Weighing scales – Computer – Electrical
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-11-20
Gibson, Randy W. (Department: 2859)
Weighing scales
Computer
Electrical
C177S116000, C177S119000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06320141
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to apparatus for processing and packaging products, and specifically to a yield monitoring system in apparatus for slicing and/or packaging foodstuffs.
The ever-accelerating pace of modern life has caused consumers increasingly to rely upon pre-packaged food products. In order to meet consumer expectations and other requirements, modern food processing and packaging systems are geared toward providing products that are consistent in size, weight, and appearance. An example of such systems may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,936 to Ruppel. This known system includes a slicing machine having a slicing blade and a feed mechanism, and uses feedback from primary and secondary weighing systems to control slice thickness. Another example may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,846,958 to Divan. In this system, out-of-tolerance drafts are diverted to another location in order that an attendant may add or subtract product to make proper weight. Each of these patents is incorporated by reference herein. Common to all such systems is the fact that food products leaving the slicer are evaluated for weight, density, etc., and then slices of product are either adjusted, added, or taken away to achieve uniformity.
Such consistency does not, however, come without a price. Since foodstuffs such as meat naturally vary in shape, density, etc., the production of packaged foods having a predetermined, uniform size, weight, and shape increases the potential for waste. End pieces, irregularly shaped drafts, and other natural non-uniformities present costly reductions in overall product yield. That is, the amount of product input into the packaging system may greatly exceed the amount of packaged product output.
It has previously been proposed that excess product be reintroduced into the system to supplement drafts that are underweight. One example of such a “makeweight” component is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,719 to Lindee et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. In order to minimize waste, this system corrects any out-of-tolerance or “reject” food product groups. The corrected groups of food slices or other food products can then be put into the stream of originally correct groups and sent on to a packaging location or other utilization position.
Undoubtedly, such makeweight arrangements increase the overall efficiency of the food product processing systems. However, while the above-described systems present various approaches to quantifying the uniformity of the packaged product, they fail to address the quantification of system efficiency, i.e., system yield.
The present inventors have recognized that a need exists for an automated system to determine and monitor the overall system yield of a food processing system. Typically, all companies that calculate system yield first calculate the “weight in” of the material to be sliced. This is generally done by weighing each rack of meet on a floor scale, subtracting the weight of the rack itself, then stripping the casing and weighing that is well. This is then subtracted from the initial weight measurement to arrive at the requisite “weight in”.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a yield monitoring system for a slicing and packaging apparatus. In accordance with one embodiment of the system, the system includes at least one product input scale, a slicing mechanism for slicing the product after the product has been weighed on the at least one product input scale, and at least one product output scale capable of weighing the product after slicing by the slicing mechanism to determine a post-processing weight. A yield monitor is connected to electronically receive weight information corresponding to the weight of product weighed by the at least one product input scale and the at least one product output scale. The yield monitor uses the received weight information to provide system yield data to a user via a screen, print-out, electronic data, etc. Preferably, the system also includes a makeweight scale that is disposed at a makeweight station. The makeweight scale is connected to electronically communicate makeweight data to the yield monitor.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3846958 (1974-11-01), Divan
patent: 3905259 (1975-09-01), Spooner
patent: 3995517 (1976-12-01), Smith
patent: 4038531 (1977-07-01), Loe, Jr.
patent: 4065911 (1978-01-01), Fagan
patent: 4136504 (1979-01-01), Wyslotsky
patent: 4208933 (1980-06-01), Skidmore
patent: 4379416 (1983-04-01), Kuchler
patent: 4545447 (1985-10-01), Spooner et al.
patent: 4557019 (1985-12-01), Van Devanter et al.
patent: 4763738 (1988-08-01), Kuchler
patent: 4779706 (1988-10-01), Mergenthaler
patent: 4794996 (1989-01-01), Wallace et al.
patent: 4868951 (1989-09-01), Akesson et al.
patent: 4997012 (1991-03-01), Kuziw
patent: 5109936 (1992-05-01), Ruppel
patent: 5267168 (1993-11-01), Antonissen et al.
patent: 5306875 (1994-04-01), Schmitzek
patent: 5481466 (1996-01-01), Carey
patent: 5499719 (1996-03-01), Lindee et al.
patent: 5608193 (1997-03-01), Almogaibil
patent: 5986219 (1999-11-01), Carrol et al.
patent: 0 288 592 B1 (1990-08-01), None
patent: 0 504 466 A1 (1992-09-01), None
patent: 0 549 134 B1 (1996-05-01), None
patent: 1507683 (1978-04-01), None
patent: 2149650 (1990-08-01), None
patent: WO 93/24287 (1993-12-01), None
Ill Steven
Lindee Scott
Formax, Inc.
Gibson Randy W.
Rockey Milnamow & Katz Ltd.
LandOfFree
Yield monitoring system for a slicing apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Yield monitoring system for a slicing apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Yield monitoring system for a slicing apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2618314