Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
631g8-1075
FOOD PROCE~5SIIIG I~PPARATUS
Field of the Invention
The present invention relateæ to food proces~iing and
more particularly to a method and apparatus for cutting a food
item such as a potato into helical strips.
Backqround of the Inventlon
Helical french fries or curlicue ~riss as they are more
commonly known, have long been i~ popular food item. Apparatus
suitable for making stxips for curlicue french ~rles have been
known for decad~s. Earlier devices were usually manually driven.
Later devices used si~ple ~echanii3m~ to rotate the potato again~it
a cutter head. Large commercial applicatlons required that the
cutting element be ro~ated and brought into engagement with the
non-rotatlng potato. A typical problem with early deæigns wai the
fact that it was difficult to release the holding mechanism ~or
insertlon of the nex~ potato.
One proposed solution to this problem is shown in U.S.
~atent 4,644,838 to Samson et al. and involves the use of a
plurality of spring loaded fingers whlch protrude into the wall o~
~O a feed chute supplying potatoes to the cutting element and which
act to restrain the potatoes therei~ agalnst rotation. A
reciprocating plunger pushes potatoes through ~he chute. Such an
arrangement, however, limits ~he speed wi~h which the apparatus
can proce~is potatoes, since approximately half of the plunger' 3
motlon is wasted. The plunger itself contributes ~o the
complexity oE th:Ls system since its peripher~ mu~it be conflyured
with grooves to permit the plunger to pass by the ~ingers in the
chute without puæhing the finyeræ to thelr retracted positton.
This ~eed problem was overcome by ~ood proaesiæing
apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pa~*nts 4,926t726 and 4,979,418,
assigned to the assignee of the preient applicatlon. These
patents dlsclose apparatu~i having a eed mecha~ism utillzi~g a
~eriesi o~ rollers :Lncluding at least one pair of splked roll~rs.
The rollers continuously ~eed potatoes into engagement with a
rotatlng cuttiny head wlthout wasited ~otion due to reciprocatincJ
ele~ents. The cutting head of the '418 paten~ is rigidly ~ounted
63198 1075
and ro~atably driven by a gear drive system. The cu~ting head o~
the '726 patent ls supported by idler rollers in free floating
fashion and rotatably driven by a drive belt.
Although a signlficant improvement over ~he prior art,
some problems were still encounte~ed. One problem was that on
occasi~n the entire pota~o was not cut. A butt end sometimes was
left becaus~ the rollers could not engage the end portion of ~he
potato being cut. Also, on occasion the potato was not perfectly
centered when it entered khe cutting head or exhibited a gouged
urface due to slipping contac~ wi~h the spiked rollers, resultiny
in helical strips having lesis than optimum thicknesi or
uniformity.
The present invention overcomes the above-noted
drawbacks and provides a simple apparatus ~or processl~g larg~
numbers of potatoes into helical strips quickly and ef~iciently.
An object of the present invention t~erefore is to
provide a cutting apparatus for u~e in ~ood processing ~achines
that is simple and efficient.
Another object is to ~rovide a cutting apparatus that ls
easy and economical to manufacture.
Still ano~her obje~t is to provide a cutting apparatu~i
with a mini~um number of componen~s, each of which is easily and
quickly removed.
Another object is to provide a cutting appara~us that
minimizes the accumulation of food pieces within the autter head
assembly.
Ye~ another ob~ect isi to provlde a cutting appara~us
that improve~i the yield obtained ~rom raw product as well as the
quality an~ structural integrity of the helical strips produoed
during cutting.
A further object is to provide a cu~ting appara~us that
reduces the number of butt pieces produced durl~g cutting.
Another ob~ect ls to provide a cutting apparatus that is
better ~uited for processiing smaller potatoes.
Yet ano~her object is to provide a cut~ing apparatus
wlth improved centerlng capabili~y.
.. , .. ,, ... , . .... , , ... . .. .. , . , .. ... ,~ . .. . . . .. . .
~3198-1075
A further object is to provide a cutting apparatus that
minimizes damage to the surface of the potato prior to cut~ing.
These and other objects, features, and advan~ages of the
present invention will be more readily apparent from the following
summary and detalled de~cription which proceeds with reference to
the accompanyin~ drawlngs.
~5~ .. ...
In a speciflc embodiment o~ the apparatus of the
invention, po~atoes are fed into a water containiny ~upply tank.
A radial impeller type food pump draws the water and potatoes ~rom
the supply tank and forces the water and the potatoes into a
~ransfer tube. The trans~er tube conveys ~he water and potatoes
to a tapered reducer tube. The outlet of the tapered reducer tube
is attached to a tapered elastomeric sleeve. The elastomeric
sleeve has an inlet opening greater in diameter than the diameter
of the largest potato. The elastomeric sleeve tapers to a
diameter at it~ exit end which is smaller than the diameter of the
entrance end. The outlet of the tapered elastomer1c tube i6
mounted so tha~ i~s center line is aligned axially with the center
line of a rotating cutting me~ber. The cutting member comprises a
helical shaped kni~e defining a radially extending slicing blade
at a leading edge thereo~ and suppor~ing a plurality of
perpendicularly extending scoring blade~. The rotary cuttiny
aæsembly i~ adapted to be gear driven by a motor. A stationary
dl~charge tu~e is mounted on the outlet side o~ the rotary cutting
assembly to recelve and discharge the sliced potato pi~ceæ. This
discharge tube prevents the potato piece~ irom ac~u~ulating and
possl~ly disintegrating inslde the rotary cutting assembly.
The potatoes are transported through the transport tube
at a velocity equal to or leæs than the velocity o~ the wa~er
flow. The water pressure and ~low ~orce the enkire potato,
including any butt end, through the ~uttln~ member. Means are
provided to qulckly remove the cutting member to clear any
obstruction or replace an~ dama0ed or dull knife blades.
Various aspec~s of the inventlon are described and
claimed hereina~ter. For example, according to one broad aspect,
$~L
61398-1075
Brief Description of the Drawinqs
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a food processing
apparatus according to a first and second embodiment of the
present invention.
Fiy. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of
the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the cutting assembly removed.
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the apparatus
of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4
of Fig. 3 showing a portion of the conveyor seckion of the feed
assembly.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view kaken on line 5-5
of ~ig. 3.
Fig. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a cutting
element and associated holder used in the apparatus of the
invention and a tool for inserting and removing the cutter from
the holder.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the cutting element of Fig. 6
showing in dashed lines the concentric paths of the
4b
D - :
$~
63198-1075
the invention provides an apparatus for ~utting a ~ood product
comprising: a means to combine the food product with a fluid
media; a means to hydraulically transport the food product and the
fluid media; a tapered elastic tubular member for receiving the
food product and the fluid media, said tapered elastic tubular
member being sized to facilitate centering o$ the food product;
and a rotating cut~lng head assembly locat~d adjacent an outlet
end of said tubular member and adapted to slice the food product
into strips.
