Clamp assembly for securing a knife to a slicing device, and slicing device including said clamp assembly

Abstract

A method and apparatus suitable for slicing a product into lattice cut slices or chips is provided. The method and apparatus uses a knife assembly including a scalloped knife, a knife holder, and a clamp. A leading edge of the knife holder has fingers and notches between the fingers, and the fingers of the knife holder engage valleys in a first surface of the scalloped knife. The clamp aligns with a second surface of the scalloped knife to secure the scalloped knife to the knife holder. The clamp has a leading edge with fingers and notches between the fingers. The fingers of the clamp interdigitate with the fingers of the knife holder so that the fingers of the clamp engage valleys in a second surface of the scalloped knife.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 293,273, filed December 23, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] (Technical field) The present invention relates to a method and cutting apparatus for cutting a product, such as slicing a food product. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus that includes a cutting head and an impeller assembly that rotates within the cutting head and moves the product toward a knife disposed within the cutting head for slicing the product into slices or chips, including for slicing the food product into waffle or lattice cut slices or chips. [Background technology]

[0003] Various machines are known for slicing, shredding, and grinding food products, such as vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and meat products. Widely used machines for such purposes are commercially available from Urschel Laboratories, Inc. under the brand names "Model CC®" and "Model CCL." The Model CC and Model CCL machines are equipped with centrifugal type slicers and are capable of slicing a variety of food products at high production rates. The Model CC series machines are suitable for uniformly slicing, peeling, shredding, and grinding, while the Model CCL series machines are suitable for producing waffle-cut or lattice-cut (collectively referred to hereinafter as "lattice" or "lattice-cut") slices or chips (collectively referred to hereinafter as "slices" or "sliced ​​products"), a non-limiting example of which is shown in FIG. 1.

[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates, from top to bottom, fine, medium, and coarse gratings used in producing non-limiting examples of lattice cut potato chips and waffle cut potato fries. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the opposing faces of the slices, when viewed from the front edge, have a periodic pattern having a corrugated or sinusoidal waveform with rounded peaks and valleys, although a pattern of more acute peaks and valleys is also possible. A product can be lattice cut by successively cross-cutting the product at two different crossing angles (typically 90 degrees) using one or more knives, each with a cutting edge shaped to have the desired periodic pattern of the slices to be produced. In the following description, such a knife will be referred to as a "corrugated knife" because, when viewed from the front edge, the knife cutting edges are arranged to have peaks and valleys, but is not limited to cutting edges having peaks and valleys with any particular shape, pattern, period, or the like.

[0005] The original model CCL product is specified in U.S. Patent No. 3,139,127 and U.S. Patent No. 3,139,130, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIG. 2 shows a model CCL apparatus 10, and FIGS. 3-5 show a model CCL apparatus 10 to which the inventions described in U.S. Patent No. 3,139,127 and U.S. Patent No. 3,139,130 ​​are applied. The apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 2-5 includes a frame 12 supporting a power supply 14, a stationary cutter assembly (cutting head) 16, and a carriage or conveyor (impeller) assembly 18 rotatably disposed within the cutting head 16 to feed product to the cutting head 16. The cutting head 16 and the impeller assembly 18 are coaxial, and the cutting head is stationary while the impeller assembly 18 rotates within the cutting head 16 about a common axis 17 (FIG. 5). The cutting head 16 and impeller assembly 18 are housed within a housing 20 and product is conveyed to the cutting head 16 and impeller assembly 18 via a feed hopper 22 .

