Abstract: A closure strip guide is provided having a front plate, a back plate and a plate keeper. The back plate is carried proximate and spaced from the front plate to provide a gap thickness configured to guide a strip of clips. The plate keeper is configured to retain together the front plate and the back plate to retain the gap thickness to slidably receive and guide the strip of clips. The plate keeper also expands the gap thickness between the front plate and the back plate responsive to a stack-up jam to accommodate multiple layers of clips in the event the strip of clips dislodges and/or jams. A bag closing apparatus and a method are also provided.

Abstract: A method for the slicing of food products, wherein at least one product is fed to a cutting plane in which at least one cutting blade moves, in particular in a rotating and/or revolving manner, by a product feed which comprises at least one conveying device. At least one multifunctional work unit is adjusted in dependence on the operating situation into a contact position, in which the work unit presses the product moving in the conveying direction toward a lower product support and/or toward a lateral product contact, or into a blocking position in which the work unit counteracts a movement of the product in the conveying direction.

Abstract: The instant invention provides an exemplary method for dispensing that at least includes: initiating a movement of a dispensing object along a dispensing passage of a dispensing device; determining, by a displacement sensor, a magnitude of a displacement of the dispensing object along the dispensing passage based on remotely measuring, by the displacement sensor, a characteristic associated with the dispensing object during the movement of the dispensing object along the dispensing passage; generating an indication by the displacement sensor when the magnitude of the displacement is equal to or exceeds a pre-determined distance value; separating, based on the indication, a portion from the dispensing object to form a remaining portion of the dispensing object and a separated portion of the dispensing object; and dispensing the separated portion of the dispensing object from the dispensing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slicing device (1) comprising a cutting blade (3) that cuts slices from the front end of a food product (8). A means (6) conveys the food product (8) in the direction of the cutting blade (3) and/or presses the food product against a support (7), and a gripper (9) grips the rear end (8.1) of the product. The invention further relates to a method for slicing a food product (8) that rests on a support (7), is conveyed in the direction of a cutting blade (3), and enters in contact with a gripper (9) at the rear end (8.1) of the product.

Abstract: An apparatus for slicing food products, in particular a high-performance slicer, comprises a product feed by means of which products can be supplied to a cutting plane in a plurality of tracks running in parallel next to one another in which at least one cutting blade is moved, in particular in a rotating and/or circulating manner, and an interleaver which has a conveying device for each track by means of which a front end region of an interleaved sheet material web can be conveyed through the cutting plane in each track to provide the front end region in the respective track as an interleaved sheet between cut-off product layers, in particular between individual slices and/or between portions formed by a plurality of slices, wherein the interleaver is operable individually per track and each conveying device is configured such that it carries out the conveying process of the respective front end region of the respective interleaved sheet material web through the cutting plane individually per track in depend

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cutting a bar of product into slices of product by means of a cutting device. The invention also relates to a packaging machine for packaging slices of product, having a plurality of work stations and a cutting device for cutting a bar of product into slices of product. The invention further relates to a system consisting of a cutting device and a packing machine.

Abstract: Machine for cutting paper logs, including a support for supporting one or more logs (3) disposed side by side, device for advancing the logs (3) on the support, device for the transverse cutting of the logs (3) and device for blocking logs (3) during their cutting. The cutting device includes an annular band blade (4) having a bevel (400, 401) on both its edges, provided in correspondence to a cutting station (T) in which the logs (3) are cut and connected to corresponding guiding and actuating structure, the blade (4) featuring a portion (40) defining a corresponding cutting plane which is oriented orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axes of logs (3), the blade being provided with a sharpening device (100) continuously acting on both its bevels (400,401). The machine includes structure for the relative motion of logs (3) with respect to the blade (4) along the cutting plane. The blade (4) acts on one log (3) at a time.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously slicing a plurality of food products into portions including a plurality of product slices respectively is provided. The apparatus includes a cutting blade which rotates about a blade axis in a cutting plane and/or revolves about a center axis in a planetary motion and includes a multi-track product feed. The feed of the product in one track is respectively interrupted if the residual product remainder in the track is no longer sufficient for forming a complete portion and if the residual product remainder in at least one of the other tracks is still sufficient for forming at least one complete portion. The product remainders are sliced into incomplete part portions once the product remainders of all tracks have reached a dimension which is no longer sufficient for forming a complete portion. The incomplete part portions are completed by product slices of subsequent products.

