Abstract: Various systems, apparatuses and methods are disclosed for portioning and/or trimming cooked or pre-cooked bacon slices (or another food product) on a production line at full line speed. An exemplary system may comprise a food conveyor and a portioner. The food conveyor may have at least one transfer mechanism that carries bacon slices over at least one transfer comb. The portioner may have at least one fixed, stationary cutter positioned relative to the transfer comb in the path of the bacon slices. As the transfer mechanism moves the bacon slices across the transfer comb, the bacon slices contact the cutter and are moved by the transfer mechanism over the cutter, which cuts the bacon slices into two or more portions of shorter length.

Abstract: A saw blade stabilizer is provided. The saw blade stabilizer includes a housing and a shaft at least partially within a cavity of the housing. A piston is connected to one end of the shaft. A mechanical wedge is connected to a second end of the shaft in the housing. A stabilizer contact element slideably receives a portion of the mechanical wedge. Movement of the piston slides the portion of the mechanical wedge within the stabilizer contact element and moves the stabilizer contact element in a first direction not in line with the movement of the piston.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cross-cut stabilizer. The stabilizer prevents uncontrollable movement of the existing cross-cut stations, which are used in packaging machines to make long cuts designed to separate a strip of multiple, pre-packaged products from the rest of the packaging film. The movement created by the machine's vibration, causes the cutting blocks, along with the blades making the cross-cuts, to move unpredictably. The movement is compounded by the rack and pinion system which supports the cutting blocks of the cross-cut station. The cross-cut stabilizer, incorporates a mounting base, which holds pushing combs and manual clamps. The stabilizer is mounted inside the cross-cut station, allowing the pushing combs to straddle the existing cutting blocks. The pushing combs enable unison, manual adjustment of the cross-cut station with the cross-cut stabilizer. By using clamps, the pushing combs urge down on the cutting blocks of the cross-cut station, eliminating any movement of the station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a food processing device, comprising a base plate provided with a first pivot and a second pivot, a processing element provided on the base plate, and an arm assembly pivotably coupled to the base plate. The arm assembly comprises a first arm and a second arm pivotally coupled to each other, each of the two arms being pivotally coupled to the base plate, whereby the first arm and the second arm form together a compound lever mechanism. A force applied by an operator onto the second arm increases as an output by the second arm, and the increasing force is conveyed to the first arm so that the food processing device is operated faster and easier, without making the operator more fatigued.

Abstract: A cone-type spiral slicer includes a blade along the sidewall for cutting a vegetable into thin strips. The housing is formed in a first portion and a second portion that are separable from one another. A retractable set of julienne blades allows the user to selectively use the slicer for cutting either wide strips or narrow julienne strips.

Abstract: Various systems, apparatuses and methods are disclosed for portioning and/or trimming cooked or pre-cooked bacon slices (or another food product) on a production line at full line speed. An exemplary system may comprise a food conveyor and a portioner. The food conveyor may have at least one transfer mechanism that carries bacon slices over at least one transfer comb. The portioner may have at least one fixed, stationary cutter positioned relative to the transfer comb in the path of the bacon slices. As the transfer mechanism moves the bacon slices across the transfer comb, the bacon slices contact the cutter and are moved by the transfer mechanism over the cutter, which cuts the bacon slices into two or more portions of shorter length.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a metal strip coil for blades includes performing, on a steel band after a finishing cold rolling, a slit process that divides the steel band into a plurality of metal strips via joint operation of circular upper and lower blade cutters, and winding the metal strip into a coil shape after the slit process. In the slit process, a clearance of the upper and lower cutters is set within 5-25% of a metal strip thickness; an overlap amount of the upper and lower cutters is set within 5-80% of the metal strip thickness; and a clearance variation during the slit process is 30% or lower of the clearance. After the slit process, the metal strip is wound into a coil shape so that sag formed on an edge of the metal strip is positioned toward an axis center of a reel winding up the metal strip.

Abstract: A food-product slicer that includes a camming arrangement that induces a slicing action as between food-product being cut and a blade set effecting the cutting. In some embodiments, the camming arrangement includes a camming region formed on a food-product pusher, wherein interaction of the food-product with the camming region during a cutting operation induces a slicing action into the food-product. In some embodiments, the camming arrangement includes one or more camming structures, such as slots, and corresponding cam followers to impart slicing action motion into a product pusher, which in turn induces the slicing motion into food product engaged therewith, and/or into a blade set to creating the slicing action.

