US3229621A

US3229621A - Meat presses

Info

Publication number: US3229621A
Application number: US426658A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter O Decker; Robert W Schwable
Original assignee: VAL DECKER PACKING CO
Current assignee: VAL DECKER PACKING CO
Priority date: 1965-01-19
Filing date: 1965-01-19
Publication date: 1966-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 1983-01-18

Description

Jan. 18, 1966 W O, DECKER ETAL 3,229,62l

MEMI PRESSES Filed Jan. 19, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l lo FIG-1 INVENTORS WALTER O. DECKER Y ROBERT W. SCHWABLE ATTORNEYS Jan. 18, 1966 w. o* DECKER ETAL 3,229,62

MEAT PRESSES Filed Jan. 19, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-4 lz INVENTORS WALTER O. DECKER 8 By ROBERT W. SCHWABLE MM my@ ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oiiice 3,229,621 Patented Jan. 18, 1966 3,229,621 MEAT PRESSES Walter 0. Decker and Robert W. Schwable, Piqua, Ghia, assignors to The Val Decker Packing Company, Piqua, hio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Jan. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 426,658 7 Claims. (Cl. 10U-99) This invention relates to presses and, more particularly, to an improvement for a press for forming a side of bacon into a rectangular slab and including a visual signaling system for indicating the compressed thickness of each slab to enable the slabs to be rapidly graded or classified as they are removed from the press.

It is common procedure to iiatten and form a side of bacon into a rectangular slab configuration so that after the slab is processed in a slicing machine the resulting slices are substantially uniform in shape, density and thickness. Due to the fact, however, that the sides vary in size and weight as they are butchered, it has been found desirable to classify or grade the slabs into different weight ranges so that each grade may be priced at a diierent price per pound. For example, it is common to grade the bacon slabs into weight ranges such as 6 to 8 pound average, 8y to l0 pound average, 10-12, 12-14, etc. Usually, however, the heavier or thicker slabs have a higher percentage of fat, and thus, the corresponding grades carry a lower market price.

Commonly, the bacon sides are graded prior to the pressing operation by weighing each side on a suitable scale. The sides are then maintained in separate racks according to grades which are defined by predetermined weight ranges. It has been found, however, that this weighing operation oi each side is not only time consuming but requires additional handling of each side.

The present invention is directed to an improvement for a bacon press of the hydraulically operated type and includes a system for quickly determining the particular grade of each slab as it is formed in the bacon press. In general, this is accomplished by providing the press with an electrically operated indicating system which is controlled by the movement of the press member which determines the thickness of the slab. As a result, the present invention eliminates the weighing operation and enables the operator of the bacon press to remove each slab of bacon and place it on the particular rack which corresponds to the grade indicated. Furthermore, the signaling or indicating system is ideally adapted for mounting on existing bacon presses without requiring any significant modiication of the press.

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide a meat press with an electrical indicating system including a series of light sources which are successively operated as a pair of parallel forming members in the press are moved closer together so that the operation of each light source corresponds to a predetermined spaced relationship between the forming members to indicate the thickness of the compacted slab of meat therebetween.

As another object, the present invention provides an improvement for a meat press adapted to form baco-n slabs having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration, wherein an electrical signaling system is provided which indicates the thickness of each slab, and which system is adapted to be mounted on existing meat presses by a simple and convenient connection.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bacon press with a signaling system which includes a plurality of dierent colored light sources, one source for each predetermined grade of bacon, and which light sources are conveniently located so that the operator of the press can quickly determine the particular grade of the slab within the press and can thereby place the slab, as he removes it from the press, on the rack which corresponds to the colored light associated with the predetermined grades.

As a more specilic object, the invention provides an improvement for a meat press as described above, wherein an electrical indicating system includes a series of switches corresponding in number to the different grades, and further includes a corresponding series of actuators for progressively operating the switches, wherein the relationship between the switches and the actuating members can be conveniently adjusted to change the limits of thickness for each grade.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended Claims.

