Abstract: A food processor having a food processing path accessible through a slot in which is received at least one food processing tool removably received within the slot such that food passing along the food processing path is processed by the tool.

Abstract: A slicing and dicing device which includes a pivoted lever which when stroked slides a pusher assembly partway along on a main body towards a cutter piece to slice an interposed item. Gearing operated by the lever disengages after each stroke to allow another stroke, reducing the peak effect required by limiting the range of motion to a range where good leverage is obtained. A dicing assembly is mounted forward of the cutter piece for vertical sliding motion to allow cross cutting of strips sliced out of the item by the cutter piece.

Abstract: A device for producing a tenderized meat loaf Meat is separated from hide and bone, and cut into small pieces which are thermally homogenized to a freezing temperature. The pieces of meat are compressed into a meat bale which is then sliced into slices greater than 0.6 millimeters in thickness. The slices are collected and vacuum extruded into meat loaf product which may be processed and handled at a temperature approximating freezing, without substantial risk of inadvertent cleavage or destruction of the meat loaf. Due to the laminate construction, the final meat product forms an integral piece of meat which has a high degree of resulting tenderness and a high quality texture.

Abstract: A device drills longitudinally a fruit, such as a banana, for its subsequent filling. The device includes a header with a projecting cylindrical part. The header is vertically perforated by a cylindrical upper part and a lower cylindrical or conical part, and from the internal face of such header and from diametrically opposite areas respective arms in parallel extend in longitudinal laterally opposite edges arched sections defining such perforation a connection for a tubular member with a spindle-shaped edge and an inner wing. The inner wing is fixed to a perforated part and arched so as to form a handle, having each arm part of the device in their lower ends surfaces arched outwards that define a component in which are fitted and supported a pair of arched diametrically opposite grooves in a cylindrical part forming the base and concentric to a central cylindrical cavity.

Abstract: This invention includes a system for cutting food products, such as potatoes, into proportional length pieces. In a one embodiment, the system includes a cutting assembly, sensors upstream of the cutting assembly and a programmable logic controller. The cutting assembly preferably includes a housing defining a passageway, at least two separately actuatable stops extendable into the passageway to provide an abutment to hold the food product in place, and at least two separately actuatable blades for slicing the food product into pieces. The controller cooperates with the sensors to determine the length of each food product and, based on a length determinative algorithm, selectively actuate one of the stops and at least one of the blades to determine how many times the food product will be sliced and location of the cut(s) relative to the leading end of the food product.

Abstract: Device for separating the stalks of fruit such as cherries, grouped together in clusters, from one another at their joining point, includes at least one hydraulic circuit including a tank (1) receiving the fruit to be treated; a centrifugal pump (2) connected to the tank for sucking up the liquid and the fruit therefrom; and at least one filtration device (3) receiving the liquid and the fruit discharged by the pump and capable of separating the fruit from the liquid. The tank has a base (4) which converges downwards as far as a lower outlet orifice (5) of this tank. The pump includes a housing (7) and at least one pumping wheel (9) guided in rotation relative to the housing along an at least substantially vertical axis (10) of rotation, and the pump has an axial suction inlet (11) connected below the lower outlet orifice.

Abstract: A fruit cutter includes a fixed seat, and a cutting device movable relative to the fixed seat. The cutting device includes a movable seat and a blade unit. The blade unit includes a plurality of cutting blades. The cutting blades have an intersection provided with a sharp tapered drilling portion. Each of the cutting blades has a mediate portion provided with a concave guide edge. Thus, the drilling portion of the cutting blades is inserted into the central portion of the fruit to pierce the fruit, while the cutting blades of the blade unit extend from the central portion toward the rim of the fruit to cut and separate the fruit by guidance of the guide edge of each of the cutting blades, so that the fruit is cut into multiple parts easily and quickly.

