Abstract:
A cheese slice product and a method of making such a cheese slice product are disclosed wherein the cheese slice product contains an array of relatively smaller pieces which are linked together by one or more unslit connecting segments, with the method being directed to incising a standard cheese loaf and subsequently slicing the incised cheese slice loaf into such an array of smaller pieces. Incision patterns are applied to a typical cheese loaf prior to the loaf entering the slicer and line conveying systems. After slicing the incised cheese loaf, an unslit portion in each slice holds the multiple segments in the slice in the dimensional shape of the cross section of the loaf.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/474,162, which is entitled “Method and Apparatus for Slicing Small Cheese Portions and Preparing Cheese Loaves for Slicing,” and which was filed on May 29, 2003, the entirety of which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to cheese products, and more particularly to a cheese slice product containing an array of relatively smaller pieces which are linked together by one or more unslit connecting segments, and to a method of incising a standard cheese loaf in preparation for slicing such an array of smaller pieces therefrom. 
     A typical cheese loaf has standard height, width, and length dimensions. The height and width of slices produced when a typical loaf is cut along a cross section correspond to the dimensions of the loaf. Problems arise when cheese slices having smaller dimensions than the typical cheese loaf are desired, since relatively small slices of cheese are not produced easily or efficiently with known high speed slicing equipment. Typically, slicing and handling small sizes of sliced cheese during the manufacturing process is difficult due to individual slices not maintaining their position relative to the other slices after being sliced from a large cheese loaf. 
     One process for producing relatively small slices includes pre-dividing a typical cheese loaf into respective, aligned smaller loaves such that when a cut is taken along a cross section of the aligned smaller loaves, slices having a size corresponding to the dimensions of the smaller loaves are produced. However, difficulties arise during several of the production steps of such a process. For example, during the cutting of the larger loaf into smaller loaves, splitting of the larger loaf may occur. Further, while transporting aligned smaller loaves toward a slicing apparatus, it may be difficult or impossible to maintain proper alignment. 
     Additionally, after slicing through the aligned smaller loaves, the resultant smaller slices do not transport easily during the subsequent packaging steps of production and will likely require additional line labor to produce. The individual smaller pieces may come off the slicer in various misplaced configurations, and individual small slices may not maintain their position relative to the other small slices during the conveying and packaging procedures. When misaligned layers of small slices are stacked upon each other, the stack is frequently both unstable and unattractive. Additionally, it is highly inefficient to move such a stack from the slicer area through other manufacturing steps (e.g. checkweighing, accumulation, and indexing) without the stack falling apart, rendering it unacceptable as a consumer product. 
     In addition, the sliced cheese-conveying medium is typically composed of a series of belts such as flat belts, o-ring belts, diverter flights, or table top-style conveyors, and stacks of relatively small cheese slices do not easily convey over all transfers or conveying media styles without stack skewing or partial or whole stack loss. To improve conveying, pieces of interleaving paper may be inserted under the stack or under the stack and between slice rows to help stabilize the stack. This reduces the cumulative effect of misplacement, and aids in making the conveying stacks appear to the conveying mechanisms as a single larger piece rather than individual small piece stacks. However, this practice yields inconsistent results. 
     It is accordingly the primary objective of the present invention that it facilitate the production of the smaller cheese segments which are increasingly desired by the consuming public. It is a related objective of the present invention that it provide cheese slices having a smaller segment size which may be manufactured on a large scale without experiencing the problems previously encountered in the manufacture of such small slice segments. It is yet another objective of the present invention that it be capable of producing smaller cheese slices in any of the variety of different shapes which may be desired by the consuming public. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention that the smaller cheese segments be capable of manufacture on a large scale, fully automated production basis not requiring additional labor which could add significantly to the cost of manufacture. It is a still further objective of the present invention that the smaller cheese segments be producible in precise and uniform sizes, thereby ensuring a high level of product quality suitable to a premium cheese product. It is another related objective of the present invention that it be susceptible to producing the small slice segments from standard size cheese loaves without requiring nonstandard sizes or resulting in waste. 
