(57) Apparatus for sizing a mix of randomly sized food pieces into chunks of a predetermined
maximum length. The apparatus includes a carrier drum (11) and a cutting drum (12)
mounted on parallel shafts (14, 15) which are interconnected for rotation in opposing
directions. The carrier drum (11) has a plurality of parallel longitudinal bars (16)
mounted equidistant around the periphery of the drum, spaced apart a distance equal
to the desired maximum length of the food chunks. The cutting drum (12) carries a
plurality of elongated cutting blades (25) mounted parallel to the longitudinal bars
(16) on the carrier drum (11) and spaced apart the same distance as the longitudinal
bars (16). The drums (11, 12) are aligned so that upon rotation of the drums the blades
(25) cooperate with the longitudinal bars (16) to sever elongated food pieces carried
on the surface of the bars into the nip between the drums, without striking against
the bars (16). A conveyor (40) mounted adjacent the carrier drum (11) delivers a mix
of randomly sized food pieces onto the carrier drum (11), with the longitudinal axes
of the elongated pieces in the mix being aligned so that the elongated pieces are
deposited on the longitudinal bars (16) of the rotating carrier drum (11) perpendicular
to the axes of the bars (16) and are carried into the nip between the counter rotating
drum (12) where they are cut to a desired length.
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