Abstract: A device for cutting up food products, particularly a high-performance slicer, having a product feed which comprises at least one conveying device. At least one product may be fed to a cutting plane in which at least one cutting tool is moving, particularly in a rotating or circulating manner. The cutting device further comprises at least one multifunctional working unit for at least intermittently handling the product. The working unit can be displaced into a contact position, in which the working unit presses the product which is movable in the conveying direction against a lower product bearing surface and/or a side product bearing surface, and into a locking position. In the locking position, the working unit prevents any movement of the product in the conveying direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting device for slicing food products, comprising a driven circular blade rotating about a blade axis revolving on a track about a center axis, and a cover element rotatable relative to the circular blade on the side of the circular blade facing away from a product to be sliced. A holding device is provided that is designed for counteracting the self-rotation of the cover element about the blade axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for single transfer insert placement. The apparatus receives continuous web material and cuts a discrete section or pad from the web. The pad is then supported on a single transfer surface. The single transfer surface then may spin the supported pad to a desired angle and provide the pad to a receiving surface at a desired interval.

Abstract: Cutter for cross cutting of reeled webs comprising a rotary cutting assembly including a blade and a counter blade rotated in synchronism with an advancement assembly of the web. The rotation axes of the blade and of the counter blade are displaceable relative to each other, perpendicularly to the web, and a gear actuator is provided to operate mutual approaching thereof when the blade and the counter blade are placed in a mutually facing angular position for cutting the web. The blade and the counter blade are rotated only at the time of cutting.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on an elongated medium to be printed has a printing head for printing based on printing data, transporting device for transporting the medium relative to the printing head, completely cutting edges for completely cutting the medium on a downstream side of the printing head, as seen in a direction of travelling of the medium, and partially cutting edges partially cutting the medium on the downstream side of the printing head. The apparatus is provided with a completely cutting travelling device so constructed and arranged to be automatically started at a complete cutting position of the medium based on a length contained in the printing data to thereby perform complete cutting of the medium. It is also provided with a partially cutting driving device so constructed and arranged to be automatically started, independent of the completely cutting device, at a partial cutting position.

Abstract: An apparatus for roughening a surface of a book block spine formed of a plurality of individual printed sheets clamped together. The apparatus includes a roughening tool which has a tool bit holder having a rotary axis and a radial face; a plurality of cutter tool bits mounted in a circular array on the tool bit holder and projecting axially from the radial face and together defining a cutting plane; and a drive for rotating the tool bit holder about the rotary axis. The apparatus further includes an arrangement for effecting a relative movement between the book block spine and the roughening tool in a direction of displacement; and an arrangement for setting the roughening tool relative to the book block spine such that the cutting plane forms an acute angle with the direction of displacement, whereby arcuate markings cut simultaneously into the surface of the book block spine along diametrically opposite portions of the circular array have unlike depths.

Abstract: A continuous strip of sheet paper material is divided into blanks by a device comprising a cutter and an anvil rendered capable of sliding movement one in relation to the other and establishing a cutting position toward which the strip is advanced by way of a passage incorporated into the anvil; the cutter is reciprocated across the anvil in such a manner as to pass through the cutting position transversely to the strip, alternating between two limit positions on opposite sides of the passage, the geometry being such that the cutter will vacate the passage entirely when occupying either one of the two limit positions.

Abstract: A food slicer includes a feeder for feeding a lump of food in one direction, an end detector for detecting an end portion of the lump of food fed by the feeder, a cutter for cutting the lump of food from its leading end into slices, and slice receivers arranged for advancing to and retracting from a dropping path of the slices released from the cutter. A controller is responsive to a detection signal of the end detector for controlling the advancing and retracting movements of the slice receivers.

Abstract: A food slicer includes an end detecting device for detecting end portions of a food fed by a feeder. A retaining member is arranged to be movable with the food in a feeding direction of the feeder and to be retractable at substantially a right angle to the feeding direction to penetrate into and depart from the food. A controller is responsive to a detection signal of the end detecting device for causing the retaining member to penetrate into and hold the other end of the food and to travel with the food until the other end of the food comes close to a rotary knife.

