housing 78 and motor 86.
The rearward end of drive shaft 82 is provided with a plurality of agitating arms 92a, 92b, 92c and 92d, which are provided with curved end portions. The forward end of drive shaft 82 is provided with a drive lug portion 94, which is engageable with a series of knife holders, such as shown at 96, 98. A series of knives, such as shown at 100, 102, are mounted to the series of knife holders, and are disposed adjacent the inner surface of an orifice ~late 104. Orifice plate 104 is retained on housing 78 by a plate retaining ring 106 having internal threads engageable with external threads provided on housing 78. A Belleville-type spring washer 108 is provided between a bore in the end Gf lug portion 94 of drive shaft 82 and the knife holders, such as 96, 98, for biasing the knives, such as 100, 102, toward the inner surface of orifice plate 104.
Orifice plate 104 is provided with a series of orifices 110 therethrough, which are formed in a - 1 o- ~5~0 predetermined pattern corresponding to the desired final cross-sectional shape of the meat portions.
Operation of sizing head 24 is generally as follows. Ilixed meat input into the interior o~ si~ing head housing 78 passes therethrough toward the grinding assembly consisting of knives 100, 102 and orifice plate 104. The action of the knives against the orifice plate cuts the meat as it is being fed under pressure through orifices 110 in plate 104, in a known manner. Agitating arms 92a-92d act to agitate the meat in the interior of housing 78 for ensuring that there are no stagnant areas of flow of the meat through housing 78, rnixing any meat which may tend to flow toward the corners of housing 78 adjacent its end plate 88 into the flow of meat toward orifices 110. This action outputs a strand or ribbon o ground meat through orifices 110. The positive prsssure provided to the mixed meat entering housing 78 pr~vides a highly controlled uniform density of meat output through orifices 110, with the cross-sectional area of the output strand being substantially constant. The density of the strand output from sizing head 24 can be carefully controlled by controlling the operating characteristics of pump 22.
Referring again to Fig. 1, the strand of meat output from sizing head 24 is received on the rear upper run of conveyor 28, which is a conventional meat processing conveyor. As noted previously, portioning apparatus 30 àcts on the meat carried by conveyor 28 for dividing it into portions of predetermined length. With the carefully controlled density of the yround r,leat supplied from sizing head 24, the portions of predetermined length have a substantially uniform weight. Portioniny apparatus 30 generally includes a Z [)35;~
reciprocating knife assembly 112 mounted to a carrier block 114, which is fixed at the ends of a pair of shafts 116, 118.
Knife assembly 112 is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 9. As shown, knife assembly 112 includes a pneu-matic cylinder 120 mounted to an upper block 122. A
pair of supports 123a, 123b extend between block 114 and upper block 122 for supportiny knife assembly 112 above conveyor 28. A blade 124 is connected to the end of the retractable and extendible rod 126 associated with cylinder 120. A pair of wipers 128, 130 extend at an angle downwardly from block 122. Blade 124 is movable downwardly and upwardly upon extension and retraction of rod 126. A full downward stroke of cylinder 120 moves blade 124 downwardly against the upper run of conveyor 28 for severing the ground meat carried thereby, in a manner to be explained.
Reference is now made to Fig. 6, which illustrates portioning apparatus 30 in detail. The operative components of portioning system 30 are housed within a cabinet 132 and the wall of cabinet 132 is provided with a pair of openings through which shafts 116, 118 extend. Bushings, such as shown at 134, are provided in the openings in the cabinet wall for acco-modatin~ reciprocating sliding move~ent of shafts 116, 118 relative to cabinet 132.
A drive motor 136 is contained within cabinet 132, and through a gear box 138 drives a timing belt pul]ey 140. A timing drive bclt 142 is trained about pulley 140 and driven thereby in response to operation of motor 136. An upper rotatable shat 144 is driven by drive belt 142 through a pulley 146, and extends exteriorly of cabinet 132. A drive roller 148 (Fiy. 1) is connected to the exterior portion of shaft 144, for -12- ~5~
driving the conveyor bel~, shown at 150, about an idle roller shown at 152.
Referring again to Fig. 6, another pulley identical to pulley 146 is mounted to shaft 144 behind pulley 146, and drives a timing belt 154, which is trained about an idle roller 156.
Drive belt 142 also engayes a pulley 158 mounted to a shaft 160i which drives a tray conveyor drive pulley 162 (Fig. 5) for driving a tray conveyor belt 164, as will be explained.
Referring again to Fig. 6, a shuttle block 166 is mounted to the le~tward end of rails 116, 118.
Shuttle block 166 is disposed between the upper and lower runs of timing belt 154. A frame assembly 168 is mounted to shuttle 166. An upper short stroke pneu-matic cylinder 170 having an extendible rod to which a clutch plate 172 is connected, is mounted to the upper portion of frame 168 such that the lower surface of clutch plate 172 is adjacent the upper run of timing belt 154. Timing belt 154 thus passes through a passage defined by the lower surface of clutch plate 152 and the upper surface of shuttle block 166. In a similar manner, a lower cylinder 174 having an extend-ible and retractable rod to which a clutch plate 176 is connected, is mounted to the lower portion of frame 168. The lower run of timing belt 154 passes through a passage defined by the upper surface of clutch plate 176 and the lower surface of shuttle block 166. As will be explained, clutch plates 172, 176 are alter-nately actuated so as to alternately clamp the upper and lower runs of timing belt 154 against shuttle block 166. ~Ihen cylinder 170 is actuated so as to extend its rod and clamp the upper run of timing belt 154 between clutch plate 172 and shuttle block 166, leftward 2~3S.~
(forward) movement of shuttle 166 results, thus drawing shafts 116, 188 leftwardly and resulting in forward movel.lent of knife assembly 112. When the supply of air to cylinder 170 is cut off so as to retract clutch plate 172, cylinder 174 is actuated so as to extend its r-od and clutch plate 176, so as to clamp the lower run of timing belt 154 between clutch plate 176 and the lower surface of shuttle block 166. This causes rightward (rearward) movement of shuttle block 166, thereby extending shafts 116, 118 and moving knife assembly 112 rearwardly. A series of pneumatic actuators, shown at 178, 180, 182, 184 and 186 are positioned within cabinet 132 for controlling actuation of the various pneumatically operated components o~ the system. Actuators 178, 186 may be such as manufactured by the Festo Corporation under Part No. R-3-M5.
Actuators 178-186 are supplied with pressurized air and, upon actuation, allow passage of pressurized air therethrough.
Actuator 178 controls operation of a pneuma-tically operated tray pusher assembly associated with tray dispenser 32, which will be explained. Actuator 180 controls actuation of upper cylinder 170 and its associated clutch plate 172, and the position of actuator 180 determines the rearwardmost extent of travel of shuttle block 166 and accordingly knife assembly 112. Actuator 182 controls the downstroke of knife blade 124, and actuator 184 controls the upstroke of knife blade 124. Actuator 186 controls cyllnder 174 and its associated clutch plate 176, for providing rearward movement of shuttle block 166 and the position of actuator 186 determines the forwardmost extent of travel of shuttle block 166 and knife assembly 112.
-14- ~3~
The position of actuators 178 and 176 is adjustable within cabinet 132. Adjustment of actuator 1~6 results in shortening or lengthening of the portion of meat provided by portioning apparatus 30.
An actuator surface 188 is provided on top of the upper surface of frame assembly 168, for engaging the roller of actuator 178 for providing actuation thereof. Similarly, an actuator surface 190 is provided on the lower surface of frame assembly 168, for engaging the roller of actuator 186 to control actuation thereof.
Referring to Fig. 7, clutch plate 172 is provided with an extension portion extending inwardly toward a plate 192 provided within cabinet 132, and to which actuators 178-186 are mounted. The upper surface of the inwardly extending portion of clutch plate 172 is provided with an actuator surface, a ~ortion of which is shown at 194. Actuator surface 194 physically extends to the end of the inwardly extending portion of clutch plate 172, so as to be in line with the roller of actuator 180. In a similar manner, an inwardly extending portion of clutch plate 176 is provided with an actuator surface 196, which is in line with the roller of actuator 184. As shown, when cylinder 174 is actuated 50 as to move clutch plate 176 against the lower run of belt 154, actuator surface 196 mounted to clutch plate 176 is moved upwardly so that it cLears the roller o~ actuator 184 during rearward movement o shuttle 166. During such rearward movement of shuttle block 166, actuator surface 194 mounted to clutch plate 172 is at an elevation at which it engages the roller of actuator 180 so that, when such engagement occurs, cylinder 170 is actuated so as to extend clutch plate 172 and to engage the upper run of belt 154 with 2~35~
shuttle block 166. As will be explained, this releases cylinder 174 and its rod thus retracts so as to move clutch plate 176 downwardly. Such downward movement of clutch plate 176 causes engagement of actuator surface 196 associated therewith with the roller of actuator 182, so as to initiate the downstroke of knife blade 124. Due to the clamping of the upper run of timing belt 154 between clutch plate 172 and the upper surface of shuttle block 166, forward movement of shuttle block 166 is provided and actuator surface 196 then engages the roller of actuator 184, which intiates the upstroke of knife blade 1240 This cycle repeats upon continued back and forth movement of shuttle block 166.