Abstract: A food product slicer that includes a blade set and a food-product cradle for supporting a food-product in spaced relation to the blade set. In some embodiments, the cradle is configured to inhibit a user from contacting blades in the blade set in order to prevent injury. In some embodiments, the cradle is incorporated monolithically with a food-product pusher. Food-product cradles of the present disclosure can be enhanced with product-stabilizers that assist in keeping a food-product from moving within the cradles. Food-product cradles of the present disclosure can also be enhanced with side members to created housed cradles. The cradles may be made of fingers spaced from one another to allow the cradles to extend into and/or through the blade set.

Abstract: A parallel belt system for a laser cutter module and a method or non-transitory computer readable medium for transporting a cut sheet of media through a laser cutter in a printer is disclosed. For example, the parallel belt system includes a rotating shaft, a plurality of pairs of o-rings movably coupled to the rotating shaft, a plurality of belts for receiving a cut sheet of media, a guide for each one of the plurality of belts for holding a respective one of the plurality of belts rigid, a laser cutter for cutting a portion of the cut sheet of media and a collection module coupled below the plurality of belts for collecting the portion of the cut sheet of media that is cut by the laser cutter.

Abstract: Machine for the preparation of pieces of an oval or spherical fruit, such as a melon or watermelon, comprising: a first cutting station (10), predisposed to cut a fruit (100) into round portions (101) along parallel planes; a second cutting station (20), with two or more shaped blades (21a,b,c) predisposed to cut the round portions (101) into prismatic fragments; a sorting device (40), predisposed to detect a diameter of the round portions (101) and to assign each round portion (101) to a shaped blade (21a,b,c), selected on the basis of the diameter of the round portion.

Abstract: A bread conveying apparatus and a bread slicing apparatus including the bread conveying apparatus, comprise a flight conveyer including a first flight for urging a bread, an endless revolving member on which the first flight is mounted, and a driving member and a driven member, the endless revolving member being wound around the driving member and driven member; a rail extending along a conveying path of the bread and supporting the first flight; and a rail size setting unit for setting a length of the rail with respect to an extending direction of the conveying path, wherein the length of the rail with respect to the conveying direction is set by the rail size setting unit based on a size of the bread.

Abstract: A multiple slicing device includes a frame including a receptacle and a plurality of cutting elements, and a working portion including an activation mechanism, a cam mechanism, and a forcing member. The activation mechanism can include two handles where moving one of the handles toward the other handle collapses the forcing member via the cam mechanism, onto a food item placed in the receptacle between the forcing member and the cutting elements, to efficiently and simultaneously cut or slice the food item into multiple pieces.

Abstract: A mandoline slicer includes a slicing blade and an adjustable slicing ramp. A series of julienne blades are selectively movable between a stowed and a deployed position above the ramp. At a distal end of the ramp, a portion of the ramp is pivotable between a first position for using the slicing blade and a second position covering the slicing blade and exposing a grating surface.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a product from strip tape includes a roll that draws off and separates a web of material. The web of material is severed into individual strips in cooperation with a multiple circular knife roll. A vacuum conveyor channel is associated with each strip. The vacuum conveyor channel is designed such that each strip is turned on its way to the channel or through the channel by about 90°. The end of the vacuum conveyor channel brings the strips together at one site to form a unit and at that site there are provided a guide and a transport device for the further transport to conversion equipment.

Abstract: A multiple slicing device includes a frame including a receptacle and a plurality of cutting elements, and a working portion including an activation mechanism, a cam mechanism, and a forcing member. The activation mechanism can include two handles where moving one of the handles toward the other handle collapses the forcing member via the cam mechanism, onto a food item placed in the receptacle between the forcing member and the cutting elements, to efficiently and simultaneously cut or slice the food item into multiple pieces.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a moving receiver includes a plurality of cutting devices and a transport mechanism for selectively moving the cutting devices perpendicular to the feed direction of the receiver. Each cutting device includes two parallel cutting wheels and a pressure wheel arranged so that the cutting wheels are pressed laterally against the pressure wheel to form two cutting areas and a chad area arranged laterally between the cutting areas. A drive mechanism rotates the cutting wheels or pressure wheel of two or more of the cutting devices so that the rotating cutting wheels engage the moving receiver to cut the moving receiver parallel to its feed direction. A controller receives a job specification including two or more specified cut locations and causes the transport mechanism to laterally position two or more of the cutting devices to cut the moving receiver in the specified cut locations.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus including a lower support structure that carries either a food slicing plate or a meat tenderizing plate, an upper structure that carries either a food plunger plate or a meat tenderizing plate; said lower and upper structures being connected with a floating hinge and including a handle such that a user may pull the two structures together such that their respective plates either tenderize or slice food depending on the plates positioned thereto.

