One variation of a method for slicing a type of whole bread buns includes: retracting a cutting block along a chute into a load position; dispensing a whole bread bun into the chute between the cutting block and a blade extending across the chute; advancing the cutting block along the chute toward the blade; detecting contact between the cutting block and the blade at a contact position; at a first time, advancing the cutting block into a pierce position offset from the contact position toward the blade by a pierce distance less than a common width of the type of whole bread buns; and, at a second time succeeding the first time by a pierce duration, advancing the cutting block from the pierce position into a slice position adjacent the blade to drive the whole bread bun fully through the blade.

One variation of a method for slicing a type of whole bread buns includes: retracting a cutting block along a chute into a load position; dispensing a whole bread bun into the chute between the cutting block and a blade extending across the chute; advancing the cutting block along the chute toward the blade; detecting contact between the cutting block and the blade at a contact position; at a first time, advancing the cutting block into a pierce position offset from the contact position toward the blade by a pierce distance less than a common width of the type of whole bread buns; and, at a second time succeeding the first time by a pierce duration, advancing the cutting block from the pierce position into a slice position adjacent the blade to drive the whole bread bun fully through the blade.

A pill crushing assembly for crushing and cutting a pill includes a plunger unit that may be manipulated. A base is provided and the base may be positioned on a support surface. A pill is selectively positioned on the base. The plunger unit is selectively positioned on the base. Thus, the plunger unit selectively crushes the pill on the base.

A pill crushing assembly for crushing and cutting a pill includes a plunger unit that may be manipulated. A base is provided and the base may be positioned on a support surface. A pill is selectively positioned on the base. The plunger unit is selectively positioned on the base. Thus, the plunger unit selectively crushes the pill on the base.

Methods and apparatuses for reducing food products. Such a method includes introducing a food product into an impeller rotating within a casing about an axis thereof. The impeller has paddles and pockets defined by and between adjacent pairs of the paddles. The paddles are circumferentially spaced so that each pocket is sequentially radially aligned with a circumferential opening of the casing as the impeller rotates. Each paddle has a relief slot defined in an outer radial edge of the paddle. Food products are expelled from the pockets and cut with a knife disposed at the circumferential opening of the casing as the impeller rotates and the pockets travel past the circumferential opening. The knife defines a cord of the casing, extends into the path of the paddles, and passes through the relief slots of the paddles.

Methods and apparatuses for reducing food products. Such a method includes introducing a food product into an impeller rotating within a casing about an axis thereof. The impeller has paddles and pockets defined by and between adjacent pairs of the paddles. The paddles are circumferentially spaced so that each pocket is sequentially radially aligned with a circumferential opening of the casing as the impeller rotates. Each paddle has a relief slot defined in an outer radial edge of the paddle. Food products are expelled from the pockets and cut with a knife disposed at the circumferential opening of the casing as the impeller rotates and the pockets travel past the circumferential opening. The knife defines a cord of the casing, extends into the path of the paddles, and passes through the relief slots of the paddles.

Method and apparatus for reducing food products. The apparatus includes a casing, an impeller adapted for rotation within the casing, and a cutting device. The casing has axial and circumferential openings for product entering and exiting, respectively, the casing. The impeller includes a drum, paddles mounted to the drum, and pockets defined by and between adjacent pairs of paddles that are radially aligned with the circumferential opening of the casing as each pocket travels past the circumferential opening. The cutting device includes a knife disposed at the circumferential opening of the casing and oriented perpendicular to the axis of the impeller. The knife lies on a sector of the casing and has a cutting edge located within an interior of the casing so that the knife extends into the path of the paddles and passes through relief slots defined in the paddles as the impeller rotates.

Method and apparatus for reducing food products. The apparatus includes a casing, an impeller adapted for rotation within the casing, and a cutting device. The casing has axial and circumferential openings for product entering and exiting, respectively, the casing. The impeller includes a drum, paddles mounted to the drum, and pockets defined by and between adjacent pairs of paddles that are radially aligned with the circumferential opening of the casing as each pocket travels past the circumferential opening. The cutting device includes a knife disposed at the circumferential opening of the casing and oriented perpendicular to the axis of the impeller. The knife lies on a sector of the casing and has a cutting edge located within an interior of the casing so that the knife extends into the path of the paddles and passes through relief slots defined in the paddles as the impeller rotates.

A collapsible log splitting assembly with safety perimeter splits a log with a parabolic-shaped blade, a blade housing having a plurality of ridges for separating the split log further, and a perimeter barrier for retaining the log upright while splitting, and protecting an operator from contact with blade. The assembly has an upright disposition that is pivotally collapsible into a planar configuration when not in use. The assembly has a base that is for support on a surface. The base includes a pair of brackets. A pair of sleeves pivotally join with the brackets, pivoting about the brackets. A pair of shafts slide within sleeves, sliding between operational and collapsed positions. A cutting apparatus comprises a blade housing that houses a parabolic blade, and extends between the shafts. Ridges along the base housing separate the log into smaller components. The perimeter barrier detachably attaches to top end of the shafts.

A pill splitter for cutting pills and tablets of multiple sizes into uniform dosage portions for treating humans or animals comprising a housing, a rotatable pill cassette with multiple pill cavities disposed to hold pills of different sizes, a cover with access ports for removing cut pill portion, and a retractable blade for smoothly cutting pill units with minimal shattering or residue. A method of splitting pills is also provided.