Loaf seam synchronization device for continuous loaf feed slicing machine

In a continuous loaf feed high speed food loaf slicing machine comprising a slicing station including a knife blade and a knife blade drive driving the knife blade along a predetermined cutting path, and a loaf support for supporting a first food loaf and a second food loaf for movement along parallel first and second loaf paths, respectively, into the slicing station for repetitive slicing of both loaves by the knife blade, wherein third and fourth loaves to be sliced are loaded on said first and second loaf paths directly behind said first and second food loaves respectively, with leading ends of said third and fourth loaves abutting trailing ends of said first and second loaves respectively, the improvement comprising:

• a loaf feed drive adjacent to the cutting path for advancing an unsliced portion of the first food loaf and an unsliced portion of the second food loaf along the loaf path;
• and
• a clamp device arranged to grip both the first and second loaves on the first and second loaf paths, said clamp device arranged to translate on the first and second loaf paths to move from a home position for receiving said first and second loaves to a feed position closer to the cutting path wherein ends of said first and second loaves are engaged by the loaf feed drive, wherein once the first and second loaves are engaged by the loaf feed drive, the clamp device disengages from the first and second loaves;
• said clamp device comprises a carriage that is arranged to translate along the first and second loaf paths on at least one elongated guide member, at least one pneumatic cylinder having a press member and mounted to said carriage, and a stop member mounted to said carriage, at least one of said first and second loaves located between said stop member and said press member, said pneumatic cylinder actuatable to clamp at least one of said first and second loaves between said stop member and said press member.

In a continuous loaf feed high speed food loaf slicing machine comprising a slicing station including a knife blade and a knife blade drive driving the knife blade along a predetermined cutting path, and a loaf support for supporting a first food loaf and a second food loaf for movement along parallel first and second loaf paths, respectively, into the slicing station for repetitive slicing of both loaves by the knife blade, wherein third and fourth loaves to be sliced are loaded on said first and second loaf paths directly behind said first and second food loaves respectively, with leading ends of said third and fourth loaves abutting trailing ends of said first and second loaves respectively, the improvement comprising:

• a loaf feed drive adjacent to the cutting path for advancing an unsliced portion of the first food loaf and an unsliced portion of the second food loaf along the loaf path;
• and
• a clamp device arranged to grip both the first and second loaves on the first and second loaf paths, said clamp device arranged to translate on the first and second loaf paths to move from a home position for receiving said first and second loaves to a feed position closer to the cutting path wherein ends of said first and second loaves are engaged by the loaf feed drive, wherein once the first and second loaves are engaged by the loaf feed drive, the clamp device disengages from the first and second loaves;
• a loaf gate disposed between said first and second loaves and the loaf feed drive when the clamp device is in the home position, leading ends of said first and second loaves pressing against said loaf gate, said loaf gate actuatable to clear the first and second loaf paths to permit said first and second loaves to proceed toward said loaf feed drive, as said clamp device translates along said first and second loaf paths.