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 interfacing relationship with the cutter for separating the product. Another embodiment includes a single finger bar comb having two sets of fingers.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for slicing a meat product and, more particularly, to slicing a whole muscle meat product and separating the slices. 
   2. Background Art 
   There are various apparatus and methods for slicing whole muscle meat products into multiple slices utilizing a cutting blade or multiple cutting blades. A typical process is to flatten a whole muscle product sufficiently to be feed through a cutter that is operable to slice the flattened whole muscle product into thin strips for further processing. However, once the muscle product is sliced into multiple strips by a typical slicer, the strips are not readily separated. It is not uncommon for the slices to be separated manually or by some other means once the meat product has exited the slicer assembly. 
   For example a Key Isoflow™ shaker table has been utilized to separate sliced product once it has exited a slicer and pre-dust machine. However these types of slicer systems are not able to separate the flattened whole muscle product as it travels through the slicer assembly. Separation of the product after it has exited the slicer assembly slows down the over all process of manufacturing the final product because the sliced product must be separated prior to or after subsequent processing, such as for example a breading process. A better apparatus and method is needed for slicing and separating the product. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   The invention is a whole muscle slicer and separator that solves the product separation problem and other problems found with an ordinary slicer. The invention includes a cutter assembly having a special peel out upper finger bar comb having teeth or fingers that peels out every other product piece onto a conveyor and a lower finger bar comb that peels out the remaining product pieces onto a second conveyor. The upper and lower designation is only one embodiment and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention nor intended to describe a particular positional relationship between the two finger bars. Other arrangements are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. 
   For example, a single finger bar comb having two sets of teeth or fingers can be an alternative embodiment. This process can be accomplished by either embodiments by tilting the muscle slicer cutter and separator assembly to about approximately a 45 degree angle off vertical. Most other slicer cutter assemblies are at a 90 or 180 degree configuration. The about approximately 45 degree angle off vertical can vary without departing from the scope of the invention. The raw whole muscle product can be chilled so that the product is semi-rigid in order for the product to be sliced and separated correctly. There can be an upper and lower comb arranged in an interfacing relationship with the cutter, where the cutter is a cutter roll having multiple radially projecting coaxial circular cutting blades forming a cutting vane along the length of the roller where the circular blades are proximately spaced apart along the cutter roll&#39;s length. 
   The process for slicing and separating can include the steps of Chilling and/or Crusting the raw whole muscle product by using a tumble chiller or nitrogen dip. The product can then be run through a flattener machine to achieve proper product thickness, which can be about approximately ⅜″. This can vary significantly depending on the desired thickness of the product and the configuration of the slicer cutter assembly. The product can then be transferred onto the slicer in-feed conveyor, which feeds product into blades at an optimal angle. The product can be driven through the blades and shear roller by a textured pusher roller. 
   As the product is being sliced, a special comb can be designed to divert every other slice of product onto a first takeaway belt. The product slices can be separated from each other by the distance between the circular blades, such as for example about approximately ⅜″. The distance between the blades can vary significantly depending on the desired thickness and the space between the blades. The remaining product slices can be diverted onto a second takeaway belt by the final clean out comb. Again the product slices can be separated from each other by the distance between the blades. 
   Another embodiment of the invention is a single comb configuration where the single comb has a first set and a second set of fingers. The first set can be angled to divert one group of slices and the second set to divert the remaining group of slices. 
   The thickness of the flattened product and the width of the slices can vary significantly without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   The two takeaway conveyors can feed onto an S-merge conveyor that transfers the slices onto a subsequent takeaway conveyor. The slices can now be further processed (Frozen, Breaded, etc.). The slicer/separator is different from others in that it will provide spacing between products while exiting the slicer blades onto two different conveyors. This keeps the product from touching each other and allows for flat bed breading, freezing, etc. 