In the drawings- FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an improved meat press in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective and somewhat schematic illustration of the relationship of the slab forming members employed on the meat press shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational section view of the front forming member as viewed along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevational section view of the meat press shown in FIG. 1 as viewed along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the assembled actuating members within the control mechanism for the indicating system, as viewed along the line 5 5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the control mechanism for the indicating system; and

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the series of control switches showing schematically a typical wire connection for operating the corresponding light source in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. l shows a bacon press which has been modified in accordance with the present invention. Generally, the press includes a housing 10 which encloses a motor driven hydraulic pump, a series of fluid operated pressure cylinders and a suitable control system for operating the cylinders. It is to be understood that the construction of these particular components involves no part of the present invention, and that various equivalents thereof are adaptable to the invention. Mounted at the top of the housing 19 is a top cover plate 12 which serves to support a bottom forming member 14 slidably mounted for movement from front to the rear of the press within the guideways provided by the tracks 15. The unpressed side S is placed on the bottom forming member 14 as shown in FIG. 4. The sliding movement of the bottom forming member 14 is provided by a fluid operated pressure cylinder 16 mounted on the bottom of the plate 12 and including a piston rod 17 connected to the bottom forming member 14 by a bracket 18 (FIG. 4).

Rigidly mounted on the cover plate 12 is a stationary rear forming member 20 (FIG. 2) which is provided with a horizontal slot 21 through which the bottom forming member 14 can pass. Also provided is a step-like vertically extending slot 22 for receiving a right side forming member 24 which is mounted on and carried bythe bottom forming member 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the side forming member 24 is biased upwardly by a series of compression springs 27 and is slidably retained by the guide rail 28 so that the side forming member 24 can be moved downwardly in relation to the bottom forming member 14.

Mounted adjacent the front end of the bottom forming member 14 is a front forming member 30 (FIG. 3) which is also biased upwardly by springs 31 and is guided by a rail 32. A series of pins 33 extend through the rail 32 and project into corresponding slots 34 formed in the rail so that the member 30 is carried by the plate `35 mounted for sliding movement laterally on the bottom member 14 by the guide rail 36. T o provide for convenient front loading and unloading of a side of bacon S on the bottom forming member 14, a hydraulic pressure cylinder 37 (FIG. 3) is mounted in a vertical position underneath the top plate 12 and includes a piston rod 38 having an arm 39 mounted on the top end. As the piston rod 38 is retracted, the arm 39 picks up a pin 40 extending from the front forming member 30 and moves it downwardly susbtantially out of the loading path. This enables a side S to be slid generally on and off the bottom member 14.

As shown in FIG.'2, the front forming member 30 is spaced in a parallel relationship to the stationary rear forming member 20, and in a similar manner, the right side forming member 24 is spaced in parallel relationship to the left side forming member 42 which slidably rests on top of the bottom forming member 14. Extending outwardly from the left side forming member 42 is a push plate 43 which is rigidly connected on the outer end to a bracket 44 mounted on the end of a piston rod 46 extending horizontally from a uid operated pressure cylinder 47 mounted within the housing 10. Thus, by retraction of the piston rod 46, the left side forming member 42 is moved laterally across the top of the bottom forming member 14 towards the right side forming member 24 and carrying with it the front forming member 30 as a result of the Slidably mounting of the rail 36 (FIG. 3).

Extending through the cover plate 12 are a pair of piston rods 48 which extend from a pair of corresponding uid pressure cylinders 49 mounted vertically within the housing 10. Connecting the upper end portions of the piston rod 48 is a diagonally positioned frame member 50 having a guideway 52 mounted laterally across the lower portion of the frame member 50. Slidably mounted on the way 52 by the tracks S3 is a top forming plate or member 55 which is spaced in a parallel relationship directly above the bottom forming member 14. Thus, as the piston rods 48 are retracted into their corresponding pressure cylinders, the top forming member 55 is moved downwardly towards the bottom forming member 14 to contact the upper surface of the side S.

Extending from the left side edge of the top forming member 55 is a plate 56 having a hole 57 formed therein and which is adapted to receive Slidably a pin 58 extending upwardly from the push plate 43. Thus, it can be seen that lateral movement of the left side forming member 42 carries with it the top forming member 55.

Attached on the end of the frame member 50 by the screws 59 is an angle bracket 60 which is aligned to engage or actuate the top end of a plunger 61 extending upwardly from a housing 62 which encloses a control mechanism forming a part of the indicating system, generally referred to as 65. Preferably, the bracket 60 does not pick up the plunger 61 until the top forming member 55 is about to contact the top surface of the side S.

