Abstract: An electrically powered disc cutting machine for cutting off discs from in particular elongate material to be cut, preferably food, includes: a cutting device having a circular blade that rotates in a cutting plane about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the cutting plane and is driven by a blade motor. The cutting device includes: a carriage for carrying a carriage plate in a carriage plane perpendicular to the cutting plane and to carry at least one carriage wall that protrudes from the carriage plane; and a holder for material to be cut, the holder having a bearing surface for receiving the material to be cut and for bringing the material to be cut closer to the circular blade at an angle ?<90° relative to the cutting plane. The holder for material to be cut includes a fastening apparatus for fastening the holder for material to be cut.

Abstract: In order to improve a food product slicing machine with a circular knife, a carriage for accommodating products to be cut which is guided for displacement parallel to the cutting plane of the circular knife, and a drive motor for the displacement of the carriage, wherein the carriage can be operated manually in a servo operating mode and the operation is assisted by the drive motor, the slicing machine is configured that the assistance by the drive motor in the servo operating mode is dependent on at least one parameter of the carriage movement, wherein the at least one parameter may include the speed or acceleration of the carriage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microtome (10) for cutting thin sections, including a sample holder (12), a cutting unit (16), and a drive unit (16) for producing a feed movement between the sample holder (12) and the cutting unit (16) for setting the thickness of the sample sections. The drive unit (22) includes a piezoelectric linear actuator (50) for producing the feed movement.

Abstract: A food article slicing machine includes a slicing station, a food article feed apparatus, and an automated blade retraction mechanism. The food article feed apparatus supports one or more food articles for movement along food article paths intersecting the cutting path. The automated blade retraction mechanism periodically retracts the blade from the cutting plane to make empty cuts during a continuous cutting operation. The retracting mechanism includes a sliding member arranged outside the blade shaft, the sliding member guided for sliding movement and non-rotation and arranged to exert a sliding force on the blade shaft. A linear actuator causes the sliding member to slide and exert a sliding force on the blade shaft to retract the knife blade away from the cutting plane in a direction along the axis of the blade shaft.

Abstract: A food product slicer includes a carriage assembly is mounted to the base for reciprocal movement back and forth past a cutting edge of a knife. An adjustable gauge plate provides variable slice thickness for food product carried by the carriage assembly. During automatic slicing, when the gauge plate is moved from the open position to the closed position, a slicer controller automatically shuts down the carriage drive in a controlled manner that causes the carriage to stop at its most forward position.

Abstract: A food product slicer includes a carriage assembly is mounted to the base for reciprocal movement back and forth past a cutting edge of a knife. An adjustable gauge plate provides variable slice thickness for food product carried by the carriage assembly. During automatic slicing, when the gauge plate is moved from the open position to the closed position, a slicer controller automatically shuts down the carriage drive in a controlled manner that causes the carriage to stop at its most forward position.

Abstract: A food product slicer includes a base, a knife mounted for rotation relative to the base and a carriage mounted to the base for reciprocal movement back and forth past a cutting edge of the knife. A lift assist assembly is associated with the base and arranged to push the slicer upward toward an upward tilted position, the lift assist assembly arranged for reducing user input energy required to tilt the slicer upward.

Abstract: A food product slicer includes a base and a knife mounted for rotation relative to the base. A carriage assembly is mounted to the base for reciprocal movement back and forth past a cutting edge of the knife. The carriage assembly includes a home position forward of the knife and has a tray arm removably mounted to a carriage arm. An adjustable gauge plate is mounted for movement between a closed position that prevents slicing and multiple open positions that permit slicing at respective thicknesses. An interlock arrangement prevents removal of the tray arm from the carriage arm unless the carriage assembly is in the home position and the gauge plate is in the closed position. The interlock arrangement includes a key member rotatably mounted to the tray arm. A key slot may be located on the carriage arm for receiving an end of the key member.

Abstract: A food slicer comprises a fan-cooled electrically powered motor driving a slicer blade. The motor is mounted within an enclosure which comprises at least one air intake port and at least one exhaust port on opposite sides of one nominally air-tight first partitioning wall within the enclosure to confine the flow of cooling air from the air intake port through the enclosure, then into intimate contact with the electrical windings and components within the frame of the motor. The motor frame is sealed into a closely conforming contacting aperture in the first partitioning wall. The fan is mounted immediately adjacent to a non-contacting aperture in a second partitioning wall within the enclosure juxtaposed the exhaust port.

