Self-centering slicer orifice for food loaf slicing machine

In a slicing machine for slicing loaves having a moving slicing blade and an orifice plate adjacent to a cutting path of the blade, the improvement comprising an orifice assembly having:

• a frame defining an opening;
• a first orifice-defining member and a second orifice-defining member mounted together slidably on said frame, together defining an orifice therebetween;
• an adjustment mechanism operatively connected to said frame and to each of said first and second orifice-defining members, said adjustment mechanism when adjusted changes the orifice dimension between said first and second orifice-defining members without substantially changing a centerline location of said orifice;
• wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a stud connected to said first orifice-defining member, and at least one link pivotally mounted to said frame, said stud engaged to one end of said link and said second orifice-defining member engaged to a respective other end of said link such that an inward movement of said stud pivots said link to draw said second orifice-defining member toward said first orifice-defining member;
• and
• wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises two links, each link pivotally connected to said frame on opposite sides of said stud, and two rods fixed to said second orifice-defining member on opposite sides of said stud, outside ends of said links engaged to heads of said rods and inside ends of said links engaged to said stud, inward movement of said stud drawing said rods outwardly to cause said first orifice-defining member and said second orifice-defining member to slide toward each other to decrease a width of said orifice.