Abstract: A process for cutting food products, especially brittle food products such as frozen fish. The process involves mounting a cutting blade on an ultrasonic system in a manner such that the blade is vibrated parallel to the out face and the aspect of travel of ultrasound down the blade is approximately 90.degree. to the cutting edge of the blade. The cutting blade has a significantly blunted tip. The cutting is effected, at least in part, by localised heating of the food product. The process permits cutting of brittle food products into portions with minimum wastage. Fracturing is also reduced thus allowing the portion size to be accurately controlled and providing a final portion having smooth surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and a method of, heating a thermoplastic material in web form in readiness for forming three-dimensional objects therefrom in a thermo-forming process involves (a) advancing the web material intermittently through a heating zone on a belt conveyor without imposing thereon any mechanical stress-inducing physical constraints (such as may be applied by material gripping means), and (b) sweeping the web material with a series of hot air jets which are spaced apart in the direction movement of the material, which extend transversely across the width of the material, and which are reciprocated in that direction in a manner such as to ensure a uniform heating of the web material passing out of the heating zone to a thermo-forming apparatus.