Referring to FIGS. and 6, the control mechanism includes a pair of vertically positioned support rods 68 extending from top to bottom of the housing 62. Slidably connected to the rods 68 is a plate 70 having a guide block 72 mounted on each end and in which guide holes are formed to receive the rods 68. As shown in FIG. 5, the plunger 61 is rigidly connected to the upper blocks 72 by a pin 76 extending through the block 72 and the lower end portion of the plunger 61. The plate 70 is biased upwardly by a pair of compression springs 78 which are mounted over the rod 68 and are supported thereon by the collars 80 each of which is attached adjustably to its corresponding rod 68 by a suitable set screw 82. The top ends of the compression springs 78 engage the underneath surface of the top guide block 72 and thereby biases the plate 70 upwardly. The extent of biasing can be adjusted simply by adjusting the collars on their respective support rods 68.

Formed within the plate 70 are a series of elongated slots (FIG. 5) which are spaced in parallel relationship at slightly different elevations. Mounted within each slot is an actuating member 87 having formed therein a threaded opening for receiving a screw 89 extending through a washer 90 from the back side of the plate 70. In this manner, it can be seen that each actuating member 87 can be adjusted vertically within its corresponding slot 85 simply by loosening the screw 89 and sliding the actuating member 87. The outwardly extending end of each actuating member 87 is provided with a cam surface 92 which is adapted to engage a following roller 94 mounted on the end of the plunger 96 of a control switch 97. As shown in FIG. 7, there is a corresponding contol switch 97 for each of the actuating members 87 and each switch is spaced in alignment with its corresponding actuating member 87. Preferably, a small electrical heating element 98 is mounted in the control box or housing 62 to provide a dry environment for the switches 97.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 7, each of the control switches 97 is connected within an electrical circuit 100 in series with a light source 102. Thus, there is a corresponding light source 102 for each of the control switches 97, as illustrated by the light panel 104 shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, the light sources 102 (FIG. 1) are provided in dilferent colors and are mounted directly behind and above the bacon press so that the operator can conveniently determine in which particular grade the bacon slab belongs by observing the panel 104.

In operation, the improved bacon press formed in accordance with the invention is adapted to receive a side of bacon S within the chamber defined by the sides and rear forming members (FIG. 2) while the front forming member is retracted downwardly. The actuation of start button (FIG. 1) energizes the electric motor coupled to a hydraulic pump. Upon depressing the two safety handles 114 with both hands simultaneously, the top forming member 55 is caused to move downwardly towards the bottom forming member 14. The top forming member 55 rst engages the top edge of the right side forming member 24 and also the top of the front forming member 30 which are biased upwardly by the

springs

27 and 31, respectively.

At approximately the moment when the top forming member 55 engages the top surface of the bacon side, the left side forming member 42 is moved inwardly towards its opposed right side forming mem-ber 24 carrying with it the top forming member 55 and the front forming member 30. Then, at approximately the moment the

side forming members

24 and 42 engage the edges of the bacon side, and begin to apply a pressing force, the bottom forming member 14 lslides rearwardly carrying with it the side forming member 24 and the front forming member 30. In this manner, the bacon is pressed along three axes by opposing members providing a slab with a substantially rectangular cross-sectional coniiguration. The pressing members are then retracted in the reverse order from which they were closed.

By rst bringing the top forming member 55 downwardly towards the bottom forming mem-ber 14, the thickness of the bacon slab is sensed prior to the application of pressing forces from the edges or the ends. Thus,

by proper spacing between the angle bracket 60 andA the plunger 61, and providing a predetermined constant pressure within the cylinders 49 controlling the piston rods 48, the plunger 61 `will be moved downwardly with the top pressing member 55 by an amount depending upon the unpressed thickness of the bacon slab. Thus, a thinner slab will cause the top forming member 55 to move closer to the bottom forming member 14. As a result, the plunger 61 moves the plate 70 further downward ,5 causing the next higher actuating member 87 to operate its corresponding control switch 97. It thus becomes apparent that the downward movement of the plate 70 by pressing the plunger 51 causes the light sources 102 to be energized in a successive manner. As an example, for a slab having a pressed thickness of between 1916" and 1%6, a yellow light may be energized. In a similar manner for slabs having a thickness between 15716 and /16, a blue light is energized. By attaching a corresponding color code to the support rack for each grade, the operator of the press can place the bacon slab on the rack having the corresponding color code according to the last light source N2 to be energized on the panel N4.