Abstract: A food product slicer includes a base and a knife mounted for rotation relative to the base. A carriage assembly is mounted to the base for reciprocal movement back and forth past a cutting edge of the knife. An adjustable gauge plate (70) is mounted for movement between a closed position that prevents slicing and multiple open positions that permit slicing at respective thicknesses. A handle (74) is mounted to the base for changing the gauge plate position. The handle is connected to move a cam member (128) internal of the base. The cam member is operatively connected to move the gauge plate through a cam follower (132, 134). A gauge plate adjustment system for setting an orientation of the gauge plate relative to the knife when the gauge plate is in the closed position includes structure for holding the handle, cam member and cam follower in respective, set positions while the orientation of the gauge plate relative to the knife is set.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking and controlling the food product carriage of a food product slicer is described.

Abstract: A slicer comprising a slicer body including a rotatable blade for slicing a product, and a tray mounted for reciprocal movement relative the slicer body and for supporting and moving the product relative the blade. The tray includes a tray body and a unitary handle. In another embodiment, the invention is a slicer including a slicer body having a rotatable blade for slicing a product and a tray for supporting the product and moving the product relative the blade. The slicer further includes a handle unitary with the tray, the handle providing a surface which a user may grip to manually move the tray.

Abstract: A food slicer comprises a fan-cooled electrically powered motor driving a slicer blade. The motor is mounted within an enclosure which comprises at least one air intake port and at least one exhaust port on opposite sides of one nominally air-tight first partitioning wall within the enclosure to confine the flow of cooling air from the air intake port through the enclosure, then into intimate contact with the electrical windings and components within the frame of the motor. The motor frame is sealed into a closely conforming contacting aperture in the first partitioning wall. The fan is mounted immediately adjacent to a non-contacting aperture in a second partitioning wall within the enclosure juxtaposed the exhaust port.

Abstract: A carrier adapted to securely hold a workpiece for manual movement through cutting engagement such as with the saw blade of a band saw in a manner that allows for precise and predictable cutting of the workpiece into boards of desired thickness. The carrier is slidably positioned in the miter guide slot that extends in the saw work table parallel to the cut of the saw blade, and is adapted for manual positioning of the workpiece transversely with respect to the guide slot to adjust the depth of cut of the blade into the workpiece.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking and controlling the food product carriage of a food product slicer is described.

Abstract: A folding, straight-line, workpiece guide for a saw having a base, a saw blade extending vertically through the base, and a feed path relative to the saw blade. The workpiece guide comprises an elongated table which can be collapsed into a folded configuration or set up and locked into a working configuration. A carriage is constructed and arranged to support multiple elongated workpieces and to slide along the foldable table. The foldable table has multiple chassis sections pivotally connected to one another, adjustable legs, connectors for connecting the table to the base of the saw parallel to the feed path of the saw, and a guide track for guiding the carriage along the table when the table is in the working configuration.

Abstract: A feed grip for being coupled to a slide rod of a slicer including a gripping plate having a front surface and rear surface, the front surface being shaped to grip a food product, the gripping plate including an attachment portion extending generally outwardly from the rear surface. The feed grip further includes a handle having an opening shaped to releasably receive the attachment portion therein, and a feed arm including a pair of annulus, a first one of the annulus being shaped to be generally located between the handle and the gripping plate, a second one of the annulus being shaped to receive the slide rod of the slicer therethrough.

Abstract: A drive system for driving the workpiece-retaining carriage of a food slicing machine, including a drive pulley rotatably driven by a servomotor in alternating, opposite directions. Opposite ends of a drive belt extend around the drive pulley through a gap between two idle pulleys. The drive belt seats against the idle pulleys and the opposite ends extend in opposite directions on the opposite side of the gap. The upper drive belt end extends over the curved surface of a support panel to gripping engagement of a tensioning pulley and clamp. The lower drive belt end extends over the curved surface of the support panel to gripping engagement of a second tensioning pulley and clamp. The support panel is mounted on a drive member that is, at its opposite end, rotatably mounted to a pivot, and rigidly mounted to the workpiece-retaining carriage.

Abstract: A food slicer for automatic operation having a staged dynamic brake for bringing the slicer carriage to rest at a predetermined location in a smooth manner. A sensor or system of sensors are utilized to detect the slicer carriage location. The sensor output is fed through a microprocessor which controls a dynamic brake which in turn acts upon the slicer carriage. The brake acts upon the carriage in two or more stages, so as to bring the carriage to rest in a smooth manner. The invention may also operate to as to bring the carriage to rest in a predetermined location.

