Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6263640
-
Patent Number
6,263,640
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, July 13, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, July 24, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 053 157
- 053 3891
- 053 517
- 053 534
- 053 156
- 493 478
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A bacon board dispenser (10) deposits predetermined quantities of sliced bacon in a shingled condition on bacon boards. The dispenser (10) includes a frame having a support side (12) and an operating side (11). The output conveyor (172), bacon board dispenser mechanism (193), and feeding mechanism (146) are cantilevered from the support side of the frame to provide for an open operating side for ease of bacon board loading, cleaning and maintenance. The dispenser (10) includes a multi-positioned bacon board magazine (43). The dispenser mechanism utilizes two sets of vacuum cups (210, 211) to provide for an easy changeover between different size boards.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to bacon board dispensers, and more particularly to a cantilevered design for a bacon board dispenser utilizing an easily adjustable board magazine having variable pressure and a dispenser having dual vacuum cups.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Bacon board dispensers are commercially available and in use for conveying and depositing sliced bacon in shingled conditions in predetermined quantities (e.g., ½ pound, 1 pound, 2 pounds) onto so-called bacon boards for further packaging and insertion in a folded outer carton or other enclosures in evacuated and hermetically sealed envelopes of suitable film. Also, machines are available to package bacon on bacon boards or cards which are relatively thin and quite flexible and have a cutout window area for viewing the product.
Due to the designs of such machines, they typically can package only 55 boards per minute because of their excess motion. Further, the bacon boards are of various size for the different quantities of bacon to be packaged. Adjustments are therefore necessary for the size of the bacon boards. This involves a setup which is typically quite consuming in converting the machinery from one size board to the other board. In addition, the dispensing of the boards is often dependent upon the size of the stack of bacon boards to be dispensed. Applicant is unaware of board magazines which compensate for the varying loads created by the varying amounts of bacon boards as they are dispensed.
Sanitation requirements are also quite stringent for the packaging of bacon. In order to comply with the sanitation requirements, cleaning of the machines are necessary. Also, repairs are often necessary to the machines. The closed design of the prior art does not provide for ease of cleaning and maintenance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is an apparatus for depositing predetermined quantities of sliced bacon in shingled condition on bacon boards. The apparatus includes a frame having an input end, output end, support side, and operating side. An infeed conveyor is operatively connected to a frame and a cantilevered output conveyor is operatively connected to the support side and extends towards the operating side. A bacon board dispenser mechanism is cantilevered and operatively connected to the support side and extends to the operating side. A bacon board magazine is positioned proximate the dispenser mechanism for supplying bacon boards to the dispenser mechanism. A cantilevered feeding mechanism is operatively connected to the support side and extends to the operating side. The feeding mechanism is for taking a bacon board dispensed by the dispenser mechanism and placing the bacon board under the sliced bacon, wherein the operating side is open thereby easing bacon board loading, cleaning and maintaining the apparatus.
In another embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for depositing predetermined quantities of sliced bacon in shingled condition on bacon boards. The apparatus includes a frame having an input end, output end, support side and operating side. An infeed conveyor and output conveyor are operatively connected to the frame. A dispenser mechanism and feeding mechanism is also operatively connected to the frame. A multi-positioned bacon board magazine includes a generally vertical bearing member. A first frame is mounted for vertical movement on the bearing member. The frame has a carrying surface for holding the bacon boards. A lift is operatively connected to the first frame for moving the first frame vertically. A cradle is operatively connected to the bearing member, and the cradle has a plurality of stops at different vertical heights. The cradle is slidable laterally to position a selected stop under the frame, wherein the frame is lowered to contact the selected stop, thereby positioning the frame.
In another embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for depositing quantities of sliced bacon in shingled condition on bacon boards. The apparatus includes a frame having an input end, output end, support side and operating side. An infeed conveyor and output conveyor are operatively connected to the frame. A dispenser mechanism and feeding mechanism are also operatively connected to the frame. A bacon board magazine has a support surface for holding the bacon boards and a pushing member for pushing the bacon boards towards the dispensing mechanism and feeding mechanism. Means for applying pressure to the pushing member and means for sensing an amount of bacon boards on the support surface and lowering pressure applying to the pushing member as the amount of bacon boards decrease are provided.
