A tomato cutting device

Abstract

This utility model relates to a tomato cutting device, including a frame and a conveyor belt mounted on the frame. One end of the conveyor belt is a feeding end, and the other end is a discharging end. The discharging end of the conveyor belt has a baffle plate that slides vertically above the conveyor belt. A cutting plate also slides vertically above the conveyor belt, positioned between the baffle and the feeding end of the conveyor belt. The adjacent end faces of the cutting plate and the baffle slide in contact. Both the cutting plate and the baffle are driven vertically by a linear drive device. The cutting plate is equipped with cutting blades, each with a cross-shaped cutting edge, arranged in rows. One cutting blade in a row is located on the perpendicular bisector of the line connecting two cutting blades in an adjacent row. This utility model can cut cross-shaped cuts on tomatoes in batches, saving time and labor, and is highly efficient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a tomato cutting device for cutting open the skin of tomatoes, and belongs to the field of tomato processing technology. Background Technology

[0002] Tomatoes are rich in nutrients and have a unique flavor. They also offer benefits such as skin care, blood vessel protection, and digestive aid. Tomatoes can be eaten raw, cooked, or processed into tomato sauce or juice. To remove pesticide residues and improve the taste, tomatoes are usually peeled before processing. The common method involves making a cross-shaped cut near the top of the tomato to open the skin. Then, the tomato is blanched in boiling water to separate the skin from the flesh, allowing the skin to be easily peeled off by hand.

[0003] However, manually cutting a cross on tomatoes is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and inefficient, and cannot meet the needs of large-scale tomato processing. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a device that can cut a cross on tomatoes in batches. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a tomato cutting device to solve the problem of time-consuming and laborious manual cutting of crosses on tomatoes in the prior art.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the tomato cutting device involved in this utility model adopts the following technical solution: A tomato cutting device includes a frame and a conveyor belt device mounted on the frame. One end of the conveyor belt device is a feeding end and the other end is a discharging end. The discharging end of the conveyor belt device has a baffle plate, which is slidably mounted above the conveyor belt device. A cutting plate is also slidably mounted above the conveyor belt device, and the cutting plate is located between the baffle plate and the feeding end of the conveyor belt device. The adjacent end faces of the cutting plate and the baffle plate are slidably engaged. Both the cutting plate and the baffle plate are driven to slide up and down by a linear drive device. Cutting blades are arranged on the cutting plate. The cutting blades have cross-shaped cutting edges and are arranged in rows. One of the cutting blades in a row is located on the perpendicular bisector of the line connecting two cutting blades in an adjacent row.

[0006] The cutter is cylindrical, with one end fixed to the cutting plate and the cross-shaped cutting edge at the other end.

[0007] The linear drive device is a hydraulic cylinder.

[0008] The cutting plate and the baffle are both mounted on a U-shaped frame above the machine frame. The U-shaped frame is upside down on the machine frame, and the two side walls of the U-shaped frame are fixed to the machine frame. The cutting plate and the baffle are slidably assembled on the U-shaped frame through their respective hydraulic cylinders. The cylinder body of the hydraulic cylinder of the cutting plate is fixed on the U-shaped frame, and the cutting plate is fixed on the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder of the cutting plate. The piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder of the cutting plate slides through the mounting hole on the bottom of the U-shaped frame. The baffle is fixed on the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder of the baffle. The piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder of the baffle slides through the mounting hole on the bottom of the U-shaped frame.

[0009] The frame is provided with a guide roller on the side near the feeding end. The two ends of the guide roller are rotatably mounted on the frame. Flexible levers are arranged on the part of the guide roller above the conveyor belt of the conveyor belt device. One end of the guide roller is provided with a passive gear for meshing and driving with the drive wheel.

[0010] The frame is equipped with a feeding hopper at the feeding end, and the outlet of the feeding hopper is connected to the feeding end.

[0011] The frame is equipped with a discharge hopper at the discharge end, and the inlet of the discharge hopper is connected to the discharge end.

