Importance

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Abstract

A device for separating slices of bread from sliced loaves of bread and for transferring the separated slices one by one to a conveyor for further processing. The device incorporates an inclined, intermittently driven infeed conveyor for conveying the slices of bread in generally upright positions and in surface-to-surface contact with one another to a separating and transfer position. The separating and transfer position incorporates a primary rotatable member which rotates about its horizontally extending central axis. The primary rotatable member carries a plurality, for example, four, of secondary rotatable members, each of which rotates about its longitudinal central axis, which is spaced outwardly from and extends generally parallel to, the longitudinal central axis of the primary rotatable member. Each secondary rotatable member has a plurality of pins or wires projecting outwardly therefrom, and the pins or wires are adapted to permit the secondary rotatable member to serve as a transfer element for a slice of bread, after the slice of bread has been impaled onto such pins or wires. A drive mechanism is provided to rotate each secondary rotatable member in an opposite direction, and at a predetermined rate of rotational speed relative to the primary rotatable member.

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First Claim