Food processing machine suitable for minced cuts
The food processing machine with a strip-cutting disc and additional unit cutting accessory addresses the challenge of uniform small cuts and cleaning complexity by using H-shaped and V-shaped blades with radial sectors, ensuring efficient and residue-free operation.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SAMMIC SA
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing food processors struggle to produce uniform, small-sized cuts, especially for soft foods like tomatoes and hard-boiled eggs, and require complex cleaning due to blade interlockings that trap food residue.
A food processing machine with a strip-cutting disc and an additional unit cutting accessory, featuring H-shaped and V-shaped blades, ensures uniform cuts by compensating for angular changes in food strips and reduces cleaning complexity through radial sector arrangement and minimized blade intersections.
Achieves uniform cuts of desired sizes for various foods and facilitates easy cleaning by eliminating blade interlockings, preventing residue accumulation and improving processing efficiency.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Food processing machine adapted for minced cuts Scope of the invention
[0001] Food processing machine adapted for chopped cuts, of the type used in the catering sector for cutting foods such as onion, tomato or potato, adapted for making special measured strip cuts used in catering, such as, among others, a julienne cut of 0.5x0.5x4 cm3, a peasant cut of 0.5x0.5x2 cm3, a diced or mirepoix cut of 1x1x1 cm3, or a brunoise cut of 0.5x0.5x0.5 cm3. Prior art
[0002] Currently, and by way of reference to the prior art, food processors equipped with cutting assemblies are known, which slice food by the action of a cutting disc fitted with a blade that makes a cut perpendicular to the food, the thickness of the slice depending on the distance between the disc and the blade. Food processors equipped with cutting assemblies are also known, which cut food into strips by means of a cutting disc fitted with a blade that makes a cut perpendicular to the food, and several blades perpendicular to this one that divide the food into strips, the dimensions of the strips depending on the spacing between the blades.
[0003] We also know of food processors equipped with cutting assemblies in which, thanks to the combined action of a cutting disc equipped with a blade making a first cut perpendicular to the food in the form of a slice, and a disc placed immediately after, equipped with several blades arranged in a grid or in a cross — through which the previously sliced food is forced — a cut into cubes, into cubes or minced is obtained.
[0004] This configuration works well for most foods when the goal is to cut them into relatively large sizes. However, for relatively small sizes—such as brunoise or mirepoix—and especially for soft foods like tomatoes or cooked products like hard-boiled eggs, forcing the slice of food through the grid results in a loss of the desired shape, and the food becomes a purée. For hard foods like potatoes, more powerful machines are required, as forcing a hard food through such a small opening requires considerable effort.
[0005] Another problem with this disc and grid configuration is that, in the manufacture of the cutting grid, the connections between the blades are made by Inserts and recesses create small spaces where food accumulates, making cleaning very difficult. This requires careful attention and considerable time to clean the accessories to prevent food contamination from spoiled food residue remaining in the recesses and not properly removed.
[0006] Description of the invention and advantages
[0007] In light of the foregoing, the present invention relates to a food processing machine adapted for chopping, comprising a feed chute designed to receive and guide whole or halved food, forming a food substrate to be processed. Inside the food processing machine is a strip-cutting disc, operationally connected to a drive shaft configured to transmit the rotation of a motor to the strip-cutting disc. The strip-cutting disc comprises at least one H-shaped blade configured to make a cut perpendicular to the direction of the feed chute, generating food slices, and a plurality of generally parallel V-shaped blades, substantially perpendicular to at least one H-shaped blade, configured to make cuts in the direction of rotation of the strip-cutting disc and generate food strips.The food processing machine includes an outfeed ramp for extracting the processed food and has an additional unit cutting accessory, configured in cutting sectors, connected to and immediately behind the strip cutting disc, configured to perform a cut parallel to the drive shaft and cut the previously obtained food strips to the desired size.
[0008] By "post-" means, according to the food processing phases in this machine, the elements which process the food in a phase subsequent to another, the food passing successively through the following processing phases: feed chute in the entry phase; strip cutting disc in the strip cutting phase; additional unit cutting accessory in the chopping phase; guide disc in the food collection phase; and exit ramp in the food exit phase.
[0009] By "immediately subsequent", we mean, according to the food processing phases described, the element which receives the food substrate in the immediately following phase.
