Food material decurling apparatus and method

An apparatus for substantially removing any curl imparted to individual slices of a food material comprising, in combination:

• a food material supply which is capable of containing a food material and which is capable of movement back and forth along a predetermined work path defining a food slicing direction and a return direction,
• a slicing knife interposed along the work path of said food material supply, the slicing knife being engaged by the food material in said food material supply when said food material supply moves in the food slicing direction, and
• first and second surfaces defining a constriction disposed adjacent said slicing knife, the first surface being a stationary surface disposed adjacent said slicing knife and the second surface being a moving surface disposed on a guide plate, the guide plate being positioned adjacent to said slicing knife and parallel to said work path, the moving surface moving in said food slicing direction, said moving surface being formed by a plurality of flexible bands enveloping a portion of the guide plate and being driven around said guide plate by a roller, the roller having a plurality of circumferential grooves disposed in an outer surface thereof, said guide plate including an exterior surface having a profile that approximates at least a part of said work path, said exterior surface of the guide plate further lying in opposition to said food material supply through a portion of its movement in said slicing and return directions, said exterior surface of the guide plate including a plurality of longitudinal grooves disposed therein, each of the longitudinal grooves having one of said plurality of flexible bands disposed therein, said longitudinal grooves guiding said flexible bands in driven movement over said guide plate substantially beneath said guide plate exterior surface, said guide plate also including a leading edge spaced-apart from said roller and which angles downwardly adjacent said moving surface and spaced from said stationary surface to further define said constriction, and said leading edge and moving surface extend beyond said slicing knife, said leading edge further directing said flexible bands in movement over said guide plate, whereby a food material slice deposited on said moving surface is passed through said constriction without a substantial curl.