     The apparatus used to produce the cheese slices of the present invention must be of construction which is both dependable and durable, and it should also produce consistent product with little or no adjustment or maintenance required throughout its operating lifetime. In order to enhance the market appeal of the smaller size cheese slices of the present invention, they should also be of manufacturing cost comparable to conventional cheese slices to thereby afford them the broadest possible market. Finally, it is also an objective that all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives of the smaller cheese slices be achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention offers a solution to the above-noted problems by providing a unique cheese slice comprising an array of desired smaller pieces which is sliced from a cheese loaf having standard dimensions. The array retains the conveying characteristics of a larger slice, and the loaf retains characteristic slicing qualities. 
     The invention encompasses an apparatus and a method for partially incising a cheese loaf into at least two segments wherein the segments are joined by at least one unslit portion. 
     The invention also encompasses a cheese loaf having a longitudinal axis extending along its length, and at least one planar incision extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. The planar incision defines two loaf segments which are joined by an unslit portion. The planar incision extends from the exterior of the cheese loaf inwardly toward, but not completely to, either an oppositely disposed outer surface or an opposing planar incision, thereby forming loaf segments each having a cross section in the size and shape of a desired array slice. 
     The present invention further encompasses a sliced cheese product wherein an individual slice according to this invention comprises an array of at least two smaller portions. The sliced cheese product includes at least one incision defining the array of at least two relatively smaller portions, a selected relatively smaller portion being readily separable from the whole by the end consumer. 
     To accomplish the objectives of the present invention, incision patterns, which will be hereinafter illustrated, are applied to a typical cheese loaf prior to the loaf entering the slicer and line conveying systems. Preferred incision patterns act to partially incise a loaf along at least one generally longitudinal plane. The unslit portion defines a link between the loaf segments, which link initially holds the loaf segments in a generally unitized cheese loaf construction. After slicing the cheese loaf, the unslit portion holds the unitized slice array in the dimensional shape of the cross section of the loaf. 
     The unitized slice removed from the slicer includes an array of smaller pieces each being connected to at least one adjacent piece. The unslit portion holds the array of smaller pieces in a configuration that is easily handled by the subsequent processing apparatuses. The unitized cheese slice array readily fragments into its smaller segments when severed from the whole by a consumer who breaks the unslit portion. 
     A method of preparing loaves of cheese for slicing into the unitized cheese slice arrays described preferably includes use of a rotary cutter instead of the known methods of cheese cutting which use wires or blades that are intended to cut all the way through a cheese block to produce smaller portions. In contrast, the product and method of the present invention involves cutting partially through a cheese block to produce the effects described above. Cutters used in the present invention are necessarily positioned precisely to control the depth of incision. 
     When a slice array having four segments is desired, the incising blades preferably include two pairs of opposed, spaced apart incising blades. The incising blades are preferably spaced precisely to define a predetermined gap between each pair of blades. As a cheese loaf is passed between the spaced-apart incising surfaces, the predetermined gaps defines the mentioned unslit portion. Either single or multiple blades may be configured in any manner necessary to produce a predetermined incision pattern in the cheese loaf. The incision defines individual smaller pieces of a predetermined unitized cheese slice array configuration. 
     It may therefore be seen that the present invention facilitates the production of the smaller cheese segments which are increasingly desired by the consuming public. The smaller segment size cheese slices of the present invention may be manufactured on a large scale without experiencing the problems previously encountered in the manufacture of such small slice segments. The smaller segment size cheese slices of the present invention may be produced in any of a wide variety of different shapes which may be desired by the consuming public. 
     The smaller segment size cheese slices of the present invention are capable of manufacture on a large scale, fully automated production basis which does not require additional labor which would otherwise add significantly to the cost of manufacture. The smaller segment size cheese slices of the present invention are producible in precise and uniform sizes, thereby ensuring a high level of product quality suitable to a premium cheese product. The smaller segment size cheese slices of the present invention may be produced from standard size cheese loaves without requiring nonstandard sizes or resulting in waste. 
