Patent Publication Number: US-11396108-B2

Title: Apparatuses for cutting food products and methods for operating the same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/790,874 filed Jan. 10, 2019. The contents of this prior application are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure generally relates to methods and equipment for cutting food products. 
     Various types of equipment are known for cutting food products, such as vegetable, fruit, dairy, and meat products. This equipment may slice, shred, or otherwise prepare the food products for further processing. One type of slicing equipment is commercially available from Urschel Laboratories, Inc., under the name Urschel Model CC® machine line, which includes centrifugal-type slicers capable of uniformly slicing food products. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a methods and apparatuses suitable for cutting food products. 
     According to one nonlimiting aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for cutting food products 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 and pivotably coupled to the first mounting frame such that each of the cutting tools has a pivot axis. Means are provided for deflecting each of the cutting tools about the pivot axis thereof. The deflecting means comprise first deflecting units each coupled to the first mounting frame and 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 second deflecting units coupled to the second mounting frame and engaging second portions of the cutting tools to deflect the second portions a second radial deflection distance relative to the central axis. The second portions of the cutting tools engaged by the second deflecting units are spaced apart from the first portions of the cutting tools and are farther from the first mounting frame than the first portions such that the first and second deflecting units associated with one of the cutting tools make discontinuous contact with the cutting tool. Means are also provided for operating the first and second deflecting units to alter the first and second radial deflection distances of the first and second portions of the cutting tools, wherein the operating means are operable to alter the first radial deflection distances in unison with each other and the second radial deflection distances in unison with each other. 
     According to another nonlimiting aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for cutting food products includes an annular-shaped cutting head having first and second mounting frames surrounding a central axis of the cutting head and spaced apart along the central axis, and a plurality of cutting tools arranged around the central axis and disposed between and pivotably coupled to the first and second mounting frames such that each of the cutting tools has a pivot axis. The cutting tools define sequential pairs of the cutting tools in which one of the cutting tools of each sequential pair is a leading cutting tool of the sequential pair and an adjacent one of the cutting tools is a trailing cutting tool of the sequential pair. Each cutting tool has a cutting blade positioned at a leading side of the cutting tool and a trailing edge positioned at a trailing side of the cutting tool opposite the leading side. The trailing edge of each leading cutting tool cooperates with the cutting blade of the trailing cutting tool thereof to define a cutting gap therebetween. The cutting tools each are rotatable about the pivot axes thereof between a first position in which the cutting gap has a first gap width and a second position in which the cutting gap has a second gap width that is different from the first gap. Means is provided for camming each of the cutting tools about the pivot axis thereof toward the second position thereof. The camming means includes first camming units each coupled to the first mounting frame and 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 second camming units coupled to the second mounting frame and engaging second portions of the cutting tools in proximity to the second mounting frame to deflect the second portions a second radial deflection distance relative to the central axis. The camming means further comprise means for maintaining engagement of the cutting tools with the first and second camming units and the first and second camming units serve as adjustable stops for the cutting tools. Means is provided for operating the first and second camming units to enable independent altering of the first and second radial deflection distances of the first and second portions of the cutting tools. 
     According to yet another nonlimiting aspect of the disclosure, a method for cutting food products includes operating an apparatus having an annular-shaped cutting head that comprises 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 of the cutting tools has a pivot axis. The method includes deflecting each of the cutting tools about the pivot axis thereof 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 separately engaging second portions of the cutting tools to deflect the second portions a second radial deflection distance relative to the central axis, and altering the first and second radial deflection distances of the first and second portions of the cutting tools, wherein the second portions of the cutting tools are spaced apart from the first portions of the cutting tools and are farther from the first mounting frame than the first portions, and at least some of the first and second radial deflection distances are altered in unison with each other. 
     Technical aspects of the methods and apparatuses described above include the ability to control the cutting gaps of the cutting tools. Such aspects preferably include the ability to accurately control the cutting gaps by controlling deflections of different portions of the cutting tools. For example, different portions of an individual cutting tool can be deflected different radial deflection distances to compensate for potentially very small variations in the geometries and dimensions of the cutting head resulting from manufacturing tolerances of the cutting tool and its components, with the result that a more uniform and constant cutting gap associated with the cutting tool may be achieved along the entire length of the cutting blade associated with each cutting gap. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the disclosure will be further appreciated from the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cutting head of an apparatus for cutting food products in accordance with a nonlimiting embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a section of the cutting head of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  showing a section of a mounting ring of the cutting head of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a cutting tool of the cutting head of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a section of the cutting head of  FIG. 1  showing a cutting tool placed at one cutting position. 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  showing the cutting tool placed at another cutting position. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for cutting food products including the cutting head of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the cutting head and the apparatus of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of a section of another nonlimiting embodiment of a cutting head. 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of a section of another nonlimiting embodiment of a cutting head showing a cutting tool placed at one cutting position. 
         FIG. 11  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  showing the cutting tool placed at another cutting position. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a cutting head for cutting food products in accordance with another nonlimiting embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing a fragment of the cutting head of  FIG. 12 , including a pair of mounting frames, a cutting tool pivotally mounted to the mounting frames, and a pair of control rings for pivoting the cutting tool relative to the mounting frames. 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  are top plan views that schematically depict different relative positions of an adjacent pair of cutting tools of the cutting head of  FIG. 12  as a result of pivoting of the cutting tools. 
         FIGS. 16 and 17  are perspective views of cutting heads for cutting food products in accordance with additional nonlimiting embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view showing a fragment of the cutting head of  FIG. 17 , including a pair of mounting frames, a cutting tool pivotally mounted to the mounting frames, and a single control ring for pivoting the cutting tool relative to the mounting frames. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view showing deflecting units of the cutting tool of  FIG. 18  in cross-section. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view showing a fragment of a cutting head for cutting food products in accordance with an additional nonlimiting embodiment of the disclosure, including a pair of mounting frames and a cutting tool pivotally mounted to the mounting frames, but lacking a control ring for pivoting the cutting tool relative to the mounting frames. 