Reference is now made to Fig. 8 which schematically illustrates the pneumatic actuation system controlling lateral movement of shuttle block 166, and also up and down movement of knife blade 124. When shuttle block 166 is at its forward position, actuator 178 is engaged so as to supply air pressure through a pilot line 198 to the right end of a valve 200 and also to the right end of a valve 202.
The action of valve 200 will later be explained. As to valve 202, it is moved to its position as shown where pressurized air is supplied to cylinder 174 for extending clutch plate 176 and engaying the lower run of belt 154 to initiate rearward movement of shuttle block 166. Such movement continues until actuator 180 i9 engaged, and pressure is then supplied through a line 204 to the left end of valve 202. This moves valve 202 rightwardly, and the supply of pressurized air to cylinder 174 is cut off while at the same time pressurized air is supplied to cylinder 170. This moves clutch plate 172 downwardly so as to engage the -16- ~35~
upper run of belt 154, causing forward moveMent of shuttl~ block 166.
It will be noted that clutch plates 172, 176 are spring biased toward their retracted positions.
Upon cutting off the supply of pressurized air to cylinder 174, and thereby retraction of clutch plate 176, actuator 182 is engaged so as to supply .pressurized air through a line 206 to the right end of a valve 208. This moves valve 208 to its position as shown, where pressurized air is provided to the piston end of knife cylinder 120, resulting in downward movement of knife blade 124. After a small amount of orward movement of shuttle block 166, which is suffi-cient to allow a full downward stroke of knife blade 24, actuator 184 is engaged so as to supply pressurized air through a line ~10 to the left end of valve 208.
~his moves valve 208 rightwardly, so that the aupply of pressurized air to the piston end of cylinder 120 is cut off, while simultaneously pressurized air is supplied to the rod end of cylinder 120 for initiating the upstroke of knife blade 124. Leftward movement of shuttle block 166 continues, resulting in engayement of actuator 178, the result of which will later ~e explained, until engagement of actuator 186~ This again causes actuation of cylinder 174 and engagement of clutch plate 176 with the lower run of belt 154, initiating another cycle of shuttle block 166 and knie blade 1~4.
While the actuator and clutch system has been described as a pneumatic cylinder and actuator arrange-ment, it is understood that other satisfactory systems may be employed. For example, an electrical system incorporating a series of limit switches and solenoids may be used to selectively couple and decouple the -17- 2~35~
shuttle block to and from the upper and lower runs of the timing belt.
Referring again to Fig. 1, tray dispenser 32 generally includes supporting framework such as shown at 220, a tray hopper 222, and a pair of continuously operating conveyor belts 224, 226 driven by a motor 228. Generally, the trays are dispensed one at a time downwardly fror.l hopper 222 onto the upper sur~ace of belts 224, 226, and are conveyed leftwardly into a tray receiving station located below the lower run of conveyor belt 150.
As shown in Fig. 9, motor 228 is contained within an enclosure 230 pivotably mounted to a bracket 232, which allows proper tension to be maintained on belts 224, 226. A ence 234 is provided between hopper 222 and the receiving station, shown at 236, where the trays are supplied ~y belts 224, 226 below the lower run of belt 150.
Reference is now made to Figs. 10 and 11 for an explanation of the mechanism for dispensing trays from hopper 222 onto belts 224, 226.
As shown in Fig. 10, a stack o empty foam trays is shown at 238. Stack 238 is received between a pair of spaced identically constructed dispensing units 240, 242, which define hopper 222. Guides are prefer-ably connected to units 240, 242 for maintaining stack 238 longitudinally in position.
Dispensing unit 242 will be described in detail, it being understood that dispensing unit 240 is identically constructed. Unit 242 includes a pair of spaced side plates 244, 246. An upper horizontal retainer plate 248 is mounted in facing slots 250, 252 (Fig. 11) formed in side plates 244, 246, respective-ly. A lower retainer plate 254 is mounted in a pair of 13~
horizontal slots 256, 25~ formed in side plates 244, 246, respectively. A bracket member 260 is mounted at the outer end of lower plate 254.
An actuator plate 262 is connected to a rear plate 264 slidably mounted in a pair of vertical slots, such as shown at 266, formed inside plates 244, 246.
Actuator plate 262 is connected through a clevis pin arrangement to the rod 268 of a pneumatic cylinder 270, which is mounted to a top cover 272 extending between the upper ends of side plates 244, 246. Ac~uator plate 262 is provided with a pair of cam slots 272, 274.
Upper retainer plate 248 is mounted in cam slot 272 through a bracket 276 and a cam follower 278. Simi-larly, lower retainer plate 254 is mounted in cam slot 274 by a bracket 280 and a cam follower 282.
A flipper plate 284 is pivotably connected by a pair of bracket and pin arrangements, shown at 286, 288, to the underside of upper retainer plate 248.
Operation of dispensing unit 242 is as follows, it being understood that dispensing unit 240 operates in the same manner simultaneously with dispensing unit 242. In the ready position, upper retainer plate 248 and lower retainer plate 254 are in the positions shown in solid lines in Fig. 6. In this position, bracket 260 connected to lower retainer plate 254 engages the underside of the lowermost tray in stack 238 for supporting the stack theroabove. Upper retainer plate is retracted so as not to engage any of the trays in stack 238. ~hen the tray shown as resting on belts 224, 226 is conveyed away toward receiving station 236, a photoeye senses when another tray is to be dropped onto belts 224, 226, and sends a signal to an actuator which supplies air pressure to pneumatic cylinder 270 so as to extend its r~d 268. When this - 1 9 - ;~S~
occurs, downward movement of actuator plate 262 results. During such downward movement of actuator plate 262, upper and lower retainer plates 248, 254 are maintained at the elevation as shown. As to upper retainer plate 248, its cam follower 278 rides within slot 272 so as to extend upper plate 248 outwardly to engage the side of the tray above the lowermost tray in stack 238, as shown in phantom. As to lower retainer plate 254, its cam follower 282 rides in slot 274 so as to retract lower retainer plate 254 to the position as shown in phantom. ~hen this occurs, the lowermost tray in stack 238 is released therefrom, and is caused to fall onto belts 224, 226 by gravity. A pin 286 mounted to actuator plate 262 engages the upper surface of 1ipper plate 284 and forces flipper plate 284 to its downward po~ition as shown in phantomO This action of flipper plate 284 provides a positive release of the lowermost tray from stack 238, essentially "kicking" it onto belts 224, 226. Rod 268 is then retracted, which results in return of upper and lower retainer plates 248, 254 to their solid line positions, and the tray which was engaged by upper retainer plate 248 falls onto bracket 260 and is supported thereby in prepara-tion for another dispensing cycle.
Bracket 260 can be positioned to varying elevations above plate 254 for accomodating different height of trays to be dispensed.
Referring to Figs. 5 and 9, the trays dispensed onto belts 224, 226 are conveyed toward receiving station 236 until the leading edge of the forwardmost tray contacts a stop 288 formed on a sheet metal assembly provided at receiving station 236. The sheet metal assembly overhangs a pusher block 290 which -2~ 35~
is connected to the extendablc and retractable rod of a pneumatic cylinder 292.
As noted previously, a tray conveyor belt 164 is driven by a drive roller 162 and is trained about a rear idle roller 294. The trailing end of tray conveyor 164 is located just downstream of receiving station 236. Tray conveyor 164 conveys the empty trays forwardly at the sarne rate of speed as the portioned gr-ound meat conveyed on conveyor lS. The discharge of the trays from tray conveyor 16 positions an empty tray immediately below the portioned ground meat supplied to the discharge of conveyor 150, with the timing being such that the leadin~ edge of a ground meat portion is placed at the leading edge of the tray. As shown in Fig. 2, a ground meat portion, shown at 296, is being deposited into a tray 298. When ~ortion 296 is in approximately the position shown, pneumatic cylinder 292 is actuated so as to extend pusher block 290 and engage the tray at receiving station 236. This pushes the tray at receiving station 236 onto tray conveyor belt 164 and bumps it against the tray already on belt 164, which kicks tray 298 forwardly so as to assist in completing severing portion 296 from the meat remaining on conveyor belt lS0. This action also serves to place the leading edge of the tray trailing tray 29~ in position for receiving the leading edge o~ the ground meat portion which trails portion 296, and places the tray which was at receiving station 236 onto the tray conveyor, in preparation for another cycle.
A wiper guide 300 is positioned immediately downstream of the discharge of conveyor belt lS0, for assisting in wiping of meat off of conveyor belt lS0 and also to aid in laying the ground meat portions into the trays. The wiper guide 300 is made of a material -21~ ~5~
such as teflon, having a low coefficient of friction to prevent drag on the meat portions. By varying the length and angle of wiper guide 300, the release point of the trailing end of the meat portion can be care-fully controlled to accurately position the meat portion in the tray.