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: The invention relates to a device (10) for cutting a workpiece (38), mounted onto an elongate rod (36), into a spiral formation. The device includes a frame (12) defining a workspace (14), and a locating mechanism (34) for locating the rod longitudinally along the workspace. A chuck (40), rotatable about an axis of rotation, is located in the workspace for holding and rotating the work piece about an axis co-axial with the axis of the rod. A carriage (44) which is transportable longitudinally along the workspace releasably mounts a cutting tool (46) extending transversely to the workspace. The device includes also a transport mechanism (48) for transporting the carriage longitudinally along the workspace and a displacement mechanism (34) for displacing the locating mechanism, and hence in use the rod, longitudinally along the workspace. The device further includes a drive mechanism (52) for driving the transport mechanism, the displacement mechanism and rotatingly driving the chuck.

Abstract: A Cutting Machine for processing leafy vegetables such as collard greens is provided. The Cutting Machine is adjustable to accommodate vegetables of varying thicknesses. An enclosure with a cover has an input opening in the cover to feed material to be cut between the rollers. An actuating shaft which is rotated includes an offset wheel and an offset shaft. An actuating rod on the offset wheel swings a pivoting knife back and forth to cut the material. An actuating shaft which is connected to the offset shaft moves a roller cog mounted on the drive roller.

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: Food Injection Device has an injection tube member and integral handle, and a piston holding stand. The tube member is rigid and has a thin wall structure capable of piercing and penetrating a variety of food items and retaining the food items for future deposit into a second food item. The piston is positioned within the piston holding stand in such a way that the injection tube can fit over the piston and be retained by the piston holding stand so that when the tube handle is pushed down, the tube moves down the stationary piston and the food item within the tube is prevented from moving by the piston and is therefore left within the second food item. A preferred embodiment includes a variety of shaped injection tubes such as heart shaped, star shaped, and circular shaped.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the processing of oil-producing drupes, notably olives, is described comprising at least one device (20, 24) for the processing of whole drupes which effects a physical destructuring with incipient detachment of the drupe pulp from the skins and stones, under conditions which substantially avoid the oxidation mainly of the pulp's natural antioxidants; at least one device (42, 52; 110; 120, 124, 130, 134, 160, 170) for the physical separation and recovery (at 100) of the pulp essentially devoid of stones and advantageously skins, and (at 92, 96, 110) of the stones essentially devoid of pulp, advantageously with the skins, ly under conditions which substantially avoid oxidation; and at least one device (160, 170, 172, 174) for the separation and recovery of the pulp oil essentially devoid of stone oil and containing the pulp's natural antioxidants, thereby improving the purity and oxidation resistance of the pulp oil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a food processing system. A fluid conduit of the system is configured for directing the food carried in a fluid medium along a food path. The system has a food inlet operatively associated with the fluid conduit for feeding the food into the conduit, and a pump operatively associated with the conduit for pumping the fluid through the conduit in a fluid stream direction. A processor unit is associated with the conduit, disposed along the food path, and includes a tool configured and associated with the conduit for performing a processing operation on the food, such as cutting potatoes into french fry strips. The system also has a deceleration element operatively associated with the conduit and configured for decelerating the fluid and carried food along the food path while maintaining the fluid flow substantially free of recirculation vortices.

Abstract: A device for forming a fruit kabob from uniform sections of fruit including melons comprises an elongate, preferably transparent, shaping tube. In one embodiment, the shaping tube is of cylindrical configuration and in another embodiment the shaping tube is of generally rectangular configuration. An elongate plunger is positioned in the shaping tube and moveable therein. The shaping tube has a cutting edge at its front end and when pressed successively into fruit forming uniform sections of fruit within the tube. A skewer is inserted into the shaping tube and through the side of the plunger to impale the cut fruit sections thereon whereby when the plunger is advanced, the impaled fruit sections and skewer will be expelled from the shaping tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for slicing food products having a cutting knife which is driven in a rotary manner. The cutting plane of the knife extends perpendicular to the product support surface of a product supply device.

Abstract: A melon cutter includes a cutting basket which has a plurality of arched wire cutters which extend to a central member. The cutter includes a melon holder which can be forced down towards the cutting head. A melon half placed on the cutting head is then forced by the holder down against the cutting elements. The cutting basket is then rotated about 30°-45° to effectively separate melon meat from the melon rind. The melon pieces then fall into a bowl below the cutting basket.