According to another aspect, the invention provides an
apparatus for cutting a food produc~ comprising: a bin for
receiving the ~ood product and water; a means to pump the food
product and water thereby transporting the food product under
water pressure; a tapered tubular elastic deliv~ry tube for
receiving the food product and water; said delivery tube having an
entrance end and an exit end, said exit end being smaller in
diameter than said entrance end; and a rotary cutter assembly
mounted adjacent to the ~xit end of the delivery tube to slice the
food product.
According to yet another aspect, the invention provides
an apparatuæ for cutting potatoes into helical strips comprising,
hydraulic conveying meanæ for transporting potatoes sequentially
in a fluid media to a cutting location; and a rotating cutting
head assembly located at said cutting location, and having a disk-
like cutting element adapted to slice the potatoeæ into helical
striæs; said hydraulic conveying means further serving to convey
the helical strlps away ~rom the cut~ing location after slicing.
According to a further aspect, the invention provide~ an
apparatus for ~licing potakoes and the like into hellcal strips
comprising, a feed tube having an outlet end; a rotatahle cutting
head a~sembly located i~ close proximity ~o the outle~ end and
having an axi~ of rota~ion ln axial alignment with the outlet end;
a drive means ~or rotating the cutting head assembly about its
axis o$ rotation; and hydraulic means for transporting each potato
into a ~luid ~low through the feed tube to the cutting head
assembly and by hydraulic pres~ure ~orcing the potato against the
61398-10~5
cuk~ing head assembly; the cutting head assembly including a
rota~able cutting plate positioned substantially perpendicular to
both the axis of rotation and fluid flow.
According to a still further aspect, the invention
provides a method for slicing potatoes and the like into helical
strips: transporting singula~ed potatoes in a flow of hydraulic
fluid con~ained within a condui~, the conduit defining a flow path
for the potatoes; locating in the flow path a cutting head
assembly capable of cutting po~atoes into helical strips; rotating
the cutting head assembly about an axis of rotation; and directing
the singulated potatoes in the hydraulic flow against the rotating
cutting head assembly so as to slice the potatoes into helical
strips.
According to yet another aspect, the invention provides
an apparatus for slicing potatoes and the like into helical strips
comprising: a conduit terminating at a cutting location; a
rotatable cutting head assembly located at the cutting location
and having an axis of rotation in axial alignment with the
conduit, the cutting head assembly having at least one knife
element for slicing potatoes and the like into helical strips; a
drive structure for rotating the cutting head assembly about its
axis of rotation; and a pump for generating a flow of fluid media
through the conduit and transporting singulated potatoes in the
fluid media through the conduit to the cutting head assembly; the
cutting head assembly having a planar surface which is
substantially perpendicular to the flow of fluid media.
According to still another aspect, the invention
provides an apparatus for slicing potatoes and tha like into
strips comprising, a conduit terminating at a cutting location;
hydraulic conveying means for transporting potatoe~ and ~he like
in a flow of fluid media through the conduit to the cutting ..
location; a rotating cutting element located at the cut~ing
locakion and having a planar surface which is substantially
perpendicular to the flow of ~luid media; and rotating means for
rotatlng the cutting element about an axis of rotation
su~stantially parallel to the conduit.
4a
21~i$~34
. ..
6139~-1075
Brief Descri~tion of the Drawinus
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a food processing
apparatus according to a first and second embodiment of the
present invention.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged ~Eragmentary perspective view of
the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the cutting assembly removed.
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the apparatus
of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-
~
of Fig. 3 showing a portion of the conveyor section of the feedassembly.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5-5
of Fig. 3.
Fig. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a cutting
element and associated holder used in the apparatus of the
invention and a tool for inserting and removing the cutter from
the holder.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the cutting element of Fig. 6
showing in dashed lines the concentric paths of the
4b
-- 5 --
scoring knive~ and showing a fragmentary portion of the
holder for the cukting element.
Fig. 8 is a sectional vi~w taken on line 8-8 of
Fig. 7 showing the inclined slicing edga portion o~ the
cutting element.
Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a rotary cutting
assembly used in the first and third embodiment of the
invention.
Fig. 10 is an enlargad fragmentary perspective
view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 showing the rotary cutting
assembly mounting arrangem~nt and the relationship between
the rotary cutting assembly and the feed rollers.
Fig. ll is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view
of the apparatus taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 3
illustrating the feed roller mechanism.
Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective
view showing a second embodiment of the cutter head
assembly and mounting arrangement for same, and their
relationship with the feed assembly.
Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view
of the second embodiment showing the relationship between
the cutter head ass~mbly, mounting arrangement, and drive
mechanism.
Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken
substantially along line 14-14 of Fig. 13 illustrating a
portion of the mounting arrangement for the cutter head
assembly.
Fig. 15 iB a perspective view of a leeve insert
o~ the second embodiment.
Fig. 16 is a plan view, partly in section, of the
cutter head assembly of the second embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a side view of a third embodiment of
the food processing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a rotary cutting
apparatus mounted on a frame with a delivery and discharge
tube used in a third embodiment of the ~ood processing
apparatus of khe present invention.
- 6 - ~5~ ~ 9 ~ ~
Detailed Description_of the First Embodiment ..
Shown in Figs. 1-11
The apparatus of the invention is adaptable ~or
cutting various bulbous Yegetables into helical strips.
The illustrated apparatus is particularly adapted to the
cutting of potatoes into helical strips, and the apparatus
will be described as it is applied to the cutting of
potatoes and particularly t~ potatoes such as the Russett
Burbank variety having a long axis and an elliptical cross
section.
With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a food
processing apparatus 10 according to the illustrated
embodiment of the invention comprises a rotary cutting
assembly 12 into which potatoes are ~ed by a feed system
14. The potatoes are provided on~ by one to the ~eed
system 14 from a ~onventional trough shaker or other
sin~ulator device (not shown) capable of feeding potatoes
one by one in slightly spaced relation. Helical potato
strips cut by the rotary cutting assembly 12 fall into a
collection bin 16. The entire apparatus is enclosed in a
stainless steel housing 18 for sa~ety.
Referring more particularly to Figs. 2 - 5, feed
system 14 includes two principle sections: a conveyor
section 30 and a feed roller section 32. Conveyor section
30 includes top, bottom and OppGSite side conveyors 34, 36
and 38, respectively. Potatoes provided to feed system 14
are initially placed on bottom conveyor 36 at an entry
position 40, between side conveyors 38. The side
conveyors 38 are biased toward each other at their
discharge ends by a spring 42 (Fig. 2) and act to center
the potato on the lower conveyor 36. Soon after a potato
is positioned at en~ry position 40, it is carried beneath ~:
a first or ~orward end 44 of the top conv0yor 34.
The top conveyor 34 is pivotally mounted at its
second or discharge end 46 so that the forward end 44 can
rise and allow potatoes of various sizes to pass
thereunder. The weight of top conveyor 34 on the entering
potatoes causes the potatoes to become impaled on dogs 48
Z'~)V~9~
-- 7 --
spaced periodically along the lower conveyor's length.
