Instruments and methods for measuring and adjusting gate openings of a slicing machine utilizing a gauge system that includes a frame, a device for securing the frame to the interior surface of a cutting head, a device for locating the frame relative to a knife and/or a gate of the cutting head that define the gate opening therebetween, and a device mounted to the frame for measuring the gate opening. The measuring device includes an anvil biased in an outward direction relative to the frame, an indicator mounted to the anvil and biased therewith in the outward direction relative to the frame, and a probe of the indicator biased in the outward direction relative to the indicator. The probe and anvil provide a outward measurement of the gate opening based on a differential measurement of surfaces of the knife and gate.

Apparatuses and methods for slicing products, including food products. Such an apparatus has an annular-shaped cutting head equipped with knife assemblies located at a circumference of the cutting head, and interior surfaces each located in a circumferential direction of the cutting head relative to one of the knife assemblies such that each interior surface leads one of the knife assemblies and trails a different one of the knife assemblies. Each knife assembly has a flat knife that extends radially inward to define a gate opening. Each interior surface has continuous flow paths defined therein that extend across at least a majority of the interior surface from adjacent a leading edge thereof through a trailing edge thereof and are fluidically connected to one of the gate openings between the interior surface and the knife that trails the interior surface.

The present invention relates to a cutting head assembly (100) for a centrifugal cutting apparatus. The cutting head assembly (100) comprises a plurality of cutting stations (101) each provided with a cutting element (104, 204) for cutting or reducing food products. The cutting stations (101) being separately mounted adjacent one another on a rim structure (102, 202, 302, 402). The cutting head assembly (100) further comprising fixing elements (103, 203) for securing the cutting stations (101) to the rim structure (102, 202) and a first set of gap setting elements (105, 205, 305) arranged for adjusting the position of the rear edge of the cutting stations (101) with respect to the front edge of the cutting elements (104, 204) of adjacent cutting stations (101). The gap setting elements (105, 205, 305) being arranged for adjusting the position of the rear edge of the cutting stations (101) with respect to the rim structure (102, 202, 302, 402).

An apparatus and method suitable for performing cutting operations on a product to yield a reduced-size product, for example, slicing, strip-cutting, dicing, shredding, and/or granulating a food product. The apparatus includes a casing, an impeller adapted for rotation within the casing about an axis thereof, and knives that perform, in sequence, slicing, strip-cutting and crosscutting on a product to produce reduced-size products. The apparatus is capable of performing a method by which a product is introduced into the impeller and the impeller is rotated to slice the product with a slicing knife and produce therefrom slices having peaks and valleys on opposite surfaces thereof and a cross-sectional shape that periodically varies in thickness. Strips are then produced from each of the slices by forming parallel cuts, each coinciding with a peak of each slice so that each strip has a width substantially identical to a wavelength of the slice.

An apparatus for cutting polymer includes a rotor having a base with a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The rotor includes an outer annular wall extending from the first side and defining a number of slots, an inner annular wall defining a number of slots and extending from the first side and surrounded by, and spaced apart from, the outer annular wall. The rotor also includes blades extending from the first side and positioned within the inner annular wall. A circular-shaped stator also defines a number of slots. At least a portion of the stator is positioned in a space between the outer annular wall and the inner annular wall of the rotor.

A modular unit configured for mounting to a cutting head of a slicing machine and for securing a knife to the cutting head, and slicing machines equipped with one or more of such modular units. The modular unit includes mounting blocks adapted to be spaced apart in an axial direction of the cutting head, and a clamping assembly assembled with the mounting blocks so as to extend between the mounting blocks. The clamping assembly is configured to secure a knife to the cutting head, and at least portions of the clamping assembly may be removable from the cutting head by disassembling the clamping assembly from the mounting blocks without removing the mounting blocks from the cutting head.

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.

Tools for replacing knives in cutting machines. The tools include a clamping body having a base, bracket, clamp, and knife support tab(s). The bracket has a flange portion spaced apart from an upper surface of the base. The clamp is coupled to the base for translating in translation directions transverse to a longitudinal axis of the base. The clamp has a lift tab on the same side of the base as a rear surface thereof, and a handle is secured to the flange portion of the bracket and located on the same side of the base as the lift tab. The support tab projects from the front surface of the base, and the clamp is biased toward the support tab so that the clamp and support tab create a knife gripping mechanism for clamping an edge of a knife against the tab.

Knife assemblies adapted for use in slicing machines includes a knife holder having a support surface that defines an outer upper surface of the knife holder and a leading edge of the knife holder. An insert is supported by the knife holder and has leading and trailing ends that each extends along a longitudinal extent of the knife holder, and a longitudinal end between the leading and trailing ends. A knife is at least partly supported by the insert and has a cutting edge that projects beyond the leading end of the insert. The knife is clamped to the knife holder and the insert is secured to the knife holder by at least a first slot defined in the trailing end and/or longitudinal end of the insert, and at least a first locking post that engages the first slot and secures the insert to the knife holder.

Machines for cutting products and impellers suitable for use therein. Such an impeller includes a lower plate and paddles configured with the lower plate to direct material placed on the lower plate in a radially outward direction of the impeller under the influence of centrifugal forces when the impeller is rotated. At least one of the paddles has an outer radial extent that is adjacent a perimeter of the lower plate. At least a first exit hole is located in the lower plate and has a wall section that completely closes the first exit hole along the perimeter at an upper surface of the lower plate. The first exit hole extends through the lower plate to define a passageway connected to the upper surface to enable foreign debris at the upper surface to exit the impeller through the passageway.