Abstract: The illustrative method and apparatus provides a more efficient system for automated slicing and loading of food articles into containers. The apparatus includes at least one cutting assembly and at least two chutes and depositing assemblies. The apparatus may include a positioning receptacle that aligns the food articles with a knife set and a driving arm that advances the food article into engagement with the knife set. The chutes may include a movable chute portion, which moves from alignment with the knife set to alignment with the containers, and a chute extension. Openings for the sliced food sections, which extend through the movable chute portion and the chute extension, have a cross section that changes to rotate the orientation of the food sections passing therethrough. Once deposited into the containers, the food sections are oriented with at least some cut faces of the food article adjacent the container wall.

Abstract: The illustrative method and apparatus provides a more efficient system for automated slicing and loading of food articles into containers. The apparatus includes at least one cutting assembly and at least two chutes and depositing assemblies. The apparatus may include a positioning receptacle that aligns the food articles with a knife set and a driving arm that advances the food article into engagement with the knife set. The chutes may include a movable chute portion, which moves from alignment with the knife set to alignment with the containers, and a chute extension. Openings for the sliced food sections, which extend through the movable chute portion and the chute extension, have a cross section that changes to rotate the orientation of the food sections passing therethrough. Once deposited into the containers, the food sections are oriented with at least some cut faces of the food article adjacent the container wall.

Abstract: An in-line strapping system which is particularly adaptable for strapping a compressible stack of sheet material includes a stack feeding mechanism which captures and holds the stack with its vertical side faces squared through the strapping cycle. A pair of vertically disposed compression belts captures the stack fed from an upstream squaring mechanism and feeds the stack into a strapping station to partially encircle the stack with a strap disposed in the path of movement. Only one lateral side of the stack is captured between the compression belt such that the stack is held in cantilevered fashion in the strapping station with the opposite lateral side unsupported. A rotary strap arm supports the partially wrapped strap and carries it around the unsupported rear portion of the stack to a sealing position overlapping the free end of the strap beneath the stack.