In another embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for depositing predetermined quantities of sliced bacon in shingled condition on bacon boards. The apparatus includes a frame having an input end, output end, support side and operating side. An infeed conveyor and output conveyor are operatively connected to the frame. A bacon board magazine has a support surface for holding the bacon boards. A dispenser mechanism is operatively connected to the frame. The dispenser mechanism includes a first vacuum member for grasping a bacon board from the bacon board magazine. The first vacuum member is operatively connected to the dispenser mechanism for movement between a first grasping position and a second releasing position. A second vacuum member is provided for grasping a bacon board from the bacon board magazine. The second vacuum member is operatively connected to the dispenser mechanism for movement between the first and second positions, the second vacuum member spaced from the first vacuum member. A valve is used to selectively supply a vacuum to the first and second vacuum members, wherein bacon boards of different configurations may easily be dispensed. A feeding mechanism is operatively connected to the frame. The feeding mechanism takes the bacon boards dispensed by dispenser mechanism and places the bacon boards under the sliced bacon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is an exploded perspective view of cantilevered members shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a perspective view of the magazine cradle shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is a perspective view of the board magazine shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 5
is a perspective view of the board magazine shown in
FIG. 4
from below;
FIG. 6
is a perspective view of the output end of the conveyor shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 7
is a perspective view of the pinch rollers shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 8
is a perspective view of the output feed conveyor shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 9
is a perspective view of the dual vacuum cups, shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 10
is a schematic representation showing the dispensing of bacon boards according to the present invention; and
FIG. 11
is a side elevational view of the dispensing mechanism shown in
FIG. 9
;
FIG. 12
is a perspective view of the vacuum cups shown in
FIG. 9
rotated about 180°;
FIG. 13
is a second embodiment of a system to provide pressure to the cylinder of the board magazine; and
FIG. 14
is a schematic of the pressure system of FIG.
12
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawing, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, there is generally disclosed at
10
a bacon board dispenser. The dispenser
10
has a frame for supporting the various components of the dispenser.
FIG. 2
shows the dispenser with various components exploded away. Further, the frame is shown in dashed lines. The frame includes an operating side base member
11
connected to a support side base member
12
by a plurality of cross members
13
through
16
. Cross member
13
is at the input end of the dispenser
10
and cross member
16
is at the output end of the dispenser
10
. Members
17
,
18
and
19
are operatively connected to form the input end of the frame. A support side frame comprises horizontal members
20
and
21
operatively connected to upright member
22
. The members
11
through
22
are connected by suitable means such as welding. It is of course understood that other suitable constructions of a frame may be utilized. However, as will be discussed more fully hereafter, it is noted that there is not an operating side frame which would effect access to the operating side of the dispenser
10
.
A drive assembly
23
is mounted to the frame between cross members
13
and
14
. The output of the drive assembly
23
is operatively connected to two drive belts
24
and
25
. Drive belt
24
is utilized to drive the components at the output end of the dispenser
10
. These will be described in more detail hereafter. The drive belt
25
is utilized to drive the infeed conveyor, generally designated at
26
.
The infeed conveyor
26
has a plurality of O-rings
26
a
which rotate around an input end shaft
27
and an output end shaft
28
. A U-shaped connector
29
is secured at one end to the frame. At the other end of the U-shaped connector
29
, the input end shaft
27
is mounted in suitable bearings to allow it to rotate. Two bearing blocks
30
are bolted to a plate
31
which is in turn bolted to horizontal member
20
. A driven shaft
32
is mounted in the bearing blocks
30
for rotation. The driven shaft
32
is cantilevered from the support side of the dispenser
10
. Shafts
33
through
36
are also cantilevered from the operating side of the dispenser
10
. Two bearing blocks
37
are bolted to a plate
38
. Two bearing blocks
39
are bolted to a plate
40
. Two bearing blocks
41
are bolted to another plate (not shown). Finally, two additional bearing blocks (not shown) are bolted to a plate (not shown) to support the shaft
36
. The plates
38
and
40
and the two plates not shown are bolted together to form a box which is in turn bolted and connected to the frame on the support side of the dispenser
10
. Shaft
33
is rotatably mounted in the bearing blocks
37
. Shaft
34
is rotatably mounted in the bearing blocks
39
and shaft
35
is rotatably mounted in the bearing blocks
41
. The shaft
36
, as previously mentioned, is similarly supported by bearing blocks and a plate. It is understood that other suitable structures to support the shafts
33
through
36
in a cantilevered fashion may be utilized. Shafts
27
,
28
,
34
,
35
and
36
have grooves in which the O-rings
26
a
are positioned.
The shafts of the infeed conveyor
26
are suitably driven by the drive belt
25
. One suitable arrangement would be for the drive belt
25
to drive a sprocket gear positioned between the shafts
34
,
35
and
36
. The sprocket gear in turn would drive the shafts
34
,
35
and
36
. Shaft
34
has an extension on which a belt
42
is positioned. The belt
42
rotates as the shaft
34
is driven. The belt
42
also rotates around an extension of shaft
32
, thereby driving shaft
32
.
A board magazine generally designated at
43
is shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5
. The board magazine
43
is carried on an adjustable cradle, generally designated at
44
and shown in FIG.