[0012] This invention provides a conveyor belt device for conveying tomatoes to be cut into cross shapes. One end of the conveyor belt device is the feeding end, and the other end is the discharging end. The discharging end of the conveyor belt device has a baffle plate, which is slidably mounted above the conveyor belt device. As the conveyor belt device moves, the baffle plate slides down, and under the conveying action of the conveyor belt device, the tomatoes to be cut into cross shapes can be gathered on the side of the baffle plate away from the discharging end. Due to the continuous conveying of the conveyor belt device, the tomatoes are arranged in rows roughly parallel to the baffle plate, and one tomato in a row is almost on the perpendicular bisector of the line connecting two tomatoes in an adjacent row. A cutting plate is also slidably mounted above the conveyor belt device, located between the baffle plate and the feeding end of the conveyor belt device. The adjacent end faces of the cutting plate and the baffle plate slide together. Both the cutting plate and the baffle plate are driven to slide up and down by a linear drive device. The cutting plate is equipped with cutters, each cutter having a cross-shaped blade. The cutters are arranged in rows, and one cutter in a row is on the perpendicular bisector of the line connecting two cutters in an adjacent row. After a certain amount of tomatoes gather on the side of the baffle away from the discharge end, the conveyor belt stops moving and the linear drive device drives the cutting plate to slide downwards. The layout of the cutters on the cutting plate is basically the same as the arrangement of the tomatoes, with each tomato aligned with a cutter. The cutting plate slides down with the cutters until the cutters contact the tomatoes, at which point a cross is cut on the tomatoes. This invention can cut crosses on tomatoes in batches, saving time and labor, and is highly efficient. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below: Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the U-shaped frame, baffle, and cut-out plate; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A bottom view; Figure 4 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle; Figure 5 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the frame and conveyor belt device.

[0014] The diagram is labeled as follows: 1. Frame, 2. Conveyor belt device, 3. Baffle, 4. Cutting plate, 5. Cutter, 6. Cross-shaped blade, 7. First hydraulic cylinder, 8. Second hydraulic cylinder, 9. U-shaped frame, 10. Pulley roller, 11. Flexible lever, 12. Feeding hopper, 13. Discharge hopper. Detailed Implementation

[0015] To make the technical objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the technical solution of this utility model will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model; that is, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0016] Specific embodiments of the tomato cutting device involved in this utility model are as follows: Figures 1-6The device includes a frame 1 and a conveyor belt 2 mounted on the frame 1 for conveying tomatoes to be cut with cross-shaped cuts. One end of the conveyor belt 2 is a feeding end, and the other end is a discharging end. Tomatoes to be cut with cross-shaped cuts can be fed onto the conveyor belt 2 through the feeding end, meaning a batch of tomatoes can be placed onto the conveyor belt 2 through the feeding end. Tomatoes with cross-shaped cuts can be unloaded from the conveyor belt 2 through the discharging end. The discharging end of the conveyor belt 2 has a baffle 3, which slides up and down above the conveyor belt 2. When the baffle 3 slides down to its lowest point, it will not contact the conveyor belt 2, nor will it obstruct the movement of the conveyor belt 2. Above the conveyor belt device 2, a cutting plate 4 is also slidably installed. The cutting plate 4 is located between the baffle 3 and the feeding end of the conveyor belt device 2. The adjacent end faces of the cutting plate 4 and the baffle 3 slide together, so that the baffle 3 will not obstruct the movement of the cutting plate 4. Both the cutting plate 4 and the baffle 3 are driven to slide up and down by a linear drive device. The cutting plate 4 is equipped with cutters 5, which have cross-shaped blades 6. The cutters 5 are arranged in rows, and one of the cutters 5 in a row is located on the vertical line of the line connecting two cutters 5 in an adjacent row. When the cutter 5 moves downward with the cutting plate 4 and comes into contact with the tomato, it can cut the skin of the tomato and make a cross-shaped cut on the tomato.

