2. Description of the Prior Art When boneless pork loins are cut into chops, they are typically sawn from the loin one chop at a time. Further, it is sometimes desired that the loins be cut with a butterfly chop. When chops are made in such a manner, the loin is separated into several chops, and then each chop is cut again substantially along its entire length except for being attached at one end. That is, a 3/4-inch chop is cut again so that there are two 3/8-inch slices of meat connected at an edge. This also is typically a hand-operation and creates several problems. In making the initial cut of a pork chop, it is somewhat difficult to always have a consistent cut of a certain dimension. Also, there is always the ergonomic risk of injury due to repetitive handling of a knife when making the butterfly cut.

This is a very slow and time-consuming process.

In addition, when sawing a loin, if a blade is used, a portion of the loin is lost, which corresponds to the thickness of the blade. It would be preferable to increase the productivity and output by not wasting that portion of the chop that is cut by a blade.

There have been attempts directed at automating the butterfly cutting of a single chicken breast, such as that shown in U. S. Patent 5,370,573.

Further, attempts have been made to make multiple cuts of meat, such as that shown in U. S. Patent 4,817,245.

The present invention addresses the problems associated with the prior art and provides for a meat slicer for making multiple butterfly chops from a boneless loin.

Summary of the Invention The present invention is a meat slicer for simultaneously making multiple slices in a boneless loin. The slicer includes a frame and a first table for supporting the loin. The first table is operatively connected to the frame.

A plurality of spaced first slicer blades are mounted on a rotatable shaft. A plurality of spaced second slicer blades are alternately mounted, between the first slicer blades, on the rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft is mounted relative to the frame. The first slicer blades have a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the second slicer blades. A motor is provided for rotating the shaft. A retainer is mounted relative to the frame for holding the loin in position and preventing binding of the loin around the shaft, wherein the first slicer blades separate the loin into individual pork chops and the second slicer blades butterfly cut the pork chops.

In another embodiment, the invention is a method of slicing a boneless loin. The method includes placing the boneless loin on a table and rotating a first set of slicer blades having a first diameter about a shaft. A second set of slicer blades are rotated about the shaft. The second set of slicer blades have a diameter which is less than the diameter of the first set of slicer blades. The blades and the table are moved relative to each other, thereby slicing the loin into butterfly chops. The loin is retained on the table during the slicing, wherein binding of the loin between the blades as the blades rotate is prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view, viewed generally from the above right side of a meat slicer of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view, generally viewed from the above left of the meat slicer shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the frame of the meat slicer shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a crank assembly used in the meat slicer shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a guillotine assembly used in the meat slicer shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the table assembly used in the meat slicer shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the housing of an arcing assembly used with the meat slicer shown in Figure 1; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the blade assembly in the meat slicer shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the blade assembly shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a wiper assembly used in the meat slicer shown in Figure 1; Figure 11 is a perspective view of an assembled arcing assembly used in the meat slicer shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the assembled arcing assembly shown in Figure 11 rotated about 180 degrees; and Figures 13 and 14 are sequential schematic representations of the wiper assembly, blade assembly and table of the meat slicer shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawing, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, there is generally designated at 10 a meat slicer.

As shown in Figure 3, the frame 20 is for the meat slicer 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The frame 20 includes a lower section having two side members 21, 22 operatively connected by two cross members 23,24 by suitable means such as welding. The side members 21,22 extend beyond the cross member 24.

The top portion of the frame comprises side members 25,26 operatively connected by cross members 27,28 by suitable means such as welding. The side members 25,26 extend beyond the cross member 27. Four upright members 29-32 connect the upper portion of the frame to the lower portion of the frame, by suitable means such as welding. Wheels 33 may also be utilized to make the meat slicer 10 more easily transportable. An additional cross member 34 is welded between the side members 25,26. An L-shaped

extension frame 35 is connected to the upper frame to provide a support base for the housing 36 which will be used to house a drive motor, as will be described more fully hereafter. The housing will provide protection from an impact, i. e., from a fork truck. A plate 37 provides a mounting surface for a guillotine assembly, as will be described more fully hereafter. The plate 37 is welded to the frame, and as seen in Figure 3, has an opening 37a formed therein to provide an opening for a table 38. The table 38 is mounted to the cross member 27 by suitable means. The table 38 is made of a suitable material such as a Delrin (g) plastic, ultra high weight molecular polyethylene or other food grade plastic. The plate 37 has a side member 37b which is generally triangular in shape and provides for a more stable connection to the frame 20. The side member may be attached by suitable means such as bonding.

