Device for cutting continuous logs of dough

An apparatus for cutting a log of relatively soft pliable material comprising:

• a first conveyor having a flat surface for continuously advancing the log forward longitudinally,
• said first conveyor having its forward end curving downward around a horizontal axis,
• a wire cutting element,
• a movable holder tautly mounting the wire cutting element over and parallel to the first conveyor surface and transverse to the advancing log,
• means for moving the holder and wire cutting element in a generally D-shaped path of movement including a substantially straight vertically downward portion of movement to engage the wire cutting element with the first conveyor surface to sever a slice from the log and a return portion of movement beginning in a substantially forward horizontal movement at the end of the downward movement and ending in a rearward movement to return to the path of downward movement,
• said substantially straight vertically downward portion of movement being within or slightly in front of a vertical plane containing the horizontal axis of the forward end of the first conveyor,
• said moving means being selected in conjunction with the speed of the first conveyor so that the wire cutting element is disengaged and remains disengaged from the advancing newly formed edge of the log during the return movement, and
• a second conveyor having a nose end extending in close proximity to the forward end of the first conveyor and slightly below the first conveyor surface for receiving the slice from the end of the log.

An apparatus for cutting a log of relatively soft pliable material comprising:

• a conveyor having a flat surface for continuously advancing the log forward longitudinally,
• a wire cutting element,
• a movable holder tautly mounting the wire cutting element over and parallel to the conveyor surface and transverse to the advancing log,
• frame means extending over an exit end of the conveyor,
• a first horizontal shaft rotatably mounted in the frame and extending over the conveyor,
• a pair of swing arms pivotably mounted on the first shaft and extending downward therefrom,
• a pair of vertically extending push rods slidably mounted on the respective swing arms and including means supporting the movable holder on the bottom ends thereof,
• a pair of first cams mounted on the first shaft,
• a pair of first cam followers on the upper ends of the push rods for engaging the cams,
• spring means biasing the holder and push rods upward to hold the first cam follower means in engagement with the first cams,
• a second horizontal shaft rotatably mounted in the frame over the conveyor and extending adjacent to one sides of the swing arms,
• a pair of second cams mounted on the second shaft,
• a pair of second cam followers mounted on the swing arms for engaging the respective second cams,
• spring means for biasing the swing arms toward the second shaft to engage the second cam followers with the second cams,
• said first and second pairs of cams being designed for moving the holder and wire cutting element in a generally D-shaped path of movement including a substantially straight vertically downward portion of movement to engage the wire cutting element with the conveyor surface to sever a slice from the log and a return portion of movement beginning in a substantially forward horizonal movement at the end of the downward movement and ending in a rearward movement to return to the path of downward movement,
• drive means for rotating the first and second shafts in synchronism,
• said drive means and said first and second pairs of cams being selected in conjunction with the speed of the conveyor so that the wire cutting element is disengaged and remains disengaged from the advancing newly formed edge of the log during the return movement,
• means for assisting in discharge of the slice from the end of the log, and
• said discharge assisting means including a second conveyor for receiving the slice.