US1231960A - Meat-stacker. - Google Patents

Description

E. M. STI'YES.

MEAT STACKER.

APPucATlow HLED FEB. 5. 19:5. RE'NEWED MAY 14. 1917.

Patented July 3, 1917.

3 SHEETSfiSHEET I.

E. M. STILES.

MEAT sTAcKER. APPLICATION FILED FEB.5,1915. RENEWD MAY14,1917. 1,2 1 ,96%. Pamed July 8, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. M. STILES.

, MEAT STACKER.

APPucATloN HLED 158.5, 1915. RENEWED MAY 14,1917.

rarnnr clarion.

EDWARD M. STILES, OF MOUN-T PLEASANT, IOWA, ASSVIGNR T0 U. S SLICING MACHINE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COREORATION I OF ILLINOIS.

MEAT-STACKER.

Application fil'ed February 5, 1915, Serial No. 6,198. Renewed May 14, 1917.

T0 all whom it 'may concem:

Be it known that I, EDWARD M. S'riLns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mount Pleasant, in the county of Henry and State of Iowa, have inventedl certain new and useful Improvements in Meat-Stackers, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to improvements in meat stackers for stacking slices of meat'as they are delivered from' the meat-slicer, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved stacker having'rneans for collecting and stacking the slices as they are cut, thereby obviating the necessity of collecting and stacking the slices by hand` A further object is to provide an improved machine of this Character, embodying a conveyer having impalement pins or prongs for receiving the flexible thin slices from the cutter as they are cut, to convey the slices over a curved surface and then in a substantially straight line into a position to be delivered from the conveyer, the pins or prongs remaining in engagement withl the slice as it is passed over the curved surface, and also during its movement in the substantiallyl straight line, the points of the pins or prongs, or the portions thereof which are in engagement with the slice, being always maintained in such relation that the space between adjacent pins will not vary, during the entire traveling motion of the pins and conveyer.

A further object is to provide an improved machine of this Character, having means for delivering the slices from the conveyer and 'piling them upon a collector support.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful ob- ,iects, as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts, hereinafter more fully describedand claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention and in which i Figure 1 is a top plan view/of a portion ofI a slicing'machine, having an attachment applied thereto, constructed in accordance with the nrinciples of this invention.

Fig. V2 is' a top plan view of the stacker showing the' parts in anotherAposition with respectV to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevation taken on line 3-45, Fig. 2. f i

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 3, 1217.

Serial No.v 168,589.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 4--4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail 'sectional viewT taken on the line 5-5, Fig. 3.

Fig 6 is an elevation of the supporting frame for the conveyer.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail taken 'on line 7-7, Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 8-'8, Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawsectional view ings, the numeral 10 designates generally 18 to present the meat to the cutter 11, all. as

are well known in this art 'and form no part of the present invention.

Arranged adjacent the cutter 11., is a conveyer, designated generally by the reference numeral 19 in Fig. 5 and this conveyer is supported by a frame work shown more clearly in F ig. 6, the frame work preferably comprising a base 20 and superposed spaced members 21, 22 and these members are preferably of a triangular configuration with portions cut away for the sake of lightness.

The member 21 is supported above the base 20 by means of upright tubular elements 23 and the member 22 is supported above the member 21 by similar tubular elements 23,.any number of which may be provided` and the parts are fastened together preferably by means oft'ie rods or'bolts 24, which pass through the' members and the tubular elements.

The frame thu formed is arranged adjacent the front of the machine and in proximity to the cutter 11 so that one face of the frame will extend along the path of movement of the support 12, and arranged adjacent anotherface of the frame is a collector support 25, to be hereinafter de-. scribed. Mounted in suitable bearings, pref- -erably carriedfbv the members 21, 22 are 'ally with respect preferably arranged in pairs respectively connected byupright axles 29, and 31 and the ends of these axles' are journaled in suitable ball 'bearings 32.

One pair of rollers is preferably arranged adjacent each corner of the frame and passing over the respective series of rollers, which are spaced from each other, are endless. flexible belt elements 33, 34 and these. belt elements are connected by spaced upright pin carrying elements 35. The ends of these elements are offset as at 36, formed by bending the ends of the element laterto the element and the ex-l tremities of these portions 36 are again bent in a-direction as at 37, to be substantially parallel with the body portion of the element, and the extremities 37' are arranged adjacent l;the outer faces of the belt elements '33 'and 34 to be secured thereto., The axles 29,30 and 31 connecting the rollers 26, 27, 28 respectively are of a diameter considerably smaller-than the diameter of the rollers so that `when the flexible conveyer elements 33 and 34 are traveling, they will move the pin carryingelements so that they will pass over or around'the rolls 26 after which the elements 35 will travel in a substantially straight' line.