Abstract: An improved cutter blade assembly for cutting vegetable products such as potatoes. The cutter blade assembly utilizes a number of cutter blades that transverse an axial bore through which products to be cut are fed. These blades are locked within the assembly by an attachment system that partially deforms the blade to hold the blade in place. This improved attachment connection system serves to hold the blade in a position having higher tension and thereby reduces wear, chatter, and feathering.

Abstract: A coconut shredding/grating apparatus for allowing a user to shred and grate a coconut. The coconut shredding/grating apparatus includes a base member including main base portion having top and bottom sides; and also includes a housing being mounted upon the top side of the base member and having front, rear and side walls, and also having a hole being disposed through the front wall; and further includes a coconut shredding assembly including a motor being disposed in the housing and having a motor shaft, and also including a control assembly for energizing and operating the motor, and further including a coconut shredding member being detachably connected to the motor shaft for rotation therewith; and also includes a coconut support assembly including a coconut support member being removably secured upon the base member; and further includes a tray being removably disposed upon the base member for receiving shredded and grated coconut.

Abstract: A bagel scoop removes excess dough from a piece of baked goods, such as a bagel. The bagel scoop includes a handle, and a concave, preferably shallow elliptical spoon-shaped closed combined blade and scoop structure, having a downward curvature, to enable scooping and removal of dough. The outer distal end of the combined blade and scoop structure is preferably serrated, to allow for scraping and scooping of the bagel core dough at a leading edge of the blade. The combined blade and scoop structure is attached to a stem, which, in turn, is attached to the handle. A small auxiliary scraper is provided at an opposite end, for fine scraping and removing of excess dough residue not taken by the shallow elliptical spoon-shaped closed combined blade and scoop structure.

Abstract: Knives (10, 20) for carving out meat slabs (1), whose cutting edges (14, 24) are ground in such a way that they do not cut into the rib bones (2), or back bones), and at the same time assure cutting as closely as possible to the rib or back bones.

Abstract: The device comprises a cabinet with atmosphere controlled by refrigeration and/or supply of an inert gas to prevent the deterioration of the foodstuffs. Present in the cabinet is an automatic storage unit with container means for containing the products. The latter are to be fed towards an automatic slicing machine which carries out controlled slicing both as regards the thickness of the slices and as regards the number of slices and the weight of the sliced product. Finally, a delivery unit makes it possible to dispense the products outside the cabinet. Operation of the device is controlled by a unit, which is accessible to the user from outside the cabinet. Said unit is preferably arranged for payment using different paying means.

Abstract: A skewer assembly for use with a spiral meat slicing apparatus. The skewer assembly includes a base and a skewer connected thereto and extending therefrom. The skewer has an upper end, a lower end and a body portion therebetween. The body portion has a length and has a slot defined therethrough for at least a portion of the length of the body portion. The skewer may be inserted through a boneless cut of meat and the skewer assembly along with the meat product may be placed on a spiral meat slicing apparatus. Once the boneless cut of meat has been spiral sliced, the skewer assembly along with the meat product can be removed from the meat slicing apparatus. Prior to removing the skewer from the meat product, a knife can be inserted into the slot and can be moved along the slot to cut the meat product into two approximate halves through the portion of the meat which was not sliced by the circular slicing apparatus.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic cutting system is provided for cutting a succession of vegetable products or the like particularly such as potatoes into elongated strips, wherein the cutting system includes a deceleration conduit designed for decelerating cut product strips substantially without flow stream turbulence to reduce or eliminate strip breakage. The cutting system utilizes a propelling fluid flow stream to propel the products with substantial velocity into and through cutting engagement with knife elements of a so-called water knife fixture mounted along the length of a fluid flow passage. An improved deceleration conduit defines a continuation of the fluid flow passage at a downstream side of the water knife, and has a tapered shape which expands in cross section relative to a conduit centerline at an angle not exceeding 9° and preferably on the order of about 2° to about 3°.

