Abstract: A blade mounting and removal tool, and system, for safely removing a blade from a blade axle of a food product slicer. The blade axle includes a multi-axis locking system for securing the blade to the blade axle. The blade removal tool includes a tool base, a blade engagement assembly, and a blade unlocking assembly. The blade engagement assembly is attached to the tool base and has a blade engagement actuator cooperating with at least one blade engagement retainer. The blade unlocking assembly is also attached to the tool base and has a blade unlocking actuator cooperating with a blade unlocking post.

Abstract: A product slicer incorporating an automatic slicer engagement mechanism attached to a carriage assembly and configured for quick, safe, reliable, and releasable engagement with a belt to provide powered automated slicing, and disengagement to allow manual slicing.

Abstract: A product slicer incorporating an automatic slicer engagement mechanism attached to a carriage assembly and configured for quick, safe, reliable, and releasable engagement with a belt to provide powered automated slicing, and disengagement to allow manual slicing.

Abstract: A product slicer incorporating an automatic slicer engagement mechanism attached to a carriage assembly for quick, safe, reliable, and releasable engagement with a belt to provide powered automated slicing, and disengagement to allow manual slicing.

Abstract: A product slicer incorporating an automatic slicer engagement mechanism attached to a carriage assembly and configured for quick, safe, reliable, and releasable engagement with a belt to provide powered automated slicing, and disengagement to allow manual slicing.

Abstract: A blade mounting and removal tool, and system, for safely removing a blade from a food product slicer.

Abstract: A product slicer having an adjustable gauge plate precisely positioned by the unique cooperation of a cam plate and a cam follower.

Abstract: A product slicer having an adjustable gauge plate precisely positioned by the unique cooperation of a cam plate and a cam follower.

Abstract: Disposable pressure sensor methods and systems are disclosed. A substrate can be provided, along with a capacitor and an inductor fixed to the substrate to form a pressure sensor thereof. In a variable L configuration, the inductor can be configured to comprise an inductor surface and a diaphragm, such that when the diaphragm is exposed to a pressure, the diaphragm moves close to the inductor surface, thereby resulting in an increase in the inductance and a decrease in the resonant frequency associated with the capacitor and the inductor and any associated circuitry. In a variable C configuration, the capacitor can be configured to comprise one electrode on the surface and one on the diaphragm, such that when the diaphragm is exposed to a pressure, the diaphragm moves close to the capacitor surface, thereby resulting in an increase in the capacitance and a decrease in the resonant frequency associated with the capacitor and the inductor and any associated circuitry.

Abstract: In general, a dielectric polymer substrate provided and an antenna formed upon the dielectric polymer substrate. A piezoelectric polymer layer (e.g., a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric film) can be formed above the dielectric polymer substrate. Additionally, an interdigital (IDT) layer can be configured upon the PVDF piezoelectric layer, thereby permitting the piezoelectric polymer layer and the IDT layer to detect pressure data and transmit the data to a receiver via the antenna.

Abstract: A passive wireless acoustic wave chemical sensor can be utilized for monitoring the concentration of an analyte in a substance such as blood. Such an acoustic wave chemical sensor can be configured to include one or more interdigital transducers and a selective coating formed upon a piezoelectric substrate. The coating and the interdigital transducer(s) can be used to convert electrical signal to surface waves thereof. An antenna can be connected to the acoustic wave device, wherein the antenna receives one or more input signals, which excite the acoustic device and to produce an output signal that is related to the concentration of the analyte of interest.

Abstract: A method and system for optically sensing the presence of an object on a conveyor is disclosed. Light reflected from an object transported on a conveyor is detected utilizing one or more optical components when the object enters a sensing zone. The reflected light can then be conditioned to provide a valid output signal, which is utilized to provide controlling information necessary to route the object to a proper location and prevent damage to the object from other objects as the object is being transported upon the conveyor. Optical components can be arranged so the light is reflected when the object enters the sensing zone, and this reflected light is then detected and conditioned to provide a valid output signal. Various lens devices and optical alignment arrangements permit control over the minimum and maximum sensing distance. An optical emitter, optical receiver, and/or one or more associated optical lenses may be connected by to a distributed controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting units of material includes a transport media formed in a plurality of segments. A plurality of actuators and at least one of an identification sensor, a segment sensor, a length sensor are connected with respect to the transport media. A parameter of a unit of material is sensed to generate a data update and calculate control outputs in a sort logic controller. The control outputs are sent from the sort logic controller to a network controller for the sensors and actuators. The network controller is synchronized to the output of the sort logic controller to receive and read the outputs, which are written together to the network memory, as soon as they are written from the sort logic controller. The output signal based upon the data update is then immediately multicast through the network to at least one actuator and the units of material are sorted based upon the output signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting units of material includes a transport media formed in a plurality of segments. A plurality of actuators and at least one of an identification sensor, a segment sensor, a length sensor are connected with respect to the transport media. A parameter of a unit of material is sensed to generate a data update and calculate control outputs in a sort logic controller. The control outputs are sent from the sort logic controller to a network controller for the sensors and actuators. The network controller is synchronized to the output of the sort logic controller to receive and read the outputs, which are written together to the network memory, as soon as they are written from the sort logic controller. The output signal based upon the data update is then immediately multicast through the network to at least one actuator and the units of material are sorted based upon the output signal.