3
. The cradle
44
includes base plates
45
and
46
which are bolted to the frame cross members
14
and
15
respectively. Standoffs
47
and
48
are connected to the base plates
45
and
46
by suitable means such as welding. Top plates
49
and
50
are secured to the standoffs
47
and
48
, again by suitable means such as welding. Bearing plates
51
and
52
are bolted to the top plates
49
and
50
. The bearing plates
51
and
52
have a top surface
51
a
and
52
a
. A horizontally slidable support stop is generally designated at
53
. The support stop
53
slides horizontally on top of the top surfaces
51
a
and
52
a
. The support stop
53
includes a cross member
54
which at one end is bolted to a multi-positioned stop member
55
at one end and another multi-positioned stop member
56
at its other end. Connected to the stop member
56
by an intermediate section
58
is another multi-positioned stop member
59
. Another multi-positioned stop member (not shown) is connected to the stop member
55
by an intermediate section
57
. All four stop members are similar and therefore only one will be described in detail, it being understood that the other stop members have similar construction. The stop member
56
is formed having three steps, thereby forming three support surfaces
60
,
61
and
62
. Each support surface
60
through
62
is at a different elevation. The support stop
53
is moved horizontally along the top surfaces
51
a
and
52
a
by simply pulling or pushing on the cross member
54
. As shown in
FIG. 4
, the support stop
53
is pushed in, toward the support side of the dispenser, at its maximum distance. It is movable toward the operating side in increments to position successively support surfaces
61
and
62
. Any suitable means to slidably connect the support stop
53
to the plates
51
and
52
may be utilized. For instance, a slot may be formed in the plates
51
and
52
. Then a shoulder bolt may be threaded into the bottom of the stop members
55
,
56
and
59
. The shoulder bolt would then slide in the slot and maintain the sliding relationship between the support stop
53
and the plates
51
and
52
without having the support stop
53
tilt. Further, a ball detent may be located on the bottom of the stops and corresponding holes formed in the top surfaces
51
a
and
52
a
. The holes would be in alignment so that the ball detent would engage the holes when the support surfaces
60
through
62
are in the appropriate position. That is, there would be one location for locating the support surface
60
in a horizontal direction, another for support surface
61
and finally another for support surface
62
.
A slidable board magazine support is generally designated at
63
. The support
63
includes a rectangular base which includes cross members
64
and
65
connected by suitable means, such as welding, to side members
67
and
67
a
. In viewing
FIG. 3
, the construction of the magazine support is best shown toward the input end of the dispenser
10
and will therefore be described in more detail, it being understood that the construction at the output end is similar. There are two posts
68
and
69
that extend generally upward from the side members
67
and have a plate
68
a
and
69
a
which is connected by bolts
70
to the board magazine, as will be described more fully hereafter. Another cross member
71
is secured between the posts
68
and
69
. Cross member
71
is suitably connected, such as by welding, to two angle members
76
via brace
77
and connector
78
. The brace
77
is welded to the angle members
76
and the connector
78
is welded to the brace
77
at one end and to the cross member
71
at its other end. Rectangular guide posts
72
and
73
are secured to the bearing plates
51
and
52
. Machined bearing surfaces
74
are formed on the guideposts
72
and
73
to provide for a slidable connection with the matching bearing surfaces formed on the inside of the angles
76
. This allows the board magazine support
63
to slide up and down on the guide posts
72
and
73
.
The slidable board magazine support is moved in a vertical direction by a suitable means such as a pneumatic Firestone Airstroke Lift Device
80
. The lift device
80
is secured at its bottom end to a frame member
81
which is positioned between the cross members
14
and
15
. The top end of the lift device, which provides vertical movement, is in contact with a cross bar
82
whose ends are welded to plates
83
and
84
. The plates
83
and
84
are bolted to the cross members
64
and
65
respectively. Therefore, a vertical extension of the lift device
80
causes the cross bar
82
to move vertically and thereby moves the slidable board magazine support
63
in a vertical direction.
FIG. 4
is a perspective view showing the top of the board magazine
43
while
FIG. 5
is a perspective view of the bottom of the board magazine
43
. The board magazine
43
includes a base plate
283
which has eight elongate openings
283
a
formed therein. The openings
283
a
are formed in pairs and are for receiving the eight bolts
70
(as shown in
FIG. 3
) to secure the board magazine
43
to the slidable board magazine support
63
. Therefore, any movement vertically of the magazine support
63
carries with it the board magazine
43
. A central opening
283
b
is formed in the base plate
283
. A pusher member
84
provides a motive force for pushing the boards
300
toward the output end or to the left, as shown in FIG.
4
. The pusher member
284
slides on two plastic members
85
which are secured to the base plate
283
by suitable means such as screws. The base plate
283
is typically stainless steel and the boards to be dispensed do not slide well on stainless steel. Therefore, the plastic members
85
are utilized. The pusher member
284
has two block sections
284
a
attached to each side. The two block sections
284
a
are connected by a bracket
86
. As can be seen in
FIG. 5
, the block sections
284
a
extend downward into the opening
283
b
and act as a guide to keep the pusher member
284
in alignment along the center longitudinal axis. The motive force for the pusher member
284
is supplied by an Origa rodless cylinder
87
. The rodless cylinder
87
is well known and is commercially available. There is a piston inside of the rodless cylinder
87
which is acted upon by air pressure. The rodless cylinder
87
has a translating attachment
87
a
which is U-shaped and extends both above and below the rodless cylinder
87
. The translating attachment
87
is bolted to a plate
88
which has a cylindrical rod
88
a
attached thereto. The cylindrical rod
89
extends into a hole which is drilled into the pusher member
284
. Therefore, any movement of the translating attachment
87
a
is directly transferred to a corresponding movement of the pusher member
284
.
