Method and apparatus for producing diced products

Abstract

Apparatus for producing diced food product includes a endless wire mesh conveyor belt for supporting food product to be diced. In one embodiment, a plurality of high pressure water jet nozzles are spaced apart on a water manifold that extends in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt and is reciprocative across the conveyor belt. The jets of water pass through the product, the belt and a slotted grid matching the spacing of the water jets. In one specific arrangement, the nozzles extend over a length at least equal to twice the length of transverse movement of the manifold less the distance between adjacent nozzles, and the speed of movement of the manifold and conveyor belt are equal, whereby to produce diced food product of square configuration. In another arrangement, the speed of movement of the manifold or belt is made faster or slower than the other, whereby to produce diced product of diamond configuration. In still another arrangement, selected nozzles are omitted, whereby to produce diced product of square and rectangular shapes. In another embodiment, a plurality of nozzles are spaced apart on two elongated water manifolds that extend transversely across the conveyor belt and are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the belt. The two manifolds are mounted on a carriage for simultaneous reciprocation across the conveyor belt. The nozzles on one manifold are offset laterally relative to the nozzles on the other manifold. The lateral offset determines one dimension of the cut dices.