[0017] In operation, a batch of tomatoes with uniform diameters and intended cross-cuts are first placed onto the conveyor belt 2 via the feeding end. Then, the conveyor belt 2 is started to transport the tomatoes towards the baffle 3. During this transport, the baffle 3 slides downwards to prevent the tomatoes from reaching the discharge end. The tomatoes closest to the baffle 3, due to the transport action of the conveyor belt 2 and the obstruction of the baffle 3, will line up against the baffle 3. Subsequent tomatoes, also due to the transport action of the conveyor belt 2 and the obstruction of the preceding row, will line up against the preceding row. Because the tomatoes are nearly circular, there is a gap between two adjacent tomatoes in the preceding row to accommodate the tomatoes behind them. Therefore, in each subsequent row, one tomato is almost always positioned within the line connecting the two tomatoes in the preceding row. On the vertical line, the arrangement of tomatoes to be cut with a cross is basically the same as the arrangement of the cutters on the cutting plate, with each row of tomatoes corresponding to each row of cutters. Since the cutting plate 4 is located between the baffle 3 and the feeding end of the conveyor belt device 2, the adjacent end faces of the cutting plate 4 and the baffle 3 slide together. The tomatoes to be cut with a cross will be blocked by the baffle 3 and arranged below the cutting plate 4 in the above arrangement. Each tomato has a corresponding cutter 5 above it. By controlling the number of tomatoes to be cut with a cross in each batch, all tomatoes to be cut with a cross in this batch are conveyed by the conveyor belt device 2 to gather near the baffle 3, and the tomatoes to be cut with a cross do not exceed the range that the cutting plate 4 can cover. Then the conveyor belt device 2 is stopped and the cutting plate 4 is driven downward by the linear drive device. The cutting plate 4, with the cutter 5, slides down until the cutter 5 contacts the tomato and cuts a cross on the tomato. Then, each linear drive device drives the cutting plate 4 and the baffle 3 to slide upwards, so that the baffle 3, the cutting plate 4, and the cutter 5 on the cutting plate 4 all move above the tomatoes that have been cut with cross-shaped cuts. Then, the conveyor belt device 2 moves again, and the conveyor belt device 2 can unload the tomatoes with cross-shaped cuts from the discharge end. This cycle is repeated to cut cross-shaped cuts on tomatoes in batches. The term "front" refers to the side where the baffle 3 is located, and the term "rear" refers to the side where the discharge end is located.

[0018] Because the tomatoes to be cut are only subjected to forces perpendicular to baffle 3 in the horizontal direction but not forces parallel to baffle 3, adjacent tomatoes in each row behind baffle 3 are usually not too close to each other, and a certain gap is formed between them. This makes the distance between the center points of two adjacent tomatoes in each row approximately 1.05 times the diameter of the tomato. Compared with adjacent tomatoes in each row being close together, the distance between the center points of two adjacent tomatoes in each row is about 1.05 times the diameter of the tomato. This increases the size of the gap between them, making the distance between the center lines of one row of tomatoes parallel to baffle 3 and the distance between the center lines of the other row of tomatoes parallel to baffle 3 approximately 0.9 times the diameter of the tomato. Therefore, to ensure the cutting blade 5 is aligned with each tomato as closely as possible, the distance between the center points of two adjacent cutting blades 5 in a row on the cutting board 4 should be 1.05 times the tomato's diameter. The distance between the center lines of one row of cutting blades 5 parallel to the baffle 3 and the center lines of the other adjacent row of cutting blades 5 parallel to the baffle 3 should also be 0.9 times the tomato's diameter. When making the cross-shaped cut, move the cutting board 4 downwards until the cutting blade 5 can cut through the tomato's skin and part of the flesh, but not completely through the flesh. This results in a deeper cut that can cut through a larger area of ​​the skin. Even if the cutting blade 5 is not aligned with the top of the tomato, it will not affect the subsequent peeling of the tomato skin and will prevent the tomato juice from leaking out. Different batches of tomatoes may vary in size; therefore, several replacement cutting boards 4 can be prepared. Each cutting board 4 should be the same size, but the spacing of the cutting blades 5 on different cutting boards 4 should be different to accommodate different batches of tomatoes. During the process of making the cross-shaped cut, a few tomatoes may not be cut; this is considered normal error. Even if some tomatoes cannot be peeled or are not completely peeled because they are not cut, the quality of the tomato sauce will not be affected because there is a filtering process in the later stages.