Abstract: A rotatable cutting tool unit of a tool assembly for a cutting machine that is used in conjunction with an associated method of cutting provides several novel aspects. The tool arrangement, which includes two tool units, includes first and second disk-shaped tools rotatable about an axis. The tools define maximum tool arrangement boundaries along the axis. A driving arrangement, at an axial location between the first and second tools, supports the first and second tools for rotation and transfers driving force. A radially outer periphery of the driving arrangement is at a radius less than a radius of a peripheral cutting edge portion of the first tool and less than a radius of a peripheral cutting edge portion of the second tool.

Abstract: A multiple slicing device includes a frame including a receptacle and a plurality of cutting elements, and a working portion including an activation mechanism, a cam mechanism, and a forcing member. The activation mechanism can include two handles where moving one of the handles toward the other handle collapses the forcing member via the cam mechanism, onto a food item placed in the receptacle between the forcing member and the cutting elements, to efficiently and simultaneously cut or slice the food item into multiple pieces.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a wood processing machine adapted to cut wood workpieces along multiple optimized cutting paths. In various embodiments, the wood processing machine includes a first saw assembly and a second saw assembly that is disposed down stream from the first saw assembly. The first saw assembly is adapted to cut the workpiece along the first optimized cutting path and the second saw assembly is adapted to cut the workpiece along the second optimized cutting path.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of processing fiber-cement workpieces to form fiber-cement shake panels. One embodiment of such a method comprises positioning a cured fiber-cement workpiece over an anvil plate having at least one slot and driving a cutting blade along a straight, vertical path to pass a cutting edge of the cutting blade through the workpiece. The process can optionally include coating the fiber-cement panels before installing the fiber-cements panels on a wall.

Abstract: A food slicer having a blade is disclosed having a runway for supporting food prior to cutting by the blade and a landing for supporting the blade and the food after being cut. The runway and landing are adjustable for selecting a thickness of a food slice. The runway and landing are simultaneously adjusted, by a single mechanism, so that the blade and runway are maintained generally parallel with respect to each other. The adjusting mechanism includes a plurality of rotatable cam portions that engage with respective portions on the runway and landing so that each of the runway and landing may be oppositely pivoted around an end to maintain the parallel relationship. The food slicer also includes on-board storage for inserts, such as julienning or cubing inserts. The storage is located on a bottom of the runway, which is pivoted upward for storage.

Abstract: A tissue slicing device is comprised of parallel circular blades coaxially connected to a rotary shaft. The blades are separated by gaps. A guide member is supported by a hinge adjacent the blades. An adjustment screw is positioned behind the guide member to control the distance between the guide member and the blades. The device includes a tissue carrier which is comprised of a base member and parallel plates extending from a top side of the base member. The plates are spaced to correspond with the gaps between the blades. Holes in the plates are aligned to define a tissue chamber for receiving a tissue sample. When the tissue carrier is positioned on the guide member and the blades rotated to drive the tissue carrier along the guide member, the tissue chamber is driven into the blades so the tissue sample is simultaneously cut into a plurality of slices.

Abstract: A rotatable cutting tool unit of a tool assembly for a cutting machine that is used in conjunction with an associated method of cutting provides several novel aspects. The tool arrangement, which includes two tool units, includes first and second disk-shaped tools rotatable about an axis. The tools define maximum tool arrangement boundaries along the axis. A driving arrangement, at an axial location between the first and second tools, supports the first and second tools for rotation and transfers driving force. A radially outer periphery of the driving arrangement is at a radius less than a radius of a peripheral cutting edge portion of the first tool and less than a radius of a peripheral cutting edge portion of the second tool.