It is simple to adjust the range of thickness for a grade simply by vertically adjusting a corresponding actuating member 87 within its slot 85. Thus, to include a thinner slab within a particular grade, the corresponding actuating member 87 is adjusted slightly upwardly. It is to be understood, however, that while in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the control switches 97 are held stationary and the actuating members S7 are moved in response to the downward movement to the top forming member 55, this system could be reversed whereby the control switches 97 would move and the actuating members held stationary.

From the drawings and the above description, it can be seen that the visual indicating system in accordance with the invention provides several advantages vin addition to its economic construction. For example, the thickness of the bacon slab is indicated by a series of multi-colored light sources with a different color for each range of thicknesses. This enables the operator to observe the light sources and grade each slab as he removes it from the press according to the last light source to be energized. As a result, it has been found that the color coding or each grade provides a dependable and accurate method of classifying the bacon slabs.

As another important advantage, the indicating system employed in the present invention can be conveniently attached as an accessory to hydraulically operated bacon presses now in use and does not require any specific type of press construction. A further significant feature is the convenient adjustablility of the control mechanism which permits the thickness range of any particular grade to be readily changed including overlapping ranges, if desired. Of course, as a result of the improved bacon press according to the invention, it is no longer necessary to weight each slab individually either before or after the pressing operation. This, in turn, has eliminated a time consuming and expensive operation.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is dened in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

I. In a press for forming a side of meat into a formed compressed slab having a rectangular cross-section and including a bottom forming member for supporting the slabs, a pair of side forming members spaced apart in parallel relationship for receiving an unformed side therebetween, a pair of end forming members spaced apart in parallel relationship, a top forming member spaced apart in parallel relationship to said bottom form-ing member, means for causing relative movement bet-Ween said top forming member and said bottom forming member toward each other to apply a substantially constant pressure against the top and bottom surfaces of the side; an improvement comprising a system for indicating the precise thickness grade in which the formed slab should be classiied, including a plurality of light sources corresponding in number to the different `thickness grades for the slabs, control means for progressively actuating said light sources, and means for operating said control means in 6 response to the relative movement between said top and bottom forming members for sensing the spaced apart relationship between said top and bottom for-ming mem- Ibers.

2. In a press for forming a side of meat into a formed compressed slab having a rectangular cross-section and including a bottom forming member for supporting the slab, a pair of side forming members spaced apart in parallel relationship for receiving an unformed side therebetween, a pair of end forming members spaced apart in parallel relationship, a top forming member spaced apart in parallel relationship to said bott-om forming member, liuid cylinder means for causing relative movement between said top forming member and said bottom forming member toward each other to apply a substantially constant pressure against the top and bottom surfaces of the side, an improvement comprising a system for indicating the precise thickness grade in which the formed slab should be classified, including a plurality of multi-colored light sources corresponding in number to the diterent grades for the slabs with one color corresponding to each grade, control means for progressively energizing said light sources, means for operating said control means in response to the relative movement between said top and bottom forming members for sensing the spaced apart relationship between said top and bottom forming members, and means associated with said control means for adjusting the range `of thickness corresponding to each grade.

3. In a press for forming a side of meat into a formed compressed slab having a rectangular cross-section and including a bottom lforming member for supporting the slab, a pair of side forming members spaced apart in parallel relationship for receiving an unformed side therebetween, a pair of end forming members spaced apart in parallel relationship, a top forming mem-ber spaced apart in parallel relationship to said bottom forming member, fluid cylinder means for causing relative movement between said top forming member and said bottom forming member toward each other to apply a substantially constant pressure against the top and bottom surfaces of the side, an improvement comprising a system for indicating the precise thickness grade in which the formed slab should `be classified, including a plurality of electrical circuits corresponding in number to the selected diterent thickness grades for the slabs and each circuit having a switch and a light source connected therein, a corresponding plurality of actuating members -for operating said switches, means for providing relative movement between said actuating members and said switches in response to the relative movement between said top and -bottom yforming members, and means for mounting said switches and said actuating members in spaced relationship for progressively actuating said switches as said t-op and bottom forming members move together to operate progressively said corresponding light sources for indicating visually the thickness grade for the slab.

