Impeller for a cutting machine and cutting machine equipped with the same

Abstract

A machine for cutting product and an impeller for use therewith. The impeller is adapted to be coaxially mounted within a cutting head for rotation therein. The impeller includes a lower plate having paddles that direct material placed on the lower plate in a radially outward direction of the impeller as the impeller rotates. A recess in the lower plate is continuous between an upper surface and a lower surface of the lower plate and contiguous with a perimeter of the lower plate to define a passageway enabling debris at the upper surface to exit the impeller therethrough. A chute is located at an outer radial extent of the paddles and defines a first opening adjacent the paddles, a second opening adjacent the recess, and a passageway within the chute and between the first and second openings through which debris passes prior to exiting the impeller through the passageway of the recess.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 148,698, filed February 12, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] This invention generally relates to machines for cutting products, including but not limited to slicing food. In particular, this invention relates to impellers for cutting machines.

[0004] Various types of equipment are known for slicing, chopping, and granulating food products (vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and meat products, by way of non-limiting examples). Widely used machines for this purpose are commercially available from Urschel Laboratories, Inc., and include machines with the name Model CC®. The Model CC® machine is a centrifugal slicer capable of slicing a wide variety of products at high throughput. The Model CC® series of machines is particularly well-suited for producing uniform slices, strips, flakes, and granules. Certain configurations and aspects of the Model CC® machine are mentioned in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,139,128, 3,139,129, 5,694,824, 6,968,765, 7,658,133, 8,161,856, 9,193,086, 10,456,943, and 10,632,639, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a slicer 10 representing a Model CC® machine is shown. The slicer 10 includes a generally annular cutting head 12 and an impeller 14 coaxially mounted within the cutting head 12. The impeller 14 has a rotational axis 17 coinciding with the central axis of the cutting head 12 and is rotatably driven about its axis 17 by a shaft (not shown) enclosed within a housing 18 and coupled to a gearbox 16. The cutting head 12 is mounted on a support ring 15 above the gearbox 16 and remains stationary as the impeller 14 rotates. Product is fed to the cutting head 12 and impeller 14 via a feed hopper 11 located above the impeller 14. In operation, as the feed hopper 11 feeds product to the impeller 14, centrifugal force causes the product to move outward to engage with a cutting blade (not shown) mounted circumferentially along the cutting head 12. Impeller 14 includes generally radially oriented blades 13, each blade having a face that engages the product and guides it radially outward toward and against the blade of cutting head 12 as impeller 14 rotates. Other aspects relating to the construction and operation of the Model CC® machine, including its various embodiments, can be understood from the foregoing prior art patent documents incorporated herein by reference.

[0006] Figure 2 is an isolated view of the cutting head 12, which has been used with a Model CC® slicer, including Figure 1 slicer 10 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1. The following will be described with reference to a Model CC® Slicer equipped with the Figure 1 described impeller 14 Figure 1 slicer 10 of FIG. 1. Figure 2 cutting head 12 is illustrated. Based on the coaxial arrangement of the cutting head 12 and the impeller 14, relative terms including but not limited to “axial,” “circumferential,” “radial,” and the like and their related forms can be used below to describe Figure 2 cutting head 12 is illustrated.

[0007] In Figure 2 , the cutting head 12 can be considered to be generally annular in shape, with cutting knives 20 mounted along its circumference and spaced circumferentially apart. Figure 2 indicate knives 20 having straight cutting edges for producing flat slices, and thus can be referred to herein as “flat” knives, but the cutting head 12 can use other shaped knives, for example, “corrugated” knives featuring a periodic pattern including but not limited to a sinusoidal shape having peaks and valleys when viewed from an edge direction, to produce corrugated, julienne, shredded, and granular products. Each knife 20 projects radially inwardly in a direction generally opposite the direction of rotation of the impeller 14 within the cutting head 12, and defines a cutting edge at its innermost radial extremity. The cutting head 12 further includes lower and upper support members, illustrated in Figure 2 as rings 22 and 24, with circumferentially spaced support segments, referred to herein as shoes 26, secured to and between the rings 22 and 24 with fasteners 36.

[0008] As also Figure 2 illustrated, the knives 20 can be associated with each shoe 26, in which case the shoes 26 can be referred to as cutting stations of the cutting head 12. The knives 20 of the cutting head 12 are illustrated in Figure 2 as being individually secured to their respective shoes 26 with clamping assemblies 28. Each clamping assembly 28 includes a knife holder 30 mounted between the support rings 22 and 24, and a clamp 32 positioned on a radially outwardly facing side of the knife holder 30 to secure the knife 20 to the knife holder 30. Each knife 20 is supported by a radially outer surface of one knife holder 30, and the respective clamp 32 overlies the knife holder 30 such that the knife 20 is located between the outer surface of the knife holder 30 and a radially inwardly facing surface of the clamp 32 facing the knife holder 30. By bringing the clamp 32 toward the knife holder 30, the clamp 32 exerts a clamping force to the knife 20 adjacent its cutting edge. Figure 2Also shown is a gate 40 affixed to each shoe 26. Food passes through the gate 40 before encountering the knives 20 mounted to the subsequent shoe 26, and the cutting edges of the knives 20 and the trailing edge of the front gate 40 together define a gate opening that determines the thickness of the slices produced by the knives 20.

