Abstract: A bagel slicing device for safely and effectively slicing bagels comprises a holder having a slotted base, upwardly extending end portions at each end of the base and side members attached to the base at their lower end and being pivotal about an edge to engage a bagel therebetween and extending between the end portions. The end portions include a knife slot which cooperates with the base slot to permit cutting a bagel completely through. The side members include gripping ribs on both surfaces thereof and the end portions include ribs to locate the bagel properly between the sides.

Abstract: A Cutting Machine for processing leafy vegetables such as collard greens is provided. The Cutting Machine is adjustable to accommodate vegetables of varying thicknesses. An enclosure with a cover has an input opening in the cover to feed material to be cut between the rollers. An actuating shaft which is rotated includes an offset wheel and an offset shaft. An actuating rod on the offset wheel swings a pivoting knife back and forth to cut the material. An actuating shaft which is connected to the offset shaft moves a roller cog mounted on the drive roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting food product so that the product is properly oriented and stabilized before and throughout the cutting operation to produce a sliced product of uniform thickness, even if the delivered food product varies in shape and size, such as when both round and elongate potatoes are used to produce potato chips. The apparatus includes a cutting device and housing thereabove that defines a passage with an opening in proximity to the cutting device, such that food product is delivered to the cutting device in a substantially vertical direction. To improve the stability of round product during the cutting operation, the housing has an upper portion and a flared lower portion immediately below the upper portion so that at least a portion of the opening of the passage is defined by the flared region and has a larger radius of curvature than the upper portion.

Abstract: A method of cutting seed potatoes prior to their planting is provided in which a high pressure water jet is employed to slice the potatoes into the desired sized pieces. The present invention employs a single water jet, a plurality of water jets, or a cutting tube configuration containing either single or multiple water jet streams which are projected through the center of the cutting tubes or the cutting area and an equal amount of stream collector tube or tubes which contain the jet or jets and collects and directs the spent water to a proper location for its final collection or final discharge. Additionally, the use of this water jet system ensures that the seed potatoes that are cut will not contaminate one another through the cutting instrument as the water used in the cutting process only comes into contact with one potato and is then discharged from the system.

Abstract: A method of classifying slices or a portion cut from a food product according to an optical image of the slice. After a slice is removed from a food product loaf the slice is passed into an image field of a digital image receiving device. A control generates a pixel-by-pixel image data of the slice using input from the digital image receiving device. The control calculates a surface area of the slice from the data, and a fat content of the slice on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The fat content data is compared to at least one predetermined limit and the slice is classified accordingly.

Abstract: A conveyor (22) moves workpieces (WP) past a scanning station (40) to ascertain one or more physical parameters of the workpiece (WP) and to a portioning station (24) wherein the workpiece (WP) is portioned into desired smaller portions. Thereafter, the conveyor (22) carries a portioned workpiece (WP) to an unloading station (26) where one or more pickup devices (28) removes specific portioned workpieces (PP) from the conveyor and places the portioned workpieces onto take away conveyors (30) for other locations remote from the first conveyor. A control system, composed in part of a computer (42), keeps track of the locations of the workpieces (WP) on the conveyor (22) and also optionally on the take away conveyor (30) so that portioned pieces (PP) are placed at specific desired locations remote from the conveyor (22) by the pickup devices (28).

Abstract: A method and apparatus by which potatoes and other elongate food product can be properly oriented and stabilized during a slicing operation performed by a cutting device having a horizontal cutting plane. The apparatus includes a passage extending downwardly toward the cutting device and defining an opening in proximity to the cutting device, splines or other suitable features disposed along a first portion of the passage and oriented substantially parallel to the passage, and means for applying a force on a food product traveling downward through the passage so as to urge the product into contact with the splines during engagement with the cutting device.

Abstract: An improved cutting head for a food product on a slicing machine including upper and lower mounting rings, a plurality of cutter support segments connected to the mounting rings, a cutting blade attached to a front edge portion of each cutter support segment, and opposed first and second pivot pins extending from upper and lower portions of the cutter support segment and through the upper and lower mounting rings. Each of the pivot pins are positioned at a location closely adjacent to a forward edge of the cutter support segment and substantially near a cutting edge of the cutting blade.