Referring to Fig. 9, a depending gate 302 is provided on the sheet metal arrangement overhanging pusher block 290. The leading edge of gate 302 can also be seen in Yig. 5. Gate 302 acts to block the entrance to receiving station 236 upon extension of pusher block 290, so that no trays are supplied to receiving station 236 when cylinder 292 is actuated so as to move pusher block 290 forwardly. Upon full retraction of the rod of cylinder 292 and return of pusher block 290 to its position as shown in Fig. 2, gate 302 again opens the entryway to receiving station 236 so that another tray is supplied thereto by belts 224, 226.
Referring again to Fig. 8, it is seen that operation of pusher cylinder 292 is controlled by actuator 178~ ~hen actuator 178 is engaged by shuttle block 166 during forward movement of shuttle block 166, pressurized air is supplied tnrough a line 304 so as to move valve 200 rightwardly. This causes extension of the rod o cylinder 292, and forward movement of pusher block 290. When actuator 186 is engaged and reverse movement of shuttle block 166 initiated, the supply of pressurized air to line 304 is cut off. Simultaneous-ly, upon engagement of actuator 186, pressurized air is supplied through line 198 to the riyhtward end of valve 200, causing leftward movement oE valve 200 and supply of pressurized air to the rod end of cylinder 292.
This retracts the rod of cylinder 292, and returns 35~
pusher block 290 to its ori~inal position, as shown in Fig. 5.
Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate an arrangement for use with an existing mixer, shown at 310. This type of mixer may be any satisfactory mixer having an unload screw arrangement which discharges mixed meat from an outlet, such as that manufactured by the assi~nee of the present invention under its Model No. IIG878. I~lixer 310 includes an unload screw 312 rotatably supported within a discharge housing 314 having an outlet in its end.
A throat section 315 (Fig. 13) extends from the end of the mixer tub, and housing 314 feeds the mixed meat to throat section 315 for discharge through an outlet formed in throat section 315. Throat ~ection 315 replaces a load/unload shroud normally provided on mixer 310, which accommodates loadiny meat into mixer 310 and unloading meat therefrom. Throat section 315 has a cross section identical to discharge housing 44 (Figs. 1, 2) including a series of circumferentially spaced flutes. Additionally, the flighting o unload screw 312 is modified so as to provide more closely spaced flights within throat 315, similar to that shown in Fig. 3.
A pump 316, such as that describ~d previously, is mounted to the wall of an enclosure 318 mounted to a wheel-supported cart 32V. A motor 322 is mounted within enclosure 318, and is connected by a pulley 324, a belt 326 and a pulley 328 to the input shaft 330 of a reducer 332. The output shaft 334 of reducer 332 is coupled to the input shaft 336 of pump 316, for supplyiny power thereto.
As shown in Fig. 13, a shroud 338 has a flange 340 adapted for connection to the outlet of throat -23- 2~352~
section 315, and includes a bearing assembly 342 for supporting the end of unload screw 312. Shroud 338 has its outlet connected to the inlet of pump 316. The outlet 344 of pump 316 is adapted for connection to a pipe or the like as described previously, for supplying rnixed meat under positive pressure to a sizing head for use with the portioning system of the invention.
-24- ~ ~35~
Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PORTIONING I~ATERIAL
Background and Summary This invention relates to a system for portioning material, such as ground meat, as the material is being conveyed at a substantially constant rate of speed, and for thereafter depositing the portioned material on a tray or the like.
In the past, a labor-intensive and relatively inaccurate manual operation has been employed to portion material, such as ground meat, as the material is conveyed on a conveyor belt or the like. The ground meat is output onto the conveyor belt in a ribbon or strand havlng a substantially constant cross-section, and thereby a controlled density. The strand of meat is manually cut to a predetermined length with the assistance of evenly spaced markings on the conveyor belt, thereby providing a portion having a predeter-mined weight according to its length. The portion is then placed onto a tray and wrapped.
The present invention provides an automatic system for providing a portion of material, such as ground meat, having a predetermined weight according to its length, and for automatically depositing the individual meat portions onto a tray.
In accordance with one aspect of the inven-tion, a mechanism f or portioning material includes material supply means for depositing a strand of material onto conveying means for moving the material in a first direction. Portioning means is provided for intermittently separating the material at predetermined intervals. The conveying means uninterruptably moves the material in the first direction at a substantially constant rate of speed, and the portioning means inter-mittently separates the material as it is being moved -2- ~3~
in the first direction by the conveying means. In this manner, portioning of the material can be accomplished without interruption of the conveying means. In a preferred embodiment, the portioning means comprises carriage means selectively movable in the first direction at the same rate of speed as the conveying means. Selectively actuable knife means is mounted to the carriage means, and the knife means acts to separate the material when the carriage means is moving in the irst direction. The carriage means is prefer-ably reciprocably movable between a first position and a second position, alternately moving in the first direction and in a second direction opposite thereto between the first and second positions. The conveying means is preferably a belt conveyor, and the knife means provides a downward cutting stroke for severing the material against the conveyor belt. Thereafter, the knife means undergoes an upward return stroke during movement of the carriage means in the second direction, for readying the knife for another downward cutting stroke. Reciprocating movement of the carriage means is preferably provided by a reciprocating mechanism including means traveling in the first direction at the same rate of speed as the conveying means; means traveling in the second direction, and means interconnected with the carriage means for alternately selectively coupling the carriage means with the first direction traveling means and the second direction traveling means, respectively. In a pre-ferred embodiment, the means traveling in the first direction and the means traveling in the second direction comprise a timing belt providing an upper run and a lower run, one of which travels in the first direction and the other of which travels in the second -3- 2~35~
direction. The means interconnected with the carriage means selectively couples the carriaye means to the upper and lower runs of the timing belt for alternately moving the carriage means in ~he first and second directions. The timing belt is preEerably driven by the same drive mechanism as the conveyiny means so as to ensure that the run of the timing belt traveling in the irst direction travels at the same rate of speed as the conveyor. First and second clutches are preferably interconnected with the carriage means for selectively engaging the first direction traveling means and the second direction traveling means, respectively. ~ith the timing belt system mentioned previously, the first and second clutches are pr~fer-ably mounted to a shuttle which provides passages for the upper and lower runs of the timing belt. Th~ first and second clutches preferably cornprise selectively actuable clutch plates mounted to the piston rods of clutch cylinders, for alternately coupling and decou-pling the shuttle to and from ~he upper and lower runs of -the timing belt. In this ~anner, reciprocating movement of the carriage is provided. An actuating system is employed for controlling actuation of the first and second clutches, and thereby their engayement with the timing belt, and also for controlliny r~ovement of the knife. The actuating system is preferably pneu-matically operated, and includes selectively placed air actuator valYes for controlling movement of the clutches and the knife.
In accordance with another as~ect of the invention, a mechanism for depositing an article, such as a tray, by gravi~y onto a surface, such as a tray supply conveyor, comprises a receptacle adapted to receive a stack of articles. Dispensing ~eans is _4_ 2~5~0 disposed toward the lower end of the receptacle for depositing the articles one by one onto a surface therebelow from the bottom o the stack of articles.
The dispensing means deposits the articles by allowing the lowermost article to fall onto the surface while supporting the articles in the stack above the lowermost article. In a preferrecl embodiment, the dispensing means comprises first movable stack support means movable into and out of engagement with the lowermost article in the stack, and second movable stack support means movable into and out of engagement with the tray above the lowermost tray in the stack.
When the first stack support means is engaged with the lowermost article for supporting it along with the remainder of the stack, the second stack support means is out of engagement with the stack. Upon movement of the second stack support means into engagement with the article above the lowermost article, for supporting it along with the remainder of the stack, the first stack support means is moved out of engagement with the lowermost article, thus releasing it to fall onto the surface. Both the first and second stack support means preferably comprise spaced pairs of movable members such as support plates, with the stack of articles disposed therebetween. The support plates are prefer-ably mounted in horizontal slots formed in a pair of spaced support blocks, and actuator means controls the retraction or extension of the plate members in a predetermined sequence. The actuator means preEerably comprises a vertically movable actuator plate having cam slots formed therein, with the horizontally movable support plates having cam followers mounted in the cam slots for controlling extension and retraction thereof. A pivotable tray kicker is preferably 2~35~
provided for assisting in forcing the lowermost tray downwardly onto the lower surface.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the portioning system and the tray dispenser are incorporated into a single apparatus in which the trays are supplied to the portioning apparatus in a manner so that the portions of material are deposited onto the trays upon discharge from the r,~aterial conveyor.