[0010] The food fed through the feed chute of this type of food processor is first processed by the julienne cutting disc, which cuts the food as it rotates due to the drive shaft powered by the motor to which it is connected. The disc's rotation is generated by the connecting protrusions on the drive shaft against the inside of the housing. The L-shaped groove located in the central ring of the disc generates food strips. The food strip is generated in the cutting direction of the strip-cutting disc. Once cut, the strips are deposited concentrically onto the additional unit cutting accessory and are moved by the geometry of the strip-cutting disc against the blades of the cutting sectors of the additional unit cutting accessory, which perform a cut in the direction of the drive shaft (perpendicular to the food strip).
[0011] Thanks to this configuration of the additional unit cutting accessory with blades arranged in cutting sectors, on the one hand, the food strips are cut to the desired size, each cutting sector containing correctly positioned blades, adapted to be generally perpendicular to the strips, and on the other hand, this facilitates the cleaning of the cutting accessory, since it is not necessary to have interlocking blades to optimize the cut, thus avoiding small hollows between the blades which tend to accumulate food residue.
[0012] Another feature of the invention is that the additional unit cutting accessory is configured in at least two cutting sectors arranged in radial distribution, consisting of blades oriented in different directions.
[0013] The deposition of strips on the surface of the additional unit cutting accessory does not occur solely in the area immediately downstream of the feed chute, but, due to high processing speeds, the strip-cutting disc itself can dislodge the strips deposited on the surface of the additional unit cutting accessory, altering the angular position of the strips. A uniform arrangement of the blades across the entire surface of the disc is insufficient to compensate for this change in the angular position of the food strips, resulting in uneven food cuts.Thanks to the configuration of the additional unit cutting accessory into several radially distributed cutting sectors, it is possible to cut food strips to the desired size, taking into account the change in angular position of the food strips, since the blades of the cutting sectors are correctly oriented at all angular positions of the disc.
[0014] Another particular feature of the invention is that the additional unit cutting accessory can include an additional blade at the junction between the cutting sectors.
[0015] In this way, in addition to having a cutting sector adapted to all angular positions of the disc, irregular cuts that could be generated at the transitions between cutting sectors are avoided, thus obtaining a uniform final cut of the processed food and preventing damage due to crushing of more delicate foods.
[0016] Optionally, the cutting sectors of the additional unit cutting accessory can be delimited by the curvature of the blades of the cutting sectors.
[0017] With this configuration, in addition to allowing the delimitation of sectors composed of similarly oriented cutting sector blades, the number of joining elements holding the cutting sector blades in place is reduced, thus facilitating the cleaning of the additional unit cutting accessory.
[0018] Optionally, the food processing machine may include a guide disc connected to the connecting shaft, which rotates under the action of the connecting shaft's thrust wall against at least one smooth wall forming the central guide ring of the guide disc and located immediately after the additional unit cutting accessory. It includes at least one guide fin capable of collecting the processed food and guiding it towards the discharge ramp.
[0019] Thanks to this guide disc, soft foods such as tomatoes can be gently collected and directed immediately towards the exit ramp, thus preventing the newly processed food from falling onto the previously processed food and being damaged by the impact.
[0020] The additional unit cutting accessory includes at least one tab capable of fitting into at least one corresponding anchoring recess in the food processing machine. This adjustment ensures that the additional unit cutting accessory remains stationary, guaranteeing that the cutting accessory is not driven by the rotation of the strip cutting disc. This allows the food strips to be forced by the geometry of the strip cutting disc during its rotation.
[0021] Drawings and references
[0022] To better understand the nature of the invention, the attached drawings represent a purely illustrative and non-limiting industrial realization.
[0023] [Fig. 1] shows a perspective view of the food processing machine (1), and, in the order of operational insertion from closest to furthest from the food processing machine (1), the guide disc (4), the additional unit cutting accessory (3), and the strip cutting disc (2). In the food processing machine (1), with the cover open, the end of the feed chute (1e), the food outlet ramp (1b), two anchoring recesses (Id), and the installed connecting shaft (1a) are visible, showing, from closest to furthest from the food processing machine (1), the thrust wall (1a.3), the smooth shaft (1a.2), and the connecting protrusion (1a.1). In the guide disc (4), the central guide ring (4a) consisting of two smooth walls and two guide fins (4b) is shown.In the additional unit cutting accessory (3), two tabs (3b) corresponding in shape and number to the anchoring recesses (Id), the central ring of the accessory. (3a) and four cutting sectors (3c) composed of a plurality of cutting sector blades (3c.1) are shown. In the strip cutting disk (2), the central ring of the disk (2a) and two sets each formed by an H-shaped blade (2b) and a plurality of V-shaped blades (2c) are shown.
