Cutting device and cutting method

Abstract

A cutting device for cutting food items, preferably a cutting device for cutting beef or pork carcasses, comprising: a flat cutting body having at least one cutting edge; a driving means for rotationally driving the cutting body about a rotation axis, the driving means having a direct drive motor having a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator, the rotor being rigidly coupled to the cutting body; and a housing on which the direct drive motor is provided, wherein the cutting body has an opening on its inside, and the stator and rotor extend into the opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting device. In particular, the present invention relates to a device, body and method for cutting food items during slaughter, such as for opening the abdominal cavity of an animal or for butchering meat, more particularly for cutting food items such as beef or pork loin.

Background Art

[0002] It is known in the art to utilize a saw blade driven by an electric motor via a transmission. The transmission may include gears such as toothed belts, chains, bevel gears, etc. Such components are prone to wear, require maintenance and may require oil for lubrication, which oil poses a risk of contaminating the food products being cut. An example of a device for opening the abdominal cavity of a slaughtered animal is described in WO93 / 01725A1.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved cutting device. A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a cutting device that requires little maintenance and does not require lubricating oil (for the transmission) or at least does not require lubricating oil that may contaminate the product in the vicinity of the product being cut. It is also an object to provide a cutting device that is simpler in design, relatively easy to disassemble (assemble), relatively light in weight and smaller in dimensions. The present invention further aims to provide a cutting device suitable for cutting food items, particularly meat products. Such food items are usually made of flexible materials.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] One or more of the above-mentioned objects are achieved by the cutting device according to the present invention, by the cutting body and / or the cutting method.

[0005] According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a cutting device for cutting a food item, preferably a beef or pork carcass, the device being A flat cutting body having at least one cutting edge, A drive means for rotationally driving a cutting body around a rotation axis, comprising a direct drive motor having a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator and rigidly coupled to the cutting body, A housing equipped with a direct drive motor and Equipped with, The cutting body has an opening on its inside, and the stator and rotor extend into this opening.

[0006] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a cutting body having a cutting edge, the cutting body being arranged for use in a cutting apparatus according to the present invention, the cutting body having an opening inside thereof, which allows the stator and rotor of a direct-drive motor of the cutting apparatus according to the present invention to extend into the opening.

[0007] In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for cutting a food item, preferably a beef or pork carcass, the method comprising the step of using a cutting apparatus according to the present invention.

[0008] The advantage of the cutting device, cutting body, and / or cutting method according to the present invention is that, by using a direct drive motor in which the drive shaft uniquely coincides with the rotation axis, there is no need to use a transmission between the drive motor and the cutting body to drive the cutting body. This makes the design and structure of the cutting device relatively simple and allows for relatively easy maintenance, such as replacing the cutting body. Furthermore, the present invention is advantageous because it does not require the use of lubricating oil such as transmission lubricant, reducing the risk of contaminating food products when the present invention is used to cut food items. The cutting body has an opening, and the stator and rotor extend into the opening, which makes it possible to make the cutting device, more specifically, the combination of the housing containing the direct drive motor and the cutting body, relatively slim.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments] The present invention will now be described in detail. Unless otherwise defined or specified, all terms shall have the technical meanings that are common in the art as understood by those skilled in the art.

[0010] In one embodiment, the cutting body is disc-shaped and has at least one cutting edge on its radially outward side. The cutting edge may be a single circular edge. Alternatively, the cutting body may have, for example, cutting teeth arranged in a circle, each cutting tooth having a cutting edge that faces in the direction of rotation of the cutting body in use, at least for a portion of its length.

[0011] In one embodiment, the radially inner portion of the cutting body is also provided within the housing. Such an embodiment may enable stable and efficient positioning of the cutting body.