A crank assembly 50 is shown in Figure 4. The crank assembly 50 includes a support member 51 on which two mounting members 52 having apertures 52a are mounted at each end of the support member 51. As shown in Figure 3, a dowel pin 39 is welded to the cross member 34 and another dowel pin (not shown) is welded to the cross member 27. The dowel pins are inserted into the apertures 52a to locate the crank assembly 50 on to the frame.

The mounting members 52 are then suitably connected by means well known in the art such as welding. The crank assembly 50 also includes a lift shaft 53 that has a threaded end 53a. The lift shaft 53 is positioned in a gear box 54 and extends through an aperture in the support member 51 where it is secured by means of a bolt 55 and shaft cap 56. A crank shaft 57 is positioned in the gear box 54 at one end and a wheel 58 at the other end of the crank shaft 57.

As the wheel 58 is turned, the lift shaft 53 is rotated as it does not move up or down.

A guillotine assembly, generally designated at 60 is shown in Figures 2 and 5. The guillotine assembly 60 includes an air cylinder assembly generally designated at 61 that includes an extendable rod 62 and two guide rods 62a that are connected to a base plate 63 at one end and a similar baseplate (not shown) at its other end. A moveable head 64 is slidably mounted on the rod

62. The movable head 64 is connected to the guillotine blade 65 by suitable means such as bolts 66. The base plates 63 are connected by suitable means (not shown) through apertures 63a into openings 37b in the plate 37. The blade 65 has an edge 65a and angled surface 65b that comes in contact with the loin, as will be described more fully hereafter.

A table assembly, generally designated at 70, is shown in Figure 6.

The table assembly 70 includes a table 71 that has a lower surface 72 and an upper surface 73. A plurality of spaced slots 74 extend through the upper surface 73 and the lower surface 72. The slots 74 are in alignment in both the lower surface 72 and upper surface 73. As can be seen from the back, the slots 74 extend almost to the bottom of the table 71. The slots 74 are sized and positioned to provide a passage for the slicer blades. Two Festo rodless cylinders 75 have a movable member 75a that are attached to the table 71 by spacers 76. As seen in Figure 13, the spacer 76 is secured to the table 71 by bolts 77. The spacer is also secured to the movable member 75a by bolts 111, thereby securing the movable member 75a to the table 71. Therefore, as the cylinders 75 are actuated, the table will move from the far left position as shown in Figure 6 to a position to the right. Each rodless cylinder 75 has a bolt on mount 78. The bolt on mounts 78 are connected by bolts 79 to apertures 28a formed in the cross member 28.

A housing, generally designated at 80 is shown in Figure 7. The housing 80 includes a first side member 81 operatively connected to a second side member 82 by a cross member 83 and a pivot rod 84. The cross member 83 has a threaded aperture 83a into which the threaded end 53a of the lift shaft 53 is positioned. As will be described more fully hereinafter, rotation of the wheel 58 causes rotation, but no linear movement, of the lift shaft 53.

However, the rotation of the lift shaft 53 causes the cross member 83 and thereby the housing 80 to be raised or lowered. It is recognized that to make adjustments between the blades and table, the table could be moved instead.

A bumper mount bar 85 is also operatively connected between the side members 81,82. A mounting plate 86 is operatively connected to the side member 82 by suitable means such as welding. The mounting plate 86 has

four apertures 86a to which a motor is secured. Two blade assembly mounting brackets 87 are operatively connected to the side plates 81 and 82 by suitable means such as welding. Slots 8 la, 82a are formed in the side members 81,82 respectively and are for the insertion of the blade assembly, as will be described more fully hereafter. The housing 80 is pivotally assembled to the frame 20 by shoulder bolts 89 which are positioned through uprights 31,32.