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: An apparatus and method for cutting soft materials such as meat. Two or more spirally mounted helical blades are situated between two supports, and the supports are mounted to a shank. The shank is rotated to impart rotary action to the spiral shear blades, and the entire device may be used to perform various cutting operations. The distal or bottom one of the supports may also be a cutting blade, and a number of versions of bottom cutting blades are useable in the practice of the invention.

Abstract: A food product cutting apparatus that makes a substantially horizontal cut through food product being delivered in a substantially vertical direction. The food product is delivered to a cutting device through an internal passage of at least one feed member above the cutting device. A force is applied to the food product traveling downward through the internal passage so as to push the food product against a first wall of the feed member. The apparatus is configured to improve product flow by configuring the passage of the feed member to have a cross-sectional shape defined by two offset, overlapping diameters. The apparatus is also configured for improved safety by ensuring that the cutting device is properly secured before electrical power is available for driving the cutting device.

Abstract: The invention provides a slicing and conveying system that includes a slicing blade that cuts slices from a loaf, and an output conveyor located below the slicing blade for receiving the slices in a draft. A control system automatically adjusts a lateral movement of the output conveyor to form a laterally shingled draft of a consistent width in response to a sensed lateral dimension of the loaf being sliced. The control system includes a displacement sensor carried by a laterally adjustable guide assembly adjacent to the slicing blade. The displacement sensor is signal-connected to a control. The control is signal-connected to the output conveyor to control the lateral movement of the output conveyor according to the lateral dimension of the loaf sensed by the displacement sensor. As an additional aspect, the slices can be shingled in the longitudinal direction to form a two dimensional footprint.

Abstract: A belt tensioning device for shifting a pulley such that a belt passed around the pulley is tightened to a predetermined tension. The device includes a rod coupled to the pulley, a member coupled to and movable along the rod, and a spring that exerts a reactive force against the member when the member is moved in a first direction along the rod. The device further includes a spacer which engages the member to limit the advancement of the member in the first direction.

Abstract: A plug prevention device is provided in a slicing machine having a rotary impeller for carrying products such as potatoes or the like into engagement with cutting knives to form lattice cut slices, wherein the plug prevention device prevents the products from lodging within an upwardly open inlet throat of the impeller. The plug prevention device comprises an elongated stationary rod having one end projecting into the impeller throat at a position substantially off-axis relative to an axis of impeller rotation. Products entering the impeller and tending to lodge by centrifugal action against an internal wall of the impeller throat will strike the rod, causing such products to separate from wall of the impeller throat and fall further into the impeller for slice processing.

Abstract: A cutting wheel assembly for cutting elongated articles having a cylindrical housing which defines a longitudinal cavity and a circular outer periphery. A plurality of cutting blade support rings are rotatably mounted about the outer periphery of the housing. A plurality of cutting blades are mounted for radial movement on each ring and disposed at angularly spaced increments about the housing, wherein each blade is moveable between a first, non-cutting position and a second, cutting position. A manifold and valve assembly is mounted in the cavity and proximate the blades for selectively directing a pulse of fluid against individual blades at preselected angular positions to urge the blades outwardly from the non-cutting position to the cutting position. A plurality of camming components are positioned about the periphery of the housing and secured against rotation adjacent the rings.

Abstract: A tensive cutting assembly includes a tensionable cutting member formed of a strip of material, typically metal, which is formed having a serpentine configuration. The tensionable cutting member is removably mounted on a tensive cutting head. The tensive cutting head includes an aperture formed through its cross section for passage of food product during the cutting process. The cutting head also includes a first set of returns adjustably opposing a second set of returns, the distance between which is adjustable and which may be driven apart by a cutting member tensioning device. The tensive cutting assembly may also include a breakage detecting device for detecting breakage during use of the tensive cutting assembly.

Abstract: A transverse food slicer includes a generally horizontal conveyor for advancing food products to be sliced to a vertical cutting wheel having radially mounted cutting blades thereon rotating in a cutting plane that transversely slice the conveyed food products. Between the end of the conveyor and the cutting plane, an inclined support surface is provided to stabilize relatively round food products advanced to the cutting plane by the conveyor. The inclined support surface may cooperate with cutting blades having thickness determining gauging surfaces thereon facing towards the conveyor.

