Food slicing machine

Abstract

The food slicing machine has a flighted conveyor belt that will route bread from an industrial oven to the bread slicer device. Bread will enter the slicer at a 30-degree angle, taking full advantage of gravity. As the loaf bread enters the slicing section, a mechanism with 30 strands of fiber line will be driven in a reciprocating motion by a servomotor attached to a steel base frame. A pair of one-way rollers will maintain tension on the fiber line and help to thread new fiber line as needed where it is housed within a spool. A vacuum bar will help with feeding bread, as an adjustment bar will move fiber line in and out to achieve slice thickness.

Description

[0001] Food Slicing Machine

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention generally relates to a slicing mechanism for food. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for slicing a loaf of bread into pieces.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Bread slicing machines are commonly used in commercial bakeries, grocery stores, and within the food service industry to cut loaves of bread into uniform slices efficiently and consistently. These machines typically employ an array of parallel blades or blades spaced at predetermined intervals to achieve a desired slice thickness, allowing large volumes of bread to be processed quickly with minimal manual effort. Bread slicing machines are designed to accommodate various loaf sizes and types, including soft sandwich bread, artisan loaves, and specialty breads, while maintaining consistent slice quality.

[0006] Bread slicing machines present several operational challenges. Variations in bread density, crust hardness, and moisture content can affect slicing performance, sometimes resulting in tearing, crumbling, or uneven slices. Blade wear and buildup of crumbs or residue can further reduce cutting precision and require frequent cleaning and maintenance to ensure hygiene and performance. Additionally, safety is a critical concern, as exposed cutting elements and moving components necessitate protective guards and interlocks to prevent operator injury.

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention.FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a front view of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a top view of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a right-side view of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a left-side view of the present invention.

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0019] The food slicing machine will be used to slice loaf bread, (18-26) slices. Each loaf of bread has a minimum maximum length (16”-32”). The device will be capable of adjusting to different widths of bread slices, which can vary from 3 / 8” to 5 / 8” thick. This device will slice bread using vertical strands of monofilament fiber, which has excellent chemical and UV light resistance, plus outstanding resistance to abrasion and flex fatigue. The monofilament with its low coefficient of friction will result in a minimal crumb loss per slice of bread, resulting in more product existing the food slicer and minimal residue for clean-up. Each fiber strand has a diameter of 0.007" compared to the original style cutting blades that have a thickness of 0.062”.

[0020] In reference to FIG. 1-10, the present invention comprises an entrance conveyor belt 1, a slicer housing 2, and an exit conveyor belt 3. The entrance conveyor belt 1 is configured to move a load of bread from an oven towards the slicer housing 2 wherein the bread is sliced at a desired thickness and then transported to storage or packaging with the exit conveyor belt 3. The entrance conveyor belt 1 is adjacent to the slicer housing 2 wherein the entrance conveyor belt 1 is positioned at a belt angle 11. The belt angle 11 is preferably 30 degrees to allow for the loaf of bread to easily move downwards towards the slicer housing 2 due to gravity. The slicer housing 2 further comprises a base frame 21. The base frame 21 is a structural metal frame that positions the slicer housing 2 to allow the loaf of bread to be properly cut. The base frame 21 further comprises a slicing apparatus 211, a mechanism 23, a plurality of rollers 24, a vacuum bar 25,and adjustment bar 26, and a plurality of spools 27. The mechanism 23 has a rack and pinon gear that enables the rotational force from the motor 22 to be translated into lateral movement to adjust the positioning of the plurality of fiber strands 212. The plurality of rollers 24 are cylindrical elements that may rotate around a central axis. The entrance conveyor belt 1 integrates along the front of the slicer housing 2. Accordingly, the entrance conveyor belt 1 may easily transport a loaf of bread to the slicer housing 2. The exit conveyor belt 3 integrates along the rear of the slicer housing 2. Consequently, the exit conveyor belt 3 may easily transport a sliced loaf of bread from the slicer housing 2. The entrance conveyor belt 1 rotates to provide transverse movement wherein an object placed on the entrance conveyor belt 1 may move towards the slicer housing 2. As a result, the loaf of bread coming from an oven may move horizontally or vertically along the entrance conveyor belt 1 towards the slicer housing 2. The exit conveyor belt 3 rotates to provide horizontal movement for an object placed on the exit conveyor belt 3. Thus, the sliced loaf of bread may move along the exit conveyor belt 3 away from the slicer housing 2 towards storage or packaging. Furthermore, a portion of the entrance conveyor belt 1 is positioned at a belt angle 11 of 30 degrees.

