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. In accordance with a further inventive aspect of the presently disclosed system, a single rotation of the slicing edge about the center of rotation results in a penetration gradient into each of the first and second product loaves that diminishes in magnitude over the single rotation. To this end, the slicing edge may have a profile defined by a plurality of constant radius sections. Each constant radius section has a section center defining the center of the constant radius for that constant radius section. Further, each constant radius section has a section center differing from the section center of an adjacent constant radius section. Such a blade and its associated slicing station provide great control of slices from the loaves as they proceed from the loaf to a receiving conveyor of the slicing station. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a single rotation of the slicing edge about the center of rotation results in substantially concurrent severance of first and second slices from the first and second product loaves thereby facilitating a decrease in the duration of a slicing cycle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    Not Applicable  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not Applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Food loaves come in a variety of shapes (round, square, rectangular, oval, etc.), cross-sections, and lengths. Such loaves are made from various comestibles, such as meat, cheese, etc. Most loaves are provided to an intermediate processor who slices and packages the products in groups for retail.  
           [0004]    A variety of machines have been developed to slice such loaves. One such machine is an S-180™ available from Formax®, Inc., of Mokena, Ill. The S- 180™ machine is a high speed food loaf slicing machine that slices one, two, or more food loaves simultaneously using one cyclically driven slicing blade. Independent loaf feed drives are provided so that slices cut from one loaf may vary in thickness from slices cut from the other loaf. The machine includes a slicing station that is enclosed by a housing, except for a limited slicing opening. The slicing blade is disposed in the slicing station and a drive rotates the slicing blade at a predetermined cyclical rate on a cutting path through a slicing range that intersects the food loaves as they are fed into the slicing station. A marker moving with the blade is sensed by a fixed sensor to establish a home position for the blade.    
           [0005]    In the foregoing machine, the food loaf slices are received in groups of predetermined weight on a receiving conveyor that is disposed adjacent the slicing blade. The receiving conveyor receives the slices as they are cut by the slicing blade. In many instances, neatly aligned stacked groups are preferred and, as such, the sliced product is stacked on the receiving conveyor before being transferred from the machine. In other instances, the groups are shingled so that a purchaser can see a part of every slice through a transparent package. In these other instances, conveyor belts of the receiving conveyor are gradually moved during the slicing process to separate the slices.  
           [0006]    Whether the product is provided in a stacked or shingled format, it is desirable to ensure proper positioning of the slices as they proceed from the slicing blade onto the receiving conveyor for stacking or shingling. Traditionally, round or involute slicing blades have been employed that provide adequate positioning of the slices as they are stacked or shingled during low slicing speed operations. However, the present inventors have recognized that control of the slices as they proceed from the slicing blade onto the receiving conveyor may be necessary during high slicing speed machine operation. Absent such control, product stacks are non-uniform as is the spacing between slices of shingled product. The present inventors have recognized the need for reducing the non-uniformity associated with high speed slicing operations. Accordingly, they have invented a slicing blade for slicing a single loaf and/or concurrently slicing a plurality of product loaves disposed in a side-by-side relationship that meets the foregoing need.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    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. In accordance with a further inventive aspect of the presently disclosed system, a single rotation of the slicing edge about the center of rotation results in a penetration gradient into each of the first and second product loaves that diminishes in magnitude over the single rotation. To this end, the slicing edge may have a profile defined by a plurality of constant radius sections. Each constant radius section has a section center defining the center of the constant radius for that constant radius section. Further, each constant radius section has a section center differing from the section center of an adjacent constant radius section. Such a blade and its associated slicing station provide great control of slices from the loaves as they proceed from the loaf to a receiving conveyor of the slicing station. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a single rotation of the slicing edge about the center of rotation results in substantially concurrent severance of first and second slices from the first and second product loaves thereby facilitating a decrease in the duration of a slicing cycle.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of various aspects of one type of slicing machine that may use the slicing station of the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 illustrates a traditional involute slicing blade.  
         [0010]    FIGS.  4 - 7  illustrate operation of an involute slicing blade in a traditional slicing station when slicing food loaves that are disposed in a side-by-side manner.  