A fence
89
has two arms
90
which have two rods
90
a
and
90
b
attached thereto. The arms
90
are connected to a bracket
91
and pivot about their point of attachment
91
a
. Standoffs
92
are attached to the arm and bracket and are connected by O-ring springs
93
. The O-rings
93
provide a tension to keep the arms and bracket at a 90-degree angle. However, the O-rings stretch and allow the fence to be rotated downward, as viewed in
FIG. 4
, to allow for the loading of the boards. Air pressure is provided to the rodless cylinder
87
through three valves
94
,
95
and
96
. The valves
94
through
96
are secured to the underside of the base plate
283
. The valves
94
through
96
have an inlet conduit
94
a
through
96
a
which are each operatively connected by a hose to regulators
94
b
,
95
b
and
96
b
. Each valve
94
through
96
has an outlet
94
c
,
95
c
and
96
c
. The outlets
94
c
through
96
c
are all operatively connected to the rodless cylinder
87
by a suitable connecting hose (not shown). A source of pressurized air
97
is connected to the regulators
94
b
,
95
b
and
96
b
. A typical source of pressurized air may have a pressure of approximately 100 psi. The regulators
94
b
through
96
b
may have a suitable pressure such as 55 psi for regulator
94
b
, 38 psi for regulator
95
b
and 25 psi for regulator
96
b
. This would be varied, depending on the amount of pressure that is desired to be supplied to the rodless cylinder
87
. Each valve
94
through
96
has an associated spring-loaded cam follower which opens or closes the valve. The cam followers are identified as
98
. The cam follower for valve
95
is hidden from view in
FIG. 5
but is similar to that shown for valves
94
and
96
. A shoe
99
is secured to the pushing member
84
and, as shown in
FIG. 5
, extends below the bottom of the base plate
283
. The shoe
99
has angled ends. As will be described more fully hereafter, the shoe contacts the cam follower and opens the valve which is associated with that cam follower. When the boards fill the board magazine
43
, the shoe contacts the cam follower for
94
b
providing the highest pressure. Then as the boards are used, the shoe will allow the cam follower for
94
b
to be released and contact the cam follower
98
for regulator
95
b
, thereby reducing the pressure supplied to the cylinder
87
. This provides less force and this is repeated when regulator
96
b
is actuated and
95
b
is not. When the pressure supplied is reduced in steps, the higher pressure is still in the cylinder
87
, and is gradually reduced as the shoe moves. It is therefore gradually reduced until it reaches the pressure of the next regulator, when the process is then repeated. If the shoe is not touching the cam follower, the valve is not operative and air will not flow out of the valve. A sensor
100
is mounted toward the output end of the dispenser
10
.
Any suitable sensor
100
may be utilized. The sensor will sense the presence of the shoe
99
. When the shoe
99
has traveled toward the output end, it indicates that there is a low level of boards available to be dispensed and a suitable warning light may be activated by the sensor
100
. A backstop
101
is secured to the base plate
283
and provides for a stop for the boards which are loaded onto the board magazine
43
. The backstop
101
has a lower section
101
a
which extends further in than the upper section
101
b
. This feature is useful when different sized boards are utilized and allows for the contact of the boards at different heights.
At the end of the board magazine
43
, as shown in
FIG. 4
, are two uprights
102
which are secured to the base plate
283
. The uprights have a lower set of stops or tabs
103
which are secured to the uprights
102
by a screw
104
. The tabs
103
have slots so that the distance that the tabs
103
extend into the center of the board magazine
43
may be adjusted. Similarly, top tabs
105
are secured to the top end of the uprights
102
. Middle stops or tabs
106
are mounted to a cylinder
107
which is mounted for 180-degree rotational movement on the upright
102
. Therefore, the tabs may be rotated in and out of position simply rotating the cylinders
107
. This is useful when different sized boards require different tabs. Tabs
106
are utilized when the smaller sized boards are run. Then, when larger boards are run, the tabs
106
are simply rotated out of the way. This provides for an easier board changeover. The tabs prevent the boards
300
from being pushed out of the board magazine
43
by the pusher
84
.
Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 6
, there is shown a steering assembly, generally designated at
108
. The steering assembly
108
provides for controlling the steering of the infeed conveyor
26
by providing lateral movement of the output end shaft
28
. The steering assembly
108
also provides for a cantilevered attachment of the output end shaft
28
to the support side of the bacon board dispenser. A top bar
109
and a bottom bar
110
are secured to a plate
111
by four bolts
112
. The plate
111
is secured to the horizontal member
20
by suitable means such as welding. A first plate
113
is pivotally connected between the top bar
109
and the bottom bar
110
by a shaft
114
. The shaft
114
is secured to the top bar
109
by means of a setscrew
115
and secured to the bottom bar
110
by means of a set screw
116
. The first plate
113
is free to rotate around the shaft
114
. Similarly, a second plate
117
is pivotally mounted between the top bar
109
and bottom bar
110
by means of a shaft
118
. The shaft
118
is similarly secured by means of set screws (not shown) and allows the second plate
117
to rotate about the shaft
118
.