Abstract: A slicing station for a high speed food loaf slicing machine that slices one, two, or more food loaves simultaneously using one cyclically driven knife blade; the slices are stacked or shingled in groups on a receiving conveyor located below the slicing station. Independent loaf feed drives are provided so that slices cut from one loaf may be thicker than slices from the other. The slicing station, enclosed by a housing except for a limited slicing opening, includes a knife blade having an elongated arcuate cutting edge and a drive that moves the knife blade at a predetermined cyclic rate along a closed cutting path through the slicing range, which range intersects the ends of food loaves fed at predetermined rates into the slicing station. A marker moving with the blade is sensed by a fixed sensor to establish a home position for the blade. There is a honing device to sharpen the cutting edge of one type of blade, with the blade in its home position.

Abstract: A slicing station for a high speed food loaf slicing machine that slices one, two, or more food loaves simultaneously using one cyclically driven knife blade; the slices are stacked or shingled in groups on a receiving conveyor located below the slicing station. Independent loaf feed drives are provided so that slices cut from one loaf may be thicker than slices from the other. The slicing station, enclosed by a housing except for a limited slicing opening, includes a knife blade having an elongated arcuate cutting edge and a drive that moves the knife blade at a predetermined cyclic rate along a closed cutting path through the slicing range, which range intersects the ends of food loaves fed at predetermined rates into the slicing station. A marker moving with the blade is sensed by a fixed sensor to establish a home position for the blade. There is a honing device to sharpen the cutting edge of one type of blade, with the blade in its home position.

Abstract: Three-dimensional food products such as crackers, cookies, puffed snacks, puffable glassy half-products, pet foods, pasta, confections such as chewing gum, and ready-to-eat cereals are produced on a mass production basis by feeding a dough or other food composition to a plurality of dies which shape it into ropes. The shaped extrudate ropes obtained from each die are cut by a plurality of first blades which pass across only a portion of each of the orifices of the dies to partially cut each of the shaped extrudate ropes. A plurality of second blades pass across the entire orifice of each of the dies to completely cut each of the partially cut extrudate ropes into individual pieces. The use of a multi-port extrusion die permits higher mass flow rates and thus greater dough piece production rates at lower cutter speeds. The use of multi-port extrusion and lower cutter speeds increases shape, definition, and accuracy of cutting and reduces scattering and deformation of the individual pieces.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for improved slicing of large food sticks, loafs and the like are provided. A slicing blade having a flat top surface or top flat land width along its cutting edge provides generally longitudinal forces on the food product being sliced, which forces are in a direction generally opposite to the direction through which the food products are fed through a slicing apparatus. The slicing apparatus includes an orifice assembly or other arrangement for imparting generally laterally directed forces on the food products being sliced. The invention is particularly important in improving handling of the butt ends of those products. Fast feed rates can be practiced without experiencing jamming, yields are increased, slicing line utilization is enhanced, and sanitary conditions are more easily maintained.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for improved slicing of large food sticks, loafs and the like are provided. A slicing blade having a flat top surface or top flat land width along its cutting edge provides generally longitudinal forces on the food product being sliced, which forces are in a direction generally opposite to the direction through which the food products are fed through a slicing apparatus. The slicing apparatus includes an orifice assembly or other arrangement for imparting generally laterally directed forces on the food products being sliced. The invention is particularly important in improving handling of the butt ends of those products. Fast feed rates can be practiced without experiencing jamming, yields are increased, slicing line utilization is enhanced, and sanitary conditions are more easily maintained.

Abstract: A hand-driven food slicer which includes a gear box with a shaft extending from it and within the gear box there is a driven gear and a driving gear, the driven gear being adapted to rotate a slicing mechanism in a housing atop the device which has a charging opening and an exit opening and slicer includes a driving gear in the gear box in driving engagement with the driven gear on a shaft with a handle which extends exteriorly of the gear box.

Abstract: Three-dimensional food products such as crackers, cookies, puffed snacks, puffable glassy half-products, pet foods, pasta, confections such as chewing gum, and ready-to-eat cereals are produced on a mass production basis by feeding a dough or other food composition to a plurality of dies which shape it into ropes. The shaped extrudate ropes obtained from each die are cut by a cutting device which passes across only a portion of each of the orifices of the dies to partially cut each of the shaped extrudate ropes. The cutting device passes across the entire orifice of each of the dies to completely cut each of the partially cut extrudate ropes into individual pieces. The use of a multi-port extrusion die permits higher mass flow rates and thus greater dough piece production rates at lower cutter speeds. The use of multi-port extrusion and lower cutter speeds increases shape, definition, and accuracy of cutting and reduces scattering and deformation of the individual pieces.