Abstract: A melon wedger is provided having a base upon which is removably attached a blade assembly having a plurality of blades arranged in a variety of orientations. A movable press mechanism including a removable contoured press element corresponding in size and shape to the orientation and disposition of the blades in the blade assembly is slidably attached to the base and is operated by means of a lever handle such that the contoured press element is forced against the blade assembly. Punch elements disposed on the surface of the contoured press element are forced within the voids created by the blades to ensure that the sectioned or cut food or non-food pieces are forced completely through the blade assembly. A spring is also provided on the lever handle to force the handle up after the food or non-food items have been sliced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cutting produce, in particular vegetables or fruit, comprising a cutting part (5), arranged in the region of a receptacle (18) for the material to be cut, and a punch element (6) engaging in the receptacle (18), wherein the punch element (6) has recesses (10) for completely receiving the cutting blades (9) of the cutting part (5) when the device is in the closed position. According to the invention, fastening means are provided in the region of the receptacle (18) for the material to be cut for optionally fixing at least one additional cutting part (12), wherein the punch element (6) has recesses (13) for completely receiving the cutting blades (14) of the at least one additional cutting part (12).

Abstract: Apparatus for dividing medicinal tablets is disclosed. Such apparatus may include a plurality of tablet dividing members disposed along a common axis, a tablet retention mechanism adapted to hold a plurality of oral solid medicinal tablets, and a controller that causes the tablet retention mechanism to move relative to the tablet dividing members. Each medicinal tablet may have a respective initial dosage of an active constituent. The tablet dividing members may be disposed relative to one another along the common axis to divide each of the medicinal tablets into a respective plurality of tablet portions. The partial dosages of all the tablet portions may be equal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a log sawing system comprising multiple cutting blades. The multiple cutting blades are positioned to cut laterally or perpendicular to the centerline of the log which is to be cut. The logs are transported into cutting position using some type of log positioner. The multiple cutting blades are rotatably mounted on an arm which is pivotally mounted on a shaft in groups, being driven by an electrical or like motor, all of which are mounted onto a platform positioned adjacent to the log to be cut. Hydraulic lifters are used to partially rotate the saw blades into the cutting position adjacent the log. Means utilizing a computer and lasers are provided to develop a log cutting solution to best utilize the logs.

Abstract: A frame saw is described, comprising a reciprocating saw frame (3) which is guided via guide means (9, 15) along lateral guide rails (4) and which comprises a sash (5) with two stringers (6, 7) for clamping parallel saw-blades (8) which cut in only one lifting direction, and a slider-crank drive (2) which is connected with the reciprocating saw frame (3) via lateral pushrods (12) in the area of the stringer (6) closest to the same. In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the two pushrods (12) of the slider-crank drive (2) act upon a common crossbeam (10) for receiving the sash (5) in the area of the two stringer (6, 7) which is closest to the slider-crank drive (2), that the crossbeam (10) rests with the help of guide means (15) on the lateral guide rails (4), and that the crossbeam (10) is held in a swivelable manner relative to its guide means (15) about an axle (16) perpendicular to the guide rails (4) and the crossbeam (10).

Abstract: A food processing apparatus comprises a first and second shaft and first, second, third and fourth subsets of blades. The first and second subsets of blades are mounted to the first shaft. The blades of the first subset of blades are separated by a first displacement. The blades of the second subset of blades are separated by a second displacement differing from the first displacement. The third and fourth subsets of blades are mounted to the second shaft. The blades of the third subset of blades are separated by the first displacement. The blades of the fourth subset of blades are separated by the second displacement. The first and third subset of blades form a first cutting region for cutting food to a first dimension and the second and fourth subset of blades form a second cutting region for cutting food to a second dimension.

Abstract: A tooling assembly 10 having a first set of blades which are formed from a first material and a second set of blades which are formed from a second material. More particularly, each carbide blade of each member 62, 64, 66, and 68 is operatively disposed between two steel blades.

Abstract: A whole muscle slicer and separator that solves the product separation problem and other problems found with an ordinary slicer. The invention is where one embodiment includes a special peel out finger bar comb that peels out every other product piece onto a conveyor and a final comb that peels out the remaining product pieces onto a second conveyor. This can be accomplished by tilting the cutting assembly to about approximately a 45 degree angle off vertical. There can be an upper and lower combs arranged in a dovetail interfacing relationship with the cutter for separating the product. Another embodiment includes a single finger bar comb having two sets of fingers.