The top conveyor 34 includes two hingedly connected
sections 52, 54. The section S2 comprises a rubber belt
56 lugged on its outer surface and trained ov r a pair of
rollers 58a and 58b. Roller 58a iq mounted on a drive
shaft 62 to which a yoke 60a is pivotally mounted. Roller
58b is rotatably mounted in a second yoke 60b. The yokes
60a, 60b are mounted to the opposite ends of an expandable
frame 66 which permits adjusting the tension o~ belt 56.
The expandable frame 66 comprises two slidably engaging
members 68a, 68b linked together by a tensioning device 70
comprising a bolt 71 threaded through a mount 72 on the
~rame member 68b and engaging a stop 73 on the frame
member 68a. When the bolt 71 is extended out of the mount
15 72 toward the stop 73, the ~rame 66 is extended. A
locking bolt 74 is provided to lock the members 68a, 68b
in position. Ribs 76 extend from yokes 60 along the frame
men~ers 68a, 68b to improve the structural rigidity
thereof.
The second section o~ top conveyor section 54 is
similar in construction to the first section 52 and
comprises a belt 56 trained over rollers 58c, 58d mounted
in yoke 60c, 60d, respectively, whi~h are mounted to the
opposite ends of an expandabl~ fram 66. The first and
second conveyor sections 52, 54 are tied together by
oppositely positioned tie straps 82 in which th~ shafts
for the rollers 58b, 58c are carried. The tie straps 82
cooperate with yokes 60b, 60c to ~orm an articulated joint
84 that allows first section 54 o~ top conveyor 34 to move
substantially independently of econd section 52 and
facilitates ver~ical movement of the top conveyor to
accommodate passage of potatoes thereunder. The second
section 54 i~ driven from first section 52 by two drive
belts 80 trained over the rollers 58b o~ section 52 and
58c of section 54, the ends of the rollers being provided
with grooves to receive the belts 80 (see FigO 4~.
The bottom conveyor 36 (Figs. 2-5) comprises a
plurality o~ metal pans 90 linked pivotally to one another
i99~
-- 8 --
and welded at each side to links of one of a pair of drive
chains 92. Each pan 90 i5 provided with an upstanding
flange 94 along each side edge to prevent a potato from
bouncing out of the pan as it is fsd thsrein. Adjacen~
the flanges 94 are opposite flat portions, the center of a
pan having a center trough depression 95 defined by
sloping side walls 97 and a flalt bottom 9iB which carries
the dogs 48. The potatoes will tend to be carried
lengthwise in the trough 95 as indicated in Fig. 5 wherein
a potato 99 is shown in dotted lines.
The drive chains g2 are driven by drive sprockets
96 mounted on a drive shaEt 101 and are carried by
sprockets 100 on a distal shaft 102 at the infeed end of
~he conveyor (see Fig 5). The drive shafts 62, 101 for
the upper and lower conveyors 34, 36 are mounted and
driven by an arrangement similar to the mounting shafts 70
of the Green Corn Cutting Machine shown in U.S. Patent
2,787,273, which arrangement permits their movement toward
and away from one another to accommodate the passage of
potatoes therebetween. A support member 116 formed of low
friction plastic is disposed beneath the upper run 114 of
the conveyor 36 for substantially its entire length to
prevent the conveyor from deforming under the combined
weight of potatoes and the upper conveyor.
The side conveyors 38 are positioned adjacent the
~ntrance end of the ¢onveyor section 30 to assure
centering of the potatoes on the lower conveyor 36 as they
are ~ed from the trough shaker onto the conveyor section.
The side conveyors 38 are similar and each comprises a
ru~ber belt 120 lugged o~ both surfaces and carried by
correspondingly lugged rollers 122, 124. The rollers 122
are fixed to vertical shafts 136 and driven through pinion
gears 126, 128 from the shaft 102 which is driven by the
bottom conveyor 36 (see Fig. 5~. The rollers 124 are
rotatably mounted on sha~ts 132 carried by yokes 134
supported on the free end of the internal ~rame 140, the
opposite end of which is fixed to yokes 142 pivotally
mounted on the respective drive shaft 136. The side
zr,~v~9~34
- 9 -
conveyors 38 are urged toward one another by a tension
spring 48 connected to yokes 134.
As a potato leaves ths conveyor saction 30, it
passes between three pairs of feed rollers 150, 151, 152
(Figs. 2, 3 and 10) that advance the potato into the
rotary cutting assembly 12 while preventing it from
rotating. These rollers are mounted and driven in a
manner similar to that shown in U.S. Patent 2,787,273 for
the feed rollers 60, 62, 64 thereof. Thus, the upper and
lower feed rollers o~ each pair ~50, 151 and 152 are -
secured to upper and lower sha~ts 153 and 155,
respectively (Fig. 11~, there being one such pair of
shafts for each pair of rollers. Each sha~t 153 and 155
is connected through a universal joint 156 to a worm gear
157 which is enmeshed with a driving worm 158 on a main
driving shaft 159. One such driving worm is provided for
each pair of shafts 153 and 155, the worm gears 157 of
which engage the driving worm at opposite sides so that
the two shafts 153, 155 of each pair rotate in opposite
directions. Hence, the feed rollers 150, 151 and 152
cooperate with each other to advance the potatoes
successlvely from the conveyor section 30 to the rotary
cutting assembly 12.
Each of the three pairs of feed rollers 150, 151
and 152 is provided with means for resiliently pressing
the respectively asso~iated upper and lower rollers toward
each other. Each pair of rollers is likewise provided
with means interconnecting the associated upper and lower
rollers for assuriny equalized, opposite movement. Since
these means employed ~or each pair of rollers are
identical with those employed for each of the other pairs,
a description of the presslng means and the equalizing
means for one pair of rollers will su~ice. For example,
the shafts 153 and 155 o~ the third pair og feed rollers
152 tFig. 11) are rotatable in upper and lower bearing
blocks 160 and 161 respectively, which are guided and
restricted to vertical sliding movement in channels 163
and 164 in a housing 165. Debris seals 166 slide with
. .
~ .
-- 10 ~
shafts 153, 155 and prevent debris from entering thP
roller positioning mechanism inside the housing 165.
Upper and lower equalizing arms 167 and 169 are pivoted,
respectively, on ~hafts 171 and 173 which are rigidly
5 mounted on a frame 175. The outer ends of the arms 167
and 169 bear against the bearing blocks 160 and 161 toward
each other by force derived from biasing springs 176 and
177. The biasing springs 176, 177 encircle a tensioning
rod 178 and are each compressed between one of the
10 equalizing arms and a nut 179 on the associated end
portion of the rod. Accordingly, the springs 176 and 177
continuously urge the feed rollers 152a, 152b toward each
other to effect engagement of thP same with a potato with
pressure adequate to ensure advance o~ the potato in
15 response to rotation o~ the rollers and to prevent th
potato iErom rotating.
