Abstract: A food-product slicer that includes a camming arrangement that induces a slicing action as between food-product being cut and a blade set effecting the cutting. In some embodiments, the camming arrangement includes a camming region formed on a food-product pusher, wherein interaction of the food-product with the camming region during a cutting operation induces a slicing action into the food-product. In some embodiments, the camming arrangement includes one or more camming structures, such as slots, and corresponding cam followers to impart slicing action motion into a product pusher, which in turn induces the slicing motion into food product engaged therewith, and/or into a blade set to creating the slicing action.

Abstract: A blade cartridge for a food-product slicer having a frame and blades located on multiple blade levels, wherein all of the blades are held in tension by the common frame. In various embodiments, the blades on each blade level are held in spaced relation to one another by blade holders located at opposing ends of the blades. In various embodiments the blades on each blade level are tensioned using adjustable fasteners. In various embodiments, blades on one level within a multilevel blade cartridge are spaced from blades on an immediately adjacent bladed level to inhibit binding of slices of food-product sliced using the blade cartridge. In various embodiments, a removable blade cover is securable to the blade cartridge when the cartridge is installed in the food-product slicer.

Abstract: A programmable weighing scale and a system and method for programming values of adjustable operating parameters used in generating the displayed output from the weighing scale. The weighing scale is placed into a restricted-access programming mode, which allows an authorized programmer to select values of operating parameters that allow the programmer to initially set or change the service characteristics of the scale. Operating parameters that can be varied include variables used in sampling the weighing scale's transducer electrical output, mathematically processing that output, and displaying the results. Once the operating parameter values have been selected, the weighing scale will utilize those values until the weighing scale undergoes a subsequent reprogramming.

Abstract: A weighing scale that is calibratable without a calibration weight that is separate and distinct from the scale. The scale has a weighing mode and a self-calibration mode and includes a base that supports a load cell, which in turn supports a mass receiver. Electronic circuitry within the scale is configured so that, during the calibration mode, the sprung weight of the base when the scale is inverted and supported by the mass receiver can be used to calibrate the scale. This avoids the need to maintain a calibration weight external to the scale. A process of calibrating the scale includes inverting the scale during the self-calibration process and allowing the circuitry to acquire a calibration parameter that is based on the inverted sprung weight.

Abstract: An electronic weighing scale that includes an inner housing and an outer housing surrounding the inner housing. In one embodiment, the inner and outer housings are not secured to one another and are spaced apart by shock-absorbing spacers designed to absorb shock of impact loads such as may be caused by the scale being dropped. The inner housing includes a chassis defining a load cell cavity that contains a load cell. The inner housing also includes an electronics compartment closure that together with the chassis define an electronics compartment that contains electronics of the scale, including display electronics and user-controls electronics. In one embodiment, the electronics compartment is hermetically sealed to protect the electronics from moisture.

Abstract: An electronic weighing scale that includes an inner housing and an outer housing surrounding the inner housing. In one embodiment, the inner and outer housings are not secured to one another and are spaced apart by shock-absorbing spacers designed to absorb shock of impact loads such as may be caused by the scale being dropped. The inner housing includes a chassis defining a load cell cavity that contains a load cell. The inner housing also includes an electronics compartment closure that together with the chassis define an electronics compartment that contains electronics of the scale, including display electronics and user-controls electronics. In one embodiment, the electronics compartment is hermetically sealed to protect the electronics from moisture.