Abstract: A slicing machine includes a tapered slicing gate for use in cutting products such as potatoes or the like into a plurality of slices each having a tapered thickness. The slicing machine generally corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 3,521,688 and includes a rotary impeller for carrying the products by centrifugal force against an interior surface of a nonrotating cylindrical outer impeller housing, a portion of which defines an adjustable slicing gate forming a cutting slot of controlled thickness relative to a stationary slicing knife for cutting the products into the plurality of slices. A tapered ramp is formed or mounted at a downstream end of the slicing gate so that the cutting slot and the resultant slices have a tapered configuration. The tapered slices may be cut further into elongated strips, such as French fry potato strips, having a tapered lengthwise thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing lettuce heads with tightly packed overlapping leaves or vegetables with a similar structure. The apparatus includes a plurality of workstations and supports for receiving lettuce heads and for conveying the lettuce heads through the workstations. At the workstations, cutters are operably disposed for severing the bases of the outer leaves and for slicing into the tops of the outer leaves. A device, such as an air jet, is provided at one of the stations for removing the outer leaves. Additional cutters are provided at the work stations for transversely slicing the central part of the lettuce head and for severing a portion of the central part from the heart of the lettuce head. Still another cutter is disposed at one of the stations for severing pink parts from the heart. A cutter is also provided for severing the heart from the stalk. The edible parts such as the central parts and the heart are then collected in receptacles disposed at the work stations.

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

Abstract: A bacon trimmer for trimming cooked bacon slices into substantially uniform lengths comprises: a housing, a transfer comb mounted on the housing, a device mounted on said housing for transferring the cooked bacon slices from a continuous conveyor belt carrying the cooked bacon slices from a cooking device to a first end of said transfer comb, a device for moving the cooked bacon slices across the transfer comb to a second end of the transfer comb and feeding the cooked bacon slices to the same continuous conveyor belt adjacent the second end of said transfer comb, a cutter associated with the housing for trimming the bacon slices into substantially uniform lengths as they are transferred across the transfer comb.

Abstract: A conveyor (22) moves workpieces (WP) past a scanning station (40) to ascertain one or more physical parameters of the workpiece (WP) and to a portioning station (24) wherein the workpiece (WP) is portioned into desired smaller portions. Thereafter, the conveyor (22) carries a portioned workpiece (WP) to an unloading station (26) where one or more pickup devices (28) removes specific portioned workpieces (PP) from the conveyor and places the portioned workpieces onto take away conveyors (30) for other locations remote from the first conveyor. A control system, composed in part of a computer (42), keeps track of the locations of the workpieces (WP) on the conveyor (22) and also optionally on the take away conveyor (30) so that portioned pieces (PP) are placed at specific desired locations remote from the conveyor (22) by the pickup devices (28).

Abstract: An improved cutting head for a food product on a slicing machine including upper and lower mounting rings, a plurality of cutter support segments connected to the mounting rings, a cutting blade attached to a front edge portion of each cutter support segment, and opposed first and second pivot pins extending from upper and lower portions of the cutter support segment and through the upper and lower mounting rings. Each of the pivot pins are positioned at a location closely adjacent to a forward edge of the cutter support segment and substantially near a cutting edge of the cutting blade.

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: In the vegetable cutting utensil constructed in such a way that grooves which are oppositely disposed in a diagonal direction and which are drilled in a horizontal direction on approximately central portions of left and right frame parts in the longitudinal direction of a cutting utensil main body are provided, that a flat blade is inserted into the grooves to be disposed across the left and right frame parts, that a reception plate is fixedly mounted integral with the left and right frame parts in a front side with respect to the flat blade, and that a regulating reception plate which is rotatably attached to the left and right frame parts in a rear side with respect to the flat blade is disposed, respective pivot pins protrude toward an inner side on inside portions near rear ends of the left and right frame parts while respective engaging holes are formed on both side portions near rear ends of the regulating reception plate, and respective opening portions are provided on the engaging holes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a food processing system. A fluid conduit of the system is configured for directing the food carried in a fluid medium along a food path. The system has a food inlet operatively associated with the fluid conduit for feeding the food into the conduit, and a pump operatively associated with the conduit for pumping the fluid through the conduit in a fluid stream direction. A processor unit is associated with the conduit, disposed along the food path, and includes a tool configured and associated with the conduit for performing a processing operation on the food, such as cutting potatoes into french fry strips. The system also has a deceleration element operatively associated with the conduit and configured for decelerating the fluid and carried food along the food path while maintaining the fluid flow substantially free of recirculation vortices.