     The apparatus used to produce the cheese slices of the present invention is of a construction which is both dependable and durable, and it will also produce consistent product with little or no adjustment or maintenance required throughout its operating lifetime. The smaller size cheese slices of the present invention are also of manufacturing cost comparable to conventional cheese slices to enhance their market appeal and to thereby afford them the broadest possible market. Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives of the smaller cheese slices of the present invention are achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other advantages of the present invention are best understood with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a typical rectangular cheese loaf to be used with the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the cheese loaf of  FIG. 1A  longitudinally incised according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of the cheese loaf of  FIG. 1B  sliced into an array of cheese slices, and also shown one segment which has been separated from its cheese slice; 
         FIG. 1D  shows perspective views of cheese loaves with two alternative incision patterns; 
         FIG. 2  is a side plan view of a loaf incising apparatus which is constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an end plan view of the loaf incising apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 2 , showing an incising area which is defined by two pairs of spaced apart incising rotary blades; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary side view of the loaf incising apparatus illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , showing a standard cheese loaf moving in the direction of the horizontally disposed rotary blades; 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary side view similar to that of  FIG. 4 , but showing a cheese loaf engaging a guide roller, thereby moving a centering mechanism and attached horizontally disposed incising rotary blade to a predetermined position to incise the loaf at its midpoint; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary view, similar to those of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , but showing the aligned incising rotary blade partially incising the cheese loaf; 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary view, similar to those of  FIGS. 4-6 , but showing the incised cheese loaf moving away from the incising rotary blade and the centering mechanism returning to its first operating position; 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary top plan view of the loaf incising apparatus illustrated in  FIGS. 2-7 , showing a cheese loaf moving in the direction of a vertically disposed incising blade; 
         FIG. 9  is a fragmentary top plan view, similar to that of  FIG. 8 , showing a cheese loaf engaging a guide bar, thereby moving a centering mechanism and attached vertically disposed incising rotary blade to a predetermined position to incise the loaf at its midpoint; 
         FIG. 10  is a fragmentary view, similar to those of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , showing the aligned incising blade partially incising a cheese loaf; 
         FIG. 11  is a fragmentary view, similar to those of  FIGS. 8-10 , showing the incised cheese loaf moving away from the incising blade with the centering mechanism returning to its first operating position; 
         FIG. 12  is a somewhat schematic side view showing the mechanism for centering the horizontal incising blade relative to a cheese loaf as a cheese loaf travels in the direction of the arrow; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an incising blade of the type used with the loaf incising apparatus of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 14  is a cross section of the incising blade shown in  FIG. 13  which is taken along the line  14 - 14 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
     Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like elements throughout the figures, a loaf of cheese is generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . The cheese loaf  10  may be formed from any known natural cheese or process cheese product, including, by way of example, cheddar, provolone, Swiss, or the like. As may be seen particularly in  FIG. 1A , the cheese loaf  10  is a rectangular solid with a square cross section, and has an exterior surface  12  and a longitudinal axis  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1B , the cheese loaf  10  of  FIG. 1  has been incised to form an incised cheese loaf  10 A according to the present invention. The incised cheese loaf  10 A includes four longitudinally-extending planar incisions  18 . As may be seen, the planar incisions  18  are located in the four long faces of the exterior surface  12  and extends inwardly from the exterior surface  12  toward, but not completely to, a longitudinally-extending center line extending through the length of the incised cheese loaf  10 A. 
     But for the face that the planar incisions  18  do not extend to the center line, the incised cheese loaf  10 A would be sliced into four equal loaf segments  16  which are each rectangular solids having the same length as that of the cheese loaf  10 . The four loaf segments  16  are held together by an unslit portion  20 , which acts as a link between the loaf segments  16  and initially holds them in a generally unitized incised cheese loaf  10 A construction. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 1C , the incised cheese loaf  10 A containing the four planar incisions  18  is sliced longitudinally into a plurality of cheese slices  22 , each of which cheese slices  22  has the distinctive configuration shown. The array of cheese slices  22  according to the present invention will include at least two segments  24 , with four segments  24  being shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1B and 1C . As may be seen, the segments  24  are preferably linked by an undisturbed attachment portion  20 A. The attachment portion  20 A of the each cheese slice  22  connects four adjacent segments  24  in a configuration that will present to subsequent processing and handling apparatus as a single unitized cheese slice. It will be appreciated that each cheese slice  22  may be easily separated into smaller segments  24  as required by an end user. 
