Food slicing apparatus for a food processing line

A drive system for a food slicing apparatus comprising:

• a precision motion creator;
• gears operatively connected to said motion creator;
• a link having first and second end portions, said first end portion being operatively mounted to said gears;
• a cam element mounted to said second end portion of said link;
• a cam follower element including a slot for receiving said cam element;
• and
• a quick connect and disconnect connector for engaging said cam follower element and a food transporting assembly.

A drive system for a food slicing apparatus, where said apparatus includes a conveyor system for moving a series of bases, a pair of rails and a control system, said drive system comprising:

• a precision motion creator located above said conveyor system;
• gears operatively connected to said motion creator;
• a link having first and second end portions, said first end portion being operatively mounted to said gears;
• a cam mounted to said second end portion of said link;
• a cam follower movable along said pair of rails;
• and
• a connector for engaging said cam follower and a food transporting assembly, said food transporting assembly also being movable along said pair of rails whereby food product transported by said food carrier assembly is deposited upon said moving bases.

A latching and slice thickness adjustment system for a food slicing apparatus, the food slicing apparatus having a frame and a carriage pivotally connected to the frame, the latching and slice thickness adjustment system comprising:

• a latch element movably mounted to said carriage;
• a first engagement element for moving said latch element in a generally horizontal direction;
• and
• a second engagement element for restraining said carrier and for moving said latch element in a generally vertical direction.

A slicing blade tensioning system for a food slicing apparatus, the food slicing apparatus having a frame, said slicing blade tensioning system comprising:

• a driver drum mounted to a shaft extending from a first side of the frame;
• a motor operatively connected to said driver drum;
• a driven drum slidably mounted to a shaft extending from a second side of the frame;
• a blade mounted to said driver drum and to said driven drum;
• and
• a rotatable handle having a cam surface, said handle being connected to said driven drum wherein said rotatable handle bears against an abutment surface and when rotated, said cam causes said driven drum to be moved relative to said shaft extending from the second side of the frame.

A food slicing apparatus comprising:

• a support structure;
• a cutting blade connected to said support structure;
• a food holding structure movably mounted to said support structure;
• and
• a compact drive system connected to said food holding structure for moving said food holding structure relative to said cutting blade, said compact drive system being mounted to said support structure and said drive system including a precision motion generator, a connected crank, a cam connected to said crank, a cam follower plate connected to said cam and a connector, said connector for engaging and easily disengaging said cam follower plate and said food holding structure.