         FIGS. 21 and 22  are perspective views showing a fragment of a cutting head and the entire cutting head for cutting food products in accordance with another nonlimiting embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the cutting head of  FIG. 17  in accordance with another nonlimiting embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 24, 25, and 26  are top plan views that schematically depict different means by which zero positions of cutting tools of any of  FIGS. 12 through 23  can be adjusted with set screws in accordance with additional nonlimiting embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The drawings schematically represent specific exemplary embodiments of cutting heads suitable for use in apparatuses adapted for cutting food products. While concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, the embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
     To facilitate the description provided below of the embodiments represented in the drawings, relative terms, including but not limited to, “vertical,” “horizontal,” “lateral,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “forward,” “rearward,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “right,” “left,” etc., may be used in reference to a typical installation of the embodiments when used as represented in the drawings. Furthermore, on the basis of an axial arrangement of the cutting heads, relative terms including but not limited to “axial,” “circumferential,” “radial,” etc., and related forms thereof may also be used below to describe the nonlimiting embodiments represented in the drawings. Furthermore, as used herein, “trailing” (and related forms thereof) refers to a position on a cutting head that follows or succeeds another in the direction of rotation of an impeller (e.g.,  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) coaxially assembled with the cutting head, whereas “leading” (and related forms thereof) refers to a position on a cutting head that is ahead of or precedes another in the direction opposite the impeller&#39;s rotation. All such relative terms are intended to indicate the construction and relative orientations of components and features of the cutting heads, and therefore are intended to indicate the construction, installation and use of the disclosure and therefore help to define the scope of the disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a cutting head  10  for an apparatus for cutting food products includes a plurality of cutting tools  12  configured to cut food products into slices or strips. The cutting head  10  is configured to be mounted coaxially with an impeller  14  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ) that rotates relative to the cutting head  10  to direct food products into engagement with the cutting tools  12 , as described in greater detail below. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the cutting head  10  includes an adjustment mechanism  16 , which may be operated to change the positions of the cutting tools  12  and thereby change the thicknesses of the food slices produced by the cutting head  10 . 
     The cutting head  10  of  FIG. 1  includes an upper mounting frame  20  and a lower mounting frame  22  that is spaced apart from the upper mounting frame  20  along a longitudinal or central axis  24  of the cutting head  10 . The cutting tools  12  are arranged around the central axis  24  and positioned between the frames  20  and  22 . The frames  20  and  22  and the cutting tools  12  cooperate to define a central cavity  26  in which the impeller  14  is positioned for coaxial rotation within the cutting head  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , each cutting tool  12  is secured to the frames  20  and  22  via a number of fasteners  28 . Each fastener  28  is illustratively a bolt  28 , which extends through each cutting tool  12  and the frames  20  and  22 . It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the cutting tools may be secured to the frames  20  and  22  via other means such as, for example, welding or the frictional retainer. 
     Each of the frames  20  and  22  is a single integral component formed from a metallic material such as, for example, stainless steel. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments one or both of the frames  20  and  22  may be formed as separate components that are later assembled to form each frame  20  and  22 . Additionally, the components of each frame  20  and  22  may be formed from different materials, including other metallic materials or polymers. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the configuration of the lower mounting frame  22  is identical to the configuration of the upper mounting frame  20  such that only the configuration of the upper mounting frame  20  is described in greater detail. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the mounting frame  20  includes an annular outer ring  40  that extends around the central axis  24 . The outer ring  40  has an outer wall  42  that defines the outer circumference of the frame  20  and an inner wall  44  that faces the central axis  24 . The frame  20  also includes a plurality of mounting arms  46  that are arranged around the central axis  24  and positioned radially inward (i.e., closer to the central axis  24 ) of the inner wall  44 . Each mounting arm  46  is configured to be secured to one of the ends of a cutting tool  12 , as described in greater detail below. 
     Each mounting arm  46  includes an elongated body  50  that extends from a forward end  52  to a rear tip  54 . The rear tip  54  of each mounting arm  46  is spaced apart from the forward end  52  of the next adjacent mounting arm  46  such that a slot  56  is defined between each end  52  and each tip  54 . Each elongated body  50  includes an outer wall  48  that is spaced apart from the inner wall  44  of the outer ring  40  such that a channel  58  is defined between each body  50  and the inner wall  44 . Each slot  56  opens into one of the channel  58 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     As represented in  FIG. 3 , the frame  20  also includes an integral hinge  60  that connects the forward end  52  of each arm  46  to the inner wall  44  of the outer ring  40 . The integral hinges  60  are positioned at each end of each channel  58  such that an L-shaped opening is defined between the inner wall  44  and each pair of mounting arms  46 . Each integral hinge  60  is configured to permit the rear tip  54  of its corresponding mounting arm  46  (and hence cutting tool  12 ) to rotate or pivot relative to the outer ring  40 . It should be appreciated that in other embodiments one or more of the mounting arms  46  may be connected to the outer ring  40  via other types of joints using pins, keys, or other fasteners to couple each arm  46  to the outer ring  40 . 
     Each integral hinge  60  includes a beam  62  that extends from the inner wall  44  of the outer ring  40  to the forward end  52  of each arm  46 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the beam  62  is the joint that rotatably couples each cutting tool  12  to outer ring  40 . The beam  62  is sized and shaped to deflect resiliently when the rear tip  54  of its corresponding mounting arm  46  is pivoted or rotated in the direction indicated by arrow  70  in  FIG. 3 . Each mounting arm  46  and each beam  62  are shown in their resting positions in  FIG. 3 , and a distance  64  is defined between each rear tip  54  and the inner wall  44  of the outer ring  40 . Each beam  62  is located on an imaginary radial line  66  extending from the central axis  24 . 
     When each beam  62  is deflected from its resting position, it exerts a force in the direction opposite the arrow  70  to resist further deflection. In that way, the beam  62  is a biasing element that biases each mounting arm  46  toward the position shown in  FIG. 3 . As used herein, the term “biasing element” refers to resilient or elastic structures or devices that exert an opposing force when compressed, stretched, or otherwise deflected from their resting positions. In addition to the beam  62 , other biasing elements include mechanical springs and elastomeric plugs or bodies. Although the frames  20  and  22  include only two biasing elements (i.e., upper and lower beams  62 ) for each mounting arm  46 , it should be appreciated that in other embodiments the cutting head  10  may include additional or fewer biasing elements for each mounting arm  46  (and hence each cutting tool  12 ). It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments additional combinations of biasing elements may be included. 
