Abstract: A motorized implement having a housing containing a motor mounted therein the motor having a rotary shaft with an output end. The motorized implement further has a drive shaft with an input end pivotably supported relative to the housing and co-axially aligned with the rotary shaft. Moreover, the implement has a connector interposed between the motor and the drive shaft, which includes a pair of co-axial apertures, one to cooperate with the input end of the drive shaft to form a first connection. The other of the pair of apertures to cooperate with the output end of the rotary shaft to form a second connection. One of the first and second connections is securely fixed to its associated shaft end, and the other forms a pivotal universal joint. The aperture and associated shaft end which form the universal joint have corresponding non-circular cross-sections for enabling a slip-fit connection. The universal joint facilitates slight misalignment between the rotary shaft and the drive shaft.

Abstract: A machine for dividing articles into wedge-shaped portions which includes a conveyor for transporting the articles along a processing path and a series of cutting stations spaced along the path. Individual article carriers, each supported on the conveyor for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the processing path, carry the articles through successive cutting stations. The carriers and associated articles are rotationally indexed between cutting stations by cam surfaces disposed along the processing path to cause the articles to be cut at the cutting stations on angularly displaced lines. The cutting stations include a rotary blade that is power-driven at a speed that approximates the speed of the conveyor to eliminate article handling problems as well as fouling of the apparatus and articles.

Abstract: A gravity feed rotary head tray dropper is provided which may be universally adjusted for different tray sizes, shapes and lip thicknesses. The device includes a rotatable blade to separate the bottom tray from a stack of trays and a rotatable tray support disc to hold the stack of trays in position between tray separations. The rotatable tray support disc is positioned beneath the rotatable blade and is vertically adjustable to accommodate tray lips of varying thicknesses.

Abstract: A machine is provided which accurately measures and dispenses predetermined quantities of flowable products through an orbiting dispenser into conveyorized containers moving therebeneath. Orbital movement of the dispenser is synchronized with the linear speed of the conveyor so as to begin dispensing a product into a container as the dispenser approaches the lower portion of its cycle. The dispenser is programmed to delay closing for a period of time sufficient to permit substantially all of the product to flow therefrom and to be received into the container. Thereafter, pistons are provided to sweep out product residue from the interior of the dispenser and then to remove by a pulse of air any product residue still clinging to the bottom of the dispenser.