The mechanism that interconnects the feed rollers
152a and 152b for e~ualized movement in opposite
directions includes arms 181 and ï83 extending toward each
20 other from the upper and lower shafts 153 and 155,
respectively~ These two arms 181 and 183 are inter~ngaged
by a tooth and notch arrangement 185 whereby rotary motion
of the one about the axis of its supporting shaft effects
simultaneous and corresponding rotary motion of the other
25 about the axis of it supporting sha:et. Whereas the lower
arm 183 is integral with the lower equalizing arm 169, the
upper arm 181 is mounted pivotally on the shaft 171
independently of the upper equalizing arm and is
adjustably connected thereto by a lever 187. The lever
30 187 is integral with the arm 181 and ea~tends upwardly from
the shaft 171 where it is engaged between opposed
adjusting screw~; 189 carried by a lever 191 integral with
the upper equalizing arm 167. By manipulation of the
adjusting scre~ws 189, the angular position Q~ the upper
35 equalii~iny arm relative to the lever 191 can be adjusted,
and consequen1:1y the two feed rollers 152a, 152b can be
adjusted to positions wherein they are equidistant ~rom
the horizonkal axis of rotation of the cutting element.
J6~9~
Since all of the uppe:r f~fed rollers 150a, 151a
and 152a are rotated in one di:rection while all of the
lower feed rollers 150b, 151b and 152b are rotated in the
opposite direction, a potato dfeflivered to the ~irst pair
of rollers 150 will be advanced thereby to the second pair
151, which will pass thff~ potato to thfef third pair o~
rollers 152, which in turn will advance ths potato into
the rotary cutting assembly 12.
Since the ef~ualizer arm 167 and 169 associated
with each pair of feff~d rollers are interconnected as above
described, the rollers of each pair will be thrust apart
by each potato as the potato enters between the two
opposff~fd rollers, the amount of such yielding movement
depending upon the diameter of the potato. Furthermore,
the opposite rollers of each pair will always be disposed
at ef~ual distances above and below the axis of rotation of
the rotary cutting element ~o that each potato during its
travel through the machine is maintained in coaxial .~.
alignment with the rotary cutting assembly 12.
The feed rollers 150 and 151 are provided with
metal ~ins or paddles 162 (Fiq~ 10) which positively
engage a potato without damaging its exterior. The feed
rollers 152 immediately adjacent rotary cutting assembly
12, however, aref provided with pins 168 which more
positively engage the surface of a potato to prevent its
rotation a~ter it is enyaged with the cutting assembly and
more positively ~eed the potato into the cu~ter kni~fef.
Since the spiked rollers 152 provide the last positive
control over the potato as it enters the rotary cutting
assembly 12, it is desirable that these rollers be as
close to this cutting assembly as possible (a spaciny of
0.75 inches has been ~ound satis~actory) and that the
rollers be able to grip even the small butt end o~ a
potato. To this end, bearing blocks 160 and 161 for upper
and lower shafts 153 and 155 are sized so that the nominal
distance between rollers 152 is smaller than the distance
separating the other pairs of rollers 150 and 151. This
permits the rollers 152 to exert good control over a
potato even when gripped from at its butt end.
The rotary cutting assembly 12 cuts the potatoes
advanced throuyh it into helical strips by action o~ a
plurality of concentrically spaced scoring blad~s or
knives 180 and a slicing blade 182 (Fig. 6). Rotary
cutting assembly 12 rests in a cradle 184 de~ined by a
guide ~86 (compare Figs. 2 and 10) and is driven by a
drive gear 18S powered by an electric motor (not shown).
Referring now to Figs. 6 - 9, the rotary cutting
assembly 12 includes a cutting element 190, a ring-like
holder 192 for mounting the cutting element at its
periphery and a housing 194 within which the
holder/cutting element combination can rotate. Cutting
element 190 principally comprises a helically shaped plate
196 welded about a central tube 198. On a front surface
200 of the plate 196 are welded the scoring knive~ or
blades 180 which are spaced apart radially from the
central tube 198 and ext~nd substantially parallel thereto
for concentrically scoring a potato as it is advanced
toward~ the front surface. The blades 180 are desirably
disposed on the plate 196 in an alternating, staggered
arrangement defining at least two radially extending rows.
This arrangement minimizes frictional engagement between
the potato and the blades by reducing the compression of
the potato in the regions being cut. The bladies 180 are
bevelled on their outer sides 202 (Fig. 7) to form cutting
edges 203 on their outer leading edges, the compression
stress induced in the potato by the penetration of the
blades 180 being relieved by expansion of the potato
towards its p~riphery.
The plate 196 has a leading edge portion 204
(Fig. 6) defining the radially extending slicing blade 182
that slices the ~ace of a potato ~cored by the scoring
blades 180. The leading edge portion 204 is bent or
inclined approximately three degrees relative to the
projected surEace of the plate 196 in a direction away
from its trailing edge 205 (that i8, in the direction
. ~ . . .. .. ~
- 13 -
towards an advancing potato) for a width of about 0.3
inches, as shown by the bend line 207 in Fig. 7. This
arrangement has been found to aid in drawing the potato
into and through the cutting assembly. The slicing blade
206 is bevelled on its rear surface 208 oppo~ite front
sur~ace 200 to form a knife edge 209 to enhance this
effect (see Fig. 8).
The central tube 198 (Fig. 9) terminates in a
plane perpendicular to its axis ~nd is bevelled at a front
end 210 thereo~ to define a cutting edge 212 along its
inner periphery. The cutting edge 212 cuts cores from
potatoes advancing into the rotary cutting assembly 12,
which cores then pass through tube 198 to the collection
bin 16 (Fig. 2). The front end 210 of tube 198 i~
desirably swaged in so that the cutting edge 212 defines a
cutting diameter less than the nominal inside diameter of
the tube 198 so the cores cut by the cutting edge may more
easily slide through the tube to the collection bin.
Referring now to Figs. 6 and 9, the leading edge
of the cutting element holder 192 is formed with a bevel
2180 The inner peripheral surface 220 of the holder 192
is formed with a helical groove 222 that begins at the
bevel 218 and which corresponds to thei pitch o~ the
helical plate 196 at its periphery ~o that the plate can
be thrPadedly received by the holder 192. The threading
o~ plate 196 into and out of the holder 192 is ~acilitated
by providing at least one hole 224 in the plate spaced .
radially from its center. A tool 226 having a suitable
projecting pin 227 and a hole 228, such as are shown in
Fig. 6, can the~ be engaged in hole 224 and with the hole
in tube lg8 tD enable application of a torque ko the plate
196 by which it can be threaded into or out of the holder
192. The groove 222 into which the helical plate 196
threads is just slightly longer than one full turn so that
the plate 196, when fully threaded in, is locked against
~urther rotation relative to the holder.
~ he holder 192 and the cutting element 190 are
rotatably mounted in the rotary cutt1ng assembly 12 (Fig.
9~
- 14 -
9) which includes a housing 194 including a front guard
portion 236 and a rear guard portion 238 between which is
mounted a ~rame ring 232 by screws 239, 241.
