Abstract: A device for measuring the moisture content and basic weight of paper in a gravimetric and more accurate manner than before. The device includes a cutting device for cutting the sample from a specimen sheet, a balance for weighing the sample, a computer for computing the moisture content and the basic weight of the sample, an output device for printing out the results of the moisture content and basic weight as well as a controller for controlling the device automatically and advantageously a drying device for drying the sample.

Abstract: A slicing machine for cold cuts with a carriage for the goods to be sliced (2), an arresting plate, a blade (3) a depositing device (4) and a depositing tray (7) on a slidable, rotatable or vertically adjustable tray carrier (8) is equipped with a load cell (10), to which the depositing tray (7), respectively its carrier is fastened on the load side. The load cell (10) is mounted on the carrier ( 8) to ride along therewith. The load cell (10) is connected to an evaluating circuit and an indicator (19,21). A keyboard (6,20) for the price per kilogram or for the input of a target weight, respectively of a desired number of slices can further be provided, which is connected over the evaluating unit with the drive of the carriage (2) for the foodstuff to be cut, for the purpose of its uncoupling.

Abstract: A conveyorized machine that operates to automatically advance objects of generally the same shape and weight, particularly breasts of turkey, to a scale platform which is retractable below the conveyor and elevatable above the conveyor. On the scale platform the object is automatically positioned to a desired location relative to a vertically running band saw blade. In one mode of the machine the desired location will result in the object being sawed or severed into two portions of equal weight. In another mode the desired location will result in the object being sawed or severed into one portion of a predetermined weight and a second portion being the remainder of the object. After the object has been positioned in the desired position on the scale platform, the platform retracts or lowers below the level of the conveyor and the object is then conveyed past the band saw blade and the resulting two severed portions are conveyed to the discharge end of the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing uniform pieces of meat or other product when cut or sawn from a non-uniform thickness lump. A band saw or the like is adjustable in position to produce different depths of cut piece under the control of signals produced by a control unit. The control employs a keypad for entering numerically the target weight for the cut pieces and an assumed density value for the product. A display unit displays the numerical values entered. A weighing device checks the weight of each cut piece (or batch multiple cut pieces) to produce the actual weight (or average weight) of the cut piece(s) and the control unit compares the actual or average value with the expected value of weight and adjusts the density value if required. The area of the end face of the product is measured by sampling the height of the end face of the product as it passes a sensor.

Abstract: A foodstuff such as a sausage is sliced in a predetermined slicing direction into a succession of slices each having a respective width measured parallel to the slice direction. This succession of slices is then deposited on a support in a plurality of rows with the slices in each row offset from one another by a predetermined first distance and the rows offset from each other by a predetermined second distance. The width of the slices is continuously measured as they are cut and at least one of the distances is automatically varied in dependence on the measured width to produce a uniformly overlapping array of slices. In addition the machine can calculate the weight of a given slice by combining the width with the slice thickness and the slice density, and this weight can be divided into a desired weight to determine how many slices at the predetermined size are needed to make up the desired weight. A signal can indicate then when this weight is reached.

Abstract: A slicing machine comprises a blade 1, feeding mechanism 8, 9, 11, 12 to feed a product 7, typically a food product, towards the blade 1, and a conveyor system 14 downstream of the blade 1 to form groups of slices. The machine also includes a programmed computer 18 to control the feed rate of the feeding mechanism 8, 9, 11, 12 and control the conveyor system 14 to form groups of slices 13. The programmed computer 18 is programmed to calculate the optimum number of slices and thickness of the slices forming each group in dependence upon physical parameters of the product 7 and to control the feed rate of the feeding mechanism 8, 9, 11, 12 and the conveyor system 14 to form the groups so that the slices in each group are of optimum thickness and there are the optimum number of slices in each group.