Abstract: The invention is related to a kind of device inside a grinder to peel the inner embryo membrane of coffee beans. It mainly comprises of a motor with an extruded motor shaft, a positioning cylinder located on the lateral side of a motor and equipping a lower exit inside an conveyor base, and a conveyor base, which is on the lateral side of the grinder and equips an extruded exit end on the other side of the grinder. The center of the motor extrudes a shaft connecting an eccentric synchronic rotation grinding bar. During rotation, the shaft is in a state of eccentricity, thus, the grinding surface completely hits the inner ring rim of the positioning cylinder and coffee beans are ground into particles. There is an inclined conveyor platform on the conveyor base. When grinding particles fall, due to low specific weight, the embryo membrane is sucked by a fan located on the lateral wall of a grinder and is collected in a dust collection bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dicing garlic, or similar vegetables. Said device comprises an inner section (2) which has a receiving chamber with a cutting grid (6) located at one end, an upper housing section (3) which can close the other end of the receiving chamber and has a plunger (9) and comprises a housing body (1) with a blade (7), in which the inner section (2) is accommodated in a rotating manner and thread elements which cause the plunger (9) to be driven into and out of the receiving chamber of the rotating section (2) as a result of a twisting motion of the upper housing section (3). The thread elements can be engaged or disengaged using adjustment elements (14).

Abstract: A cutting device is disclosed for use to derind a half-section of a citrus fruit. The device has an upwardly opened container with a vertical axis. An upwardly opened cup is coaxially mounted in a removable manner within the container at a short distance from the upper edge thereof, in order to receive and hold he half-section to be derinded. A manually operable knife-supporting element is removably mounted in a rotatable manner coaxially on top of the container. This element has an annular bottom edge shaped and sized to fit and be slidable onto the upper edge of the container. It also has a knife-receiving sleeve that extends at a radial distance from said vertical axis and projects downwardly towards the central bottom portion of the cup. A knife is removably insertable into the sleeve after the half-section has been positioned on top of the container.

Abstract: An egg poker device is disclosed for piercing a hole in a shell of an egg to be boiled to facilitate removal of the shell. The device includes a first member having a base and a wall extending away from the base such that the base and the wall define therebetween a cavity. A disc shaped spring is disposed within the cavity and adjacent to the base, the spring having a central portion. The spring also defines a peripheral edge. The first end of a rod is secured to the central portion of the spring and a second end of the rod defines a point for piercing the hole in the shell of the egg. A second member slidably cooperates with the first member. The second member includes a support for supporting the egg, the support defining a hole for the slidable passage therethrough of the point of the rod. A skirt portion extends from the support such that the skirt portion slidably cooperates with the wall. The skirt portion defines a distal end which cooperates with the peripheral edge of the spring.

Abstract: A spiral meat slicing apparatus and method having a lower meat support assembly including a rotatively driven lower shaft and an upstanding lower spike for receiving the major longitudinal end of a cut of boneless meat, the lower spike being carried by the lower shaft. An upper meat support assembly is provided and includes a rotatively driven, vertically adjustable upper shaft and an upper spike for receiving the minor longitudinal end of a cut of boneless meat, the upper spike being carried by the upper shaft. The upper spike is in coaxial alignment with the lower upstanding spike to thereby define an axis of rotation for a cut of boneless meat supported therebetween. A vertically indexable knife is positioned relative to the axis of rotation so as to enable a continuous spiral cut to be made therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spirally slicing boneless meat without the need for a center support rod. A slicing machine for the meat includes a rotatable base and an elevated chuck both having prongs for clamping the meat between them. Separate motors independently turn the base and chuck at the same rotational speed so that there is no twisting of the meat from top to bottom. A slicing blade is moved vertically on the machine as it slices the meat spirally about a solid meat core extending along the rotational axis.

Abstract: An automatic food product cutting apparatus is provided that employs a continuously rotating table arranged with multiple cutter cups, each cup being aligned with a plunger that rotates with the table. The plungers are driven to force fruit through the cup and to withdraw from the cup by cam following rollers that follow a generally elliptical cam track. The cam track is concentric to but does not rotate with the table. With this arrangement, a single drive motor is used to power both the rotation of the table and the plunging force to push the food product through the cutter cups, thereby achieving smooth, continuous operation.

