The automated assembly and manufacture of a sandwich includes a number of robots that are used to slice, open, and add inputs to a roll of bread. The inputs may be sliced and portioned at individual stations and then the inputs can be delivered to the bread or the bread can be conveyed to the inputs. In either sense, the selected inputs are added to the bread, based on the type of sandwich to be assembled. The assembled sandwich is then conveyed to a packaging station, where the sandwich is packaged, labeled, and prepared for shipment.

The invention concerns a bread slicer with an input compartment (1) for a loaf of bread (2) and a set of blades (5) designed for cutting a loaf of bread (2) and cooperating with a push block (7) which enables the loaf (2) to be pushed through the set of blades (5) to an output table (8). The invention is characterized in that the output table (8) has a bag holder for keeping open a packing bag (10) with the opening (11) facing the set of blades (5), the push block (7) being arranged to push at least a part of the sliced loaf (2) so as to introduce it at least partially in the packing bag (10).

The automated assembly and manufacture of a submarine sandwich includes a number of robots that are used to slice, open, and add inputs to a roll of bread. The inputs may be sliced and portioned at individual stations and then the inputs can be delivered to the bread or the bread can be conveyed to the inputs. In either sense, the selected inputs are added to the bread, based on the type of sandwich to be assembled. The assembled sandwich is then conveyed to a packaging station, where the sandwich is packaged, labeled, and prepared for shipment.

A compressor includes an inlet and the inlet includes a flange and an impeller eye. The flange is connected to a suction line that transfers a refrigerant into the compressor via the impeller eye. The refrigerant flows into the compressor with an amount of swirl and a pressure loss. The suction line includes a geometry that includes a constantly decreasing cross-sectional area in a direction towards the compressor. The geometry of the suction line is configured to reduce the amount of swirl and the pressure loss.

The present invention relates to the field of automated food preparation. Specifically, the present invention is a system and method for processing sub style sandwich breads and sandwiches.

A bread cutting machine has a circular blade that is moveable in a guide gap through an extension gap of a machine housing from a waiting position into a cutting space. When the blade is in the waiting position, the guide gap is coverable by a rocker displaceable away from the guide gap simultaneously with the extension of the blade from the waiting position, whereby the guide gap is opened. A cover plate is rigidly fastened to a side surface of the rocker, projects vertically away from the rocker, and covers the extension gap whenever the blade is in the waiting position. By a positive guide, the cover plate is moveable away from the extension gap simultaneously with the movement of the rocker, whereby the extension gap is opened.

An installation (I) for cutting food products in the form of elongated loaves (P). The installation includes at least one assembly (E) with at least one chute or magazine for receiving a loaf (P). The chute has the form of an elongated compartment configured to receive the loaf (P) via its open upper end, with the possibility of sliding so as to direct it towards and beyond its open lower end. A generally horizontal tray is arranged at a distance from the lower end of the chute with a cutting blade arranged near the tray. A displacement mechanism alternatively guides the lower end so that said blade interacts the loaf and executes its cutting. Also included is a storage unit (S) and a mechanised and/or automated unit for picking-off at least one loaf (P) from the storage unit (S) and for transferring and loading it in the chute.

A cutting device includes a first blade having a first sharp edge aligned in a first direction, and a second blade having a second sharp edge aligned in a second direction, opposite the first direction. The second blade is oriented adjacently in proximity with the first blade so that they may slide closely besides one another. The first sharp edge has a first concavely-curved indent, and the second sharp edge has a second concavely-curved indent aligned opposite the first concavely-curved indent. The first and second concavely-curved indents form an opening between the first sharp edge and the second sharp edge. The opening is adapted to receive a pill for cutting when the first blade is moved in the first direction and the second blade is concurrently moved in the second direction, which effectively splits the pill for precise dosing and reduced waste.

A bread cutting machine for bread has a receiving surface for receiving the bread to be cut, wherein the receiving surface has a first edge and an opposite second edge, and defines a receiving plane; a cutting device with an array of cutting blades placed at or near the first edge of the receiving surface, wherein the array of cutting blades defines a first plane; and a pushing device configured for pushing the bread to be cut along the receiving surface in a pushing direction extending between the first and second edges of the receiving surface, towards and/or beyond the cutting device. The pushing device includes a push surface for contacting the bread to be cut during pushing thereof. The push surface and/or the first plane are at an acute angle with respect to the pushing direction.

A bagel slicer includes a frame. A pusher assembly translates along a slicing path within the frame between an open position and a sliced position. At least one blade is positioned within the slicing path. Movement of the pusher assembly along the slicing path from the open position to the sliced position translates a bagel along the slicing path about the at least one blade to slice the bagel. Movement of the pusher assembly along the slicing path from the sliced position to the open position returns the sliced bagel to the open position of the pusher assembly.