Abstract: Whole oriented items, such as onions, are sliced in a slicer by holding the items on a horizontal cutter-bearing plate and by rotating the plate to continuously remove slices from the lower ends of the items until they are fully sliced. The holding device include a box-like trap and cylinder-operated hold-down discs. The slicer knives are curved to effect a progressive, bias-type of cutting.

Abstract: Whole oriented onions are sliced in a slicer by holding the onions on a horizontal cutter-bearing plate and by rotating the plate to continuously remove slices from the lower ends of the onions until the onions are fully sliced. Non-oriented onions are recirculated between a feed hopper and the conveyor leading to the slicer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing lasagne noodles from the stripper of a high production pasta oven and packaging the noodles in a continuous processing line. The output of the stripper is split and directed along separate paths whereby the rate at which product is discharged to each path is reduced in half, as compared to conventional strippers. Conveyors transfer the respective split components of the stripper output away from the stripper and through successive accumulator, inspection and sawing stations. After departing from the sawing stations, the noodles are shingled into sub-components of a predetermined number of noodles and these sub-components are then displaced into containers for final packaging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing lasagne noodles from the stripper of a high production pasta oven and packaging the noodles in a continuous processing line. The output of the stripper is split and directed along separate paths whereby the rate at which product is discharged to each path is reduced in half, as compared to conventional strippers. Conveyors transfer the respective split components of the stripper output away from the stripper and through successive accumulator, inspection and sawing stations. After departing from the sawing stations, the noodles are shingled into sub-components of a predetermined number of noodles and these sub-components are then displaced into containers for final packaging.

Abstract: In a conveyor line, a pasta stacking apparatus is provided wherein individual spaced strips of pasta such as lasagne are automatically counted and stacked in shingles for loading into a packaging machine. The apparatus comprises an upstream conveyor belt, a downstream conveyor belt disposed slightly below the upstream conveyor belt at a junction, clutch mechanism controlling the motion of the downstream conveyor belt, an air nozzle located below the upstream conveyor belt and disposed to direct the blast of air in a downstream direction across the junction, and a photo-sensor arranged to detect items crossing the junction for operating control apparatus and for tallying the number of items delivered to the junction. In operation, lasagne strips are transported along the upstream conveyor belt to the junction where the presence of each is detected by the photo-sensor as it drops to the downstream belt.