   These and other advantageous features of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a whole muscle slicer and separator assembly; 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a whole muscle slicer with single finger bar; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the whole muscle slicer and separator assembly; 
       FIG. 2A  is a side view of the whole muscle slicer with single finger bar; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cutter assembly; 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view with single finger bar; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the cutter assembly; 
       FIG. 4A  is a side with single finger bar; 
       FIG. 4B  is a side with single finger bar mounted at an angle off vertical; 
       FIG. 5A  is a top view of the cutter assembly; 
       FIG. 5B  is a front plan view of the cutter assembly; 
       FIG. 5C  is a top view of the single finger bar embodiment; 
       FIG. 5D  is a front view of the single finger bar embodiment; 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the upper finger bar; 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of the upper finger bar; 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the upper finger bar; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the upper finger bar; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the lower finger bar; 
       FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the lower finger bar; 
       FIG. 12  is a front plan view of the lower finger bar; 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of the lower finger bar; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the optional two stage single finger bar; 
       FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the optional two stage single finger bar; 
       FIG. 16  is a front plan view of the optional two stage single finger bar; and 
       FIG. 17  is a side plan view of the optional two stage single finger bar. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
   According to the embodiment(s) of the present invention, various views are illustrated in  FIGS. 1-17  and like reference numerals are being used consistently throughout to refer to like and corresponding parts of the invention for all of the various views and figures of the drawing. Also, please note that the first digit(s) of the reference number for a given item or part of the invention should correspond to the Fig. number in which the item or part is first identified. 
   One embodiment of the present invention comprising a cutter assembly having two combs teaches a novel apparatus and method for separating product strips as the strips are exiting the slicer cutter assembly and separator. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a single comb where the comb has two stages or two sets of teeth or fingers in order to work similar to the two comb configuration. 
   The details of the invention and various embodiments can be better understood by referring to the figures of the drawing. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the muscle slicer and separator assembly is shown. The muscle slicer and separator assembly  100  is shown having a main frame  102  that supports the overall assembly. In this embodiment, the main frame is shown constructed of a tubular metal stock. The overall frame can be supported on four caster wheels  104  for mobility. The material construction and configuration of the frame can vary without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   The main frame can support a cutter assembly  110  which receives and slices the product. The cutter assembly is shown positioned between three conveyors. One conveyor is an in-feed conveyor  106  and the other conveyors are takeaway conveyors  108  and  109 . The cutter assembly  110  is shown mounted between the conveyors for receiving the meat product along a line of entry  201 , See  FIG. 2 , from the in-feed conveyor and then discharging the product onto the takeaway conveyors. Prior to being received by the muscle slicer and separator assembly  100 , the product can be adequately flattened and then conveyed into the slicer and cutter assembly by the in-feed conveyor. The cutter assembly can be mounted at an angle or such that the center line  203  is between horizontal and vertical and in the embodiment as shown, at about approximately a 45 degree angle with respect to vertical. See item  202  in  FIG. 2 . The angular positioning of the cutter assembly optimizes the ability to separate the product slices for diverting onto takeaway conveyors.  FIG. 1  also shows the pinch roller motor  112  and the push roller motor  114 .  FIG. 1  illustrates the two finger bar comb embodiment. However,  FIG. 1A  illustrates the single bar embodiment. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a side view of the main frame is shown revealing one embodiment of the relative mount positions for the in-feed conveyor  106  and the takeaway conveyors  108  and  109 . From the side view of this embodiment, the about approximately 45 degree angular positioning of the cutter assembly can be clearly seen. This angle can obviously vary without departing from the scope of the invention. The angle can vary between horizontal and vertical to optimize the line of entry and to optimize the position such that the exiting product can be fed onto the takeaway conveyors. For example, the angle can be about approximately 45 plus or minus 20 degrees off vertical. A typical cutter assembly utilized for slicing product is typically arranged in a vertical or horizontal position, however, the angular positioning of the cutter assembly in the present invention facilitates separation of the sliced product and diverting the product to the takeaway conveyors. The angular (off-vertical orientation) of the cutter assembly as reflected by angle alpha and identified by item number  202  can vary without departing from the scope of the present invention. The angle  202  can be about approximately 45 degrees but can vary about approximately plus or minus 20 degrees. The line of entry  201 , and can also be at an angle between horizontal and vertical. 
