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 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: 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; said 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 guide shafts adjacent said channel with the movement of the gripper in the channel constantly being monitored by an encoder connected thereto and positive drive is supplied to the gripper towards the blade by a clutch means in conjunction with a rack and pinion arrangement. The positive drive may be synchronized with the feed of the drums. As the gripper approaches the knife, the drag may be placed on the gripper thereby compensating for pull of the blade.

Abstract: A hone for sharpening an involute rotary knife blade on a machine, such as a slicing machine, in which the grinding assembly is adjustably secured to the end of a pivot hone arm adjustably mounted on the machine. The length of the arm (location of the grinding assembly on the arm) and the alignment of the hones on the grinding assembly are so selected that the hones maintain proper tracking on the knife edge from the highest to the lowest points of the blade while rotating such blade.

Abstract: A high speed automatic cold cut feeding, slicing and weighing system which is completely electrical in operation and control to provide cleanliness in operation, high speed, simplified control of all functions of the machine, and extreme accuracy in weight during high speed operation. In the system the rate of feed of the meat feeder is synchronized with the speed of rotation of the slicing blade shaft thereby automatically adjusting the speed of the slicing knife to maintain constant scaling rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for slicing a meat product in which the cutting edge of a rotating involute slicing blade is advanced in synchronism with the feed of the meat product during the cutting of a slice from the meat product. There is also means for either mounting an involute slicing blade or arranging the cutting edge of an involute slicing blade.

Abstract: A dual speed stacker assembly for use in connection with a high speed machine for slicing, stacking and weighing food products, which stacker has mating paddles which move at slow speed during the collection of the required number of slices in a stack and then are rotated at high speed to drop the stack of slices onto a conveyor and bring the blades into position to receive the next collection of slices, the said paddles being rotated by a low inertia D. C. motor connected by a timing belt and bevel gear arrangement.