Abstract: A finger shield that is placed over elongated vegetables or like food items to provide an effective barrier between a cutting blade and the user's fingers when the user is slicing the foodstuff includes a U-shaped body, a spring-loaded handle, and a compression plate for holding the food item to be cut.

Abstract: A blade assembly for cutting a food product such as potatoes or vegetables in a wedge configuration. The blade assembly includes a blade head to which a blade is attached and tensioned by a tensioning assembly. The blade is attached to the blade head with a first end restrained by a first end retainer, a second end restrained by a second end retainer, a first bend positioned about a first return of the blade head, a second bend positioned about a second return of the blade head. The blade also includes a first leg segment extending in a first plane across an aperture of the blade head, and a second leg segment extending across the aperture of the blade head in a second plane at an angle to the first leg segment. The blade assembly for cutting a food product may also include a blade failure sensing device.

Abstract: A slicing device for slicing a number of articles in one slicing operation. The device includes a frame, a plurality of horizontally disposed cutting blades mounted in the frame, a pusher pushing the article into the cutting blades, and a support positioned between the cutting blades and the pusher. The support is able to support, at least temporarily, the articles prior to slicing. A collector is positioned underneath the cutting blades for collection of the sliced articles. The collector includes first and second collection units for collection of the end and intermediate slices respectively. Further, a method for slicing the article into a plurality of slices, includes the steps of: slicing the article into a number of slices resulting in two end slices and a number of intermediate slices, the intermediate slices being of uniform thickness, and collecting the intermediate slices and the end slices.

Abstract: A transverse food slicer includes a generally horizontal conveyor for advancing food products to be sliced to a vertical cutting wheel having radially mounted cutting blades thereon rotating in a cutting plane that transversely slice the conveyed food products. Between the end of the conveyor and the cutting plane, an inclined support surface is provided to stabilize relatively round food products advanced to the cutting plane by the conveyor. The inclined support surface may cooperate with cutting blades having thickness determining gauging surfaces thereon facing towards the conveyor.

Abstract: A food slicing apparatus and components where the apparatus includes a frame and a pivotally mounted carriage. The frame mounts a height adjustable conveyor system while the carriage hosts a latch for a slice thickness adjustment cam. The carriage also supports a drive system which precisely moves a food transporting tube assembly over a base, such as pizza dough, while food is cut by a laterally moving blade mounted around two drums, one of which is adjustable to change tension in the blade. The blade is further supported by a blade guide which also guides the sliced food to the pizza dough base. The drive system includes a servomotor, a group of gears, a crank connected to the gears, a cam roller and a cam follower plate with a slot. The cam follower plate is connected by a quick connect and disconnect connector to the food tube assembly. The result is a compact, efficient slicing apparatus with a small footprint that is usable in a food processing line.

Abstract: An improved orifice plate assembly for a loaf slicing machine, the orifice plate assembly located adjacent to a moving slicing blade includes a frame defining an opening and a first orifice-defining member and a second orifice-defining member slidably mounted together slidably on the frame. The first orifice-defining member and the second orifice-defining member, together define an orifice. An adjustment mechanism is operatively connected to the frame and to each of the first and second orifice-defining members, the adjustment mechanism when adjusted changes the orifice dimension between the first and second orifice-defining members without substantially changing a centerline location of the orifice. The adjustment mechanism includes a stud fixed to the first orifice-defining member, and two links pivotally mounted to the frame and engaged to two rods fixed to the second orifice-defining member.

Abstract: A slicing and conveying system forms a three or more flavor-combined draft. A first slicing machine slices a succession of first and third slices in first and third shingled drafts. A second slicing machine slices a succession of second slices in second shingled drafts. A pass-through conveyor transfers the first draft to an output conveyor of the second slicing machine, wherein the second draft is added to the first draft to form a first combined draft. An overlap conveyor receives the first combined draft and merges the first combined draft with the third draft on the overlap conveyor to form an elongated combined draft. Optical sensors determine lengths of the first draft, the second draft, the third draft, and/or the elongated combined draft.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting food product includes an ultrasonic resonant horn. A reciprocating cutting tool is mounted with respect to the ultrasonic resonant horn, and includes a plurality of longitudinally oriented first cutting blades and a plurality of transversely oriented second cutting blades. Each second cutting blade is positioned between and connected with adjacent first cutting blades. Also disclosed is a method for forming a plurality of food product cubes from a food product base.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for cutting food products. The apparatus includes a support for a food product, a blade, and an intercalated sheet feeding device, which guides a free end of a continuous strip by using compressed air.

