Abstract: A paper feed system suitable for use with a portion control machine to provide paper sheets for separating portions, including a paper hopper mountable to a portion control machine and adapted to receive and temporarily retain a stack of paper sheets. The paper hopper has an open end having a front edge spaced opposite from a back edge and defining a ready position where a paper sheet lies in a first plane to be dispensed. The paper feed system further includes a paper support having a length to width ratio of 10 to 1 or greater. The paper support is mounted adjacent the open end of the paper hopper blocking the free exit of paper sheets therefrom, with the support extending from a central location on the back edge partially to a central location on the front edge. An upper surface of the support is substantially parallel with the first plane and is adjacent the first plane for retention of a paper sheet in the ready position.

Abstract: In order to effectively and efficiently produce patties in a machine, particularly at a high rate of speed and while maintaining a consistent level as to the quality of production, a patty machine is disclosed which includes a casting, a ram, a mold plate, and a drive system. The casting has a cavity which is adapted to receive a material to be formed into a patty at an inlet located intermediate opposite ends thereof. The ram is reciprocably disposed within the cavity at a point upstream of the inlet, and the mold plate is reciprocably disposed relative to the cavity at a point downstream of the inlet. With this arrangement, the drive system imparts simultaneous reciprocating movement to the ram and the mold plate. The mold plate may cooperate with a knockout assembly where both the mold plate and the knockout assembly are driven through a hydraulic system in a coordinated fashion.