Brief Description of the Drawings The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a material portioning system constructed according to the invention, including a hopper for receiving meat to ~e ground, a positive displacement pump for supplying the meat to a grinder head, a conveyor onto which ~he meat is deposited from the grinder head, an automatic portioning apparatus for separating the meat at predetermined intervals, and a tray supyly mechanism for providing a tray onto which the portioned meat is deposited;
FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken general].y along line 2-2 of Fig . 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the discharge auger of the hopper which suppl;es meat to the pump;
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of Fig. l;
FIG. S is a partial side elevation view, reference beiny made to line 5-5 o~ Fig. l;
FIG. 6 is a partial elevation view of the internal components of the portioniny system shuttle ~ Z~352;~:~
and actuator system, reference being Made to line 6-6 of ~ig. l;
FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken generally along line 7-7 of Fig. 6;
FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the pneu matic system operating the portioning system and a portion of the tray supply mechanism;
FIG. 9 is an elevation view showing the tray supply system and a partial end elevation view o~ the portioning system, reference being made to line 9-9 of Fig. l;
FIGo 10 is a partial sectional view taken generally along line 10-10 of Fig. l;
FIG. 11 is a broken away end elevation view of the tray supply dispensing system shown in FigO 10;
FIG. 12 is a side elevation view, partially in section, showing a portable pump system for use with an existing mixer, adapting it for use with the portioning system of the invention; and FIG. 13 is a partial top plan view, reference being made to line 13-13 of Fig. 12.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment As shown in Fig. 1, a system for accurately portioning ground meat and depositin~ the ground meat portions onto a tray broadly includes a hopper 20 which supplies mixed meat to a positive displacement pump 22 feeding a sizing head 24 through a pipe 26. A conveyor shown generally at 28 i5 positioned so as to receive ground meat from the outlet of sizing head 24, and a portioning apparatus 30 separates the meat supplied to conveyor 28 into portions having a predetermined length. A tray dispenser apparatu~ 32 supplies trays below conveyor 28, which are supplied to the discharge -7- ~3~
of conveyor 28 for receiving a portion of the ground meat as it is discharged therefrom.
Hopper 20 is of the type as generally des-cribed in Lesar U.S. Patent 4,823,936, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. General-ly, hopper 20 has a V-shaped cross-section, with a discharge auyer having oppositely flighted portions 34, 36 for supplying mixed meat to an outlet 38. A motor 40 moun~ed to the end wall of hopper 20 drives the discharge auger. An unload screw 42 is rotatably mounted within a tubular housing 44 mounted below hopper 20, which has its inlet in communication with outlet 38 of hopper 20 ~or receiving mixed meat therefrom. A motor 46 drives unload screw 42 in a direction so as to move the mixed meat rightwardly away from hopper outlet 38 and toward the discharge of tubular housing 44, at which is positioned a right angle transfer shroud 48 to which a bearing member 50 is mounted.
Reference is briefly made to Figs. 2 and 3, which illustrate certain details of the mechanism for unloading hopper 20. As shown in Fig. 2/ tubular housing 44 is provided with an end plate 52, which is adapted to be connected to shroud 48. The inner wall of tubular housing 44 is provided with a series of longitudinally extending flutes shown at 54a, 54b, 54c and 54d. Duriny rotation of unload screw 42 within housing 44 for advancing meat therethroughr flutes 54a-54d prevent the meat from spinning within housing 44, providing substantially straight-line movement of the meat therethrouyh.
Referring to Fig. 3, unload screw 42 is provided with spiral flighting 56. As is known, flighting 56 acts to move meat within tubular houslng ;~3S;~
44 upon rotation of unload screw 42, rightwardly along screw 42 toward the discharge of housing 44. Flighting 56 is arranged on the center shaft of unload screw 42 so that its center-to-center pitch decreases toward the end of unload screw 42 adjacent the discharge of housing 44. Illustratively, dimensions a and b are nine inches, while dimensions c and d are six and three-quarter inches, and dimension e four and one-half inches. It has been found that this feature compresses the mixed meat as it approaches the discharye of housing 44, so as to squeeze out any air which may be present in the mixed meat and force the air rearwardly for ultimate discharge through hopper outlet 38. In this manner, substanti~lly all air is eliminated from the mixed meat once it reaches shroud 48 and a constant density of meat is supplied to the inlet of pump 22.
Referring back to Fig. 1, shroud 48 receives the compressed mixed meat from the dischar~e of tubular housing 44, and routes the meat toward its outlet formed in a side of shroud 48. A gasket assembly 58 is provided between the outlet of shroud 48 and the inle~
of positive displacement pump 22.
Pump 22 is mounted to a pedestal supporting hopper 20, and is driven by a drive shaft 60 extendiny between the input shaft 62 of pump 22 and the output shaft 64 of a parallel shat reducer 66. In the event there is a difference in elevation between pump input shaft 62 and reducer output shaft 64, a double universal joint type drive shaft may be employed.
Reducer 66 receives power through its input shaft 68, which is connected through a belt 70 to the output shaft 72 of a motor 74.
Pump 22 is a positive displacement double rotary lobe type pump, and may representatively be such ~352~g.~
as manufactured by the Waukesha Pump Company under its l~odel No. 234.
Pipe 26 is connected to the outlet 76 of pump 22 for receiving mixed meat under positive pressure therefrom. The outlet of pipe 26 is connected to a housing 78 of sizing head 24.
Referring to Fig. 4, the mixed meat is suppl.ied to an inlet 80 in communication with the interior of siziny head housing 78. A drive shaft 82 is rotatably mounted within housing 78, and is provided at its leftward end with a pin 84 engageable by an outlet member associated with a motor 86 mounted to the end plate 88 of housing 78, for imparting rotation to drive shaft 82. A seal 90 is provided between the interior of housing 78 and motor 86.
The rearward end of drive shaft 82 is provided with a plurality of agitating arms 92a, 92b, 92c and 92d, which are provided with curved end portions. The forward end of drive shaft 82 is provided with a drive lug portion 94, which is engageable with a series of knife holders, such as shown at 96, 98. A series of knives, such as shown at 100, 102, are mounted to the series of knife holders, and are disposed adjacent the inner surface of an orifice ~late 104. Orifice plate 104 is retained on housing 78 by a plate retaining ring 106 having internal threads engageable with external threads provided on housing 78. A Belleville-type spring washer 108 is provided between a bore in the end Gf lug portion 94 of drive shaft 82 and the knife holders, such as 96, 98, for biasing the knives, such as 100, 102, toward the inner surface of orifice plate 104.
Orifice plate 104 is provided with a series of orifices 110 therethrough, which are formed in a - 1 o- ~5~0 predetermined pattern corresponding to the desired final cross-sectional shape of the meat portions.
Operation of sizing head 24 is generally as follows. Ilixed meat input into the interior o~ si~ing head housing 78 passes therethrough toward the grinding assembly consisting of knives 100, 102 and orifice plate 104. The action of the knives against the orifice plate cuts the meat as it is being fed under pressure through orifices 110 in plate 104, in a known manner. Agitating arms 92a-92d act to agitate the meat in the interior of housing 78 for ensuring that there are no stagnant areas of flow of the meat through housing 78, rnixing any meat which may tend to flow toward the corners of housing 78 adjacent its end plate 88 into the flow of meat toward orifices 110. This action outputs a strand or ribbon o ground meat through orifices 110. The positive prsssure provided to the mixed meat entering housing 78 pr~vides a highly controlled uniform density of meat output through orifices 110, with the cross-sectional area of the output strand being substantially constant. The density of the strand output from sizing head 24 can be carefully controlled by controlling the operating characteristics of pump 22.
Referring again to Fig. 1, the strand of meat output from sizing head 24 is received on the rear upper run of conveyor 28, which is a conventional meat processing conveyor. As noted previously, portioning apparatus 30 àcts on the meat carried by conveyor 28 for dividing it into portions of predetermined length. With the carefully controlled density of the yround r,leat supplied from sizing head 24, the portions of predetermined length have a substantially uniform weight. Portioniny apparatus 30 generally includes a Z [)35;~
reciprocating knife assembly 112 mounted to a carrier block 114, which is fixed at the ends of a pair of shafts 116, 118.
Knife assembly 112 is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 9. As shown, knife assembly 112 includes a pneu-matic cylinder 120 mounted to an upper block 122. A
pair of supports 123a, 123b extend between block 114 and upper block 122 for supportiny knife assembly 112 above conveyor 28. A blade 124 is connected to the end of the retractable and extendible rod 126 associated with cylinder 120. A pair of wipers 128, 130 extend at an angle downwardly from block 122. Blade 124 is movable downwardly and upwardly upon extension and retraction of rod 126. A full downward stroke of cylinder 120 moves blade 124 downwardly against the upper run of conveyor 28 for severing the ground meat carried thereby, in a manner to be explained.
Reference is now made to Fig. 6, which illustrates portioning apparatus 30 in detail. The operative components of portioning system 30 are housed within a cabinet 132 and the wall of cabinet 132 is provided with a pair of openings through which shafts 116, 118 extend. Bushings, such as shown at 134, are provided in the openings in the cabinet wall for acco-modatin~ reciprocating sliding move~ent of shafts 116, 118 relative to cabinet 132.
