Patent ID: 7052213

Claim:
An accelerator tube assembly for use in a hydraulic food product cutting system which comprises: an accelerator tube comprising a frustoconical tube having a first inlet end, a first outlet end smaller than said first inlet end, a first outside surface, and a first inside surface defining a passageway there-through for the passage of a suspension of food products in a fluid from said first inlet end to said first outlet end, said accelerator tube formed of a flexible material having a durometer hardness within the range of twenty to seventy; an accelerator tube housing having a second inlet end, a second outlet end, and a second inner surface, and configured to receive said accelerator tube in spaced relationship to said second inside surface, said accelerator tube housing having an inlet sealing ring and an outlet sealing ring; an inlet flange having first and second inlet flange surfaces, attached to and circumvolving said frustoconical tube near said first inlet end at a point wherein said first inlet flange surface will be in sealable engagement with said accelerator tube housing inlet sealing ring, said inlet flange formed of a flexible material having a durometer hardness within the range of twenty to seventy; and an outlet flange having first and second outlet flange surfaces, attached to and circumvolving said frustoconical tube near said first outlet end at a point wherein said first outlet flange surface will be in sealable engagement with said accelerator tube housing outlet sealing ring, said outlet flange formed of a flexible material having a durometer hardness within the range of twenty to seventy.