     As mentioned earlier, an aim of the invention is to give slicer and line conveying systems no apparent difference between large slices (slices the size of the entire cheese slice  22 ) and small slices (slices the size of the segments  24 ). The cheese slice  22  shown in  FIG. 1C  may be handled by conveying components (not shown herein) and a slicer (also not shown herein) as essentially the same as slices having similar outer dimensions, but without the planar incisions  18  separating the cheese slices  22  into segments  24 . The cheese slice  22  will present the same dimensions and handling characteristics (e.g. dimensional attributes, center of gravity, belt transference) to conveying components and a slicer as an unincised slice (not shown). 
     Two other incision patterns illustrated in  FIG. 1D , by way of additional examples, may be applied to cheese loaves  10  in accordance with the method and apparatus of the present invention for similar results, depending of course on the size and shape of initial cheese loaf and the size of cheese segments desired. Both of the cheese loaves  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1D  have rectangular rather than square cross-sections, and it is desired to form cheese slices having six rectangular segments of equal size each having a rectangular configuration as long as the cheese loaves  10  shown in  FIG. 1D  are high. The two different incision patterns illustrated in  FIG. 1D  are both designed to produce incised cheese loaves  10 A which may be sliced into cheese slices which will have the six rectangular segment configuration. Another possible incision pattern, which is not illustrated herein, would be to cut a plurality of planar incisions into a cylindrical cheese loaf, each planar incision ending sort of a longitudinal centerline, with cheese slices thereby containing a plurality of pie-shaped segments connected together with an attachment portion at the center of each slice. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the planar incisions  18  must leave an unslit portion  20  of sufficient size to hold the loaf segments  16  together during the subsequent processing of the incised cheese loaf  10 A into slices. Additionally, the attachment portion  20 A in the cheese slices  22  must be of sufficient size to hold the segments  24  of each cheese slice  22  together during subsequent handling and packaging processing. It has been determined that the unslit portion  20  of the incised cheese loaf  10 A or the attachment portion  20 A of the cheese slices  22  should be between approximately three-sixteenths of an inch long and three-quarters of an inch long, although the exact length will vary depending on the type of cheese and its characteristics (shorter lengths in softer cheeses and longer lengths in harder or brittle cheeses). Preferably, the unslit portion  20  or the attachment portion  20 A is between one-quarter of an inch long and one-half of an inch long. 
     The incised cheese loaf  10 A shown at the top of  FIG. 1D  has three planar incisions  18  extending upwardly from the bottom of the cheese loaf which alternate with two planar incisions  18  extending downwardly from the top of the cheese loaf, thereby producing six loaf segments  16  each having a rectangular cross-section as long as the incised cheese loaf  10 A is high. The six loaf segments  16  are held together by five unslit portions located between each pair of loaf segments  16 . The incised cheese loaf  10 A shown at the bottom of  FIG. 1D  has five planar incisions  18  extending upwardly from the bottom of the cheese loaf, thereby producing six loaf segments  16  each having a rectangular cross-section as long as the incised cheese loaf  10 A is high. The six loaf segments  16  are held together by five unslit portions located between each pair of loaf segments  16 . 
     Each of the incised cheese loaves  10 A shown in  FIG. 1D  may be sliced into arrays of slices  22  (not shown in  FIG. 1D ) presenting a similar appearance to slicer and line conveying systems as a stack made of large slices (slices the size of the entire rectangular cross-section of the incised cheese loaves  10 A). The actual pattern and depth of the planar incisions  18  are dependent on the type of cheese used, consumer preference, line performance, and final segment size desired. It will be appreciated that each cheese slice may be easily separated into smaller segments as required by an end user. 
