Abstract: A joint orthosis assembly includes a web, an arm unit, a strap unit, and at least one fastening subassembly. The web has three web portions for being wrapped on an upper limb structure, a lower limb structure, and a joint between the upper and lower limb structures, respectively. The arm unit is retained on the web and includes two arms which are pivotally connected, and which are for being disposed at lateral sides of the upper and lower limb structures, respectively. The strap unit includes two straps each being wound about the web to be coupled between the two arms. The fastening subassembly is configured to permit an end of at least one of the straps to be turnably coupled to a corresponding one of arms.

Abstract: A device and method for shaping baked goods that includes a container and a shaping rack engaging a semi-solid consumable substance within the container to enable creative and decorative shaping and decoration of the semi-solid consumable substance. The shaping rack comprises a perimeter frame section that encloses a framed shaping section. The framed shaping section forms multiple framed sub-sections having geometric shapes. The shaping rack is superimposed over the semi-solid consumable substance. The shaping rack translates, with a sharp edge, toward a bottom surface of the semi-solid consumable substance. In translation, the shaping rack penetrates the semi-solid consumable substance to a determined depth. This allows formation of consumable substance units corresponding in shape, respectively, to the geometric shapes of the framed sub-sections. Blocks on opposite ends of the semi-solid consumable substance restrict penetration by the shaping rack past a predetermined depth.

Abstract: A mandolin slicer having one or more safety features, including a food carrier having one or more guards to protect a user's hand and a food carrier delivery system that helps ensure uniform and predictable movement. The mandolin slicer also provides an ability to safely and effectively cut oversized, long, and awkwardly shaped food articles.

Abstract: A lattice-cut potato product is sliced so that the ridges and grooves on one surface of the slices are oriented transversely to the ridges and grooves on the opposite surface of the slices. The sizes and shapes of the ridges and grooves are particularly selected so that each point in the interior of a slice is no greater than a specified distance from an outer surface of the slice. These parameters enable a lattice-cut potato product to consistently achieve a crispy outer surface and a smooth and creamy interior when cooked by baking or microwaving.

Abstract: Disposable cutting blades and method for producing disposable cutting blades with profiled cross sections for a device for chipping wood. The method includes heating a primary material of a hardenable material in a soft-annealed state having a worked surface to a temperature above room temperature, but below a conversion temperature Ac1, rolling the primary material to form a profile blank with at least one precisely gaged guide path in a base body in cross section and with an increased thickness of at least one edge region, a metal-removing working of at least one edge region in a longitudinal direction of the profile blank to form a cutting edge and to form scratching edges in a spaced manner directed perpendicularly to the cutting edge, and continuously hardening the edge regions of the cutting blade.

Abstract: The invention addresses the problem of providing an edged tool such as a surgical clade or a razor blade that is durable and sharp, and a manufacturing method therefor. The problem is solved by an edged tool manufacturing method provided with a process of treating a metal base material, which has a machined surface obtained by machining, using a plasma generated in an atmosphere filled with a mixed gas having a main gas and a reaction gas as the main components.

Abstract: A food processor having a dicing tool and a cleaning tool to clean out the dicing tool.

Abstract: A rotating blade food preparation device (10) for cutting, shaving, slicing, and peeling, vegetables and fruits, cheese, tofu, bread, and other food products, includes a handle (12), a frame element (16) connected to the handle (12), and a rotating blade assembly (28) operably secured to the frame. The rotating blade assembly (28) has one or more cutting elements (30) for cutting, slicing, shaving and peeling fruits, vegetables, cheese and other foods. The rotating blade assembly (28) is operably secured to the frame (16) by a shaft (18) allowing both movement and positioning of the blade assembly at various angles in relation to the frame (16), and fixing the rotating blade assembly (28) in a desired position for use.

Abstract: A food processing dicing method and assembly is disclosed. The food processing dicing assembly may comprise a dicing element having multiple dicing openings through which food may pass, a frame configured to selectively retain the dicing element, and a management tool having multiple projections sized to be received by the dicing openings, the management tool may include at least one coupling element for releasably coupling the management tool to at least one of the dicing element and the frame.