         [0011]    FIGS.  8 - 11  illustrate operation of an involute slicing blade in the slicing station of the present invention when slicing food loaves that are disposed in a side-by-side manner.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a slicing blade for slicing food loaves that are disposed in a side-by-side manner wherein the slicing blade provides a penetration gradient that is larger at the beginning portions of the slicing cycle than the penetration gradient at the end portion of the slicing cycle.  
         [0013]    FIGS.  13 - 15  illustrate operation of the blade of FIG. 12 when used in the slicing station of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate operation of a blade that does not provide a penetration gradient and a blade that provides a penetration gradient, respectively.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIGS. 18 and 19 are perspective views of a single bevel cutting edge and a double bevel cutting edge, respectively, that may be used for the cutting edges of blades constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a food loaf slicing machine  50  that may incorporate the slicing blade of the present invention. Slicing machine  50  comprises a base  51  that is mounted upon four fixed pedestals or feet  52  (three of the feet  52  appear in FIG. 1) and has a housing or enclosure  53  surmounted by a top  58 . Base  51  typically affords an enclosure for a computer  54 , a low voltage supply  55 , a high voltage supply  56 , and a scale mechanism  57 . Base enclosure  53  may also include a pneumatic supply or a hydraulic supply, or both (not shown).  
         [0017]    The slicing machine  50  may include a conveyor drive  61  utilized to drive an output conveyor/classifier system  64 . A front side guard  62  extends upwardly from the top  58  of base  51  at the near side of the slicing machine  50  and a similar front side guard  63  appears at the opposite side of machine  50 . The two side guards  62  and  63  extend upwardly from base top  58  at an angle and terminate at the bottom  65  of a slicing station  66 . Member  65  constitutes a part of the housing for slicing station  66 . A conveyor/classifier guard (not shown) is preferably disposed between side guards  62  and  63 , below the bottom  65  of slicing station  66 .  
         [0018]    The slicing machine  50  of the illustrated embodiment further includes a computer display touch screen  69  in a cabinet  67  that is pivotally mounted on and supported by a support  68 . Support  68  is affixed to and projects outwardly from a member  74  that constitutes a front part of the housing of slicing head  66 . Cabinet  67  and its computer display touch screen  69  are pivotally mounted so that screen  69  can face either side of slicing machine  50 , allowing machine  50  to be operated from either side. Cabinet  67  also serves as a support for a cycle start switch  71 , a cycle stop switch  72 , and a loaf feed on-off switch  73 . Switches  71 - 73  and display/touch screen  69  interface with computer  54  in base  51 .  
         [0019]    The upper right-hand portion of slicing machine  50 , as seen in FIG. 1, comprises a loaf feed mechanism  75  which, in machine  50 , includes a manual feed from the right-hand (far) side of the machine and an automated feed from the left-hand (near) side of the machine. Loaf feed mechanism  75  has an enclosure that includes a far-side manual loaf loading door  79  and a near-side automatic loaf loading door  78 . As such, slicing machine  50  is equipped for automated loading of loaves from the near-side, as seen in FIG. 1, and manual loading of food loaves on the far-side of the machine. It will be understood that automated loaf loading may be provided on either or both sides of the machine; the same holds true for manual loaf loading.  
         [0020]    Slicing machine  50  further includes a pivotable upper back frame  81  and an upper back housing  82 . Back frame  81  supports the upper ends of many of the components of loaf feed mechanism  75 . A loaf feed guard  83  protects the nearside of the loaf feed mechanism  75  and shields mechanism  75  from a machine operator. There may be a similar guard on the opposite side of the machine. Behind loaf feed guard  83  there is a loaf lift tray  85  employed to load a food loaf into mechanism  75  during an automated loaf loading operation of machine  50 .  
         [0021]    There are some additional switches seen in FIG. 1. An emergency stop switch  87  for interrupting all operations of slicing machine  50  is mounted on the near side of loaf feed guard  83 . There may be a similar emergency stop switch on the opposite side of the machine. A loaf lift switch  88  is used to initiate automated loading of a loaf from tray  85  into mechanism  75  and is located immediately below switch  87 . There would be a like switch on the opposite side of slicing machine  50  if that side of the machine were equipped for automated loaf loading. An emergency stop switch  89  is mounted on slicing station  66  on the near-side of machine  50 , and there is a similar switch (not shown) on the opposite side of the slicing station. Switches  87 ,  88 , and  89 , and any counterparts on the opposite (far) side of slicing machine  50 , are all electrically connected to the controls in enclosure  54 .  
