Cutting device for cutting food items, cutting body having a cutting edge, and method for cutting food items.

Description

/ 17 Cutting device for cutting food items, cutting body having a cutting edge, and method for cutting food items. TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present invention relates to a cutting device. In particular, the invention relates to a device, a body and a method for cutting food items, more particularly meat products, such as beef or pork carcasses, during slaughter, for example, to open the abdominal cavity of an animal or to split carcasses. FUNDAMENTALS

[002] It is known in the art to use saw blades that are driven by means of a transmission by an electric motor. The transmission may include toothed belts, chains and gears, such as bevel gears. Such parts are subject to wear and require maintenance, and may need oil for lubrication, which represents a risk of contamination for the food product to be cut. An example of a device for opening the abdominal cavity of a slaughtered animal is described in international patent application WO 93 / 01725 A1.

[003] One objective of the invention is to provide an improved cutting device. A more specific objective of the invention is to provide a cutting device that requires less maintenance and does not require lubricating (transmission) oil or, at least, does not require lubricants near the product to be cut, which could contaminate the product. It is also an objective to provide a cutting device with a simpler design, which is relatively easy to disassemble, has a relatively low weight and smaller dimensions. Another objective is to provide a cutting device suitable for cutting food items, more particularly meat products. Such food items can normally be made of flexible material. Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 41 / 57 / 17 SUMMARY

[004] One or more of the above-mentioned objectives were achieved by a cutting device, by a cutting body and / or by a cutting method according to the present invention.

[005] According to one aspect, the invention relates to a cutting device for cutting food items, preferably for cutting beef or pork carcasses, comprising - a planar cutting body having at least one cutting edge, - drive means for actuating the rotation of the cutting body around a rotational geometric axis, the drive means comprising a direct drive motor with a stator and a rotor that is rotatable relative to the stator and that is rigidly connected to the cutting body, - a housing in which the direct drive motor is provided, wherein the cutting body is provided with an opening on its inner side, the stator and rotor extending within the opening.

[006] In another aspect, the invention relates to a cutting body having a cutting edge, the cutting body being arranged for use in a cutting device according to the invention, the cutting body being provided with an opening on its inner side, allowing a stator and rotor of the direct drive motor of the cutting device according to the invention to extend within the opening.

[007] In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for cutting food items, preferably for cutting beef or pork carcasses, the method comprising the step of using a cutting device according to the invention.

[008] An effect of the cutting device, cutting body and / or method Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 42 / 57 / 17 of the cutting mechanism according to the invention is that, by using a direct drive motor, whose geometric drive shaft is, by definition, aligned with the geometric rotational axis, it is not necessary to use a transmission between the drive motor and the cutting body to drive the cutting body. This allows the design and construction of the cutting device to be relatively simple and allows for relatively easy maintenance, such as, for example, replacing the cutting body. The invention also eliminates the need to use lubricating oil, such as transmission lubricating oil, which, in the use of the invention for cutting food items, will be advantageous due to the reduced risk of contamination of food products.The feature that the cutting body is provided with an opening and that the stator and rotor extend within said opening allows the cutting device, more particularly the combination of the housing including the direct drive motor therein and the cutting body, to be relatively thin. DESCRIPTION OF THE MODALITIES

[009] The present invention is elucidated below with a detailed description. Unless defined or specified otherwise, all terms shall be given a technical meaning consistent with the meaning usually used in the art, as understood by a person skilled in the art.

[0010] In one embodiment, the cutting body is disc-shaped and has at least one cutting edge on its radial outer side. The cutting edge may be a single circular edge. Alternatively, the cutting body may, for example, have cutting teeth, which may be arranged in a circle, on its radial outer side, each cutting tooth having a cutting edge in at least part of its length facing the direction in which the cutting body in use is rotated.

[0011] In one embodiment, a radial inner part of the cutting body is also provided within the housing. Such an embodiment may allow Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 43 / 57 / 17 a stable and efficient positioning of the cutting body.