Abstract: A slicing machine includes a machine frame having a food loaf delivery path arranged in a longitudinal direction, and a cutting assembly arranged in the delivery path. The cutting assembly has two longitudinally directed reciprocating blades facing upstream in the delivery path. In operation, the loaf is pressed through the cutting assembly which cuts the loaf into quarter sections. A slicing blade is arranged in the delivery path downstream of the cutting assembly, the slicing blade arranged to slice the sectioned food loaf transversely to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A combined cutter and slitter module for a wallpaper printer, the combined cutter and slitter module comprising: at least two end plates, a media web able to pass between the at least two end plates; at least two slitter rollers rotatably held between the at least two end plates, each of the slitter rollers provided with at least one cutting disk, each of the cutting disks located at different positions along the length of the at least two slitter rollers; a guide roller positioned to selectively engage with at least one cutting disk, the media web able to be passed between the guide roller and the at least one cutting disk; a drive motor to rotate the guide roller; a first actuating motor to selectively rotate the at least two slitter rollers and thereby selectively engage at least one cutting disk with the guide roller; a transverse cutter positioned along at least the width of the media web; and, a second actuating motor to force the transverse cutter against the media web.

Abstract: A food slicer includes a frame with a food-receiving platform having an aperture therein. A reversible cutting blade has first and second cutting edges and is selectively removably mountable on the frame in first and second positions for respectively disposing the first and second cutting edges in the aperture for engagement with food being moved along the platform. Support legs are rotatably carried by the frame for movement between a stowed position disposed against the frame entirely between inner surfaces of side walls thereof and a use position extending from the frame and laterally outwardly of the inner surfaces of the side walls.

Abstract: A wire-cutting apparatus 10 used in the manufacture of bricks. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced generally parallel coextensive beams 13 and 14 between which cutting wires 15 pass. Associated with each wire 15 are groove-forming blades 27 and 28.

Abstract: A cutter blade assembly that presents a sequential series of perpendicularly oriented cutting knife arrays which are attached to a frame. A first set of cutting knives is comprised of knives that are generally scalloped shaped. A second set of cutting knives is comprised of knives that are generally straight and are connected in general perpendicular orientation to the first set of strip knives. When a vegetable product such as a potato is forced through the cutter blade assembly, the first set of knives cuts the potato into a scalloped shaped slab. The second set of knives then cuts the slab into a scoop shaped potato piece emulating a portion of a cut stalk of celery.

Abstract: A device for splitting apart a card of thermoplastic ampoules is described. The splitter device includes a card receiving base, a cutter assembly, and a pusher assembly for pushing the card along the base through the cutter assembly so as to divide the card into separate thermoplastic ampoules or groups of ampoules.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a log sawing system comprising multiple cutting blades. The multiple cutting blades are positioned to cut laterally or perpendicular to the centerline of the log which is to be cut. The logs are transported into cutting position using some type of log positioner. The multiple cutting blades are rotatably mounted on an arm which is pivotally mounted on a shaft in groups, being driven by an electrical or like motor, all of which are mounted onto a platform positioned adjacent to the log to be cut. Hydraulic lifters are used to partially rotate the saw blades into the cutting position adjacent the log. Means utilizing a computer and lasers are provided to develop a log cutting solution to best utilize the logs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steering saw blades which includes an arbor rotatable about a rotation axis. Saw blades are mounted on the arbor in such a manner that the saw blades rotate with the arbor and are angularly adjustable in relation to the rotation axis of the arbor. A rigid guide assembly is provided having a plurality of guides each of which accommodate one the saw blades, such that movement of the guide assembly angularly adjusts the saw blades in unison. A leading edge of each of the saw blades is positioned along a common alignment plane. A support is provided for the guide assembly. The support has an underlying pivot axis spaced from and substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the arbor. This pivot axis is on the alignment plane such that the leading edge of each of the saw blades remain positioned along the alignment plane as the guide assembly is pivoted to move the guide assembly to alter the angular positioning of the saw blades.

