Patent ID: 8087349

Claim:
A food processing apparatus comprising: a compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product; a screen mounted within the compartment, the screen including a screen wall having a length, a circumferential first end and an opposite, circumferential second end, the first end and the second end defining therebetween a circumferentially-extending open portion of the screen, the open portion extending along at least a portion of the length of the screen wall, the screen being oriented relative to the compartment, during a food processing operation, in a first orientation, in which the screen supports the food product and the open portion opens at least partially upwardly in a first direction, the screen being adjustable to a second orientation, in which the screen is oriented with an open portion opening in second direction different than the first direction, wherein the screen is formed of a first screen portion and a separate, second screen portion, the first screen portion and the second screen portion being relatively movable; and an auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen, a portion of the auger being accessible through the open portion of the screen, the auger being rotatable about an axis and for advancing food product within the compartment from the inlet end toward the outlet end.