Abstract: A clamping mechanism for a food slicing machine having a product holder that is driven cyclically through a food slicing blade along an arcuate or linear path. The clamping mechanism is driven by the drive means that drives the product holder, thereby assuring the timing of the clamping during the cutting portion of the stroke. A drive rod extends from the drive means, which can be a driveshaft, and extends to a plate that is pivotably mounted to the product holder. The plate pushes plungers through the sidewall of the holder to seat against and clamp the food product against the sidewall of the holder.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism for a food slicing machine having a product holder that is driven cyclically through a food slicing blade along an arcuate or linear path. The clamping mechanism is driven by the drive means that drives the product holder, thereby assuring the timing of the clamping during the cutting portion of the stroke. A drive rod extends from the drive means, which can be a driveshaft, and extends to a plate that is pivotably mounted to the product holder. The plate pushes plungers through the sidewall of the holder to seat against and clamp the food product against the sidewall of the holder.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for a food slicing machine. The feed mechanism is capable of dual configurations: gripper mode and continuous feed mode. The apparatus has dual conveyors that can feed food products continuously, and a gripper mechanism that can feed food products reciprocatingly. Before engaging the continuous mode, the gripper mechanism is driven to an end of the machine and then a drive belt, which a jaw clamps during the gripper mode, is released. The dual, opposing conveyors then feed the food product that rolls to them by gravity over a moveable roller frame extending beneath the gripper mechanism. During gripper mode, the upper conveyor can be removed or raised out of the way, and the moveable roller frame is positioned just beneath the gripper. The gripper jaw clamps the drive belt and the gripper is driven in a reciprocal manner over the lower conveyor.