   The cutter assembly  110  is positioned between the in-feed conveyor  106  and the takeaway conveyors  108  and  109 . The takeaway conveyors  108  and  109  can be adjustably mounted to the frame by the adjustable conveyor mounts  207  and  206 . The in-feed conveyor pivot mount  205  and the adjustable support member  204  allows the in-feed conveyor to be pivoted to adjust its slope such that the in-feed conveyor is positioned and has the optimal slope to properly feed the whole muscle product into the cutter assembly along the line of entry. Adjustable mount  206  and  207  allows the takeaway conveyors  108  and  109  to be raised or lowered for appropriate positioning to receive the sliced product for conveying away from the cutter assembly  110 . The cutter assembly can also be raised or lowered on the cutter support assembly  210 . The assembly  110  has a support frame  208  for the pinch roller and the cutter. All conveyors can also be adjusted longitudinally along the same axis that the product travels to facilitate loading and unloading. 
   These various adjustments of the conveyors and the cutter assembly allow for optimizing the in-feed of the product into the cutter assembly  110  and the taking away of the sliced product. The slope or angular rise or incline above horizontal in the direction of conveyance of the in-feed conveyor can vary to optimize feeding the product into assembly  110 . The height of conveyors  108  and  109  can vary to optimize diverting the sliced product onto the conveyors  108  and  109 . The height adjustment along cutter support assembly  210  of the cutter assembly  110  can also optimize in-feed and take-away. The in-feed conveyor can also have a conveyor belt having a surface having space apart raised ribs for feeding into the cutter. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the cutter assembly  110  is shown. The assembly  110  includes a rotatable pinch roller  306  and a rotatable push roller  307  for receiving the product from the in-feed conveyor. The in-feed conveyor feeds the product into the interface  326  between the pinch roller  306  and the push roller  307 . The pinch roller  306  can have a ribbed roll surface  312  comprising radially extending circular ribs for grasping the product. The push roller  307  can have a textured roll surface  314  having teeth for further grasping the product and pushing the product through the cutter assembly  110 . 
   The cutter  308  or rotatable cutting roller has a plurality of circular spaced apart blades  310  for slicing the product into thin slices as it is fed though the cutter assembly. The circular blades  310  are spaced apart along the length of the cutting roller forming a cutting vane. The space  316  between adjacent blades defines the width of the product slices. The circular blades extend radially outward from the cutter roll. Multiple circular blades create a cutting vane or cutting fins along the length of the cutting roll. This creates spaces between the circular blades along the cutting vane. The pinch roller can also have radially extending circular ribs along its length that can extend into the spaces between the circular blades. 
   The cutter assembly can further include an upper finger bar comb  302  which is mounted on one side of the cutter  308 . The upper finger bar comb has a plurality of teeth or fingers  320 . The upper finger bar comb can be positioned such that the fingers extend into the space between the circular cutter blades  310  for diverting the sliced product onto a takeaway conveyor. The lower finger bar comb  304  also has a plurality of fingers  318  or teeth that extend into the spaces  316  between the plurality of circular blades that are spaced along the length of the cutting roller. The upper finger bar fingers can be configured such that the fingers extend into every other space between the circular blades of the cutter and the lower finger bar fingers can be configured such that the fingers extend into the alternate spaces between the blades.  FIG. 3A  shows the single finger bar  303  embodiment where two sets of fingers or teeth extend into the spaces  316  between the cutter blades  310 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , a side view of the cutter assembly is shown. Again, the pinch roller  306  and the push roller  307  (shown as shadow lines) is shown. The side view reveals the support frame  208  for the pinch roller having a bearing for supporting the axial extension of the pinch roller. The side view of the push roller  307  reveals a textured surface  314  of the roller which has protruding teeth members  401  (shown as shadow lines) for grasping and pushing the product through the cutting blades. The side view also reveals the relevant positions between the pinch roller, the push roller and the cutter. The teeth of the push roller can extend into the spaces between the circular blades of the cutter. The engagement interface  326  between the push roller and the pinch roller can be clearly seen. It is in this area that the product is grasped and fed into the cutter  308 . 