[0024] [Fig. 2A] shows a perspective view of the strip-cutting disc (2), showing the central ring of the disc (2a) and two assemblies, each formed by an H-shaped blade (2b) and a plurality of V-shaped blades (2c). [Fig. 2B] shows a rear perspective view of the strip-cutting disc (2), showing the L-shaped recess (2a.1) in the central ring of the disc (2a) and the geometry of the strip-cutting disc (2), which facilitates the pushing of the food. [Fig.2C] shows a perspective view of the connecting shaft (la), showing the rotating connection (la.4), which works in conjunction with the motor of the food processing machine (1), the thrust wall (la.3), which works in conjunction with the smooth wall forming the central guide ring (4a), the smooth shaft (la.2) and the connecting projection (la.l), which works inserted into the L-shaped recess (2a.1).
[0025] [Fig. 3A] shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the additional unit cutting accessory (3), showing two tabs (3b), the central ring of the accessory (3a) and four cutting sectors (3c) composed of a plurality of cutting sector blades (3c.1). [Fig. 3B] shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the additional unit cutting accessory (3), showing two tabs (3b), the central ring of the accessory (3a), four cutting sectors (3c) composed of a plurality of cutting sector blades (3c.1), and additional blades (3d) arranged at the intersections of the sectors. [Fig.3C] shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the additional unit cutting accessory (3), showing two tabs (3b), the central ring of the accessory (3a) and four cutting sectors (3c) delimited by the curvature of the cutting sector blades (3c.1).
[0026] [Fig.4] shows a cross-section of the food processing machine (1) with the guide disc (4), the additional unit cutting accessory (3) and the strip cutting disc (2) in the operational position, showing the direction of operation of the food substrate from its insertion through the feed chute (le) to its exit through the exit ramp (1b).
[0027] The following references are indicated in these figures:
[0028] 1. Food processing machine
[0029] the. Connection tree
[0030] la. 1. Junction projection
[0031] la.2. Smooth shaft
[0032] la.3. Thrust wall
[0033] la.4. Rotary connection
[0034] 1b. Exit ramp
[0035] the. Feed chute
[0036] Id. Anchoring recess
[0037] 2. Strip-cutting disc
[0038] 2a. Central ring of the disc
[0039] 2a. 1. L-shaped opening
[0040] 2b. H-shaped blade
[0041] 2c. V-shaped blade
[0042] 3. Additional unit cutting accessory
[0043] 3a. Central ring of the accessory
[0044] 3b. Tab
[0045] 3c. Cutting sector
[0046] 3c. 1. Cutting sector blades
[0047] 3d. Additional blade
[0048] 4. Guide disc
[0049] 4a. Central guide ring
[0050] 4b. Guide fin
[0051] Presentation of a preferred embodiment
[0052] With reference to the drawings and references listed above, the attached diagrams illustrate a preferred embodiment of the object of the invention, relating to a food processing machine (1) adapted for cutting into pieces, which includes a feed chute (the) configured to receive and direct the food substrate to be processed, a strip-cutting disc (2), in operative connection with a connecting shaft (the) configured to transmit the rotation of a motor, consisting of at least one H-blade (2b) configured to make a cut perpendicular to the direction of the feed chute (the), and a plurality of V-blades (2c), generally parallel, substantially perpendicular to said H-blade (2b) and configured to make a cut in the direction of rotation of the strip-cutting disc (2), an outlet ramp (1b) for extracting the processed food,which includes an additional unit cutting accessory (3) located immediately after the strip cutting disc (2), consisting of sector cutting blades (3c.1), configured to perform a cut in the direction of food processing and arranged in sectors relative to said additional unit cutting accessory (3).
