Food slicer and associated gauge plate slide assembly

Abstract

A food slicer comprises: a base; a knife mounted to rotate relative to the base; a carriage assembly mounted to the base for reciprocating movement back and forth past the cutting edge of the knife; and a gauge plate mounted to move between a closed position in which slicing is prevented and a plurality of open positions in which slicing at respective thicknesses is permitted. A gauge plate adjustment system includes a knob having an associated cam, a follower engaged with the cam and moved by rotation of the knob and the cam, where the follower is associated with a gauge plate to move the gauge plate, where the follower spans a slide rail, where the slide rail includes a plate member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates generally to a food slicer commonly used for slicing large pieces of food, and more particularly to a gauge plate slide assembly in such a food slicer. Background Art

[0002] A common reciprocating food slicer has a rotatable circular or disc-shaped slicing blade, an adjustable gauge plate for determining the thickness of the slice, and a carriage for supporting the food as it moves back and forth past the cutting edge of the knife during slicing. A drive motor may be in communication with the drive carriage to drive the carriage back and forth during an automatic slicing operation performed by a controller of the slicer. The gauge plate is positioned along the edge of the knife toward the front of the slicing stroke and is movable laterally relative to the knife to determine the thickness of the slice to be cut. A rotatable adjustment knob or indexing mechanism is provided for setting the spacing between the plane of the gauge plate surface and the plane of the knife edge used for slicing so that the operator can select the thickness of the slice to be produced.

[0003] In the past, according to FIG. 16 , such a knob 5 is coupled to a separate shaft member 6, which in turn is coupled to a separate cam member 7 that engages a follower 8, wherein movement of the follower 8 along a slide bar 9 (e.g., via a bearing of the follower) causes movement of the gauge plate. Because the follower 8 can rotate about the slide bar 9, the follower also engages a fixed second bar (e.g., 9a) extending parallel to the bar 9 to prevent such rotation, or in some cases includes a slot that spans along a separate fixed anti-rotation plate 9b to prevent such rotation, both of which are intended to maintain a desired orientation of the gauge plate (e.g., to keep the gauge plate food contact surface plane parallel to the plane defined by the knife cutting edge). This configuration is difficult to assemble and requires adjustment to operate correctly. In addition, there are many moving parts that increase the complexity of the assembly process.

[0004] In existing systems, determining the location of the gauge plate is also problematic.

[0005] It would therefore be desirable to provide a microtome having an indexing assembly that addresses one or more of the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the invention

[0006] In one aspect, a food slicer includes: a base; a knife mounted for rotation relative to the base; a carriage assembly mounted to the base for reciprocating movement past a cutting edge of the knife; and a gauge plate mounted for movement between a closed position that prevents slicing and a plurality of open positions that allow slicing at respective thicknesses. A gauge plate adjustment system includes: a knob having an associated cam, a follower engaged with the cam and moved by rotation of the knob and cam, wherein the follower is associated with the gauge plate to move the gauge plate, wherein the follower rides on a slide rail, wherein the slide rail includes a plate member.

[0007] In another aspect, a food slicer includes: a base; a knife mounted for rotation relative to the base; a bracket assembly mounted to the base for reciprocating movement past a cutting edge of the knife; and a gauge plate mounted for movement between a closed position that prevents slicing and a plurality of open positions that allow slicing at respective thicknesses. A gauge plate adjustment system includes a follower in communication with the gauge plate to move the gauge plate, wherein the follower straddles a slide rail, wherein the slide rail includes a plastic member, wherein engagement of the follower with the slide rail is configured to allow sliding movement of the follower along the slide rail while preventing rotation of the follower about an axis of the slide rail.

[0008] In an embodiment, the slide rail may include an integrated sensing component.

[0009] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A food slicer is shown;

[0011] Figures 3 to 7 A view showing a slide assembly of a slicer or a portion thereof;

[0012] Figures 8 to 9 A view showing an alternative slide assembly;

[0013] Figures 10 to 15 An alternative slide assembly with an integrated sensing system is shown;

[0014] FIG. 16 illustrates a prior art multi-component knob and slide assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] See also Figures 1 to 7 , food slicer 10 includes a housing or base 12 and a motor-driven circular slicing knife 14 mounted to the housing for rotation about an axis 16 . Figure 2Depicted is a right side view of the microtome. Figure 2 The left side of the slicer (where the controls are located) is often referred to as the front side of the slicer (where the operator stands while slicing). Figure 2 The right side of the slicer is generally referred to as the back side of the slicer. The food may be supported on a manually operable (or motor-driven) food support 20 that moves the food to be sliced ​​past the cutting edge 14a of the rotating slicing knife 14. The food support 20 is located relative to the Figure 2 The food tray 20 reciprocates along a linear path from left to right so that the lower end of the large piece of food slides along the surface of the gauge plate 22, is cut by the knife 14, and then slides along the knife cover plate 24. The food tray 20 includes a tray mounted on a tray arm 26, which orients the tray of the food tray at an appropriate angle (usually perpendicular) to the plane of the knife cutting edge. The arm of the food tray reciprocates in a slot 28 in the lower portion of the housing 12. The tray 20 can be moved manually (e.g., by a handle) and / or can also be automatically driven (e.g., such as by an internal motor 30 that drives a belt that is internally connected to the arm 26).