         [0022]    Referring first to conveyor/classifier system  64  at the left-hand (output) end of slicing machine  50  as illustrated in FIG. 2, it is seen that system  64  includes an inner stacking or receiving conveyor  130  located immediately below slicing head  66 . Conveyor  130  is sometimes called a “jump” conveyor. From conveyor  130  groups of food loaf slices, stacked or shingled, are transferred to a decelerating conveyor  131  and then to a weighing or scale conveyor  132 . From the scale conveyor  132  groups of food loaf slices move on to an outer classifier conveyor  134 . On the far side of slicing machine  50  the sequence is substantially the same.  
         [0023]    Slicing machine  50  may further include a vertically movable stacking grid  136  comprising a plurality of stack members joined together and interleaved one-for-one with the moving elements of the inner stack/receive conveyor  130 . Stacking grid  136  can be lowered and raised by a stack lift mechanism  138 . Alternatively, food loaf slices may be grouped in shingled or in stacked relationship directly on the receive/stack conveyor  130 , with a series of stacking pins replacing grid  136 . When this alternative is employed, lift mechanism  138  is preferably connected directly to and is used for vertical positioning of conveyor  130 .  
         [0024]    Slicing machine  50  further comprises a scale or weighing grid comprising a first plurality of scale grid elements  141  and a second similar group of scale grid elements  142 ; each group of grid elements is interleaved one-for-one with the moving belts or like members of scale conveyor  132 . Scale grids  141  and  142  are a part of scale mechanism  57  (see FIG. 1). A scale conveyor lift mechanism  143  is provided for and is mechanically connected to scale conveyor  132 . There is no weighing mechanism associated with either of the two output or classifier conveyors  134  and  135  in the disclosed embodiment. However, there is a classifier conveyor lift mechanism  144  connected to the near-side classifier conveyor  134 . A similar lift device  145  is provided for the other output classifier conveyor  135 . Lift devices  144  and  145  are employed to pivot conveyors  134  and  135 , respectively, from their illustrated positions to elevated “reject” positions, depending on the results of the weighing operations in machine  50  ahead of conveyors  134  and  135 .  
         [0025]    Slicing machine  50  is intended to accommodate food loaves of widely varying sizes, As such, a height adjustment for the food loaves as they move from loaf feed mechanism  75  into slicing head  66  is provided. This height adjustment is shown generally at  161  of FIG. 3.  
         [0026]    Loaf feeding mechanism  75  preferably includes a back-clamp respectively associated with each food loaf. The back-clamps  205  secure the rear portion of each loaf and assist in advancing each loaf at individually determined rates into the slicing station  66 . The loaf feeding mechanism  75  also preferably comprises a system of short conveyors for advancing food loaves from loaf feed mechanism  75  into slicing station. FIG. 2 shows two short lower loaf feed conveyors  163  and  164  on the near and far-sides of slicing machine  50 , respectively. These short lower conveyors  163  and  164  are located immediately below two short upper feed conveyors  165  and  166 , respectively. As used in describing conveyors  163 - 166 , the term “short” refers to the length of the conveyors parallel to the food loaf paths along support  116 - 118 , not to the conveyor lengths transverse to those paths. The upper conveyor  165  of the pair  163  and  165  is displaceable so that the displacement between conveyors  163  and  165  can be varied to accommodate food loaves of varying height. This adjustment is provided by a conveyor lift actuator  167  that urges conveyor  165  downwardly. A similar conveyor actuator is located on the far-side of machine  50  to adjust the height of the other upper short conveyor  166 ; the second actuator cannot be seen in FIG. 3.  