[0021] Further, the slicer housing 2 is configured to receive a loaf of bread. So, a loaf of bread may enter the slicer housing 2 where it may be cut into slices at a desired thickness. The base frame 21 extends upwards. Accordingly, the base frame 21 enables various components to surround the loaf of bread while it is within the slicer housing 2. The slicing apparatus 211 further comprises a plurality of fiber strands 212 and a motor 22. The plurality of fiber strands 212 may be reeled into or from the plurality of spools 27. The plurality of fiber strands 212 further is configured to slice the loaf of bread.

[0022] Furthermore, the plurality of fiber strands 212 is a monofilament fiber. Consequently, this enables the plurality of fiber strands 212 to have chemical, UV light, and abrasion resistance. Further, the plurality of fiber strands 212 has a low coefficient of friction to provide a cleaner slice into the loaf of bread, reducing crumb loss, and improving the loaf of bread amount left over after slicing. The motor 22 is mechanically coupled to the plurality of spools 27. Within the present invention there may be as many as 30 spools with an associated 30 fiber strands to cut the loaf of bread within the slicer housing 2. As a result, the plurality of spools 27 may be controlled by the motor 22.In reference to FIG. 5, the plurality of rollers 24 is mechanically coupled to the plurality of fiber strands 212. The plurality of rollers 24 is positioned tangentially to the plurality of fiber strands 212. Each of the plurality of spools 27 is coupled to each of the plurality of fiber strands 212. Thus, each of the plurality of fiber strands 212 is associated with a separate spool wherein additional blade may be unspun from each of the plurality of spools 27 as needed. The plurality of spools 27 unwinds to provide more blade to the plurality of fiber strands 212. The plurality of rollers 24 pulls the plurality of fiber strands 212 to adjust the amount of tension in the plurality of fiber strands 212. So, the plurality of rollers 24 tightens the plurality of fiber strands 212 to a tension of around 12-20 lbs. Further, the plurality of fiber strands 212 moves in a reciprocating motion. The plurality of fiber strands 212 is driven by the motor 22, wherein the plurality of fiber strands 212 may conveniently and accurately slice the loaf of bread within the slicer housing 2.

[0023] Further, the vacuum bar 25 is positioned below the slicing apparatus 211. The vacuum bar 25 is configured to help with feeding the loaf of bread into the slicer housing 2. The adjustment bar 26 is positioned above the slicing apparatus 211. The adjustment bar 26 is configured to move the plurality of fiber strands 212 in and out to achieve varying widths of slice thickness for the loaf of bread. The adjustment bar 26 couples mechanically to each of the plurality of fiber strands 212. As a result, the adjustment bar 26 may move each of the plurality of fiber strands 212. The adjustment bar 26 controls the distance between each of the plurality of fiber strands 212.

[0024] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A food slicing machine comprising:an entrance conveyor belt, a slicer housing, and an exit conveyor belt; wherein the entrance conveyor belt is positioned at a belt angle;the slicer housing further comprising a base frame;the base frame further comprising a slicing apparatus, a mechanism, a plurality of rollers, a vacuum bar, and adjustment bar, and a spool;the entrance conveyor belt integrating along the front of the slicer housing; the exit conveyor belt integrating along the rear of the slicer housing; the entrance conveyor belt rotating to provide transverse movement wherein an object placed on the entrance conveyor belt may move towards the slicer housing; and the exit conveyor belt rotating to provide horizontal movement for an object placed on the exit conveyor belt.

2. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein a portion of the entrance conveyor belt being positioned at a belt angle of 30 degrees.

3. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 1 comprising:the slicer housing being configured to receive a loaf of bread;the base frame extending upwards; andthe slicing apparatus further comprising a plurality of fiber strands and a motor.

4. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 3 comprising:the plurality of fiber strands being a monofilament fiber; andthe motor being mechanically coupled to the plurality of spools.

5. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 3 comprising:the plurality of rollers being mechanically coupled to the plurality of fiber strands; each of the plurality of spools being coupled to each of the plurality of fiber strands;the plurality of spools unwinding to provide more blade to the plurality of fiber strands; andthe plurality of rollers pulling the plurality of fiber strands to adjust the amount of tension in the plurality of fiber strands.

6. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein the plurality of fiber strands moving in a reciprocating motion.

7. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 3 comprising:the vacuum bar being positioned below the slicing apparatus;the adjustment bar being positioned above the slicing apparatus; andthe adjustment bar coupling mechanically to each of the plurality of fiber strands.

8. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein the adjustment bar controlling the distance between each of the plurality of fiber strands.

9. A food slicing machine comprising:an entrance conveyor belt, a slicer housing, and an exit conveyor belt; wherein the entrance conveyor belt is positioned at a belt angle;the slicer housing further comprising a base frame;the base frame further comprising a slicing apparatus, a mechanism, a plurality of rollers, a vacuum bar, and adjustment bar, and a spool;the entrance conveyor belt integrating along the front of the slicer housing; the exit conveyor belt integrating along the rear of the slicer housing; the entrance conveyor belt rotating to provide transverse movement wherein an object placed on the entrance conveyor belt may move towards the slicer housing;the exit conveyor belt rotating to provide horizontal movement for an object placed on the exit conveyor belt;a portion of the entrance conveyor belt being positioned at a belt angle of 30 degrees; andthe slicer housing being configured to receive a loaf of bread.

10. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 9 comprising:the base frame extending upwards; andthe slicing apparatus further comprising a plurality of fiber strands and a motor.

11. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 10 comprising:the plurality of fiber strands being a monofilament fiber; andthe motor being mechanically coupled to the plurality of spools.

12. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 10 comprising:the plurality of rollers being mechanically coupled to the plurality of fiber strands; each of the plurality of spools being coupled to each of the plurality of fiber strands;the plurality of spools unwinding to provide more blade to the plurality of fiber strands; andthe plurality of rollers pulling the plurality of fiber strands to adjust the amount of tension in the plurality of fiber strands.

13. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 12 wherein the plurality of fiber strands moving in a reciprocating motion.

14. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 10 comprising:the vacuum bar being positioned below the slicing apparatus;the adjustment bar being positioned above the slicing apparatus; andthe adjustment bar coupling mechanically to each of the plurality of fiber strands.

15. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 14 wherein the adjustment bar controlling the distance between each of the plurality of fiber strands.

16. A food slicing machine comprising:an entrance conveyor belt, a slicer housing, and an exit conveyor belt; wherein the entrance conveyor belt is positioned at a belt angle;the slicer housing further comprising a base frame;the base frame further comprising a slicing apparatus, a mechanism, a plurality of rollers, a vacuum bar, and adjustment bar, and a spool;the entrance conveyor belt integrating along the front of the slicer housing; the exit conveyor belt integrating along the rear of the slicer housing; the entrance conveyor belt rotating to provide transverse movement wherein an object placed on the entrance conveyor belt may move towards the slicer housing;the exit conveyor belt rotating to provide horizontal movement for an object placed on the exit conveyor belt;a portion of the entrance conveyor belt being positioned at a belt angle of 30 degrees;the slicer housing being configured to receive a loaf of bread; andthe plurality of fiber strands being a monofilament fiber.

17. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 16 comprising:the base frame extending upwards; andthe slicing apparatus further comprising a plurality of fiber strands and a motor.

18. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 17 wherein the motor being mechanically coupled to the plurality of spools.

19. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 17 comprising:the plurality of rollers being mechanically coupled to the plurality of fiber strands; each of the plurality of spools being coupled to each of the plurality of fiber strands;the plurality of spools unwinding to provide more blade to the plurality of fiber strands;the plurality of rollers pulling the plurality of fiber strands to adjust the amount of tension in the plurality of fiber strands; andthe plurality of fiber strands moving in a reciprocating motion.

20. The food slicing machine as claimed in claim 17 comprising:the vacuum bar being positioned below the slicing apparatus;the adjustment bar being positioned above the slicing apparatus;the adjustment bar coupling mechanically to each of the plurality of fiber strands; andthe adjustment bar controlling the distance between each of the plurality of fiber strands.

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