     The apparatus and method for incising the cheese loaves  10  in the manner described above with reference to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C, are shown and described with reference to  FIGS. 2-11 . As may be seen, a preferred loaf incising apparatus  30  preferably includes at least one rotary incising blade  32 , with four such rotary incising blades  32 A,  32 B,  32 C,  32 D being shown (see particularly  FIG. 3 ) for making the planar incisions  18  (shown in  FIG. 1B ) in a cheese loaf  10  (also shown in  FIG. 1B ) having a square cross-section. Previously known methods of cheese cutting included the use of wires or blades (not shown herein) that are intended to cut all the way through a cheese loaf. While it is conceivable to use various other mechanical cutting devices to produce the incised cheese loaf  10 A of the present invention, the rotary incising blades  32 A,  32 B,  32 C,  32 D shown are preferred. 
     As may be seen particularly in the view of  FIG. 3 , the rotary incising blades  32 A and  32 B, which are positioned horizontally, and the rotary incising blades  32 C and  32 D, which are positioned vertically, are necessarily positioned precisely to control the depth of the planar incisions  18 , thereby controlling the dimension of the unslit portion  20  (shown in  FIG. 1B ). The rotary incising blades  32 A,  3 B,  32 C, and  32 D are preferably spaced precisely such that as a cheese loaf  10  is passed therethrough, and planar incisions  18  of predetermined depth are made, an unslit portion  20  (also shown in  FIG. 1B ) having predetermined dimension is also concurrently formed. 
     It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the multiple rotary incising blades  32 A,  32 B,  32 C, and  32 D may be configured in any manner necessary to produce the desired predetermined planar incisions  18 . For instance, with minor modification to the components supporting and powering the rotary incising blades  32 A,  32 B,  32 C, and  32 D the invention disclosed and discussed herein, the planar incisions  18  could be formed to create loaf segments  16  (also shown in  FIG. 1B ) which, when sliced, will contain segments  24  (also shown in  FIG. 1B ) which conform in size to conventionally sized and configured crackers (not shown herein). 
     Referring now primarily to  FIG. 2 , the various components of the preferred loaf incising loaf incising apparatus  30  of the present invention may be described. The loaf incising apparatus  30  includes a stationary, table-like support  34  which includes a continuously operating split conveyor  36  divided into two parallel belt sections  37  (best shown in  FIG. 3 ) which move the cheese loaf  10  during incising. The belt sections  37  are spaced apart to accommodate the vertical rotary incising blade  32 C positioned therebetween. The vertical incising action will be later described in connection with  FIGS. 8-11 . 
     The split conveyor  36  is supported on rollers  38  and  38 A, which are suspended between oppositely disposed, laterally extending, support arms  40 . The roller  38 A is conventionally toothed to engage and drive the split conveyor  36 . As may be particularly seen in  FIG. 3 , the rollers  38  and  38 A may preferably include upstanding flanges  42  located on the outer sides of the belt sections  37  and intermediate the two belt sections  37 . These upstanding flanges  42  guide the belt sections  37  and provide the desired spacing therebetween. 
     The belt sections  37  of the preferred embodiment further include spaced-apart flights or lugs  44  extending from the top sides thereof to facilitate moving the cheese loaves  10  toward the rotary incising blades  32 A,  32 B,  32 C, and  32 D. The flights  44  may be integrally formed with some of the individual conveyor links  46  in the belt sections  37 . Tensioning of the split conveyor  36  is preferably achieved by use of a weighted idler roller  48 . The split conveyor  36  is driven by a variable speed motor/speed regulator  50 , with the loaf incising apparatus  30  being controlled by known motor control units housed in an enclosure  52 . 
     Although the loaf incising apparatus  30  accepts a variety of sizes and dimensions of cheese loaves  10 , size variations are common among individual cheese loaves  10 . This inconsistency can cause unwanted variations in the precision of incision placement relative to individual cheese loaves  10 . To maintain a precise planar incision  18  depth and to maintain uniform unslit portions  20 , there is provided a mechanism for centering the rotary incising blades  32 A,  32 B,  32 C,  32 D relative to cheese loaves  10 . As may be seen, the loaf incising apparatus  30  is supplied with both vertical and horizontal mechanisms for centering the rotary incising blades  32 A,  32 B,  32 C, and  32 D. The centering mechanism for the horizontal rotary incising blades  32 A and  32 B and its operation is best shown in FIGS.  2  and  4 - 7 , while the centering mechanism for the vertical rotary incising blades  32 C and  32 D centering mechanism is best shown in  FIGS. 8-11 . 