[0009] Figure 3 is an isolated view of a specific, but non-limiting example of an impeller 14 that has been used with a Model CC® slicer (including Figure 1 of the type schematically illustrated in Figure 3 It is shown that an additional set of mounting holes 34 can be provided to enable different numbers of paddles 13 to be mounted on the impeller 14 at alternative positions. The arrangement of the mounting holes 34 can also determine the orientation or pitch of each paddle face relative to the radial direction of the impeller 13. As used herein, a paddle face refers to the surface of the paddle 13 that is disposed on the front surface of the paddle 13 (i.e., facing in the direction of rotation of the impeller) and thus engages and directs the product toward and against the knives 20 of the cutting head 12 as the product moves in the radial outward direction of the impeller 14 under the influence of centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the impeller 14.

[0010] While the centrifugal Model CC® machine performs very well for its intended purpose, there is a constant desire and search for further improvements, including improvements relating to the maintenance of the machine. One non-limiting example is the replacement of the knives 20, the cutting edges of which are susceptible to damage, for example, from impacts of rocks, sand and other foreign debris that often accompany and can become embedded in the food product (e.g., potatoes). Figure 3 and Figure 4 One such approach is represented by equipping the paddles 13 of the impeller 14 with a plurality of posts 42 positioned and spaced apart along the outer radial extent of the paddles 13, creating gaps 44 between adjacent posts 42 through which rocks and other foreign debris can pass around the outermost radial extent of the paddles 13 and subsequently exit the cutting head 12 without damaging the paddles 13 of the impeller 14 or the knives 20 of the cutting head 12. The posts 42 can be replaceable, for example, by screwing into the surface at the outer radial extent of each paddle 13. The uppermost and lowermost extents of the paddles 13 are shown in Figure 3 and 4 are shown lacking the posts 42 and instead having structures that can be referred to as upper shear edges 46 and lower shear edges 48 that inhibit the accumulation of debris at the periphery of the cutting head 12. SUMMARY

[0011] The present invention provides, at least in part, machines for cutting products, including but not limited to centrifugal slicers suitable for slicing food products, and impellers for use in such machines.

[0012] According to one aspect, a impeller is provided that is adapted to be coaxially mounted within a cutting head for rotation about an axis of the cutting head. The impeller includes a lower plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a periphery, and paddles configured with the lower plate to direct material placed on the lower plate in a radially outward direction of the impeller when the impeller is rotated. At least a first paddle has an outer radial extent that defines an outermost radial extent of the first paddle adjacent the periphery of the lower plate. At least a first recess is located in the lower plate, is continuous between the upper surface and the lower surface of the lower plate, and is contiguous with the periphery of the lower plate. The first recess extends through the lower plate to define a channel connected to the upper surface to enable chips at the upper surface to exit the impeller through the channel. A chute is located at the outer radial extent of the first paddle and defines a first opening adjacent the first paddle, a second opening adjacent the first recess, and a passageway within the chute and between the first opening and the second opening through which chips pass prior to exiting the impeller through the channel of the first recess.

[0013] According to another aspect, a cutting machine is provided that includes an annular cutting head and an impeller coaxially mounted within the cutting head for rotation about an axis of the cutting head in a direction of rotation relative to the cutting head. The cutting head has a plurality of knives each extending radially inward toward the impeller in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the impeller. The impeller includes a lower plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a periphery, and paddles configured with the lower plate to direct material placed on the lower plate in a radially outward direction of the impeller when the impeller is rotated. At least a first paddle has an outer radial extent that defines an outermost radial extent of the first paddle adjacent the periphery of the lower plate. At least a first recess is located in the lower plate, is continuous between the upper surface and the lower surface of the lower plate, and is contiguous with the periphery of the lower plate. The first recess extends through the lower plate to define a channel connected to the upper surface to enable chips at the upper surface to exit the impeller through the channel. A chute is located at the outer radial extent of the first paddle and defines a first opening adjacent the first paddle, a second opening adjacent the first recess, and a passageway within the chute and between the first opening and the second opening through which chips pass prior to exiting the impeller through the channel of the first recess.

[0014] According to yet another aspect, a impeller is provided that is adapted to be coaxially mounted within a cutting head for rotation about an axis of the cutting head. The impeller includes a lower plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a periphery, and paddles configured with the lower plate to direct material placed on the lower plate in a radially outward direction of the impeller when the impeller is rotated. At least a first paddle has an outer radial extent that defines an outermost radial extent of the first paddle adjacent the periphery of the lower plate. The first paddle has a leading side that defines a paddle face having an arcuate convex shape.

[0015] The technical aspects of the impeller and cutting machine equipped with the impeller as described above can include the ability to reduce the likelihood of damage to the knives and knife carriers of such machines from impacts that can accompany and can be embedded in rocks and other foreign debris in the material or product (as a non-limiting example, such as food products such as potatoes) being cut.

[0016] Other aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional side view schematically illustrating a centrifugal-type slicer known in the art.

[0018] Figure 2 is a perspective view of details of a cutting head of the type used in a Figure 1 slicer of the type shown.

