Slicing machine with cross transfer device for loading outside the machine and loading method for a slicing machine

A slicing machine for slicing a piece of product from a foodstuff into slices, comprising:

• a base frame,
• a forming tube channel fastened to the base frame and extending in a longitudinal direction, with an open longitudinal side and a channel cavity open at both ends,
• at least one cross press stamp which can be inserted into the open longitudinal side of the forming tube channel in a first transverse direction to form a circumferentially closed forming tube,
• at least one longitudinal press stamp which can be inserted into the forming tube from a rear end for advancing as well as longitudinally pressing the product piece located therein in a feeding direction toward a cutting end of the forming-tube tube,
• a cutting device with a blade which is arranged in front of the cutting end of the forming tube and is displaceable in a transverse direction relative to the forming tube,
• a loading device for loading the forming tube channel which is open on the longitudinal side,
• wherein
• the loading device comprises a transfer device which supports the forming tube channel and which is capable of transferring the forming tube channel from a loading position further away from an upright longitudinal center plane of the at least one cross press-stamp in transfer direction transverse to the feed direction to a slicing position in which the longitudinal center plane runs between side walls of the forming tube channel.