     As described above, each mounting arm  46  is configured to be secured to one of the ends of a cutting tool  12 . As represented in  FIG. 2 , each mounting arm  46  includes a number of bores  72  that correspond to, and are sized to receive, the number of bolts  28  that secure each cutting tool  12  to the upper and lower frames  20  and  22 . Each bore  72  extends through the elongated body  50  of each mounting arm  46  parallel to the central axis  24  of the cutting head  10 . It should be appreciated that in other embodiments each mounting arm may have additional or fewer bores depending on the number and nature of the fasteners used to secure the cutting heads to the mounting arms. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , one of the cutting tools  12  of  FIGS. 1 to 3  is shown. The configuration of each cutting tool  12  of the cutting head  10  may be identical, such that only a single cutting tool  12  is described in greater detail. Each cutting tool  12  includes a base  80  that extends from a longitudinal end  82  of the tool  12  to an opposite longitudinal end  84 . The base  80  also has a number of bores  86  that are sized to receive the bolts  28  and extend through the base  80  parallel to the central axis  24  of the cutting head  10 . Each bore  86  is positioned to align with a corresponding bore  72  of the upper and lower frames  20  and  22 . 
     Each cutting tool  12  also includes a knife or cutting blade  88  that is secured to the base  80  at the longitudinal end  82 . The cutting blade  88  has a body  90  that extends outwardly from the base  80  to a cutting edge  92  that is configured to cut food products that are advanced into engagement with the cutting blade  88  by the impeller  14 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , the cutting edge  92  of the cutting blade  88  is positioned adjacent to an inner wall  94  of the base  80 , on the imaginary radial line  66  extending through the beam  62 . As represented in  FIG. 2 , the inner wall  94  is a concave curved wall that extends from the longitudinal end  82  to the other longitudinal end  84 . The inner wall  94  also includes a trailing edge  96  that is positioned at the end  84 . As described in greater detail below, the trailing edge  96  of one cutting tool  12  cooperates with the cutting edge  92  of the next adjacent cutting tool  12  to form a cutting gap  98  whose width (as measured in the direction of rotation of an impeller coaxially assembled with the cutting head  10 ) defines the thickness of the slices produced between those cutting tools  12 . The adjustment mechanism  16  is operable to move the cutting tools  12  to adjust the widths of the cutting gaps  98 . 
     For each cutting tool  12 , the adjustment mechanism  16  includes a moveable stop in the form of an elongated shaft  100 , which is positioned in the channels  58  of the upper and lower mounting frames  20  and  22 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , each shaft  100  has an end  102  positioned above the upper mounting frame  20  and extends downwardly from the end  102  parallel to the central axis  24  through the upper and lower mounting frames  20  and  22 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 2 , each shaft  100  has an oblong outer surface  104  that engages the inner wall  44  of the outer ring  40  and the outer walls  48  of its corresponding mounting arms  46  of the upper and lower mounting frames  20  and  22 . 
     The oblong outer surface  104  of each shaft  100  is oval-shaped and has a minor diameter  106  and a major diameter  108 . The minor diameter  106  is sized to be greater than the distance  64  defined between each mounting arm  46  and the outer ring  40  when the mounting arm  46  is at its resting position. In that way, the shafts  100  are configured to preload the beams  62  of the integral hinges  60  by moving the mounting arms  46  (and hence their cutting tools) away from their resting positions to the cutting position shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5 . In that cutting position, the oblong outer surface  104  engages each mounting arm  46  and the outer ring  40  along its minor diameter  106  and the corresponding beam  62  exerts a biasing force in the direction indicated by arrow  110  in  FIGS. 5 to 6 . Each shaft  100  is configured to be separately rotated about its axis to the cutting position shown in  FIG. 6 , with the oblong outer surface  104  of each shaft  100  acting as a cam to move the mounting arm  46  relative to the outer ring  40 . In the cutting position of  FIG. 6 , the oblong outer surface  104  engages each mounting arm  46  and the outer ring  40  along its major diameter  108  and the corresponding beam  62  exerts a stronger biasing force in the direction indicated by arrow  110 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 to 6 , each shaft  100  is configured to be independently operated to separately adjust each cutting gap  98 . For example, when one of the cutting tools (cutting tool  112  in  FIGS. 5 to 6 ) is in the cutting position shown in  FIG. 5 , the cutting gap  98  has a width  114 , which affects the thickness of the resulting food product slice. When the cutting tool  112  is placed in the cutting position shown in  FIG. 6 , the cutting gap  98  has a smaller width  116 , which will result in a food product slice of smaller thickness during operation. To move the cutting tool  112  between the position shown in  FIG. 5  and the position shown in  FIG. 6 , a user may grasp the shaft  100  that engages the cutting tool  112  and rotate the shaft  100  in the direction indicated by arrow  118 . As the shaft  100  is rotated and the oblong outer surface  104  transitions from the minor diameter  106  to the major diameter  108 , the rear tip  54  of the mounting arm  46  is moved toward the central axis  24  of the cutting head  10  and away from the outer ring  40 . The cutting edge  92  of the cutting blade  88  of the cutting tool  112  is advanced toward the trailing edge  96  of the adjacent cutting tool (cutting tool  112  in  FIGS. 5 to 6 ) to narrow the width of the cutting gap  98 . 
     It should be appreciated that the shaft  100  may be rotated to any angular position between the two positions shown in  FIGS. 5 to 6  such that the cutting tool  112  may be placed at any number of cutting positions to permit the creation of food product slices having a variety of different cutting thicknesses. At each cutting position, the beam  62  connecting the cutting tool  112  to the outer ring  40  exerts a biasing force in the direction indicated by arrow  110  to bias the mounting arm  46  into engagement with the elongated shaft  100 . When the shaft  100  is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow  122  in  FIG. 6 , the biasing force exerted by the beam  62  urges the rear tip  54  toward the inner wall  44  of the outer ring  40 , thereby causing the cutting edge  92  of the cutting blade  88  to move away from the trailing edge  96  of the cutting tool  112  and widening the cutting gap  98 . 