During the traveling movement of the conveyer,the spaces between the points of the pins or prongs 38 on adjacent elements v35, will be always maintained the same, that s is the distance between adjacent pins 'will not vary, whether the elements 35 'with their.- associated pins are traveling -in a straight -line or over the curved surface, and this is'rendered possible because the extremities of the pins or prongs 38 are always. maintained in a substantially direct straight line with the drive elements 33, 34, as shown clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, but the body portions of the elements 35 will be allowed to .assume positions close together as they are passmg over the curved surface.

With this construction it'will be -manifest that when the prongs or pins 38 pick up the thin flexible slice as it is cut, and convey it away from the cutter, the first movement of the'slice when the pins or prongs engage it, is over a curved surface, and then in a substantially straight line after passing that surface. By maintaining the spaces between the points of the pins or prongs against variation at all times, and while they are in contact with the'slice, it-will be'manifest that the slice will not become torn, stretched or distorted, but will v'be maintained against distortion during its movement upon the conveyer, and at alltimes during the movepins or prongs may be secured to the element by passing them through the 'apex of' it is desired, flanges 40 may be provided on some of the rollers.

In the present form of the invention, the conveyer elements 35 are given a forward and backward reciprocating movement, in

i directions substantially. parallel with vthe direction of the reciprocating movement of the support or carriage 12, and this move- `ment may be accomplished in any desired or suitable manner, such as by means of an arm 41, (see Fig. 1), which is preferably connected w1th the support 12 to project beyond the front edge thereof and into a slot 42 provided in an upright member 43, which latter is preferably connected with the endless elements 33, 34,l so that when the support 12 is moved forwardly to effect a cutting operation of the article, the conveyer elements 35 will be correspondingly moved to .receive the slice from the cutter as it -is cut, and when the support 12 moves' backwardly, for the next cutting operation,

'the conveyer elements 35 are correspondingly moved so as to receive the next slice as 1tt1s cut.

arm 41 and the conveyer is' so arranged 'as to permit the proper operation of'the con- The connection between the wise of the axis of rotation of the rollers, if l ably from the chain box 45 of the machine and supported by the scrape'r is a curvedguard or Shield 46, which stands adjacent and in close proximity to the extremity of the teeth or prongs 38, as the latter are moving' over` the pulleys 26. This scra er '44 serves asa means for preventing the t, in slice from adhering to the cutter and the curved guard? or Shield 46 serves the purpose of maintaining the slice in engagement with the prongs 38 as the latter pick up the slice and also prevents the slice from being thrown ofl" of the conveyer during the movement of the latter, inasmuch as there is always more or less "momentum, which might tend to throw the slice from the conveyer. The Shield 46 is curved as shown and is so arrangedthat the extremities of the prongs will travel in close proxim-ity thereto 'to infin a substantially straight line and which line is formed by the rollers 26, 28, to carry the slice into a position to be delivered upon the collector support 25, in which position, the slice is-lif-tedfrom'the 'conveyer, out of engagement'wit-h the pins or prongs 38 and delivered to the support 25.

In order to effect this dumping operation of the slices, so that they` will be superposed upon thesupport 25, it is desirable that the .conveyer be arrested momentarily in its movement, and this will'always insurethe delivery of suceeeding slices from the conveyer at the 'same 'place upon the support.

' This is accomplished by taking advantage of the interval of rest which occurs' in the reciprocation 'of the support 12 when. it changes its direction of movement, or at the point where the arm 15 which is connected with the gear 14, is passing over the dead center, and the interval of rest is therefore imparted to the conveyer, 'inasmuch as the conveyer is connected With 'the supportt12 and its movement is responsive to the movement of the support 12.-

- To remove the 'slices from the 'conveyer,'

i any suitable means may be e-mployed, such for instance as a fly 47 having a body portion and a series of fingers 48. This fly is mounted for rocking movement by means of I a suitable bearingV 49, secured preferably to the member 21 of the supporting frame, and the ,fingers '48 extend between the pins or prongs 38 ,in directions lengthwise of the conveyer, and terminate adjacent the rollers' 26, and the extremities of the fingers are eurved or bent ;as at 50 to permit the slices caried by the conveyerto pass over the extremities of the fingers. These fingers are arranged adjacent the base of the prohgs' or pins, preferably in close proximity to the` body portion 39 of the elements 35' and some distance from the 'extremities of the pins.

In order that the fingers will assume this position withirespec'tto the prongs, the end of the'body of the fly adjacent the bearing 49 isbent or offset as at 51, to conform to 'the contour'of the elements 35.