The other ends of the plates
113
and
117
are rotatably connected to a bar
119
. As best shown in
FIG. 2
, a shaft
120
is positioned in suitable bores in the second plate
117
and bar
119
. Similarly, a shaft
121
rotatably mounts the plate
113
to the bar
119
. This structure provides for a parallelogram to effectively move the output shaft
28
. A post
122
has a first end secured by suitable means, such as welding, to the top of the first plate
113
. The post
122
has a member
122
a
which extends 90 degrees from the top of the post
122
. A bar
123
is welded to a cross member
124
which is in turn secured by suitable bolts
125
to the top bar
109
. An extension member
126
is welded to the cross member
124
and extends upward. A nut
127
having a threaded aperture is secured to a post
128
which is in turn mounted to the top of the extension member
126
. Extending through the threaded aperture of the nut
127
is a threaded rod
129
at one end of the threaded rod
129
is a knob
130
and at the other end is a nut
131
. The nut
131
is threaded and is welded to member
122
a
. As the knob
130
is rotated, the threaded rod rotates in the nut
131
and moves the bar
119
to the left, as viewed in FIG.
6
. As will be seen later, this allows for the movement of the output end shaft
28
. Rotation of the knob
130
in the opposite direction will unscrew the threaded rod out of the nut
131
causing the bar
119
to move to the right, as viewed in FIG.
6
.
The output shaft
28
is mounted in two bearing blocks
132
. The bearing blocks are in turn mounted on a plate
133
by suitable bolts
134
. The plate
133
has a first end
133
a
and a second end
133
b
. The plate
133
is configured to pivot at its first end
133
a
around a shaft
135
. The shaft
135
is held in position by four rod ends
136
through
139
. Each of the rod ends have a threaded shaft at one end and a bearing at the other. The threaded shafts for rod ends
136
and
137
are secured to the bar
119
by suitable nuts. The bearings are positioned around the shaft
135
. The rod ends
138
and
139
have their threaded shafts secured to the plate
133
and their bearings positioned around the shaft
135
. Clamp collars
140
are positioned around the shaft and prevent lateral movement thereof. The second end
133
b
of the plate
133
is supported on a plastic bearing or stop
141
which is in turn secured to a support bar
142
. The support bar
142
is secured to the first plate
113
by suitable means such as bolts
143
. The parallelogram steering structure provides for the movement to the left or right of the shaft
28
. Further, the shaft
28
may be lifted upward by means of a handle
144
. The handle
144
is connected to an L-bracket
145
which has one end welded to the plate
133
. Therefore, when the handle
144
is moved upward, the plate
133
is rotated around the shaft
135
and the shaft
28
also rotates around the shaft
135
, thereby bringing upward the output end of the infeed conveyor
26
.
Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 7
, there is generally shown at
146
a feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism
146
is cantilevered and connected to the support side of the dispenser
10
and extends toward the operating side of the dispenser
10
. Referring to
FIG. 2
, it can be seen that an angled support
147
is secured to the side support
12
by suitable means such as welding. The angled support
147
provides a basis for providing cantilevered support to various portions of the dispenser
10
. One of these is the dispenser mechanism
146
. A plate
148
is secured to the angled support
147
by suitable means such as welding. The plate has a plurality of apertures
148
a
formed therein. Another plate
149
having a plurality of corresponding apertures
149
a
is secured to plate
148
by suitable means such as bolts. A support bar
150
is welded to the plate
149
and provides for cantilevered support of the dispenser mechanism
146
. Secured to the support bar
150
is support member
151
. Suitable means such as bolts may be used to connect the support bar
150
to the support member
151
. Secured at opposite sides of the support member
151
are first and second bearing supports
152
and
153
. Bearing
154
is operatively connected to the bearing support
153
. Another bearing (not shown) is connected and carried by the first bearing support
152
. A shaft
155
is rotatably mounted in the bearing
154
. Another bearing
156
is carried by the second bearing support
153
. A similar bearing (not shown) is carried by the first bearing support
152
. A shaft
157
is rotatably carried by the bearing
156
and its equivalent bearing in the first bearing support
152
. The bearings
154
and
156
are aligned vertically in an orientation as best seen in FIG.
10
. The shaft
155
is made of an appropriate material such as steel and is covered by a soft covering
155
a
. The shaft
155
is driven. The shaft
157
is in contact with the soft covering
155
a
and is driven by friction from the rotation of the soft covering
155
a
. A plurality of smooth stainless steel fingers
159
are supported by bar
160
. The fingers
159
are curved slightly and terminate just prior to the nip point between the shafts
157
and
155
. The fingers
159
help guide the board being dispensed to the nip point between the shafts
155
and
157
. A protective shield
161
extends over the shafts
155
and
157
to prevent bacon droppings from falling into the feeding mechanism
146
. A housing
162
surrounds the back portion of the dispenser mechanism
146
, as viewed in FIG.
