Washable stacker apparatus with self-tensioning feature for use with a food slicing machine

US9962849B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Eric J. Wangler · Rochester, US
• David P. Prior · Rochester, US
• Hermann Scharfen · Witten, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 22, 2017
• Grant date: May 8, 2018
• Expiry date: Sep 22, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B26D2210/02
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An improved food slice stacker is coupled to a meat slicer to automatically stack the slices from the slicer. The stacker includes a frame with a pair of spaced apart parallel supports that support a sprocket roller with axially spaced sets of sprocket teeth and a pulley roller with a plurality of axially spaced pulley members. The pulley members are aligned with the sets of sprocket teeth. A plurality of slice transport chains respectively engage the sets of sprocket teeth and the pulley members. The sprocket roller is motorized to enable the chains to transport food slices. The pulley roller is monolithically formed of a friction-free material to provide smooth surfaces that reduce retention of food particles thereon during washing.