Abstract: A slicing machine includes a blade-plate assembly and a stationary support structure capable of slicing multiple as well as varied food products at the same time. The blade-plate assembly includes a spiraled outer edge support plate and a circular blade having a spiraled inside cutting edge detachably mounted to the support plate. The slicing machine is particularly adept at high speed, hands free slicing of food product.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance for slicing food has a slicing cylinder arranged rotatably in a housing. Material to be sliced is pressed against the slicing cylinder by means of a pusher which can be moved into a feeding chamber. The wall of the feeding chamber located at the rear in the direction of rotation of the slicing is fixed. The pusher is guided pivotably and displaceably in its vicinity. To the front it has a terminating wall which, during pressing, slides on the outside beyond the housing and completely seals the feeding chamber.

Abstract: A dough portioning machine includes a plurality of dough feeders for feeding dough under pressure from a hopper to a plurality of orifices. The dough blossoms through an open mouth of the orifice and is cut by a rotating wire moving in a circular path across the orifice mouth.

Abstract: A cigarette rod which is repeatedly severed by the orbiting knife of a cut-off is supported by a tubular guide which has a slot for the knife and is moved with the rod in the course of each severing operation to thereupon move back to a starting position. The guide is rigidly connected to and is moved back and forth by the head of a connecting rod which is driven by an eccentric pin and is fixedly connected to the upper end of a single leaf spring. The lower end of the leaf spring is affixed to a stationary support. The head of the connecting rod moves the guide forwardly while the pin advances along the lower portion of its circular path, and the internal surface of the guide is designed in such a way that it supports the rod from below during severing but is spaced apart from the rod during movement to starting position.

Abstract: A circular cutting machine is described which is characterised in that a product supply carriage, into which the guide for the material to be cut, the feed device and means for holding the material to be cut are integrated, can be switched over between an operating position and a retracted position by means of an actuating unit, thus permitting the product to be guided right-up to the immediate vicinity of the cutting knife. A change-over between the operating position and the retracted position can also be obtained by corresponding displacement of the cutting plane.

Abstract: A continuously fed tube is momentarily halted at a cutting station and quickly cut by a rotating knife. The tube is continuously advanced from driving rollers to idler rollers and passes through intermediate pinch rollers which are cam controlled in synchronism with the cutting process to bow the tube at a rate which causes the tube portion at the cutting station to briefly stop during cutting. The cutter includes a planetary gear set having a carrier rotatable about a central axis which carries a knife for rotation about another axis while it revolves about the central axis. The knife makes many rotations per carrier revolution but is in position to cut the tube during one of the rotations.

Abstract: In a ham loaf slicing machine having a rotary cutter supported for cyclical orbital movement into and out of a slicing station, a ham loaf size sensing mechanism is provided in a collar having an aperture for supporting a ham loaf in position at the entrance to the slicing station to control the speed of ham loaf feed toward the slicing station. In the inner wall of the collar which defines the aperture, an annular groove and a draw-out passage for a flexible strap-like member which leads to a location outside the collar are provided. The strap-like member is disposed in the annular groove, one end of the member being fixed at a suitable location in the groove. The other end of the strap-like member is positioned outside the collar past the draw-out passage and is connected to a sensor.

Abstract: A drive and bearing arrangement for a circular cutting machine is described which is characterized by its high operational reliability, long working life and precise knife guidance. For this purpose a particular bearing arrangement is provided for supporting the knife shaft. The knife shaft is journalled at the knife side via a bearing which is particularly suited to bear radial forces while a bearing unit which can bear both radial forces and also axial forces is provided directly adjacent this bearing. The inner and outer rings of all the bearings are clamped together without play in the axial direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing homogeneous bread crumbs including a conveyor for conveying bread loaves that securely holds the bread loaves while they are sliced by a rotary involute knife slicer into slices of substantially uniform thickness, a dicer that dices the slices into homogeneous bread crumbs and a chute with a deflector and a compressed air source which conveys the bread slices from the rotary involute slicer to the dicer and aligns and spaces the slices for input to the dicer.