A drive motor 136 is contained within cabinet 132, and through a gear box 138 drives a timing belt pul]ey 140. A timing drive bclt 142 is trained about pulley 140 and driven thereby in response to operation of motor 136. An upper rotatable shat 144 is driven by drive belt 142 through a pulley 146, and extends exteriorly of cabinet 132. A drive roller 148 (Fiy. 1) is connected to the exterior portion of shaft 144, for -12- ~5~
driving the conveyor bel~, shown at 150, about an idle roller shown at 152.
Referring again to Fig. 6, another pulley identical to pulley 146 is mounted to shaft 144 behind pulley 146, and drives a timing belt 154, which is trained about an idle roller 156.
Drive belt 142 also engayes a pulley 158 mounted to a shaft 160i which drives a tray conveyor drive pulley 162 (Fig. 5) for driving a tray conveyor belt 164, as will be explained.
Referring again to Fig. 6, a shuttle block 166 is mounted to the le~tward end of rails 116, 118.
Shuttle block 166 is disposed between the upper and lower runs of timing belt 154. A frame assembly 168 is mounted to shuttle 166. An upper short stroke pneu-matic cylinder 170 having an extendible rod to which a clutch plate 172 is connected, is mounted to the upper portion of frame 168 such that the lower surface of clutch plate 172 is adjacent the upper run of timing belt 154. Timing belt 154 thus passes through a passage defined by the lower surface of clutch plate 152 and the upper surface of shuttle block 166. In a similar manner, a lower cylinder 174 having an extend-ible and retractable rod to which a clutch plate 176 is connected, is mounted to the lower portion of frame 168. The lower run of timing belt 154 passes through a passage defined by the upper surface of clutch plate 176 and the lower surface of shuttle block 166. As will be explained, clutch plates 172, 176 are alter-nately actuated so as to alternately clamp the upper and lower runs of timing belt 154 against shuttle block 166. ~Ihen cylinder 170 is actuated so as to extend its rod and clamp the upper run of timing belt 154 between clutch plate 172 and shuttle block 166, leftward 2~3S.~
(forward) movement of shuttle 166 results, thus drawing shafts 116, 188 leftwardly and resulting in forward movel.lent of knife assembly 112. When the supply of air to cylinder 170 is cut off so as to retract clutch plate 172, cylinder 174 is actuated so as to extend its r-od and clutch plate 176, so as to clamp the lower run of timing belt 154 between clutch plate 176 and the lower surface of shuttle block 166. This causes rightward (rearward) movement of shuttle block 166, thereby extending shafts 116, 118 and moving knife assembly 112 rearwardly. A series of pneumatic actuators, shown at 178, 180, 182, 184 and 186 are positioned within cabinet 132 for controlling actuation of the various pneumatically operated components o~ the system. Actuators 178, 186 may be such as manufactured by the Festo Corporation under Part No. R-3-M5.
Actuators 178-186 are supplied with pressurized air and, upon actuation, allow passage of pressurized air therethrough.
Actuator 178 controls operation of a pneuma-tically operated tray pusher assembly associated with tray dispenser 32, which will be explained. Actuator 180 controls actuation of upper cylinder 170 and its associated clutch plate 172, and the position of actuator 180 determines the rearwardmost extent of travel of shuttle block 166 and accordingly knife assembly 112. Actuator 182 controls the downstroke of knife blade 124, and actuator 184 controls the upstroke of knife blade 124. Actuator 186 controls cyllnder 174 and its associated clutch plate 176, for providing rearward movement of shuttle block 166 and the position of actuator 186 determines the forwardmost extent of travel of shuttle block 166 and knife assembly 112.
-14- ~3~
The position of actuators 178 and 176 is adjustable within cabinet 132. Adjustment of actuator 1~6 results in shortening or lengthening of the portion of meat provided by portioning apparatus 30.
An actuator surface 188 is provided on top of the upper surface of frame assembly 168, for engaging the roller of actuator 178 for providing actuation thereof. Similarly, an actuator surface 190 is provided on the lower surface of frame assembly 168, for engaging the roller of actuator 186 to control actuation thereof.
Referring to Fig. 7, clutch plate 172 is provided with an extension portion extending inwardly toward a plate 192 provided within cabinet 132, and to which actuators 178-186 are mounted. The upper surface of the inwardly extending portion of clutch plate 172 is provided with an actuator surface, a ~ortion of which is shown at 194. Actuator surface 194 physically extends to the end of the inwardly extending portion of clutch plate 172, so as to be in line with the roller of actuator 180. In a similar manner, an inwardly extending portion of clutch plate 176 is provided with an actuator surface 196, which is in line with the roller of actuator 184. As shown, when cylinder 174 is actuated 50 as to move clutch plate 176 against the lower run of belt 154, actuator surface 196 mounted to clutch plate 176 is moved upwardly so that it cLears the roller o~ actuator 184 during rearward movement o shuttle 166. During such rearward movement of shuttle block 166, actuator surface 194 mounted to clutch plate 172 is at an elevation at which it engages the roller of actuator 180 so that, when such engagement occurs, cylinder 170 is actuated so as to extend clutch plate 172 and to engage the upper run of belt 154 with 2~35~
shuttle block 166. As will be explained, this releases cylinder 174 and its rod thus retracts so as to move clutch plate 176 downwardly. Such downward movement of clutch plate 176 causes engagement of actuator surface 196 associated therewith with the roller of actuator 182, so as to initiate the downstroke of knife blade 124. Due to the clamping of the upper run of timing belt 154 between clutch plate 172 and the upper surface of shuttle block 166, forward movement of shuttle block 166 is provided and actuator surface 196 then engages the roller of actuator 184, which intiates the upstroke of knife blade 1240 This cycle repeats upon continued back and forth movement of shuttle block 166.
Reference is now made to Fig. 8 which schematically illustrates the pneumatic actuation system controlling lateral movement of shuttle block 166, and also up and down movement of knife blade 124. When shuttle block 166 is at its forward position, actuator 178 is engaged so as to supply air pressure through a pilot line 198 to the right end of a valve 200 and also to the right end of a valve 202.
The action of valve 200 will later be explained. As to valve 202, it is moved to its position as shown where pressurized air is supplied to cylinder 174 for extending clutch plate 176 and engaying the lower run of belt 154 to initiate rearward movement of shuttle block 166. Such movement continues until actuator 180 i9 engaged, and pressure is then supplied through a line 204 to the left end of valve 202. This moves valve 202 rightwardly, and the supply of pressurized air to cylinder 174 is cut off while at the same time pressurized air is supplied to cylinder 170. This moves clutch plate 172 downwardly so as to engage the -16- ~35~
upper run of belt 154, causing forward moveMent of shuttl~ block 166.
It will be noted that clutch plates 172, 176 are spring biased toward their retracted positions.
Upon cutting off the supply of pressurized air to cylinder 174, and thereby retraction of clutch plate 176, actuator 182 is engaged so as to supply .pressurized air through a line 206 to the right end of a valve 208. This moves valve 208 to its position as shown, where pressurized air is provided to the piston end of knife cylinder 120, resulting in downward movement of knife blade 124. After a small amount of orward movement of shuttle block 166, which is suffi-cient to allow a full downward stroke of knife blade 24, actuator 184 is engaged so as to supply pressurized air through a line ~10 to the left end of valve 208.
~his moves valve 208 rightwardly, so that the aupply of pressurized air to the piston end of cylinder 120 is cut off, while simultaneously pressurized air is supplied to the rod end of cylinder 120 for initiating the upstroke of knife blade 124. Leftward movement of shuttle block 166 continues, resulting in engayement of actuator 178, the result of which will later ~e explained, until engagement of actuator 186~ This again causes actuation of cylinder 174 and engagement of clutch plate 176 with the lower run of belt 154, initiating another cycle of shuttle block 166 and knie blade 1~4.
While the actuator and clutch system has been described as a pneumatic cylinder and actuator arrange-ment, it is understood that other satisfactory systems may be employed. For example, an electrical system incorporating a series of limit switches and solenoids may be used to selectively couple and decouple the -17- 2~35~
shuttle block to and from the upper and lower runs of the timing belt.
Referring again to Fig. 1, tray dispenser 32 generally includes supporting framework such as shown at 220, a tray hopper 222, and a pair of continuously operating conveyor belts 224, 226 driven by a motor 228. Generally, the trays are dispensed one at a time downwardly fror.l hopper 222 onto the upper sur~ace of belts 224, 226, and are conveyed leftwardly into a tray receiving station located below the lower run of conveyor belt 150.
As shown in Fig. 9, motor 228 is contained within an enclosure 230 pivotably mounted to a bracket 232, which allows proper tension to be maintained on belts 224, 226. A ence 234 is provided between hopper 222 and the receiving station, shown at 236, where the trays are supplied ~y belts 224, 226 below the lower run of belt 150.