[0012] In one embodiment. In particular, in an embodiment in which the stator and rotor extend on opposite sides of the cutting body, the combination of the housing and the cutting body may be symmetrical or basically symmetrical with respect to a plane that is aligned with the plane of the flat cutting body. The dimensions of the housing on both sides of the cutting body may therefore be limited, thereby reducing the risk that any cutting action of a product may be obstructed, since the cutting device, in particular its housing, is blocked by the product being cut.

[0013] In one embodiment of the cutting body, the opening of the cutting body in which the direct drive motor is provided has a diameter within the range of 10 cm to 35 cm, preferably within the range of 15 to 30 cm.

[0014] In one embodiment of the cutting body, the ratio between the diameter of the opening and the diameter of the circle that is followed by the radial outer side of the cutting body during its rotation is within the range of 1:3 to 2:3.

[0015] In one embodiment, the housing, or at least a part thereof, is rigidly connected to the cutting body. This can, with the use of the cutting device, improve the stability of the cutting body during its rotation. Furthermore, this can reduce the need to use seals in the design of the cutting device to prevent parts, such as fluids, from a product being cut from entering the housing. Or at least such seals can be less critical and less subject to wear.

[0016] In one embodiment, the cutting body is fixed between two fixing bodies. Each or at least one of these fixing bodies may be part of the housing.

[0017] In one modality, the accommodation comprises two Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, p. 44 / 57 / 17 covers that extend on opposite sides of the cutting body and that are rigidly connected to each other and, preferably, also to the cutting body. This arrangement may allow for easy (dis)assembly of the housing and / or easy replacement of a cutting body.

[0018] In one embodiment, the stator extends radially into the rotor. This means that the rotor extends outward from the rotor. In such a configuration, the motor can produce more torque for the same build volume compared to a configuration in which the stator would extend radially outward from the rotor. An additional advantage may be that the rigid connection between the rotor and the shear body can be positioned in a position that is more radially outward compared to an embodiment in which the stator would extend radially outward from the rotor. Such a positioning of the rigid connection can simplify the connection between the rotor and the shear body and / or can reduce the mechanical load on the connection in use of the shear device.

[0019] In one embodiment, the cutting device comprises an arm that extends partially or fully out of the housing and is rigidly connected to the stator. Such an arm may extend through an opening in the housing. Any part of the arm outside the housing may be connected to any type of manipulator, such as a robot, for moving the cutting device relative to any product to be cut.

[0020] In one embodiment, the housing has a width of no more than 20 cm, preferably no more than 15 cm, or no more than 10 cm, or no more than 8 cm, or no more than 5 cm. The width extends parallel to the geometric axis of rotation.

[0021] In one embodiment, the ratio between the width of the housing and the diameter of the circle that is followed by the radial outer side of the cutting body is within the range of 1:8 to 3:5, preferably within the range of 1:6 to 1 Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 45 / 57 / 17: 3. The diameter of the circle followed by the radial outer side of the cutting body may be within the range of 20 cm to 120 cm, preferably within the range of 30 cm to 90 cm. In general, the invention allows for a slim housing design with the direct drive motor in it, relative to the aforementioned diameter of the cutting body, thus allowing movement of the housing through a product or at least through part of that product at the location where the product is cut.

[0022] To further improve the ability of the cutting device, more particularly its housing, to move through a product at the point where it is previously cut by the cutting body of the cutting device, in one embodiment the housing seen in cross-section is conical on its outer side. Due to this conical shape, the housing can act as a wedge and move the cut sides of the material of a (partially) cut product away from each other, particularly when the product material is flexible, as is normally the case with food products during a cutting motion of the cutting device.

[0023] The larger of the stators and rotors has, in one embodiment, a diameter within the range of 15 cm to 35 cm, preferably within the range of 20 cm to 30 cm, and / or the direct drive motor has a maximum torque of 350 Nm, preferably 250 Nm, more preferably 200 Nm. Such cutting devices are generally suitable for cutting food products efficiently.