[0019] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cutting head of the type used in a Figure 1 slicer of the type shown and Figure 2 is a perspective view of an impeller of the type used in a cutting head of Figure 4 is a detailed side view of one of the paddles of the impeller of Figure 3 is a perspective view of an impeller of the type used in a slicer of the type shown.

[0020] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an impeller of the type used in a Figure 1 slicer of the type shown and Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of the impeller of

[0021] Figure 6 is a separate plan view of the lower plate of the impeller of Figure 5 is a detailed perspective view of the impeller of

[0022] Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view of the impeller of Figure 5 and shows the paddles and the runner of the impeller.

[0023] Figure 8 and Figure 9 are detailed perspective views of alternative embodiments of the impeller of Figure 5

[0024] Figure 10 is a detailed perspective view of the runner of the impeller of Figure 5

[0025] Figure 11A and Figure 11B are separate perspective views of the runner of Figure 11C Figure 10

[0026] Figure 12 is a detailed perspective view of the runner of the impeller of​​​Figure 5 Detailed plan views of the lower plate, blades, and grooves of the impeller are provided, and the obvious convex curvature of the blade surface is demonstrated.

[0027] Figure 13A and Figure 13B They are Figure 5 Individual perspective and plan views of the impeller blades.

[0028] Figure 14 yes Figure 5 A detailed perspective view of the impeller is shown, along with the outer radial range of the blades near the gate and cutter head. Figure 15 yes Figure 14 Detailed perspective view of the gate and cutting tools.

[0029] Figure 16 It is shown Figure 5 The diagram shows the lower plate of the impeller, two blades, and two grooves, and illustrates the movement of the product within the impeller caused by the centrifugal force on the product due to the rotation of the impeller.

[0030] Figure 17A and Figure 17B It is shown in grammar Figure 13A and Figure 13B The effect of the convex curvature of the blade surface shown. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The intended purpose of the following detailed description of the invention and the phrases and terms used therein is to describe what is shown in the accompanying drawings, which include one or more non-limiting embodiments of the invention, and to describe some, but not all, aspects of the embodiments depicted in the drawings. The following detailed description also identifies some, but not all, alternatives to the embodiments depicted in the drawings. Therefore, the appended claims (rather than the detailed description) are intended to specifically point to the subject matter considered inventive, including some, but not necessarily all, aspects and alternatives described in the detailed description.

[0032] Figures 5-16 This schematically illustrates the compatibility with various cutting machines (including...). Figure 1 The centrifugal slicer 10 shown and Figure 2 This refers to a non-limiting embodiment of an impeller and its components used in conjunction with a cutting head, and in some cases may be a replacement or improvement of the impeller of such a machine. For convenience, non-limiting embodiments of the impeller and its components will be referred to below with reference to [the impeller being equipped with a reference]. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The described annular cutting head 12 Figure 1The slicer 10 is shown and described, therefore the following discussion will focus primarily on certain aspects of the impeller described with reference to the slicer 10 and the cutting head 12, while other aspects not discussed in detail below can be substantially the same as those described with reference to the slicer 10 in terms of structure, function, materials, etc. Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The impeller described herein is as follows. However, it should be understood that the teachings of this invention are generally applicable to other types of cutting machines as well. Furthermore, while this machine is particularly well-suited for slicing food, within the scope of this invention, the impeller described herein can be used in cutting machines for various other types of materials.

[0033] For ease of description of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, relative terms may be used with reference to the orientation of the impeller within the cutting head 12, such as... Figure 1 The cutting head 12 and impeller 14 of the slicer 10 shown are illustrated. Figure 1 The coaxial arrangement of the cutting head 12 and the impeller 14, including but not limited to relative terms such as "axial," "circumferential," and "radial," and their related forms, may also be used below to describe the non-limiting embodiments shown in the drawings. All these relative terms are useful for describing the illustrated embodiments but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, as used herein, "front" (and its related forms) refers to the position on an impeller that leads or precedes another impeller in the direction of rotation of the impeller when assembled with and rotating within the cutting head, while "tail" (and its related forms) refers to the position on an impeller that follows or succeeds another impeller in the direction of rotation of the impeller.

[0034] Figure 5 The impeller 60 is shown schematically. Figure 6 The lower plate 66 of the impeller 60 is schematically shown. Figure 7 A portion of an impeller 60 according to a first non-limiting embodiment of the invention is schematically shown. Similar to... Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 Impeller 14, impeller 60 having generally radially oriented blades 62, blades 62 having blade surfaces 64 located on their front surfaces ( Figure 7 This allows the blade surface 64 to engage the product and guide it radially outward against the cutter 20 of the cutting head 12 as the impeller 60 rotates about its axis of rotation within the cutting head 12. More specifically, the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the impeller 60 causes the product that has entered the impeller 60 to move radially outward, and once the product encounters the blade 62, its radially outward movement is guided by the blade surface 64 toward the cutting head 12. Figure 5In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the blade 62 is disposed between the lower plate 66 and the annular upper plate 68. The impeller 60 is represented as being constructed from a separately formed blade 62 mounted and fixed between the lower plate 66 and the upper plate 68; however, alternatively, the blade 62 can be cast as an integral part of the lower plate 66 and / or the upper plate 68. In the former case, the impeller 60 and its components can be formed by processes other than casting and can be made from various different materials.