VDuring the interval of rest of the con- `veyer, the fly 47 is rocked about its pivot 49 into the-;position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 to dump the slice upon the collector support 25, and after this dumping operation, the fly is returned to its normal position in any suitable manner such as by means of a spring 52, (see-Fig. 2). This dumping or rocking movement of the fiy may be effected inany suitableymanner, but a simple and eflicient means utilizes the gear 14, upon which is provided a cam portion 53 so arranged that as the arm 15 is passing over the dead center, this cam 53, or the high portion thereof, will engage an arm 54 on a rock shaft 55, the latter being mounted in suitable bearings 56'and having connected therewith an upright 57, which isl in turn connected by means of a suitable link 58 with,

the fiy as at 59, and the cam 53 will rock the fly against the tension of the spring 52.

'Thus it will be seen that as the slice is cut, it will be taken' up by the conveyer and carried away from the cutter into a position to be delivered upon the collector vsupport 25, and when the conveyer with the slice thereonreaches this position, it will be momentarily arrested in its motion, and during this interval of rest, lthe cam 53 will 'operatez the fly to remove the slice from the conveyer and deposit it upon the collector support. Afterthe slice has been thus delivered, the 'cam will pass out of engagement with the arm 54 and thefly will resume its normal -position, and the conveyer and support 12 will be moved back to their starting positions as'soon as the arm 15 passes over the dead center, to cut and convey away another slice to be similarly delivered to the collector support`25 and'superposed upon .'the sliceilast delivered to 'the support 25.

Unless provisionkis made to compensate for the increasing size of the Stack of slices on the support 25, it will be manifest 'that the sliceslwould not be piled properly, therefore, the collector support 25 in the present form of the invention comprises a platform upon which theslices are delivered and this platform has depending therefrom a plurality of uprights 60, any number of which vmay beprovided, and these uprights have heads 61 provided on the free extremities thereof and telescope'into tubular uprights 62, which latter are formed with Shoulders 63` to prevent the disengagement of the uprights from the tubular member 62.

Springs 64, any number of w-hich may be provided, are arranged beneath the platform 25, and tend normally to elevate the 'latter,F andthese `Springs areof suchv a.

strength'that the 'platform 25 will beloweof ered by the operation of the fly 47 in de- /livering the slice on to the platform, and' the sDrings may b'e so proportioned that the platform will be lowered upon each operation, to an'extent equal to the thickness of the slice that is delivered thereto.

In' order to retain the. platform in its adjusted position during the stacking operation, one of the uprights 60, may be provided With a series of teeth 65, and a dog or pawl 'in the arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed as new is:

1. The combination of a slicer, a support for the slices, and mechanism Operating intermediate the slicer and the support for receiving the slices as they are cut and delivering them to the support, the said mechanismv embodying a reciprocating fiexible slice engaging element.

2. The combination of a slicer,' a support for the slices, .and mechanism Operating intermediate the slicer and the support for receivingthe slices 'as they are cut and delivering them to the support, the said mechanism embodying a reciprocting flexible slice engaging element, said element operated from the slicing machine.

3. The combination of a slicer, a support for the' slices,,mechanism Operating intermediate the slicer and the support for receiving the slices as they are cut and delivering theml to the support, the said mechanism embodying a reciprocating fleXible slice. engaging element, prongs on said element for engaging and holding the slice,

and a fly carrier for lifting the slice fromv the prongs.. w

. 4. The combination of a slicer, and means for receiving the slice as it is cut and carrying it away from the slicer, said means embodying a fiexible reciprocating slice engaging element.

5. The combination of a slicer, meansfor receiving the slice a's i't is cut and conveying it away from the slicer, said means embodying al flexible slice engaging element having a forward and backward movement, prongs on said element penetrating the slice, and means forv removing the slice from said prongs.

6. The combination of a slicer, a flexible slice engaging element for receiving the slice'as it is cut and conveying' it away, means for Operating said element and permitting an interval of rest in its operation, and means Operating during such interval of rest to remove the slice from said element.

7. The combination of a slicer, a flexible slice engaging element for receiving the Atrating the slice, a curved surface,

and means Operating during such interval of rest to remove the slice from said element, the said element being actuated from the slicing machine.

8. The combination of a slicer, a fiexible slice engaging element for receiving the slices as they are cut and conveying them away, spaced prongs on the element penemeans for causing said element to pass over said curved surface during a portion of-'its operation,

and provision for maintaining the spaces w between the slice engaging portion of the prongs against Variation lduring the operation of the said' element.. I

9. The combination of a slicer, a flexible slice engaging element slices. as they are cutl` and conveying them away, spaced prongs on the element penetrating the slice, a curved surface, means.

for causing said element-i to pass over sai curved surface during a portion of its operation, provision for maintaining the spaces between the slice engaging portion of the prongs against Variation during the operation of the said element, and means for disengaging the slice from the prongs.

