The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 23, 1999
Filed:
Nov. 27, 1996
Gary R Skaar, Marshall, WI (US);
Timothy T Watson, Waunakee, WI (US);
Greg C Wicke, Cambridge, WI (US);
Dennis G Flisram, Plainfield, WI (US);
Robert B Glennon, Sun Prairie, WI (US);
Larry C Gundlach, Madison, WI (US);
Kraft Foods, Inc., Northfield, IL (US);
Abstract
Apparatus, device and method for improved slicing of large food sticks, loaves and the like are provided. A slicing blade which has a top flat surface or top flat land width along its cutting edge provides generally longitudinal forces on the food product being sliced, which forces are in a direction generally opposite to the direction through which the food products are fed through a slicing apparatus. The slicing blade includes a bottom primary bevel land width surface and an advantageous primary angle for imparting improved stack and slice uniformity and for controlling package overfill. The slicing blade also exhibits a long slicing blade surface which follows an Archimedean spiral. The invention is particularly important in improving handling of large luncheon meat sticks, especially non-frozen, high water content and reduced fat content luncheon meat sticks. Fast feed rates can be practiced without experiencing jamming, yields are increased, slice and stack quality and sizing are made more consistent and repeatable, slicing line utilization is enhanced, and sanitary conditions are more easily maintained.