[0035] exist Figures 5-7 In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the blade 62 is shown as being individually mounted to corresponding sets of mounting holes 74 machined in plates 66 and 68 using bolts 70 and pins 72. Figure 6 and Figure 7 However, within the scope of this invention, since the lower plate 66 and the upper plate 68 are connected together by any suitable means (e.g., a post or connecting rod), any blade 62 can be directly attached to only one of the lower plate 66 and the upper plate 68, and indirectly attached to the other plate 66 or 68. The arrangement of the mounting holes 74 at least partially determines the radial orientation or pitch of the blade surface 64 of each blade 62 relative to the impeller 60. The arrangement of the mounting holes 74 can be selected such that the pitch of the blade surface 64 relative to the radial direction of the impeller 60 is negative, neutral, or positive.

[0036] Figure 6 The lower plate 66 of the impeller 60 is shown defining a perimeter 67, which, if not interrupted by recesses 76 in the plate 66, defines a continuous circumference 67A of the plate 66. The recesses 76 are continuous between the upper and lower surfaces of the lower plate 66 and abut against the outermost radial edge of the lower plate 66 that coincides with the circumference 67A, such that the recesses 76 open at the perimeter 67 of the lower plate 66 and define a portion that may be referred to as a slot in the perimeter 67. Each recess 76 extends through the lower plate 66 to define a channel connected to the upper surface of the lower plate 66 through which foreign debris at the upper surface can exit the impeller 60. As used herein, the terms “foreign debris” and “debris” include rocks and any other type of contaminants that may accompany and / or embed in material or products cut by the impeller 60.

[0037] The position of each recess 76 at the perimeter 67 of the lower plate 66 corresponds to the position of a corresponding blade 62. Each recess 76 is depicted as including at least two radially inwardly projecting recessed portions 76A and 76B. Figure 6 As shown in the outline of the middle blade 62, each blade 62 can be mounted to the lower plate 66 such that each blade is located between recessed portions 76A and 76B of its corresponding recess 76, wherein recessed portion 76A is located on the front side of blade 62 and recessed portion 76B is located on the tail side of blade 62. Also as... Figure 6As shown, the recess portions 76A and 76B can be partially separated by a portion of the lower plate 66 that generally defines a peninsula 80 that extends toward the circumference 67A of the perimeter 67, but in the illustrated non-limiting embodiment does not intersect the circumference 67A of the perimeter 67. Each paddle 62 can be mounted to a respective one of the peninsulas 80 such that the outer radial extent 77 of each paddle 62 projects radially beyond its peninsula 80 and over the recess 76, and the outermost radial extent 78 of each paddle 62 is proximate to, or as shown in the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, intersects the circumference 67A of the perimeter 67. Figure 6 As shown, the recess portions 76A and 76B can be partially separated by a portion of the lower plate 66 that generally defines a peninsula 80 that extends toward the circumference 67A of the perimeter 67, but in the illustrated non-limiting embodiment does not intersect the circumference 67A of the perimeter 67. Each paddle 62 can be mounted to a respective one of the peninsulas 80 such that the outer radial extent 77 of each paddle 62 projects radially beyond its peninsula 80 and over the recess 76, and the outermost radial extent 78 of each paddle 62 is proximate to, or as shown in the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, intersects the circumference 67A of the perimeter 67.