The housing 194 is ~ixedly mounted in the
apparatus by means to be d~scribed while the holder and
cutting element 190 rotate relative thereto. Secured to
an outer flange 248 of the holder 192 by screws 246 is a
drive ring 230 having gear teeth 231 formed on the
periphery thereof. The ring 230 is provided with a
circumferential groove 243 for receiving a sealed circular
bearing 242, the outer race 244 o~ which engages the frame
ring 232. The bearing 242 thus permits relative
rotational movement between the drive ring 230 and the
frame ring 232. The toothed drive ring 230 is rotatably
driven by the drive gear 188 (Figs. 2, 11) when the rotary
cutting assembly 12 is positioned in the cradle 184. The
rotational movement of the drive ring 230 is transmitted
to the holder 192, and thus to the cutting element l90o
The frame ring has a peripheral protrusion 233 thereon,
the function of which will be described.
The rotary cutting assembly 12 is releasably
secured to the frame of the apparatus 10 by an overcenter :~
clamp assembly 250 (Fig. 10) which abuts the housing 165 .
and engages notched block 251 with the peripheral
protru~ion 233 on the frame ring 233. When in the
position illustrated, a post 260 extends from clamp 250
and abuts the housing 165 through a bolt 262, thereby
urging the block 251 downwardly onto the assembly 12 about
a pivot point 264. When a handle 266 o~ clamp 250 i5
pulled forward, post 260 is retracted ~rom its abutment
with the hou3:Lng 165, permitting block 251 to swing
upwardly about the pivot 264 to release assembly 12. The
protrusion 233 on assembly 12 that is engaged by the
notched block 251 o~ clamp 250 also keys into a notch 255
in the guide ~;eat 186 (Figs. 2 and 10) to assure proper
alignment of the assembly in the apparatus. As shown in
Fig. 11, the drive gear 188 meshes with the gear teeth 231
on the drive ring when the assembly 12 is mounted in
.
Z~ 4
- 15 -
place. An orienting boss 254 in the cradle 184 engages a
notch 256 (Fig. 9) in ~he frame ring 232 to preven~
rotation of assembly ~2 when drive gear 188 is operated.
Method of Operation -- First Embodiment
In operation, the trough shaker or other
singulator feeding food process;ing apparatus 10 provides
potatoes to entry position 40 with their long axes aligned
parallel to the top and bottom conveyors 3k, 36.
Preferably, the potatoes iare provided sPriatim, but at a
rate slightly les~ than the advance rate of the conveyors
so that they are spaced apart by a slight distance after
they have been engaged by the conveyors. The orientation
and spacing of the potatoes is maintained during their
travel by the conveyors' and feed rollers' positive
engagement mechani~ms.
The peripheral speed of the feed rollers 150-152
is desirably slightly greater than the apparent advancing
speed of the slicing blade 182. If the pitch o~ the
slicing blade, or tha speed at which it is rotated, is
such that the advancing rate of the slicing blade 182 is
faster than the ad~ancing rate o~ the potato, a severe
stress is introduced into the potato at the point at which
it is being cut. This stress can break the resultant ~ :
helical strips into non-continuous segments. This is
avoided by the desired arrangement in that a potato will
be firmly urged against the rotating cutting element 196,
with the ~peed di~erential causing the potato to slip
slightly on the ipikes 168 on the feed rollers 152. The
spacing between adjacent potatoes in the feed system
permits this "over~eeding" o~ potatoes into the cutting
element without resulting in a backing up of the incoming
potatoes.
As cutting element 190 rotates, each incoming
potato is scored al~ng concentric lines and sliced by
slicing blade 182, producing helical or spiral potato
strips of varying diameters. The thickness and width
dimensions o~ the helical ~trip~ are dependent upon the
zo~
- 16 -
radial spacing o~ the paths of rotation of scoring blades
180 (see Fig. 7) and the spacing between slicing blade 182
and trailing edye 205 (Fig. 8). After being cut, the
helical potato strips are conveyed away from the rotary
cutting apparatus for further processing.
Detailed Description o~ Second Embodiment
Shown in Fias. 12-16
An alternative embodiment of the invention is
shown in Figs. 12-16. This embodiment differs from the
embodiment of Figs. 1-11 primarily with respect to the
cutter head assembly employed to support the cutting
element and the mechanism employed to cause rotation of
the cutter head assembly. Except where indicated, the two
embodiments are otherwise identical. Identical parts in
the second embodiment retain the iame reference numerals.
Referring to Figs. 12 and 13, the alternative
embodiment designated generally as 300, includes a
rotatable floating cutter head assembly 302, cutter head
support means for supporting the cutter head assembly, a
stationary discharge tube 308, and drive means for causing
th~ cutter head assembly to rotate about its longitudinal
axis. Potatoes are fed axially by feed system 14 to
cutter head ass~mbly 302, where cutting element ~90 (Fig.
15) engag~s and ~lice~i the potatoes into helical strips.
The resulting helical ~trips enter into and are discharged
through discharge tube 308.
Cutter head assembly 302, which is substantially
cylindrical, has an outer periphery, an upstream cutting
end facing ~eed system 14 and an opposite downstream
discharge end proximate to where the helical strips are
discharged. It includes a rotakable knife means such as
cukting element 190 for slicing potatoes into helical ~:
strips, and a rotatable mounting structure ~or securely
supporting the knife means and rotating the knife means
about its longitudinal axis~ Mor~ specifically, with
reference to Fig. 14, the rotat~ble mounting structure
includes a cylindrical outer jacket 310 and an inner
.
- 17 -
cylindrical sleeve 312 which i6 removably mounted inside
jacket 310. The jacket has an inner diameter just large
enough to provide clearance ~or the outer diameter o~
sleeve 312.
As seen best in Figs. 14 and 15, sleeve 312 has a
substantially cylindrical conf:iguration and serves
primarily to mount cutting element 190. It has opposed
inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, an upstream cutting
end portion where potatoes are received from feed system
14 and an opposite downstream discharge end portion ~acing
away from the feed system. A helical groove 2~2a (Fig.
15) of about one and one-half turns is machined in the
inner surface of the sleeve at its cutting end portion to
threadably receive cutting element 190. A plurality of
half-moon shaped indentations or recesses 326 (Fig. 15)
are machined or otherwise formed in an end surface of the
sleeve's cutting end portion and are spaced equidistantly
about the circumference of the end surface. Similarly, a
plurality of circular indentations or recesses 324 ~Fig.
15) ar~ drilled or tapped partially into the outer surface
of the sleeve near its discharge end. Recesses 324 are
spaced equidistant ~rom one another, and are
circumferentially aligned. : -
Jacket 310 is formed essentially of three main
components: a central belt-engaging member 316 and a pair
of opposite annular outer members 314a, 314b which enclose
central member 316. Outer member 314a is located
proximate to the discharge end of the cutter head assembly
while outer member 314b is located proximate the cutting
end. Central member 316 has a con~iguration that includes
opposite shoulder portions which mate with respective
complementary shoulder portions o~ outer members 314a,
314b, thereby providing a ne ting fit between the central
member and adjacent outer members.
Jacket fastening means, shown in the illustrated ..
embodim~nt as allen head cQnnecting screws 318, are
employed to ~asten the central and outer members together
as an integral unit. To assemble the jacket, allen head
34
- 18 -
screws 318 are inserted through openings in an end face o~
outer member 314b, then through corresponding openings in
central member 316, and finally are threadably received by
respPctive seats 319 (one shown) in outer member 314a. As
shown in Fig. 14, the screw openings in outer member 314b
are enlarged at the end surface! to permit the heads of
screws 318 to lie flush with the end surface. The screws
may be tightened or loosened in a conventional manner
using an allen wrench.
