Slicer

A machine for slicing a food product such as bagels, the machine having a hopper of food product on a platform and a cutting blade which are cycled to move toward and away from each other and having a source of motor power for powering the blade and moving the hopper and blade relative to one another through a cycle having (i) a first phase during which the blade and hopper are moved into engagement and during which cutting occurs, and (ii) a second phase during which the blade and hopper are moved out of engagement, the improvement comprising:

• an spring arm coupled to the source of motor power to move the hopper and blade relative to one another through the first phase,
• said arm being extendable as a function of the axial force exerted on said arm when cutting during the first phase,
• said arm extending in length to limit the force between the cutting blade and the food product in the hopper during the first phase of the cycle,
• the cutting blade engaging and cutting the food product during the second phase when said arm is extended, the duration of said cutting during the second phase being a function of the amount by which said arm is extended,
• wherein, when the arm is extended during the second phase and the slicing of the food product is not completed, the cycle is repeated until the food product is sliced.