Reference is now made to Figs. 10 and 11 for an explanation of the mechanism for dispensing trays from hopper 222 onto belts 224, 226.
As shown in Fig. 10, a stack o empty foam trays is shown at 238. Stack 238 is received between a pair of spaced identically constructed dispensing units 240, 242, which define hopper 222. Guides are prefer-ably connected to units 240, 242 for maintaining stack 238 longitudinally in position.
Dispensing unit 242 will be described in detail, it being understood that dispensing unit 240 is identically constructed. Unit 242 includes a pair of spaced side plates 244, 246. An upper horizontal retainer plate 248 is mounted in facing slots 250, 252 (Fig. 11) formed in side plates 244, 246, respective-ly. A lower retainer plate 254 is mounted in a pair of 13~
horizontal slots 256, 25~ formed in side plates 244, 246, respectively. A bracket member 260 is mounted at the outer end of lower plate 254.
An actuator plate 262 is connected to a rear plate 264 slidably mounted in a pair of vertical slots, such as shown at 266, formed inside plates 244, 246.
Actuator plate 262 is connected through a clevis pin arrangement to the rod 268 of a pneumatic cylinder 270, which is mounted to a top cover 272 extending between the upper ends of side plates 244, 246. Ac~uator plate 262 is provided with a pair of cam slots 272, 274.
Upper retainer plate 248 is mounted in cam slot 272 through a bracket 276 and a cam follower 278. Simi-larly, lower retainer plate 254 is mounted in cam slot 274 by a bracket 280 and a cam follower 282.
A flipper plate 284 is pivotably connected by a pair of bracket and pin arrangements, shown at 286, 288, to the underside of upper retainer plate 248.
Operation of dispensing unit 242 is as follows, it being understood that dispensing unit 240 operates in the same manner simultaneously with dispensing unit 242. In the ready position, upper retainer plate 248 and lower retainer plate 254 are in the positions shown in solid lines in Fig. 6. In this position, bracket 260 connected to lower retainer plate 254 engages the underside of the lowermost tray in stack 238 for supporting the stack theroabove. Upper retainer plate is retracted so as not to engage any of the trays in stack 238. ~hen the tray shown as resting on belts 224, 226 is conveyed away toward receiving station 236, a photoeye senses when another tray is to be dropped onto belts 224, 226, and sends a signal to an actuator which supplies air pressure to pneumatic cylinder 270 so as to extend its r~d 268. When this - 1 9 - ;~S~
occurs, downward movement of actuator plate 262 results. During such downward movement of actuator plate 262, upper and lower retainer plates 248, 254 are maintained at the elevation as shown. As to upper retainer plate 248, its cam follower 278 rides within slot 272 so as to extend upper plate 248 outwardly to engage the side of the tray above the lowermost tray in stack 238, as shown in phantom. As to lower retainer plate 254, its cam follower 282 rides in slot 274 so as to retract lower retainer plate 254 to the position as shown in phantom. ~hen this occurs, the lowermost tray in stack 238 is released therefrom, and is caused to fall onto belts 224, 226 by gravity. A pin 286 mounted to actuator plate 262 engages the upper surface of 1ipper plate 284 and forces flipper plate 284 to its downward po~ition as shown in phantomO This action of flipper plate 284 provides a positive release of the lowermost tray from stack 238, essentially "kicking" it onto belts 224, 226. Rod 268 is then retracted, which results in return of upper and lower retainer plates 248, 254 to their solid line positions, and the tray which was engaged by upper retainer plate 248 falls onto bracket 260 and is supported thereby in prepara-tion for another dispensing cycle.
Bracket 260 can be positioned to varying elevations above plate 254 for accomodating different height of trays to be dispensed.
Referring to Figs. 5 and 9, the trays dispensed onto belts 224, 226 are conveyed toward receiving station 236 until the leading edge of the forwardmost tray contacts a stop 288 formed on a sheet metal assembly provided at receiving station 236. The sheet metal assembly overhangs a pusher block 290 which -2~ 35~
is connected to the extendablc and retractable rod of a pneumatic cylinder 292.
As noted previously, a tray conveyor belt 164 is driven by a drive roller 162 and is trained about a rear idle roller 294. The trailing end of tray conveyor 164 is located just downstream of receiving station 236. Tray conveyor 164 conveys the empty trays forwardly at the sarne rate of speed as the portioned gr-ound meat conveyed on conveyor lS. The discharge of the trays from tray conveyor 16 positions an empty tray immediately below the portioned ground meat supplied to the discharge of conveyor 150, with the timing being such that the leadin~ edge of a ground meat portion is placed at the leading edge of the tray. As shown in Fig. 2, a ground meat portion, shown at 296, is being deposited into a tray 298. When ~ortion 296 is in approximately the position shown, pneumatic cylinder 292 is actuated so as to extend pusher block 290 and engage the tray at receiving station 236. This pushes the tray at receiving station 236 onto tray conveyor belt 164 and bumps it against the tray already on belt 164, which kicks tray 298 forwardly so as to assist in completing severing portion 296 from the meat remaining on conveyor belt lS0. This action also serves to place the leading edge of the tray trailing tray 29~ in position for receiving the leading edge o~ the ground meat portion which trails portion 296, and places the tray which was at receiving station 236 onto the tray conveyor, in preparation for another cycle.
A wiper guide 300 is positioned immediately downstream of the discharge of conveyor belt lS0, for assisting in wiping of meat off of conveyor belt lS0 and also to aid in laying the ground meat portions into the trays. The wiper guide 300 is made of a material -21~ ~5~
such as teflon, having a low coefficient of friction to prevent drag on the meat portions. By varying the length and angle of wiper guide 300, the release point of the trailing end of the meat portion can be care-fully controlled to accurately position the meat portion in the tray.
Referring to Fig. 9, a depending gate 302 is provided on the sheet metal arrangement overhanging pusher block 290. The leading edge of gate 302 can also be seen in Yig. 5. Gate 302 acts to block the entrance to receiving station 236 upon extension of pusher block 290, so that no trays are supplied to receiving station 236 when cylinder 292 is actuated so as to move pusher block 290 forwardly. Upon full retraction of the rod of cylinder 292 and return of pusher block 290 to its position as shown in Fig. 2, gate 302 again opens the entryway to receiving station 236 so that another tray is supplied thereto by belts 224, 226.
Referring again to Fig. 8, it is seen that operation of pusher cylinder 292 is controlled by actuator 178~ ~hen actuator 178 is engaged by shuttle block 166 during forward movement of shuttle block 166, pressurized air is supplied tnrough a line 304 so as to move valve 200 rightwardly. This causes extension of the rod o cylinder 292, and forward movement of pusher block 290. When actuator 186 is engaged and reverse movement of shuttle block 166 initiated, the supply of pressurized air to line 304 is cut off. Simultaneous-ly, upon engagement of actuator 186, pressurized air is supplied through line 198 to the riyhtward end of valve 200, causing leftward movement oE valve 200 and supply of pressurized air to the rod end of cylinder 292.
This retracts the rod of cylinder 292, and returns 35~
pusher block 290 to its ori~inal position, as shown in Fig. 5.
Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate an arrangement for use with an existing mixer, shown at 310. This type of mixer may be any satisfactory mixer having an unload screw arrangement which discharges mixed meat from an outlet, such as that manufactured by the assi~nee of the present invention under its Model No. IIG878. I~lixer 310 includes an unload screw 312 rotatably supported within a discharge housing 314 having an outlet in its end.
A throat section 315 (Fig. 13) extends from the end of the mixer tub, and housing 314 feeds the mixed meat to throat section 315 for discharge through an outlet formed in throat section 315. Throat ~ection 315 replaces a load/unload shroud normally provided on mixer 310, which accommodates loadiny meat into mixer 310 and unloading meat therefrom. Throat section 315 has a cross section identical to discharge housing 44 (Figs. 1, 2) including a series of circumferentially spaced flutes. Additionally, the flighting o unload screw 312 is modified so as to provide more closely spaced flights within throat 315, similar to that shown in Fig. 3.
A pump 316, such as that describ~d previously, is mounted to the wall of an enclosure 318 mounted to a wheel-supported cart 32V. A motor 322 is mounted within enclosure 318, and is connected by a pulley 324, a belt 326 and a pulley 328 to the input shaft 330 of a reducer 332. The output shaft 334 of reducer 332 is coupled to the input shaft 336 of pump 316, for supplyiny power thereto.
As shown in Fig. 13, a shroud 338 has a flange 340 adapted for connection to the outlet of throat -23- 2~352~
section 315, and includes a bearing assembly 342 for supporting the end of unload screw 312. Shroud 338 has its outlet connected to the inlet of pump 316. The outlet 344 of pump 316 is adapted for connection to a pipe or the like as described previously, for supplying rnixed meat under positive pressure to a sizing head for use with the portioning system of the invention.
-24- ~ ~35~
Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.
