John Bean Technologies Corporation

Nicholas C Tipper

John R Strong

Jon Almon Hocker

Norman A Rudy

Richard Daniel Stockard

A system for cutting a workpiece into one or more portions or final pieces, and then transferring the final pieces to a receiving location, includes a conveyor configured to support and advance workpiece, as well as a cutter configured to cut the workpiece into the final pieces. At least one fluid nozzle is positioned relative to the conveyor and selectively activatable to discharge a stream of fluid at a predetermined location(s) on the final piece, thereby to propel the final piece from the conveyor to a receiving location. A controller activates the nozzle to direct the fluid stream at the target position(s) on the final pieces.

Apparatus and method for harvesting portions with fluid nozzle arrays

The powered endless belt () of a lower conveyor () transports workpieces () past a scanning station () and then past a slicing station (), whereat the workpieces are sliced into desired thickness by a powered blade (). An upper hold-down conveyor () includes a powered belt () that assists in holding the workpieces stationary and stable as workpieces travel past the slicing station (). In this regard, the belt is of a compliant construction and is operated at a low enough tension to enable it to substantially conform to the contour of the upper surface of the workpiece, thereby to apply a substantially uniform load about the entire upper surface area of the workpiece.

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Lansing, MI, United States of America

Nicholas C Tipper