Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for distributing a food product, such as potato chips, which provides a laminar flow of product to the weighers. The laminar flow of product is provided using a gate which regulates the amount of product dropped through the distribution conveyor to an amount that is equivalent to the flow rate created by the set of weighers/bagmakers associated with that gate. This results in some of the product being deposited through the gate while the remainder of the product bypasses the gate for deposit in a subsequent gate.

Abstract: An improved sheeter wire device providing constant tension on a feeder spool even during wire breakage. A constant speed motor draws wire across the face of the sheeter while a drag motor maintains constant tension on the wire. A pair of pinch rollers prohibits unwinding of the feeder spool in the event of wire breakage.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for distributing a food product, such as potato chips, which reduces the problem of staling. A plurality of stopper gates are placed adjacent to a plurality of slide doors on the downstream end of a distribution conveyor such that when the gate is closed the product is held over the slide door.