Work activated small bread slicing machine

A device for slicing single and multiple small bread items such as bagels, buns, and rolls, comprising:

• a housing;
• an inclined chute having a sliding surface for guiding said bread items;
• first and second rotary knives defining a cutting plane substantially parallel to the sliding surface;
• first and second knife motors for actuating said knives;
• first and second walls located at an upper end of said chute, each of said walls mounted on opposed sides of said chute;
• first and second knife shields located at the lower end of said chute adjacent said knives, each of said shields mounted on one of said opposed sides of said chute;
• first and second cowling posts mounted adjacent each of said shields;
• a knife cowling mounted on both said cowling posts, wherein the knives are located between the knife cowling and sliding surface;
• an electrical control circuit for the activation of said motors, the control circuit comprising a work sensing transmitter mounted on one of said walls and a work sensing receiver mounted on the other of said walls, said transmitter and receiver configured to sense the presence of said small bread item on the chute and to activate the motors when said bread item is sensed;
• the control circuit further comprising a metal strip mounted on said cowling and forming a cowling interlock with said posts, said cowling interlock providing an electrical continuity between said posts so as to permit activation of said motors and for preventing the activation of said motors when said cowling is removed from said device.