[0016] The gauge plate system includes a rotatable knob 40 (connected to an opening in the base 12) including a grip portion 40a and a cam portion 40b. The cam portion 40b includes an axially oriented spiral cam groove 40b1 that receives a follower pin 42 of a follower 44 that is part of an assembly 46 that communicates with the gauge plate to move the gauge plate.

[0017] Here, the follower 44 is moved by rotation of the knob and cam, and the follower communicates with the gauge plate (through the upper opening in the base) to move the gauge plate. Figures 3 to 7 , the follower 44 is straddled on a slide rail 50, wherein the slide rail includes a plate member 50a. The slide rail 50 is mounted in a fixed position within the base. The engagement of the follower 44 with the slide rail 50 is configured to allow the follower to slide along the axis 52 of the slide rail while preventing the follower from rotating about the axis of the slide rail. Therefore, no separate structure is required to prevent the follower from rotating.

[0018] The plate member 50a shown includes a main surface 50a1 (facing upward), a main surface 50a2 (facing downward), a small edge 50a3 extending between the two main surfaces, and a small edge 50a4 extending between the two main surfaces opposite to the small edge 50a3. The follower 44 includes an attachment portion 44a, which is configured to have one or more portions 44a1, 44a2, which one or more portions start from the main surface 50a1 and bypass one of the small edges 50a3, 50a4 and wrap around at least a portion of the main surface 50a2. This construction stabilizes the engagement of the follower with the slide rail. Typically, the plate member 50a includes an outer surface profile in an axial end view, and the follower attachment portion 44a includes an inner surface profile in an axial end view, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface profile matches at least a portion of the outer surface profile in a manner that facilitates sliding between the profiles while preventing relative rotation between the attachment portion 44a and the plate member 50a.

[0019] In one embodiment, the attachment portion 44a is a single piece structure. In another embodiment, the attachment portion 44a can be a plurality of interconnected parts (eg, the sections 52a, 52b can be separate plate structures connected together by any of fasteners, adhesives, welding, etc.).

[0020] In an embodiment, the plate member 50a includes a plastic material. For example, the plastic may be acetal or nylon. In another example, the plastic material may be an ultra-high molecular weight plastic, in which case it may not be necessary to introduce grease to promote sliding between the follower attachment portion 44a and the plate member 50a. However, it is not necessary to use plastic.

[0021] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 An alternative embodiment is shown in which the follower attachment portion 144a includes an upper segment 60 having an axial end profile that is U-shaped and a capture plate 62 that is connected to the upper segment 60 (e.g., via fasteners, adhesives, welding, etc.) to retain the attachment portion 144a on the plate member 50a to allow sliding and prevent rotation. As with the above-described embodiment, here, the plate member 50a includes an outer surface profile in an axial end view, and the follower attachment portion 144a includes an inner surface profile in an axial end view, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface profile matches at least a portion of the outer surface profile in a manner to facilitate sliding between the inner and outer surface profiles while preventing relative rotation between the attachment portion 144a and the plate member 50a.

[0022] Figures 10 to 15Another alternative embodiment is shown in which the follower 244 has an attachment portion 244a that includes a lower capture plate 262 and an upper section 260 having a U-shaped profile. The lower capture plate 262 includes an upward facing recessed area 262a, and the slide plate member 250a includes a downward facing sensing assembly 280 integrated thereon for sensing the movement and / or position of the follower 244. An upward protrusion 262b is positioned along the recessed area 262a and is aligned with the sensing section 280a of the sensing assembly 280.

[0023] Here, the sensing assembly 280 includes an inductive sensing assembly having a flat electromagnetic field generator 280b along a sensing section. The generator can be formed by a plurality of sinusoidal-shaped conductors distributed along the length of the sensing section 280a. Here, the plate member 250a includes a recess 250b in which the flat electromagnetic field generator 280b is disposed (e.g., by an adhesive, one or more fasteners, or a snap-on connection). Here, the inductive sensing assembly is formed on a printed circuit board 280c, wherein the flat electromagnetic field generator 280b is formed by a plurality of conductors positioned along the sensing section 280a of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board 280c also includes one or more integrated detection components 280d (e.g., a voltage detection component) and a device for connecting the sensing assembly to a machine controller 290 (e.g., Figure 1 Electrical connector 280e as shown in FIG.