[0024] In one embodiment, the cutting device comprises a cooling system, preferably a water cooling system, for cooling the direct drive motor, the cooling system having cooling channels within the housing. Such cooling allows for efficient use of the direct drive motor.

[0025] In one modality, the combined weight of the cutting body, of Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, p. 46 / 57 / 17 stator, rotor and housing is a maximum of 40 kg, preferably a maximum of 30 kg, more preferably a maximum of 25 kg, and / or the combined weight of the cutting body, stator, rotor and housing is a minimum of 10 kg, preferably a minimum of 15 kg, more preferably a minimum of 20 kg. To limit the inertial forces of the mass and, in general, to limit any forces acting on a handling device that, in use, can generally be combined with the cutting device according to the invention, it is advantageous to limit the combined weight mentioned above.

[0026] In one embodiment, the cutting device comprises a cooling system, preferably a water cooling system, for cooling the direct drive motor with a cooling fluid, the cooling system having a cooling fluid inlet, a cooling fluid outlet, and a cooling channel extending within the housing between the cooling fluid inlet and the cooling fluid outlet. In use, particularly in slaughter lines, the cutting device may be heavily loaded, causing the generation of much heat, which can be effectively cooled with a cooling system as defined above. Such a cooling system can, in general, be advantageous for cooling cutting devices. In this context, the present invention also relates to a cutting device for cutting food items, preferably for cutting beef or pork carcasses, comprising - a planar cutting body having at least one cutting edge, - drive means for actuating the rotation of the cutting body around a rotational geometric axis, the drive means comprising a direct drive motor with a stator and a rotor that is rotatable relative to the stator, the rotor being rigidly connected to the cutting body, Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 47 / 57 / 17 - a housing in which the direct drive motor is provided, and a cooling system, preferably a water cooling system, for cooling the direct drive motor with a cooling fluid, the cooling system having a cooling fluid inlet, a cooling fluid outlet and a cooling channel extending within the housing between the cooling fluid inlet and the cooling fluid outlet. The cooling system of such a cutting device may also be incorporated as specified below.

[0027] Very efficient cooling can be achieved if the cooling channel extends over 360 degrees.

[0028] In a practical embodiment, the cooling fluid inlet communicates with the cooling channel by means of an inlet channel that connects to the cooling channel at an inlet position, and the cooling fluid outlet communicates with at least one outlet channel by means of an outlet channel that connects to the cooling channel at an outlet position.

[0029] The inlet and outlet positions can be positioned opposite each other. In this way, the cooling fluid can flow in two opposite directions from the inlet position and reach the outlet position in opposite directions, thus contributing to effective cooling.

[0030] The effectiveness of cooling can be further enhanced by the cooling channel comprising chambers at the inlet and outlet positions.

[0031] In another embodiment, the cooling channel has, at least for most of its length, a wavy shape, such as a zigzag. Due to the wavy shape, the total length of the channel Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 48 / 57 / 17 of cooling can exceed the length of the circumference along which the cooling channel extends, providing greater cooling capacity. In addition, the corrugated shape can promote turbulence of the cooling fluid within the cooling channel, also contributing to the cooling capacity.

[0032] In one embodiment, the cutting body has at least one, preferably more than one, additional opening, arranged, preferably in a regular pattern, on the radial outer side of the opening.

[0033] In one embodiment of the method, the rotor rotation speed is within the range of 750 rpm to 2000 rpm, preferably within the range of 1000 rpm to 1500 rpm, and / or the cutting edge speed is within the range of 5 m / s to 100 m / s, preferably within the range of 15 m / s to 60 m / s, more preferably within the range of 20 m / s to 50 m / s. Such process parameters will generally be suitable for efficiently cutting food products. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, to scale, an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0035] Figure 1 shows, in three-dimensional view, a cutting device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows, in side view, the cutting device according to Figure 1; Figure 3 shows cross-section III-III of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows, in a three-dimensional expanded view, the cutting device according to Figure 1; Figure 5 shows, in a three-dimensional expanded view, the cutting device according to Figure 1; Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of part of a Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 49 / 57 / 17 cutting device according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The cutting device 1, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, is configured for cutting food items, more particularly meat items, such as beef or pork carcasses. The material of such food items, with the exception of the bones, is known to be flexible in nature.