[0038] Figure 6 As also shown, the lower plate 66 has a channel sloped downward from the upper surface of the lower plate 66 toward the perimeter 67 of the impeller 60 forming a ramp 82 that intersects the recess portion 76A disposed alongside and optionally contiguous with the paddle face 64. The ramp 82 serves to capture debris and then convey the debris to the recess portion 76A. In this way, the ramp 82 and the recess portion 76A provide the ability to avoid or at least reduce the risk of damage to the paddles 62 of the impeller 60 and the cutters 20 and knife holders 30 of the cutting head 12. Depending on the size of the debris and its speed of travel radially outward, the debris can fall down through the recess portion 76A denoted as being smaller than the other recess portion 76B, or can continue toward the larger recess portion 76B. As shown, the innermost radial extent of each ramp 82 extends beyond the innermost radial extent 79 of its respective paddle 62, the intersection of each ramp 82 with its respective recess portion 76 is located about midway between the outermost radial extent 78 and the innermost radial extent 79 of its respective paddle 62, and the entire paddle face 64 of the paddle 62 is contiguous with the ramp 82 or the recess portion 76A. While Figure 6 As also shown, the lower plate 66 has a channel sloped downward from the upper surface of the lower plate 66 toward the perimeter 67 of the impeller 60 forming a ramp 82 that intersects the recess portion 76A disposed alongside and optionally contiguous with the paddle face 64. The ramp 82 serves to capture debris and then convey the debris to the recess portion 76A. In this way, the ramp 82 and the recess portion 76A provide the ability to avoid or at least reduce the risk of damage to the paddles 62 of the impeller 60 and the cutters 20 and knife holders 30 of the cutting head 12. Depending on the size of the debris and its speed of travel radially outward, the debris can fall down through the recess portion 76A denoted as being smaller than the other recess portion 76B, or can continue toward the larger recess portion 76B. As shown, the innermost radial extent of each ramp 82 extends beyond the innermost radial extent 79 of its respective paddle 62, the intersection of each ramp 82 with its respective recess portion 76 is located about midway between the outermost radial extent 78 and the innermost radial extent 79 of its respective paddle 62, and the entire paddle face 64 of the paddle 62 is contiguous with the ramp 82 or the recess portion 76A. While Figure 5 As also shown, the lower plate 66 has a channel sloped downward from the upper surface of the lower plate 66 toward the perimeter 67 of the impeller 60 forming a ramp 82 that intersects the recess portion 76A disposed alongside and optionally contiguous with the paddle face 64. The ramp 82 serves to capture debris and then convey the debris to the recess portion 76A. In this way, the ramp 82 and the recess portion 76A provide the ability to avoid or at least reduce the risk of damage to the paddles 62 of the impeller 60 and the cutters 20 and knife holders 30 of the cutting head 12. Depending on the size of the debris and its speed of travel radially outward, the debris can fall down through the recess portion 76A denoted as being smaller than the other recess portion 76B, or can continue toward the larger recess portion 76B. As shown, the innermost radial extent of each ramp 82 extends beyond the innermost radial extent 79 of its respective paddle 62, the intersection of each ramp 82 with its respective recess portion 76 is located about midway between the outermost radial extent 78 and the innermost radial extent 79 of its respective paddle 62, and the entire paddle face 64 of the paddle 62 is contiguous with the ramp 82 or the recess portion 76A. While Figure 8 As also shown, the lower plate 66 has a channel sloped downward from the upper surface of the lower plate 66 toward the perimeter 67 of the impeller 60 forming a ramp 82 that intersects the recess portion 76A disposed alongside and optionally contiguous with the paddle face 64. The ramp 82 serves to capture debris and then convey the debris to the recess portion 76A. In this way, the ramp 82 and the recess portion 76A provide the ability to avoid or at least reduce the risk of damage to the paddles 62 of the impeller 60 and the cutters 20 and knife holders 30 of the cutting head 12. Depending on the size of the debris and its speed of travel radially outward, the debris can fall down through the recess portion 76A denoted as being smaller than the other recess portion 76B, or can continue toward the larger recess portion 76B. As shown, the innermost radial extent of each ramp 82 extends beyond the innermost radial extent 79 of its respective paddle 62, the intersection of each ramp 82 with its respective recess portion 76 is located about midway between the outermost radial extent 78 and the innermost radial extent 79 of its respective paddle 62, and the entire paddle face 64 of the paddle 62 is contiguous with the ramp 82 or the recess portion 76A. While

[0039] Figure 5 and Figure 7 denotes the outer radial extent 77 of the paddle 62 that projects over the recess 76 (in Figure 6 ) is marked and depicted in Figure 7 and Figure 13A), foreign debris can pass through the gap without damaging the blades 62 or the cutters 20 and holders 30 of the cutting head 12. The extensions 84 are shown as being integrally formed with the rest of the blades 62, for example by machining the outer radial extent 77 thereof to form the gaps 86, but it is also contemplated that the extensions 84 can be separately formed and attached to the blades 62. The distal ends of the extensions 84 define the outermost radial extent 78 of their respective blades 62. From Figure 5 、 Figure 7 and Figure 13A It can be apparent that the lowermost extent of each blade 62 is shown without an extension 84, such that the lowermost gap 86 is larger than the other gaps and defines a lower opening through which relatively larger debris can pass in order to escape around the blade 62 and its outer radial extent 77. Although Figure 5 is shown in a non-limiting embodiment, it is understood that other configurations are possible, including the number and location of the extensions 84, as shown in Figure 9 wherein effectively a single extension 84 defines only the lowermost gap 86.

[0040] In the absence of the smaller recess portions 76A, or in the absence of any debris falling through the smaller recess portions 76A of the recess 76, Figure 5 Each blade 62 is also shown as being equipped with a chute 88, each chute 88 being shown in greater detail in Figures 7-12 The chutes 88 facilitate the guiding of any such debris downward through the larger recess portions 76B of the recess 76. The chutes 88 are shown as being attached to the outermost radial extent 78 of the blades 62 such that the extensions 84 abut the chutes 88 and the chutes 88 close the gaps 86 between the extensions 84 at their outermost extent, as is most easily seen in Figure 7 As shown in Figure 5 and Figure 10 The chutes 88 can also be attached to the trailing face (opposite the blade face 64) of their blades 62 along the edge of the larger recess portions 76B as well as to the lower plate 66, as shown in Figure 10 and 12 The chutes 88 define a vertical opening 90 that extends substantially the entire height of the blade 62 to which it is attached and a horizontal opening 92 that extends substantially across the entire circumferential span of the larger recess portion 76B, and as shown in Figure 10 and 12 preferably closes the larger recess portion 76B, thereby forming a passageway within each chute 88 between its vertical opening 90 and horizontal opening 92 through which debris can pass to exit the impeller 60 through the larger recess portion 76B without subsequently encountering the cutting head 12. Thus, the chutes 88, as well as the larger recess portions 76B, further enhance the ability to avoid or at least reduce the risk of damage to the blades 62 of the impeller 60 and to the cutters 20 and holders 30 of the cutting head 12.

