Machine for slicing sausage and applying the slices to pizza in a predetermined pattern

Claim 2

A machine for slicing and applying sausage or the like to pizza or the like comprising: supply means for receiving the sausage in the form of sticks and supporting them with their ends exposed; a support on which the pizza is supported in a plane spaced from the supply means and from the lower ends of the sticks therein; a cutting means located adjacent one side of the supply means; and means for moving the sausage sticks supply means and the support simultaneously so as to move the exposed ends of the sticks into cooperation with the cutting means which cuts slices therefrom and applies them to the pizza on said support.

Claim 3

A machine according to claim 1, including: a carriage reciprocably mounted on a base; said carriage being provided with the supply means in the form of an upright hopper for receiving the sticks with their axes substantially vertical and projecting from the lower end of the hopper; said carriage also being provided with the support means in the form of a substantially horizontal plate spaced below the hopper, a support and guide unit in which said carriage is reciprocably mounted; said cutting means being carried adjacent one side of said hopper so that the carriage when moved in one direction of its reciprocation will move into association therewith.

Claim 4

A machine according to claim 2 in which the cutting means comprises a cutting band movable across said support and guide unit in a transverse direction and having a cutting edge which extends toward the carriage when it is in its initial position.

Claim 5

A machine according to claim 3 in which a first sausage stick support plate is carried on said support and guide unit and is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane beneath said hopper and above said pizza support plate for engaging the lower ends of the sausage sticks when the carriage is in its initial position so as to support the sticks, said support plate supporting the pizza at a lower level which is below the level of said cutting band, a second plate carried on said support and guide unit ahead of said first plate in the direction of movement of the carriage from its initial position and in substantially a common horizontal plane therewith, said second plate being spaced ahead of the first plate to provide a transverse slot in which said cutting band travels.

Claim 6

A machine according to claim 4 in which the band is tilted forwardly and downwardly in the direction of travel of the carriage with a rear cutting edge above the forward or leading edge of said first plate.

Claim 7

A machine according to claim 5 in which the rear cutting edge of the band is disposed over a downwardly inclined bevelled surface on the forward leading edge of said first plate.

Claim 8

A machine according to claim 6 in which the adjacent edges of said first and second plates are vertically adjustable to accurately position them relative to said cutting band.

Claim 9

A machine according to claim 7 in which said band is in the form of an endless band carried by pulleys at opposite sides of said support and guide unit, said pulleys having their axis tilted to support the band in tilted position, said band having its upper run travelling in said slot.

Claim 10

A machine according to claim 8 in which said pulleys are supported by relatively adjustable supports on said unit to permit adjustment of the tension on said band.

Claim 11

A machine according to claim 9 in which the hopper is provided with a weight for engaging the sticks and forcing them by gravity downwardly through the hopper.