Abstract: A centering device is provided for centering a potato with respect to a propelling hydraulic fluid flow stream which carries the potato into cutting engagement with knife elements of a cutting assembly positioned along the flow stream. The device comprises an elongated tube at the upstream end of the cutting assembly shaped to define a linear flow path of generally circular cross-section and oriented for continuously accelerating the hydraulic fluid. This acceleration results in the fluid having a slightly higher velocity than the potato throughout the length of the tube to create, when the potato is displaced from a centered position, fluid velocity and pressure differentials on opposite sides of the potato tending to return the potato to the centered position.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making holes in vegetable segments wherein the hole-making step is integrally connected with the steps of cutting and slicing of the segments prior to blanching, dehydrating and/or rehydrating whereby the time of processing of vegetable segments can be quite substantially reduced.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for puncturing or perforating vegetable segments wherein the perforating step is integrally connected with the cutting and slicing of the segments prior to blanching, dehydrating and/or rehydrating whereby the time of processing of vegetable segments can be quite substantially reduced.