     The components of the cutting tools  112  are formed separately and assembled as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 . Each cutting blade  88  may be formed from a metallic material, such as, for example, stainless steel. Each elongated shaft  100  is formed from a metallic material such as, for example, stainless steel. In other embodiments, the shafts may be formed from, for example, a polymeric material. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the cutting head  10  is included in an apparatus for cutting food products into slices or strips. The apparatus is illustratively a centrifugal slicing machine  150  including an impeller  14  that is positioned in the cavity  26  of the cutting head  10 . The machine  150  also includes a feed hopper  152  that is positioned above the cavity  26  of the cutting head  10 . The feed hopper  152  is sized to receive food products and direct them downward into the cavity  26  and into contact with the impeller  14 . 
     The cutting head  10  is secured to a frame  154  of the machine  150  and is stationary. The impeller  14  is configured to rotate relative to the cutting head  10  about the axis  24 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the impeller  14  is mounted on a drive shaft  156  that is connected to a gearbox  158 . The gearbox is connected to a motor (not shown). The motor, gearbox, and drive shaft are operable to rotate the impeller  14 . It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the machine  150  may include additional components to rotate the impeller  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the impeller  14  includes a plate  160  and a plurality of paddles  162  that extend upwardly from the plate  160 . Each of the paddles  162  is arranged around the central axis  24  and extends radially outward toward the cutting head  10 . Each paddle  162  is positioned to direct food products into engagement with the cutting tools  12  of the cutting head  10 , which are arranged along the outer periphery of the plate  160 . 
     In use, food products  168  are advanced through the feed hopper  152  into the cavity  26  while the impeller  14  is rotating. The rotation of the impeller  14  pushes the food products  168  into contact with the paddles  162  and centrifugal force causes the food products  168  to advance radially outward into contact with the cutting tools  12 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the cutting blades  88  of the cutting tools  12  trim each food product  168  between the cutting edge  92  of one cutting tool  12  and the trailing edge  96  of the adjacent cutting tool  12  and the removed portion (e.g., the slice  170 ) of the food product  168  advance through the cutting gap  98  to be collected in the slicing machine  150  for further processing. As described above, a user may operate the adjustment mechanism  16  to adjust the width of each cutting gap  98  by rotating each shaft  100  to vary the position of the cutting blade  88 . The position of the shafts  100  permits the user to operate the adjustment mechanism  16  while operating the machine  150 . 
     As described above, the cutting head may include different biasing elements configured to preload each cutting tool  12  in for example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , a cutting head  210  includes a spring, which is illustratively an elastic strap  212  that extends between an outer ring  240  and a mounting arm  246 . The mounting arm  246  is pivotally coupled to the outer ring  240  via a pivot pin  248  that extends through the mounting arm  246  and the outer ring  240 . The elastic strap  212 , like the beam  62  described above in regard to the cutting head  10 , is sized and shaped to stretch resiliently when the rear tip  254  of the mounting arm  246  is pivoted or rotated about the pin  248  in the direction indicated by arrow  70  in  FIG. 9 . In that way, the strap  212  exerts a biasing force in the opposite direction to bias the mounting arm  246  into engagement with the elongated shaft  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a portion of another embodiment of a cutting head (hereinafter the cutting head  310 ) is shown. Some of the structures of the cutting head  310  are similar to the structures described above in regard to the cutting head  10 . Those structures are identified with the same reference numbers in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The cutting head  310  includes a plurality of cutting tools  312  and an adjustment mechanism  316 , which may be operated to change the positions of all of the cutting tools  312  to change the thicknesses of the food slices produced by the cutting head  310 . 
     Similar to the cutting head  10 , the cutting head  310  includes an upper mounting frame  20  and a lower mounting frame (not shown) that is spaced apart from the upper mounting frame  20  along a central axis  24 . In  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the configuration of the lower mounting frame may be identical to the configuration of the upper mounting frame  20 . 
     Each cutting tool  312  includes a base  80  that extends from a longitudinal end  82  of the tool  312  to an opposite longitudinal end  84 . Each cutting tool  312  also includes a knife or cutting blade  88  that is secured to the base  80  at the longitudinal end  82 . The cutting blade  88  has a cutting edge  92  that is configured to cut food products that are advanced into engagement with the cutting blade  88  by the impeller  14 . 
     The cutting edge  92  of the cutting blade  88  is positioned adjacent to an inner wall of the base  80  In one embodiment, the inner wall  94  includes a concave curved surface  392  that extends from the longitudinal end  82  to the edge  84 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the concave curved surface  392  of one cutting tool  312  cooperates with the cutting edge  92  of the adjacent cutting tool  312  to form a cutting gap  398  that defines the thickness of the slices produced between those cutting tools  312 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the adjustment mechanism  316  is operable to move the cutting tools  312  to adjust the width of the cutting gap  398 . The adjustment mechanism  316  includes a plurality of moveable stops in the form of the elongated shafts  400 , which are positioned in the channels  58  of the upper and lower mounting frames  20  and  22 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 2 , each shaft  400  has an oblong outer surface  404  that engages the inner wall  44  of the outer ring  40  and the outer walls  48  of its corresponding mounting arms  46  of the upper and lower mounting frame  20 . Each elongated shaft is formed from a metallic material such as, for example, stainless steel. Each shaft  400  has a longitudinal axis that extends parallel to the central axis  24  and is configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis. 