[0053] With reference to the figures, the food substrate, consisting of whole food or food that has been previously peeled and / or pre-cut into smaller pieces, is introduced into the food processing machine (1) through the feed chute (the) (see [Fig. 4]), located in the lid of the food processing machine (1), considered as the initial phase taking place at the front of the machine. The introduction of the food substrate into the feed chute (the) can be facilitated by a pusher. or other element for safety reasons. The feed chute (the) consists of a projection of sufficient length to keep the operator's hand away from the cutting elements and is generally circular in cross-section, although it can be adapted according to the type of food primarily intended.
[0054] The food substrate is then directed to the strip-cutting disc (2) (see [Fig. 1]), which cuts the rotating food. The feed chute (le) can be manufactured in different dimensions and shapes, and the same machine can have several feed chutes (le) of different sizes and / or shapes.
[0055] The rotation of the strip-cutting disc (2) is driven by the action of the connecting shaft (la), powered by the motor (not shown) of the food processing machine (1), to which it is connected by its rotating connection (la.4). The operational connection between the strip-cutting disc (2) and the connecting shaft (la) is ensured by the insertion of the connecting projections (la.l) of the connecting shaft (la) into the L-shaped recesses (2a.1) located on the central ring of the disc (2a) (see [Fig.2B]). The configuration of the L-shaped recesses (2a.1) allows for quick insertion and removal of the strip cutting disc (2) for replacement or cleaning, while preventing accidental removal of the strip cutting disc (2) during operation, since the connecting projections (la.l) of the connecting shaft (la) exert a force against the inner part (lower end of the L) of the L-shaped recesses (2a.1), while transmitting the rotation.
[0056] The strip-cutting disc (2) makes cuts in substantially perpendicular directions, forming food strips. The strip-cutting disc (2) first makes a plurality of cuts in the direction of rotation of the disc via the plurality of V-shaped blades (2c), and almost simultaneously a cut perpendicular to the direction of the feed chute (le) via at least one H-shaped blade (2b), thus producing food strips. These strips, thanks to the geometry of the strip-cutting disc (2), change direction and are deposited concentrically on the surface of the additional unit cutting accessory (3).
[0057] The food strips deposited concentrically on the surface of the additional unit cutting accessory (3) are directed by the geometry of the strip cutting disc (2) against the cutting sector blades (3c.1), arranged in cutting sectors (3c) of the additional unit cutting accessory (3), located immediately after the strip cutting disc (2), which make a cut in the direction of the connecting shaft (la) (perpendicular to the food strip), thus delimiting the length of the strip.
[0058] Each cutting sector (3c) comprises a plurality of cutting sector blades (3c.1), the cutting sector blades (3c.1) of adjacent cutting sectors (3c) being oriented in different directions.
[0059] The additional unit cutting accessory (3) remains stationary while the strip cutting disc (2) rotates above it. To ensure the immobility of the additional unit cutting accessory (3), the connecting shaft (la) passes without contact through the central ring of the accessory (3a) in the area of the smooth shaft (la.2), allowing the connecting shaft (la) to rotate without transmitting any motion. Furthermore, the insertion of the tabs (3b) of the additional unit cutting accessory (3) into the corresponding attachment recesses (Id) of the food processing machine (1) ensures the correct angular positioning of the additional unit cutting accessory (3) and prevents it from being driven by the rotation of the strip cutting disc (2). Immobility can be ensured by any type of removable connection, snap-fit, or locking mechanism such as pins, bayonets, etc.
[0060] Thanks to this configuration of the additional unit cutting accessory (3), with cutting sector blades (3c. 1) arranged in sectors, it is possible, on the one hand, to cut the food strips to the desired size by correctly positioning the cutting sector blades (3c. 1) in each sector, adapted to the concentric position of the strips, and on the other hand, to facilitate the cleaning of the additional unit cutting accessory (3), each sector being made up of cutting sector blades (3c. 1), thus eliminating the need for narrow recesses which generally appear at the intersection of two blades and which tend to accumulate food residue.
[0061] The additional unit cutting accessory (3) is configured in a plurality of cutting sectors (3c) comprising cutting sector blades (3c.1) arranged in a radial distribution.