[0037] The cutting device 1 comprises a flat ring-shaped cutting plate or cutting body 2, made of stainless steel. This cutting body 2 has a circular outer edge 3 which is provided with cutting teeth 4, each of which cutting teeth 4 having a cutting edge for cutting the material of a product to be cut. The outer diameter D (Figure 2) of the cutting body 2 is 45 cm. The cutting body 2 has a central circular opening 5 having a diameter d (Figure 4) of 28 cm. From the above dimensions, it is concluded that the radial dimension r (Figure 4) of the ring of the cutting body 2 is 8.5 cm. The ratio of D is 28 cm to 45 cm, that is, about 0.62. The cutting body 2 is provided with six positioning holes 6 which are positioned at equal distances from each other, just outside the circular opening 5.

[0038] As an example of an alternative embodiment for a cutting body 2, reference is made to cutting bodies that do not have teeth but instead have a single smooth circular cutting edge, to cutting bodies that have an outer edge that has a spiral instead of a circular shape and is provided with a single smooth spiral-shaped cutting edge or with cutting teeth. Such cutting bodies are also known as enveloping cutting blades. Another example of an alternative embodiment for a cutting body 2 is a helical cutting body having a hub for mounting on a rotating geometric axis and one or more blades extending radially from said hub. Such cutting bodies may be Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 50 / 57 / 17 called chopping knives.

[0039] The cutting device 1 further comprises a housing 11. The housing 11 comprises two dome-shaped covers 12, 13 and a ring 14 which are interconnected as will be explained below. The housing 11 has a width w (Figure 3) of about 8.4 cm, meaning that the ratio w to D from 8 cm to 45 cm is 0.19. The housing 11 extends on opposite sides of the cutting body. The cross-section of the housing 11, as shown in Figure 3, is, although not exactly, but still basically symmetrical with respect to an imaginary mirror plane that is aligned with the principal plane of the cutting body 2. On its radial outer side, the housing 11 has a conical shape, the conical angle α (Figure 3) being about 24 degrees and generally preferably within the range of 20 degrees to 30 degrees.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the cover 12 comprises, on its axial inner side, i.e., the lateral face facing the cover 13, an outer ring-shaped face 21 and an inner ring-shaped face 22. The outer ring-shaped face 21 has six positioning holes 23 which are aligned with the positioning holes 6 of the cutting body 2. The inner ring-shaped face 22 has six sets of three holes 24, 25, 24. The outer holes of these three are holes for threaded screws 24, and the middle hole of the three is also a hole for screws 25. The cover has a central opening 26.

[0041] The cover 13 is provided on its radial outer side with a circular flange 31 in which holes 32 are provided. The outer diameter of the flange 31 is such that the flange 31 fits with limited clearance within the central opening 5 of the cutting body 2. The holes 32 of the cover 13 are aligned with the holes of the threaded bolts 24 of the cover 12. On its inner side, axially and radially inward relative to the flange 31, the cover 13 is provided with a ring-shaped face 33 in which eight Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 51 / 57 / 17 positioning holes 34 are provided at equal distances from each other. Covers 12 and 13 are detachably connected to each other by means of nut bolts (not shown) which are screwed in from the right side in Figures 4 and 5 through some of the holes 32 in the screw holes 24. When screwed in, covers 12, 13 enclose an accommodation space in which a direct drive motor 51 is accommodated to drive the rotation of the cutting body 2, as will be discussed later.