Abstract: A food slicer for automatic operation having a staged dynamic brake for bringing the slicer carriage to rest at a predetermined location in a smooth manner. A sensor or system of sensors are utilized to detect the slicer carriage location. The sensor output is fed through a microprocessor which controls a dynamic brake which in turn acts upon the slicer carriage. The brake acts upon the carriage in two or more stages, so as to bring the carriage to rest in a smooth manner. The invention can also operate to as to bring the carriage to rest in a predetermined location.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism for a food product slicer that prevents the carriage support of a reciprocating carriage from being removed from the slicer housing unless the gauge plate of the slicer is closed and the carriage is positioned along a predetermined portion of the path of reciprocation of the carriage. The interlock mechanism includes a pivoting interlock plate and a stationary interlock bar. The pivoting interlock plate extends along the predetermined portion of the reciprocation path and the stationary interlock bar extends along the rest of the carriage's reciprocation path. The interlock plate is pivotally mounted on the housing and is movable from a blocking position, which it blocks pivoting and removal of a carriage support, to a free position, which it permits pivoting and removal of the carriage support.

Abstract: A new Wedge Cutting Jig Device for offering a tool that enables one to cut wood wedges and shims and the like with a variety of thicknesses. The inventive device includes a base, a handle, a wood pocket, a wood push wall, and a thickness adjustment means. In use, an ordinarily and otherwise scrap lumber end is placed on a table saw and the Wedge Cutting Jig Device 10 is taken by the hand of the operator. The operator turns the table saw on, and with the Wedge Cutting Jig Device 10 sliding down a slot of the table saw with the slide rail 22 of the Wedge Cutting Jig Device 10 being slidably received within the slot of the table saw, the scrap lumber end is safely forced past the turning blade of the table saw and results in a wood wedge being cut out.

Abstract: The sliceable product of an automatic slicing machine is advanced toward the stop plate by a slider which is engaged on both sides of the receiving surface for the sliceable product by respective belt drives.

Abstract: An apparatus for precision linear positioning of material along a frame, having carrier means for carrying the material juxtaposed above the frame, means for linearly moving the carrier means along the frame having a plurality of pneumatic cylinders each having an extendable and rectractable piston, the cylinders connected to each other in a series and including a first end pneumatic cylinder attached to the frame and a last end pneumatic cylinder attached to the carrier means, such that the carrier means is moved by the amount of the cumulative extension and retraction of the pistons, stopping means associated with each the pneumatic cylinder for limiting the extension of each the piston, and means for providing a controllable amount of air to each pneumatic cylinder to selectively control extension and retraction of each piston.

Abstract: A sawmill carriage capable of reciprocating on rails towards and away from a saw is provided with more than one bunk having an upper surface capable of supporting a log, and a knee mounted on each bunk, capable of gripping a log and moving across the bunk in a direction normal to the direction of reciprocation of said carriage. An improvement comprises cylindrical slides securely attached to the bunk beneath the upper surface thereof, parallel to the direction of travel of the knee and capable of supporting same. Complimentary bushings are securely attached to the knee, and cooperate with the slides.

Abstract: A food product slicer includes a rotating blade and a carriage for supporting the food product. The carriage is mounted for lateral motion along a linear path to bring the food product into contact with the blade. A drive motor is selectively connected to the carriage for movement of the carriage along the path. In accordance with a method of automatically operating the slicer, the carriage is moved along the path by the motor to a predefined reference position nearest the operator. A motor position count is initialized, and during all motor energization, a count is generated corresponding to incremental movement of the carriage along its path. The motor is energized for a count to move the carraige to a position corresponding to a start of a slicing stroke. The motor is then energized for a count sufficient to move the carriage to a second position corresponding to a completion end of the slicing stroke.

Abstract: A band-saw-cutting system for cutting sections from a work in a substantially continuous, automated manner. The system includes a work carrier adapted to support one or more pieces of work and to be reciprocated to carry the work from a home position to a forward position in a cutting stroke to cut the work and back to the home position in a return stroke. The system includes blade-moving means for automatically moving the blade out of the cutting plane of the blade during each return stroke such that the work will not contact and rub against the blade during the return stroke, and for moving the blade back into the cutting plane prior to the initiation of the next cutting stroke. The system further includes means for automatically moving the work transversely against an adjustable fence to position the work relative to the cutting plane to cut desired thicknesses from the work during each cutting stroke.

Abstract: An improved height adjustable log support is provided for use in a portable sawmill having a horizontally extending blade run and a means for mounting the blade for longitudinal movement along and above the log. The log support includes a log receiving platform supported for vertical movement, lifting means and a cable connecting the platform to the lifting means. The lifting means includes a bar mounted for rotational movement, a bar driving means, such as a crank arm, and a ratchet and pawl for indexing incremental steps of rotational movement of the bar. The log bearing platform is raised incrementally as the cable connected therewith is wound onto the incrementally rotated bar.