[0012] In one embodiment, particularly in an embodiment where the stator and rotor extend to opposite sides of the cutting body, the combination of the housing and the cutting body may be symmetrical with respect to a plane coinciding with the plane of the flat cutting body, or essentially symmetrical. Thus, the dimensions of the housing on both sides of the cutting body can be limited, and as a result, the risk of the cutting operation of the product being obstructed, particularly because the housing of the cutting device is obstructed by the product being cut, can be reduced.

[0013] In one embodiment of the cutting body, the opening of the cutting body, which is equipped with a direct drive motor, has a diameter in the range of 10 cm to 35 cm, preferably in the range of 15 cm 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 along the radially outer side of the cutting body during rotation is in the range of 1:3 to 2:3.

[0015] In one embodiment, the housing or at least a part of it is rigidly coupled to the cutting body. This improves the stability of the cutting body during rotation when using the cutting device. Furthermore, it reduces the need to use seals in the design of the cutting device to prevent fluids or other components from entering the housing from the product being cut. Alternatively, such seals may be less critical and less susceptible to wear.

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

[0017] In one embodiment, the housing extends to the opposite side of the cutting body and comprises two covers that are rigidly coupled to each other, and preferably to the cutting body as well. Such embodiments may allow for easy (disassembly) assembly of the housing and / or easy replacement of the cutting body.

[0018] In one embodiment, the stator extends radially inward from the rotor. This means the rotor extends outward from the rotor. In such a configuration, the motor can generate greater torque for the same volume compared to a configuration in which the stator extends radially outward from the rotor. A further advantage may be that the rigid connection between the rotor and the cutting body can be positioned further radially outward compared to embodiments in which the stator extends radially outward from the rotor. Such positioning of the rigid connection may simplify the connection between the rotor and the cutting body and / or reduce the mechanical load on the connection when the cutting device is in use.

[0019] In one embodiment, the cutting device has an arm that extends partially or completely outside the housing and is rigidly coupled to a stator. Such an arm may extend through an opening in the housing. Any portion of the arm outside the housing may be connected by any kind of manipulator, such as a robot, to move the cutting device relative to the product to be cut and cut the product.

[0020] In one embodiment, the housing has a width of up to 20 cm, preferably up to 15 cm, or up to 10 cm, or up to 8 cm, or up to 5 cm. The width extends parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0021] In one embodiment, the ratio of the width of the housing to the diameter of the circle along the radially outer side of the cutting body is in the range of 1:8 to 3:5, preferably in the range of 1:6 to 1:3. The diameter of the circle along the radially outer side of the cutting body may be in the range of 20 cm to 120 cm, preferably in the range of 30 cm to 90 cm. Generally, the present invention makes it possible to design a housing, which contains a direct-drive motor, to be elongated relative to the diameter of the cutting body, thereby allowing the housing to move through the product, or at least through a portion of such product, at the position where the product is cut.

[0022] Cutting device, more specifically, in one embodiment, in order to further improve the possibility that its housing moves through the product at a position previously cut by the cutting body of the cutting device, the housing, when viewed in cross-section, is tapered on its outer side. Such a tapered shape enables the housing to function as a wedge, especially when the material of the product is a flexible material, such as is typical for food products during the cutting operation of the cutting device, and it can move the cut surfaces of the material of the (partially) cut product away from each other.

[0023] In one embodiment, the largest of the stator and the rotor has 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 a cutting device is generally suitable for efficiently cutting food products.

[0024] In one embodiment, the cutting device includes a cooling system, preferably a water cooling system, for cooling the direct drive motor, and the cooling system has cooling channels in the housing. Such cooling enables efficient use of the direct drive motor.

[0025] In one embodiment, the total 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 total 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. Limiting the total weight as described above is advantageous in order to limit the mass inertia force and, generally, the force acting on the operating device that can be combined with the cutting device according to the invention during use.