     The oblong outer surface  404  of each shaft  400  includes a semicircular section  406  and a semi-elliptical section  408  that cooperate to define a minor diameter  410  and a major diameter  412 . The minor diameter  106  is sized to be greater than the distance  64  defined between each mounting arm  46  and the outer ring  40  when the mounting arm  46  is at its resting position. In that way, the shafts  400  are configured to preload the beams  62  of the integral hinges  60  by moving the mounting arms  46  (and hence their cutting tools) away from their resting positions to the cutting position shown in  FIG. 10 . In that cutting position, the oblong outer surface  404  engages each mounting arm  46  and the outer ring  40  along its minor diameter  410  (i.e., the semicircular section  406 ) and the corresponding beam  62  exerts a biasing force in the direction indicated by arrow  110  in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . As described in greater detail below, the adjustment mechanism  316  is operable to rotate the shafts  400  about their respective axes to the cutting positions shown in  FIG. 11 , with the oblong outer surfaces  404  acting as cams to move the mounting arms  46  relative to the outer ring  40 . In those cutting positions, the oblong outer surface  404  engages each mounting arm  46  and the outer ring  40  along its major diameter  412  and the corresponding beam  62  exerts a stronger biasing force in the direction indicated by arrow  110 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , each shaft  400  is configured to be independently operated to separately adjust each cutting gap  398 . For example, when one of the cutting tools (cutting tool  312  in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ) is in the cutting position shown in  FIG. 10 , the cutting gap  398  has a thickness  314 , which defines the thickness of the resulting food product slice. Further, when one of the cutting tools (cutting tool  312  in  FIGS. 10-11 ) is in the cutting position shown in  FIG. 11 , the cutting gap  398  has a thickness  318 , which defines a thickness of the resulting food product slice that differs from the thickness of the resulting food product slice created when the cutting tool  312  is in the cutting position shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , each shaft  400  has a pin  420  that extends outwardly from the upper mounting frame  20 . The adjustment mechanism  316  includes gears  422 , each of which is coupled to one of the pins  420 . Each gear  422  is secured to its corresponding pin  420  such that the gears  422  and the shafts  400  rotate together. Each gear  422  includes a plurality of teeth  424  that are formed around the gear&#39;s outer circumference. Each gear  422  is illustratively formed from a metallic material such as, for example, stainless steel. 
     The adjustment mechanism  316  also includes an outer ring  430  that extends around the central axis  24  of the cutting head  310 . The outer ring  430  is also formed from a metallic material such as, for example, stainless steel in this embodiment. The outer ring  430  is moveably coupled to the upper mounting frame  20  and configured to rotate about a rotation axis that is coincident with the central axis  24 . The outer ring  430  has an inner wall  432  and a plurality of teeth  434  that are defined in the inner wall  432 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the teeth  434  of the ring  430  are interdigitated with the teeth  424  of the gears  422 . When the outer ring  430  is rotated relative to the upper mounting frame  20 , the engagement between the teeth  424  causes the gears  422  (and hence the shafts  400 ) to rotate between cutting positions. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the adjustment mechanism  316  also includes a handle  436  that extends from the outer ring  430 . The handle  436  may be used to rotate outer ring  430  in the directions indicated by arrows  440 ,  442  and thereby operate the adjustment mechanism  316  to move all of the cutting tools  312  between cutting positions. 
     It may be appreciated that the cutting head may include other adjustment mechanisms operable to change the position of the cutting tools. For example, the outer rings may include one or more sloped inner surfaces that engage the trailing ends of each mounting arm to cause the cutting tools to rotate or pivot. In other embodiments, the cutting head may include a lever arm that is connected at one end of each cam and at the opposite end to a corresponding mounting arm. A pivot point on the lever arm may be located such that larger movements of the cam and/or the outer ring may deliver smaller movements to mounting arm(s), to provide a fine adjustment mechanism and to create higher resolution change in the gap size. One embodiment of such a design is shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
       FIGS. 12 to 15  depict a cutting head  510  according to yet another nonlimiting embodiment of the disclosure, in which the aforementioned positive adjustment is enabled across the entire axial length of each cutting tool  512  of the cutting head  510 . Some of the structures of the cutting head  510  are similar to the structures described above in regard to the cutting heads  10 ,  210 , and  310  of  FIGS. 1 to 11 . In view of similarities between the embodiment of  FIGS. 12 to 15  and the previously described embodiments, the following discussion of  FIGS. 12 to 15  will focus primarily on aspects thereof that differ from the previous embodiments in some notable or significant manner. Other aspects of the embodiment of  FIGS. 12 to 15  not discussed in any detail can be, in terms of structure, function, materials, etc., essentially as was described for the previous embodiments. 
     The cutting head  510  is represented in  FIG. 12  as including an adjustment mechanism  516  operable to change the positions of all of the cutting tools  512  to change the thicknesses of food slices produced by the cutting head  510 . The cutting head  510  include a pair of upper and lower mounting frames  520  and  522  that surround a central axis  542  of the cutting head  510  and are axially spaced apart along the central axis  542 . The cutting tools  512  are arranged around the central axis  542  of the cutting head  510  and are disposed between and pivotably coupled to the mounting frames  520  and  522 , such as with axially aligned pins  518 , so that each cutting tool  512  has a pivot axis roughly parallel to the central axis  542  of the head  510  and about which the cutting tools  512  are able to pivot relative to the frames  520  and  522 . 
     The cutting tools  512  may be described as arranged in sequential pairs around the circumference of the cutting head  510 , whereby each cutting tool  512  serves as a leading cutting tool  512  to an adjacent trailing cutting tool  512  of the sequential pair. Each cutting tool  512  has a removable cutting blade  514  positioned at a leading side of the cutting tool  512  and a trailing edge  524  positioned at a trailing side of the cutting tool  512  opposite the cutting blade  514 .  FIGS. 12, 14, and 15  represent the trailing edge  524  of each cutting tool  512  as defined by a removable component, referred to herein as a gate  523 , that defines a replaceable interior transition surface and may be secured with fasteners (not shown) to the tool  512 . As best seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the trailing edge  524  of each cutting tool  512  cooperates with the cutting blade  514  of the trailing cutting tool  512  to define a cutting gap (or gate opening)  526  therebetween. As further evident from  FIGS. 14 and 15 , pivoting of the cutting tools  512  results in their cutting blades  514  and their trailing edges  524  being pivoted either toward or away from the central axis  542  of the cutting head  510 , with the result that the trailing edges  524  are shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15  as located at different radial distances from the central axis  542 , and the radial distance in  FIG. 15  is less than the radial distance in  FIG. 14 .  FIGS. 14 and 15  depict a sequential pair of cutting tools  512  as having been rotated to different positions, with the result that the cutting gap  526  has a first gap width in the first position depicted in  FIG. 14 , and the cutting gap  526  has a second gap width in the second position depicted in  FIG. 15 , wherein the second gap width of  FIG. 15  is less than the first gap width of  FIG. 14 . It is foreseeable that more or less rotation of the cutting tools  512  in either direction could result greater or lesser gap widths for the cutting gap  526  than what is depicted in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . In any event, adjusting the gap width of the cutting gap  526  alters the thicknesses of slices produced with the cutting head  510 , with smaller cutting gaps  526  corresponding to thinner product slices. As such, the configuration represented in  FIG. 14  will produce thicker slices than the configuration represented in  FIG. 15 . 
