Abstract: Apparatus is provided for stacking and weighing slices of cold-cuts coming from the discharge end of a slicing machine. The apparatus is initially set to receive slices in stacked form on a stacker. A scale is positioned with respect to the stacker to register the weight after a preselected amount of slices are collected on the stacker. A tare correction control system and a profile compensation control system are provided to assist in maintaining more uniform weight with fewer rejected stacks. The tare correction system is utilized to automatically reset the scale between weighings to compensate for build-up of scrap materials on the weight conveyor. The profile compensation control system is provided to compensate for tapers on the rear and front ends of a load to be sliced and accordingly adjust the slice thickness and obtain uniform and acceptable stack weights.

Abstract: A cardboard sheet dispenser is incorporated in a bacon slicing machine line that is operable to group slices in shingled fashion and into segregated batches of predetermined weight. The dispenser directs a cardboard sheet in synchronization with the movement of the batches so that individual batches are placed on a sheet and thereafter transferred to subsequent packaging stations. The dispenser includes a hopper for receiving vertically stacked cardboard sheets and includes a base having a plurality of strippers serving to support the stack of sheets while assuring that only one sheet at a time is removed from the hopper. A pick-off assembly operates to remove the lowermost sheet from the hopper and transfer it to the nip of a roller assembly.

Abstract: A card having a product thereon is fed by a conveyor into a card folding device. This involves the use of an air jet located below the conveyor, which is activated and causes the leading portion of the card as it passes thereover to go into an upright position approximately perpendicular to the conveyor. While in this position, the conveyor causes the card to be fed into fingers located above the conveyor which complete the fold rearwardly. While still under the influence of the fingers, the leading edge, or fold line, of the now folded card is fed into a creaser. At this point, a switch is tripped which raises a stop-bar which stops the card. A reciprocal plunger is now activated and is used to crease the leading edge by exerting downward pressure thereon against the stop-bar. Once creasing is completed, the stop-bar and plunger retract allowing the conveyor to take the card and product to the next packaging station.

Abstract: A cardboard sheet dispenser is incorporated in a bacon or pork product slicing machine line that is operable to group slices in shingled fashion into segregated batches of predetermined weight. The dispenser directs a cardboard sheet in synchronized fashion with the movement of the batches so that individual batches are placed on a sheet and thereafter transferred to subsequent packaging stations. The dispenser includes a hopper for receiving vertically stacked cardboard sheets and is provided with a plurality of restrainers that cooperate in supporting the stack of sheets and at the same time fan the sheets to minimize sticking of the sheets one to the other. The base of the hopper includes a plurality of strippers also serving to support the stack of sheets and assures that only one sheet is removed from the base of the hopper at a time.

Abstract: A continuous cold cut slicing system utilizing a slicing machine having a conveyor which feeds a loaf into engagement with a series of drums located on each side of the slicing machine channel; the drums are driven by a variable speed motor with the rotation of the drums providing a feed mechanism of the product to the slicing blade. A gripper assembly is provided which rides on a guide shaft adjacent the channel with the movement of the gripper in the channel constantly being monitored by an encoder and clutch arrangement connected thereto. As the gripper approaches the knife, the encoder and clutch arrangement provide for a drag on the gripper thereby controlling the feed of the product compensating for pull on the knife. Also, since the encoder and clutch arrangement are constantly monitoring the position of the gripper the exact location of the tail end of the loaf being sliced is readily determinable so that a profile compensation control system may be effectively incorporated into the system.

Abstract: Safety apparatus for a bacon press or the like including a transparent safety door movable vertically between a raised retracted position in which a slab of bacon or other work to be pressed may be readily placed in the press and in which a pressed slab of bacon or the like may be removed from the press, and a lowered position in which access to the movable parts of the press is blocked. Movement of the safety door from its raised to its lowered position initiates operation of the press. Partial opening of the door during operation of the press immediately stops the press. The door is automatically raised at the end of an operating cycle of the press. The safety apparatus also includes the provision of safety screens which may be readily raised and locked in their raised position to permit access to the press and which may be readily lowered.