Abstract: The microtome (10) includes a base (12) having a tank (14) filled with a bath (16) mounted thereon. A feeding mechanism (20) for feeding select amounts of specimen to be sectioned protrudes through the base (12) into the bath (16). A cutting mechanism (40) spans the tank (14) and includes a reciprocating carriage (42) above the feeding mechanism (20). The carriage (42) is disposed at an angle with respect to the direction of reciprocation and includes a vibrating blade (62) hanging down from the carriage (42). The combined motion of the carriage (42) and the vibrating blade (62) slices samples from the specimen extruded by the feeding mechanism (20), which permits consistent and uniformly thick samples with minimal surface irregularities, especially for large specimens. A controlling mechanism (80) coordinates operation of the feeding mechanism (20) and the cutting mechanism (40).

Abstract: A method and device for cutting a bone containing material string into slices with the steps: feeding the material string through a feed device towards to a cutting device; cutting a slice partially from the material string end through a rotating cutting tool of the cutting device; moving a brake element of a brake device into a conveying cross section located in a feed direction behind a cutting plane before completely cutting the slice; braking a slice after the slice has been completely cut from the remaining material string with respect to a movement of the slice oriented away from the cutting plane through the brake element; moving the brake element out of the conveying cross section after braking the slice and having the braked slice flip onto the conveying device; and placing the cutoff slices successively in a scaled or stacked arrangement onto a conveyor.

Abstract: A printer module for use in a printer apparatus having a rotationally openable lid includes a fixed blade module having a fixed blade, a movable blade module having a movable blade and configured to be joined to the fixed blade module such that the movable blade and the fixed blade face each other, and a positioning unit configured to position the movable blade module relative to the fixed blade module such that an angle between the movable blade and the fixed blade becomes optimum upon joining the movable blade module to the fixed blade module, wherein the movable blade module is configured to be movable relative to the rotationally openable lid upon being mounted on the rotationally openable lid of the printer apparatus.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming wallboard panels having recessed edges along all four edges.

Abstract: A number of flat tubes, flat tube heat exchangers, and methods of manufacturing both are described and illustrated. The flat tubes can be constructed of one, two, or more pieces of sheet material. A profiled insert integral with the flat tube or constructed from another sheet of material can be used to define multiple flow channels through the flat tube. The flat tubes can be constructed of relatively thin material, and can be reinforced with folds of the flat tube material and/or of an insert in areas subject to higher pressure and thermal stresses. Also, the relatively thin flat tube material can have a corrosion layer enabling the material to resist failure due to corrosion. Heat exchangers having such flat tubes connected to collection tubes are also disclosed, as are manners in which such tubes can be provided with fins.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming wallboard panels having recessed edges along all four edges which process involves passing an unfinished length of wall board through a lateral recess forming apparatus.

Abstract: A knife assembly (10) particularly adapted for coupling with an extruder barrel (26) is provided having a knife shaft (16) supporting a knife unit (14), with the knife shaft (16) axially rotatable and axially shiftable through fore and aft limits. The assembly (10) may be adjusted during operation without interrupting the axially rotation of shaft (16), using adjustment mechanism (24) located in a safely remote position from knife unit (14). The preferred assembly (10) includes axial shift limiting structure (114, 116, 124) serving to limit the extent of fore and aft axial movement of shaft (16). The mechanism (24) allows fine adjustment of the position of knife unit (14) relative to the extruder barrel (26), and also permits monitoring of the wear of knife unit (14).

Abstract: The method includes continuously detecting glass faults in the glass sheet. Based on the results of the detecting of the glass faults an optimized cutting pattern for cutting crosscut pieces from a predetermined sheet section and for cutting glass panes from the crosscut pieces is determined. In order to reduce waste, the cutting lines for the glass panes are placed sufficiently close to fault-containing glass sheet regions, so that the glass sheet regions to be discarded are minimized, while producing a largest possible number of usable glass panes. The crosscut pieces are then cut out according to the optimized cutting pattern and then the glass panes are cut from the crosscut pieces. An appropriate apparatus for performing the method is described.