[0041] like Figure 10 and Figure 12 Of particular notable is that the upper end 94 of the groove 88 is open, forming a distinct channel through the groove 88 and its horizontal opening 92 to reach the larger recessed portion 76B in the lower plate 66, facilitating cleaning of the impeller 60. Also... Figure 12 The image shows a replaceable edge member 96 attached to the groove 88 along a vertical opening 90. The edge member 96 has a leading edge 96A extending beyond the edge of the groove 88 along the vertical opening 90 and defining a ramp that deflects debris away from the impeller 60 and towards a larger recess 76B to protect the cutting head 12 from excessive damage in the event of large debris becoming lodged in the recess 76B. The edge member 96 is shown with a triangular cross-sectional shape to define a second ramp, such that if its leading edge 96A is damaged, the edge member 96 can be reused simply by removing it from the groove 88, rotating it end-to-end, and reattaching it to the groove 88. The outermost radial extent 78 of the blade 62 is in Figure 12 The middle can be shown as concave and complementary in shape to the triangular cross-sectional shape of the edge 96, such that the edge 96 can be clamped by the groove 88 to the outermost radial range 78 of the blade 62.

[0042] Figure 14 It shows the cutter 20 and the gate 40 near the cutting head 12. Figure 5 Detailed perspective view of the outer radial range 77 of the impeller 60 blades 62. Figure 15 It is near the blade 20. Figure 14 Detailed perspective view of gate 40. The product passes through gate 40 before encountering cutter 20 and defines gate opening 40A together with the cutting edge of cutter 20 and the adjacent trailing edge of gate 40. Figure 15 The gate opening 40A determines the thickness of the slice produced by the cutter 20. The surface of the gate 40 has a groove 40B parallel to the direction in which the product travels through the surface of the gate 40 towards the cutter 20. Figure 14 and Figure 15 In the middle, the gate 40 is constructed to have a relief 87 in its surface, the relief 87 being deeper than the groove 40B, adjacent to the rear edge of the gate 50, and as... Figure 14 The gaps 86 in the blades 62 are opposite to each other to facilitate the passage of debris between them.

[0043] Figure 16 The exemplary trajectory of product 100A-C is shown, which enters vertically along the axis of rotation of impeller 60. Figure 5 The impeller 60, under the influence of the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the impeller 60, horizontally traverses the upper surface of the lower plate 66 in a generally radial direction. Figure 16The advantage of including a guide 98 extending radially inward from the innermost radial extent 79 of the paddle 62 is shown. The guide 98 is also shown extending in the direction of rotation (R) of the impeller 60 so as to cross over the ramp 82 associated with its paddle 62. Figure 16 The product 100A is shown positioned against the paddle face 64 of the paddle 62 to be sliced by the knife (not shown) of the cutting head 12, the inner surface of which is represented by the dashed line that is approximately coincident with the perimeter 67 of the impeller 60. The guide 98 attached to the paddle 62 in contact with the product 100A being sliced cooperates with the guide 98 attached to the paddle 62 that is guiding (rotationally leading) the product 100A to control the direction of the next product 100B approaching and ultimately contacting the product 100A being sliced, i.e., the product 100B approaches the product 100A in a direction opposite the direction of rotation R of the impeller 60 to assist in holding and stabilizing the product 100A against its paddle 62 and against the inner surface of the cutting head 12 while the product 100A is being sliced, thereby reducing the likelihood that the product 100B will push the product 100A off the paddle 62 or the cutting head 12. A product 100C that can also push the product 100A away from its paddle 62 is instead deflected by the guide 98 toward the paddle 62 that is behind (rotationally trailing) the paddle 62 that is engaged with the product 100A.

[0044] Figure 16 The effect of forming the paddle face 64 of the paddle 62 to have an arcuate convex shape is further demonstrated in the individual view of the paddle 62 in Figure 13B The arcuate convex shape of the paddle face 64 is tailored to promote a more constant force that holds the product against the inner surface of the cutting head 12 as each product is continuously sliced by the knife (not shown) along the circumference of the cutting head 12. Each product as it is sliced is subject to centrifugal force that is generated by the rotation of the impeller 60 and is counteracted by the inner surface of the cutting head 12 through a force that is perpendicular to the inner surface of the cutting head 12. Sufficient force is needed to produce a precise and repeatable slice, while excessive force can damage the product being sliced. As the product size decreases during slicing, its weight also decreases, and therefore the centrifugal force also decreases. Assuming the paddle face 64 is at a constant angle to the perimeter 67 of the lower plate 66, as the product size decreases, the tangential paddle contact angle also decreases, resulting in a decrease in the force that the paddle 62 exerts on the product. Because both the centrifugal force and the paddle force decrease as the product size decreases, the normal force that holds the product against the inner surface of the cutting head 12, which controls the slice thickness, also decreases as the product size decreases.

