Abstract: A method of processing pork bellies to produce sliced bacon comprises receiving at least one pork belly, having a flank end and a shoulder end, from a pork belly treating process. The flank end and the shoulder end of the at least one pork belly is docked. The docked pork belly is placed on a slicing machine and sliced to produce sliced bacon.

Abstract: A predetermined force is applied to the waistband of a hosiery article to determine the waistband's maximum elongation, for the predetermined force and the band subsequently is relaxed to a preset dimension and the compression force exerted by the band is measured and recorded. The apparatus includes a stationary and a displaceable finger over which the waistband is stretched. A fluid cylinder moves the displaceable finger away from the stationary finger, producing the application of a predetermined force. Once the distance between fingers is measured, the cylinder moves the displaceable finger to position it a predetermined distance from the stationary finger and the compressive force applied by the waistband is measured and recorded. In order to insure that the displaceable finger is stopped with the exact predetermined distance between fingers, a calibration stop is first conducted to determine the distance the displaceable finger moves before it actually stops after receiving a stop signal.