A machine for cutting fruit or vegetables into segments, including a blade group (10), at least one of which is arranged with a radial orientation relative to a central axis (X); a presser (20) arranged above the blade group (10) and mobile according to an operating stroke along which it pushes a product (P) through the blades (10); a motor, connected to the presser (20) for activating it along an operating stroke thereof. The presser (20) includes a central body (21), connected to the motor; a peripheral body (22), arranged concentrically to the central body (21) and mobile relative to the central body (21) between a first and a second end position.

A machine for cutting fruit or vegetables into segments, comprising: a blade group (10), at least one of which is arranged with a radial orientation relative to a central axis (X); a presser (20) arranged above the blade group (10) and mobile according to an operating stroke along which it pushes a product (P) through the blades (10); a motor means, connected to the presser (20) for activating it along an operating stroke thereof.

The presser (20) comprises: a central body (21), rigidly connected to the motor means; a peripheral body (22), arranged concentrically to the central body (21) and mobile relative to the central body (21) between a first and a second end position.

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.