Abstract: A slicing machine for slicing a product, comprising a blade 1 and a feeding mechanism 8, 9, 11, 12, to feed the product towards the blade 1 also includes a programmed computer 18 to control the feed rate of the feeding mechanism 8, 9, 11, 12 and programmed with a function corresponding to the typical weight distribution of at least one type of product. The computer 18 is programmed to respond to the input of information representing the weight and length of a particular product to modify the typical weight distribution function in accordance with the input values to provide an anticipated weight distribution for that particular product. The computer is also programmed to control the operation of the feeding mechanism 8, 9, 11, 12, so that the product is fed towards the blade 1 at a rate which varies with the anticipated weight distribution.

Abstract: A fixed quantity feed apparatus which includes a feeding device for shaping various kinds of articles such as bean sprouts, various cut vegetables, spaghetti and noodles, into the form of belt and conveying them, a weighing device for detecting that the articles which are being conveyed by the feeding device have reached a predetermined weight, and a dividing-feeding device for splitting up the belt-shaped articles when the weighing device has detected the predetermined weight, wherein the articles are divided by the fixed weight and fed to a packing device or the like, while they are continuously conveyed.

Abstract: A machine and method wherein a pusher advances a piece of meat to be sliced across the plane of a slicing blade against a backstop. The blade removes a slice from the piece. The difference between the slice weight and a preselected reference weight is used to adjust the separation of the backstop from the plane of the slicing member and hence the thickness of the next slice to be cut from the piece so as to tend to closely conform the weight of the next slice to the reference weight. Clamps hold the piece during slicing but release to allow the pusher to again advance the piece for production of the next slice. The pusher is actuable for ejecting a residual butt portion of the piece to enable loading of a new piece.

Abstract: The present device relates to a slicing machine for slicing bacon bellies continuously. The device is provided with a trim circuit which detects the front and rear ends of each belly and generates a trimming signal which triggers the trimming of said ends. Slice counters are provided which the number of slices to be cut from a belly before trimming can be preselected for either the front or the rear ends.The device is also provided with a control circuit which reverses the forward movement of a belly after slicing process is temporarily stopped so that both the last slice before the stoppage and the first slice sliced after the stoppage have a relatively even cross-section.

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: Metering apparatus includes a casing defining spaced first and second chambers and respective first and second piston members sealingly slidable by applied fluid pressure in the chambers. Support member coupled to and moveable with the second piston members projects from the casing to receive a load to be metered. Located within the first piston member is a third chamber in which a plunger is sealingly slidable. The second and third chambers are in communication whereby respective opposed transverse faces of the second piston members and the plunger are engageable to determine a limit position for the second piston means in the second chamber. In a preferred application, the metering apparatus is incorporated in a block forming machine, for example a cheese block forming machine, in which the load support platform is positioned within an upright housing to receive a column of a solid medium confined within the housing.

Abstract: This invention is a stacker for a food loaf slicing machine of the kind in which a food loaf is advanced into a slicing station where slices of generally uniform thickness are cyclically sliced from the end of the loaf. The stacker includes first and second stack supports which are positionable to receive slices as they are cut off the loaf. When one stack support has received a complete stack that support is moved to a displaced discharge position and the other stack support immediately moves into an initial slice receiving position immediately adjacent the slicing station, where it can receive a first food loaf slice as cut with essentially no free fall. The stack support is then displaced downwardly approximately one additional slice thickness for each successive slice received, so that each food loaf slice is added to the stack with no free fall.

Abstract: A foodstuff such as a sausage is sliced in a predetermined slicing direction into a succession of slices each having a respective width measured parallel to the slice direction. This succession of slices is then deposited on a support in a plurality of rows with the slices in each row offset from one another by a predetermined first distance and the rows offset from each other by a predetermined second distance. The width of the slices is continuously measured as they are cut and at least one of the distances is automatically varied in dependence of the measured width to produce a uniformly overlapping array of slices. In addition the machine can calculate the weight of a given slice by combining the width with the slice thickness and the slice density, and this weight can be divided into a desired weight to determine how many slices at the predetermined size are needed to make up the desired weight. A signal can indicate then when this weight is reached.

Abstract: A bacon slicing machine having a rotating slicing blade and a feed bed adjacent said blade across which it moves forwardly into the path of the blade by a conveyor arrangement; a hold down device laterally disposed above said bed and send product when thereon comprising rotatable grippers biased toward said bed into engagement with the upper surface of the product during operation to provide for a controlled feed of the product adjacent the blade, compensating for the pull of the blade, with the rotation of the gripper sychronized with the feed of the product via the conveyor arrangement.