Abstract: A food slicer having a rotatable circular knife and a hopper releasably mounted on a carriage which is movable from an initial position towards and across the knife to cut food on the hopper into slices. A gauge plate is provided to adjust the thickness of cut as the hopper moves the food past the knife and a safety device is incorporated to prevent the hopper being removed from the carriage unless it is at its initial position. The safety device comprises a latch on the carriage holding the hopper thereon and a release mechanism engagable with the latch as the hopper is moved to its initial position to release it from the carriage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machine for manufacturing wood stakes from boards, preferably from lengths of 2.times.4's or 2.times.6's. The machine is adjustable to provide stakes of virtually any length. The machine consists of two stations, the first station comprising a reciprocally movable carriage for holding a plurality of boards, a saw or other cutting means which cuts on a plane parallel to the direction of travel of the carriage, an endless conveyor to receive the slice of wood cut from at least one board thereon as the carriage passes the saw, another endless conveyor engagable with the carriage for moving the carriage in a reciprocating manner, and a second station comprising a second saw which is mounted to cut transversely to the direction of travel of the slice of board, and means to present the slice of wood to the second saw in order to bisect same.

Abstract: Logs are advanced substantially in the direction of their longitudinal axes through a saw while engaged between a driven pusher dog and a retarded holdback dog.The pusher dog is on an endless carrier chain located above an initial log support, and the holdback dog is on an endless carrier chain located below the log path and forwardly of the support. Logs on the support are movable angularly and laterally from the machine axis to displaced positions which are unobstructed by the carrier chains, to permit offset sawing and taper sawing.Chipper heads produce planar surfaces on logs approaching the saw. A retractible preliminary holdback dog engages the forward end of a log and moves past a bottom-flattening chipper head to a transfer area where the chain-carried holdback dog engages the log and the preliminary holdback dog is retracted.

Abstract: In an automatic sawmill, a caliper device measures the diameter of an incoming log and the log is then positioned against a pair of backstands over a log receiving carriage. A plurality of cutting devices are positioned relative to the carriage, and the speed control for the carriage is predetermined, in response to the log diameter. The diameter measurement is supplied to data processing circuitry which provides outputs indicative of "sets" to be taken by the aforementioned backstands and cutting devices for sawing the log into a number of cants, boards, or slabs in a manner making optimum use of the log content.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a cant forming machine wherein logs are cut in advance to the predetermined length of the wood slats and pieces to be formed, after which the logs are automatically moved through a series of saws and molding heads to first cut guide grooves in the lower portion of each log, after which the log is moved onto guides where it is under full control. Following this, necessary cuts are made in the log to define a plurality of cants, followed by a final cutting of the log to separate the plural cants. The machine is adapted to continuously receive cut lengths of logs with there being conveyor means for presenting logs to the machine and a cut-off saw for cutting the logs to the predetermined length. Also, the machine has a reciprocating pusher carried by an endless conveyor chain with the pusher being connected to the conveyor chain in a manner wherein the conveyor chain may slip relative thereto in the event of a jam.

Abstract: A log sawing and transport system for relatively small logs has an infeed and loading station where logs are positioned in a centering device for aligning the logs with respect to the saws. Once the log is properly aligned for axial movement, a set of end dogs are actuated to hold the log in its prealigned position for transport. The dogs are mounted within axially movable carriage units that travel the length of the system serving to transport the log axially in a straight line. At the sawing station a plurality of angularly arranged saws are disposed to divide the traveling log into a plurality of elongated sector-shaped pieces. At least one selected saw may be adjustable with respect to the other saws in order to set angles for the sector-shaped pieces. Once the log has been divided into a plurality of sector-shaped pieces, an outfeed device collects the elongated sector-shaped pieces and transports them out of the system.

Abstract: In an automatic sawmill, a caliper device measures the diameter of an incoming log and the log is then positioned against a pair of backstands over a log receiving carriage. A plurality of cutting devices are positioned relative to the carriage, and the speed control for the carriage is predetermined, in response to the log diameter. The diameter measurement is supplied to data processing circuitry which provides outputs indicative of "sets" to be taken by the aforementioned backstands and cutting devices for sawing the log into a number of cants, boards, or slabs in a manner making optimum use of the log content.

Abstract: Apparatus for slicing food stuffs such as cold meat, sausage and cheese wherein the sliced sections can be selectably stacked or fanned automatically, moved away from the slicing zone, then lifted and moved transversely to a ready station without disorientation or abuse of the sliced foodstuffs.