Abstract: A clip-separating machine is provided with a guide frame, a clipper, and a displacement structure. The guide frame is configured to support a strip of clips. The clipper has a pair of opposed cutting edges. One of the edges is supported for movement toward and away from another of the edges. The displacement structure is configured to move the one cutting edge toward the other cutting edge so as to cause co-action of the cutting edges to sever a terminal clip from a strip of clips. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for increasing the capacity and precision of a portion cutter wherein the items to be portion cut are positioned abutting each other. In particular are provided a method and apparatus for identifying a boundary between consecutive items to be cut when the items are placed on a conveyor abutting each other with little or no gab between the items. At least one characteristic is measured for each of the items, and at least one process parameter is controlled in order to achieve predetermined product portions from the items based on the measured characteristic.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus cuts shrink wrap film residing in a roll. The apparatus includes a first roller pair receiving the film from the roll and carrying the film away from the roll; and without the need for a second roller pair to receive the cut sheet of film. Film snap-back is prevented by cutting the film between a shear deck with teeth and a rotating blade with teeth intermeshing with the teeth of the shear deck. A method for cutting a sheet of shrink wrap film, includes: feeding the film into a first roller pair; and cutting the film between the first roller pair and the second roller pair using a rotating knife with a number of teeth intermeshing with a shear bar with teeth.

Abstract: A device for through-cutting of an extruded ice mass, which has a first knife which is reciprocably arranged in a transverse first plane immediately after the outlet of the nozzle and arranged with a first length of stroke and a second knife which is reciprocably arranged in a plane which is parallel to the first plane and which is arranged immediately below the first knife with respect to the flow direction out of the nozzle, the second knife is arranged with a second stroke length which is smaller than the first stroke length, and a control for producing simultaneous reciprocation of the first and the second knife. Hereby, a shearing is achieved which is more precise and commonly applicable for manufacturing of ice cream portions by an automated production of ice cream products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing endless material for security elements having micro-optical moiré magnification arrangements that exhibit a motif grid composed of a plurality of micromotif elements and a focusing element grid composed of a plurality of microfocusing elements for moiré-magnified viewing of the micromotif elements, in which a) a motif grid composed of an at least locally periodic arrangement of micromotif elements in the form of a first one- or two-dimensional lattice is provided, b) a focusing element grid composed of an at least locally periodic arrangement of a plurality of microfocusing elements in the form of a second one- or two-dimensional lattice is provided, c) a pattern repeat of the motif grid and/or of the focusing element grid on the endless material is specified, d) it is checked whether the lattice of the motif grid and/or the lattice of the focusing element grid repeats periodically in the specified pattern repeat, and if this is not the case, a line

Abstract: A method of optimizing processing of successive workpieces through cutting machines, includes the steps of determining and optimizing a first cut pattern for a preceding workpiece infeeding into an active cutting device, determining and optimizing a second cut pattern for a succeeding workpiece succeeding the preceding workpiece infeeding into the cutting device, synchronizing the preceding workpiece with the active cutting device such that the active cutting device is pre-positioned to achieve an optimized first cut pattern of the preceding workpiece prior to the preceding workpiece engaging the active cutting device, processing through the cutting device the preceding workpiece according to the first cut pattern; adjusting an infeed gap between the preceding workpiece and the succeeding workpiece so that the active cutting device has sufficient time to pre-position to achieve the optimized second cut pattern of the succeeding workpiece prior to the active cutting device engaging the succeeding workpiece.

Abstract: An order transition in a corrugated is accomplished by creating an overlap of the slits made by the slitting tools associated with the expiring (running) and new orders. However, the slit tool associated with the innermost slit between the upper and lower level outs is maintained in slitting contact with the board to extend the slit line into further overlap with the slits made by the new order tools to create an order change region. A lateral cut is made to connect the innermost slit between the upper and lower level outs on the new order and the slit created by the tool delayed from withdrawal in the running order. Trim cut transitions are handled in the same manner.