4. In a press for forming a side of meat into a formed compressed slab having a rectangular crosssection and including a bottom forming member for supporting the slab, a pair of side forming members spaced apart in parallel relationship for receiving an unformed side therebetween, means -for slidably mounting at least one of said side forming members for movement towards the opposite member, a pair of end forming members spaced apart in parallel relationship, means for slidably mounting at least one of sai-d end forming members for movement towards the opposite member, uid cylinder means for applying a predetermined force to each of said movable side and en-d forming members for eX- erting a substantially constant pressure against the side edges and the ends of the side, a top forming member spaced apart in parallel relationship to said bottom form-ing member, Huid cylinder` means for causing relative movement between said top forming member and said bottom forming member toward each other to apply a substantially constant pressure against the sides of the slab, an improvement comprising a system for indicating the precise thickness grade in which the slab should be classified including a plurality of electrical circuits corresponding in number to the selected different thickness grades for the slabs and each circuit having a switch and a light source connected therein, a corresponding plurality of actuating members for operating said switches, means for providing relative movement between said actuating members and said switches in response to the relative movement between said top and bottom forming members, and means for mounting said switches and said actuating members in an adjustable spaced relationship for progressively actuating said switches as said top and bottom forming members move together to operate progressively said corresponding light sources for indicating visually the thickness grade for the slab.

In a press for forming a side of meat into a forme-d compressed slab having a rectangular cross-section and including a bottom forming member for supporting the slab, a pair of side forming members spaced apart in parallel relationship for receiving an unformed side therebetween, means for slidably mounting at least one of said side forming members for movement towards the opposite member, a pair of end forming members spaced 4apart in parallel relationship, means for sl-idably mounting at least one of said end forming members for movement towards the opposite member, iirst fluid cylinder means for applying a predetermined force to each of said movable side and end forming members for eX- erting a substantially constant pressure against the side edges and the ends of the slab, a top movable forming member spaced apart in parallel relationship to said bottom forming member, second fluid cylinder means for moving said top forming member towards said bott-om forming member prior to the operation of said first fluid cylinder means and for applying a substantially constant pressure against the sides of the slab, an improvement comprising a system for indicating the precise thickness grade in which the formed slab should be classied including a plurality of electrical circuits corresponding in number to the selected diierent thickness grades for the slabs and each circuit having a switch and a light source connected therein, a corresponding plurality of actuating members for operating said switches, means for moving said actuating members along said switches in response to the movement of said top `forming member, and means for adjustably mounting said actuating members in staggered relationship for progressively actuating said switches as said top forming member moves toward said bottom form-ing member to operate progressivley said corresponding light sources for indicating the spaced apart relationship between sai-d top and bottom forming members 6. In a press for forming a side of meat into a formed compressed slab having a rectangular cross-section and including a bottom forming member for supporting the slab, a pair of side forming members spaced apart in parallel relationship for receiving an unformed side therebetween, means for lslidably mounting at least one of said side forming members for movement towards the opposite member, a pair of end forming members spaced apart in parallel relationship, means for slidably mounting at least one of said end forming members for movement towards the opposite member, iirst iiuid cylinder means for applying a predetermined force to each of said movable side and end forming members for exerting a substantially constant predetermined pressure against the side edges and the ends =of the slab, a top movable forming member space-d apart in parallel relationship to said bottom forming member, second uid cylinder means for moving said top forming member towards said bottom forming member prior to the operation of said iirst fluid cylinder means and for applying a substantially constant pressure against the top and bottom surfaces of the side, an improvement comprising -a system for indicating the precise thickness grade in which the formed slab should be classified including an arm member connected to said top forming member for movement therewith, a plurality of electrical circuits corresponding in number to the selected different thickness grades for the slabs and each circuit having a switch and a light source connected therewith, a corresponding plurality of actuating members slidably mounted for -operating said switches, means for moving said actuating members along said switches in response to the downward movement of said arm member, and means for adjustably mounting said actuating members in staggered relationship for progressively actuating said switches as said top `forming member moves toward said bottom forming member to operate progressively said corresponding light sources for indicating the spaced apart relationship vbetween said top and bottom forming members.

