Methods and apparatuses for cutting food products. The apparatus includes an annular-shaped cutting head having at least a first mounting frame surrounding a central axis of the cutting head and a plurality of cutting tools arranged around the central axis of the cutting head and pivotably coupled to the first mounting frame such that each cutting tool has a pivot axis. The method includes deflecting each cutting tool about its pivot axis by engaging first portions of the cutting tools in proximity to the first mounting frame to deflect the first portions a first radial deflection distance relative to the central axis and engaging second portions of the cutting tools to deflect the second portions a second radial deflection distance relative to the central axis. The first and second radial deflection distances can be adjusted individually or in unison.

Methods and apparatuses for cutting food products. The apparatus includes an annular-shaped cutting head having at least a first mounting frame surrounding a central axis of the cutting head and a plurality of cutting tools arranged around the central axis of the cutting head and pivotably coupled to the first mounting frame such that each cutting tool has a pivot axis. The method includes deflecting each cutting tool about its pivot axis by engaging first portions of the cutting tools in proximity to the first mounting frame to deflect the first portions a first radial deflection distance relative to the central axis and engaging second portions of the cutting tools to deflect the second portions a second radial deflection distance relative to the central axis. The first and second radial deflection distances can be adjusted individually or in unison.

The present invention discloses a watermelon cutter including a handle and a cutter, wherein a front end of the handle is connected with a storage device; a front end of the storage device is provided with a cutting opening, and the cutter includes a plurality of blades; the plurality of blades is arranged in a divergently manner and rotatably mounted in the cutting opening; the plurality of blades of the cutter is arranged such that one of the plurality of blades is driven by a pulp to drive the cutter to rotate when the pulp enters into the cutting opening, and the pulp is cut out by another one of the plurality of blades when the cutter is rotated.

The present invention discloses a watermelon cutter including a handle and a cutter, wherein a front end of the handle is connected with a storage device; a front end of the storage device is provided with a cutting opening, and the cutter includes a plurality of blades; the plurality of blades is arranged in a divergently manner and rotatably mounted in the cutting opening; the plurality of blades of the cutter is arranged such that one of the plurality of blades is driven by a pulp to drive the cutter to rotate when the pulp enters into the cutting opening, and the pulp is cut out by another one of the plurality of blades when the cutter is rotated.

An apparatus for cutting food products is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cutting head comprising a cutting tool that is rotatable between a plurality of positions to change the cutting thickness of the cutting tool. The cutting head also includes a biasing element that biases the cutting tool in a position, and a moveable stop configured to cooperate with the biasing element to maintain the first cutting tool at any of the plurality of positions. The biasing element may be a mechanical spring.

An automated food processing machine includes a receptacle, a slitter assembly, and a controller. The slitter assembly is coupled to a first motion actuator and includes a third motion actuator coupled to a slitter blade. In response to an input signal, the controller is configured to (1) actuate the first motion actuator to translate the slitter assembly along a first axis until the slitter blade has penetrated into a whole fruit or vegetable, and (2) actuate the third motion actuator to move the slitter blade relative to the slitter assembly with a component along an axis that is not parallel to the first axis.

An automated food processing machine includes a receptacle, a slitter assembly, and a controller. The slitter assembly is coupled to a first motion actuator and includes a third motion actuator coupled to a slitter blade. In response to an input signal, the controller is configured to (1) actuate the first motion actuator to translate the slitter assembly along a first axis until the slitter blade has penetrated into a whole fruit or vegetable, and (2) actuate the third motion actuator to move the slitter blade relative to the slitter assembly with a component along an axis that is not parallel to the first axis.

A self-contained, consumer-ready product from a coconut that has a seed-case, a layer of coconut meat inside of the seed-case, and an internal cavity containing sterile coconut water, in a condition that is ready for a consumer to access and remove the sterile water within the coconut, and a method for providing such a product. One method comprises forming an aperture that extends through the seed-case of the coconut but does not extend through the layer of coconut meat; forming a coconut pre-product in a first location, by affixing to the apertured coconut a closure member that is adapted to close the aperture and to be easily removed by a consumer in a second location different from the first location; and providing a self-contained, consumer-ready coconut product, by associating, with the coconut pre-product, a pre-selected plunger member that includes an elongated lance member that the consumer slides within the aperture after removal of the closure member in the second location and penetrates through the layer of coconut meat and into the internal cavity containing the sterile water.

A self-contained, consumer-ready product from a coconut that has a seed-case, a layer of coconut meat inside of the seed-case, and an internal cavity containing sterile coconut water, in a condition that is ready for a consumer to access and remove the sterile water within the coconut, and a method for providing such a product. One method comprises forming an aperture that extends through the seed-case of the coconut but does not extend through the layer of coconut meat; forming a coconut pre-product in a first location, by affixing to the apertured coconut a closure member that is adapted to close the aperture and to be easily removed by a consumer in a second location different from the first location; and providing a self-contained, consumer-ready coconut product, by associating, with the coconut pre-product, a pre-selected plunger member that includes an elongated lance member that the consumer slides within the aperture after removal of the closure member in the second location and penetrates through the layer of coconut meat and into the internal cavity containing the sterile water.

A food product cutting apparatus having a cutting thrust axis and that includes a chassis designed to allow a user to mount, at the user's choice, the cutting apparatus on a horizontal surface and a vertical surface. The food product cutting apparatus includes a set of horizontal-mounting features designed and configured to secure the chassis of the cutting apparatus to mounting base on a horizontal surface, and a set of vertical-mounting features designed and configured to secure the chassis of the cutting apparatus to a mounting base on a vertical surface. The sets of horizontal and vertical-mounting features are located and configured on the chassis so that the cutting thrust axis has the same orientation relative to its environment regardless of which set of mounting features are employed.