Abstract: A device for cutting, peeling and slicing avocados and other fruits and vegetables includes a handle, a frame element connected to the handle, and a rotating blade assembly operably secured to the frame. The rotating blade assembly has one or more cutting elements for cutting, slicing and peeling. The rotating blade assembly is operably secured to the frame by a shaft allowing both movement and positioning of the blade assembly at various angles in relation to the frame, and fixing the rotating blade assembly in a desired position for use.

Abstract: A food processor defining a food processing path comprises a frame having a first compartment located within the food processing path and a second compartment located out of the food processing path and at least one dicing element configured to be received in both of the first and second compartments. When the dicing element is received in the first compartment, the dicing element dices food passing through the food processing path, and when the dicing element is received in the second compartment, the dicing element is stored out of the food processing path.

Abstract: A hand-operated cutting apparatus including a main frame at least including a front wall, a base wall and two side walls, in which an opening is formed in the front wall, and a rack formed on an upper surface of the base wall along the length of the main frame, a bracket disposed between the side walls of the main frame and movable along the length of the main frame, a cutter provided in the front of the main frame and including a cutting blade located within the opening, and a squeezer attached to the front surface of the bracket facing to the cutter. The bracket includes a base, a handle pivotally provided on the base and a pusher arm pivotally provided on the handle, in which a lower end of the pusher arm is located between two teeth of the rack, and the pivot axis of the pusher arm on the handle departs from the pivot axis of the handle on the base towards the rear of the main frame.

Abstract: A manually operated vegetable cutting utensil having a stand for keeping it in an inclined position on a horizontal worktop, where a support bracket, in particular in the form of a stirrup, installed at the bottom of the stand of the utensil is provided to butt, in the use position, against an edge of the worktop so as to stabilize the utensil even if the worktop is wet or greasy.

Abstract: A dicing element assembly comprises a dicing element having multiple elements defining multiple openings through which food may pass and a management tool having multiple projections sized to be received by the dicing openings, with at least some of the projections having a coupling element for releasably coupling the dicing elements when the projections are received within the dicing openings. When the projections are received within the dicing openings, the coupling element couples with the dicing element and a user may move the dicing element by moving the management tool without touching the dicing element.

Abstract: A manually operated food dicer having a frame structure which is supported above a support surface, the frame structure having a top surface that includes at least a first slicing blade and at least one carriage guide configuration. A food item carriage displaceably deployed on the frame structure by way of the carriage guide configuration, the food item carriage including an upper receptacle for receiving food items and a lower dicing blade platform. As the food item carriage traverses the length of the frame structure in a cutting direction, the upper receptacle passes over the slicing blade resulting in a slide of the food item being deposited on the lower dicing blade platform, after which the carriage guide configuration brings a top surface of the lower dicing blade platform into contact with a bottom dicing surface of the frame structure further cutting the food item slice into diced food cubes.

Abstract: A dicing element assembly comprises a dicing element having multiple elements defining multiple openings through which food may pass and a management tool having multiple projections sized to be received by the dicing openings, with at least some of the projections having a coupling element for releasably coupling the dicing elements when the projections are received within the dicing openings. When the projections are received within the dicing openings, the coupling element couples with the dicing element and a user may move the dicing element by moving the management tool without touching the dicing element.

Abstract: A cutter used to spirally slice a vegetable including a frame; a shaft supported on the frame, the shaft being freely rotatable and movable along an axis; a holder attached at one end of the shaft; a cutting assembly supported opposite the holder having a first annular blade defining a first bore adapted to form a first peel, a cross cutter adapted to break the first peel into a segment, and a second annular blade defining a second bore, wherein the second annular blade is spaced axially outward from the first blade relative to the holder and wherein the second blade has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first blade and is adapted to cut a second peel from the core left by the first blade.

Abstract: A food processor having a dicing tool and an automatic cleaning tool to clean out the dicing tool.

Abstract: A process for the precision cutting of food products including large blocks of cheese or processed meats utilizing a cutting die formed from a solid metal blank, wherein the cutting die is created in a pattern which includes shaped cutting edges which are then processed to form knife edges for the cutting of the food products and the extrusion cutting die used for this process.