[0042] The ring 14 is provided on its axial inner side, that is, the side facing the cutting body 2, with an outer face in the shape of a ring 61 and an inner face in the shape of a ring 62. On the outer face in the shape of a ring 61, six positioning holes 63 are provided which are aligned with the positioning holes 6 of the cutting body 2 and consequently also with the positioning holes 23 of the cover 12. On the inner face in the shape of a ring 62, six holes 64 are provided which are aligned with the holes 32 of the cover 13, which are not occupied by threaded screws, which are screwed into the threaded screw holes 24 of the cover 12 and with the six positioning holes 25 of the cover 12. The threaded screws 36 extend through said holes 32 of the cover 13 and are screwed into the threaded screw holes 24 of the cover 12.For each of the twelve screw holes 24, the inner ring-shaped face 62 is provided with a recess 65 that provides space for the heads of the nut screws that are screwed into the screw holes 24.

[0043] The cutting body 2 is fixed between the outer face 61 of the ring 14 and the outer face 21 of the cover 12, for which threaded screws (not shown, but like the threaded screws 36) are screwed in from the right side in Figures 4 and 5, through the holes 64 of the cover 14, into the threaded screw holes 25 of the cover 12. For replacement of the cutting body 2, the threaded screws in the holes 64 need to be unscrewed. Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 52 / 57 / 17 so that ring 14 can be removed and cutting body 2 can be replaced. During this replacement, covers 12 and 13 remain fixed together. In order to correctly position cutting body 2 in relation to housing 11, six positioning pins 37 are also applied, which, with one end, extend into a positioning hole 63 of ring 14, with the other end into a positioning hole 23 of cover 12 and between them by means of a hole 6 of cutting body 2.

[0044] The aforementioned direct drive motor 51 is of the outrunner type, wherein the rotor 52 of the drive motor 51 is radially on the outer side of the stator 53 of the drive motor 51 and has a relatively high maximum continuous torque of 100 Nm and its maximum torque is about 150 Nm. The combined weight of the drive motor 51 and the housing 11 is at most 38 kg, preferably at most 28 kg, more preferably at most 23 kg, and / or the combined weight of the sheath body, stator, rotor and housing is at least 8 kg, preferably at least 13 kg, more preferably at least 18 kg. On the side facing the cover 13, the rotor 52 is provided with eight positioning holes 54 which are aligned with the positioning holes 34 of the cover 13.The positioning pins (not shown) extend their ends into both the positioning holes 34 and the positioning holes 54, causing the cover 13 and consequently the housing 11 and the cutting body 2 to rotate in use along with the rotor 52.

[0045] The drive motor 51 also comprises a motor cover 71 having a shaft portion 72 around which a bearing 73 is provided, said bearing 73 extending within a recess on the inner side of the cover 13. The drive motor 51 further comprises a shaft body 81 which also has a shaft portion 82 which is directed in the opposite direction with respect to the direction of the shaft portion 72, Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page. 53 / 57 / 17 whose shaft portion 82 extends through the central opening 26 of the cover 12 and around which a bearing 83 is provided, which bearing 83 extends within a recess on the inner side of the cover 12. On the outer axial side of the bearing 83, two sealing rings 84, 85 are provided around the shaft portion 82. The motor cover 71 and the shaft body 81 are interconnected by means of threaded screws (not shown) which are screwed from right to left in Figures 4 and 5 through internal holes 74 in the cover 71 into the threaded screw holes 86 in the shaft body 81. The motor cover 71 and the rotor 53 are interconnected by means of threaded screws 87 which are screwed from left to right in Figures 4 and 5 through the threaded screw holes 55 of the stator. 53 in the screw holes 75 of the engine cover 71.The drive motor 51 is also provided with cooling channels 56 through which, during the use of the cutting device 1, cooling fluid, preferably water, flows to cool the drive motor.