[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 has 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, especially in a meat processing line, a large load is applied to the cutting device and a lot of heat may be generated, but this heat can be effectively cooled by the cooling system defined above. Such a cooling system is generally advantageous for cooling the cutting device. In this context, the present invention also relates to a cutting device for cutting food items, preferably for cutting beef or pork carcasses, the cutting device comprising a flat cutting body having at least one cutting edge, driving means for rotationally driving the cutting body about a rotation axis, including a direct drive motor having a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator, the rotor being rigidly coupled to the cutting body, a housing in which the direct drive motor is provided, a cooling system, preferably a water-cooling system, for cooling the direct drive motor, 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 and having. The cooling system of such a cutting device may be embodied as defined 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 via an inlet channel that communicates with the cooling channel at an inlet position, and the cooling fluid outlet communicates with at least one outlet channel via an outlet channel that communicates with the cooling channel at an outlet position.

[0029] The inlet and outlet positions may be located on opposite sides of each other. In this way, the cooling fluid flows from the inlet in two opposite directions and reaches the outlet from the opposite direction, contributing to effective cooling.

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

[0031] In further embodiments, the cooling channel has a wavy shape, such as a zigzag shape, for at least a large portion of its length. Due to the wavy shape, the total length of the cooling channel may exceed the circumference of the circle in which the cooling channel extends, resulting in improved cooling capacity. Furthermore, the wavy shape promotes turbulence of the cooling fluid within the cooling channel, which also contributes to the cooling capacity.

[0032] In one embodiment, the cutting body has at least one, preferably more than one, additional openings arranged radially outward from the opening, preferably in a regular pattern.

[0033] In one embodiment of this method, the rotor rotation speed is in the range of 750 rpm to 2000 rpm, preferably in the range of 1000 rpm to 1500 rpm, and / or the cutting edge speed is in the range of 5 m / s to 100 m / s, preferably in the range of 15 m / s to 60 m / s, more preferably in the range of 20 m / s to 50 m / s. Such process parameters are generally suitable for efficiently cutting food products. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] The present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings, which show one embodiment of the present invention according to scale.

[0035] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a cutting device according to the present invention in three dimensions. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a side view of the cutting device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3]Figure 3 shows the section III-III of Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of the cutting device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of the cutting device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows some alternative embodiments of the cutting apparatus according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] The cutting device 1 is configured to cut food items, particularly meat items such as beef or pork carcasses, as shown in Figures 1 to 5. The material of such food items, excluding bone, is known to be flexible by its nature.

[0037] The cutting device 1 comprises a ring-shaped flat cutting plate or cutting body 2 made of stainless steel. The cutting body 2 has a circular outer edge 3, and cutting teeth 4 are provided on this outer edge 3, each of which has a cutting edge for cutting the material of the 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 with a diameter d (Figure 4) of 28 cm. From the above dimensions, it can be seen that the radial dimension r (Figure 4) of the ring of the cutting body 2 is 8.5 cm. The ratio of d to D is 28 cm to 45 cm, which is approximately 0.62. The cutting body 2 is provided with six positioning holes 6 that are equidistant from each other just outside the circular opening 5.

[0038] As an example of an alternative embodiment of cutting body 2, we refer to cutting bodies that have no teeth but instead have a smooth, circular single cutting edge, or cutting bodies that have a helical shape instead of a circular shape and have a smooth, helical single cutting edge, or an outer edge with cutting teeth. Such cutting bodies are also known as involute cutting blades. Another example of an alternative embodiment of cutting body 2 is a propeller-shaped cutting body having a hub for mounting on a rotatable shaft and one or more blades extending radially from the hub. Such cutting bodies are sometimes called chopper 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 described below. The width w of the housing 11 (Figure 3) is approximately 8.4 cm, and the ratio of w to D is 8 cm to 45 cm, which is 0.19. The housing 11 extends to the opposite side of the cutting body. The cross-section of the housing 11 shown in Figure 3 is not exactly symmetrical with respect to a hypothetical mirror plane that coincides with the main plane of the cutting body 2. Radially outward, the housing 11 has a tapered shape, and its taper angle α (Figure 3) is approximately 24 degrees, generally preferably in the range of 20 to 30 degrees.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the cover 12 has an outer ring-shaped surface 21 and an inner ring-shaped surface 22 on its axially inward side, i.e., the side facing the cover 13. The outer ring-shaped surface 21 is provided with six positioning holes 23 that are aligned with the positioning holes 6 of the cutting body 2. The inner ring-shaped surface 22 is provided with six sets of three holes 24, 25, 24. The outermost of these three holes are screw holes 24, and the middle of the three holes is also a screw hole 25. The cover is provided with a central opening 26.