Abstract: An order transition in a corrugated is accomplished by creating an overlap of the slits made by the slitting tools associated with the expiring (running) and new orders. However, the slit tool associated with the innermost slit between the upper and lower level outs is maintained in slitting contact with the board to extend the slit line into further overlap with the slits made by the new order tools to create an order change region. A lateral cut is made to connect the innermost slit between the upper and lower level outs on the new order and the slit created by the tool delayed from withdrawal in the running order.

Abstract: A food product slicer includes a base and a knife mounted for rotation relative to the base. A carriage assembly is mounted to the base for reciprocal movement back and forth past a cutting edge of the knife. An adjustable gauge plate (70) is mounted for movement between a closed position that prevents slicing and multiple open positions that permit slicing at respective thicknesses. A handle (74) is mounted to the base for changing the gauge plate position. The handle is connected to move a cam member (128) internal of the base. The cam member is operatively connected to move the gauge plate through a cam follower (132, 134). A gauge plate adjustment system for setting an orientation of the gauge plate relative to the knife when the gauge plate is in the closed position includes structure for holding the handle, cam member and cam follower in respective, set positions while the orientation of the gauge plate relative to the knife is set.

Abstract: In a process for cutting sections from a probe for microscopic analysis, an ultramicrotome device is used having a blade with a cutting edge, the cutting edge extending at least approximately in a first direction. The process includes the steps of: vibrating the blade in the first direction; and moving the blade relative to the probe to be cut in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. This eliminates, or at least strongly reduces, compression of the cut sections.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking and controlling the food product carriage of a food product slicer is described.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for a food slicing machine. The feed mechanism is capable of dual configurations: gripper mode and continuous feed mode. The apparatus has dual conveyors that can feed food products continuously, and a gripper mechanism that can feed food products reciprocatingly. Before engaging the continuous mode, the gripper mechanism is driven to an end of the machine and then a drive belt, which a jaw clamps during the gripper mode, is released. The dual, opposing conveyors then feed the food product that rolls to them by gravity over a moveable roller frame extending beneath the gripper mechanism. During gripper mode, the upper conveyor can be removed or raised out of the way, and the moveable roller frame is positioned just beneath the gripper. The gripper jaw clamps the drive belt and the gripper is driven in a reciprocal manner over the lower conveyor.

Abstract: A loaf end trimming station for a high speed food loaf slicing machine, includes a frame, a first knife and a second knife spaced apart along the frame and oriented in positions corresponding to a lead end trimming location and a trailing end trimming location of a food loaf. The trimming station includes a loaf cutting support for receiving the loaf, and a motive mechanism to move the loaf cutting support toward the knives to trim ends off of the loaf. The trimming station includes a loaf staging support, wherein the loaf cutting support deposits the loaves on the loaf staging support after being trimmed by the knives. The loaf staging support is tiltable between a staging position to collect trimmed loaves and a loading position to deliver trimmed loaves to the high speed food loaf slicing machine.

Abstract: Glass substrates for display apparatuses of the related art which is cut from the mother glass have different glass size from each other in accordance with demand of respective display apparatus manufacturing company or factory. Therefore, it is not always effective to form glass substrates by cutting the mother glass, and the mother glass is not used efficiently. The present invention is characterized in that when a glass substrate is prepared by cutting a rectangular mother glass, one side of the mother glass is one side of the glass substrate and the mother glass has a length equal to a length of the one side of the glass substrate.

Abstract: A novel food processing system for dividing a flow of food items into a plurality of streams, gently and quickly transporting the food items along a flume of fluid propelled by eductors to several slicers, transversely slicing the food items at a controlled rate to maximize yield, washing the slices, transporting the slices and controllably distributing the slices onto a conveyor for further processing. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the food processing system comprises an oversized-product separator, a segmented cutter, a mass-flow/spreading conveyor, a diverter stage, an eductor stage, a dewatering stage, a starch removal stage, a slicer infeed conveyor, at least one transverse slicer, and a slice spreader. In a preferred embodiment, cutting losses are decreased by minimizing slicing speeds.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic circuit for an electrical machine, the method comprising: using a cutting station to cut out at least one strip of sectors that are interconnected by deformable connections; and using a winding station to wind the strip of sectors around a mandrel; wherein, between the cutting station and the winding station, there is a zone configured to enable the strip to deform so as to compensate for a difference in speed between a speed of the strip at an outlet from the cutting station and its speed at an inlet to the winding station.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a backing layer for an ultrasonic matrix array transducer useful in medical imaging and the like. A conductive grid is provided which includes a plurality of micro-contacts each joined together by a common base so that spaces are provided between the free ends of the contacts. A mold for the grid is filled with an acoustically absorbent material such that the absorbent material fills the spaces between the contacts, so as to produce a block when cured. The common base is removed so as to separate the contacts from one another within the block. Further machining exposes the opposite ends of micro-contacts so that a like number of contact faces or pads are provided at opposed surfaces of the backing layer. Improved transducer constructions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for coupling a replacement micro-actuator to a drive arm suspension after a micro-actuator, such as a defective micro-actuator, has been detached from the suspension.