[0046] A cylindrical connecting element 91 is screwed with threaded screws 92 to the shaft body 81. The threaded screws 91 extend through holes in a connecting plate 93 and through holes in the wall of the connecting element 91 into threaded screw holes 88 of the shaft body 81. In addition, fluid connections 96, 97 are provided on the connecting plate 93, which, in use, must be connected to fluid hoses to allow cooling fluid to flow into and away from the cooling channels 56 via the respective connections 96, 97. The connecting plate 93 has a central opening 98 through which power cables in use (not shown) extend to electrically supply the stator windings 53. The connecting plate 93 extends parallel to the cutting body 2 and is connected to another connecting plate 94 with 95 holes in it for connection to a manipulator. Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 54 / 57 / 17 Another connecting plate 94 extends perpendicularly to connecting plate 93 and is symmetrical with respect to section body 2 seen in the view according to Figure 3.

[0047] The cutting device 1, as described in use, can be moved by the manipulator in relation to an object to be cut, such as, for example, a pig carcass to split its spine or to open its belly, in such a way that the cutting body 2 makes the necessary cut. Typically, the rotational speed in use of the rotor, and also of the cutting body 2, is between 750 and 2000 revolutions per minute (rpm) and / or the speed of the outer edge 3 of the cutting body is in the range of 5 to 100 meters per second (m / s).

[0048] Figure 6 refers to an alternative embodiment of a cutting device. This cutting device differs from cutting device 1 in that the motor cover 71 and the shaft body 81 have been replaced by the motor cover 171 and the shaft body 181. The shaft body 181 differs from the shaft body 81 in that a cooling channel 281 is provided on the outer circumference of the cylindrical part 282 of the shaft body 181. The cooling channel 281 extends on the inner side of the rotor and stator of the cutting device.

[0049] The shaft body 181 is provided with a small flange 283 that extends radially outward relative to the cylindrical part 282 of the shaft body 181. The cooling channel 281 extends around the entire circumference of the cylindrical part 282 and comprises, on opposite sides, a chamber 283, of which only one is visible in Figure 6. Between the two chambers 283, the cooling channel 281 has a zigzag shape. The cooling channel 281 is machined into the cylindrical part 282 of the shaft body 181, more particularly on the outer side of the cylindrical part 282. The chamber 283, which is visible in Figure 6, communicates through the inlet channel 284 with the cooling water inlet 295. The other opposite chamber, which is not visible Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page. 55 / 57 / 17 in Figure 6, communicates via an outlet channel with the cooling water outlet 296. In use, cooling water will be supplied by inlet 295 and inlet channel 284 to chamber 283, which is visible in Figure 6. From this chamber 283, the cooling water will flow in two opposite directions along 180 degrees through the two zigzag-shaped parts of the cooling channel 281 to the opposite chamber 283. From this opposite chamber 283, the cooling water, at that moment slightly heated, will flow through an outlet channel that is comparable to the inlet channel 284 to outlet 296. Due to its zigzag shape along most of the length of the cooling channel 281, the total length of the cooling channel 281 exceeds the circumference of the cylindrical part 282, providing greater cooling capacity.Furthermore, the zigzag shape promotes turbulence of the cooling fluid within channel 281, also contributing to the cooling capacity.

[0050] The engine cover 171 differs from the engine cover 71 in that the engine cover 171 has a cylindrical part 271 with a radial edge 272 at one end, and at the opposite end a flange 273 extending with an external flange part 273a on the outside of the cylindrical part 271 and with an internal flange part 273b on an inside of the cylindrical part 271. In the external flange part 273a, bolt holes 275 are provided, as are the bolt holes 75. When the engine cover 171 and the shaft body 181 are assembled together, the cylindrical part 271 closely covers the cylindrical part 282 and therefore the cooling channel 281 contained therein.Its radial edge 272 fits tightly into the flange 282 and, similarly, the radial edge 285 of the shaft body 181 fits tightly into the outer flange part 273b. Suitable sealing devices, such as sealing rings, may be used, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0051] In another alternative mode, a channel of Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 56 / 57 / 17 cooling, such as cooling channel 281, could be made on the inner side of the cylindrical part 271 of the engine cover 171, instead of on the cylindrical part 282 of the shaft body 181. A cooling channel, such as cooling channel 281, may also extend into the cylindrical parts 271 and 282, for which the engine cover 171 and the shaft body 181 must be properly aligned with respect to each other. Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 57 / 57

