Abstract: A lattice cutting or slicing machine includes a multi-knife lattice cutting plate mounted in-line along an hydraulic flow path through which vegetable products such as potatoes are propelled in single file by a hydraulic fluid such as water. The lattice cutting plate is orbitally driven for engaging in succession each of the multiple knives thereon with the vegetable product to form lattice cut slices wherein successive generally corrugated cuts are angularly oriented typically perpendicular to each other, and further wherein the depths or troughs of the corrugated cuts on opposite sides of each slice intersect in the preferred form to define a pattern of corrugations interrupted by small openings.

Abstract: A lattice cutting or slicing machine includes a multi-knife lattice cutting plate mounted in-line along an hydraulic flow path through which vegetable products such as potatoes are propelled in single file by a hydraulic fluid such as water. The lattice cutting plate is orbitally driven for engaging in succession each of the multiple knives thereon with the vegetable product to form lattice cut slices wherein successive generally corrugated cuts are angularly oriented typically perpendicular to each other, and further wherein the depths or troughs of the corrugated cuts on opposite sides of each slice intersect in the preferred form to define a pattern of corrugations interrupted by small openings.

Abstract: A loop cutter knife fixture for cutting vegetable products such as raw potatoes into spiral or helical loops. The knife fixture includes a circular blade holder adapted to be rotatably driven within a vegetable product flow path. The blade holder includes a central core cutter in combination with a spiral base plate defining a radial slot between axially spaced upstream and downstream ends thereof. Small slits are formed in this base plate for seated reception of preferably multiple U-shaped strip blades, which are in turn overlaid and clamped in place beneath a generally pie-shaped slab blade having a sharpened knife edge exposed at the base plate radial slot and held in place by preferably multiple clamp screws. The strip blades and/or the slab blade are formed from an inexpensive material, such as sheet metal or the like, whereby blade changeover is quick and economical.

Abstract: A cut vegetable product such as a wedge-cut potato includes a pair of cut surfaces oriented generally at an acute angle, and each extending and diverging from a common tip toward a heel. Each of the cut surfaces defines a generally wave-shaped configuration with a wave pitch and a wave amplitude. At least one and preferably both of the wave pitch and wave amplitude increases progressively from the common tip toward the heel.

Abstract: A knife blade in a fixture is provided for cutting vegetable products particularly such as potatoes, wherein the knife fixture includes a grid of knife blades adapted for producing product strips defined by rough-textured cut surfaces. Each knife blade includes a sharp cutting edge for smooth-surface cutting of products propelled hydraulically through the knife fixture. Each knife blade further includes opposed side faces each incorporating an array of shallow channels having an upstream end positioned rearwardly from the associated cutting edge and extending generally in the direction of product travel. These shallow channels disrupt and roughen the cut product surfaces to produce rough-textured cut surfaces. In French fry potato strips, this roughened surface texture results in enhanced surface crispness after frying, or alternately enhances batter pick-up and/or crispness characteristics in a batter-coated French fry product. Enhanced finished product hold time is also achieved.

Abstract: A corrugated knife fixture is provided for cutting vegetable products or the like particularly such as potatoes, wherein the knife fixture includes one or more knife blades each having a cutting edge with a variable pitch and variable amplitude geometry. The knife fixture is particularly adapted for cutting whole potatoes into a plurality of wedge-shaped pieces each including a pair of wave-shaped cut surfaces which angularly intersect at a narrow cut tip located generally at a longitudinal centerline of the potato and diverge radially outwardly to an enlarged heel corresponding with the external surface of the potato which may remain unpeeled. The knife fixture, and the resultant wave-shaped cut surfaces of the potato wedges, is defined by the variable pitch and variable amplitude cutting edge wherein the pitch and amplitude increases from the cut tip of the wedge toward the heel or external surface thereof.

Abstract: A plug prevention device is provided in a slicing machine having a rotary impeller for carrying products such as potatoes or the like into engagement with cutting knives to form lattice cut slices, wherein the plug prevention device prevents the products from lodging within an upwardly open inlet throat of the impeller. The plug prevention device comprises an elongated stationary rod having one end projecting into the impeller throat at a position substantially off-axis relative to an axis of impeller rotation. Products entering the impeller and tending to lodge by centrifugal action against an internal wall of the impeller throat will strike the rod, causing such products to separate from wall of the impeller throat and fall further into the impeller for slice processing.

Abstract: A plug prevention device is provided in a slicing machine having a rotary impeller for carrying products such as potatoes or the like into engagement with cutting knives to form lattice cut slices, wherein the plug prevention device prevents the products from lodging within an upwardly open inlet throat of the impeller. The plug prevention device comprises an elongated stationary rod having one end projecting into the impeller throat at a position substantially off-axis relative to an axis of impeller rotation. Products entering the impeller and tending to lodge by centrifugal action against an internal wall of the impeller throat will strike the rod, causing such products to separate from wall of the impeller throat and fall further into the impeller for slice processing.

Abstract: A corrugated knife fixture is provided for cutting vegetable products or the like particularly such as potatoes, wherein the knife fixture includes one or more knife blades each having a cutting edge with a variable pitch and variable amplitude geometry. The knife fixture is particularly adapted for cutting whole potatoes into a plurality of wedge-shaped pieces each including a pair of wave-shaped cut surfaces which angularly intersect at a narrow cut tip located generally at a longitudinal centerline of the potato and diverge radially outwardly to an enlarged heel corresponding with the external surface of the potato which may remain unpeeled. The knife fixture, and the resultant wave-shaped cut surfaces of the potato wedges, is defined by the variable pitch and variable amplitude cutting edge wherein the pitch and amplitude increases from the cut tip of the wedge toward the heel or external surface thereof.