[0006] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3. The feed hopper 22 has been retracted and the housing 20 and cutting head 16 removed to expose the impeller assembly 18. The impeller assembly 18 has four cylindrical guides 24 which convey product to the cutting head 16. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each cylindrical guide 24 has a toothed flange 25 which engages a stationary ring 27 located below the impeller assembly 18. Thus, as the impeller assembly 18 rotates about its longitudinal axis 17, the cylindrical guides 24 simultaneously rotate about their respective longitudinal axes. While the impellers and cylindrical guides 24 shown in FIG. 4 work very well, other impeller configurations can be used to convey product to the cutting head 16, including impellers with paddles of the type used in the Model CC series of machines.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a cutaway plan view of the cutting head 16 and impeller assembly 18 shown in FIG. 3, showing two of the four knife stations located on the periphery of the cutting head 16. Each knife station includes a wavy knife 26 secured to a segment 28 of the cutting head 16 between a knife holder 30 and a clamp 32. The combination of the knife 26, knife holder 30, and clamp 32 constitute a knife assembly 34. As the tubular guides 24 rotate simultaneously about their respective longitudinal axes, the product contacts the knives 26 to produce the desired lattice cut slices. For example, the four tubular guides 24 rotate the product a quarter turn while moving between each of the four knife stations of the apparatus 10, thereby cutting the product at a 90 degree intersection angle. The apparatus 10 can be modified to have more or fewer tubular guides 24 and / or knife stations, and synchronize the rotation of the tubular guides 24 to complete any rotation between the knife stations to allow for cuts at any desired intersection angle.

[0008] As is clear from FIG. 3, the inside of the cutting head 16 is configured as a spheroid. Therefore, the inner surface of the knife holder 30 (the surface facing the inside of the cutting head 16) is also configured as a spheroid. When the feed hopper 22 conveys the product to the impeller assembly 18, centrifugal force causes the product to move outward and engage with the inner spheroid of the cutting head 16, including the inner surface of the knife holder 30. The inner surface of the knife holder 30 is hereinafter referred to as the positioning surface of the knife holder 30. When the product engages with the positioning surface, the knives 26 arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction within the cutting head 16 come into contact with the product, thereby cutting the product.

[0009] FIG. 6 is a perspective cutaway view of the cutting head 16 and impeller assembly 18 of the apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, further illustrating the principle of operation of the model CCL. The product conveyed to the feed hopper (not shown) enters the impeller assembly 18 through a central opening 42 located at the top of the impeller assembly 18. The impeller assembly 18, which includes four cylindrical guides 24, rotates about a longitudinal axis 17 common to the cutting head 16. Centrifugal force conveys the product 35 in the cylindrical guides 24 to the radially outer ends of the cylindrical guides 24 while simultaneously rotating the cylindrical guides 24 about their respective longitudinal axes. Due to longitudinal ribs or splines 38 provided in the internal passages of each cylindrical guide 24, the rotation of the impeller assembly 18 about its longitudinal axis 17 causes the product 35 to rotate within the cylindrical guides 24 about its transverse axis. With centrifugal force holding the product 35 tightly against the inner spheroid of the cutting head 16, the product 35 is rotated by the cylindrical guide 24 between successive knife stations until it contacts the knives 26 and is grid-cut into slices 36. As previously mentioned, in the embodiment shown in Figures 3-6, the cylindrical guide 24 rotates the product 35 approximately 1 / 4 turn between each of the four knife stations to produce grid-cut slices 36 with a 90 degree intersection angle as shown in Figure 6, but is not limited thereto.

[0010] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cut head 16 of a model CCL machine corresponding to the machine 10 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The cut head 16 includes segments 28 having an inner spheroidal surface of the cut head 16 and a corrugated cutting knife 26 secured to each segment 28 between a knife holder 30 and a clamp 32. FIG. 8 shows the curvature of the knife 26, the knife holder 30, and the clamp 32. As is evident from FIGS. 7 and 8, the knife holder 30 includes a knife seat 44 having a smooth cylindrical surface on which a knife 26 having essentially any shape can be placed. Similarly, the leading edge (clamping edge) of the knife clamp 32 has a single arc shape to secure the knife 26 to the knife holder 30. The clamp 32 shown in FIG. 7 has a sloped or tapered outer surface 32a at its leading edge (generally conical due to the arc shape of the clamp 32) to allow the slice 36 to clear the clamp 32 while leaving the cut head 16. As is apparent from FIG. 8, the peaks and valleys of knife 26 , knife holder 30 and clamp 32 form a gap or opening 38 between knife 26 and knife holder 30 and clamp 32 .