As previously mentioned, the threaded aperture 83a receives the threaded end 53a of the lift shaft 53. Therefore, movement of the lift shaft 53 up or down causes the housing 81, and all components carried by the housing, to be moved up or down.

A blade assembly, generally designated at 100 is shown in Figures 8 and 9. A first set of slicing blades 101 are mounted on a blade shaft 102. As shown in the Figures, there are 15 blades in the first set of slicing blades and they have a diameter of 10 inches. The second set of slicing blades 103 are also mounted on the blade shaft 102 and are alternately positioned between the first set of slicing blades 101. There are sixteen blades which comprise the second set of slicing blades 103 and they are 9 inches in diameter. However, it is understood that other suitable diameters may also be utilized. Spacers 104 are positioned between the blades to maintain a desired distance between the blades 101,103. The shaft 102 is mounted in two bearing blocks 105 while the slicing blades may be assembled by any means well known in the art, the present invention utilizes a Whittet-Higgins nut 106, threaded blade hub 107 and retaining ring 108. Hex bolts 109 and nuts 110 are used to mount the blade assembly 110 to apertures 87a formed in the blade assembly mounting brackets 87. The blade shaft 102 is positioned in the slots 8 la, 82a. Plastic slide blocks 90 are positioned in the slots 81 a, 82a after the blade assembly has been secured to the blade assembly mounting blocks 87.

A wiper assembly, or retainer, 120 is shown in Figure 10. As will be described more fully hereafter, the wiper assembly 120 prevents the loin from wedging between the blades as the blades rotate around the blade shaft 102 of the blade assembly 100 as the loin is being sliced. The wiper assembly 120 includes a top cover 121 having a pair of handles 122 suitably attached by

means such as welding. The top cover 121 is secured to the housing 80 by four bolts 123. As can be seen in Figure 7, two mounting brackets 91 are secured to the second side 82 by suitable means such as welding. The mounting brackets 91 have an aperture 91a which receives bolt 123. The first side 81 has two similar mounting brackets which are not shown, making four mounting brackets to receive the four bolts 123. A rod 124 is suitably attached to the cover 123 at a spaced distance. One method of doing so is to secure a collar 125 to the cover 121. The collar 125 has two components, the top portion 125a which is secured to the cover and the bottom portion 125b which completes the collar and provides for the opening in which the rod 124 is carried. In viewing Figure 10, a similar collar (not shown) is attached to the other side of the cover 121, thereby providing two points of securing the rod 24. Two arms 126,127 are rotatably attached to the rod 124. The arms have openings in which a bushing 128 is inserted and the rod 124 is positioned inside of the bushing 128. As will be described more fully hereafter, the arms 126,127 have stops formed at their end that is connected to the rod 124. The stops are shown most clearly in Figures 13 and 14. A wiper table 129 is triangular in shape and has a plurality of slots 129a formed therein. The slots extend through the table 129 and are sized and positioned to allow for the passage of the slicer blades 101 and 103. The table 129 is secured to the arms 126,127 in a fixed position by bolts 130. It is understood other suitable retainers may also be utilized. Replaceable weights 131 are secured to the table 129 by bolts 132. The weights may be replaced with various weights so as to compensate for the particular loins being cut. Friction between the loin and blades tend to force the loin to rotate with the blades. As the loin rotates with the blade, the cutting depth changes rather than being constant relative to the bottom of the chop. The weights 131 provide additional resistance to help keep the chops moving linearly rather than radially. If the loin does rotate, a little cusp of meat remains on the backside, which is not desired.

The completed arcing assembly generally designated at 140 is shown in Figures 11 and 12. The arcing assembly 140 includes the wiper assembly 120, blade assembly 100 and housing 80. The arcing assembly 140 also

includes a drive motor 141 that has its output operatively connected to a gear box 142. The output 142a of the gear box 142 is operatively connected to a coupler 143. The hub in turn is operatively connected to the shaft 102.

Thereby, rotation of the drive motor 141 drives the shaft 102. While it is understood that any suitable motor or gear box may be utilized, one such example is a Baldor one-horse power motor 141 and a Dodge Easy-Kleen gear box with a 30-to-1 ratio are suitable examples. Bolts 144 are used to secure the gear box 142 to the mounting plate 86.

