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.

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 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 slicing machine for foodstuffs in block form has a slicing blade for the foodstuff in block form and a shaft for receiving the foodstuff. The longitudinal direction of the shaft corresponds to the feed direction of the foodstuff in block form. The shaft has a first shaft region and a second shaft region which are at least partially separated from one another by a slot. At least one offset lies between the two shaft regions. The two shaft regions can be moved relative to one another such that the offset can be reduced by the movement.

The present invention relates to an installation (I) for cutting food products which are in the form of elongated loaves (P) and which comprises: at least one assembly (E) comprising at least one chute (1) or magazine for receiving a loaf (P) of food product, this chute (1) having the form of an elongated compartment, generally directed from top to bottom, and configured to receive said loaf (P) via its open upper end (11), with the possibility of sliding so as to direct it towards and beyond its open lower end, under the effect of its own weight; a generally horizontal tray, arranged at a distance from the lower end of said chute (1), and a cutting blade arranged near this tray; displacement means of said assembly configured to alternatively guide said lower end near said tray so that said blade interacts with said loaf and executes its cutting.

It is especially characterized in that that it comprises on the one hand a storage unit (S) of food loaves (P) and on the other hand mechanized and/or automated means (5; 6) for picking-off at least one loaf (P) from said storage unit (S) and for transferring and loading it in said chute (1), via its open upper end (11).

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.

An apparatus for cutting bread into slices includes at least one circular blade which rotates in a cutting plane and is guided between a feed section feeding the bread to be sliced to the blade and a removal section receiving the cut slices of bread. At least one advancing device advances the bread from the feed section towards the knife. The advancing device is designed such that, between two cutting instances, it advances the uncut bread and then withdraws it such that the actually exposed front end of the uncut bread is advanced across the cutting plane by an advance path greater than the predetermined slice thickness and is then withdrawn counter to the direction of advance of the bread.

A system and method for cutting a bread loaf into sandwiches comprising two partially connected slices of bread with a pocket there between. The system and method comprise measuring the outline of the bread loaf and cutting a sandwich pocket as well as cutting a sandwich off the bread loaf, according to a predetermined sandwich width or per user's preferences.