Abstract: A food cutting device for processing leafy vegetables such as collard greens having a groove roller and a cutting roller with discs which engage the grooves of the groove roller to cut the leafy vegetable longitudinally and a cam-actuated blade that cuts the leafy vegetable across the longitudinal cuts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spirally slicing boneless meat without the need for a center support rod. A slicing machine for the meat includes a rotatable base and an elevated chuck both having prongs for clamping the meat between them. Separate motors independently turn the base and chuck at the same rotational speed so that there is no twisting of the meat from top to bottom. A slicing blade is moved vertically on the machine as it slices the meat spirally about a solid meat core extending along the rotational axis.

Abstract: A rotary root vegetable slicer that is reliably held at an installed position even when water enters into the lower surface of the bed plate, and can be easily removed from the installed position. The rotary root vegetable slicer (1) includes a bed plate (2) of a nearly square shape as viewed on a plane, a blade-mounting member (5) erected at an end of the bed plate (2) for detachably mounting a plane blade (3) and a comb blade (4), a rotary piece-mounting member (6 ) on a portion on the other side of the bed plate (2) opposed to the blade-mounting member (5) so as to slide along the lengthwise direction of the bed plate (2), and a rotary piece (8) having many needle-like protrusions (7) arranged on the front surface thereof at an upper part of the rotary piece-mounting member (6) so as to rotate.

Abstract: A cutter disk is removably mounted in equipment that cuts potatoes into helical strips. A knife blade extends radially outwardly from the axis of rotation of the disk and is axially displaced from the front surface of the disk. A plurality of slitter blades is integral and one piece with a slitter plate. The slitter blades extend from and are perpendicular to the front surface of the plate. The slitter blades respectively extend through spaced slots in the disk located at different distances from the axis of rotation. A backing plate removably secures the slitter plate to the disk so that the slitter plate can be readily removed for maintenance without removing the disk from the equipment. Two spaced-apart projections on the backing plate constrain the slitter plate therebetween to minimize lateral movement.

Abstract: A ham product which is formed by cutting a spirally sliced half ham longitudinally through the bone. The cut can be made by feeding the half ham through a band saw blade by hand, by pushing a split cart through the blade, or by feeding the product through the blade on a split belt conveyor. A special tray for packaging of the ham product has either a flap providing a double layer of material at the location of a sharp exposed corner of the femur or a plurality of cushioning dimples extruded at appropriate location thereon to pad the femur corner.

Abstract: A garlic cutter comprising a housing bearing a cutting blade (8) at its underside and further comprising an upper part (2) with a punch (12) affixed thereto. The upper part when in the operational state and during rotation relative to the housing (6) carries out an axial displacement relative to the co-rotating cutting grid (5b). In order to achieve speed in operation following filling of the garlic cutter, so that the latter gently mince the fruit and also be rapidly reopenable and cleanable, an inner structure (7) receiving the garlic is rotatably supported in the housing (6) and comprises a cutting grid (5b) entered by the punch (12) mounted to a spindle (4). A coupling nut (3) can be mounted on the housing (6), that in the operational state assure engagement with the spindle (4) and that in the open state allows longitudinal displacement of the spindle (4).

Abstract: An egg cutter comprising a rectangular base plate which has webs running parallel to a first lateral edge and separated by gaps, the profile of which webs forms an elliptical depression in which to place an egg, and comprising a cutting frame which is pivotable about a second lateral edge, oriented perpendicularly to the first lateral edge, of the base plate and has parallel-tensioned wires aligned with the gaps between the webs, for cutting slices. The technical problem is to provide an egg cutter suitable both for cutting eggs into slices and for cutting them into pieces. A second cutting frame for cutting pieces is pivotable about an axis parallel to the second lateral edge and has cutting wires arranged in the shape of a star, and cross slots are provided in the webs of the base plate to correspond to the cutting wires. FIG. 1.