Figures 13 and 14 are schematic representations showing the movement and function of the wiper assembly 120 The loin to be cut in shown in phantom at 200. The loin is positioned between the bottom of the wiper table 129 and the lower surface 72 of the table 71. In this position, the stop 127a prevents the rotating of the wiper assembly 120 further to the right, as viewed in Figure 13. Then, as seen in Figure 14, the wiper blade assembly 120 still stays above the loin 200, but is pivoted upward by being pushed by the loin. The wiper assembly 120 is always positioned also between the loin and the blade shaft 102 thereby preventing the wedging of the loin between the blades as the blades rotate around the shaft 102. As seen in Figure 14, the wiper assembly 120 has rotated to the left. The stop 127b has contacted the cover 121 and will prevent further rotation to the left, as viewed in Figure 14.

In Figures 13 and 14, a proximity flag 112 is shown. The flag 112 is to the table 71 and provides information on the table location to operate the guillotine.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there are several other components that will be described generally and are shown in these Figures. A Hoffman box 150 is suitably supported to the frame 20 and is used to house the electrical components. A front guard assembly 151 is also connected to the frame 20 and contains two operating switches 152 which must be depressed to activate the slicer 10. A rotating guard assembly 153 is pivotally mounted proximate the frame 20. A proximity switch 154 is positioned in the front guard assembly. The rotating guard assembly 153 must be in a down position

to activate the proximity switch 154 and thereby allow the meat slicer 10 to operate.

In operation, a boneless loin 200 is placed on the lower surface 72 of the table 71. The rotating guard assembly 153 is lowered and the operator activates both operating switches 152, one with each hand. The drive motor 141 is already activated, thereby rotating the blade shaft 102. The shaft 102 is continually being rotated. The safety start activates the movement of the table.

At this time, the guillotine 60 is in a down position and the blade 65 is down.

The rodless cylinder 75 moves the table 71 towards the blade assembly 100.

As the table moves to the left, as viewed in Figures 2,13 and 14, the loin contacts the blade assembly and the first set of blades 101 cuts the loin into individual chops. The second set of slicing blades 103 performs a butterfly cut on each of the individual slices. As can be seen in the drawing, the second set of blades 103 are positioned on the outside of both the right and left side of the blade assembly. Therefore, the loin 200 may be positioned either to the right or to the left on the table and still operate effectively. The blades 101, 103 pass through the slots formed in the table assembly 70 as well as the wiper assembly 120. As the table 71 moves to the position shown in Figure 14, the bottom of the table 71 passes over the top of table 38. At this point, the guillotine 60 is moved to the up position by the table passing the proximity flag 112. This allows the loin to pass underneath. A timer (not shown) then actuates the air cylinder 61 and the blade 65 moves downward and comes in behind the cut loin 200. That is, the blade 65 is between the loin 200 and the blade assembly 100. Then, the rodless cylinders 75 are again actuated and the table moves back to the right. However, the guillotine blade 65 prevents the movement of the cut loin 200 and as the table 71 moves away from the table 38, the cut loin 200 falls on top of the table 38. An operator is then able to reach onto the table 38 and remove the cut loin 200.

The slicing blades are only 1/8 inch thick and no loin material is removed. In slicing the loin 200, rather than sawing the loin 200, this does create the real chance of binding of the loin and then wrapping around the blade shaft 102. However, the wiper assembly 120 effectively prevents this

from occurring. The wiper assembly retains the pork chop on the table 71 and does not allow it to become bound up and wound around the shaft 102.

Depending upon the characteristics of the individual loin 200, the height of the blades may easily be adjusted by moving the wheel 58 of the crank assembly 60. Also, by moving this sufficiently far so that the second set of blades 103 slice through the loin completely, the meat slicer 10 can serve a dual function of cutting butterfly pork chops as well as regular pork chops.

The thickness of the pork chops may easily be converted by placing a different set of blades in the meat slicer 10. This of course would necessitate changing the table 71 and wiper assembly 120 so that the slots in both lined up with the new spacing of the two sets of blades.

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.