     To create a rigid structure with the cutting tools  512 , the mounting frames  520  or  522  are represented as being secured to each other with a bolt assembly  525  that passes through each cutting tool  512  ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ) with sufficient clearance therebetween to enable the tools  512  to move relative to the bolt assemblies  525  and allow for the desired pivoting and adjustment capability as described above. The bolt assemblies  525  are represented as equipped with springs  527  (or other suitable biasing means) that apply a load capable of holding the frames  520  and  522  tightly against the cutting tools  512 , while still allowing the tools  512  to move between the frames  520  and  522  when the adjustment mechanism  516  is operated. 
     The adjustment mechanism  516  includes means for deflecting each cutting tool  512  about its pivot axis, which as previously noted is defined by pivot pins  518 . As such, the pivot axes of the cutting tools  512  coincide with their respective pins  518 . The deflecting means are represented in  FIGS. 12 to 15  as comprising multiple deflecting units  528  that engage surfaces of the cutting tools  512  near the trailing edges  524  thereof (for example, surfaces of the gates  523  as represented in  FIGS. 14 and 15 ).  FIGS. 12 to 15  further represent the pivot pins  518  as located adjacent and roughly on the same radial of the cutting head  510  as the cutting edges of their respective cutting blades  514 . As such, the cutting edge of the blade  514  of each cutting unit  512  is much closer to the pivot axis of the unit  512  than the deflecting unit(s)  528  associated with the cutting unit  512 , and therefore the radial movement induced by a deflecting unit  528  at the trailing edge  524  of a cutting tool  512  generates a much smaller radial movement of the cutting tool  512  at the cutting edge of its blade  514 . In this manner, the deflecting units  528  are capable of providing very fine adjustments of the cutting gap  526  defined by and between the cutting blade  514  of a tool  512  and the trailing edge  524  of the tool  512  that precedes it. Though advantageous under certain circumstances, a fine adjustment capability is not required in all embodiments, and as such the locations of the pivot pins  518  and deflecting units  528  on the cutting tools  512  and relative to each other could differ from what is shown in the drawings. 
     The deflecting units  528  associated with each cutting unit  512  are represented in  FIGS. 12 to 15  as arranged in pairs of separate deflecting units  528  that share a common axis, i.e., are coaxial. A first (upper) set of the deflecting units  528  is coupled to the upper mounting frame  520  and each upper deflecting unit  528  has camming means in the form of a cam  532  having a cam lobe that engages a first (upper) portion of its corresponding cutting tool  512  in proximity to the upper mounting frame  520  to radially deflect the upper portion a radial deflection distance relative to the central axis  542  of the cutting head  510 . Similarly, a second (lower) set of the deflecting units  528  is coupled to the lower mounting frame  522  and each has a cam  532  having a cam lobe that engages a second (lower) portion of the cutting tool  512  in proximity to the lower mounting frame  522  to radially deflect the lower portion a radial deflection distance relative to the central axis  542  of the cutting head  510 . Because the cams  532  associated with a cutting tool  512  are spaced apart in the axial direction of the cutting head  510 , the contact between each upper deflecting unit  528  and the upper portion of the corresponding tool  512  is discontinuous with the contact between the corresponding lower deflecting unit  528  and the lower portion of the same tool  512 . 
     In the nonlimiting embodiment of  FIGS. 14 and 15 , each deflecting unit  528  is a camming unit mounted for rotation relative to its respective frame  520  or  522 , and rotation of the deflecting units  528  about their axes causes their respective cams  532  to deflect the cutting tools  512  away from their first positions represented in  FIG. 14  and toward their second positions represented in  FIG. 15 . While cams  532  with cam lobes are depicted in the drawings, other camming means are also within the scope of the disclosure, including eccentric cams, face cams, linear or wedge-shaped cams, levers, and other devices capable of translating one form of motion into a force capable of radially deflecting the cutting tools  512  relative to the central axis  542  of the cutting head  510 . 
     Though shown as engaging only upper and lower (two) portions of the cutting tools  512 , it is foreseeable that the deflecting units  528  could comprise any number of cams  532  positioned to engage any surface and any number of surfaces of the cutting tools  512 . The deflecting units  528  are represented as being machined such that their cams  532  are integral portions of the deflecting units  528 . Each deflecting unit  528  may be rotationally and axially adjustable with respect to the mounting frames  520  and  522  so that the rotational and axial positions of their cams  532  can be individually configured to cam against a higher or lower portion of a cutting tool  512 . It is also foreseeable that the cams  532  may be separately fabricated and assembled on a shaft of their respective deflecting units  528 , enabling the rotational and axial positions of each cam  532  to be adjusted on its deflecting unit  528 , which in turn enables each cam  532  to be individually configured to cam against a higher or lower portion of a cutting tool  512 . 
     As represented in  FIGS. 12 to 15 , the cutting tools  512  are biased radially outward away from the central axis  542  of the cutting head  510  to maintain engagement with their deflecting units  528 , such that the cams  532  of the deflecting units  528  effectively serve as adjustable stops for the cutting tools  512 . In the particular embodiment shown, biasing is accomplished with cantilever springs  530 , each having one end connected to a cutting tool  512  and another end engaging the perimeter of one of the mounting frames  520  or  522 . However, other means for maintaining engagement of the cutting tools  512  with the cams  532  of the deflecting units  528  are foreseeable and therefore within the scope of the disclosure, including biasing means of types described in reference to previous embodiments. 