[0011] Further description of the construction and operation of the Model CCL series instruments is set forth in US Pat. Nos. 3,139,127 and 3,139,130.

[0012] The Model CCL series machine described above works very well. However, as is evident from FIG. 8, as the product and slices pass over the knife holder 30 and clamp 32, portions of the product and slices may rub against the leading edge of the knife holder 30 and clamp 32. Over time, the opening 38 between the shaping knife 26 and the knife holder 30 and clamp 32 may accumulate solids, such as starch if the product being sliced ​​is a vegetable or fruit. While such buildup is not a problem in a properly maintained machine, if left unattended, the accumulated solids may cause the knife 26 to lift off the knife seat 44 of the knife holder 30, producing thinner slices. As a result, when the knife 26 is no longer rigidly secured against the knife seat 44 of the knife holder 30, the leading edge of the knife 26 may become unstable, reducing the accuracy and quality of the slices. Another problem is that because the slicing action of the Model CCL machine is dual rotational, i.e., the product rotates about the horizontal axis of the tubular guide 24 while rotating about the vertical axis 17 of the impeller assembly 18, the knife 26 can experience a force lateral to the generally horizontal slicing force. Over time, this lateral force can cause the knife 26 to move in a vertical direction (i.e., parallel to the axis of rotation 17 of the impeller assembly 18) as indicated by arrow 40 in FIG. 8. This situation can become more severe as the amplitude of the peaks and valleys of the knife 26 increases, i.e., in the case of coarser, deeper grate cuts than, for example, the finer grate cuts shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] 9A, 9B, 10, and 11 show knife assemblies and their components that can be used with the device 10 shown in FIGS. 2-7. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,328,598, these knife assemblies are configured to reduce or eliminate the potential problems previously described with reference to FIG. 8 caused by the presence of an opening 38 between the wavy knife 26 shown in FIG. 8 and the single arc shaped knife holder 30 and / or clamp 32. FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views of two types of knife holders 130A and 130B. Each of the knife holders 130A and 130B is configured to be combined with a wavy cutting knife. For example, FIG. 9B shows a wavy knife 126 combined with the knife holder 130B. In such a configuration, the tip of the knife 126 forming the cutting edge 127 protrudes beyond the leading edge 146A or 146B of the knife holders 130A and 130B, as shown in FIG. 9B. As noted above, knife 126 is "wavy" because its cutting edge 127 and at least adjacent portions of surfaces 129 (FIG. 9B) and 131 (FIG. 11) on either side of knife 126 that terminate at cutting edge 127 include peaks and valleys when viewed from the forward edge direction. However, as noted above, the knife is not limited to any particular shape or pattern of peaks and valleys.

[0014] Knife holder 130A and knife holder 130B are each configured to be mated with a clamp, such as clamp 132A shown in FIG. 10 as a non-limiting example, for the purpose of securing scalloped knife 126 to knife holder 130A or knife holder 130B. Knife holder 130A shown in FIG. 9A has a positioning surface 142A formed to have a single arc shape similar to knife holder 30 shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8. Additionally, knife holder 130A has a knife seat 144A opposite its positioning surface 142A formed to have a pattern of peaks and valleys complementary to the peaks and valleys of a scalloped knife, such as knife 126, which engages knife holder 130B shown in FIG. 9B. Similarly, knife holder 130B shown in FIG. 9B includes a knife seat 144B formed to have a pattern of peaks and valleys complementary to the peaks and valleys in surface 129 of scalloped knife 126 that engages. Knife sheet 144A and knife sheet 144B are preferably configured to substantially or completely fill openings or gaps between knife 126 and knife holder 130A and knife holder 130B caused by valleys present in surface 129 of knife 126 secured to knife holder 130A or knife holder 130B.

