Bread slicing machine

Apparatus for slicing a loaf of bread having a top and a bottom, said apparatus comprising:

• a frame,
• first and second drums rotatably coupled to the frame, said drums being aligned in a vertical plane;
• at least one endless slicing band having a cutting edge and being passed around the first and second drums so that the band forms a figure-eight with an up leg and a down leg and the cutting edge of the band up leg faces in the same direction as the cutting edge of the band down leg;
• means for rotating said first drum to drive said slicing band in a circle so that the cutting edge of the band up leg and the cutting edge of the band down leg cross each other at a point and the cutting edges have a horizontal velocity at the crossing point so that the cutting edges can engage and pull the loaf through the crossing point at a predetermined velocity;
• and
• guide means for receiving the loaf in a substantially upright position with the loaf top above the loaf bottom and for rotating the loaf approximately ninety degrees so that the loaf bottom faces the slicing band;
• and
• means for horizontally conveying the rotated loaf at the predetermined velocity, said conveying means being positioned to convey the loaf into the slicing band at the crossing point.