METHODS FOR CUTTING FOOD PRODUCT

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A method of reducing the size of food product, the method comprising:
introducing a food product into an impeller rotating within a casing about an axis thereof, the impeller comprising a drum, paddles mounted to the drum, and pockets defined by and between adjacent pairs of the paddles, each of the paddles being associated with one of the pockets that is circumferentially ahead thereof in a direction of rotation of the impeller, the paddles being circumferentially spaced along a perimeter of the drum so that each pocket is sequentially radially aligned with a circumferential opening of the casing as the impeller rotates, each paddle defining a surface for pushing the food product and having a relief slot defined in an outer radial edge of the paddle; and expelling the food product from at least a first of the pockets and cutting the food product with a knife disposed at the circumferential opening of the casing as the impeller rotates within the casing and the first pocket travels past the circumferential opening, the knife defining a cord of the casing and having a cutting edge located within an interior of the casing so that the knife extends into the path of the paddles and passes through the relief slots of the paddles as the impeller rotates and the pockets pass across the circumferential opening.