Central member 316, which has a substantially
cylindrical configuration, has a plurality of belt-
engaging teeth 320 about its entire circumference to
provide a complementary gripping surface for the driving
means.
Outer members 314a, 314b essentially are mirror
imag~s of one another, except for the connecting screw and
set screw allowances~ At opposed end faces o~ the jacket,
each outer membPr has a radially extending flange portion
315a,b (Fig. 15) and a flat interior ~houlder portion
317a,b ad~acent central member 316. The flange portions
and shoulder portions of outer members 314a, 314b,
together with central membPr 316, fo~m a guide or track
for the drive means.
As shown in Figs. 14 and 16, flange portion 315b
is part of an end face having a radially inwardly
ext2ndiny lip. This lip acts as an abutment or stop means
for sleeve 312 when the sleeve is mounted coaxially inside
the jackek. The lip terminates at a circular infeed
opening having the same diameter as the sleeve's inner
diameter. The sleeve is securely mounted within the
jacket, with the cutting end o~ the sleeve in abutment
with the lip, by fastening mean~ comprising set screws
322. Screws 322 are threaded through outer member 314a
and extend into locking engagement with aligned recesses
324. Thie engagement o~ sleeve 312 by set screws 322
prevents both axial and rotational movement of sleeve 312
relative to jacket 310. Similarly, the heads of
connecting screws 318 each have a portion thereof which
~0~ 4
-- 19 --
engages complementary-shaped, aligned recess 326 so as to
provide additional means to lock sleeve 312 and jacket 310
together and prevent relative rotation therebetween.
It will thus be apparent that the jacket/ sleeve
and cutter element rotate together about a common
longitudinal axis aligned with the longitudinal axis o~
the potatoes fed to the cutting element by the feed
system. The jacket, as described, serves as a support
means for the sleeve and cutting element and as a means
for imparting a rotational force to the cutting element.
Referring now to Fig. 14, the cutter head support
means includes three idler support rollers 304 and three
thrust support rollers 306. Idler rollers 304 ride on -
shoulders 317a, 317b in the track or guide created by
outer members 314a, 314b. They serve primarily to support
the cutter head a~sembly and prevent radial movement of
the cutter head assembly as it rotates. Secondarily, the
idler rollers serve somewhat to resist axial movement of
the cutter head assen~ly by virtue of their radially
overlapping relationship with ~lange portions 315a, 315b
which are spaced closely on either side of the idler
rollers. Each idler roller 304 has an outer urethane
layer 330, an inner bearing-engaging race 332, a pair of
single-row radial ball bearings 334a, 334b, and a bearing ~ -
shaft 336 on which the bearings ar~ mounted.
Thrust rollers 306 (Figs. 13 and 14~ supportingly
engage the downstream discharge end surface o~ ths jacket
so as to counteract axial forces on ths cutter element and
cutter head a~se.mbly caused by potatoes being forced into
the cutter element by feed system 14. The thrust rollers
rollingly engag~ outer member 314a as it rotates to resist
the pushing force exerted on the cutter head assembly by
the potatoes being fed thereto. Thrust rollers 306 have
an outer urethane layer 340, an inner, bearing-engaging
race 342, a single-row radial ball bearing 344, and a
bearlng sha~k 346 on which bearing 344 is mounted. The
fore thicknes; of urethane lay~r 340 is smaller than its
aft thickness such that the axis o~ the shaft 346 ~orms an
39~
: - 20 -
acute angle ~ (Fig. 14~ of pre~erably about 19 degrees
with the radial plane of the cutter head assembly. The
canted disposition o~ the thrust rollers is required
because the angular velocity of the cutter head assembly
increases as the distance from the center of its axis
increases.
Each thrust roller 306 is mounted in close
proximity to a corresponding idler roller 304. As seen
best in Fig. 14, each idler roller and its corresponding
thrust roller are mountsd to a common support means. The
support means includes a support bracket 352 which extends
perpendicularly from frame 350, a bearing mounting member
354 from which shafts 33S and 346 integrally extend, and
fastening means such as b~lts 356 and associated nuts for
fastening mounting member 354 to support bracket 352.
This co~mon support means permits each pair of idler and
thrust rollers to be quickly and easily removed to enable
access to and removal of the cutter head assembly 302.
Stationary discharge tube 308 is mounted
coaxially inside sleeve 312 so that lts leading upstream
end is in close proximity to cutting element 190.
Discharge tubs 308 has an opposite downstream discharge
end which extends outwardly of the discharg~ opening of
the sleeve. The discharge tube i5 mounted by supporting
brackets (unnumbered in Fig. 12) secured to frame 350.
Helical potato strips emerging from the cutting element
enter into the discharge tube, axe pushed downstream by
the following stream of sliced potatoes, and then are
discharged out the discharge end. The stationary
discharge tube buffers the sliced potato strips from the
centrifugal ~orce acting on the ~leeve, thereby prev~nting
the strips from contacting the rotating inner surfac~ o~
the sleeve and possibly disintegrating into undesirably
small pieces.
The drive means which causes rotation of the
cutter head as6em~1y includes a first lugged timing ~elt
360 (Figs. 13, 14) trained over the outer periphery of the
cutter head assembly. More specifically, timing belt 360,
;~0~)6~
- 21 -
which is provided with lugs 366 (Fig. 13~, is trained over
central member 316 such that the lugs engage the teeth 320
of the central member.
Fig. 12 shows timing belt 360 in a channel formed
between outer members 314a, 314b such that it does not
contact or interfere with idlel^ rollers 304 as the cutter
assembly is rotated. At its other end, belt 360 is
trained over a drive pulley 362 (Fig. 13), which is driven
by a second endless timing belt 364. As shown in Fig. 13,
an electric motor or other power means drives belt 364,
idler pulley 362 and belt 360 and, through this power
train, rotates the cutter head assembly.
Method of Operation - Second Embodiment
The operation of the second embodiment just
described is similar to the operation of the first
embodiment. One difference of the embodiment of Figs. 12-
16 is that the cutter head assembly is driven by a drive
belt which engages the toothed central member of the
~acket, thereby eliminating the need for drive ring 230
(Flg. 9), large bsaring 242, 243 and associated components
of the first embodiment. The cutter head assembly itsel~
requires no bearings which must be replaced periodically
due to wear at appreciable expense~ Although bearings
334a, 334b and 344 are load bearing members that must be
r~placed periodically, they are relatively inexpensive
components which individually are subject to relatively
low operational stresses and th~refore require replacement
relatively in~requ~ntly.
The idler and thrust rollers are configured and
mounted in a manner which facilitates easy removal and
installation of the cutter head assembly. Once fasteners
356 are removed, each associated idler and thrust roller
pair can be disengaged ~rom the cutter head assembly.