         [0027]    The slicing machine  50  of FIG. 1 is shown in a state ready for operation. There is a food loaf  91  on tray  85 , waiting to be loaded into loaf feed mechanism  75  on the near-side of machine  50 . Two, three, or even four food loaves may be stored on tray  85 , depending on the loaf size. A similar food loaf or loaves may be stored on a corresponding loaf lift tray on the opposite side of machine  50 . Machine  50  produces a series of stacks  92  of food loaf slices that are fed outwardly of the machine, in the direction of the arrow A, by conveyor classifier system  64 . Machine  50  also produces a series of stacks  93  of food loaf slices that move outwardly of the machine on its output conveyor system  64  in the direction of arrow A. Stack  92  is shown as comprising slices from a rectangular loaf, and stack  93  is made up of slices from a round loaf. However, it is usually desirable that both of the slice stacks  92  and  93  are the same shape, either both round, square, or rectangular. Stacks  92  and  93  may have different heights, or slice counts, and hence different weights. As shown, they contain the same number of food loaf slices in each stack, but that condition can be changed. Both groups of slices can be overlapping, “shingled” groups of slices instead of having the illustrated stacked configuration.  
         [0028]    The loaf feed mechanism  75  drives the loaves into the slicing station where they are sliced by a rotating knife blade (not illustrated in FIG. 2) that is disposed at the output portions of the short conveyors. The thickness and total weight of the slices are controlled by computer  54  which actuates various mechanical components associated with the slicing operation. The slice thickness and total weight for each sliced group are programmed through the touch screen  67  which interfaces with computer  54 . As the blade slices the loaves, the slices are deposited on receiving conveyor  130  where the proper number of slices are either stacked or shingled. The receiving conveyor  130  then drives the groups from the slicing station for subsequent classifying and packaging.  
         [0029]    Some of the drive motors for operating the mechanisms in slicing machine  50  are shown in FIG. 3. The drive motor for the blade in slicing station  66  is preferably a D.C. variable speed servo motor  171  mounted in the machine base  51 . The receiver lift mechanism  138  is driven by a stacker lift motor  173 , again preferably a variable speed D.C. servo motor. On the near side of machine  50  the loaf feed drive mechanism comprising the back-clamp  151  and the short loaf feed conveyors  163  and  165  is driven by a servo motor  174 . A like motor on the far side of machine  50  (not shown) affords an independent drive for the back-clamp and the “short” loaf feed conveyors  164  and  166  on that side of the slicing machine.  
         [0030]    A known knife blade for use in the slicing machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown in FIG. 3. As shown, the assembly includes a blade  210  having an involute shaped cutting edge  215 . The blade  210  is rotated about its center axis  220  by, for example, the servomotor drive  171  or the like. Rotation of the blade  210  is coordinated with the movement of the food loaves by the loaf feeding mechanism  75  and with the operation of the receiving conveyor  130  that receives the sliced food loaves for stacking or shingling. As illustrated, the blade  210  is disposed interior to a protective housing  225  or shield to prevent injury to machine operators. When blade  210  is rotated, the outermost portion of cutting edge passes along a circular path  227  having axis  220  at its center.  
         [0031]    FIGS.  4 - 7  illustrate operation of the traditional involute slicing blade  210  as it cuts into a pair of round food loaves  230  that are disposed in a side-by-side relationship. The round food loaves  230  are disposed so that the slicing face of each loaf is generally parallel to the plane of the slicing blade  210 . Further, the loaves  230  are disposed approximately equidistant a vertical axis  240  extending through the axis of rotation  220  of blade  210 .  
         [0032]    To facilitate an understanding of the slicing operation, FIGS. 4 and 5 are provided with an illustration of the penetration of the blade  210  into the loaves  230 . More particularly, penetration lines  250  illustrate penetration of the blade  210  into the loaves  230  in 30 degree rotation increments of rotation of the blade  210 . As such, the spacing between adjacent penetration lines  250  constitutes a penetration gradient in which the distance between successive penetration lines  250  is a measure of the magnitude of the penetration gradient. The direction of the penetration gradient through each loaf  230  is found by first connecting the points of intersection between the loaf edges and penetration lines  250 . For purposes of the present discussion, these lines shall be referred to as lines of intersection and are designated at  255 . A line normal to each line of intersection  255  in the direction of blade travel is then drawn. Such lines are hereinafter referred to as penetration direction vectors and are designated at  265 .  