[0015] Knife holder 130A shown in FIG. 9A has a non-sharp leading edge 146A due to the different surface contours of positioning surface 142A and knife seat 144A. In contrast, positioning surface 142B of knife holder 130B shown in FIG. 9B has a shape that is not a single arc shape, but rather a shape that forms a pattern that is complementary to the pattern of wavy knife 126. Because the shapes of positioning surface 142B and knife seat 144B of knife holder 130B are in phase, leading edge 146B is sharp and has a substantially constant thickness, in contrast to leading edge 146A of knife holder 130A shown in FIG. 9A, which has a periodically varying thickness. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the pattern of peaks and valleys in knife 126, positioning surface 142B, knife seat 144A, and knife seat 144B is periodic, and by way of non-limiting example, consists of a substantially sinusoidal wave, although irregular patterns are within the scope of the invention.

[0016] The periodic pattern of peaks and valleys in knife seat 144A of knife holder 130A shown in Figure 9A improves both knife positioning and solids buildup compared to knife holder 30 shown in Figures 5, 7, and 8. Knife holder 130B shown in Figure 9B is further modified so that positioning surface 142B also has a periodic pattern, further reducing solids buildup by reducing product rubbing that may be caused by blunt leading edge 146A of knife holder 130A shown in Figure 9A, where positioning surface 142A comprises a single arc shape.

[0017] The knife clamp 132A shown in Figure 10 is suitable for clamping a scalloped knife in combination with either the knife holder 130A or the knife holder 130B shown in Figures 9A and 9B. As a non-limiting example, Figure 11 shows a knife assembly 134 including a scalloped knife 126, the knife holder 130B shown in Figure 9B, and the clamp 132A shown in Figure 10 in combination with the knife holder 130B to clamp the knife 126 to the knife seat 144B of the knife holder 130B. Similar to the clamp 32 shown in Figure 7, the clamp 132A has a tapered portion (generally conical due to the arcuate shape of the clamp 132A) on its leading edge that defines an inclined outer surface 156 to allow slices that have passed the cutting head to move over the clamp 132A. The tapered portion of the clamp 132A includes an extension or "finger" 148 sized and positioned to project inside a valley in the surface 131 of the knife 126 when the knife 126 and the clamp 132A are assembled, as shown in FIG. 11. The finger 148 preferably at least partially closes an opening or gap between the clamp 132A and the knife 126 caused by the valley in the knife surface 131, thereby reducing the accumulation of solids in the gap. To this end, the finger 148 projects sufficiently inside the valley in the surface 131 opposite the clamp 132A to close the opening or gap that exists between the knife 126 and the clamp 132A. Alternatively or additionally, the finger 148 may improve the stability of the cutting edge 127 of the knife 126 by shortening the length of the cantilever of the knife 126. Here, the cantilever length refers to the length or distance between the cutting edge 127 of the knife 126 and the nearest adjacent support, which may be the leading edge of the knife holder 130A or 130B or the clamp 132A, whichever is closer. In FIG. 11, the cantilever length (L cb) is the length or distance between cutting edge 127 of knife 126 and leading edge 152 of clamp 132A. In this case, the closest adjacent edge of leading edge 152 of clamp 132A is constituted by the distal end of each of fingers 148 that physically engages surface 131 of knife 126 inside the valley facing clamp 132A, as shown in FIG. 11. Fingers 148 and the notches or recesses 150 formed therebetween comprise a pattern complementary to the pattern of knife 126 secured to knife holder 130B by clamp 132A (as a non-limiting example, a periodic pattern).

[0018] As shown in FIG. 9B, knife sheet 144B (not shown in FIG. 11) of knife holder 130B is configured to have a periodic pattern complementary to surface 129 of wavy knife 126 so as to substantially or completely eliminate openings or gaps between knife sheet 144B and surface 129 of wavy knife 126 caused by valleys in surface 129 of wavy knife 126.

[0019] It is also within the scope of the present invention that knife holder 130B shown in FIG. 9B is sufficiently sharp to function as a wavy knife, thereby eliminating the need for a separate knife 126 and clamp 132A, thereby essentially eliminating the possibility of solids accumulating in the valleys of surface 129 and surface 131 of knife 126 having a wavy shape.