Abstract: A process for providing feedforward control to control the feed rate of an elastic material. The process involves measuring the distance between registration marks on the elastic material prior to cut-off. These measurements are compared to a target cut length. The feed rate of a feed roll is adjusted, based on the target cut length and the distance between the registration marks, to maintain the cut length of the elastic material at the target cut length.

Abstract: An active measurement and control system for a material cutting apparatus. The apparatus comprises a cutting tool which may be pivoted for cutting a workpiece in a cutting area at a selectable angle. The cutting area defines a datum plane, and a feed table with a shuttle vise is used to move the workpiece toward the cutting area. A controller controls the feed distance of the shuttle vise and the cutting angle of the tool in response to a signal from a sensor used for sensing a transverse dimension of the workpiece relative to the datum plane. In this way, the feed distance and cutting angle are adjusted to compensate for variations in the transverse dimension. This transverse dimension can include a displacement from the datum plane of a distal and/or proximate surface of the workpiece. A method of cutting a workpiece is also disclosed.

Abstract: A closed-loop system can maintain a pre-set cut length of a material as the material is cut and placed on a web. The system has the ability to measure the actual cut length, compare the average actual cut length to a target cut length, and to adjust web tension or feed roll speed to achieve the target cut length. Actual cut length variation is thereby reduced. Furthermore, short term cut length variation is further reduced by minimizing the tension of the web just prior to the material being cut.

Abstract: An improved method of integrally attaching a heat sink to an IC package for enhancing the thermal conductivity of the package. A heat sink matrix, which is dividable into a plurality of individual heat sinks, is attached to an IC package matrix, which is comprised of a plurality of individual IC packages abutting each other in a matrix arrangement. The IC package matrix and the heat sink matrix attached thereto are then simultaneously cut by means of a machine tool into a plurality of individually formed IC packages each with a heat sink attached; thereby, thermal conductivity of a conventional IC package is enhanced.

Abstract: An automatic cutting and stacking device for arcuately shaped blanks is disclosed. The device contains a feeding table followed by a cutting unit and a stacking device. The cutting unit is movable in relation to the feeding table to thus allow a cutting perpendicular to the contour of the shaped film. The stacking unit comprises a slide plate and a movable base plate upon which the cut blanks are stacked. The height of the base plate can be adjusted/lowered in relation to the accumulating thickness of the stacking height of the cut blanks.

Abstract: A method for producing transducers having a 1-3 composite structure. The transducer element includes a plurality of thin piezoceramic wafers which are electroded on opposing major surfaces. The spaced wafers are separated by a passive polymer layer in a composite structure and the electrodes on the opposing major surfaces are connected to different ones of top and bottom electrode surfaces.

Abstract: A computerized positioning and cutting apparatus and method for automatically cutting structures to predetermined lengths with a minimum amount of scrap for a given project. The apparatus includes a frame and a positioning trough supported by the frame. A magazine is mounted to the frame, which is sized to receive uncut lengths of structure to be selectively fed to the positioning trough. A drive system is mounted to the frame and connected to a positioning system for positioning the uncut structures in the trough. A cutter is mounted on the frame to cut the structures as the positioning system feeds the structures through the trough. A controller having an associated computer system is in electrical communication with the drive system and the cutter. The computer system calculates the optimum number of cuts per a predetermined uncut length of structure to produce a minimum amount of waste structure for the project.