Abstract: A cutter for a styrene board has an operation piece and a pair of cutter edges. The operation piece has at its forward end a flat surface coming into surface contact with the upper surface of the styrene board. The pair of cutter edges is attached to the operation piece so as to project in a mountain shape from the forward end of the operation piece. The lower end tip is formed at blades sections of inclined surfaces of the pair of cutter edges, and the tip is used to cut, in substantially a V-shape, that portion of the styrene board which excludes a sheet on the lower surface of the styrene board. Even an unskilled person can finely cut the styrene board in a V-shape, leaving the sheet on the lower surface of the board uncut.

Abstract: A food cutting device has a body frame defining an aperture, and a cutter removably located within the aperture. The body frame has a first engaging formation and the cutter has a second engaging formation adjacent and releasably engageable with the first engaging formation for connecting the cutter to the body frame to produce a unitary structure for a cutting operation.

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 blade assembly includes a number of wave-shaped blades arranged substantially parallel to each other, and spaced laterally from each other. The wave-shaped blades are secured to a support. Each wave-shaped blade includes a number of alternating blade peaks and blade troughs. Each blade peak has a maximum, and each blade trough has a minimum. An intermediate portion of the wave-shaped blade is located between the maximum and the minimum of each adjacent blade peak and blade trough. A number of sectioning blades are secured to the support and arranged substantially transverse to the wave-shaped blades. The sectioning blades are aligned with the intermediate portions of the wave-shaped blades. A method of making a cut food product from a starting food product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dicing tool having: a foodstuff holder for holding a block of foodstuff and a cutting base; the cutting base having: a rectangular framework for sliding the foodstuff holder therealong; a first part having an triangular shaped front edge, equally spaced triangular cutting blades being arranged in a triangular arrangement that follows the profile of the triangularly shaped front edge; a handle; a second part having a second upper surface and a right front edge and a left front edge arranged in a deep V shape, with continuous blades attached to the right and left front edges; wherein the second upper surface is always parallel to the first surface and can be slidingly reciprocated between an upper position and a lower position where the horizontal blade is substantially on a level with the first surface and the base of the triangular cutting blades.

Abstract: A hand-operated cutting apparatus including a main frame at least including a front wall, a base wall and two side walls, in which an opening is formed in the front wall, and a rack formed on an upper surface of the base wall along the length of the main frame, a bracket disposed between the side walls of the main frame and movable along the length of the main frame, a cutter provided in the front of the main frame and including a cutting blade located within the opening, and a squeezer attached to the front surface of the bracket facing to the cutter. The bracket includes a base, a handle pivotally provided on the base and a pusher arm pivotally provided on the handle, in which a lower end of the pusher arm is located between two teeth of the rack, and the pivot axis of the pusher arm on the handle departs from the pivot axis of the handle on the base towards the rear of the main frame.

Abstract: A food slicer having a blade is disclosed having a runway for supporting food prior to cutting by the blade and a landing for supporting the blade and the food after being cut. The runway and landing are adjustable for selecting a thickness of a food slice. The runway and landing are simultaneously adjusted, by a single mechanism, so that the blade and runway are maintained generally parallel with respect to each other. The adjusting mechanism includes a plurality of rotatable cam portions that engage with respective portions on the runway and landing so that each of the runway and landing may be oppositely pivoted around an end to maintain the parallel relationship. The food slicer also includes on-board storage for inserts, such as julienning or cubing inserts. The storage is located on a bottom of the runway, which is pivoted upward for storage.

Abstract: In order to set the cutting thickness in kitchen slicers, it is a known procedure to arrange a feed plate at a slant relative to the blade. As an alternative, solutions are known according to which the feed plates are changed so that a suitable feed plate is provided for each cutting thickness that can be set. The objective of the invention is to provide a simple alternative. Towards this end, the invention proposes that the feed plate (11) can be moved surface-parallel to a fixed plate (12) that is connected to the blade (13). This movement can be effectuated by means of a combination of vertical and horizontal movements of the feed plate and of a positioning slide (14) associated with said feed plate.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a container for displaying, preparing and presenting food including a base having an integrated cutter having a plurality of blades and a central hub and a cover removably attached to the base for displaying the food prior to use and for storing the food during and after cutting, the cover having indentations to receive the central hub and possibly the blades to enhance the depth of cutting by the cutter through the food. The base and cover have side walls dimensioned so that the cover interfaces with the base after driving.