[0019] Specifically, the cutter 5 is cylindrical, with one end fixed to the cutting plate 4, and the cross-shaped blade 6 located at the other end. When the cutter 5 moves downwards along with the cutting plate 4, the cross-shaped blade 6 on the cutter 5 faces the tomato to be cut.

[0020] Specifically, the linear drive device is a hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic cylinder of the cutting plate 4 is the first hydraulic cylinder 7, and the hydraulic cylinder of the baffle 3 is the second hydraulic cylinder 8.

[0021] Specifically, the cutting plate 4 and the baffle 3 are both installed on the U-shaped frame 9 above the frame 1. The U-shaped frame 9 is upside down on the frame 1, and the two side walls of the U-shaped frame 9 are fixed to the frame 1. The cutting plate 4 and the baffle 3 are slidably assembled on the U-shaped frame 9 through their respective hydraulic cylinders. The cylinder body of the first hydraulic cylinder 7 of the cutting plate 4 is fixed on the U-shaped frame 9, and the cutting plate 4 is fixed on the piston rod of the first hydraulic cylinder 7 of the cutting plate 4. The piston rod of the first hydraulic cylinder 7 of the cutting plate 4 slides through the mounting hole on the bottom of the U-shaped frame 9. The baffle 3 is fixed on the piston rod of the second hydraulic cylinder 8 of the baffle 3. The piston rod of the second hydraulic cylinder 8 of the baffle 3 slides through the mounting hole on the bottom of the U-shaped frame 9.

[0022] Specifically, a guide roller 10 is installed on the side of the frame 1 near the feeding end. Both ends of the guide roller 10 are rotatably mounted on the frame 1. A flexible lever 11 is arranged on the portion of the guide roller 10 above the conveyor belt of the conveyor belt device 2. One end of the guide roller 10 is equipped with a driven gear for meshing with the drive wheel. The drive gear is supplied separately later. When the drive wheel rotates, it drives the driven gear to rotate, thereby driving the guide roller 10 to rotate. The driven gear and the guide roller 10 are driven by a key, a conventional installation method. When the guide roller 10 rotates, it also drives the flexible lever 11 on it. When the conveyor belt device 2 conveys tomatoes to be cut with cross-shaped cuts, the tomatoes are positioned between the guide roller 10 and the conveyor belt of the conveyor belt device 2. When the roller 10 rotates, the flexible lever 11 gently sweeps across the tomato without damaging it. If the tomato's navel is at the bottom, the tomato makes stable contact with the conveyor belt of the conveyor device 2 and will not roll due to being swept by the flexible lever 11. If the part of the tomato other than the navel is at the bottom, such as the top, the contact between the tomato and the conveyor belt of the conveyor device 2 is unstable, and the tomato will roll on the conveyor belt of the conveyor device 2 due to being swept by the flexible lever 11. The tomato stops rolling when the navel is at the bottom. Therefore, the roller 10 can adjust the contact surface between the tomato and the conveyor belt of the conveyor device 2, so that the navel is at the bottom and the top is at the top, making it easier for the cutter 5 to cut towards the top of the tomato.

[0023] Specifically, a feeding hopper 12 is provided on the frame 1 at the feeding end, and the outlet of the feeding hopper 12 is connected to the feeding end. Tomatoes with cross-shaped cuts are placed into the feeding hopper 12, and the feeding hopper 12 can then feed the conveyor belt device 2. Feeding is convenient, time-saving and labor-saving.

