Abstract: A pizza cutting apparatus and portions of the apparatus, and methods of forming the apparatus and of disassembly. The apparatus includes a simple frame assembly made from sheet metal, an actuator assembly and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly includes a central hub, a number of attached blade and guard combinations, a shaft with a flange and an elastic band. Each blade includes two spaced apart openings, one to receive the flange and the other to be engaged by the band so as to restrain the blades mounted in the hub. Each guard includes perforations for easy gripping by an operator. A blade is removed by having the operator safely grip each guard to stretch the band so as to disengage the blade from the flange and then return and rotate the blade to disengage the blade from the band.

Abstract: A quick engagement and disengagement connector assembly for a product processing line such as a pizza making assembly line. The connector assembly includes a connector having a stainless steel rectangular plate with two parallel rows of stainless steel pins projecting from a bottom side and a stainless steel handle projecting from a top side. The connector assembly also includes a cam follower plate having a row of holes for receiving one of the rows of pins of the connector and a panel for supporting a bundle of food tubes, the panel also having a row of holes for receiving the other row of the rows of pins. Removing the connector facilitates the quick and easy disassembly of portions of the assembly line for cleaning.

Abstract: A cam follower plate used in a product processing line such as a pizza making assembly line. The cam follower plate includes a panel of synthetic resin having side grooves to engage rails of the assembly line, a forward located slot surrounded by a wall, the slot having a predefined geometry such that the slot wall is engaged by a cam roller to impart motion to the panel, and a rearward located row of holes for receiving a pin carrying connector to facilitate the connection of the driven panel to other elements of the assembly line.

Abstract: A tubing and connector system including a plastic tubing or hose having a helical outer surface, a plastic lock nut having a helical internal surface with the same thread pitch as the pitch of the tubing outer surface, and a fitting having several barbs formed on its outer surface. The tubing and connector system has few parts and is easy to assemble by having the inner surface of the tubing engage the barbs of the fitting, and the lock nut, being mounted on the outer surface of the tubing, is rotated over the tubing and the fitting so as to squeeze the tubing between the lock nut and the fitting. Disassembly for washing is also easily accomplished by backing the lock nut away from the fitting and pulling the tubing off of the fitting.

Abstract: A pump apparatus for an adjustable metering and dispensing pump apparatus for food products including a product piston moving in a product cylinder, the product cylinder being connected to a food hopper and a dispensing nozzle. The pump apparatus also includes a cylindrical valve moving within a central aperture in the product piston to selectively open and close passageways also in the product piston which communicate with intake and outlet ports connected to the product cylinder. The valve is attached to a valve piston moving within a valve piston cylinder and the valve piston cylinder is attached to a source of compressed air, to a sensor and to a control assembly. The control in turn is connected to a foot switch to allow an operator to initiate a cycle of the pump apparatus.