     The adjustment mechanism  516  of  FIGS. 12 to 15  further includes means for operating the deflecting units  528  to alter the radial deflection distances of the portions of the cutting tools  512  engaged by their cams  532 . In the nonlimiting embodiment depicted, the operating means comprise two (upper and lower) sets of levers  534 , each individually coupled to one of the deflecting units  528  such that pivoting of the levers  534  causes their respective deflecting units  528  to rotate. The operating means are represented in  FIGS. 12 and 13  as further including upper and lower control rings  536 . Similar to the outer rings  40 ,  240 , and  430  of previously-described embodiments, each control ring  536  is axially aligned with the mounting frames  520  and  522  and adapted to rotate about the central axis  542  of the cutting head  510 . The levers  534  are represented as having nubs or pins  538  that engage slots  540  in the rings  536 , such that rotation of a ring  536  causes its corresponding levers  534  to pivot, which in turn causes the corresponding deflecting units  528  to pivot and deflect their respective cutting tools  512 . The pins  538  are operable to additionally capture the control rings  536  such that the rings  536  can be secured by the levers  534  to their respective mounting frame  520  or  522 . The outer perimeters of the control rings  536  are represented as being scalloped to reduce the additional weight contributed by the rings  536  to the cutting head  510 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 12 to 15 , the deflecting units  528  are not coupled together and the control rings  536  are not coupled together, such that the upper and lower control rings  536  are independently coupled to the upper and lower sets of levers  534 , respectively, to independently rotate the upper and lower sets of deflecting units  528 . As such, though each control ring  536  simultaneously operates (rotates) its corresponding set of levers  534  and the deflecting units  528  they operate (rotate) in unison with each other, such that the deflections induced by the upper deflecting units  528  in the upper portions of the cutting tools  512  can be the very same and the deflections induced by the lower deflecting units  528  in the lower portions of the cutting tools  512  can be the very same, the control rings  536  operate their respective deflecting units  528  independently of each other, such that the deflection induced by the cams  532  of the upper deflecting units  528  in the upper portions of the cutting tools  512  is not required to be the same, and may be intentionally different from, the deflection induced by the cams  532  of the lower deflecting units  528  in the lower portions of the cutting tools  512 . Alternatively, the control rings  536  can be independently rotated to operate their respective deflecting units  528  to intentionally vary the cutting gap  526  associated with each sequential pair of cutting tools  512  along the lengths of the cutting blades  514  associated with the cutting gaps  526 . In each case, the precision with which the cutting gaps  526  can be adjusted is determined by the contours of the cams  532  and slots  540  and the engagement of the lever pins  538  with the slots  540 . 
     In contrast to the embodiment of  FIGS. 12 to 15 ,  FIG. 16  depicts a cutting head  610  in which the adjustment mechanism  616  further comprises means for coupling the deflecting units  528  together. In the nonlimiting embodiment of  FIG. 16 , the control rings  536  are rigidly coupled together with rods  634  that are spaced at or near the perimeters of the rings  536 . As such, the control rings  536  simultaneously rotate in unison with each other and the levers  534  and deflecting units  528  they operate rotate in unison with each other, such that the deflection induced by the upper deflecting units  528  in the upper portions of the cutting tools  512  may be the very same as the deflection induced by the corresponding lower deflecting units  528  in the lower portions of the cutting tools  512 . Even so, the deflecting units  528  may be mounted in the mounting frames  20  and  22  to be independently adjustable (rotatable) relative to each other so that the deflection induced by the upper deflecting units  528  in the upper portions of the cutting tools  512  is intentionally different from the deflection induced by the corresponding lower deflecting units  528  in the lower portions of the cutting tools  512 . For example, the cams  532  of the upper or lower deflecting units  528  could be in the rotational position depicted in  FIG. 14 , while the cams of the other set of deflecting units  528  could be in the rotational position depicted in  FIG. 15 . Otherwise, the cutting head  610  of  FIG. 16  may be identical to the cutting head  510  of  FIGS. 12 to 15 . 
       FIGS. 17 to 19  depict a cutting head  710  that embodies further modifications to the cutting heads  510  and  610  of  FIGS. 12 to 16  as a result of its adjustment mechanism  716  omitting one set of levers  534  and the corresponding control ring  536  of the cutting heads  510  and  610 , while still retaining the capability of positively adjusting the widths of the cutting gap across the entire axial length of each cutting tool  512  of the cutting head  710 . This feature is advantageous if there is a desire to minimize the weight of a cutting head while retaining the advantages of previously described embodiments. 
     The adjustment mechanism  716  is depicted as equipped with upper and lower deflecting units  728  that are directly coupled together with a coupling  734 . In the particular embodiment shown, each coupling  734  comprises a shaft  736  extending from the lower deflecting units  728  and received in a collar  738  extending from the upper deflecting units  728 . The shaft  736  and collar  738  are represented as being integral portions of their respective deflecting units  728 , though it is also foreseeable that the shaft  736  and collar  738  may be separately fabricated and assembled to their respective deflecting units  728 . The coupling  734  is further represented as comprising a set screw  740  for preventing rotation of the shaft  736  in the collar  738 , such that the deflecting units  728  are rigidly coupled together. As such, the deflecting units  728  are capable of being simultaneously operated (rotated) in unison with each other, such that the deflection imposed by the cams  732  of the upper deflecting units  728  in the upper portions of the cutting tools  512  may be the very same as the deflection induced by the cams  732  of the corresponding lower deflecting units  728  in the lower portions of the cutting tools  512 . Even so, loosening the set screws  740  serves to decouple the deflecting units  728 , such that the units  728  are independently adjustable (rotatable) relative to each other so that the deflection induced by the cams  732  of the upper deflecting units  728  in the upper portions of the cutting tools  512  can be intentionally different from the deflection induced by the cams  732  of the corresponding lower deflecting units  728  in the lower portions of the cutting tools  512 , for example, as previously described in reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15 . Whereas  FIGS. 18 and 19  depict the use of set screws  740 , other means for coupling and decoupling the deflecting units  728  are also within the scope of the disclosure, for example, shaft collars, tapered drives, press fit assemblies, etc. Other than the above-noted features, the cutting head  710  of  FIGS. 17 to 19  may be identical to the cutting heads  510  and  610  of  FIGS. 12 to 16 . 
       FIG. 20  depicts a portion of a cutting head  810  that, similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 12 to 15 , comprises an adjustment mechanism  816  that utilizes deflecting units  828  that are not directly coupled together. Additionally, the cutting head  810  does not include any other means by which the deflecting units  828  are coupled, for example, such means as the control rings  536  of  FIGS. 12 to 15 , the rods  634  of  FIG. 16 , or the couplings  734  of  FIGS. 17 to 19 . Instead, the deflecting units  828  are mounted to be independently operated (rotated) relative to their respective mounting frames  520  and  522 , such that the units  828  are independently adjustable (rotatable) relative to each other so that the deflection induced by the cams  832  of the upper deflecting units  828  in the upper portions of the cutting tools  512  can be intentionally different from the deflection induced by the cams  832  of the corresponding lower deflecting units  828  in the lower portions of the cutting tools  512 , for example, as previously described in reference to  FIGS. 14, 15, and 17 to 19 . Otherwise, the cutting head  810  of  FIG. 20  may be identical to the cutting heads  510 ,  610 , and  710  of  FIGS. 12 to 19 . 