[0024] Specifically, a discharge hopper 13 is provided on the frame 1 at the discharge end, and the inlet of the discharge hopper 13 is connected to the discharge end. During unloading, the conveyor belt device 2 can unload the tomatoes with cross-shaped cuts from the discharge end into the discharge hopper 13 and finally unload them from the discharge hopper 13.

[0025] In the above embodiment, the cutter is cylindrical, which is an optimized technical solution. In other embodiments, the cutter can also be a cross-shaped sheet.

[0026] In the above embodiments, both the cutting plate and the baffle are installed on the U-shaped frame above the machine frame. This is an optimized technical solution. In other embodiments, the U-shaped frame may not be provided. Instead, two pairs of vertically extending sliding grooves are opened on the two side walls of the machine frame, and the cutting plate and the baffle are slidably installed between the two side walls of the machine frame through one pair of sliding grooves.

[0027] In the above embodiment, a guide roller is provided on the side of the frame near the feeding end, which is an optimized technical solution. In other embodiments, the guide roller may not be provided.

[0028] In the above embodiment, a feeding hopper is provided on the frame at the feeding end, which is an optimized technical solution. In other embodiments, the feeding hopper may not be provided.

[0029] In the above embodiment, a discharge hopper is provided on the frame at the discharge end, which is an optimized technical solution. In other embodiments, the discharge hopper may not be provided.

[0030] The flexible lever in the above embodiment is a flexible plastic product. Since it can move the tomato but also deforms without pushing or damaging it, its flexibility coefficient can be obtained through a limited number of experiments.

[0031] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only for illustration and not for limiting the technical solutions of this utility model. Any equivalent substitutions and modifications or partial substitutions that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this utility model should be covered within the scope of protection of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A tomato cutting device, characterized in that, The device includes a frame and a conveyor belt mounted on the frame. One end of the conveyor belt is the feeding end, and the other end is the discharging end. The discharging end of the conveyor belt has a baffle that slides up and down above the conveyor belt. A cutting plate also slides up and down above the conveyor belt, positioned between the baffle and the feeding end of the conveyor belt. The adjacent end faces of the cutting plate and the baffle slide together. Both the cutting plate and the baffle are driven to slide up and down by a linear drive device. Cutting blades with cross-shaped cutting edges are arranged in rows, with one cutting blade in a row located on the perpendicular bisector of the line connecting two cutting blades in an adjacent row.

2. Tomato cutting device according to claim 1, characterized in that The cutter is cylindrical, with one end fixed to the cutting plate and the cross-shaped cutting edge at the other end.

3. Tomato cutting device according to claim 2, characterized in that The linear drive device is a hydraulic cylinder.

4. Tomato cutting device according to claim 3, characterized in that The cutting plate and the baffle are both mounted on a U-shaped frame above the machine frame. The U-shaped frame is upside down on the machine frame, and the two side walls of the U-shaped frame are fixed to the machine frame. The cutting plate and the baffle are slidably assembled on the U-shaped frame through their respective hydraulic cylinders. The cylinder body of the hydraulic cylinder of the cutting plate is fixed on the U-shaped frame, and the cutting plate is fixed on the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder of the cutting plate. The piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder of the cutting plate slides through the mounting hole on the bottom of the U-shaped frame. The baffle is fixed on the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder of the baffle. The piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder of the baffle slides through the mounting hole on the bottom of the U-shaped frame.

5. Tomato cutting device according to claim 4, characterized in that The frame is provided with a guide roller on the side near the feeding end. The two ends of the guide roller are rotatably mounted on the frame. Flexible levers are arranged on the part of the guide roller above the conveyor belt of the conveyor belt device. One end of the guide roller is provided with a passive gear for meshing and driving with the drive wheel.

6. Tomato cutting device according to any one of the claims 1-5, characterized in that The frame is equipped with a feeding hopper at the feeding end, and the outlet of the feeding hopper is connected to the feeding end.

7. Tomato cutting device according to claim 6, characterized in that The frame is equipped with a discharge hopper at the discharge end, and the inlet of the discharge hopper is connected to the discharge end.

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