     Referring now to FIGS.  2  and  4 - 7 , it may be seen that a support arm  82  is pivotally mounted near its midpoint at a pivot point  58  located at the top end of a stationary upright member  56 , which itself is mounted on the table-like support  34 . The support arm  82  has a counterweight  54  mounted at a first end thereof (shown on the right side in FIGS.  2  and  4 - 7 ). An L-shaped support member  64  includes a generally horizontal arm  68  (the base of the “L”) and a generally vertical arm  69  (the leg of the “L”). The L-shaped support member  64  is pivotally mounted at the distal end of the horizontal arm  68  to a second end of the support arm  82  (the end opposite the counterweight  54 ) at a pivot point  73 . 
     Also mounted from the support arm  82  is a blade locator bar  78 , which is pivotally mounted from the support arm  82  at a pivot point  80  which is located halfway between the pivot point  58  and the pivot point  73  on the support arm  82 . The blade locator bar  78  is supported on the table-like support  34  for movement generally up and down, and will raise and lower the height of the horizontal rotary incising blade  32 B as it moves up and down, respectively. 
     The L-shaped support member  64  is also supported for movement by a link member  66  which extends between the L-shaped support member  64  and the blade locator bar  78 . The link member  66  is pivotally attached at one end thereof to the vertical arm  69  of the L-shaped support  64  at a pivot point  74  which is located at an intermediate location on the vertical arm  69 . The other end of the link member  66  is pivotally attached to the blade locator bar  78  at a pivot point  81  which is located at an intermediate location on the blade locator bar  78 . 
     It will be noted that the distance between the pivot point  73  and the pivot point  74  is approximately the same as the distance between the pivot point  80  and the pivot point  81 . Likewise, the distance between the pivot point  73  and the pivot point  80  is approximately the same as the distance between the pivot point  74  and the pivot point  81 . The relative positions of the linkages are thereby maintained in parallel relationship to provide a generally parallelogram configuration. This configuration is maintained as the locator bar  78  and the horizontal rotary incising blade  32 B are raised or lowered by the action of the L-shaped support member  64 . Although it is not shown in the same level of detail in the drawings, a similar mechanism is used on the other side of the loaf incising apparatus  30  to raise and lower the horizontal rotary incising blade  32 A. 
     A cheese-engaging roller  60  is rotatably mounted on the L-shaped support member  64  (and on a similar member on the other side of the loaf incising apparatus  30 ) at the corner of the “L.” The cheese-engaging roller  60  functions to initially engage an incoming cheese loaf  10  moving in the direction of the horizontal arrow (labeled “A” in  FIG. 2 ), thereby detecting the height of the incoming cheese loaf  10 . As an individual cheese loaf  10  engages the cheese-engaging roller  60 , the height of the cheese loaf  10  is translated via the mechanism described above to center the horizontal incisions. The horizontal arm  68  (and a similar member on the other side of the loaf incising apparatus  30 ) has at its distal end  70  a roller  72  of similar size as the cheese-engaging roller  60 , which serves to maintain the position of the horizontal rotary incising blades  32 A and  32 B respective to the cheese loaf  10  during incising. 
     As mentioned above, the blade locator bar  78  is located intermediate the pivot point  58  and pivot point  73 . It is preferred that the pivot point  80  connecting the blade locator bar  78  to the support arm  82  be positioned at a point halfway between the pivot point  58  and pivot point  73  such that when the cheese-engaging roller  60  is moved vertically a predetermined distance by the engagement of a cheese loaf  10 , so the horizontal rotary incising blades  32 A are moved half the distance, thus centering the horizontal rotary incising blades  32 A relative to the cheese loaf  10 . A somewhat schematic view showing the principle of this operation is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the first end of the support arm  82  (the end not connected to the L-shaped support member  64 ) is extended outwardly and carries the counterweight  54 . Location of the counterweight  54  may be adjusted relative to the first end of the support arm  82  to adjust a counterbalancing moment arm. An adjustment mechanism  88 , which is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 2 , is provided to make this adjustment. 