Abstract: A food cutting device has a body frame defining an aperture, and a cutter removably located within the aperture. The body frame has a first engaging formation and the cutter has a second engaging formation adjacent and releasably engageable with the first engaging formation for connecting the cutter to the body frame to produce a unitary structure for a cutting operation.

Abstract: A food cutting device has a frame defining an aperture within the frame and cutting blades located within the frame and extending across the aperture. The cutting blades are arranged in a lattice structure and have cutting edges facing in a common cutting direction. At least some of the cutting blades intersect with one another intersecting positions and include portions between at least some of the intersecting positions having reduced blade material, reducing contact area of the cutting blades with food when the food is being cut.

Abstract: A melon wedger is provided having a base upon which is removably attached a blade assembly having a plurality of blades arranged in a variety of orientations. A movable press mechanism including a removable contoured press element corresponding in size and shape to the orientation and disposition of the blades in the blade assembly is slidably attached to the base and is operated by means of a lever handle such that the contoured press element is forced against the blade assembly. Punch elements disposed on the surface of the contoured press element are forced within the voids created by the blades to ensure that the sectioned or cut food or non-food pieces are forced completely through the blade assembly. A spring is also provided on the lever handle to force the handle up after the food or non-food items have been sliced.

Abstract: A cutter for sectioning cheese in the form of a wheel. The cutter includes an apparatus for a cheese wheel to be divided by a set of horizontal or inclined staggered blades into smaller wheels, the cheese then being placed onto a platform. Another set of blades with a different orientation such as vertical then pass through the smaller wheels. The second set of blades may include one cylindrical blade removing an outer periphery and providing a uniform outer diameter and may include a plurality of linear, diametral blades sectioning each smaller wheel into portions or wedges. A second apparatus moves the portions or wedges to be packaged from the platform, and then retracts so the second set of blades and platform may return to a position for sectioning or portioning a second cheese wheel.

Abstract: A metal panel shear cutter is designed for metal panels which include support ribs. The metal panel cutter utilizes an anvil type cutting blade positioned at each side of a cutting base. Each cutting blade is pivotally connected to a cutting base in the vertical plane. The cutting base also includes supports for the ribs of the panels to allow for a smooth and clean cut of the panel. The cutting blades and a small portion of the cutting base are pivotally connected to the cutting base in the horizontal plane so they may be pivoted to the desired cutting angle while the metal panel remains fixed with respect to the base. This pivotal portion of the base includes additional supports for the ribs of the panel. These supports are adjustable to accommodate the various angles at which the panels are to be cut.

Abstract: A vegetable chopper (10) includes a lower housing part (14), which has a knife (16) on its underside and receives a rotatable inner body with a chopping grid (20), the inner body (18) being fillable with the vegetable. Vegetable chopper (10) has an upper housing part (12) with a ram (26) which is disposed on a spindle (24) in the operating state plunges into the inner body (18) and upon rotation of the upper housing part (12) relative to the lower housing part (14) executes an axial motion counter to the chopping grid (20). Vegetable chopper (10) includes a coupling device (28), which in the operating state assure engagement with a thread of the spindle (24) and in the open state allows a free axial displacement of the spindle (24) and ram (26). The coupling device (28) is connected to the upper housing part (12), and the spindle (24) is guided for axial displacement relative to the upper housing part (12) and secured against rotation relative to the upper housing part (12) on the axial guide (34).

Abstract: A wire-cutting apparatus 10 used in the manufacture of bricks. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced generally parallel coextensive beams 13 and 14 between which cutting wires 15 pass. Associated with each wire 15 are groove-forming blades 27 and 28.

