Food processing vat

Abstract

A food processing vat comprising a closed vessel that includes a pair of partially cylindrical, intersecting sections. A vertical shaft is disposed centrally within each vat section and the distance between the shafts is slightly greater than the radius of the cylindrical sections. Each shaft carries an agitator frame that extends radially outward from the shaft, and a series of vertical blades are mounted on each frame and are designed so that when the shaft is rotated in one direction the blades act to stir the food product and when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction, the blades act to cut or slice the food product.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for processing a food product, comprising a substantially sealed vessel to contain the product and including a pair of partially cylindrical intersecting vertical wall sections which define a pair of communicating partially cylindrical chambers, the distance between the axes of said chambers being slightly greater than the radii of the chambers said vessel also including a bottom wall secured to the lower edges of the vertical wall sections and a cover secured to the upper edges of the vertical wall sections, a vertical shaft disposed centrally of each chamber, a frame connected to each shaft and extending outwardly from the shaft, reversible drive means carried by the cover and operably connected to each shaft, and a series of blades carried by each frame, said blades being arranged so that when the respective shaft is rotated in one direction, the blades act to stir the product contained within the chambers and when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction the blades act to cut the product contained within the chambers, at least one of said blades being movably mounted with respect to the frame and having a relatively sharp vertical edge and a relatively broad vertically extending surface, said movable blade being movable from from a position in which the broad surface leads in the direction of rotation when the shaft is rotated in the first direction to provide a stirring action for the product to a second position in which the sharp edge leads in the direction of rotation as the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction to provide a cutting action for the product. 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, and including a pair of arms connected to each blade, and means for pivotally connecting each arm to the frame in a manner whereby the blades will automatically pivot between said first and second position in accordance with the direction of rotation of the respective shaft. .[.3. A vat for processing a product, comprising a vessel to contain the product, a vertical shaft disposed within the vessel, a frame connected to the shaft and extending outwardly from the shaft, reversible drive means for rotating the shaft, implement means carried by the frame, said implement means arranged so that when the shaft is rotated in one direction the implement means acts to stir the product and when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction the implement means acts to slice the product, said implement means comprising at least one blade movably mounted with respect to the frame, said blade being provided with a relatively sharp vertical edge and a relatively broad vertically extending surface, said blade being movable from a first position in which the broad surface leads in the direction of rotation when the shaft is rotated in the first direction to provide a stirring action for the product, to a second position in which the sharp edge leads in the direction of rotation as the shaft is rotated in said opposite direction to provide a cutting action for the product..]. .[.4. The vat of claim 3, and including a pair of arms connected to said blade, and means for pivotally connecting each arm to the frame in a manner whereby the blades will automatically pivot between said first and second position in accordance with the direction of rotation of the respective shaft..]. .[.5. The vat of claim 4, wherein the arms are connected to said sharp edge of the blade and said arms extend in said first direction from the frame whereby the arms and the blade will freely trail from the frame when said shaft is rotated in said opposite direction..]. .[.6. The vat of claim 3, and including second implement means connected to the frame and located adjacent the bottom of the vessel, said second implement means comprising a series of generally vertical blade members pivotally connected at their upper ends to said frame, said second blade members disposed to slice the product when the shaft is rotated in said opposite direction and disposed to pivot relative to the frame when the shaft is rotated in said first named direction..]. .[.7. The vat of claim 3, wherein said frame includes a horizontal frame member attached to the lower end of said blade, said horizontal frame member having a relatively sharp edge facing in the same direction as the sharp vertical edge of said 
     
     
        blade..]. 8. A vat for processing a product comprising a vessel to contain the product, a vertical shaft disposed within the vessel, a frame connected to the shaft and extending outwardly from the shaft, reversible drive means for rotating the shaft, implement means carried by the frame, said implement means arranged so that when the shaft is rotated in one direction the implement means acts to stir the product and when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction, the implement means acts to slice the product, and second implement means carried by the frame and located adjacent the bottom of the vessel, said second implement means comprising a series of blade members pivotally connected along an edge to said frame and disposed to slice the product when the shaft is rotated in said opposite direction and disposed to freely pivot relative to the frame when 
     
     
        the shaft is rotated in said first direction. 9. The vat of claim 8, wherein said blade members have generally sharp vertical edges extending 
     
     
        in said opposite direction. 10. The vat of claim 8, and including stop means carried by the frame for limiting pivotal movement of said blade 
     
     
        members when said shaft is rotated in said opposite direction. 11. The vat of claim 8, and including a connecting member connected to the lower ends of the blade members, said connecting member having a substantially 
     
     
        greater horizontal width than vertical thickness. 12. The vat of claim 11, wherein said connecting member has a longitudinal edge portion that extends radially of the shaft, said longitudinal edge portion projecting 
     
     
        in said first named direction beyond said blade members. 13. The vat of claim 11, wherein said connecting member has a longitudinal edge portion that extends radially of the shaft, said longitudinal edge portion projecting laterally from the lower ends of the blade members. .Iadd. 14. A vat for processing a product, comprising a vessel to contain the product, a vertical shaft disposed within the vessel, a frame connected to the shaft and extending outwardly from the shaft, reversible drive means for rotating the shaft, first implement means carried by the frame and disposed so that when the shaft is rotated in one direction the first implement means acts to stir the product and when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction the first implement means acts to slice the product, second implement means pivotally connected to the frame and extending downwardly from the frame to a location adjacent the bottom of the vessel, said second implement means disposed to slice the product when the shaft is rotated in said opposite direction and disposed to freely pivot relative to the frame when the shaft is rotated in said first direction, and conduit means having an open end communicating with the interior of the vessel, said open end located a substantial distance above the bottom of the vessel whereby a portion of the product within the vessel can be withdrawn through the open end of said conduit means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 15. The vat of claim 14, wherein said second implement means includes a plurality of generally parallel implement members disposed at a level beneath said first implement means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 16. The vat of claim 15, and including a generally horizontal member connected to the lower ends of said implement members. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. The vat of claim 15, wherein said implement members have generally sharp vertical edges extending in said opposite direction. .Iaddend..Iadd. 18. The vat of claim 14, and including stop means carried by the frame for limiting pivotal movement of said second implement means when said shaft is rotated in said opposite direction. .Iaddend.