Abstract: An apparatus for halving pieces of product includes a loading conveyor for conveying individual pieces of product and having a planar surface defining a plane tilted with respect to the horizontal and a lift conveyor comprising a moving surface positioned adjacent to the loading conveyor and oriented in a plane parallel to the axis of the loading conveyor for receiving pieces of product from the loading conveyor and for conveying them in an upward direction substantially at a right angle to the plane of the loading conveyor. The lift conveyor has a plurality of flites spaced along the lift conveyor, each flite supporting, one at a time, the pieces of product. A cutting blade is positioned to engage each piece of product as it moves along the lift conveyor so as to cut each piece of product into two pieces.

Abstract: A cutting machine, for cutting vegetables into vegetable sticks, comprising a horizontal table having a feed end and an exit end. A belt extends vertically atop the table, around rollers which extend perpendicularly from the table. A plurality of cleats extend from the belt which have cleat fingers which extend horizontally outward from the belt. The cleats propel vegetables from the feed end toward the exit end. A horizontal blade assembly is disposed in the path of the cleats, and includes a plurality of horizontal blades which are vertically spaced to extend between the cleat fingers so that the blades do not interfere with the cleat fingers as they propel the vegetables. A vertical blade assembly is located farther toward the exit end than the horizontal blade assembly, and includes a plurality of vertical blades which cut the vegetables into sticks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manual vegetable cutter, for selectively varied cutting. Furthermore, the cutter of the present invention does not expose the user to risks of serious cuts. The cutter comprises a frame fitted with at least one cutting blade mounted transversely facing a slot through which the cut vegetables pass and also two side rails providing guidance in to and fro translational motion for a guide chamber equipped with a loading volume for the vegetables to be cut up and acting in conjunction with a press-down cap which the user grips in order to move the guide chamber to and fro along the guide rails while constantly exerting pressure on the vegetables contained in the loading volume so that they are pressed against the cutting blade or blades fitted to the frame and can be cut up by the blade or blades.

Abstract: A device (1) for cutting potatoes (5) or other vegetables into slices or sticks, comprising a cutting member (2) with a supply tube (3) and a discharge tube (4) connected thereto. The device is designed for moving potatoes (5), by a water stream supplied by the supply tube (3), through the cutting member (2) and discharging them again via the discharge tube (4). In the cutting member (2), a number of knives (9) are arranged. The cutting member comprises a number of segments (6) held together by a casing (11), each segment having an opening (20) which together form a passage for the water stream, while in each opening (20) one or more knives (9, 10) may be provided.

Abstract: A plug prevention device is provided in a slicing machine having a rotary impeller for carrying products such as potatoes or the like into engagement with cutting knives to form lattice cut slices, wherein the plug prevention device prevents the products from lodging within an upwardly open inlet throat of the impeller. The plug prevention device comprises an elongated stationary rod having one end projecting into the impeller throat at a position substantially off-axis relative to an axis of impeller rotation. Products entering the impeller and tending to lodge by centrifugal action against an internal wall of the impeller throat will strike the rod, causing such products to separate from wall of the impeller throat and fall further into the impeller for slice processing.

Abstract: A slicing machine includes a tapered slicing gate for use in cutting products such as potatoes or the like into a plurality of slices each having a tapered thickness. The slicing machine generally corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 3,521,688 and includes a rotary impeller for carrying the products by centrifugal force against an interior surface of a nonrotating cylindrical outer impeller housing, a portion of which defines an adjustable slicing gate forming a cutting slot of controlled thickness relative to a stationary slicing knife for cutting the products into the plurality of slices. A tapered ramp is formed or mounted at a downstream end of the slicing gate so that the cutting slot and the resultant slices have a tapered configuration. The tapered slices may be cut further into elongated strips, such as French fry potato strips, having a tapered lengthwise thickness.

Abstract: An improved cutter blade assembly for cutting vegetable products such as potatoes. The cutter blade assembly utilizes a number of cutter blades that transverse an axial bore through which products to be cut are fed. These blades are locked within the assembly by an attachment system that partially deforms the blade to hold the blade in place. This improved attachment connection system serves to hold the blade in a position having higher tension and thereby reduces wear, chatter, and feathering.