       FIGS. 21 and 22  depict, respectively, a portion of a cutting head  910  and a complete cutting head  910  that, similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 20 , does not include control rings for coupling deflecting units  928  of an adjustment mechanism  916  of the cutting head  910 . Instead, the deflecting units  928  are directly coupled together with couplings  934 , which in the nonlimiting embodiment of  FIGS. 21 and 22  are identical to the couplings  734  shown for the embodiment of  FIGS. 17 to 19 . As such, the deflecting units  928  associated with an individual cutting tool  512  are capable of being simultaneously operated (rotated) in unison with each other, such as with the hexagonal heads  942  shown, but independently operated relative to the deflecting units  928  associated with other cutting tools  512  of the cutting head  910 . The deflection imposed by cams  932  of the upper deflecting units  928  in the upper portions of the cutting tools  512  may be the very same as the deflection induced by cams  932  of the corresponding lower deflecting units  928  in the lower portions of the cutting tools  512 . Loosening a set screw  940  serves to decouple the deflecting units  928  associated with an individual cutting tool  512 , such that the units  928  are independently adjustable (rotatable) relative to each other and the deflection induced by the cams  932  of the upper deflecting units  928  in the upper portions of the cutting tools  512  can be intentionally different from the deflection induced by the cams  932  of the corresponding lower deflecting units  928  in the lower portions of the cutting tools  512 , for example, as previously described in reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15 . Other than the above-noted features, the cutting head  910  of  FIGS. 21 and 22  may be identical to the cutting heads  510 ,  610 ,  710 , and  810  of  FIGS. 12 to 20 . 
     In the absence of the lower control ring  536  and lower set of levers  534  in the embodiments of  FIGS. 17 through 22 , it is foreseeable that the lower mounting frame  522  may be omitted in these embodiments, in which case the cutting tools  512  and their deflecting units  528  could assemble directly onto a support frame of a machine (e.g., the slicing machine  150  of  FIG. 7 ). Furthermore, such an embodiment may also omit the lower deflecting units  528 , resulting in the cutting head (for example,  710  of  FIG. 17 ) having a configuration as represented in  FIG. 23 . 
     Whereas the adjustment mechanisms  516 ,  616 ,  716 ,  816 , and  916  are depicted as utilizing cams associated with the deflecting units  528 ,  728 ,  828 , and  928 , it is foreseeable that at least some of the cams could be replaced by or supplemented with other means capable of deflecting the cutting tools  512  about their pivot axes defined by the pivot pins  518 , for example, levers, set screws, shims, etc., that may be implemented with deflecting units mounted to the mounting frames  520  and  522  and operated with the levers  534  and/or control rings  536 . As such, the adjustment mechanisms  516 ,  616 ,  716 ,  816 , and  916  should be broadly understood to encompass means in addition to or other than cams that are capable of deflecting the cutting tools  512  in unison or independently, as was described above. As nonlimiting examples,  FIGS. 24, 25 , and  26  depict alternative embodiments in which the cams  532  of the types depicted in  FIGS. 12 through 22  are supplemented with set screws. In  FIG. 24 , each cam  532  contacts a set screw  544  (of which one is shown in  FIG. 24 ) threaded through the gate  523  to adjust a zero point of adjustment for each cam  532 , and in so doing the zero points of the radial deflection distances of the portions of the cutting tools  512  engaged by the cams  532 . In  FIG. 25 , one or more set screws  546  (of which one is shown in  FIG. 25 ) are threaded into the cutting tool  512  and engage the gate  523  to force the gate  523  and its trailing edge  524  radially inward, thus adjusting the gate opening  526  independent of and in addition to the cams  532 . In  FIG. 26 , off-axis set screws  548  with tapered heads (of which one is shown in  FIG. 26 ) are threaded into the cutting tool  512  so that each cam  532  contacts the tapered head of one of the set screws  548  to adjust a zero point of adjustment for each cam  532 , and in so doing the zero points of the radial deflection distances of the portions of the cutting tools  512  engaged by the cams  532 . In at least  FIGS. 24 and 26 , the portions of the cutting tools  512  engaged by the cams  532  are defined by the set screws  544 ,  546 , or  548 , instead of the body of the cutting tools  512 . Though set screws are convenient structures for the functions described above for  FIGS. 24-26 , it is foreseeable that levers, cams, or other means could be adopted to provide an adjustment or modification capability relating to the portions of the cutting tools  512  engaged by the cams  532  or the ability to selectively and independently alter the positions of the trailing edges of the cutting tools  512 . 
     Furthermore, various means may be utilized to rotate the outer rings  40 ,  240 , and  430  and control rings  536  as input sources to the deflecting units  528 ,  728 ,  828 , and  928 . For example, actuators, gears, etc., could be used as manually-controlled or computer-controlled inputs to automate the operation of the deflecting units  528 ,  728 ,  828 , and  928 . 
     While the disclosure has been described in terms of particular embodiments, it should be apparent that alternatives could be adopted by one skilled in the art. For example, the cutting heads, their components, and the apparatuses in which they are installed could differ in appearance and construction from the embodiments described herein and shown in the drawings, functions of certain components of the cutting head  10  could be performed by components of different construction but capable of a similar (though not necessarily equivalent) function, and appropriate materials could be substituted for those noted. As such, it should be understood that the above detailed description is intended to describe the particular embodiments represented in the drawings and certain but not necessarily all features and aspects thereof, and to identify certain but not necessarily all alternatives to the represented embodiments and their described features and aspects. As a nonlimiting example, the disclosure encompasses additional or alternative embodiments in which one or more features or aspects of a particular embodiment could be eliminated or two or more features or aspects of different embodiments could be combined. Accordingly, it should be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to any embodiment described herein or illustrated in the drawings, and the phraseology and terminology employed above are for the purpose of describing the illustrated embodiments and do not necessarily serve as limitations to the scope of the disclosure. Finally, while the appended claims recite certain aspects believed to be associated with the invention, they do not necessarily serve as limitations to the scope of the invention.