With these support rollers so disengaged, the cutter head
a~sembly can be removed and, if desired, the jacket
un~astened from the sleeve for repair or replacement of
components of the sleeve, jacket or cutting element.
~.
it~
- 22 -
Detailed Description of Third Embodlment
Shown in Fias. 17-1~
Referring to FIG. 17, the potatoes are placed in
5 a water filled supply tank ~OO. The water acts as a fluid
transport media for the potatoes. The supply tank 400 is
connected by means of a tubular connector 402 to the inlet
of a centrifugal food pump 404. The centrifugal Pood pump
404 is driven by a suitable mean~ such as an electric
motor 406. Th~ centri~ugal food pump 404 draws the fluid
transport media and the potatoes ~rom the supply tank 400.
The outlet of the centrifugal food pump 404 connects to a
transport tube 4080 This transport tube 408 is typically
six inches in diameter.
The supply tank 400 and the centrifugal food pump
404 can be located remotely from the rotary cutting
assembly 12 of the present embodiment of the invention.
Yarious elbows and other supply tubes 410 ~re used to
connect the transport tube 408 to a rigid tapered member
412 which reduces the diameter of the delivery system from
approximately six inches in diameter at the inlet of the
rigid tapered member 412 to four inches in diameter at the
outlet of the rigid tapered member 412. The outlet of the
rigid tapered member 412 is connected to an eliastomeric
tapered member 414. The elastomeric tapered member 414
is, in the preferred embodiment, typically cast from a
polyurethene material. This cast tapered elastomeric
member 414 has an inlet opening of approximately four
inches in diameter and an outlet opening of approximately
two inches in diameter. The inlet opening corresponds to
the diameter of the largest potato to be sliced and the
outlet diameter corresponds to the smallest diameter of
potato to be ~31 iced. Ik has been ~ound, however, that
potatoes smal:Ler in diameter than the outlet end of the
tapered elast:ic member 414 may be successfully sliced.
This is b~cawae the ~maller potatoes agglomerate and act
as a larger potato. The outlet end of the tapered
delivery tube 414 has a bell shaped flange 430 which can
94
- 23 -
be seen in FIG. 18 which is attached to an opening in a
frame 416 by means of suitable ~asteners 432.
The rotary cutting assembly 12 is releasibly
attached to the frame 416 as will be explained below. A
stationary discharge tube 308 is centrally located to the
rotary cutting assembly 12. A receiving bin 16 is
provided below the discharge tube 308 to collect the water
and the cut potato product. Subsequent apparatus (not
shown) separate the cut potato product the water and
recirculates the water back to the supply tank 400. The
use of the supply tank 4~0 and the centri~ugal ~ood pump
404 to hydraulically transport the potatoes eliminates the
need to use a trough shaker or other singulator device as
described in the description of the first embodiment.
In re~erring to Fig. 17 it should be noted that
the potatoes are fed vertically downward from the tapered
elastic member to the rotary cutting assembly. This
arrangement has been found to have several advantages.
The force of gravity assists the movement o~ the potatoes.
The cut potato product as it exits the discharge tube
~alls under the force of gravity and the water into the
collection bin. This reduces the damage to the cut
product. It should be notedl however that the elastic
member and the rotary cutting head assembly may be
position at any angle and may be horizontal as shown in
the first and second embodiment of the invention.
Referring now to FIG. 18, the lower end of the
tapered elastomeric member 414 isi shown in cross section.
The lower end of the tapered elastomeric member 414 has a
bell shaped ~lange 430 which is rigidly mounted to frame
416. The taplsred elastic member 414 may have a constant
wall thicknesi~ or, as in the preferred embodiment, have a
wall thicknes~ which varies from five-eighths of an inch
at the entrance end to three--eighths of an inch at the
exit end.
The rotary cutting a~sembly 12 cuts the potatoes
advanced through it into helical strips by activn of a
plurality of concentrically spac~d scoring blades or
9~
- 24 -
knives 180 and a slicing blade 182 (Fig. 6). Referring
back now to Figs. 6 - g, the rotary cutting assembly 12
includes a cutting element 190, a ring-like holder 192 for
mounting the cutting element at its periphery and a
housing 194 within which the holder/cutting element
combination can rotate. Cutting element 190 princip311y
comprises a helically shaped pl,ate 196 welded about a
central tube 198. On a front surface 200 of the plate 196
are welded the scoring knives or blades 180 which are
spaced apart radially ~rom the central tube 198 and extend
substantially parallel thereto ~or concentrically scoring
a potato as it is advanced towards the front surface. The
bl~des 180 are desirably disposed on the plate 196 in an
alternating, staggered arrangement defining at least two
radially extending rows. This arrangement minimizes
frictional engagement between the potato and the blades by
reducing the compression of the potato in the regions
being cut. The blades 180 are bevelled on their outer
sides 202 (Fig. 7) to form cutting edges 203 on their
outer leading edges, the compression stress induced in the
potato by the penetration of the blades 180 being relieved
by expansion o~ the potato towards its periphery.
The plate 196 has a leading edge portion 204
(Fig. 6) defining the radially extending slicing blade 182
that slices the face of a potato scored by the scoring
blades 180. The leading edge portion 20~ is bent or
inclined approximately three degrees relative to the
projected sur~ace of the plate 196 in a direction away
from its trailing edge 205 (that is, in the direction
toward~ an advancing potato) for a width of about 0.3
inches, as shown by the bend line 207 in ~ig. 7. The
slicing blade 206 i5 bevelled on its rear surface 208
opposite ~ront ~urface 200 to form a knife edge 2ng (see
~ig. 8)o
The central tube 198 (Fig. 9) terminates in a
plane perpendicular to its axi~ and is bevelled at a front
end 210 thereo~ to define a cutting edge 212 along its
inner periphery. The cutting edge 212 cuts cores from
~(~)~J~3~
- 25 -
potatoes adva~cing into the rotary cutting assembly 12,
which cores then pass through tube 198 to the collection
bin 16 (Fig. 17). The ~ront end 210 of tube 19~ is
desirably swaged in so that the cutting edge 212 de~ines a
cutting diamster less than the nominal inside diameter of
the tube 198 so the cores cut by the cutting edge may more
easily slide through the kube to the collection bin 16.
The tube 198 typici~lly has an outside diameter of
approximately three-eighths o~ an inch and an inside
diameter of approximately one fourth of an inch in
diameter. ~he tube 198 extends approximately five-eighths
oP an inch above the surface of plate 196 which insures
that the tube 198 extends into the area of the tapered
elastic tube 414. A further improvement of placing
serrated teeth 422 (Fig. 18~ on the cutting edge 212 has
been found to reduce the chance sf fracturing the potato
as the potato impacts the tube 198.