Abstract: The method of forming accurate charges of rubber composed of different sorts of rubber includes the steps of preparing for each sort a series of bales stored in a ready to feed condition on separate storing conveyors, successively discharging the required number of whole bales from respective series onto a common intermediate feeding conveyor wherefrom the batches of whole bales are supplied via a switching intermediate feeding conveyor to a scaling conveyor of an automatic scale. Part of whole bales is selectively directed to a cutting machine where the bales are successively disintegrated into smaller pieces and distributed according to the rubber sorts on separate storing and dosing conveyors directed to a hopper above the scaling conveyor.

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 process and apparatus for producing sections of accurate weight or volume which includes the providing of a computer which receives various signals including the length, weight and density of a sheared off section and in response to such conditions varies the position of a length stop to insure that sections of accurate weight and volume are continuously obtained. The length stop mechanism is regulated by controlling the movement of a plurality of clamping devices which operate in conjunction with the axial movement of the material to be severed. The clamping devices are hydraulically operated.

Abstract: A slice control circuit senses the angular position of a blade employed to slice products, such as bacon or cheese. The position information is utilized to correctly position the product relative to the blade to obtain uniform slices. When slicing is interrupted the product is withdrawn from the blade to prevent nonuniform slices. When slicing is resumed the circuit inserts the product into the blade path at the correct point of blade rotation to resume production of uniform slices. A voltage controlled oscillator maintains the product movement in synchronism with blade velocity.

Abstract: Bread loaves 12 are fed by spiked conveyor 13 into a slice cutter 14 and then to a pocket 29 on an indexing turret 16, where the slices are impaled on parallel pins 31. When the turret intermittently rotates a pusher 34 strips the slice group from the pins, and they are transferred to a weighing conveyor 17. The output from the latter controls the feed rate to maintain the weight of each slice group at a predetermined value.

Abstract: A slicing and measuring apparatus for sausage and the like has a table which supports the foodstuff to be sliced and is displaceable back and forth adjacent a blade which is continuously rotated by an electric motor. The motor speed or current consumption is monitored to ascertain when the blade engages the foodstuff being sliced, and similarly the position of the table is monitored by means of a potentiometer. Thus it is possible to determine the diameter of the slice being produced, to square it and multiply it by an appropriate .pi. containing factor and by the known thickness of the slice to determine the volume thereof. Thereafter this volume is mulitplied by the density of the foodstuff to determine the weight of the slice and the weight of successive slices can be added to determine the total weight sliced.

Abstract: A machine for the automatic preparation of proportions of different caoutuc blocks for filler mixtures in rubber manufacture has conveyor lines for the different kinds of caoutchouc block, each including a measuring conveyor and a block-weighing conveyor. A movable band saw cuts off portions of the blocks projecting from the measuring conveyors while the latter are stationary, and a storage unit disposed downstream of the conveyor lines stores excess portions of blocks severed in one measuring to deliver them to a collector conveyor during a successive cycle, under control of a processor which memorises the required weights of the different kinds of caoutchouc and controls the conveyors, the cutting unit and the storage unit in dependence upon the stored data and data sent to it by the block weighing conveyors to give the required proportions.

Abstract: An improved method for automatically producing a selected weight draft of sliced product from a workpiece in substantially uniform weight slices and in an integral number of slices.

Abstract: A machine for cutting up lumps of crude rubber (synthetic or natural) and weighing out an accurate quantity to be fed to a mixer in accordance with a selected formula, comprising two band saws having special blades with teeth having no "set" and lying entirely within the plane of the blades; crude rubber blocks are fed to a first of two band saws on two conveyor belts which pass one to either side thereof, one of the two conveyors being laterally displaceable and able to convey one of the portions into which the block of crude rubber is cut by the first band saw to be cut by the second band saw, the lateral position to which this portion is conveyed determining the relative size and therefore weight of the two pieces into which this portion is cut; all the cut portions and pieces are fed to an output conveyor which feeds them selectively to a hopper under the control of an automatic weighing machine.