Abstract: A paper web, which may be pinless, is slit into side-by-side web ribbons that are merged one on top of the other for simultaneous crosscutting into appropriate page lengths. One web ribbon wraps substantially about an angled turnbar to shift it into registry with the other web ribbon. Pressurized air may be provided to the turnbar assembly to reduce friction with the web ribbon. The other web ribbon is detoured via a takeup roller by an amount that is dictated by the circumference of the turnbar assembly. A driven roller in continuous contact with one of the web ribbons draws it toward a cross cutter. A slave roller is in slipping contact with the remaining web ribbon and draws it toward the same crosscutter to maintain registry between the ribbons. Three-up, four-up, and more-up variations are disclosed.

Abstract: A produce slicer 10 for slicing produce is disclosed. The produce slicer includes a frame (12) defining a cavity (16) having a central axis (22). A plurality of radial cutting blades (20) are disposed in the cavity, wherein each of the radial cutting blades are substantially contained by an imaginary plane, wherein the imaginary planes of the radial cutting blades extend radially outward from the central axis toward the frame. The produce slicer (10) further includes a plurality of ancillary cutting blades (24) extending inward from the frame (12) and into the cavity (16). Each ancillary cutting blade intersects at least one of the radial cutting blades at a location between the frame and the central axis. The ancillary cutting blades may include a first series (50) of blades located substantially perpendicularly to a second series (52) of blades. The radial cutting blades may intersect the ancillary cutting blades at an oblique angle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and equipment for producing a rail, the method and equipment being capable of lowering a bend at an end of a rail effectively and the truncation amount thereof. The present invention is a method for producing a rail, characterized by: cooling a hot-rolled mother rail to an ordinary temperature substantially while the length thereof after the hot rolling is maintained; and thereafter cutting the mother rail simultaneously in a predetermined length with at least three cold-sawing machines. Further, the present invention is equipment for producing a rail, characterized by equipped with: a transfer bed capable of moving a mother rail cooled to an ordinary temperature substantially while the length thereof after hot rolling is maintained in the rolling direction and/or in the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction; and at least three cold-sawing machines disposed in parallel with each other on said transfer bed.

Abstract: A rotatable cutting tool unit of a tool assembly for a cutting machine that is used in conjunction with an associated method of cutting provides several novel aspects. The tool arrangement, which includes two tool units, includes first and second disk-shaped tools rotatable about an axis. The tools define maximum tool arrangement boundaries along the axis. A driving arrangement, at an axial location between the first and second tools, supports the first and second tools for rotation and transfers driving force. A radially outer periphery of the driving arrangement is at a radius less than a radius of a peripheral cutting edge portion of the first tool and less than a radius of a peripheral cutting edge portion of the second tool.

Abstract: A machine for slitting metal sheet with rotating knives has roller assemblies which present rollers against the metal sheet immediately beyond the knives. The rollers bear against both faces of the slit metal sheet and straddle the slits, all to reduce distortion caused by the knives and to iron out burrs. The roller assemblies are fitted to tracks on the slitting machine and may be moved along those tracks to accommodate relocation of the knives.

Abstract: A blade assembly having blades, side members, urging members, and a coating is provided. The blades have a retaining member disposed at each end. The side members have slots and a pocket. The blades are disposed in the slots so that the retaining members are received by the pocket. The urging member urges the side members away from one another so that the retaining members abut the pockets and induce a selected tension to the blades. The coating covers one or more areas of the blade assembly to increase the ease of cleaning, protect the blade assembly component, and/or prevent the urging member from loosening.

Abstract: A food processing device includes various slicing, cutting and grating attachments for manually processing a food slidable thereover. The food processing device has a working surface and a pair of sidewalls, each sidewall containing a plurality of vertically oriented recesses in an bottom edge thereof. The recesses are positioned to engage a food utensils, such as a bowl, so that the processed foods are deposited in the bowl. A holder for the foods has a movable wall to apply even pressure to the food during processing.

Abstract: A burn side of a compact disc is maintained in contact with edges of triplet blades while the disc is moved relative to the blades. In one embodiment, the disc is manually moved into and out of an enclosure where the blades scratch the burn side. In another embodiment, a paper shredder provides power to counter rotating rollers that transport the disc through an enclosure where the blades scratch the bum side.

Abstract: A device for splitting apart a card of thermoplastic ampoules is described. The splitter device includes a card receiving base, a cutter assembly, and a pusher assembly for pushing the card along the base through the cutter assembly so as to divide the card into separate thermoplastic ampoules or groups of ampoules.