Abstract: A device and method for computerized product slicing are disclosed. The device includes a blade, an openable product holder capable of engaging/retaining therein the product and of communication with a product sensor, the product sensor which detects presence of product in proximity to the product holder and causes it to close upon the product, a slicing mechanism, and a weighing module designed and constructed to collect, retain and weigh slices of product and to communicate weight thereof to a CPU which accepts a data input from a user. The CPU is essentially responsible for control of the device and for display of data on a display included in the device. A method including the sequence of actions performed by the device is further disclosed.

Abstract: A cutter system for cutting a larger sheet into individual photographic images includes a cutter for severing a transverse strip containing one or more printed images from a larger sheet. A transport table positioned to receive the strip from the cutter includes two sets of drivers, one set for moving the strip longitudinally and a second set for moving the strip laterally to a second cutter that in turn separates the strip into individual photographs. Sensors in both cutters acting in response to fiducial marks on the larger sheet cooperate with the drivers for positioning the larger sheet and the severed strip at the proper cutting locations.

Abstract: A process is provided for minimizing waste during processing of a length of stock into one or more shorter usable segments, where in connection with the processing station upon which the length of stock is processed, the length of stock has a minimum handling length. The waste is minimized by mapping the remnant segment at a position other than the last segment at the trailing end of the length of stock. The last segment at a trailing end of the length of stock is alternatively defined as one of the usable segments having a length greater than the minimum handling length.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for trimming plastic frames. Frames are joined to bring heated, soften ends into engagement, causing some softened material to be forced out from between the engaged portions, forming a flashing. This flashing is trimmed by a pair of trimming blades moved along associated guide members. The trimming assembly is mounted directly upon clamps holding the frame members, enabling performance of the trimming operation and eliminating the need for moving to a separate trimming/finishing station remote from the joining equipment. Excellent cutting action is assured by locking the guide blocks preparatory to a trimming operation. Various combinations and sequences of repetitive trimming operations may be selected whereby the cooperating blades are moved in selective cooperating directions to provide a trimming operation which avoids the need for further finishing. Trimming may also be performed simultaneously on multiple stacks of members being joined using the above technique.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for machining platelike workpieces in a striated manner, whereby, in work steps, the material plate is machined by a controlled linear unit in a striated manner and always in the same X-axis direction. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A system for automatically producing formed parts from feedstock using two successive adiabatic processing stations, a first station performing adiabatic cut-off of blanks from the feedstock, and the second station performing adiabatic forming of the blanks into the formed parts. The first station operates cooperatively with a feedstock feeder assembly which feeds feedstock to the first station and also charges blanks produced at the first station into a transfer capsule of a transferer assembly. The first and second stations cooperatively operate with the blank transferer assembly which transfers in the transfer capsule blanks from the first to the second station. The second station includes means for positioning blanks relative to a forming cavity before blanks are adiabatically shaped to conform to the forming cavity and also means for ejecting formed parts from tooling that defines the forming cavity. The system includes automation means that synchronizes and sequences subassembly operations.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking and controlling the food product carriage of a food product slicer is described.

Abstract: In a method for cutting at least one workpiece section (1), in particular aluminum section, which may have been produced in an extrusion press, using a sawing device (19) which, on a frame (5), is displaced along an X-axis above a conveyor device (2) for workpiece sections (1), a saw (13) is displaced with respect to the sawing device (19, 25) in an X-direction and/or Y-direction above the conveyor device (2) for workpiece sections (1), in order to cut at least one workpiece section (1), at least one saw bench (15) is moved into a conveyor plane (20) of the conveyor device (2) for workpiece sections (1), the at least one workpiece section (1) then being moved in via the at least one saw bench (15) and then being cut through.

Abstract: A slicing machine for slicing at least first and second product loaves disposed in a side-by-side arrangement using a single rotation of a single slicing blade in a slicing station is set forth. The slicing station includes a slicing edge of the slicing blade and a midway axis passing generally equidistant between the at least first and second product loaves. The midway axis lies generally in a plane of the slicing blade. The blade is mounted in the slicing station for rotation about an offset rotation axis that is displaced from the midway passing axis. As such, the slicing edge generates substantially similar but oppositely directed product throwing angles for the first and second product loaves with respect to the midway axis. Preferably, the offset rotation axis is laterally displaced from the midway passing axis.