[0041] The cover 13 is provided with a circular flange 31 on its radially outer side, and a recess 32 is provided in the flange 31. The outer diameter of the flange 31 is such that it fits within the central opening 5 of the cutting body 2 with limited play. The recess 32 of the cover 13 is aligned with the screw hole 24 of the cover 12. On its axially inward side and radially inward relative to the flange 31, the cover 13 is provided with a ring-shaped surface 33 on which eight positioning holes 34 are provided at equal distances from each other. The covers 12 and 13 are detachably connected to each other via bolts (not shown), which are screwed into the screw holes 24 through some of the recesses 32 from the right side in Figures 4 and 5. When the covers 12 and 13 are screwed together, they surround a housing space that houses the direct drive motor 51 for rotationally driving the cutting body 2, as will be described later.

[0042] The ring 14 has an outer ring-shaped surface 61 and an inner ring-shaped surface 62 on its axially inward side, that is, the side facing the cutting body 2. The outer ring-shaped surface 61 has six positioning holes 63, which are aligned with the positioning holes 6 of the cutting body 2 and, consequently, with the positioning holes 23 of the cover 12. The inner ring-shaped surface 62 has six recesses 64 that are aligned with the recesses 32 of the cover 13 that are not occupied by the screws that are screwed into the screw holes 24 of the cover 12, and with the six positioning holes 25 of the cover 12. The screws 36 extend through the recesses 32 of the cover 13 and are screwed into the screw holes 24 of the cover 12. For each of the twelve screw holes 24, the inner ring-shaped surface 62 has a recess 65 that provides space for the head of the bolt that is screwed into the screw hole 24.

[0043] The cutting body 2 is clamped between the outer surface 61 of the ring 14 and the outer surface 21 of the cover 12, and a screw (not shown, but such as screw 36) for this purpose is screwed from the right side in Figures 4 and 5 through a recess 64 in the cover 14 into a screw hole 25 in the cover 12. To replace the cutting body 2, it is necessary to loosen the screw in the recess 64 and remove the ring 14 so that the cutting body 2 can be replaced. During such a replacement, the covers 12 and 13 remain fixed together. Six positioning pins 37 are also used to properly position the cutting body 2 relative to the housing 11, with one end extending into the positioning hole 63 of the ring 14 and the other end extending into the positioning hole 23 of the cover 12, passing through a hole 6 in the cutting body 2 between them.

[0044] The direct drive motor 51 is an outrunner type, with its rotor 52 located radially outside the stator 53 of the drive motor 51, and has a relatively large maximum continuous torque of 100 Nm and a peak torque of approximately 150 Nm. The combined weight of the drive motor 51 and housing 11 is a maximum of 38 kg, preferably a maximum of 28 kg, more preferably a maximum of 23 kg, and / or the combined weight of the cutting 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 positioning holes 34 in the cover 13. Positioning pins (not shown) have their ends extending into both the positioning holes 34 and 54, and rotate the cover 13, and consequently the housing 11 and cutting body 2 together with the rotor 52 during use.