Claims (47)
1. A mechanism for automatically portioning material, comprising:
conveying means for moving said material in a first direction; and portioning means for automatically intermit-tently separating said material at predetermined intervals.
conveying means for moving said material in a first direction; and portioning means for automatically intermit-tently separating said material at predetermined intervals.
2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said conveying means uninterruptably moves said material in said first direction at a substantially constant rate of speed.
3. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein said portioning means intermittently separates said material as said material is uninterruptably moved in said first direction by said conveying means.
4. The mechanism of claim 3, wherein said portioning means comprises:
carriage means selectively movable in said first direction along with said conveying means at substantially the same rate of speed as said conveying means; and selectively actuable knife means mounted to said carriage means, said knife means acting in cooperation with said conveying means to separate said material when said carriage means is moving in said first direction.
carriage means selectively movable in said first direction along with said conveying means at substantially the same rate of speed as said conveying means; and selectively actuable knife means mounted to said carriage means, said knife means acting in cooperation with said conveying means to separate said material when said carriage means is moving in said first direction.
5. The mechanism of claim 4, wherein said carriage means is reciprocably movable between a first position and a second position, said carriage means alternately moving in said first direction and in a second direction opposite said first direction between said first and second positions.
6. The mechanism of claim 5, wherein said conveying means comprises belt means supporting said material, and wherein said knife means separate said material by severing said material against said belt means.
7. The mechanism of claim 6, wherein said knife means provides a downward cutting stroke during movement of said carriage means in said first direction to sever said material, and an upward return stroke during movement of said carriage in said second direction.
8. The mechanism of claim 5, wherein reciprocable movement of said carriage means is provided by a reciprocating mechanism, comprising:
means traveling in said first direction at the same rate of speed as said material;
means traveling in said second direction; and means interconnected with said carriage means for selectively engaging said first direction traveling means for moving said carriage in said first direction from said first position to said second position, and for selectively engaging said second direction traveling means for moving said carriage in said second direction from said second position to said first position.
means traveling in said first direction at the same rate of speed as said material;
means traveling in said second direction; and means interconnected with said carriage means for selectively engaging said first direction traveling means for moving said carriage in said first direction from said first position to said second position, and for selectively engaging said second direction traveling means for moving said carriage in said second direction from said second position to said first position.
9. The mechanism of claim 8, wherein said reciprocating mechanism includes belt means providing an upper run and a lower run, wherein one of said belt runs travels in said first direction and the other of said belt runs travels in said second direction, and wherein said means interconnected with said carriage means electively engages the upper and lower runs of said belt means.
10. The mechanism of claim 9, wherein said conveying means comprises drive means drivingly interconnected with a conveyor belt, and wherein said belt means is simultaneously driven by said drive means for driving said belt means at substantially the same rate of speed as said conveyor belt.
11. The mechanism of claim 8, wherein said means interconnected with said carriage means includes first clutch means selectively engageable with said first direction traveling means and second clutch means selectively engageable with said second direction traveling means.
12. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein said means interconnected with said carriage means includes actuator means for alternately selectively engaging said first clutch means with said first direction traveling means and said second clutch means with said second direction traveling means for reciprocably moving said carriage means between said first and second positions.
13. The mechanism of claim 12, wherein said actuator means comprises first actuating means for engaging said first clutch means with said first direction traveling means when said carriage means is in said first position for moving said carriage means in said first direction during which said knife means separates said material, and second actuating means for engaging said second clutch means with said second direction traveling means when said carriage means is in said second position, and after disengagement of said first clutch means from said first direction traveling means.
14. The mechanism of claim 13, wherein said knife means provides a separating stroke and a return stroke, and wherein said separating stroke takes place during movement of said carriage means in said first direction and said return stroke takes place during movement of said carriage means in said second direction.
15. The mechanism of claim 14, wherein said knife means is responsive to knife actuator means, said knife actuator means being responsive to the position of said carriage means for providing said separating stroke and said return stroke of said knife means.
16. The mechanism of claim 15, wherein said carriage means is mounted to a slidable member to which said first and second clutch means is mounted, and wherein said first and second clutch means and said knife actuator means are responsive to the position of said slidable member for controlling the direction of movement of said carriage means and the stroke of said knife means.
17. The mechanism of claim 16, wherein said first and second clutch means and said knife actuator means comprise pressurized fluid actuator valves interconnected with said first and second clutch means and said knife means, respectively, and wherein said slidable member is provided with means for actuating said pressurized fluid actuator valves for controlling operation of said first and second clutch means and said knife means.
18. For a conveyor including means for moving material in a first direction at a substantially constant rate of speed, an automatic portioning device comprising portioning means for separating said material at predetermined intervals as said material is moved in said first direction by said material moving means.
19. A method of portioning material, comprising the steps of:
uninterruptably moving said material in a first direction;
providing a reciprocating knife; and intermittently separating said material at predetermined intervals by automatically providing a downward stroke of said knife.
uninterruptably moving said material in a first direction;
providing a reciprocating knife; and intermittently separating said material at predetermined intervals by automatically providing a downward stroke of said knife.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of moving said knife in said first direction during the downward stroke of said knife for cutting said material as it moves in said first direction.
21. An arrangement for depositing a portion of material on a tray, comprising:
conveying means for conveying the material in a first direction toward a discharge;
portioning means for automatically intermit-tently separating the material at predetermined intervals to form portions of material; and automatic tray supply means for supplying a tray to the discharge of said conveyor at substantially the same time a portion of material is discharged from said conveying means, said portion being deposited on said tray.
conveying means for conveying the material in a first direction toward a discharge;
portioning means for automatically intermit-tently separating the material at predetermined intervals to form portions of material; and automatic tray supply means for supplying a tray to the discharge of said conveyor at substantially the same time a portion of material is discharged from said conveying means, said portion being deposited on said tray.
22. The arrangement of claim 21, wherein said portioning means comprises a reciprocable knife movable back and forth above the conveyor, said knife being mounted for downward movement toward said conveyor for separating the material at predetermined intervals.
23. The arrangement of claim 21, wherein said tray supply means is oriented relative to said conveying means so as to supply a tray below the discharge of said conveying means.
24. The arrangement of claim 23, wherein said conveying means comprises a material conveyor belt driven by a drive roller through a belt-driven drive pulley and said tray supply means includes a first tray conveyor belt having a discharge below the discharge of said material conveyor belt, and wherein said material conveyor belt and said tray conveyor belt are driven by a common drive belt.
25. The arrangement of claim 23, wherein said tray supply means includes a first tray conveyor belt having a discharge below the discharge of said convey-ing means, and further includes pusher means for moving trays toward said conveyor belt.
26. The arrangement of claim 25, wherein said pusher means is operable to move the trays on the first tray conveyor belt forwardly while material is being deposited on the forwardmost tray for assisting in placement of the material on the forwardmost tray and for positioning the subsequent tray in preparation for receiving the leading end of a portion of material from said conveying means.
27. The arrangement of claim 23, wherein said tray supply means includes a first tray supply conveyor for positioning the trays below the discharge of the conveying means, and a receiving station for receiving trays from a second tray conveyor onto which trays are placed from a tray dispenser.
28. The arrangement of claim 27, wherein said second tray conveyor is oriented so as to supply trays to said receiving station in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the trays toward the first tray conveyor from the receiving station.
29. The arrangement of claim 28, further comprising a pusher member for moving trays from said receiving station to said first tray conveyor, said pusher member having a movable gate connected thereto for preventing entry of a tray into said receiving station during pushing movement of a tray from the receiving station toward said first tray conveyor, said gate including an opening for allowing a tray to be supplied to said receiving station when said pusher member is moved to its original position.
30. The arrangement of claim 27, wherein said tray dispenser supplies trays to said second tray conveyor by allowing the lowermost tray in a stack of trays to fall by gravity onto the second tray conveyor.
31. The arrangement of claim 30, wherein said tray dispenser comprises first movable stack supporting means movable into and out of engagement with the lowermost tray in the stack of trays, and second movable stack supporting means movable into and out of engagement with the tray above the lowermost tray in the stack, wherein movement of said second movable stack supporting means to its engaging position supports the tray above the lowermost tray in the stack, and simultaneous movement of said first stack supporting means out of engagement with the lowermost tray in said stack deposits the lowermost tray onto the second tray conveyor.
32. A mechanism for depositing an article by gravity onto a surface, comprising:
a receptable adapted to receive a stack of said articles; and dispensing means disposed toward the lower end of said receptacle for depositing said articles one-by-one onto a surface therebelow from the bottom of said stack of articles by allowing the lowermost article in said stack to fall onto said surface while supporting the articles above said lowermost article.
a receptable adapted to receive a stack of said articles; and dispensing means disposed toward the lower end of said receptacle for depositing said articles one-by-one onto a surface therebelow from the bottom of said stack of articles by allowing the lowermost article in said stack to fall onto said surface while supporting the articles above said lowermost article.