   The side view further reveals the circular shape of the cutter blades  310 . This side view also reveals the mounting arrangement of the upper and lower finger bars  302  and  304  respectively. Slotted adjustable mount  412  allows the lower finger bar comb  304  to be mounted closer to or further from the cutter  308 . The upper finger bar  302  is mounted onto mounting bracket  406  and secured by a stiffening plate  324 . The lower finger bar  304  is mounted on mounting bracket  414 . Mount  412  allows the lower finger bar comb  304  to be mounted closer to or further from the cutter  308 . The shadow lines showing the cross sections of the two finger bars show how the fingers of the finger bar combs extend between the circular blades of the cutter. The support frame  208  for the cutter and pinch roller is also shown. The reason for having two sets of combs (or alternatively one comb with two sets of fingers having alternating bends—see  FIGS. 1A ,  2 A,  3 A,  4 A,  4 B and  FIGS. 14-17 ) is to have two sets of clean-out fingers and two “exist points” from the cutting blades—thus separating every other product slice by diverting one set to the bottom takeaway conveyor below and the alternating set to the upper takeaway conveyor above. 
     FIGS. 1A ,  2 A,  3 A,  4 A and  4 B show a single finger bar comb embodiment where the adjacent teeth or fingers alternate from bent to straight thereby forming two sets of fingers or teeth where each set addresses the cutter at different points which cleans-out and separates the slices diverting every other slice to the bottom take away conveyor and the remaining slices to the upper conveyor. The same is accomplished by the two finger bar embodiment where one has straight finger and the other has bent fingers and the two bars address the cutter at two different locations. 
   The fingers of the upper finger bar comb can be operable to divert a first set of sliced product onto a first take-away conveyor and the lower finger bar comb can be operable to divert a second set of sliced product onto a second take-away conveyor. The fingers of the upper finger bar and the fingers of the lower finger bar can be configured to extend into alternate spaces between the cutting blades. The embodiment as shown has stacked take away conveyors, which can best be seen in  FIG. 4B . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5A , a top plan view of the cutter assembly is shown. The lateral positioning of the lower and upper finger bar combs are shown. Further, the fingers  318  of the lower finger bar comb is shown extending into the spaces  316  between the cutting blades  310 . Also, the fingers  320  of the upper finger bar comb are shown extending into the alternate spaces  316  between the cutting blades. The finger spacing in a comb can be such that every other space between the cutter blades has a finger from that comb extended therein to address the cutter for cleaning out the product slices diverting them onto the takeaway conveyors. The remaining alternating spaces between the cutter blades can have the fingers from another finger bar extended therein. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5B  the relative vertical positions of the pinch roller  306 , the push roller  307  and the cutter  308  or cutting roller is shown. The cylindrical axis of the pinch roller and the cylindrical axis of the cutting roller can be parallel and can lie within a common plane. The relative positions of the pinch roller and the cutting roller can also be seen. The plane in which these two cylindrical axis lie can be angled between horizontal and vertical, such that the line of entry  201  is between horizontal and vertical. This view reveals the area  326  between the pinch roller and the push roller.  FIGS. 5C and 5D  reflect the single finger bar comb embodiment. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a top plan view and a front plan view of the upper finger bar comb is shown. The comb is shown with slotted cutouts  702  for adjustably mounting the finger bar comb onto the cutter assembly. The cutouts  702  are elongated to allow for length wise adjustment of the finger bar relative to the cutter determining how far the fingers extend into the spaces between the circular blades. This figure also reveals the plurality of fingers  320  which can extend between the circular blades of the cutter.  FIG. 8  shows a side view of the upper finger bar comb. The side view reveals a beveled end  806  which extends to a point  808 . The angle beta as identified by  802  reflects the angle of the bevel. The angle  802  of the bevel can vary to optimize the diverting of the product slices.  FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the upper finger bar comb  302 . The mounting position of the upper finger bar as shown in  FIG. 4  is such that the sliced product can be diverted onto the upper conveyor  109  and the mounting position of the lower finger bar is such that product is diverted to the lower conveyor. 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , a perspective view of the lower finger bar comb  304  is shown. The lower finger bar comb is shown with mounting slots  1009  and  1010  that are elongated to allow for adjustment of the finger bar comb. The lower finger bar comb is shown configured with teeth or fingers having multiple bends  1004  and  1006  and straight flat extensions  1005  and  1008 . The side view of the comb as shown in  FIG. 13  reveals the angular bends in the fingers of the lower finger bar comb  304 . One embodiment as shown provides a flat portion  1003 , which extends to the fingers at which extend and bend approximately 45 degree bend  1302  relative to the line of the flat surface  1003  extending to extension  1005  which then extends to a bend to at about approximately 90 degrees with respect to the line of  1003 . Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the fingers  318  of the lower finger bar comb are shown which can extend into the spaces between the blades of the cutter. Where the fingers address the cutter is adjustable using the elongated slots  1009 . 
