Abstract: A quick engagement and disengagement connector assembly for a product processing line such as a pizza making assembly line. The connector assembly includes a connector having a stainless steel rectangular plate with two parallel rows of stainless steel pins projecting from a bottom side and a stainless steel handle projecting from a top side. The connector assembly also includes a cam follower plate having a row of holes for receiving one of the rows of pins of the connector and a panel for supporting a bundle of food tubes, the panel also having a row of holes for receiving the other row of the rows of pins. Removing the connector facilitates the quick and easy disassembly of portions of the assembly line for cleaning.

Abstract: A machine for slicing food products, including a supported table surface with aperture for the passage therethrough of product slices; a power-driven cutting device having a horizontal blade extending above the table surface at a distance substantially corresponding to the slice thickness required; a guided horizontally sliding platform spaced above the cutting device; a power-driven reciprocating lateral thruster attached to the horizontal sliding platform for the purpose of moving the platform both to produce slices of food product and to clear the cutting device in the case it is jammed; and a vertical tube-shaped open-ended hopper rigidly supported by the horizontally sliding platform for containing a stack of food product items, the lowest item in the stack resting on the table surface and being pushed by the hopper into contact with the cutting device to produce a slice.