[0062] The strip cutting disc (2) does not deposit the strips only on the area of the additional unit cutting accessory (3) located immediately behind the feed chute (le), because, due to the high processing speeds, the strip cutting disc (2) can cause the strips deposited on the surface of the additional unit cutting accessory (3) to move, altering the angular position of the strips. A uniform arrangement of the blades over the entire surface of the cutting disc (3) does not compensate for this variation in angular position, resulting in irregular cuts. Thanks to the configuration of the additional unit cutting accessory (3), with radially arranged cutting sectors (3c), the desired strip size is obtained by compensating for any angular offsets, since a cutting sector (3c), composed of cutting sector blades (3c.1) oriented appropriately, is available at every angular position of the disk.
[0063] Another feature of the invention is that the additional unit cutting accessory (3) can include an additional blade (3d) at the junction between the cutting sectors (3c) ([Fig.3B]).
[0064] Thus, in addition to having a cutting sector (3c) with cutting sector blades (3c.1) correctly oriented at all angular positions of the additional unit cutting accessory (3), irregular cuts that may appear at the transitions between cutting sectors (3c) are avoided, thus obtaining a uniform final cut of the processed food.
[0065] Optionally, the cutting sectors (3c) of the additional unit cutting accessory (3) can be delimited by the folding of the cutting sector blades (3c.l) ([Fig.3C]).
[0066] With this configuration, in addition to delimiting the cutting sectors (3c) composed of cutting sector blades (3c.1) oriented in a similar way, the number of fastening elements holding the blades in place is reduced, which facilitates cleaning and the manufacture of the additional unit cutting accessory (3).
[0067] The food processing machine (1) may include a guide disc (4) ([Fig. 1]) connected to the connecting shaft (la), located immediately after the additional unit cutting accessory (3). The guide disc (4) has a central guide ring (4a) formed by at least one smooth wall. The guide disc (4) rotates under the pressure of the thrust wall (la.3) of the connecting shaft (la) against said smooth wall forming the central guide ring (4a). The guide disc (4) also includes at least one guide vane (4b) configured, in its rotational movement, to collect the processed food falling by gravity and under the pressure of subsequent processed food from the additional unit cutting accessory (3), and direct it towards the discharge ramp (1b). The processed food is then discharged by means of the incline of the discharge ramp (1b) (see [Fig. 4]), which is more pronounced in its final section.
[0068] Thanks to this guide disc (4), soft foods such as tomatoes can be gently collected and immediately directed towards the discharge ramp (1b), preventing freshly cut food from falling onto already processed food. By quickly and gently removing freshly processed food, damage due to impacts or accumulation at the initial (low-slope) section of the discharge ramp (1b) is avoided.
[0069] Variations in materials, shape, size and arrangement of the constituent elements described in a non-limiting manner do not alter the essence of the present invention, and the description is sufficient for its reproduction by a person versed in the art.
Claims
Demands
1. Food processing machine (1) adapted for dicing, comprising a feed chute (the) configured to receive and direct the food substrate to be processed, a strip-cutting disc (2) functionally connected to a drive shaft (the) configured to transmit rotation from a motor, comprising at least one H-blade (2b) configured to make a cut perpendicular to the direction of the feed chute (the), and a plurality of V-blades (2c), generally parallel, substantially perpendicular to said at least one H-blade (2b), configured to make a cut in the direction of rotation of the strip-cutting disc (2), an outlet ramp (1b) for the discharge of the processed food, characterized in that it comprises an additional unit cutting accessory (3) configured in cutting sectors (3c),connected to the drive shaft (la) and located immediately after the strip-cutting disc (2), configured to make a cut parallel to the drive shaft (la).
2. Food processing machine (1) adapted for dicing according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional unit cutting accessory (3) is configured in at least two cutting sectors (3c) composed of blades and arranged in a radial distribution.
3. Food processing machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the additional unit cutting accessory (3) may include an additional blade (3d) at the junction between the cutting sectors (3c).
4. Food processing machine (1) adapted for dicing according to claim 2, characterized in that the cutting sectors (3c) of the additional unit cutting accessory (3) can be delimited by the folding of the cutting sector blades (3c.1).
5. Food processing machine (1) adapted for dicing according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a guide disc (4) connected to the drive shaft (la) located immediately after the additional unit cutting accessory (3), which comprises at least one guide fin (4b) suitable for collecting the processed food and directing it to the exit ramp (1b).
6. Food processing machine (1) adapted for dicing according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional unit cutting accessory (3) comprises at least one tab (3b) suitable for inserting into at least one corresponding anchoring recess (Id) in the food processing machine (1).