   The process begins by conveying a whole muscle product toward the cutter assembly  110  with the in-feed conveyor  106 . the whole muscle product is conveyed along a path to engage the cutter assembly at the interface  326  of the pinch roller  306  and the push roller  307 . The pinch roller  306  having a ribbed roll surface  312  and the push roller  307  having a textured roll surface  314  comprising teeth intermeshed in relationship to the rib surface of the pinch roller grasps the whole muscle product and pushes the product through the cutter assembly. The whole muscle product is fed along a line of entry  201  or line of engagement into the engagement interface  326  of the pinch roller and the push roller. The whole muscle product is advanced to engage the cutter  308  or a rotatable cutting roller having a plurality of circular spaced apart blades or fins along the length of the cutting roller. The circular blades  310  are spaced apart along the length of the cutting roller forming cutting fins along the length of the roller. The whole muscle product is cut into product slices having a width defined by the space between adjacent cutting blades. 
   With the two finger bar embodiment, the fingers or teeth of the lower finger bar  304  will engage every other slice and divert every other slice to the lower takeaway conveyor  108 . The slices that are diverted to the lower conveyor are then conveyed away from the cutter assembly for further processing. The remaining slices are then diverted by the fingers or teeth of the upper finger bar  302  onto the upper takeaway conveyor  109 . The takeaway conveyor  109  will then convey the sliced product away from the cutter assembly for further processing. The process is such that immediately adjacent product slices are diverted to separate takeaway conveyors such that when the product slices are diverted to the takeaway conveyors there is adequate spacing between the product slices such that they do not adhere to the adjacent slice. This spacing facilitates further down line processing whereby the operator does not have to manually separate edges and slices. 
   With regard to the single comb embodiment, the single comb is designed with two separate sets of fingers or teeth that are bent or angled differently such that one set of teeth engages the meat slices prior to the second set of teeth. The single comb configuration performs the same task as the two comb configuration in that the first set of teeth diverts every other product slice to the lower takeaway conveyor and the second set of teeth diverts the remaining product slices to the upper takeaway conveyor. 
   In either the single comb or the two comb embodiments, the teeth of the comb extend into the space between adjacent cutting blades of the cutting roller. By extending into these spaces the fingers will engage the sliced meat product captured between the cutting blades thereby diverting the product slices. The angle  202  of the cutter assembly off-vertical and the line of engagement  201  of the whole muscle product facilitates diverting the product slices to an upper and lower conveyor. Addressing the cutter at two separate points of engagement diverts the cut product to the conveyors. 
   The approach angle or slope of the in-feed conveyor can also be adjusted to optimize the path of engagement for engaging the cutter assembly. The angle  202  of the cutter assembly can also be adjusted thereby adjusting the line of engagement  201  to optimize feeding a whole muscle product into the cutter. The relative height of the cutter assembly and the takeaway conveyors can also be adjusted in order to optimize the diverting or deflecting of the product slices onto the upper and lower conveyors. The two finger bar system shown in  FIG. 2  shows the upper and lower conveyor configuration. The takeaway conveyors extend to the cutter assembly to receive the diverted or deflected product slices.  FIG. 4  reveals the extension of the fingers by the lower finger bar  304  extending between the blades of the cutter  308 . The fingers are shown as shadow lines in  FIG. 4  that extend to the detecting point  420  as shown. Similarly, the fingers of the finger bar  302  are also shown extending between the cutter blade to a deflection point  422 . It is at these deflection points  420  and  422  that the product slashes are diverted to the lower and upper takeaway conveyors, respectively.  FIG. 4A  illustrates the single finger bar configuration having a first and second set of fingers extending between the cutter blades at two deflection points  424  and  426 . 