         [0033]    With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the present inventors have recognized two principal factors giving rise to the non-uniformity of stacking and/or shingling of sliced groups when using the traditional involute slicing blade  210 , particularly at high slicing speeds. First, the direction of the penetration vectors  265   a  and  265   b  differ from one another at the points at which the slices are severed from the loaves. As such, the blade  210  provides an unequal throw of the slices from the left and right loaves as the slices proceed onto the receiving conveyor  130 . Second, the magnitude of the penetration gradients through the loaves remains at substantially the same magnitude throughout the high-speed cutting cycle. This latter factor gives rise to difficulties in retaining control of the orientation and movement of each slice as it proceeds from the loaf onto the receiving conveyor  130 . As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, these same factors are also present and, indeed, more pronounced when slicing a rectangular loaves  270 .  
         [0034]    The present inventors have recognized that a substantially equal but oppositely directed throw about axis  240  may be obtained by offsetting the center of rotation  220  blade from axis  240 . In such an instance, the axis  240  that is disposed generally equidistant food loaves  230  of FIGS. 4 and 5, and  270  of FIGS. 6 and 7 no longer passes through the axis of rotation  220  of the blade  210 . Such a blade and corresponding offset are illustrated in FIGS.  8 - 11  with the penetration lines  250  and penetration direction vectors  265 . As illustrated, blade  210  is rotated about axis of rotation  220 ′ which is displaced laterally and below the axis of rotation that is normally used, shown at  220 . The lateral offset B generates penetration direction vectors  265   a  and  265   b  at slice completion that are of substantially the same magnitude and have generally the same but oppositely directed throw angles D with respect to axis  240 . Vertical offset C compensates for lateral offset B so that the blade  210  cuts completely through both loaves  230 . FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the same principles with respect to rectangular loaves  270 .  
         [0035]    With reference to FIG. 12, a modified blade  310  is illustrated that is dimensioned to concurrently cut at least two food loaves that are disposed in a side-by-side relationship and provide a penetration gradient in each of the loaves that provides greater control of the slices as they are severed from their respective loaves when compared to the involute blade described above. This is achieved by providing an initial penetration gradient for each of the loaves that is greater in magnitude during the initial portion of a slicing cycle than the magnitude of the penetration gradient occurring toward the end portion of the slicing cycle.  
         [0036]    As illustrated, the outermost portion of blade  310  forms a circle  315  when rotated about center point  320 . The blade edge is defined by arcs  325 ,  330 , and  340  having different arc centers and different arc radii. In the illustrated embodiment, arc  325  has a center point at  345 , an arc length of G, and a radius of H. Arc  330  has a center point at  350 , an arc length of I, and a radius of J. Arc  340  has a center point at  355 , an arc length of K, and a radius of L. As shown, points  345  and  350  are collinear and points  350  and  355  are likewise collinear. This provides a smooth transition of the cutting edge between the arcs  325 ,  330 , and  340 . Point  345  is displaced above and to the left of center point  320 . Point  350  is displaced below and to the left of center point  320 . Point  355  is displaced below and to the right of center point  320 .  
         [0037]    In accordance with one embodiment of the blade  310 , the measurements are those set forth in Table 1 below.  
                                                   PARAMETER   MEASUREMENT                           Point 345 displacement   Lateral displacement = −.457 in.               Transverse displacement = +.225 in.           Arc length G (degrees)   90.83 deg.           Radius H (inches)   15.109 in.           Point 350 displacement   Lateral displacement = −.446 in.               Transverse displacement = −.516 in.           Arc length I (degrees)   50.95 deg.           Radius J (inches)   13.629 in.           Point 355 displacement   Lateral displacement = +.593 in.               Transverse displacement = −1.334 in.           Arc length K (radians)   97.67 deg.           Radius L (inches)   10.984 in.                      
 
         [0038]    The foregoing measurements provide a blade suitable for cutting parallel disposed rectangular loaves ranging from 1 inch to 7 inches in width and from 1 inch to 4 inches in height. Similarly, such a blade is suitable for cutting parallel disposed round loaves ranging from 1 inch to 5.5 in. in diameter. Preferably, the parallel disposed loaves are spaced about 1 inch part. The blade  310  may also be used to cut singular round loaves up to 6 inches in diameter or singular rectangular loaves of of to 4″×14″.  