2
. Between the housing
162
and the protective shield
161
is a slit through which the bacon boards
300
are dispensed after they are driven between the shafts
155
and
157
. A drive pulley
163
is positioned inside of a gear housing
164
. The drive pulley
163
has the shaft
155
operatively connected to it. Therefore, rotation of the drive pulley
163
causes an equivalent rotation of the shaft
155
.
The drive belt
24
drives a jack shaft
165
. The jack shaft
165
has a pulley (not shown) which, as viewed in
FIG. 2
, is located behind the brake/clutch mechanism
166
. The jack shaft
165
is mounted in a bearing block
167
at one end and a similar bearing block (not shown) at its other end. A drive pulley
168
is mounted on the drive shaft
167
and drives the brake/clutch mechanism
166
via drive belt
169
. The output of the brake/clutch mechanism
166
has a drive pulley (not shown) which is connected via a drive belt
170
to the drive pulley
163
. An idler pulley
171
is positioned between the pulley
163
and the brake/clutch mechanisms output.
A cantilevered output conveyor, generally designated at
172
is shown in a perspective view, as viewed from underneath, in FIG.
8
. An exploded view, as viewed from the top, is shown in FIG.
2
. As will be described, the output conveyor
172
is cantilevered from the support side of the dispenser
10
and extends toward the operating side of the dispenser
10
. A connecting plate
173
has apertures
173
a
for connection, by suitable means such as bolts, to the angled support
147
. Welded to the connecting plate
173
is a stop member
174
which is at the bottom of the output conveyor
172
. A cylindrical support rod
175
has its first end
175
a
welded to the connecting plate
173
. A generally H-shaped connector bracket
176
is rotatably mounted on the rod
175
. The bracket
176
has two side members
176
a
and
176
b
connected by connecting member
176
c
. At the ends of each side
176
a
and
176
b
are two circular collars
176
d
and
176
e
. The connector bracket
176
is able to rotate about the rod
175
. Welded to the bottom of the sides
176
a
and
176
b
is a bar
177
. The bar rests on a plurality of bumpers
178
which are fastened to the stop member
174
. The stop member
174
limits the downward rotation of the H-connector bracket
176
. A drive pulley
179
is mounted on a drive shaft
180
that extends on both sides of the pulley
179
. One end of the shaft
180
is rotatably mounted in the circular collar
176
e
. The other end of the drive shaft
180
is operatively connected to the drive shaft
181
of the output conveyor
172
. A housing
182
is positioned over the pulley
179
and acts as a guard. A plurality of O-rings
183
are positioned around the drive shaft
182
and a shaft
184
. Similarly, O-rings
185
are positioned around drive shaft
181
and shaft
186
. The O-rings
183
and
185
are carried in grooves formed within the shafts
181
,
184
and
186
. End caps
187
and
188
each have three bearings (not shown) positioned inside of them. The bearings are for mounting the shafts
181
,
184
and
186
. The end caps
187
and
188
are similar and only one will be described in detail. The end cap
187
has a first housing
187
a
which is connected by an intermediate bar
187
b
to the second housing
187
c
. The two bearings for shaft
181
and
184
are in the housing
187
a
and the bearing for shaft
186
is in housing
187
c
. The housings
187
a
and
187
c
and bar
187
b
form a solid end cap for the shafts. The end cap
187
has a flange
187
d
which extends downward and is captured between a plate
189
(which is welded to the bar
177
) and a second plate
189
a
by means of bolts. A handle
190
is welded to the plate
189
a
. The drive pulley
179
is connected by a drive belt
191
to a pulley
192
. The pulley
192
is mounted on the jack shaft
165
. The output conveyor
172
is able to be rotated, as viewed in
FIG. 2
, to rotate about the shaft
181
. This allows the shaft
186
to move upward as the handle
190
is moved upward. The shaft
184
necessarily rotates downward. As will be described more fully hereafter, this rotation allows for access to the location where the bacon is placed on the bacon board.
A dispensing mechanism, generally designated as
193
, is best seen in
FIGS. 2
,
9
,
11
and
12
. The dispensing mechanism
193
is for taking boards
300
from the board magazine and placing them into the feeding mechanism
146
for subsequent placement under drafts of bacon. The sequential schematic view of this operation is shown in
FIG. 10
where the boards
300
are being shown taken from the board magazine and being placed between the rollers
154
and
156
of the feeding mechanism
146
.
The dispensing mechanism
193
is supported by a support bar
194
. The support bar
194
is welded to a plate
195
which is in turn bolted to a corresponding plate
196
, which is in turn welded to the angled support
147
. It can therefore be seen that the support
194
provides cantilevered support for the dispensing mechanism
193
. A pneumatic cylinder
197
, having an extendable arm
197
a
, is mounted to an L-shaped bracket
199
which is in turn secured to the support
194
by suitable means such as welding. A guard
198
is fastened to the cylinder
197
.