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 method of manufacturing a rubber coated fabric for a tire which includes a weft cutting step of cutting a weft of the rubber coated fabric base substance using a cutting device at a cut pitch Cp of two to five times an arrangement pitch P of a warp. The cut ductility of the weft is set between 5 and 20%. The cutting device utilizes first and second rollers in which the peripheral protrusions and the peripheral grooves are alternately formed. Groove widths W1 and W2 of the peripheral grooves of the first and second rollers are set between 2.0 and 5.0 mm, protruding widths T1 and T2 of the peripheral protrusions of the first and second rollers are set to 0.25 to 0.5 times the groove widths W1 and W2, and the insertion depths h1 and h2 of the peripheral protrusions to the peripheral grooves are set between 2.0 and 4.0 mm.

Abstract: A cutter blade assembly that presents a sequential series of perpendicularly oriented cutting knife arrays which are attached to a frame. A first set of cutting knives is comprised of knives that are generally scalloped shaped. A second set of cutting knives is comprised of knives that are generally straight and are connected in general perpendicular orientation to the first set of strip knives. When a vegetable product such as a potato is forced through the cutter blade assembly, the first set of knives cuts the potato into a scalloped shaped slab. The second set of knives then cuts the slab into a scoop shaped potato piece emulating a portion of a cut stalk of celery.

Abstract: A produce slicer 10 for slicing produce is disclosed. The produce slicer includes a frame (12) defining a cavity (16) having a central axis (22). A plurality of radial cutting blades (20) are disposed in the cavity, wherein each of the radial cutting blades are substantially contained by an imaginary plane, wherein the imaginary planes of the radial cutting blades extend radially outward from the central axis toward the frame. The produce slicer (10) further includes a plurality of ancillary cutting blades (24) extending inward from the frame (12) and into the cavity (16). Each ancillary cutting blade intersects at least one of the radial cutting blades at a location between the frame and the central axis. The ancillary cutting blades may include a first series (50) of blades located substantially perpendicularly to a second series (52) of blades. The radial cutting blades may intersect the ancillary cutting blades at an oblique angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knife holder for a microtome having a knife receiver for fixing and positioning a knife and a knife for the knife holder. The knife holder is ergonomic, the operation is made easier and safer, and the knife does not need to be changed as often. To this end, the knife receiver is constructed to accommodate a disk-shaped knife. The knife is given the shape of a regular polygon, whereby the edges are cutters. The knife receiver has an axle on which the knife can rotate such that the cutters can be positioned for cutting an object.

Abstract: In the vegetable cutting utensil constructed in such a way that grooves which are oppositely disposed in a diagonal direction and which are drilled in a horizontal direction on approximately central portions of left and right frame parts in the longitudinal direction of a cutting utensil main body are provided, that a flat blade is inserted into the grooves to be disposed across the left and right frame parts, that a reception plate is fixedly mounted integral with the left and right frame parts in a front side with respect to the flat blade, and that a regulating reception plate which is rotatably attached to the left and right frame parts in a rear side with respect to the flat blade is disposed, respective pivot pins protrude toward an inner side on inside portions near rear ends of the left and right frame parts while respective engaging holes are formed on both side portions near rear ends of the regulating reception plate, and respective opening portions are provided on the engaging holes.

Abstract: A blade assembly for cutting a food product such as potatoes or vegetables in a wedge configuration. The blade assembly includes a blade head to which a blade is attached and tensioned by a tensioning assembly. The blade is attached to the blade head with a first end restrained by a first end retainer, a second end restrained by a second end retainer, a first bend positioned about a first return of the blade head, a second bend positioned about a second return of the blade head. The blade also includes a first leg segment extending in a first plane across an aperture of the blade head, and a second leg segment extending across the aperture of the blade head in a second plane at an angle to the first leg segment. The blade assembly for cutting a food product may also include a blade failure sensing device.