   The deflection point  424  is the location where the first set of fingers addresses the cutter and deflects product slices onto the lower takeaway conveyor. The second deflection point  426  is where the second set of fingers addresses the cutter and deflects the remaining product slices onto the upper takeaway conveyor.  FIG. 4B  provides a closer view of the cutter assembly in relationship to the upper and lower takeaway conveyors and the in-feed conveyor. 
   The shadow lines of the push roller and the pinch roller shown in  FIG. 4B  illustrates the product path as it travels through the cutter blade. The product is conveyed along the in-feed conveyor to engage the teeth of the push roller which in turn pushes the meat product into an engagement between the push roller and the pinch roller thereby advancing the whole muscle product into an engagement between the pinch roller and the cutter. The pinch roller pinches the whole muscle product against the blades of the cutter to thereby effect slicing the whole muscle product into thin product slices captured between the blades of the cutter. As the product slices are severed and captured between the blades of the cutter, the product slices are driven into engagement with the fingers of the finger bar which extend into the same spaces thereby deflecting the product slices and cleaning them out of the spaces between the cutter blades and diverting onto the takeaway conveyors. 
   The rotation of the cutter and the rollers are affected a motor  114  and belt system. The motor is sufficient to drive the whole muscle product through the cutter to be deflected onto the takeaway conveyors. 
     FIGS. 6 through 13  reveal the two finger bars of the two finger bar embodiment.  FIGS. 14 through 17  reveal the single finger bar embodiment. The single finger bar  303  is shown in  FIG. 3A  having its two set of fingers extending between the blades of the cutter. 
   The single finger bar  303  has elongated mounting slots  1404  and  1406  for lateral adjustment. The finger bar length  1402  transitions to the main panel of finger bar  1408  having the first set and the second set of fingers extending therefrom  1414  and  1412  respectively. The fingers extend from the main portion of the finger bar to a 45 degree bend  1410  and continues along a straight line  1418 . The first set of finger bar fingers  1414  or teeth continue along that line however, the second set of finger bars  1412  makes an additional bend at  1416  and then extends along a straight line. 
   The positions of the in-feed conveyor, the cutter assembly, and the take-away conveyor can be adjusted to optimize the in feed of product along the line of entry and the diverting of the product onto take away conveyors. As discussed above, the whole muscle product to be sliced can be flattened to the appropriated thickness to allow travel between the pinch roller and the cutter. The product can be placed on the in-feed conveyor for conveying the flattened product along the line of entry for engagement with the cutter. 
   The push roller can engage the product and push it through the interface between the pinch roller and the cutting roller. The pinch roller engages the product and pinches the product against the cutting roller and pulls the product through the pinching engagement. As the product travels through the cutting roller the product is sliced into thin slices. The upper and lower finger bars having fingers extending between the blades of the cutter can then divert separate alternate first and second sets of sliced product onto first and second take-away conveyors. The take away conveyors can take away the sliced and separated product slices to the next stage of processing. The same can be accomplished with a single finger bar having fingers or teeth extending between each of the blades where adjacent fingers alternate with different bends thereby addressing the cutter at different points. 
   The various cutter and separator apparatus and method examples shown above illustrate a novel method for separating the slices as the slices travel through the cutter. A user of the present invention may choose any of the above cutter and separator embodiments, or an equivalent thereof, depending upon the desired application. In this regard, it is recognized that various forms of the subject slicer and separator apparatus and method could be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications that do not depart from the sprit and scope of the present invention. 
   Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.