Abstract: A food cutting apparatus, comprising a base member having at least one slot defined substantially laterally therethrough, and an aperture defined substantially longitudinally therethrough for receiving a food article; a first cutting member, slidably engaged with the slot of the base member, for selectively cutting the food article substantially laterally therethrough, following placement of the food article in the base member; a second cutting member for cutting the food article substantially longitudinally, following placement of the food article in the aperture of the base member; wherein the second cutting member comprises a plurality of substantially circular cutting blades arranged in concentric arrangement; and wherein the second cutting member is selectively telescopically inserted within the aperture over the food article for cutting the food article substantially longitudinally.

Abstract: A vegetable peeling and shaping machine has a preliminary cutting assembly for cutting off portions of a vegetable to produce a vegetable core insertable into a tube, and a main cutting assembly with a tube positioned to sequentially receive vegetable cores from the preliminary cutting assembly. A reciprocable plunger is operable to push the vegetable cores sequentially through the tube, the tube having a series of circumferentially spaced shaped slots therein, and a series of reciprocable non-rotatable cutter blades is circumferentially spaced around the tube. The cutter blades are shaped correspondingly to the slots in the tube and are movable from a position exterior to the tube through the slots into the tube to cut a vegetable core to form a vegetable product of the desired shape.

Abstract: A device for the in situ separation of the juice of a juicy fruit, such as a citrus fruit, from the rest of the fruit which includes a grasping mechanism for grasping the citrus fruit and a rotating mechanism for rotating the fruit. The device further includes a piercing member for piercing the fruit. The piercing member includes a mechanism for sweeping the internals of the fruit. In one embodiment, the piercing member has a body and a pivotable member which is pivotably connected to the body. The pivotable member is pivotable about a pivot point so as to move within the citrus fruit as the citrus fruit is rotated to thereby bring about the separation of the juice of the citrus fruit from the rest of the citrus fruit through centrifugal force. Finally, the device has a mechanism for pivoting the pivotable member about the pivot point. In another embodiment, the piercing member includes a blade which may be bent to sweep out the internals of the fruit.

Abstract: A machine for slicing a food product in the three dimensions in a single continuous cycle to produce an end product having a determined size and shape. The machine incorporates a first slicing station for slicing a determined length of a first slice off the food product by a first pair of synchronously driven and counter rotating cut off knives and a second slicing station to slice the first slice in two dimensions by a set of gang knives and a second pair of synchronously driven and counter rotating cut off knives to produce a cube of a determined size and shape. The machine has a conveyor system for conveying the food product on a continuous basis through the machine. The rotation of the cut off knives are variable and are set in conjunction with the feed rate of the conveyor system to establish the desired dimensions of the end product.

Abstract: A food wedger for slicing food such as apples into wedge shaped segments and coring the food comprises a frame having a base that supports a cutter assembly. The cutter assembly comprises a plurality of cutter blades radiating outwardly and upwardly from a central ring in an inverted cone-shaped radial array. The blades are fixed to the central ring and, are fixed at the periphery of the assembly to a peripheral support ring. A tapered segmented pusher having radial slots and a central pin is mounted for selective advancement through the cutter assembly. When so advanced, the blades of the assembly pass through the slots and the central pin of the pusher passes through the central ring of the cutter assembly. Food to be wedged is placed in the cutter assembly and the pusher is advanced through the cutter to force the food past the blades, which cuts the periphery of the food into wedge-shaped segments. The core of the food is, at the same time, cut away by the central ring.

Abstract: A machine for slicing a food product in the three dimensions in a single continuous cycle to produce an end product having a determined size and shape. The machine incorporates a first slicing station for slicing a determined length of a first slice off the food product by a first cutoff knife and a second slicing station to slice the first slice in two dimensions by a set of gang knives and a second cut off knife to produce a cube of a determined size and shape. The machine has a conveyor system for conveying the food product on a continuous basis through the machine. The rotation of the cut off knives are variable to establish the desired dimensions of the end product. The first slice is transferred on the conveyor of the second slicing station in a manner to accommodate slicing the first slice in the other two dimensions by the second slicing station.