[0024] In operation, the protrusion 262b protrudes toward the flat electromagnetic field generator 280b, and the protrusion is made of an electromagnetic material that interferes with different portions of the electromagnetic field generated by the flat electromagnetic field generator based on different relative positioning of the protrusion 280b along the length of the flat electromagnetic field generator. This results in different voltage characteristic changes that can be used to identify the position of the follower 244 along the plate member 250a, which corresponds to the position of the gauge plate relative to the plate member. In an embodiment, the sensing assembly can be used in a slice thickness sensing system, as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2024 / 0308098A1, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0025] It should be clearly understood that the above description has been presented for purposes of illustration and example only, and not for purposes of limitation. Variations may be made.

Claims

1. A food slicer, comprising: Base; a knife mounted for rotation relative to the base; a carriage assembly mounted to the base for reciprocating movement past the cutting edge of the knife; a gauge plate mounted to move between a closed position that prevents slicing and a plurality of open positions that allow slicing at respective thicknesses; A gauge plate adjustment system comprising a knob having an associated cam, a follower engaged with the cam and moved by rotation of the knob and cam, wherein the follower is associated with the gauge plate to move the gauge plate, wherein the follower straddles a slide rail, wherein the slide rail includes a plate member.

2. The food slicer according to claim 1, wherein: The engagement of the follower with the slide rail is configured to allow sliding movement of the follower along the slide rail while preventing rotation of the follower about an axis of the slide rail.

3. The food slicer of claim 1, wherein: The plate member includes a first main surface, a second main surface, a first small edge extending between the first main surface and the second main surface and extending axially along the plate member, and a second small edge extending between the first main surface and the second main surface and extending axially along the plate member, wherein the follower is configured to have a portion starting from the first main surface, bypassing the first small edge and wrapping around the second main surface.

4. The food slicer according to claim 3, wherein: The follower is configured to have a portion that starts from the first major surface, goes around the second small edge, and wraps around the second major surface.

5. The food slicer of claim 1, wherein: The plate member includes a plastic material.

6. The food slicer of claim 5, wherein: The plastic material is an ultra-high molecular weight plastic.

7. The food slicer of claim 1, wherein: The plate member includes an outer surface profile in an axial end view, and the follower includes an attachment portion including an inner surface profile in an axial end view, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface profile matches at least a portion of the outer surface profile.

8. The food slicer of claim 1, wherein: The plate member includes a sensing assembly positioned thereon for sensing movement and / or position of the follower.

9. The food slicer of claim 8, wherein: The sensing component includes an inductive sensing component having a flat electromagnetic field generator.

10. The food slicer of claim 9, wherein: The plate member includes a recessed portion, and the horizontal electromagnetic field generator is placed in the recessed portion.

11. The food slicer of claim 10, wherein: The inductive sensing assembly further comprises a printed circuit board, wherein the flat electromagnetic field generator comprises a plurality of conductors located on a sensing section of the printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board further comprises one or more integrated detection components and an electrical connector.

12. The food slicer of claim 9, wherein: The follower includes a protrusion protruding toward the horizontal electromagnetic field generator, wherein the protrusion is made of an electromagnetic material that interferes with different parts of the electromagnetic field generated by the horizontal electromagnetic field generator based on different relative positions of the protrusion along the horizontal magnetic field generator.

13. A food slicer, comprising: Base; a knife mounted for rotation relative to the base; a carriage assembly mounted to the base for reciprocating movement past the cutting edge of the knife; a gauge plate mounted to move between a closed position that prevents slicing and a plurality of open positions that allow slicing at respective thicknesses; A gauge plate adjustment system comprising a follower coupled to the gauge plate to move the gauge plate, wherein the follower straddles a slide rail, wherein the slide rail comprises a plastic member, wherein engagement of the follower with the slide rail is configured to permit sliding movement of the follower along the slide rail while preventing rotation of the follower about an axis of the slide rail.

14. The food slicer of claim 13, wherein: The slide rail includes a sensing assembly positioned thereon for sensing movement and / or position of the follower.

15. The food slicer of claim 14, wherein: The sensing component includes an inductive sensing component having a flat electromagnetic field generator.

16. The food slicer of claim 15, wherein: The slide rail comprises a recess, and the horizontal electromagnetic field generator is arranged in the recess.

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