Abstract: The present invention comprises a machine for the packaging of goods in a box. A conveyor receives a designated number of goods between a series of successive flights situated on the top surface of the conveyor. The conveyor transports the goods up an incline and then over a steep decline, or waterfall. The waterfall nests the goods on a surface of the lead flight. The waterfall is covered so that the goods do not fall off of the conveyor as it goes over the waterfall. The conveyor then reaches a belt return, wherein the lead flight moves out from underneath the goods and drops the goods into the box. The box is positioned underneath the waterfall to receive the goods by the action of an intermittent conveyor. A sensor is positioned to verify that the queued box has received the goods. If the sensor does not indicate to the second conveyor that the queued box has not received the goods, the intermittent second conveyor will not move the box.

Abstract: A slitting assembly (10) in the preferred form of a rotary cutter includes a shaft (50) upon which relatively thin, large diameter annular blades (56) are slid and held in place on the shaft by relatively large diameter hubs (60). An axial bore (54) is provided through the shaft (50) for circulating a coolant in fluid communication therewith by rotary joints (74, 78). Thus, the blades (56) are cooled below ambient temperature by conduction through hubs (60) and shaft (50) for imparting continuous longitudinal cuts in a band (12) of fat-free brownie products having an internal temperature higher than ambient. The outer periphery of the blades (56) rotate against a back-up roll (22) rotatable about a parallel axis below the band (12). Scrapers (30, 70) are provided to remove any product sticking to the back-up roll (22) and the axial faces of the blades (56).

Abstract: A slitting assembly (10) is disclosed in the preferred form of a rotary cutter including a shaft (50) upon which relatively thin, large diameter annular blades (56) are slid. Relatively large diameter hubs (60) are provided having inner surfaces for receipt on the shaft (50) and having axial ends which flushly abut with the axial faces of the blades (56) for holding the blades (56) in axially spaced relations on the shaft (50). An axial bore (54) is provided through the shaft (50) for circulating a coolant in fluid communication therewith by rotary unions (74, 78). Thus, the blades (56) are cooled below ambient temperature by conduction through hubs (60) and shaft (50) for imparting continuous longitudinal cuts in a band (12) of fat-free brownie products having an internal temperature higher than ambient. The outer periphery of the blades (56) rotate against a back-up roll (22) rotatable about a parallel axis below the band (12).

Abstract: A device (200) for indexing logs of frozen fish or the like is disclosed including log support fixtures (208) horizontally slideably mounted to slide blocks (206) in turn vertically slideable on guide rods (202). Horizontal legs (210) of the log support fixtures (208) are extended into slots (23) of tubes (22) of the severing apparatus (10) and separates the indexed logs from the prior logs in the tubes (22). When the prior logs have been completely severed, the log support fixtures (208) are moved from their extended positions to retracted positions by elongated channels (234) pushing against cam followers (220) carried by the log support fixtures (208). Then the slide blocks (206) are slid upward on the guide rods (202) from their lower positions by lifting a lifting bar (204) independently slideably mounted to the guide rods (202).