33. The mechanism of claim 32, wherein said dispensing means comprises first movable stack supporting means movable into and out of engagement with the lowermost article in said stack, and second movable stack supporting means movable into and out of engagement with the article immediately above the lowermost article in said stack, and wherein movement of said second stack supporting means into engagement with the article above the lowermost article supports said article and the stack thereabove, and movement of said first stack supporting means out of engagement with said lowermost article allows said article to fall onto said surface by gravity, while said stack is retained by said second movable stack supporting means.
34. The mechanism of claim 33, wherein said first movable stack supporting means and said second movable stack supporting means each comprise spaced pairs of movable members, with said stack disposed therebetween.
35. The mechanism of claim 34, further comprising means associated with said first movable stack supporting means for accomodating varying heights of articles dispensed by said dispensing means.
36. The mechanism of claim 35, wherein said means accomodating varying heights of articles comprises a support bracket mounted to each movable member in the pair of movable members comprising said first movable stack supporting means, said bracket being adjustable to varying heights above said member.
37. The mechanism of claim 34, wherein said movable members are mounted for inward and outward movement in substantially horizontal slots formed in a pair of spaced plates, and actuator means for control-ling inward and outward movement of the movable member in said slots.
38. The mechanism of claim 37, wherein said actuator means comprises an actuator plate having a pair of cam slots formed therein, and wherein said movable members are provided with cam followers pivotably mounted thereto and disposed within said cam slots, said actuator plate being movable vertically so as to control horizontal movement of said movable members within said substantially horizontal slots.
39. The mechanism of claim 33, further comprising means associated with said second movable stack supporting means for assisting in the separation of the lowermost article and forcing said lowermost article downwardly onto said surface.
40. The mechanism of claim 39, wherein said second movable stack supporting means comprises a pair of movable members mounted for inward and outward movement in substantially horizontal slots formed in a pair of spaced side members, and actuator means for controlling the inward and outward movement of the movable members within said slots, and wherein said means for assisting comprises a flipper member pivotably mounted to each of the inwardly and outwardly movable members, said flipper member being selectively actuable upon outward movement of said movable members into engagement with the article above the lowermost article for simultaneously assisting in the downward movement of the lowermost article.
41. A method of depositing a substantially planar article onto a surface, comprising the steps of:
providing a stack of said articles;
placing said stack of articles into a receptacle having an open area at its lower end disposed above the surface, so that the underside of the lowermost article faces said surface, and supporting the lowermost article above the surface;
providing support for the article above the lowermost article in said stack independent of the support of the lowermost article in said stack, whereby said stack is supported when the article above the lowermost article is supported; and releasing support of tile lowermost article in said stack while supporting the articles thereabove, so that said lowermost article falls by gravity onto said surface.
providing a stack of said articles;
placing said stack of articles into a receptacle having an open area at its lower end disposed above the surface, so that the underside of the lowermost article faces said surface, and supporting the lowermost article above the surface;
providing support for the article above the lowermost article in said stack independent of the support of the lowermost article in said stack, whereby said stack is supported when the article above the lowermost article is supported; and releasing support of tile lowermost article in said stack while supporting the articles thereabove, so that said lowermost article falls by gravity onto said surface.
42. An apparatus for providing ground material such as meat or the like, said apparatus being adapted for connection to the outlet of a material-containing chamber, comprising:
a grinder head including a series of orifices for grinding and outputting said material therethrough;
a positive displacement pump for supplying material to said grinder head; and adapter means disposed between the inlet of said pump and the outlet of said material-containing chamber for receiving material from said chamber and supplying said material to said pump;
wherein said positive displacement pump is secured to a movable vehicle, to which is mounted power supply means for driving said pump.
a grinder head including a series of orifices for grinding and outputting said material therethrough;
a positive displacement pump for supplying material to said grinder head; and adapter means disposed between the inlet of said pump and the outlet of said material-containing chamber for receiving material from said chamber and supplying said material to said pump;
wherein said positive displacement pump is secured to a movable vehicle, to which is mounted power supply means for driving said pump.
43. A method of providing ground material such as meat or the like, comprising:
providing a grinder head having a series of orifices through which ground material is output;
supplying material to said grinder head from the outlet of a positive displacement pump;
mounting said pump to a movable vehicle, and also mounting to said vehicle power supply means for driving said pump;
positioning said vehicle so that the inlet of said pump is disposed adjacent the outlet of a material-containing chamber; and providing a passage for material output from the outlet of said chamber in communication with the inlet to said pump for supplying material from said chamber to said pump.
providing a grinder head having a series of orifices through which ground material is output;
supplying material to said grinder head from the outlet of a positive displacement pump;
mounting said pump to a movable vehicle, and also mounting to said vehicle power supply means for driving said pump;
positioning said vehicle so that the inlet of said pump is disposed adjacent the outlet of a material-containing chamber; and providing a passage for material output from the outlet of said chamber in communication with the inlet to said pump for supplying material from said chamber to said pump.
44. An apparatus for providing ground material such as meat or the like, comprising:
a grinder head;
A positive displacement pump for supplying mateial to said grinder heat; and means supplying material under compression to the inlet of said pump, for providing a constant density of material to said pump at a predetermined flow rate of material.
a grinder head;
A positive displacement pump for supplying mateial to said grinder heat; and means supplying material under compression to the inlet of said pump, for providing a constant density of material to said pump at a predetermined flow rate of material.
45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said means supplying material under compression to the inlet of said pump comprises rotating flighted auger means disposed within a housing having an outlet in communi-cation with the inlet of said pump, and wherein the flighting on said auger means is provided with a decreasing pitch toward the outlet of said housing for compressing the material prior to entry of the material into the inlet of said pump.
46. A method of providing ground material such as meat or the like, comprising the steps of:
supplying material to a grinder head under pressure from a positive displacement pump having an inlet; and providing material to the inlet of said pump under compression for providing a constant density of material to said pump at a predetermined flow rate.
supplying material to a grinder head under pressure from a positive displacement pump having an inlet; and providing material to the inlet of said pump under compression for providing a constant density of material to said pump at a predetermined flow rate.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein the step of supplying material under compression comprises providing; a rotating flighted auger within a housing having an outlet in communication with the inlet of said pump, and arranging the flighting on said auger so as to decrease in pitch toward the outlet of said housing for compressing the material prior to entry of the material into the inlet of said pump.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US47262290A | 1990-01-30 | 1990-01-30 | |
| US07/472,622 | 1990-01-30 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2035220A1 true CA2035220A1 (en) | 1991-07-31 |
Family
ID=23876271
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2035220 Abandoned CA2035220A1 (en) | 1990-01-30 | 1991-01-20 | Apparatus and method for portioning material |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0440380A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2035220A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2002094513A2 (en) * | 2001-05-18 | 2002-11-28 | Cfs Slagelse A/S | Apparatus for producing portions of minced foodstuff for packaging in trays or the like |
| US20120040060A1 (en) * | 2010-08-13 | 2012-02-16 | Tyson Foods, Inc. | System and method for lean recovery using non invasive sensors |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3504639A (en) * | 1967-10-18 | 1970-04-07 | Benjamin Lilien | Food portioning machine |
| DE2123906C3 (en) * | 1971-05-14 | 1975-06-05 | Toni 5231 Burglahr Reifenhaeuser | Device for portioning food to be compacted, in particular meat, bacon or the like |
| FR2412468A1 (en) * | 1977-12-20 | 1979-07-20 | Allibert Exploitation | STACKABLE-NESTABLE CONTAINER |
| US4372008A (en) * | 1981-04-23 | 1983-02-08 | Formax, Inc. | Food patty molding machine with multi-orifice fill passage and stripper plate |
| CH657506A5 (en) * | 1981-12-10 | 1986-09-15 | Hollymatic Ag | PORTIONING MACHINE FOR FILLING CAVES WITH DEFORMABLE MATERIAL AND USE THEREOF. |
| DE3232185A1 (en) * | 1982-08-30 | 1984-03-29 | Modell- und Maschinenfabrik Meissner & Co, 3560 Biedenkopf | Portioning method and device |
| FR2536249A1 (en) * | 1982-11-18 | 1984-05-25 | Menez Jean | MACHINE FOR MOLDING VACUUM HAMS |
| DE3617275C2 (en) * | 1986-05-23 | 1995-05-11 | Toni Reifenhaeuser | Machine for processing a good like meat or sausage |
| GB2205547B (en) * | 1987-06-09 | 1991-07-31 | Tsubakimoto Bulk Systems Corp | Intermittent drum feeder with adjustable loading position |
| FR2636210B1 (en) * | 1988-09-13 | 1993-04-09 | Kaufler Sa | DEVICE FOR CONTINUOUSLY PRODUCING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLELEPIPED MEAT PIECES |
-
1991
- 1991-01-20 CA CA 2035220 patent/CA2035220A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-01-25 EP EP19910300574 patent/EP0440380A1/en not_active Ceased
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0440380A1 (en) | 1991-08-07 |
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