     With respect to the horizontal rotary incising blades  32 A and  32 B and as seen particularly in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it may be observed that a flexible shaft  90 , which is connected to a variable speed power source  92 , drives a drive gear  94 . As seen particularly in  FIG. 3 , the drive gear  94  is intermeshed with a mating gear  96 , and the drive gear  94  and the mating gear  96  together transfer rotational motion via drive shafts  130  and  132 , respectively, to the horizontal rotary incising blades  32 A and  32 B, respectively. 
     Centering of the vertical rotary incising blades  32 C and  32 D may be understood with reference to  FIGS. 8-11 , with the rotary incising blade  32 D being visible in these views. A parallelogram configuration, similar to the above-described configuration used to maintain centering of the horizontal rotary incising blades  32 A and  32 B, maintains centering of the vertical rotary incising blades  32 C and  32 D relative to a cheese loaf  10 . As seen in  FIG. 8 , a cheese loaf  10  moves in the direction of the arrow A toward the vertical rotary incising blades  32 C (not shown in  FIG. 8) and 32D . A stationary rail  98  guides one side of the cheese loaf  10  as it approaches the rotary incising blades  32 C and  32 D. 
     An opposing movable rail  100  transmits width-aligning pressure to a mechanism for vertical blade centering of the vertical rotary incising blades  32 C and  32 D. The movable rail  100  is arranged to initially engage the other side of the incoming cheese loaf  10  moving in the direction of the arrow A and detect the width of the cheese loaf  10 . As the cheese loaf  10  engages the movable rail  100 , the movable rail  100  will be moved in the direction of the arrow B (shown in  FIG. 9 ) to accommodate the width of the cheese loaf  10 . 
     It should be noted that while the stationary rail  98  and the movable rail  100  may be of any length, in the preferred embodiment they are at least as long as the cheese loaves  10  which will be processed in the loaf incising apparatus  30  of the present invention. By making the stationary rail  98  and the movable rail  100  of sufficient size, it is ensured that they will contact and provide support for the cheese loaves  10  throughout the incising process. Further, and as illustrated in the figures, the stationary rail  98  and the movable rail  100  are preferably each supplied with a plurality of rollers  99  on the sides thereof which will face the cheese loaves  10 , thereby reducing friction on the cheese loaves  10  as they move in the direction of the arrow A. 
     The movement of the movable rail  100  is translated to the vertical rotary incising blades  32 C and  32 D by mechanical linkages which will now be described. A laterally extending member  101  extends orthogonally from the side of the movable rail  100  on the side thereof opposite the side of the movable rail  100  which contacts the cheese loaves  10 . A stationary support bar  108  is mounted on the table-like support  34  in spaced-away relationship to the laterally extending member  101  past the far end of the movable rail  100  where the cheese loaves  10  exit the incising process. 
     A first link member  102  is pivotally attached at one end thereof to the stationary support bar  108  at a pivot point  110  which is located at the end of the stationary support bar  108  nearest the edge of the table-like support  34 . The other end of the first link member  102  is pivotally attached to the laterally extending member  101  at a pivot point  104  which is located at the distal end of the laterally extending member  101 . A second link member  103  is pivotally attached at one end thereof to the stationary support bar  108  at a pivot point  111  which is located at the end of the stationary support bar  108  nearest the center of the table-like support  34 . The other end of the second link member  103  is pivotally attached to the laterally extending member  101  at a pivot point  105  which is located near the proximal end of the laterally extending member  101  (the end which is connected to the movable rail  100 ). 
     It will be noted that the distance between the pivot point  110  and the pivot point  111  is approximately the same as the distance between the pivot point  104  and the pivot point  105 . Likewise, the distance between the pivot point  104  and the pivot point  110  is approximately the same as the distance between the pivot point  105  and the pivot point  111 . The relative positions of the linkages are thereby maintained in parallel relationship to provide a generally parallelogram configuration. This configuration is maintained as the movable rail  100  moves laterally to the left or right to accommodate larger or smaller cheese loaves  10 . 
