Abstract: Apparatus (10) is disclosed including a series of equally spaced air jets (36) in the center plate (18) of a channel (14). An end cover plate (22) and a cover (48) close the channel (14) to form a tunnel having infeed and outfeed ends. In the most preferred form, the air jets (36) are wedge-shaped depressions formed in the center plate (18) having semicircular end walls (38) including apertures (42) in fluid communication with a compressed air enclosure (44) secured to the center plate (18). The free end of a continuous strip of coupon items is inserted into the infeed end where it is under the control of the air flow created by the air jets (36) within the tunnel. A coupon item is then cut from the continuous strip and travels under the control of the air flow within the tunnel and through the outfeed end thereof. In a preferred form, the end cover plate (22) is arcuately shaped outward and downward to direct the coupon item into a hopper (32) which later receives the ready-to-eat food product.

Abstract: An improved forming block (10) is described for forming double packages including a liner enclosed within a carton. The forming block (10) includes a mandrel (12) having a free, open end (30) partially closed by an end piece (14). The mandrel (12) includes a hollow core (16) having a periphery around which the double package is formed. The mandrel (12) further includes a mounting bracket (18) which mounts the mandrel (12) in a cantilever manner to the forming machine and includes a hollow interconnecting portion (20). Ambient air is in communication to the interior of the core (16) by apertures (56) formed in the interconnecting portion (20). Air communication is also provided from the interior of the core (16) and the interior of the double package through apertures (76) formed in the end piece (14) and through vent holes (40) formed in the core (16) adjacent the open end (30).

Abstract: Frozen slabs of fish are introduced one at a time to one end of a conveyor having a bed of laterally spaced plastic strips forming slots therebetween. Beneath each slot is an endless chain having a series of upwardly directed fingers thereon. The fingers are engageable with the various slabs so as to advance the slabs to a location beneath an assembly of water jet devices, each device including a pivotal arm having a nozzle at one end thereof. A barrel cam has a plurality of tracking grooves, the pivotal arms having cam followers depending downwardly therefrom into the tracking grooves of the barrel cam. As the slabs are successively advanced beneath the liquid jet devices, the jets cut the particular slab into individual portions. Advancement of the now severed portions cause the portions to be moved onto a plurality of tilt strips which prevent the cut edges from freezing together.