[0045] As shown grammatically in Figure 17A and 17B As shown grammatically in Figure 13B and 16The convex curvature of the paddle face 64 can be tailored such that as the size of the product decreases, the tangential paddle contact angle (F_py) increases, resulting in an increase in the paddle force (F_p). By appropriately adjusting the curvature of the paddle face 64, the paddle force (F_p) can be increased at approximately the same rate as the centrifugal force (F_c) decreases, resulting in the normal force (F_N) remaining substantially constant as the size of the product decreases. To this end, the curvature of the paddle face 64 can be intentionally varied to have a progressively smaller radius of curvature toward the cutting head 12. As a non-limiting example, Figure 13B The radius of curvature (rl) of the paddle face 64 adjacent to the innermost radial extent 79 of the paddle 62 is represented (not to scale) as being greater than the radius of curvature (r2) of the paddle face 64 adjacent to the outermost radial extent 78 of the paddle 62.

[0046] It is believed that the beneficial effects of the arcuate curvature of the paddle face 64 can be further enhanced by providing a plurality of grooves 102 on the paddle face 64 that increase the friction on the paddle face 64 to resist the rolling of the product as it contacts the paddle face 64 during slicing. For example, in Figure 16 In the illustrated rotation (R) of the impeller 60 in the clockwise direction relative to the stationary cutting head 12, the illustrated rotation (R) of the impeller 60 in the clockwise direction relative to the stationary cutting head 12 will cause the product 100A to roll in the counterclockwise direction, which is resisted by the grooves 102 (shown in outline) on the paddle face 64 that engage the product 100A. Figure 5 、 Figures 7-9 、 Figure 13A - B and Figure 14 The grooves 102 are shown as being oriented generally vertically (i.e., parallel to the axis of the impeller 60) to create a frictional component that resists the rotation of the product 100A.

[0047] While the application has been described in terms of particular or specific embodiments, it is apparent that other alternatives can be utilized without departing from the scope of the application. For example, the slicer 10, the cutting head 12, the impeller 60, and their respective components can differ in appearance and construction from the embodiments described herein and shown in the drawings, the functions of certain components of the slicer 10, the cutting head 12, and / or the impeller 60 can be performed by components having different constructions but capable of similar (but not necessarily identical) functions, and a variety of materials can be used in their manufacture. Additionally, the present application contemplates additional or alternative embodiments in which one or more features or aspects of a particular embodiment can be eliminated, or two or more features or aspects of different embodiments disclosed can be combined. Accordingly, it is understood that the present application is not necessarily limited to any one embodiment described herein. It is also understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating certain embodiments of the application, are intended to be illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the application. Thus, the scope of the present application should be determined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An impeller adapted to be coaxially mounted within a cutting head for rotation about an axis of the cutting head, said impeller comprising: The lower plate has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a perimeter; The blades, configured together with the lower plate, guide material placed on the lower plate in the radially outward direction of the impeller when the impeller rotates. At least the first blade of the blade has an outer radial extent that defines the outermost radial extent of the first blade adjacent to the perimeter of the lower plate. At least a first recess located in the lower plate, which is continuous between the upper and lower surfaces of the lower plate and adjacent to the perimeter of the lower plate, the first recess extending through the lower plate to define a channel connected to the upper surface so that debris at the upper surface can exit the impeller through the channel; and A groove located in the outer radial range of the first blade defines a first opening adjacent to the first blade, a second opening adjacent to the first recess, and a channel within the groove and between the first and second openings, through which debris passes before exiting the impeller via the channel through the first recess.

2. The impeller according to claim 1, wherein the outer radial portion of the first blade radially protrudes over the first recess.

3. The impeller according to claim 1, wherein the first recess includes a first recess portion and a second recess portion, and the first blade is located between the first recess portion and the second recess portion, such that the first recess portion is located on the front side of the first blade and the second recess portion is located on the tail side of the first blade.

4. The impeller of claim 3, wherein the lower plate is defined as a peninsula extending partially between a first recessed portion and a second recessed portion, the first blade is mounted to the peninsula, and the outer radial extent of the first blade extends radially beyond the peninsula.

5. The impeller of claim 3 further includes a ramp that slopes downward from the upper surface of the lower plate toward the periphery of the impeller, the ramp intersecting the first recessed portion and operable to capture debris and then convey the debris to the first recessed portion.

6. The impeller according to claim 3, wherein the second recessed portion is larger than the first recessed portion.

7. The impeller of claim 6, wherein the second opening of the groove surrounds the second recessed portion, such that a fragment entering the groove exits the impeller through the larger recessed portion.

8. The impeller of claim 1, wherein the outer radial extent of the first blade includes at least one extension, the at least one extension defining at least one gap at the lowest extent of the first blade.

9. The impeller of claim 8, wherein the gap is adjacent to the first recess such that the gap defines a portion of the channel through which debris exits the impeller.

10. The impeller of claim 1, wherein the outer radial extent of the first blade includes a plurality of extensions spaced apart along the outermost radial extent of the first blade to define a plurality of gaps therebetween.

11. The impeller of claim 10, wherein the groove is attached to at least one extension of the outer radial range of the first blade.

12. The impeller of claim 1, wherein the first blade has a front side that defines a blade surface with an arcuate projection shape.

13. The impeller of claim 12, wherein the arcuate protrusion of the blade surface has a convex curvature that reduces the size of the material during slicing by the cutting head, the convex curvature facilitating a constant force applied to the material, the material being subjected to centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the impeller.

