Side Loading Pendulum Slicer for End Caps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional food slicing machines are inefficient in slicing end caps due to their dome-shaped nature, which makes it difficult to apply sufficient weight for consistent slicing, resulting in wasted product.

Innovation Solution

A food slicer with a product holder that includes a cylindrical sidewall with a barrel and a pivot for reciprocation, featuring a weight within the barrel to clamp the product against a thickness tray, and a conveyor system controlled by a computer to manage the slicing process, ensuring efficient slicing of end caps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If end caps are loaded in conventional pendulum slicers from the top, then the dome-shaped end caps cannot be properly oriented with the domed surface facing upwardly, but side loading requires a modified product holder structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading orientationVSAvoidproduct holder structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional top-loading approach by implementing side-loading through a lateral aperture in the product holder. This allows end caps to be inserted horizontally with the domed surface naturally facing upward, eliminating the orientation problem while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from vertical loading (top-down) to horizontal loading (side-entry) by creating an aperture in the sidewall of the product holder. This dimensional change in the loading approach enables proper orientation of domed end caps without requiring complex positioning mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If sufficient weight is applied to dome-shaped end caps to ensure consistent slicing, then the end caps can be properly sliced, but conventional top loading cannot maintain consistent orientation and weight distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslice thickness consistencyVSAvoidloading process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the loading direction from top-down to side-entry, the patent allows gravity to naturally maintain the domed surface in the upward-facing position throughout the slicing stroke, ensuring consistent weight distribution and slice thickness without complex loading procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The side-loading mechanism allows the domed end cap's own geometry to self-align and maintain proper orientation during slicing. The dome shape naturally positions itself with the curved surface facing upward when loaded from the side, eliminating the need for external positioning or orientation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of substance

If end caps are wasted due to slicing inefficiencies, then product loss occurs, but implementing side loading requires additional structural components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood product wasteVSAvoidproduct holder with aperture

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional loading approach to enable efficient slicing of end caps that were previously wasted. By side-loading through a lateral aperture, the system can properly process domed end caps that were unsuitable for top-loading, thereby reducing product waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The modified product holder with a lateral aperture serves multiple functions: it enables side-loading of domed end caps, maintains proper orientation during slicing, and accommodates various end cap sizes. This multi-functional design justifies the additional structural component by eliminating waste across different product types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables efficient slicing of end caps by ensuring consistent pressure and orientation, reducing waste and improving the overall efficiency of the slicing process.

Implementation Method 1

A weight is disposed within the barrel of the product holder adjacent the aperture for bearing downwardly toward the downwardly-facing opening against a food product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

A pivot is mounted between a frame and an upper end of the sidewall to permit the product holder to reciprocate. A product holder drive system is drivingly linked to the product holder for driving the product holder cyclically through a path about the pivot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPendulum motion: Pendulum

Data Source

PatentUS10245742B2Side loading pendulum slicer

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 J E GROTE CO INC

AI summary

A side-loading pendulum slicer for slicing short and/or oddly-shaped food products. The pendulum slicer has an aperture in the upstream side of the product holder through which food products are injected. A loading conveyor holds large numbers of food products that are sequentially and individually loaded onto an injecting conveyor that injects the food products through the aperture and into the product holder. A weight that is raised above the aperture is lowered onto the food product to compress the food product against a thickness tray while the product holder reciprocates through a blade adjacent the thickness tray. Slices are removed from the food product and conveyed away for use.