Abstract: This machine is of the type comprising a frame (1) supporting a hopper (2) for charging the products, a cutting plate, an ejection plate (6a, 6b) for ejecting the cut products disposed under the cutting plate (4), and a device (13) for driving in rotation the cutting plate and the ejection plate. According to the invention, the ejection plate is driven in rotation in a direction opposed to that of the cutting plate. Advantageously, the speed of rotation of the ejection plate is higher than that of the cutting plate.

Abstract: Slicing apparatus particularly adapted for slicing raw and cooked meat includes a feed tube through which chunks of raw or cooked meat are fed under pressure against an immediately adjacent cutter which includes at least one cutting edge and forms a stop for the material in the feed tube in substantially all positions of the cutter to prevent free flow of material from the tube.The process for producing a sliced meat product includes the steps of partially cooking chunks of meat so that outside portions of the chunks reach temperatures above the temperature at which the meat is considered fully cooked while inside portions remain not fully cooked, slicing the meat chunks and adding to the slices sauce which is at a temperature above the temperature at which the meat is considered fully cooked, allowing the temperature of the meat and sauce to equalize at least to the extent that all meat reaches the temperature at which it is considered fully cooked, and portioning and packaging the product.

Abstract: A cutting device for cutting a vegetable and the like including a cup-shaped lower housing, an inverted cup-shaped upper housing with a connecting apparatus for connecting these housings, a cutter disk arranged in the lower housing, and a fixing apparatus attached to the lower housing. These housings, the disk, and the fixing apparatus can be disassembled from one another. The upper housing can be detached from the lower housing by releasing the connecting apparatus. The manually operated cutter disk can be lifted and removed from the lower housing. The lower housing also can be disassembled from the fixing apparatus, which has a sucker member operated by a lever.

Abstract: A loaf slicing machine includes a cutting blade arranged to rotate about a center axis thereof while moving around an orbital axis to thereby cut the loaf cyclically, a feed member for intermittently advancing the loaf toward the cutting blade and extending perpendicularly to the cutting blade, and a guide member disposed between the feed member and a path of the cutting blade for guiding the loaf. In order to hold the loaf, an abutment plate is provided which has a surface spaced from the edge of the cutting blade toward a direction of advance of the loaf for permitting the end of the loaf to abut on that surface during each cutting cycle and of which rotational center is aligned with the orbital axis, the abutment plate being arranged to rotate sychronously with the cutting blade. An opening is formed through the abutment plate at a position adjacent the cutting blade for permitting slices as cut to be transferred through the opening.

Abstract: A cutting arrangement for the cutting to shape of a web-shaped material, such as paper webs (2) in printing presses. The arrangement consists of a cutting element (8) and a backing element (3) over which the paper web runs, in conjunction with which one edge of the cutting element (8) is brought intermittently into contact with the paper web for the purpose of cutting through the paper web in its longitudinal sense. The cutting element (8) is so arranged as to change its position intermittently in relation to the paper web (2) between a first, advanced position in which the cutting element (8) uses its edge to cut through the paper web as it passes over the backing element and a second, withdrawn position in relation to the paper web in which the cutting element is not in contact with the paper web. The intermittent movements of the arm between the first and the second position are controlled by a control unit (12) depending on the advance of the paper web (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting foodstuffs, such as meat, and particularly bacon and sausage, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a carrying body from which holding flanges extend forwardly. Front and rear guide frames are supported in the holding flanges. Lattice knives move perpendicularly to one another and to the feed direction of the material to be cut. The guide frames are secured by a clamping mechanism which is supported on the carrying body and each have complimentary oblique side surfaces. The complimentary oblique side surfaces of the guide frames may be tightly clamped together so as to seal the spaces between the guide frames and the carrying body and thereby prevent the escape of the meat being cut.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining control over the orientation and position of the trailing end of a slab of bacon as the trailing end passes through a continuous bacon slicer, which apparatus and method involve depending from a linkage supported about multiple centers a controlled-rotation grip having backward-facing teeth, to serve to permit the grip to be maintained next to the slicing plane of the slicer even as the position of the lockable rotatable grip is vertically adjusted to accommodate bacon slabs of various thicknesses.

Abstract: A high volume food loaf slicing machine in which a rotating and orbiting knife slices the loaf as it advances through a slicing station. The turbulent air generated by the rotating and orbiting knife is reduced in the vacinity of the stacking slices by baffles and is redirected through a vent port and away from the stacking slices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding a loaf food product in order to allow an automatic slicing system to slice the loaf to preset slice thicknesses. The loaf food product is securely held by a pair of loaf engaging members which are fastened to the inner edges of conveyor guide rails a short distance from the slicing apparatus. The members prevent the butt end of the loaf from being improperly sliced.