     A blade-positioning mechanism indicated generally by the reference numeral  112  is coupled to the second link member  103  at a pivot point  114 . The pivot point  114  is located at a predetermined position intermediate the pivot point  105  and the pivot point  111 . It is preferred that the pivot point  114  be positioned at a point halfway between the pivot point  105  and the pivot point  111  such that as the movable rail  100  is moved a predetermined lateral distance by the engagement of a cheese loaf  10 , the blade positioning block  112  and the attached vertical rotary incising blades  32 C and  32 D are moved half the lateral distance, thereby centering the vertical rotary incising blades  32 C and  32 D relative to the cheese loaf  10 . 
     As is further evident in  FIGS. 8-11 , the centering mechanism for the vertical rotary incising blades  32 C and  32 D is provided with an adjustable biasing mechanism including a coil spring  116  to return the centering mechanism to its initial position after the cheese loaf  10  has been fully incised. An axially movable threaded adjustment mechanism  118  is mounted on the blade-positioning mechanism and serves to adjust the initial compression of the coil spring  116 . 
     With respect to the vertical rotary incising blades  32 C and  32 D and as seen particularly in  FIG. 3 , it may be observed that a flexible shaft  120 , which is connected to the variable speed power source  92 , drives a drive gear  122 . As further seen in  FIG. 3 , the drive gear  122  is intermeshed with a mating gear  124 , and the drive gear  122  and the mating gear  124  together transfer rotational motion via drive shafts to the vertical rotary incising blades  32 C and  32 D. 
     It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, while the centering mechanism for the horizontal rotary incising blades  32 A and  32 B and the vertical rotary incising blades  32 C and  32 D shown in the figures is preferred, other centering mechanisms may be utilized instead. Further, while four rotary incising blades  32 A,  32 B,  32 C, and  32 D represent the preferred embodiment, any number or arrangement of incising blades may be utilized depending on the number and arrangement of the planar incisions  18  desired. 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14  is an example of a rotary incising blade  32  of the preferred embodiment which may be used in conjunction with the loaf incising apparatus  30  described herein. The preferred rotary incising blade  32  is fabricated from a waffled type or rigidized stainless steel material having a plurality of convex areas  126  and corresponding concave areas  128 . This arrangement reduces friction on the cheese loaf  10  during the incising process. Further, since the rotary incising blades  32 A,  32 B,  32 C, and  32 D are powered by variable speed devices, as mentioned earlier, they may be driven at a speed somewhat faster than that of the conveyor  36 . This feature, in conjunction with the convex areas  126  and the concave areas  128  allows the rotary incising blades  32 A,  32 B,  32 C, and  32 D to pull a cheese loaf  10  through the apparatus  30  during the incision process. 
     It may therefore be appreciated from the above detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention that it facilitates the production of the smaller cheese segments which are increasingly desired by the consuming public. The smaller segment size cheese slices of the present invention may be manufactured on a large scale without experiencing the problems previously encountered in the manufacture of such small slice segments. The smaller segment size cheese slices of the present invention may be produced in any of a wide variety of different shapes which may be desired by the consuming public. 
     The smaller segment size cheese slices of the present invention are capable of manufacture on a large scale, fully automated production basis which does not require additional labor which would otherwise add significantly to the cost of manufacture. The smaller segment size cheese slices of the present invention are producible in precise and uniform sizes, thereby ensuring a high level of product quality suitable to a premium cheese product. The smaller segment size cheese slices of the present invention may be produced from standard size cheese loaves without requiring nonstandard sizes or resulting in waste. 
     The apparatus used to produce the cheese slices of the present invention is of a construction which is both dependable and durable, and it will also produce consistent product with little or no adjustment or maintenance required throughout its operating lifetime. The smaller size cheese slices of the present invention are also of manufacturing cost comparable to conventional cheese slices to enhance their market appeal and to thereby afford them the broadest possible market. Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives of the smaller cheese slices of the present invention are achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage. 
     Although the foregoing description of the present invention has been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiments and applications disclosed. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, variations, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The particular embodiments and applications were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such changes, modifications, variations, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.