Patent ID: 8006613

Claim:
A food processing system comprising: a compartment operable to process a food product; and a transfer mechanism for transferring food product from the compartment; the transfer mechanism including: a conduit including a first end portion, including an inlet conduit section, wherein food product enters the transfer mechanism through the inlet conduit section, and wherein the inlet conduit section has a round cross-section and a circumference, the first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment, wherein the first end portion of the conduit is configured to be positioned below a fluid level in the compartment, a main conduit section, wherein the main conduit section has a round cross-section, and a second end portion, wherein the second end portion of the conduit is configured to be positioned above the fluid level in the compartment the inlet conduit section having an inlet end in fluid communication with the compartment and an opposite end with an outer surface, and the main conduit section having a first end with an inner surface, the opposite end of the inlet conduit section being inserted in the first end of the main conduit section; a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, the fluid discharge including a slot at least partially defined between the outer surface of the opposite end of the inlet conduit section and the inner surface of the first end of the main conduit section, wherein the fluid discharge includes a slot at least partially defined between the outer surface of the opposite end of the inlet conduit section and the inner surface of the first end of the main conduit section, the slot extending about the circumference of the opposite end of the inlet conduit section; and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge, the pressurized fluid source operable to propel a fluid through the through the slot to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.