A mounting plate
201
is operatively connected to the support bar
194
by suitable means such as welding. Two block assemblies
202
are used to pivotally mount vacuum assemblies
210
and
211
. The vacuum assemblies
210
and
211
are symmetrically mounted and accordingly only one will be described in detail, it being recognized that the other is similarly mounted. The block assembly
202
has a lower section
202
a
that is suitably connected to the mounting plate
201
by suitable means such as welding. An upper section
202
b
is secured to the lower section
202
a
by a bolt
203
. The lower section
202
a
and upper section
202
b
each have half of a cylindrical bore formed therein and together form a cylindrical bore for the pivotal mounting of shaft
204
.
The extension arm
197
a
is connected to an L-bracket
205
having a lower portion
205
a
and a generally vertical upright section
205
b
. A generally rectangular block (not shown as it is hidden from view by blocks
202
) is welded to the upright section
205
b
. The block has a bore and the shaft
204
is positioned inside of the bore of the block as well as the block assemblies
202
. At the top of the upright section
205
b
is welded a cross bracket
206
. The cross bracket
206
is also utilized for mounting bearing houses
207
and
208
. The houses
207
and
208
are secured to the bracket
206
by bolts
209
. The shaft
204
is mounted for rotational movement in the houses
207
, blocks
202
and through the block of upright
205
b
. Therefore, in viewing
FIG. 12
, as the arm
197
a
is extended to the right, the upright
205
b
pivots counterclockwise around the shaft
204
and the bracket
206
moves to the left as it pivots around shaft
204
, carrying with it the houses
207
and
208
.
A shaft
212
is rotatably mounted inside of the bearing house
208
. The shaft
212
is captured between two blocks
213
and
214
which each have half of a cylindrical bore and together form a full cylindrical bore for the shaft
212
. The vacuum assemblies
210
and
211
are bolted to the blocks
214
. Each vacuum assembly
210
and
211
has an upper suction cup
215
and a lower suction cup
216
.
A cam base
217
is secured to the block assemblies
202
by bolts
218
. In viewing
FIG. 12
, the portion of the cam base
217
to the right has a slot in which the upright
205
b
is positioned. The cam
219
has a cam track
219
a
formed therein. Each of the shafts
212
are operatively connected to a base
212
a
which is in turn secured to a yoke
220
. The yoke
220
has a slot formed therein.
A cam follower
221
is inserted in bores formed on the split side of the yoke
220
and is therefore positioned in the yoke
220
and carried by the yoke
220
, but is also positioned inside of the cam track
219
a.
Air control valves are mounted on a bracket
223
which is carried by the yoke
219
. The air control valves
222
control flow of a vacuum to the vacuum cups
215
and
216
by suitable hoses. A separate control is provided, but not shown, for controlling the air control valves
222
, as is well known in the art.
In operation, the multi-position bacon board magazine is moved into the correct position depending upon the size of the bacon boards
300
to be dispensed. After one of the three preset heights are selected, the pusher member
284
is retracted by manually releasing the pressure on the cylinder
87
. Then, a pneumatic valve (not shown) is activated to cause the pusher member
284
to apply pressure to the bacon boards
300
. While not shown, it is understood that the pneumatic valve would be positioned between the source of pressurized air
97
and the regulators
94
b
through
96
b
. The infeed conveyor
26
and output conveyor
172
are run continuously by the drive assembly
23
. Drafts of shingled strips of bacon
400
are supplied to the input conveyor
26
by means well known in the art. Depending upon the size of the bacon board
300
to be dispensed, either the upper suction cups
215
are activated and/or the lower suction cups
216
are activated. The pusher member
284
pushes the boards
300
up against the suction cups
215
and
216
. There are two sensors, such as photo eye detectors, which are located in the dispensing mechanism
193
. If no board
300
is detected as being in the dispensing mechanism
193
, the vacuum cups
215
or
216
pull a board from the magazine and transfer it between the pinch rollers
155
a
and
156
. The pinch rollers are driven by the clutch/brake
166
and the rollers are rotated until the board
300
is in the position “B” as shown in FIG.
10
. The board is held stationary at this position until a draft of bacon is detected. The detector (not shown) activates a timer. After the timer times out the brake/clutch mechanism is activated thereby completing dispensing the board
300
as the draft of bacon
400
is going over the top of the board
300
.
The sequencing of the dispensing mechanism
193
is shown in FIG.
10
. There, in the first position shown, the suction cups are adjacent the board
300
. The cylinder
197
is then actuated thereby causing the cam follower
221
to move in the cam track
219
a
. This causes the board
300
to move through the positions as shown in the dotted line in FIG.
10
. The board is placed in position between the pinch rollers which then move the board
300
to position “B” where it is held in position until it is needed to be dispensed under the next draft of bacon
400
. When the trailing edge of the board being dispensed passes a sensor, the cycle is repeated and the next board
300
is dispensed from the board magazine. The combination of the pivoting movement of the dispensing mechanism and the movement in the cam track provide a relatively horizontal removal of the boards from the stack of boards and then a movement up into the nip point between the rollers of the feeding mechanism.
