Pivoting loading tray assembly for food product slicing apparatus and method of use

Abstract

A food product slicing apparatus is configured to slice food products into slices. A load assembly pivotally is mounted on a frame and a food product is positioned thereon. A drive assembly on the frame receives the food product from the load assembly and moves the food product relative to the frame. The load assembly can be positioned in at a first, lowered position relative to the drive assembly, a second, partially raised position relative to the drive assembly and a third, fully raised position relative to the drive assembly. The drive assembly engages the food product when the load assembly is in the third, fully raised position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A food product slicing apparatus for slicing a food product into slices comprising:
 a frame;   a load assembly pivotally mounted on the frame;   a drive assembly on the frame and configured to receive the food product from the load assembly and to move the food product relative to the frame, wherein the load assembly is positionable in a first, lowered position relative to the drive assembly and is configured to receive the food product thereon, a second, partially raised position relative to the drive assembly, and a third, fully raised position relative to the drive assembly, wherein the drive assembly is configured to engage the food product when the load assembly is in the third, fully raised position; and   a slicing assembly on the frame downstream of the drive assembly, the slicing assembly being configured to slice the food product into slices.   
     
     
         2 . The food product slicing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly includes an upper drive assembly and a lower drive assembly, wherein the upper drive assembly partially overlaps the load assembly when the drive assembly in the third, fully raised position. 
     
     
         3 . The food product slicing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the load assembly is a conveyor. 
     
     
         4 . The food product slicing apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a product gate having a curved profile, the product gate is mounted on the frame at a downstream end of the load assembly, wherein when the load assembly follows the curved profile of the product gate during movement. 
     
     
         5 . The food product slicing apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the load assembly is a conveyor. 
     
     
         6 . The food product slicing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the upper drive assembly includes an upstream conveyor and a downstream conveyor separated by an upper gap, and the lower drive assembly includes an upstream conveyor and a downstream conveyor separated by a lower gap, and further comprising a sensor positioned within the gaps to sense the food product passing through the gaps. 
     
     
         7 . The food product slicing apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a sensor positioned on the frame to sense a position of the food product as the food product moves through the drive assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The food product slicing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly includes an upper drive assembly and a lower drive assembly, wherein each drive assembly is at least one conveyor. 
     
     
         9 . The food product slicing apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a sensor positioned on the frame to sense a position of the food product as the food product moves through the drive assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The food product slicing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a product gate having a curved profile, the product gate mounted on the frame at a downstream end of the load assembly, wherein when the load assembly follows the curved profile of the product gate during movement. 
     
     
         11 . The food product slicing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the load assembly comprises a conveyor, and an actuator for raising and lowering the conveyor. 
     
     
         12 . A method of operating a food product slicing apparatus for slicing a food product into slices, comprising:
 positioning a load assembly on a frame in a first, lowered position relative to a drive assembly on the frame, wherein the load assembly is configured to receive a food product thereon in the first, lowered position;   pivoting the load assembly to a second, partially raised position relative to the drive assembly;   thereafter pivoting the load assembly to a third, fully raised position relative to the drive assembly such that the load assembly is proximate to the drive assembly, wherein the drive assembly is configured to engage the food product when the load assembly is in the third, fully raised position;   activating the load assembly and the drive assembly to cause the food product to move toward a slicing assembly; and   slicing the food product into slices with the slicing assembly.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising activating the load assembly to cause the food product to move toward a product gate when the load assembly is in the second, partially raised position. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising
 sensing a position of the food product as the food product passes through the drive assembly; and   pivoting the load assembly to the first, lowered position when an end of the food product is sensed.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of:
 a) pivoting the load assembly to the second, partially raised position after a second food product is on the load assembly;   b) thereafter pivoting the load assembly to the third, fully raised position, wherein the drive assembly is configured to engage the second food product;   c) activating the load assembly and the drive assembly to cause the second food product to move toward the slicing assembly; and   d) slicing the food product into slices with the slicing assembly.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising repeating steps a) through d) for third and subsequent food products. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising
 sensing a position of the food product as the food product passes through the drive assembly; and   pivoting the load assembly to the first, lowered position when an end of the food product is sensed.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of:
 a) pivoting the load assembly to the second, partially raised position after a second food product is on the load assembly;   b) thereafter pivoting the load assembly to the third, fully raised position, wherein the drive assembly is configured to engage the second food product;   c) activating the load assembly and the drive assembly to cause the second food product to move toward the slicing assembly; and   d) slicing the food product into slices with the slicing assembly.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising repeating steps a) through d) for third and subsequent food products.