[0045] The drive motor 51 also comprises a motor cover 71 having a shaft portion 72, with a bearing 73 provided around the shaft portion 72, the bearing 73 extending into a recess on the inside of the cover 13. The drive motor 51 further comprises a shaft body 81 having a shaft portion 82 oriented in the opposite direction to the shaft portion 72, this shaft portion 82 extending through the central opening 26 of the cover 12, with a bearing 83 provided around the shaft portion 82, the bearing 83 extending into a recess on the inside of the cover 12. Two seal rings 84 and 85 are provided around the shaft portion 82 on the axially outer side of the bearing 83. The motor cover 71 and the shaft body 81 are connected to each other via screws (not shown) that are screwed from right to left in Figures 4 and 5 through holes 74 on the inside of the cover 71 into screw holes 86 in the shaft body 81. The motor cover 71 and the rotor 53 are connected to each other via screws 87 that are screwed into screw holes 75 of the motor cover 71 through holes 55 of the stator 53, from left to right in Figures 4 and 5. The drive motor 51 is also provided with a cooling channel 56, through which a cooling fluid, preferably water, flows to cool the drive motor when the cutting device 1 is in use.

[0046] A cylindrical connecting element 91 is screwed to the shaft body 81 by a screw 92. The screw 91 extends through a hole in the connecting plate 93 and through a hole in the wall of the connecting element 91 to a screw hole 88 in the shaft body 81. The connecting plate 93 is further provided with fluid connecting parts 96 and 97, which, when in use, are connected to fluid hoses that allow cooling fluid to flow into and out of the cooling channel 56. The connecting plate 93 has a central opening 98, through which a power cable (not shown) extends when in use to supply power to the windings of the stator 53. The connecting plate 93 extends parallel to the cutting body 2 and is connected to another connecting plate 94 which has a hole 95 for connecting to a manipulator. The other connecting plate 94 extends perpendicular to the connecting plate 93 and is symmetrical with respect to the cutting body 2 as seen in Figure 3.

[0047] The described cutting device 1 may, when in use, be moved by a manipulator over the object to be cut, for example, to split the spine of a pig carcass or open the belly, thereby allowing the cutting body 2 to perform the necessary cut. Typically, the rotational speed of the rotor, i.e., the cutting body 2, when in use is 750 to 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 relates to an alternative embodiment of the cutting device. This cutting device differs from cutting device 1 in that the motor cover 71 and shaft body 81 are replaced by a motor cover 171 and 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 portion 282 of the shaft body 181. The cooling channel 281 extends to the inside 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 from the cylindrical portion 282 of the shaft body 181. The cooling channel 281 extends around the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion 282 and has a chamber 283 on opposing sides, one of which is not 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 portion 282 of the shaft body 181, particularly on the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 282. The chamber 283 visible in Figure 6 communicates with the cooling water inlet 295 via an inlet channel 284. Although not visible in Figure 6, the other chamber on the opposite side communicates with the cooling water outlet 296 via an outlet channel. During use, cooling water is supplied to the chamber 283 visible in Figure 6 via the inlet 295 and the inlet channel 284. From this chamber 283, the cooling water flows in two opposite directions over 180 degrees through the two zigzag-shaped sections of the cooling channel 281 to the opposite chamber 283. From this opposite chamber 283, the cooling water, which is slightly warmer at this point, flows to the outlet 296 through an outlet channel similar to the inlet channel 284. Because most of the length of the cooling channel 281 is zigzag-shaped, the total length of the cooling channel 281 exceeds the circumference of the cylindrical section 282, resulting in improved cooling capacity. Furthermore, the zigzag shape promotes turbulence of the cooling fluid within the channel 281, which also contributes to the cooling capacity.

[0050] Motor cover 171 differs from motor cover 71 in that it has a cylindrical portion 271 having a radial edge 272 at one end and a flange 273 at the opposite end, the flange 273 extending such that the outer flange portion 273a is on the outside of the cylindrical portion 271 and the inner flange portion 273b is on the inside of the cylindrical portion 271. The outer flange portion 273a is provided with a screw hole 275, such as a screw hole 75. When motor cover 171 and shaft body 181 are mounted together, the cylindrical portion 271 tightly covers the cylindrical portion 282 and, therefore, the cooling channel 281 within it. Its radial edge 272 tightly engages with the flange 282, and similarly the radial edge 285 of the shaft body 181 tightly engages with the inner flange portion 273b. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, a suitable sealing device such as a seal ring can be used.