By having the board magazine
43
positioned directly under the conveyor
26
, a faster operation is possible as the boards
300
are more readily in position for dispensing. Further, it provides for accurate board placement as well as a large board storage capacity. Also, the three-position board magazine provides for quick change over between any of three board sizes with no time necessary for mechanics to change over between board sizes. Further, since the pressure or pushing force by the cylinder
87
decreases as boards are dispensed, the automatic decreasing of pressure allows for consistent board dispensing from a large horizontal magazine. The upper and lower suction cups
215
and
216
allow for either or both sets of vacuum cups to be run, depending upon the type of board to be dispensed. This again requires no set-up to change, simply a change of the valve
222
will accomplish this and no mechanic set-up time is required.
The cantilevered design of many of the components results in a very open and easy-to-clean design. Also, the dual flip open conveyors at the point of board dispensing helps gain access for any possible jams as well as for ease of sanitation.
A second embodiment of a pressure system to provide pressure to the cylinder
87
is shown in
FIGS. 13 and 14
.
FIG. 14
represents a schematic of the pressure system. The second embodiment of the pressure system utilizes a single source of pressurized air
550
and a single valve
502
that is controlled by a switching valve
500
, as opposed to the three regulators and cam followers used with respect to the first embodiment. A switching valve
500
, having a cam follower
501
, is mounted on the dispensing mechanism
193
such that the L-bracket
205
actuates the cam follower
501
on the valve
500
. A valve
502
is mounted on the underneath side of the base plate
283
by suitable means such as bolts (not shown). The valve
502
is shown exploded away for clarity purposes. Each valve
500
and
502
have suitable exhaust ports for venting air to relieve pressure. As shown in
FIG. 14
, pressurized air from a suitable source
550
is provided to the valve
500
and valve
502
through lines
560
and
570
, respectively. The cam follower
501
, which is activated by the rotation of the L-bracket
205
, causes the air to be supplied via connecting line
504
to a pilot on valve
502
. A second connecting line
508
connects another pilot of the valve
502
to the valve
500
. When the pressurized air from the switching valve
500
provides air to the valve
502
, pressurized air flows via line
509
to the cylinder
87
. This results in the pushing member
284
pushing on the boards towards the pick-off point. When the L-bracket
205
pivots back and the cam follower is released, pressure in the rodless cylinder
87
goes to zero. This occurs at the same time as the suction cups are pulling a board from the magazine. Therefore, with no force being exerted by the rodless cylinder
87
, it is easier to pull a board out of the magazine. The remainder of the board magazine shown in
FIG. 13
is the same as that previously described.
The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
Claims
- 1. An apparatus for depositing predetermined quantities of sliced bacon in shingled condition on bacon boards, comprising:(a) a frame having an input end, output end, support side and operating side; (b) a bacon infeed conveyor operatively connected to the frame; (c) a cantilevered output conveyor operatively connected to the support side and extending to the operating side; (d) a dispenser mechanism operatively connected to the frame, the dispenser mechanism comprising: (i) a first vacuum member for grasping a bacon board from the bacon board magazine, the first vacuum member operatively connected to the dispenser mechanism for movement between a first grasping position and second releasing position; (ii) a second vacuum member for grasping a bacon board from the bacon board magazine, the second vacuum member operatively connected to the dispenser mechanism for movement between the first and second positions, the second vacuum member spaced from the first vacuum member; (iii) a valve to selectively supply a vacuum to the first and second vacuum members, wherein bacon boards of different configurations may easily be dispensed; (e) a multi-positioned bacon board magazine, the magazine comprising: (i) a generally vertical bearing member; (ii) a first frame mounted for vertical movement on the bearing member, the frame having a carrying surface for holding the bacon boards; (iii) a lift operatively connected to the first frame for moving the first frame vertically; (iv) a cradle operatively connected to the bearing member, the cradle having a plurality of stops at different vertical heights; (v) the cradle slidable laterally to position a selected stop under the frame, wherein the frame is lowered to contact the selected stop, thereby positioning the frame; and (f) a cantilevered feeding mechanism operatively connected to the support side and extending to the operating side, the feeding mechanism for taking a bacon board dispensed by the dispenser mechanism and placing the bacon board under the sliced bacon, wherein the operating side is open thereby easing bacon board loading, cleaning and maintaining the apparatus.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pushing member operatively connected to the board magazine and a pneumatic cylinder for providing a force to boards positioned on the magazine.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:(a) a means for applying varying pressure to the pushing member; (b) a means for sensing an amount of bacon boards on the support surface and lowering pressure applied to the pushing member as the amount of bacon boards decrease; (c) the infeed conveyor cantilevered at the output end of the frame; and (d) the magazine is positioned under the infeed conveyor.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:(a) a switch valve activated by the dispensing mechanism; (b) a second valve operatively connected to and controlled by the switch valve, the second valve operatively connected to the cylinder for providing a force to the pushing member; and (c) a source of pressurized air operatively connected to the switch valve, wherein pressure to the pushing member is released as a board is dispensed and activated after the board is dispensed to push remaining boards forward on the magazine.
US Referenced Citations (9)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0 677 442 |
Oct 1995 |
EP |
0 608 823 |
Dec 1996 |
EP |
384 606 |
Dec 1932 |
GB |