Abstract: Reading data from, writing data to and storing data in an IC card, utilizing an external Read/Write unit. An IC card (12) is provided. The IC card (12) comprises a rigid substrate (86) and electrical components (88) disposed on the substrate. A card coil (32) is provided about the periphery of the substrate (86) and is placed in a coil form (94). Card capacitive plates (24) and (26) are disposed on the bottom of the substrate (86). Power circuitry is provided for receiving inductive power from the card coil (32) and generating a regulated power supply voltage for powering the electrical components (88). I/O circuitry is provided for capacitively coupling data via the card capacitor plates (24) and (26). A cover (130) is also provided for covering the electric components (88) on the substrate (86). An IC card Read/Write unit (14) is provided. The IC card Read/Write unit comprises a receptacle (16) shaped similar to the substrate (86) of the IC card (12).

Abstract: An endless conveyor where the tension of the belt carrying the product cannot be readily adjusted during operation, the conveyor having a progressive counterweight device for tensioning of the belt where lengthening of the portion of the belt carrying the product automatically reduces the tension force and shortening of the belt carrying the product automatically increases the tensioned force.

Abstract: A muffin splitter having a muffin conveyor and tining assemblies located to either side of the conveyor for tining the muffins as they move along the conveyor. The tining apparatus may be deactivated to permit muffins to be passed along the conveyor without tining.

Abstract: An endless conveyor and belt where the conveyor belt is made from a plurality of laterally extending rods linked together at the edges of the belt to form a fixed pitch driving chain on one edge of the belt and a variable pitch chain on the other edge of the belt. The driving chain is formed of links extending upstream from rods and surrounding the adjacent upstream rods. The links in the variable pitch chain loosely surround the adjacent rod ends to permit relative movement between the adjacent rods. The rods rest on fixed supports which, during movement of the belt along the path of the conveyor, exert drag forces on the rods tending to rotate the upstream-extending links of the fixed pitch chain against seats on adjacent upstream links, thereby locking the links one to another and supporting the rods against drag forces without column loading. Drive forces are not transmitted across the belt. The ends of the rods at the variable pitch chain float with respect to each other.

Abstract: A bakery product slicer and method for forming vertical slits extending along proof lines between adjacent buns in clusters of buns. The slicer includes a rotary vertical slicing blade located in the path of movement of clusters past the slicer at the nominal location of the proof line and a fixed aligner having a heel portion with a curved bow and divergent flanks located upstream of the blade with plates extending from the heel portion to either side of the blade and beyond the downstream edge of the blade so the blade is fitted in a slot between the plates. As clusters are moved toward the aligner the open crease above the proof line is moved adjacent the heel portion of the aligner so that the flanks engage the buns and assure that the proof line between the buns is held in alignment with the fixed blade so that the vertical slit extends along the actual proof line.

Abstract: A bakery product slicer and method for forming vertical slits extending along proof lines between adjacent buns in clusters of buns. The slicer includes a rotary vertical slicing blade located in the path of movement of clusters past the slicer at the nominal location of the proof line and a fixed aligner having a heel portion with a curved bow and divergent flanks located upstream of the blade with plates extending from the heel portion to either side of the blade and beyond the downstream edge of the blade so the blade is fitted in a slot between the plates. As clusters are moved toward the aligner the open crease above the proof line is moved adjacent the heel portion of the aligner so that the flanks engage the buns and assure that the proof line between the buns is held in alignment with the fixed blade so that the vertical slit extends along the actual proof line.

Abstract: A pan unstacker includes an elevator for lifting a stack of pans as it is depleted to position the top pan in a pick up position and a magnetic lift for engaging the lips of the top pan and raising the pan to a magnetic discharge conveyor. The unstacker is manually adjustable to accommodate different size pans through the use of threaded adjustment shafts and elevator and lift drives connecting fixed drive motors on the unstacker frame to moveable elevators and lift heads.

Abstract: A bakery product slicer for forming vertical slits extending along proof lines between adjacent buns in clusters of buns. The slicer includes a pendent support hanging over the path of movement of the cluster and having at its lower end an upstream-facing orienting portion and a trailing cutting blade. The blade is closer to the support surface than the orienting portion so that the orienting portion falls into the crease above the proof line and guides the blade along the proof line.