Patent ID: 9193086
Filing Date: 2015-11-24
Classification: B26D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for cutting food product, the apparatus comprising an annular-shaped cutting head and an impeller coaxially mounted within the cutting head for rotation about an axis of the cutting head in a rotational direction relative to the cutting head, the impeller having paddles for engaging and directing food products within the apparatus, the cutting head comprising: lower and upper structural members; circumferentially-spaced support segments between the lower and upper structural members; and at least one knife assembly located at a perimeter of the cutting head adjacent a leading edge of a corresponding one of the support segments, the knife assembly comprising a holder having a slot, a knife partially received within the slot, and tensioning means for inducing a longitudinal tension in the knife; wherein the paddles of the impeller are configured to direct the food products against a cutting edge of the knife; wherein the holder comprises a midportion supporting a majority of a longitudinal length of the knife and supporting approximately a first half of a transverse width of the knife opposite the cutting edge, and a second half of the transverse width of the knife is unsupported and not contacted by the holder along the majority of the longitudinal length of the knife.