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).

A device for cutting a medicine tablet includes a base extending along an axis, a cutting device having a fixed cutter and a movable cutter base, and a carrying plate movably disposed inside the base and having a carrying face for a medicine tablet. The fixed cutter is fixedly disposed inside the base, the movable cutter base is optionally positionably moves between protruding and retreating positions axially, the movable cutter base has a movable cutter, when the movable cutter is in the protruding position, a blade of the movable cutter is near a blade of the fixed cutter, and when the movable cutter base is in the retreating position, the blade of the movable cutter is remote from the blade of the fixed cutter. The carrying face faces the blade of the fixed cutter and is able to approach the blade of the fixed cutter.

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 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.

A food spiral cutting machine, suitable for cutting fruits or vegetables into a continuous spiral or julienne. The spiral cutting machine includes a base, a drive unit, a screw, a cutter assembly and a locking device; the drive unit comprises a motor, a gearbox and an open drive nut; the gearbox comprises a planetary gear reduction group and a pair of bevel gears, a first bevel gear connects to the output of the planetary gear set, and the first bevel gear drives a second bevel gear which is provided with a spline inside the gear center hole. The first bevel gear meshes with the second bevel gear at right angle. An open drive nut rests on the underside of the screw. A screw is provided with a slot along the screw axis. The spline of the second bevel gear keys with the slot of the screw. When the second bevel gear is driven by the motor via the planetary gear set and the first bevel gear, the spline in the second bevel gear turns the screw. As the open drive nut meshing with the screw is stationary, the screw rotation results in linear movement of the screw along the screw axis. The distal end of the screw is fitted with a spikey disk, where there is a center pin and circumferential spikes such that fruit or vegetable can be supported and butted against the cutter assembly. By the simultaneous rotation and linear movement of the screw, the required motion to spirally cut fruit or vegetable is realized.

A food spiral cutting machine, suitable for cutting fruits or vegetables into a continuous spiral or julienne. The spiral cutting machine includes a base, a drive unit, a screw, a cutter assembly and a locking device; the drive unit comprises a motor, a gearbox and an open drive nut; the gearbox comprises a planetary gear reduction group and a pair of bevel gears, a first bevel gear connects to the output of the planetary gear set, and the first bevel gear drives a second bevel gear which is provided with a spline inside the gear center hole. The first bevel gear meshes with the second bevel gear at right angle. An open drive nut rests on the underside of the screw. A screw is provided with a slot along the screw axis. The spline of the second bevel gear keys with the slot of the screw. When the second bevel gear is driven by the motor via the planetary gear set and the first bevel gear, the spline in the second bevel gear turns the screw. As the open drive nut meshing with the screw is stationary, the screw rotation results in linear movement of the screw along the screw axis. The distal end of the screw is fitted with a spikey disk, where there is a center pin and circumferential spikes such that fruit or vegetable can be supported and butted against the cutter assembly. By the simultaneous rotation and linear movement of the screw, the required motion to spirally cut fruit or vegetable is realized.

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.

A food product cutting system can include a food product carrier for carrying food product circumferentially around an axis of rotation, where the food product carrier includes food cutters each having a knife and a corresponding pusher. Each knife is for receiving and engaging with food product, and each pusher is slidably coupled with a knife and movable for pushing food product out of engagement with the food cutter. The food product cutting system can also include a track oriented generally circularly with respect to the food product carrier. The track can be arranged at varying radial distances from the axis of rotation and coupled with followers. Each follower can be connected to a corresponding pusher. In operation, food product moved into the knife of a food cutter and carried around the axis of rotation is incrementally pushed out of engagement with the food cutter by the corresponding pusher.

A food product cutting system can include a food product carrier for carrying food product circumferentially around an axis of rotation, where the food product carrier includes food cutters each having a knife and a corresponding pusher. Each knife is for receiving and engaging with food product, and each pusher is slidably coupled with a knife and movable for pushing food product out of engagement with the food cutter. The food product cutting system can also include a track oriented generally circularly with respect to the food product carrier. The track can be arranged at varying radial distances from the axis of rotation and coupled with followers. Each follower can be connected to a corresponding pusher. In operation, food product moved into the knife of a food cutter and carried around the axis of rotation is incrementally pushed out of engagement with the food cutter by the corresponding pusher.