[0051] In yet another embodiment, instead of the cylindrical portion 282 of the shaft body 181, a cooling channel such as a cooling channel 281 may be provided inside the cylindrical portion 271 of the motor cover 171. The cooling channel such as a cooling channel 281 may also extend to both the cylindrical portions 271 and 282 of the motor cover 171 and the shaft body 181, which should be properly aligned with each other.

Claims

1. A cutting device for cutting food items, preferably a cutting device for cutting beef or pork carcasses, A flat cutting body having at least one cutting edge, A drive means for rotationally driving the cutting body around a rotation axis, comprising a direct drive motor having a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator, wherein the rotor is rigidly coupled to the cutting body, The housing on which the direct drive motor is provided Equipped with A cutting device wherein the cutting body has an opening on its inside, and the stator and rotor extend into the opening.

2. The cutting body is disc-shaped and has at least one cutting edge on its radially outer side, the cutting edge being preferably circular. The cutting device according to claim 1.

3. The radially inner portion of the cutting body is also provided within the housing. The cutting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The stator and the rotor each extend to the opposite side of the cut body. A cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The housing, or at least a portion thereof, is rigidly coupled to the cutting body, and / or the cutting body is clamped between two clamp bodies. A cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The stator extends radially inward of the rotor. A cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The housing has a width of up to 20 cm, preferably up to 15 cm, or up to 10 cm, or up to 8 cm, or up to 5 cm. A cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The diameter of the circle along the radially outer side of the cutting body is in the range of 20 cm to 120 cm, preferably in the range of 30 cm to 90 cm. A cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The aforementioned housing has a tapered shape on its outer side when viewed in cross-section. A cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The combined weight of the cutting body, the stator, the rotor, and the 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, the stator, the rotor, and the housing is at least 10 kg, preferably at least 15 kg, more preferably at least 20 kg. A cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The cooling system for cooling the direct drive motor with a cooling fluid, preferably a water cooling system, 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, A cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The cooling channel extends over 360 degrees. The cutting device according to claim 11.

13. The cooling fluid inlet communicates with the cooling channel at the inlet position via an inlet channel communicating with the cooling channel, and the cooling fluid outlet communicates with at least one outlet channel at the outlet position via an outlet channel communicating with the cooling channel. The cutting device according to claim 12.

14. The aforementioned inlet position and the aforementioned outlet position are located on opposite sides of each other. The cutting device according to claim 13.

15. The cooling channel includes chambers at the inlet and outlet positions. The cutting apparatus according to claim 13 or 14.

16. The cooling channel extends inside the rotor and stator. A cutting device according to any one of claims 11 to 15.

17. The cooling channel has a wavy shape over at least most of its length. A cutting device according to any one of claims 11 to 16.

18. A cutting body having a cutting edge, wherein the cutting body is arranged for use in a cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, and has an opening inside thereof, allowing the stator and rotor of a direct drive motor to extend into the opening.

19. The opening has a diameter in the range of 10 cm to 35 cm, preferably in the range of 15 cm to 30 cm. The cutting body according to claim 18.

20. A method for cutting a food item, preferably a beef or pork carcass, comprising the step of using a cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

21. The rotational speed of the rotor is in the range of 750 rpm to 2000 rpm, preferably in the range of 1000 rpm to 1500 rpm. The method according to claim 20.

22. The speed of the cutting edge is in the range of 5 m / s to 100 m / s, preferably in the range of 15 m / s to 60 m / s, and more preferably in the range of 20 m / s to 50 m / s. The method according to claim 20 or 21.

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