Claims

1 / 4 CLAIMS 1. Cutting device for cutting food items, preferably for cutting beef or pork carcasses, characterized in that it comprises - a flat cutting body having at least one cutting edge, - drive means for driving the rotation of the cutting body around a rotational geometric axis, the drive means comprising a direct drive motor with a stator and a rotor that is rotatable relative to the stator, the rotor being rigidly connected to the cutting body, - a housing in which the direct drive motor is provided, wherein the cutting body is provided with an opening on its inner side, the stator and rotor extending within the opening.

2. Cutting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting body has a disc shape and has at least one cutting edge on its radial outer side, the cutting edge preferably being circular.

3. Cutting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a radial inner part of the cutting body is also provided within the housing.

4. Cutting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stator and rotor extend on opposite sides of the cutting body.

5. Cutting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing, or at least a part thereof, is rigidly connected to the cutting body, and / or in that the cutting body is fixed between two fixing bodies. Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, page 29 / 57 2 / 4 6. Cutting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stator extends radially into the rotor.

7. Cutting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing has a width of at most 20 cm, preferably at most 15 cm, or at most 10 cm, or at most 8 cm, or at most 5 cm.

8. Cutting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the circle followed by the radial outer side of the cutting body is within the range of 20 cm to 120 cm, preferably within the range of 30 cm to 90 cm.

9. Cutting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing seen in cross-section is conical on its outer side.

10. Cutting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the combined weight of the cutting body, stator, rotor and housing is at most 40 kg, preferably at most 30 kg, more preferably at most 25 kg, and / or the combined weight of the cutting body, stator, rotor and housing is at least 10 kg, preferably at least 15 kg, more preferably at least 20 kg.

11. Cutting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cooling system, preferably a water cooling system, for cooling the direct drive motor with a cooling fluid, the cooling system having a cooling fluid inlet, a cooling fluid outlet and a cooling channel extending within the housing between the cooling fluid inlet and the cooling fluid outlet. Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, p. 30 / 57 3 / 4 12. Cutting device according to claim 11, characterized in that the cooling channel extends 360 degrees.

13. Cutting device according to claim 12, characterized in that the cooling fluid inlet communicates with the cooling channel by means of an inlet channel that connects to the cooling channel at an inlet position, and in that the cooling fluid outlet communicates with at least one outlet channel by means of an outlet channel that connects to the cooling channel at an outlet position.

14. Cutting device according to claim 13, characterized in that the inlet position and the outlet position are positioned opposite each other.

15. Cutting device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the cooling channel comprises chambers in the inlet position and in the outlet position.

16. Cutting device according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the cooling channel extends on the inner side of the rotor and stator.

17. Cutting device according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the cooling channel has, at least for most of its length, a wavy shape.

18. Cutting body having a cutting edge, the cutting body characterized in that it is arranged for use in a device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 17, the cutting body being provided with an opening on its inner side, allowing a stator and rotor of a direct drive motor to extend within the opening.

19. Cutting body according to claim 18, characterized in that the opening having a diameter within the range of 10 cm to 35 cm, preferably within the range of 15 to 30 cm.

20. A method for cutting food items, preferably for cutting beef or pork carcasses, the method characterized in that it comprises the step of using a cutting device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 17.

21. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the rotor rotation speed is within the range of 750 rpm to 2000 rpm, preferably within the range of 1000 rpm to 1500 rpm.

22. Method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the cutting edge speed is within the range of 5 m / s to 100 m / s, preferably within the range of 15 m / s to 60 m / s, more preferably within the range of 20 m / s to 50 m / s. Petition 870250088203, dated 09 / 29 / 2025, p. 32 / 57

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