7. In a press for forming a side of meat into a forme-d compressed slab having a rectangular cross-section and including a -bottom forming member for supporting the slab, a pair of side forming members spaced apart in parallel relationship for receiving an unformed side therebetween, means for slidably mounting at least one of said side forming members for movement towards the opposite member, a pair of end forming members spaced apart in parallel relationship, means for slidably mounting at least one of said end forming members for movement towards the opposite member, rst uid cylinder means for lapplying a predetermined force to each or" said movable side and end forming members for exerting a substantially constant predetermined pressure against the side edges and the en-ds 4of the slab, a Itop mov-able forming member spaced apart in parallel relationship to said `bottom forming member, second fluid cylinder means for moving said top forming member towards said bottom forming member prior to the operation of said first fluid cylinder means and for applying a substantially constant pressure against the sides of the slab, an improvement comprising a system for indicating the precise thickness grade in which the formed slab should be classified including an arm member Connected to said top forming member -for movement therewith, a plurality yof electrical circuits corresponding in num-ber to the selected diiierent thickness grades -for `the slabs and each circuit having a switch and a different colored light source connecte-d therein, a control plate slidably mounted for vertical movement and having a series of. slots formed therein, a corresponding plurality of actuating members adjustably mounted within said slots formed in said plate for operating said switches, means for moving said actuating members vertically lalong said switches in response to the movement of said arm member, and means for spacing said actuating members in staggered relationship for progressively energizing said switches as said top forming member moves towards said bottom forming member to operate progressively said different colored light sources for indicating the spaced apart yrelationship between said top and bottom forming members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,989,252 1/1935 Walter 33-121 2,009,824 7/1935 Walter 99-107 2,226,527 12/1940 Walter 33-121 2,850,966 9/1958 Dohm 100-232 3,192,751 7/ 1965 Baker 1GO- 99 XR WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

Claims

6. IN A PRESS FOR FORMING A SIDE OF MEAT INTO A FORMED COMPRESSED SLAB HAVING A RECTANGULAR CROSS-SECTION AND INCLUDING A BOTTOM FORMING MEMBER FOR SUPPORTING THE SLAB, A PAIR OF SIDE FORMING MEMBERS SPACED APART IN PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP FOR RECEIVING AN UNFORMED SIDE THEREBETWEEN, MEANS FOR SLIDABLY MOUNTING AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SIDE FORMING MEMBERS FOR MOVEMENT TOWARDS THE OPPOSITE MEMBER, A PAIR OF END FORMING MEMBERS SPACED APART IN PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP, MEANS FOR SLIDABLY MOUNTING AT LEAST ONE OF SAID END FORMING MEMBERS FOR MOVEMENT TOWARDS ONE OPPOSITE MEMBER, FIRST FLUID CYLINDER MEANS FOR APPLYING A PREDETERMINED FORCE TO EACH OF SADI MOVABLE SIDE AND END FORMING MEMBERS FOR EXERTING A SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT PREDETERMINED PRESSURE AGAINST THE SIDE EDGES AND THE ENDS OF THE SLAB, A TOP MOVABLE FORMING MEMBER SPACED APART IN PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP TO SAID BOTTOM FORMING MEMBER, SECOND FLUID CYLINDER MEANS FOR MOVING SAID TOP FORMING MEMBER TOWARDS SAID BOTTOM FORMING MEMBER PRIOR TO THE OPERATION OF SAID FIRST FLUID CYLINDER MEANS AND FOR APPLYING SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT PRESSURE AGAINST THE TOP AND BOTTOM SURFACES OF THE SIDE, AN IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A SYSTEM FOR INDICATING THE PRECISE THICKNESS GRADE IN WHICH THE FORMED SLAB SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED INCLUDING AN ARM MEMBER CONNECTED TO SAID TOP FORMING MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH, A PLURALITY OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS CORRESPONDING IN NUMBER TO THE SELECTED DIFFERENT THICKNESS GRADES FOR THE SLABS AND EACH CIRCUIT HAVING A SWITCH AND A LIGHT SOURCE CONNECTED THEREWITH, A CORRESPONDING PLURALITY OF ACTUATING MEMBERS SLIDABLY MOUNTED FOR OPERATING SAID SWITCHES, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID ACTUATING MEMBERS ALONG SAID SWITCHES IN RESPONSE TO THE DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID ARM MEMBER, AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLY MOUNTING SAID ACTUATING MEMBERS IN STAGGERED RELATIONSHIP FOR PROGRESSIVELY ACTUATING SAID SWITCHES AS SAID TOP FORMING MEMBER MOVES TOWARD SAID BOTTOM FORMING MEMBER TO OPERATE PROGRESSIVELY SAID CORRESPONDING LIGHT SOURCES FOR INDICATING THE SPACED APART RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SAID TOP AND BOTTOM FORMING MEMBERS.