Abstract: An apparatus for severing a strip-like or wire-like electrode of a spark erosion machine has a belt conveyor formed by two belts positioned face-to-face and having formed in the belts corresponding cutting openings. Cutting elements and pressure plates engage through said cutting openings and severe the wire guided and conveyed between the belts. During cutting, the wire is held between the two belts and is subsequently conveyed towards a disposal container. The belts, cutting elements and pressure plates are operated synchronously so that the cutting openings are synchronized with the action of the cutting elements and pressure plates.

Abstract: A machine for forming, continuously, distinct portions of smokeless tobacco in a pouch or pocket form, and continuously forming a chain of individual pouches containing the distinct portions of smokeless tobacco, cutting each pouch from a string of pouches, counting out a pre-set number of pouches for filling a container with the pre-set number of pouches with a set moisture content; further indexing each container relative to its production cycle, including means for rejecting improperly filled containers based on improperly filled individual or a plurality of pouches, closing each container with a lid, and pneumatic and other control means for controlling the production cycle of the machine.

Abstract: A rotary slicer 20 for comestible products. A stationary magazine 26 supports a product upright as a rotary table 38 carries a rotary knife 40 in an orbit that passes beneath the magazine. A freely rotatable center plate 80 of the blade facilitates movement of the blade through the product. Orbiting movement of the blade is automatically stopped with the blade remote from the magazine and electrical interlocks 109, 112 prevent operation without all protective safety covers 24, 102, 106 in place. A removable sharpener 172 is attachable to the top of table and operates with the blade flush with the table top. A product follower 118 within the magazine holds the product in place and urges it downward during slicing. The follower in part extends outward between the magazine 26 and magazine cover 106 to allow manual movement and release from a latched raised position, after the magazine cover is closed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting a pipe into a multiplicity of small pieces are provided wherein the pipe is fed by rotating the pipe about its longitudinal axis and simultaneously moving the pipe in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, and wherein individual pieces are sequentially cut from an end of the pipe as it is being fed.

Abstract: A device for disintegration of wood material such as roundwood, tree-tops, branches, waste wood, etc to firewood of a suitable length, said device comprising cutting members for the disintegration. In order to reduce the energy need the invention device comprises two cutting members which rotate in opposite directions and are provided with knives on their insides, one of the two cutting members being arranged to actuate by its knife material fed between the two cutting members in one direction while the other cutting member is arranged to actuate by its knife the material in the opposite direction for cutting off the material between the knives of the two cutting members.

Abstract: A cutting device for cutting a vegetable and the like including a cup-shaped lower housing, an inverted cup-shaped upper housing with a connecting apparatus for connecting these housings, a cutter disk arranged in the lower housing, and a fixing apparatus attached to the lower housing. These housings, the disk, and the fixing apparatus can be disassembled from one another. The upper housing can be detached from the lower housing by releasing the connecting apparatus. The manually operated cutter disk can be lifted and removed from the lower housing. The lower housing also can be disassembled from the fixing apparatus, which has a sucker member operated by a lever.

Abstract: A slicing machine has a table defining a horizontal and flat support surface having an outer edge and a blade displaceable transversely along the edge. Thus when the blade moves along the edge a slice is cut from an elongated foodstuff projecting longitudinally over the edge. An automatic feed for the slicing machine includes a pair of feed elements centered on and rotatable about respective parallel longitudinal axes spaced apart transversely above the surface to either side of the foodstuff and each formed with a flat outer end immediately juxtaposed with the edge, and a helicoidal formation at least generally centered on the axis, engageable with the elongated foodstuff between the elements, and extending to the respective outer end. A drive rotates the elements about the respective axes for advancing the foodstuff gripped between the elements in a longitudinal transport direction along the surface toward the edge.

Abstract: The current that drives the motor for a slicing blade is continuously monitored to detect when it rises above a threshold level. This threshold level is related to the resistance to the rotation of the blade that is presented by a product being sliced. When this current rises above the threshold level, the slicing operation is momentarily interrupted. The threshold level is adjustable in accordance with the number of slices that is desired to be trimmed. While the slicing operation is interrupted, the first few irregular slices from the leading edge of the product can be carried away from the location of the slicing blade. Then slicing can resume with the first slice in the first full draft being a full slice.