1'0. The combination of a'slicer, a fiexible slice engaging elementfor receiving the slices from the cutter as they are cut, spaced prongs arranged longitudinally of the element and penetrating the slice, a curved surface, means for causing said element to carry the slice over acurved surface and then in a substantially straight plane, and provisions for maintaining the` spaces between the4 slice engaging portion of the prongs against Variation during their moveinent-` in a straight plane and over said curved surface.l l 1 11. The combination of a slicer, a reciprocating flexible slice engaging` element for receiving the slices from the cutter as the;7

lare cut, spaced prongs arranged longitudinally of the element and penetrating the slice, a curved surface, means for causing said element` to carry the slice Over said curved surface and then in a substantially ovei'said curved surface.

12. The combination of a slicer, a reciprocating flexible coiiveyer for receiving the slices from the cutter as they are cut, said conveyer being responsive in its movement to the operation of the slicer, prongs on the conveyer spaced from each other longitudinally of the conveyer, said prongs penetratiiig the slice as it is cut, means for causing the prongs to convey the slice in a curved path and then in a substantially straight path, and provisions for maintaining the spaces between the sliceengaging portion for receiying the of the prongs against variation during their movement in the said curved path.

13. The combination of a slicer, a reciprocating flexible conveyer for receiving the slices from the cutter as they are cut, .said conyeyer being responsive in its movement to the operation of the slicer, prongs on the conveyer spaced from each other longitudinally of the conveyer, said prongs penetrating, the slice as -it is cut, means for causing the prongs to convey the slice in a Curved path ad then in a substantially straight path, provisions for maintaining the spaces between the slice engaging portion of the prongs against Variation during their movement in the said curved path, said conveyer having an interval of rest in its operation, and means Operating during such interval of rest, for removing the slice from the prongs.

14. In combination, a slicing knife, means for presenting material to said knife to be sliced, spaced prongs for engaging the' slice, and means for Operating said prongs to carry said slice away from' said knife into flat position, said Operating means being arranged to hold the slice engagig portions of said prongs spaced substantially uniformly from one another during said operation.

15. In combination, a slicing knife, .a carriage movable relative to said knife for presenting material thereto tobe sliced, a conveyer for transferring slices and havingI a portion thereof extending in the direction of movement of said carriage and movable in unison therewith and another portion extending at an angle thereto.

16. In combination, a slicing knife, a carriage movable relative to said knife for presenting material thereto, a fiexible conveyer having one run extending in the direction of movement of said carriage and another run extending away from'said knife, prongs on Said conveyer for engaging the slices cut from said material, and means for maintaining the slice engaging portions of said prongs in uniform spaced relation to one another during the. operation of said conveyer.

17 In combination, a slicing knife, a support for material to be sliced, said knife and support being movable relative toone another to sever slices from one face of said material, and a flexible conveyer extending along said face to engage said material and having a portion extendingaway from said knife to transfer the slices as they are formed.

18. In combination, a slicing knife, means for presenting material to said knife to be sllced, a flexible conveyer having a turn in the direction thereof for transferring the slices away from said knife, prongs on said conveyer for engaging said slices, and means for maintaining the slice engaging portions of said prongs at substantially the same distance from one another during the travel of said conveyer around said turn.

19. In combination, a slicing knife, means for presenting material to said knife to be sliced, a conveyer for receiving the slices, a guide for changing the direction of travel of said conveyer to vdirect the slices away from the slicing knife, said conveyer having a flexible element for coperating with saidI ,guide and also having prongs for engagi'ng the slices, said prongs being arranged with their slice engaging portions in alinement with said fiexible element.

20. In combination, a slicing knife, means for presenting material to said knife to be sliced, spaced prongs for engaging the slice, means for moving said prongs into engagement with said material before it is sliced, means for'changing the direction of movement of said prongs for carrying the material away from said knife after it has been sliced, and means for maintaining said .prongs in uniform spaced relation relative to one another during said operation.

21. In combination, a slicing knife, means for presenting material to said knife to be sliced, spaced prongs for engaging the slices, means for causing said prongs to engage the material before it is sliced, means for moving said prongs to carry the slices away from said knife and into flat position, and means for maintaining said prongs in uniform spaced relation relative to one another' throughout said operation. y

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 29th day of January A. D. 1915.

ED'WARD M. STILES.

lVitnesses:

FRANK B. HAVILAND, THOMAS H. STILES.

Images