Cutting apparatus with element for receiving and abutting cutting blade

A cutting apparatus for cutting a food object, said apparatus comprising:

• at least one cutting blade configured to move along a vertical plane and within a cutting area defined by a predetermined outer limit traced by an edge of the cutting blade;
• a actuator arranged for moving the at least one cutting blade before and during cutting;
• and
• a three-dimensional structural element formed from a polymeric material and defining a receiving section and at least one supporting section;
• wherein the receiving section is arranged for receiving and abutting the cutting blade at a point in time prior to cutting;
• and
• wherein the least one supporting section is arranged for supporting a food object before and during cutting;
• wherein during cutting the at least one supporting section is arranged for being displaced by elastic deformation by the cutting blade with respect to a position of the at least one supporting section prior to cutting;
• wherein during moving of the cutting blade, the cutting blade is arranged for displacing the at least one supporting section subsequent to the cutting blade abutting the receiving section;
• wherein the cutting blade and the element are arranged for being continuously in contact with each other from a point of contact made between the cutting blade and the receiving section prior to cutting, and at least until a point in time during cutting;
• wherein the cutting apparatus further comprises a first conveyor for conveying the food object from a first position in a conveying direction wherein the food object does not intersect the cutting area, to a second position wherein the food object does intersect the cutting area and places the food object on the at least one supporting section, and a second conveyor arranged to conveyor the food object away from the cutting blade in the conveying direction;
• wherein the conveying direction is substantially orthogonal to the vertical plane and the cutting area;
• wherein the receiving section forms a protruding part of the element to receive the cutting blade at a point of reception, the point of reception being above the at least one supporting section and on the vertical plane.