[0020] Although the Model CCL apparatus, which includes knives, knife holders and clamps of the type described above, has performed quite well, there is a continuing need for further improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0021] The purpose of the Summary is not to provide an exhaustive description of all of the subject matter and aspects of the invention, but to provide a concise description of the nature and content of the invention. Thus, the Summary describes the subject matter recited in the claims, but additional subject matter and aspects related to the invention are described in other sections of the specification, such as the Detailed Description and the Figures.

[0022] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT The present invention aims to provide a method and apparatus suitable for slicing a product into lattice cut slices or chips.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a knife assembly including a scalloped knife, a knife holder, and a clamp. A leading edge of the knife holder includes fingers and notches between the fingers, the fingers of the knife holder engaging valleys in a first surface of the scalloped knife. The clamp mates with a second surface of the scalloped knife to secure the scalloped knife to the knife holder. The clamp has a leading edge with fingers and notches between the fingers, the fingers of the clamp engaging valleys in the second surface of the scalloped knife such that the fingers of the clamp interdigitate with the fingers of the knife holder.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a knife assembly for use in a slicing device suitable for slicing a product. The knife assembly includes a wavy knife, a knife holder, and a clamp. The wavy knife has first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides and terminating in a cutting edge. The cutting edge and at least a portion of the first and second surfaces adjacent the cutting edge are provided with a pattern of peaks and valleys, with peaks and valleys present on the first surface and peaks and valleys present on the second surface. The knife holder has locating surfaces disposed on opposite sides and terminating in a leading edge, and a knife seat. The knife seat aligns with the first surface of the wavy knife and is provided with a pattern of peaks and valleys complementary to the peaks and valleys of the first surface of the wavy knife. The leading edge of the knife holder includes fingers and notches between the fingers. The fingers of the knife holder engage at least some of the valleys of the first surface of the wavy knife. The notches of the knife holder engage at least some of the peaks of the first surface of the wavy knife. The clamp mates with the second surface of the corrugated knife and secures the corrugated knife to the knife seat of the knife holder. The clamp has a leading edge with fingers and notches between the fingers that have a pattern complementary to the peaks and valleys of the second surface of the corrugated knife. The fingers of the clamp engage at least some of the valleys of the second surface of the corrugated knife and the fingers of the clamp interdigitate with the fingers of the knife holder.

[0025] Another aspect of the invention includes an apparatus or method for cutting a product using the knife assembly described above to produce sliced ​​products, wherein the rotational action of the impeller assembly and a conveying means attached to the impeller assembly conveys the product to the periphery of the cutting head and the serrated knife slices the product to produce lattice cut slices or chips.

[0026] The technical effects of the above-described knife assemblies, methods, and apparatus preferably include increasing the stability and rigidity of the wavy knife during a slicing operation performed using the knife assembly, and improving the quality and consistency of the sliced ​​product produced by the knife assembly.

