Abstract: Machines for cutting products and impellers suitable for use therein. Such an impeller includes a lower plate and paddles configured with the lower plate to direct material placed on the lower plate in a radially outward direction of the impeller under the influence of centrifugal forces when the impeller is rotated. At least one of the paddles has an outer radial extent that is adjacent a perimeter of the lower plate. At least a first exit hole is located in the lower plate and has a wall section that completely closes the first exit hole along the perimeter at an upper surface of the lower plate. The first exit hole extends through the lower plate to define a passageway connected to the upper surface to enable foreign debris at the upper surface to exit the impeller through the passageway.

Abstract: A knife holder has a base and a knife support portion extending from the base. The knife support portion includes a distal edge and a knife support surface for supporting a knife. The knife support surface includes a shaped portion and a relieved surface. The shaped portion has a wavy shape and is located adjacent the distal edge. The relieved surface does not have a wavy shape and is located on the knife support surface so that at least part of the shaped portion is between the relieved surface and the distal edge. An abutment surface is between the base and the relieved surface and is defined by the relieved surface.

Abstract: Cutting wheels equipped with knife assemblies suitable for performing size reduction operations on products, methods of operating cutting wheels, knife holders for such knife assemblies, methods of manufacturing knife holders, and slicing machines capable of utilizing such cutting wheels. The knife assemblies each have a leading edge that faces a direction of rotation of the cutting wheel, a trailing edge oppositely disposed from the leading edge, and a cutting edge on the leading edge. Each knife assembly further has a knife holder having a first surface that faces the products advanced toward the cutting wheel in a feed direction and a registration surface formed in the first surface. The registration surface is defined by at least a first recessed planar surface that is recessed a distance relative to the first surface and defines with the first surface at least a first step therebetween.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for measuring and adjusting gate openings of a slicing machine utilizing a gauge system that includes a frame, a device for securing the frame to the interior surface of a cutting head, a device for locating the frame relative to a knife and/or a gate of the cutting head that define the gate opening therebetween, and a device mounted to the frame for measuring the gate opening. The measuring device includes an anvil biased in an outward direction relative to the frame, an indicator mounted to the anvil and biased therewith in the outward direction relative to the frame, and a probe of the indicator biased in the outward direction relative to the indicator. The probe and anvil provide a outward measurement of the gate opening based on a differential measurement of surfaces of the knife and gate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for cutting food products. The apparatus includes an annular-shaped cutting head having at least a first mounting frame surrounding a central axis of the cutting head and a plurality of cutting tools arranged around the central axis of the cutting head and pivotably coupled to the first mounting frame such that each cutting tool has a pivot axis. The method includes deflecting each cutting tool about its pivot axis by engaging first portions of the cutting tools in proximity to the first mounting frame to deflect the first portions a first radial deflection distance relative to the central axis and engaging second portions of the cutting tools to deflect the second portions a second radial deflection distance relative to the central axis. The first and second radial deflection distances can be adjusted individually or in unison.

Abstract: Tools for replacing knives in cutting machines. The tools include a clamping body having a base, bracket, clamp, and knife support tab(s). The bracket has a flange portion spaced apart from an upper surface of the base. The clamp is coupled to the base for translating in translation directions transverse to a longitudinal axis of the base. The clamp has a lift tab on the same side of the base as a rear surface thereof, and a handle is secured to the flange portion of the bracket and located on the same side of the base as the lift tab. The support tab projects from the front surface of the base, and the clamp is biased toward the support tab so that the clamp and support tab create a knife gripping mechanism for clamping an edge of a knife against the tab.

Abstract: Knife assemblies adapted for use in slicing machines includes a knife holder having a support surface that defines an outer upper surface of the knife holder and a leading edge of the knife holder. An insert is supported by the knife holder and has leading and trailing ends that each extends along a longitudinal extent of the knife holder, and a longitudinal end between the leading and trailing ends. A knife is at least partly supported by the insert and has a cutting edge that projects beyond the leading end of the insert. The knife is clamped to the knife holder and the insert is secured to the knife holder by at least a first slot defined in the trailing end and/or longitudinal end of the insert, and at least a first locking post that engages the first slot and secures the insert to the knife holder.

Abstract: A modular unit configured for mounting to a cutting head of a slicing machine and for securing a knife to the cutting head, and slicing machines equipped with one or more of such modular units. The modular unit includes mounting blocks adapted to be spaced apart in an axial direction of the cutting head, and a clamping assembly assembled with the mounting blocks so as to extend between the mounting blocks. The clamping assembly is configured to secure a knife to the cutting head, and at least portions of the clamping assembly may be removable from the cutting head by disassembling the clamping assembly from the mounting blocks without removing the mounting blocks from the cutting head.

Abstract: Tools for replacing knives in cutting machines. The tools include a clamping body having a base, bracket, clamp, and knife support tab(s). The bracket has a flange portion spaced apart from an upper surface of the base. The clamp is coupled to the base for translating in translation directions transverse to a longitudinal axis of the base. The clamp has a lift tab on the same side of the base as a rear surface thereof, and a handle is secured to the flange portion of the bracket and located on the same side of the base as the lift tab. The support tab projects from the front surface of the base, and the clamp is biased toward the support tab so that the clamp and support tab create a knife gripping mechanism for clamping an edge of a knife against the tab.

Abstract: Machines and methods for slicing products into lattice-type slices or chips. The methods and machines utilize a cutting head having an annular shape that defines an axis of the cutting head, and an impeller assembly coaxially mounted within the interior of the cutting head for rotation about the axis of the cutting head. The cutting head having at least one knife at a perimeter thereof and extending radially inward of the cutting head. The impeller assembly has a base, a cavity within the base, a central opening to the cavity within the base, and equi-angularly spaced tubular guides extending radially outward from the base for delivering products within the cavity toward the perimeter of the cutting head as the impeller assembly rotates within the cutting head. The impeller assembly includes features with the ability to increase product throughput and increase the useful lives of the impeller assembly and cutting head.