Referring now to Figs. 6 and 9, the leading edge
of the cutting element holder 192 is formed with a bevel
218. The inner periph~ral surface 220 o~ the holder 192
is formed with a helical groove 222 that begins at the
bevel 218 and which corresponds to the pitch of the
helical plate 196 at its periphery ~o that the plate can ~
be thr adedly received by the holder 192. The threading ..
of plate 196 into and out of the holder 192 is ~acilitated ~-
by providing at least one hole 224 in the plate spaced
radially from its center. A tool 226 having a ~uita~le
projecting pin 227 and a hole 228, ~uch as are shown in
Fig. 6, can then be engaged in hole 224 and with the hole
in tube 198 to enable application o~ a torque to khe plate
196 by which it can be threaded into or out o~ the holder
192. The groove 222 into which the helical plate 196
threads is just slightly longPr than one full turn so that
the plate 196, when fully threaded in, is locked against
further rotation relative to the holder~
The holder lg2 and the cutting element 190 are
rotatably mounted in the rotary cutting assembly 12 (Fig.
9) which includes a housing 194 including a ~ront guard
'
~f~06
-- 26 --
portion 236 and a rear guard portion 238 between which is
mounted a frame ring 232 by screws 239, 241.
The h~using 194 is fixedly mounted in the
apparatus by means to be descr:ibed while the holder and
cutting element 190 rota-te relative thereto. Secured to
an outer flange 248 of the holdar 192 by screws 246 is a
drive ring 230 having gear teeth 231 formed on khe
periphery thereo~. The ring 2:30 is provided with a
circum~erential groove 243 for receiving a sealed circular
10 bearing 242, the outer race 244 o~ which engages the frame
ring 232. The bearing 242 thus permits relative
rotational movement between the drive ring 230 and the
frame ring 232. The toothed drive ring 230 is rotatably
driven by the drive gear 188 (Fig. 18) when the rotary
15 cutting assembly 12 is assembled to the frame 416. The
rotational movement of the drive ring 230 is transmitted
to the holder 192, and thus to the cutting element 190.
The frame ring has a peripheral protrusion 233 thereon,
the function of which will be described.
The rotary cutting assembly 12 is releasably
secured to the frame 416 by an overcenter clamp assembly
250 (Fig. 10) which is attached to the frame 416 and
engages the peripheral protrusion 233 on the frame ring
238. As shown in Fig. 18, the drive gear 188 meshes with -
25 the geax teeth 231 on the drive ring 230 when the rotary
cutting as6embly is mounted to the frame 416.
A ~eal 434 is placed between the ~ront guard 236
o~ the rotary cutting assembly 12 and the frame 416 to
prevent fluid leakage between the rotary cutting assembly
30 12 and the frame 416. Seal 434 completely blocks all
~luid flow between the rotary cutting a~sembly 12 and the
~rame 416 or in an alternate embodiment may be open to
allow ~luid to escape.
A secondary purpoBe o~E seal 434 is to act as a
~pacer to en~;ure that the exit end 434 of the tapered
elastic member 414 i8 as close as possible to the cutting
element 190. It i~ preferable that the potato is always
engayed by either the center tube 198 or the tapered
9~q~
-- 27 -- .
elastic member 414 or more preferably both. This requires
that the exit end 436 o~ the tapered elastic member 414 be
within at least five-eighths of an inch to the plate 196,
more preferably three-eights of an inch and most
preferably within one-eighth of an inch of the plate 196.
This arrangement of the spacing will insure that the
center tube projects into the opening o~ the exit end 436
of the ~apered elastic member 414.
The holes 224 (Fig. 6) may be increased in
diameter or in number to allow a portion of the water to
escape through the blade assembly 190. This still allows
most of the water to pass between the leading edge 209 and
the trailing edge 205 (Fig. 8) of the cutting blade. This
assists in transporting the cut potato material and
insures that no cut material blocks the cutting blade.
Method o~ Operation - Third Embodiment
In the third emhodiment of the invention, the
speed of the cutting element 190 is adjustable to between
2000 revolutions per minute to 10,000 revolutions per
minute. A preferxed embodiment rotates the cutting element
at a speed of 6000 revolutions per minute. The pump 404
transfers the water and the potatoes through the supply
tube 408 at a rate of 2000 linear ~eet per minute. The
fluid pressure in a free ~low condition (that is without
potatoes present) is adjustable between 4 - 20 po~mds per
square inch and more preferable between 6 - 9 pounds per
~quare inch. This pressure con~erts to a fluid flow
having a volume of 500-600 gallons per minute. The
hydraulic ~eed system of the present invention
automatically centers the potato on the cutting head ~or
slicing because the outlet end of the tapere~ elastic
member 414 is rigidly attached to the ~rame 416 in axial
alignment with the ce~terline of the rotary cutting
assembly 12. It is also believed that the water ~lowing
about the potato as it is being cut prevents the potato
from rotating due to the reacition to the rotary cutting
assembly 12. The hydraulic pressure ~orces the potato
~0'~;9~
- 28 -
against the rotary cutting assembly such that the entire
potato is cut.
The potato 99, as it reaches the elastomeric
member 414, expands the elast~meric member 414 as the
potato 99 travels toward the exit end as shown in FIG. 18.
This decreases the velocity of the potato, but increases
the water pressure to the range of 15-25 pounds per square
inch. Water pressures as high as 40 pounds per square
inch have been encountered with extremely large potatoes
without adverse ef~ects. Thus the potato is forced evenly
and gently onto the central tube 198 of the rotary cutter
assembly 12. The central tube 198 and the scoring knives
180 also decelerate the potato before the slicing blade
190 cuts the potato. The potato 99 continues to be ~orced
against the cutting blade 190 by the force of the water
behind it. The total ~orce to slice the potato is
provided by the slicing blade assembly 190 and not by the
transport mechanism. No external mechanical devices touch
the potato thus eliminating any damage to the outside of
the potato.
As the cutting blade 190 rotates, each incoming
potato is scored along concentric lines by scoring knives
180 and sliced by slicing blade 182 producing helical or
spiral potato strips o~ varying diameters. The thickness
and width dimensions of the helical strips are dependent
upon the radial spacing of the paths of rotation of
scoring blades 180 and the spacing between slicing blade
182 and trailing edge 205 (Fig. 8). After being cut, the
helical potato strips are conveyed away from the rotary
cutting assembly 12 by stationary discharge tube 308 ~or
~urther processing.
It has alsa been found that preheating the potato
to a core temperature of 130 degrees fahrenheit assists in
high speed cutting without ~hattering the potatoes.
It will be apparent that the present embodiment
of the invention accurately aligns the longitudinal center
axis of potatoes having widely varying diameters with the
longitudinal center axis of the rotating cutting blade
9~
- 29 -
190. Furthermore, this longitudinal alignment is
maintained as the potato moves longitudinally into cutting
engagement with the cutting hlade. As a result, helical
strips are produc~d having exc011ent thickness uniformity
and structural integrity. The~;e advantages are attained
in a high production context, even when using smaller
potatoes.
Having described and illustrated the principals
of our invention in an illustrated embodiment, it should
be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention
c~n be modified in arrangement and detail without
departing from such principals. Although the invention
has been described in relationship with a rotary cutting
assembly to produce helical cut potato products it is to
be understood that any rotary or reciprocating cutter head
will function as well and should be considered to fall
within the range of equivalents anticipated by this
application. Accordingly, we claim all modifications
coming within the scope and spirit of the following
claims.