Abstract: The motor for the conveyor which removes accumulations of sliced product is controlled in a cycle which includes gradual acceleration and deceleration and higher peak speed.

Abstract: A stack ejector including a stack receiving platform having a pair of stack supporting surfaces separated by an elongated space, a carriage mounted for reciprocating movement towards and away from the platform generally in the direction of the space, an eccentric for reciprocating the carriage, a stack engaging assembly movably mounted on the carriage and movable therewith through the space and further movable on the carriage between a first position intersecting a plane encompassing the stack supporting surfaces and a second position not intersecting the plane, and structure on the carriage for (a) moving the stack engaging assembly from the first position to the second position at one extreme position of movement of the carriage, (b) maintaining the stack engaging assembly in the second position until the other extreme position of movement is reached, (c) moving the stack engaging assembly to the first position when the other extreme position is reached, and (d) maintaining the stack engaging assembly in th

Abstract: A combination bacon slicing, segregating and weighing machine is provided. The slicing machine has a slicing blade and controls for determining the rate of feed of the bacon belly towards the slicing blade and, consequently, the slice thickness. Receiving and conveying structure is associated with the weighing machine and receives the sliced product coming from the slicing machine. Control apparatus is designed for interruption of the operation of the feeding mechanism by appropriate controls when the slices are at a weight less than the prescribed draft weight. The apparatus then provides for weighing and registering the weight of the accumulated light weight group of sliced product and for counting the number of slices in the lighter group.

Abstract: A conveyor handling system, includes three paths along which articles travel, and a diverter located in an intermediate portion of the paths and operative to effect transfer between the paths. Sensors located upstream and downstream of the diverter monitor the rate at which the articles arrive at and leave the diverter. A comparator is responsive to the downstream sensor to cause the diverter to direct the articles between the paths in such a sense as to maintain the rates of flow of articles along the three paths downstream of the diverter substantially equal. A control unit responds to the upstream sensor to determine whether there is sufficient space for each article to be transferred transversely of the direction of motion to an adjacent path without reducing a predetermined minimum spacing requirement for the articles in each path. If there is insufficient space to effect a transfer, the control unit acts to inhibit the diverter from performing such a transfer.

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: A system for obtaining N slices of substantially uniform thickness from a solid to provide a batch having a desired weight, where N is an integer which may have a value between predefined limits. A partial batch weight is taken in response to weighing a number of slices less than N. A terminal value of N is estimated on the basis of the number of slices in the partial batch and the ratio of the desired batch weight and the partial batch weight. A predicted terminal deviation from the desired batch weight is calculated based on the partial batch weight and the ratio of the estimated value of N and the number of slices in the partial batch. In one embodiment the feed rate of the solid into a slicing device, and accordingly the slice thickness and terminal batch weight, is controlled as a function of the value of the predicted terminal deviation.

Abstract: A method of and device for feeding into the charging funnel of a worm machine strip-shaped or irregularly formed partial pieces of material, especially rubber, dosed by weight as components of a mixture, according to which the pieces are weighed individually and are conveyed to the worm machine in a cycle sequence time compensating for the difference of the rated value or preselected weight and the actual value of the weight of the individual piece. The device for practicing the method according to the invention has an electric scale preferably connected to an analog converter, which scale feeds a starting voltage proportional to the actual weight of the partial pieces to a rated value -- actual value comparator and to an electric calculator which latter determines the change in the cycle sequence time in conformity with the deviation from the preselected weight of the respective partial piece.

Abstract: A slicing system for automatically controlling the weight of individually sized portions of a sliced food product includes an automatic electric slicer and a scale operably associated therewith for weighing slices of a food product cut by the slicer. A photoelectric element disposed adjacent the path of the movable pointer on the scale detects the proximity of such pointer at a preselected location corresponding to a preselected weight of food product being received upon the receiving platform of the scale and opens the circuit to the slicer to stop the same. Adjusting means are provided to establish the relative position of the photoelectric element and the scale pointer for causing the circuit to break at such selected position.