         [0039]    To facilitate an understanding of the slicing operation when using blade  310 , FIGS.  13 - 15  are provided with illustrations of the penetration of the blade  310  into the loaves. As above, penetration lines  250  illustrate penetration of the blade  310  into the loaves in 30 degree rotation increments of the blade. As such, the spacing between adjacent lines constitutes a penetration gradient in which the distance between successive lines is a measure of the magnitude of the penetration gradient. Also as above, the direction of the penetration gradient through each loaf is found by connecting the points of intersection between the loaf edges and penetration lines  250 . For purposes of the present discussion, these lines shall be referred to as lines of intersection and are designated at  255 . A line normal to each line of intersection  255  in the direction of blade travel is then drawn. Such lines, as noted above, are referred to as penetration direction vectors and are designated at  265  in the figures.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 13 illustrates the foregoing parameters as applied to a single round loaf  400 , parallel disposed rectangular loaves  270 , and parallel disposed round loaves  230 . As shown in FIG. 13, the axis of rotation  320  defined by the center of circle  315  (see above) is laterally offset from axis  240  which is generally equidistant the parallel disposed loaves  230  and  270  and which provides a median through the center of single loaf  400 . Additionally, the arcs  325 ,  330 , and  340  defining the cutting edge of blade  310  generate a penetration gradient that is greater during the initial phase of the cutting cycle than at the end phase of the cutting cycle. Preferably, the blade  310  is driven at a constant rate of rotation, the arcs of varying radii providing the desired penetration gradient magnitude effect.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 14 provides a close-up view of the penetration lines  250  and penetration direction vectors  265  as applied to a pair of parallel disposed round loaves  230  while FIG. 15 provides a close-up view of the penetration lines  250  and penetration direction vectors  265  as applied to parallel disposed rectangular loaves  270 . In each instance, the magnitude of the penetration gradient decreases as the blade proceeds through a single cutting cycle. This is due to the shape of the cutting edge. Further, the direction of the penetration direction vectors  265   d  and  265   d  at the end phase of the cutting cycle are at substantially the same angles D with respect to the axis  240 . As such, the angles at which the slices proceed onto the receiving conveyor  130  are the same, thereby providing a more even stacking or shingling of the sliced product.  
         [0042]    The significance of the variation in penetration gradient magnitude throughout the cutting cycle can be understood with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. 16 illustrates cutting of a product slice using a blade  210  having a constant penetration magnitude throughout the cutting cycle. One such blade is the traditional involute blade described above. As shown, during high speed cutting operation, the slice  500  is airborne as it is severed by blade  210  from the loaf  230  and deposited onto the receiving conveyor  130 . In contrast and as shown in FIG. 17, a blade  310  having the penetration gradient magnitude variations described above allows the slice  500  to contact the surface of the receiving conveyor  130  prior to its ultimate severance from the loaf  230 . As such, the stacking or shingling operation proceeds in a controlled fashion when compared to the airborne slicing operation illustrated in FIG. 16.  
         [0043]    To further enhance the operation of blade  310 , it may be provided with a beveled cutting edge that is specifically adapted to cut a particular product. To this end, a single bevel cutting edge  505  is illustrated in FIG. 17 while a double beveled cutting edge  510  is illustrated in FIG. 18. In connection with FIG. 17, the beveled cutting edge  505  may be defined in terms of length parameter P and angle parameters Q and S. In connection with FIG. 18, the beveled cutting edge  510  may be defined in terms of length parameters T and U and angle parameters V, W and X. These parameters may be determined experimentally when using blade  310  with a particular loaf product to optimize the cutting process and generally vary from loaf product type to loaf product type.  
         [0044]    A further inventive aspect of the lateral offset blades illustrated in the above-noted figures can be seen with respect to FIGS. 9 and 14 as compared to FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the blade  210  completes severance of a slice from the left product loaf a substantial period of time before it completes severance of a slice from the right product loaf. Any other operations of the slicing machine that are to occur subsequent to the completion of a slicing cycle must therefore wait until the slice severance from the right loaf is complete, even though a completed slice has been received from the left loaf. In contrast, the offset blades of FIGS. 9 and 14 complete severance of the slices from the left and right loaves  230  at substantially the same portions of the slicing cycle and, therefore, at substantially the same time (see penetration line P). As such, more time becomes available for post-slicing machine operations. This functional aspect of the offset blades may be used to effectively increase the speed of operation of the slicing machine.  
         [0045]    Numerous modifications may be made to the foregoing system without departing from the basic teachings thereof. Although the present invention has been described in substantial detail with reference to one or more specific embodiments, those of skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.