Abstract: A rotary cutting apparatus for slicing food products into pieces such as helical strips includes a rotatable cutter head assembly having a radially extending thrust runner and discharge sleeve through which sliced food pieces are discharged. The cutter head assembly is supported by a plurality of radial motionless ring bearings in bearing contact with an outer periphery of the sleeve and by a plurality of motionless thrust bearings in supportive contact with the thrust runner. Bearing surfaces at the interfaces between the radial and thrust bearings and rotatable cutter head assembly are lubricated by circulating water. The rotatable cutter head assembly and belt drive system which drives the assembly are mounted as a unit on a pivotable frame to allow the combined structure to be pivoted away from a water feed inlet tube which delivers food products to the rotatable cutter head assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting helically shaped pieces from potatoes has a top portion forming a drive section, a center portion forming a feed section and a lower portion forming a cutting section. The drive section comprises a plurality of rotatable shafts extending in a circle about a central axis. The feed section comprises a plurality of rotatable rods arranged in a circle about the central axis, each rod at its upper end connected to a lower end of a shaft. At least the lower part of each rod has a spiral outer surface. The cutter section includes a cutter of hollow conical form having a series of spiral channels on its interior surface, each spiral ending in an aperture, the apertures forming cutting edges. Potatoes are fed through the feed section, on rotation of the rods, by the spiral surfaces of the rods, and pushed into the cutter, which on rotation, cuts helical pieces from potatoes.

Abstract: An apparatus to support a fruit or vegetable on a spherical surface and to slice it with a single stroke comprising; a frame constructed of two vertically disposed members in an A-shape configuration with parallel lower edges and a centrally disposed upper edge, and with lateral support beams extending horizontally and coupling the lower edges of the two A-shape frames and the upper edge of the two A-shape frames, the A-shape frames each having a vertically disposed central member with a vertical slot therein to define a path of travel between the two parallel slots; a support with an upper surface fixedly retained within the frame between the A-frame members configured in the general form of a partial sphere, the support having a plurality of parallel openings.

Abstract: Sanitary processing of fruits and vegetables is assured by cutting a fruit or vegetable steadily held in position into pieces that are then dropped directly onto a dish or other receiver. A cutter assembly 2 steadily held by a base frame is easy to disassemble, and reassemble, for washing and other purposes. The cutter assembly 2 having radially disposed blades 21 fastened to a holding frame 22 is mounted on a base frame 1, with a receiving space 10 provided below. Two guide rods 3 are erected on the base frame to hold a vertically slidable press-down member 4 having a concave pressing surface 42 facing the blades 21. The cutter assembly 2 comprises a holding frame 22 holding the radial blades 21 disposed inward and a projecting cone 23 to fit or stick in the fruit or vegetable to be cut at the center of the blades 21. The holding frame 22 is made up of component members whose lugs 24b are fitted in positioning grooves 15 cut in the base frame 1.

Abstract: An upstanding support is provided from which an upstanding threaded shaft is supported in horizontally spaced relation relative to the upstanding support. The upper and lower ends of the threaded shaft are guidedly supported from the upstanding support for movement toward and away from the latter, rotary circular cutting blade structure is mounted from the screw shaft for movement up and down along the latter and structures provided whereby the upper and lower ends of the screw shaft may be independently and/or simultaneously shifted toward and away from the upstanding support.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a potato into a helical shape, the apparatus having a hollow, generally cylindrical body, a cutting plate having a top side and a bottom side located in the body for cutting a potato into a helical shape when a potato is inserted into the body, forced against the cutting plate and rotated around the longitudinal axis of the body, the cutting plate having a plurality of vertical blades for cutting a potato extending perpendicularly upward from the cutting plate and a horizontal blade located above the cutting plate for cutting a potato, and a feeding apparatus for forcing a potato onto the cutting plate and for rotating the potato about the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body to cut the potato into a helical shape, and an apparatus for cutting an onion into a helical shape, the apparatus having a hollow, generally cylindrical body, a cutting plate having a top side and a bottom side located in the body for cutting an onion into a helical shape when an onion is inserted into the b