Abstract: A device (1) for cutting potatoes (5) or other vegetables into slices or sticks, comprising a cutting member (2) with a supply tube (3) and a discharge tube (4) connected thereto. The device is designed for moving potatoes (5), by a water stream supplied by the supply tube (3), through the cutting member (2) and discharging them again via the discharge tube (4). In the cutting member (2), a number of knives (9) are arranged. The cutting member comprises a number of segments (6) held together by a casing (11), each segment having an opening (20) which together form a passage for the water stream, while in each opening (20) one or more knives (9, 10) may be provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for converting a large bale of hay into a plurality of smaller sized bales having the same nutritional composition and texture as the large bale. The apparatus comprises a first cutting assembly which has a first set of blades which are orthogonally oriented with respect to a second set of blades. The apparatus further comprises a driver head assembly which is used to force a large bale of hay through the first cutting assembly. The apparatus also has a second cutting assembly which comprises a metering knife oriented substantially orthogonal to both the first and second sets of blades of the first cutting assembly. The associated method for processing the large bale fibrous comprises a first step of producing bale sections by pushing the large bale through the first cutting assembly. The method has a second step of producing metered bales through operation of the second cutting assembly.

Abstract: A die cutting block for forming die cuts from paper and other materials includes a base portion having a recess formed therein having a desired shape formed therein, an insert portion having an outer contour which substantially matches the contour of the recess and a blade interposed between and tightly held between the base portion and the insert portion. The blade extends above the base portion and insert portion to provide an exposed edge for cutting paper and the like into a desired shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for the rapid removal of an extraneous portion of a produce item with minimal loss. The apparatus, rendered attachable to an agricultural processing implement by an integral attachment device, enables one-handed operation by a user. The apparatus includes a base section in operative combination with an elevated blade that not only enables the severing of the extraneous portion from the produce body, but also separates the extraneous portion therefrom, and guides the cleaned produce body towards a collection device, for instance, a picking box.

Abstract: A safety manual vegetable cutter, characterized in that it comprises a frame (1) fitted with at least one cutting blade (9, 9′) fitted transversely facing a slot (12) through which the sliced vegetables pass and also two side rails (61, 62), providing guidance in translational to-and-fro motion for a guide chamber (2) equipped with a loading volume (17) for the vegetables to be sliced and acting in conjunction with a press-down cap (3) designed to be gripped by the user to move the guide chamber (2) to and fro along the guide rails (61, 62) while exerting a constant pressure on the vegetables contained in the loading volume (17) so as to press them against the cutting blade or blades (9, 9′) fitted to the frame (1) and enable them to the sliced by this blade or these blades (9, 9′).

Abstract: A blade assembly for cutting a food product such as potatoes or vegetables in a wedge configuration. The blade assembly includes a blade head to which a blade is attached and tensioned by a tensioning assembly. The blade is attached to the blade head with a first end restrained by a first end retainer, a second end restrained by a second end retainer, a first bend positioned about a first return of the blade head, a second bend positioned about a second return of the blade head. The blade also includes a first leg segment extending in a first plane across an aperture of the blade head, and a second leg segment extending across the aperture of the blade head in a second plane at an angle to the first leg segment. The blade assembly for cutting a food product may also include a blade failure sensing device.

Abstract: A paper cassette is provided with a first guide groove and a second guide groove. In these guide grooves, first and second cutter blades are respectively arranged. The first cutter blade is separated from a guide face of the first guide groove by a length L1. A recording paper is moved along the first guide groove under a condition that an edge of the recording paper abuts on the guide face. In this way, a right margin of the recording paper having a width L1 is cut off by the first cutter blade. Similarly, a left margin of the recording paper is cut off by the first cutter blade. Top and bottom margins of the recording paper are cut off with the second cutter blade by moving the recording paper along the second guide groove.

Abstract: A dough divider including a hopper with a lid, a latch assembly and a press plate. The lid has an open position and a closed position. The latch assembly is adapted to maintain the lid in the closed position when activated and to discontinue maintaining the lid in the closed position when deactivated. The press plate is vertically slidable within the hopper; with the hopper being adapted to accept dough between the lid and the press plate. The press plate is adapted to be driven towards the lid in order to compress the dough between the press plate and the lid within the hopper. The latch assembly is automatically activated to maintain the lid in the closed position while the press plate is being driven towards the lid. The latch assembly is also automatically deactivated to discontinue maintaining the lid in the closed position after the dough has been compressed and divided within the hopper.