Abstract: A motor driven slicing machine for potatoes and the like is disclosed. The machine includes a circular fly wheel with a blade thereon which rotates across an exit port. Potatoes enter a feed tube at an entrance port and wedge against an outwardly tapered wall at the exit port so as the potato is sliced it is urged into the exit port by the slicing action against the tapered wall. Slices fall through an opening in the fly wheel to be collected or cooked.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for feeding elongated product to a slicer in order to closely hold and control the product immediately before it engages the blade of the slicer and while pulling the product into the slicer blade. The apparatus includes a plurality of rotating augers that engage the product at a location immediately upstream of the slicer blade and that move the product into the blade. The apparatus and method accomplish precision slicing and the formation of uniform slices.

Abstract: A food product is fed to and through a slicer blade of the type included within a commercial-scale meat slicer such as that used in slicing pork bellies into bacon slices. A slidable shelf is provided for temporarily storing the food product and for depositing the food product generally along a feed path after the butt portion of a previously sliced food product hassubstantially cleared the feed path. The thus deposited food product is then pushed into a prefeed orientation and gripped for feeding to and through the slicer blade.

Abstract: An electric food cutting machine which includes a main body, an electric motor and a container mounted on the main body, a disc-shaped cutter in the container rotatively driven by the motor for cutting cut pieces from a food object to be cut, and a disc member positioned in the container below the cutter for rotation by the motor in the same rotational direction as the cutter. The cut pieces are directed to the disc member for being discharged from the container. A passage is defined in the machine for directing the uncut portion of the food object from the cutter so as to separate the cut pieces from the uncut portion.

Abstract: An automatic sausage slicing machine for salami and the like comprises a framework carrying an electric motor which drives an orbital blade and a feed device for continuously feeding a line of products to be sliced towards the path of displacement of the orbital blade. The feed device comprises a plurality of entrainment shafts located side by side and separated by longitudinal containment partitions, each entrainment shaft having a helical ridge on which a respective product to be cut rests in use, the product being inserted between a corresponding pair of containment partitions. A drive mechanism provided for simultaneously rotating the entrainment shafts in synchronism with the movement of the orbital blade.

Abstract: A cutter, such as a wire cutting element is moved in a D-shaped path which includes a substantially straight downward path to cut a slice off of the end of an advancing log of dough, such as cookie dough. The cutter returns with a curvilinear motion including a horizontally forward motion beginning at the bottom of the downward motion to disengage the cutter from the advancing log and to move the cutter sufficiently forward to ensure that the cutter does not engage the advancing end of the log during upward movement. At the end of the upward movement the cutter returns with rearward horizontal movement to the path of downward movement. The severed slice is discharged with the aid of air jets from the end of a conveyor where it drops onto a second conveyor for advancement to subsequent processing stations such as an oven.

Abstract: A rotary food slicing tool is provided for use in a food processor of the type having a housing with a motor drive and a working bowl mountable on the housing which is adapted to encircle the food slicing tool. The tool has an elongated hub with a lower end coupling removably engageable with the motor drive for rotating the tool in the bowl about an axis of rotation. The rotary slicing tool in accordance with the present invention includes a disc-like member mounted on the upper end of the elongated hub. This disc-like member includes a raised rim having a skirt extending downwardly therefrom and an arcuate opening extending inwardly from the raised rim to a position near the center of the disc-like member. A raised platform on the disc-like member includes a rearwardly sloping arcuate shoulder and a leading edge which overhangs the trailing portion of the opening forming an elevated forward facing slot between the disc-like member and the raised platform.

Abstract: A high volume food load slicing machine comprising a pair of loaf feed belt conveyors that continuously advance a food loaf along a downwardly inclined path through a collar into a slicing station at which a rotating and orbiting knife slices the load includes a variable speed knife rotation drive independent of the main drive that orbits the knife and drives the loaf conveyors. A hydrostatic speed variator in the drive connection for the conveyors, with speed corrections made by a stepper motor, affords precision control of slice thickness. A split collar and associated sensor afford continuous sensing of the loaf cross section to provide effective slice thickness correction; the collar is of molded machinable resin so that the knife can cut a working surface on the collar to a precise contour. The collar includes vacuum means to hold the butt end of a loaf for slicing.