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a slice of a lattice cut produced by apparatus and components of the type shown in FIGS. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of a conventional model CCL device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a model CCL apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 with the housing and cutting head removed to expose the impeller assembly. [Diagram 5] 5 is a partial cutaway plan view of the cutting head and impeller assembly of the apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cutting head and impeller assembly of a model CCL apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cutting head shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an end view of the knife assembly of the cutting head shown in FIG. 7, illustrating in contrast the cross-sectional shapes of the knife holder, knife clamp and the knife secured therebetween. [Figure 9]Figures 9A and 9B are perspective views of two types of knife holders applicable to the apparatus shown in Figures 2 to 7. The knife holder shown in Figure 9A has a knife sheet having a periodic pattern complementary to a wavy knife, and the knife holder shown in Figure 9B has a knife sheet having a periodic pattern complementary to a matched wavy knife, and a positioning surface disposed on the opposite side having a periodic pattern similar to the periodic pattern of the wavy knife. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a knife clamp that can be applied to the knife holder shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows a knife assembly including the knife and knife holder shown in FIG. 9B and the knife clamp shown in FIG. 10 which secures the knife to the knife holder. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cutting head according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the cutting head shown in FIG. 12, showing details of the knife assembly of the cutting head in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of a portion of the cutting head of FIG. 13, showing details of the knife, knife holder, and clamp of the knife assembly. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of one of the knife assemblies of the cutting head shown in Figure 12, showing additional details of the knife, knife holder, and clamp of the knife assembly. The knife is shown semi-transparent to allow visualization of the clamp fingers that engage the opposite (outside) side of the knife that faces outwardly of the cutting head shown in Figure 12. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a plan view showing the inside of the knife assembly shown in Figure 15, facing the inside of the cutting head shown in Figure 12. The knife is shown semi-transparent to allow visualization of the distal ends of the clamp fingers on the opposite (outer) side of the knife assembly. [Figure 17]Figure 17 is a plan view showing the exterior of the knife assembly shown in Figure 15, facing away from the cutting head shown in Figure 12. The knife is shown semi-transparent to allow visualization of the fingers of the knife holder on the opposite (inner) side of the knife assembly. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17, showing the relative cross-sectional shapes of the knife, the fingers of the knife holder, and the fingers of the clamp. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the knife assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the knife assembly shown in FIG. 19 shown with the clamp removed. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the knife assembly shown in FIG. 19 shown with the clamp and knife removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The intended purpose of the following detailed description of the invention, and the phraseology and terminology used therein, is to describe embodiments, including one or more non-limiting embodiments of the invention, and to describe certain portions, but not all, of the illustrated embodiments. The following detailed description also describes certain alternative embodiments, but not all, of the illustrated embodiments. Thus, the appended claims are intended to specifically identify the subject matter regarded as the invention, including certain aspects and alternative embodiments, but not necessarily all aspects and alternative embodiments, described in the detailed description, rather than the detailed description itself.

[0030] FIG. 12 illustrates a cutting head 216 with multiple knife assemblies 234 attached to segments 228 of the cutting head 216. The particular embodiment of the cutting head 216 illustrated in FIG. 12 has a spheroidal inner surface and is applicable to apparatus having certain features similar to the apparatus 10 illustrated in FIGS. 2-7, or modifications and improvements thereto. Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention are illustrated and described with reference to an apparatus having components arranged as described for the apparatus 10 illustrated in FIGS. 2-7, although the present invention is applicable to a variety of apparatus. Additionally, although the knife assemblies 234 and components illustrated in FIGS. 12-21 are described as slicing food products, the knife assemblies, cutting head, impeller assemblies, and apparatus incorporating them may be used to cut products other than food products.

[0031] 12-21 are configured to increase the stability and rigidity of the wavy knife 226 during a slicing operation performed using the knife assembly 234. Additionally, the knife assembly 234 and its components are preferably configured to reduce the accumulation of solids between the leading edge of the knife 226 of the knife assembly 234 and the knife holder 230 and / or clamp 232, as well as to reduce vertical movement of the knife 226 (e.g., arrow 40 shown in FIG. 8), i.e., movement parallel to the axis of rotation of the impeller assembly (as a non-limiting example, impeller assembly 18 shown in FIGS. 3-6 and axis 17 shown in FIG. 5).

[0032] 13-17 each illustrate the knife assembly 234 of the cutting head 216 shown in FIG. 12. As described above, the knife assembly 234 includes a scalloped knife 226, a knife holder 230, and a clamp 232. The clamp 232 may be secured to the knife holder 230 by any suitable means capable of clamping the knife 226, such as, but not limited to, a fastener 236 that secures the clamp 232 to the knife holder 230. Product contacted by the knife 226, for example, conveyed by an impeller (for example, but not limited to, the impeller assembly 18 and cylindrical guide 24 shown in FIGS. 3-6) or other suitable conveying means, is sliced ​​by the knife 226 before exiting the cutting head 216 through a gate 240 (FIGS. 13 and 14). Knife holder 230 is configured to be assembled to wavy knife 226 such that a tip of knife 226 defining cutting edge 227 projects beyond leading edge 246 of knife holder 230, as shown in Figures 14-17. Knife 226 has opposed surfaces 229 and 231 (Figures 16-18), each terminating in cutting edge 227.