Abstract: The device comprises a cabinet with atmosphere controlled by refrigeration and/or supply of an inert gas to prevent the deterioration of the foodstuffs. Present in the cabinet is an automatic storage unit with container means for containing the products. The latter are to be fed towards an automatic slicing machine which carries out controlled slicing both as regards the thickness of the slices and as regards the number of slices and the weight of the sliced product. Finally, a delivery unit makes it possible to dispense the products outside the cabinet. Operation of the device is controlled by a unit, which is accessible to the user from outside the cabinet. Said unit is preferably arranged for payment using different paying means.

Abstract: A food processing appliance, such as a food slicing or a food dicing machine, that includes aluminum components, such as cutting discs that include knives and/or food dicing gratings, and feeders that come into contact with the food being processed, wherein the aluminum components being made in die cast aluminum. After being cast, cleaned and possibly treated, an aluminum component is tumbled so as to obtain a dense surface. The tumbled component is coated with the aid of a chemical nickel plating process, wherein the chemically applied coating has a thickness exceeding 5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A loaf reload mechanism for a slicing machine that includes a loaf-loading position wherein during a loading operation a loaf is placed in the loaf-loading position. During loading a gripper moves from a home position clear of a loaf in the loaf-loading position to an engagement position wherein the gripper engages a trailing end of the loaf. During a slicing operation, the gripper moves with the loaf along a longitudinal path into a slicing plane of a moving slicing blade until the loaf is effectively entirely sliced by the blade. The gripper is then retracted in a reverse direction to the home position. The loaf reload mechanism includes a loaf-staging position over the loaf-loading position, the loaf-staging position having a lowering mechanism to position a loaf from the loaf-staging position to the loaf-loading position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cutting up food products (4), in the form of a slicer. Said device is equipped with at least two cutter heads (9,10). The product flows produced by each cutter head are either combined and processed in the form of one product flow or are processed in the form of a plurality of product flows.

Abstract: An apparatus for slicing a food product into a plurality of slices in one action. The apparatus includes a frame having a first end, a second end and a body portion having an opening therein, the body portion having a plurality of spaced apart cutting strands disposed across the opening that are operably supported by the body portion of the frame. In use, the body portion of the apparatus is disposed in a substantially vertical alignment over at least a portion of a food product, and forced downwardly such that the plurality of spaced apart cutting strands across the opening slices the food product into a plurality of individual slices in one action.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting optimally sized fruit and vegetable pieces comprised of a dump chute, a trough, a conveyor, a drive means, at least one sensor, a programmable logic controller (PLC), and a cutter assembly. The apparatus is configured to receive materials from a source, load these materials onto a conveyor move these items by means of the conveyor to a cutting portion where the materials are cut into appropriate sized pieces, as determined by a programmed logic sensor based upon the input from a plurality of sensors and pre-selected criteria from a user.

Abstract: A horizontal meat slicer includes a frame and a lower conveyor belt having forward and rearward ends, the lower conveyor belt operative to receive a meat product thereon and transport it into and through the device. An upper pressing conveyor belt includes forward and rearward ends, the upper pressing conveyor belt and the lower conveyor belt cooperating such that meat product is compressed between the lower conveyor belt and the upper pressing conveyor belt. At least one bandsaw blade is rotatably mounted on the frame, a cutting section of the bandsaw blade traveling between the upper belt and lower belts. Finally, at least one drive device such as a motor is operatively connected to each of the conveyor belts and the bandsaw blade to drive them to pull the meat product through the device and cut the meat product via the cutting edge of the bandsaw blade.

Abstract: An improved orifice plate assembly for a loaf slicing machine, the orifice plate assembly located adjacent to a moving slicing blade includes a frame defining an opening and a first orifice-defining member and a second orifice-defining member slidably mounted together slidably on the frame. The first orifice-defining member and the second orifice-defining member, together define an orifice. An adjustment mechanism is operatively connected to the frame and to each of the first and second orifice-defining members, the adjustment mechanism when adjusted changes the orifice dimension between the first and second orifice-defining members without substantially changing a centerline location of the orifice. The adjustment mechanism includes a stud fixed to the first orifice-defining member, and two links pivotally mounted to the frame and engaged to two rods fixed to the second orifice-defining member.