14. The impeller according to claim 13, wherein the convex curvature of the blade surface causes the tangential blade contact angle to increase as the material size decreases.

15. The impeller of claim 12, wherein the arcuate protrusion of the blade surface has a convex curvature, the convex curvature having a radius of curvature that gradually decreases toward the outermost radial extent of the first blade.

16. The impeller of claim 12, wherein the arcuate protrusion of the blade surface has a plurality of grooves, the plurality of grooves being oriented to increase friction on the blade surface to prevent material from rolling when in contact with the blade surface.

17. The impeller of claim 1, further comprising a guide extending radially inward from the innermost radial extent of the first blade and extending in the direction of rotation of the impeller.

18. A cutting machine comprising an annular cutting head and an impeller, the impeller being coaxially mounted within the cutting head for rotation about an axis of the cutting head in a direction of rotation relative to the cutting head, the cutting head having a plurality of cutters, each cutter extending radially inward toward the impeller in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the impeller, the impeller comprising: The lower plate has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a perimeter; A blade, configured together with a lower plate, guides material placed on the lower plate in the radially outward direction of the impeller as the impeller rotates. At least a first blade of the blade has an outer radial extent that defines the outermost radial extent of the first blade adjacent to the perimeter of the lower plate. At least a first recess located in the lower plate, which is continuous between the upper and lower surfaces of the lower plate and adjacent to the perimeter of the lower plate, the first recess extending through the lower plate to define a channel connected to the upper surface, so that debris at the upper surface leaves the impeller through the channel. and A groove located in the outer radial range of the first blade defines a first opening adjacent to the first blade, a second opening adjacent to the first recess, and a channel within the groove and between the first and second openings, through which debris passes before exiting the impeller via the channel through the first recess.

19. The cutting machine according to claim 18, wherein the outer radial range of the first blade radially protrudes over the first recess.

20. The cutting machine of claim 18, wherein the first recess includes a first recess portion and a second recess portion, and the first blade is located between the first recess portion and the second recess portion, such that the first recess portion is located on the front side of the first blade and the second recess portion is located on the tail side of the first blade.

21. The cutting machine of claim 20, wherein the lower plate is defined as a peninsula extending partially between a first recessed portion and a second recessed portion, a first blade is mounted to the peninsula, and the outer radial extent of the first blade radially protrudes beyond the peninsula.

22. The cutting machine of claim 20 further includes a ramp that slopes downward from the upper surface of the lower plate toward the periphery of the impeller, the ramp intersecting the first recessed portion and operable to capture debris and then convey the debris to the first recessed portion.

23. The cutting machine according to claim 20, wherein the second recessed portion is larger than the first recessed portion.

24. The cutting machine of claim 23, wherein the second opening of the chute surrounds the second recessed portion, such that a fragment entering the chute exits the impeller through the larger recessed portion.

25. The cutting machine of claim 18, wherein the outer radial extent of the first blade includes at least one extension, the at least one extension defining at least one gap at the lowest extent of the first blade.

26. The cutting machine of claim 25, wherein the gap is adjacent to the first recess such that the gap defines a portion of the channel through which the fragment exits the impeller.

27. The cutting machine of claim 18, wherein the outer radial extent of the first blade includes a plurality of extensions spaced apart along the outermost radial extent of the first blade to define a plurality of gaps therebetween.

28. The cutting machine of claim 27, wherein the groove is attached to at least one extension of the outer radial range of the first blade.

29. The cutting machine of claim 18, wherein the first blade has a front side that defines a blade surface having an arcuate projection shape.

30. The cutting machine of claim 29, wherein the arcuate protrusion of the blade surface has a convex curvature that reduces the size of the material during slicing by the cutting head, the convex curvature promoting a constant force applied to the material, the material being subjected to centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the impeller.

31. The cutting machine according to claim 30, wherein the convex curvature of the blade surface causes the tangential blade contact angle to increase as the material size decreases.

32. The cutting machine according to claim 29, wherein the arcuate protrusion of the blade surface has a convex curvature, the convex curvature having a radius of curvature that gradually decreases toward the outermost radial extent of the first blade.

33. The cutting machine according to claim 29, wherein the arcuate protrusion of the blade surface has a plurality of grooves, the plurality of grooves being oriented to increase friction on the blade surface to prevent material from rolling when in contact with the blade surface.

34. The cutting machine of claim 18 further includes a guide extending radially inward from the innermost radial range of the first blade and extending along the rotation direction of the impeller.

35. The cutting machine of claim 18, wherein the outer radial extent of the first blade includes a plurality of extensions spaced apart along the outermost radial extent of the first blade to define a plurality of gaps therebetween, the outer radial extent of the first blade being close to a cutter and a gate of the cutting head, the gate being positioned relative to the cutter such that material subjected to impeller rotation passes through the surface of the gate before encountering the cutter, the trailing edge of the gate and the cutting edge of the cutter defining a gate opening, the gate opening determining the thickness of the material slice produced by the cutter, the surface of the gate having a groove parallel to the direction in which the material travels through the gate surface toward the cutter, the gate including an relief on its surface deeper than the groove, adjacent to the trailing edge of the gate and opposite to each gap at the outermost radial extent of the first blade.

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