[0033] As discussed above, knife 226 is "wavy" because, when viewed edgewise, its cutting edge 227 and at least adjacent portions of surfaces 229 and 231 of knife 226 include a pattern of peaks and valleys. Figure 18 illustrates a representative, non-limiting cross-sectional view of a wave shape that is periodic and, by way of non-limiting example, substantially sinusoidal. In Figure 18, the pattern of peaks and valleys formed on cutting edge 227 of knife 226 defines peaks 262 and valleys 264 on surface 231 facing clamp 232 and opposite knife holder 230, and peaks 266 and valleys 268 on surface 229 facing knife holder 230 and opposite clamp 232. However, knives within the scope of the present invention are not limited to any particular shape or pattern of peaks and valleys.

[0034] The knife holder 230 has a knife seat 244 formed to have a pattern of peaks and valleys complementary to the peaks and valleys of the matching corrugated knife 226. Additionally, the knife holder 230 has a locating surface 242 opposite the knife seat 244. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-21, the locating surface 242 is formed to have a pattern of peaks and valleys complementary to the pattern of peaks and valleys of the corrugated knife 226. The shapes of the locating surface 242 and the knife seat 244 of the knife holder 230 are in phase, so that the leading edge 246 of the knife holder 230 is sharp and has a substantially constant thickness, similar to the leading edge of the knife holder 130B shown in FIG. 9B. The knife seat 244 is preferably configured to substantially or completely fill an opening or gap between the knife 226 and the knife holder 230 caused by the valleys 268 in the surface 229 of the knife 226 contacting the knife seat 244 of the knife holder 230.

[0035] As can be seen particularly from Figures 16 and 17, the leading edge 246 of the knife holder 230 includes extensions or "fingers" 258 and notches or recesses 260 therebetween that are fabricated to form a pattern complementary to the pattern of peaks and valleys present on the surface 229 of the knife 226 (as a non-limiting example, a periodic pattern). Figure 16 shows the positioning surface 242 and fingers 258 of the knife holder 230. Figure 17 shows the knife seat 244 of the knife holder 230, with the knife 226 shown semi-transparently to visualize the fingers 258 of the knife holder 230 on the opposite side of the knife assembly 234. The fingers 258 and notches 260 of the knife holder 230 engage valleys 268 and peaks 266, respectively, present on the surface 229 of the knife 226 that faces the knife holder 230 and is opposite the clamp 232. The fingers 258 and notches 260 of the knife holder 230 can be formed by a variety of techniques, but as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the fingers 258 and notches 260 are formed on the leading edge 246 of the knife holder 230, the leading edge 246 having a bevel (inclined chamfer) 270, and the peaks of the knife holder 230 that are present on the knife seat 244 and engage with the valleys 268 of the knife 226 on the surface 229 of the knife 226 facing the knife holder 230 protrude beyond the valleys of the knife holder 230 that are present on the knife seat 244 and engage with the peaks 266 of the knife 226 on the surface 229 of the knife 226 facing the knife holder 230.

[0036] As can be seen particularly in Figures 12, 13, 17 and 19, the clamp 232 has a tapered portion at its leading edge defining an inclined outer surface 256 to allow the slices leaving the cutting head 216 to move over the clamp 232. The tapered portion of the clamp 232 is fabricated with extensions or "fingers" 248 and notches or recesses 250 therebetween that define a pattern complementary to the pattern of peaks and valleys of the knife 126 secured to the knife holder 230 by the clamp 232 (for non-limiting example, a periodic pattern). The fingers 248 and notches 250 of the clamp 232 engage valleys 264 and peaks 262, respectively, present on the surface 231 of the knife 226 that faces the clamp 232 and is opposite the knife holder 230. As the fingers 248 of the clamp 232 and the fingers 258 of the knife holder 230 engage the valleys 264 and 268 on the opposing surfaces 229 and 231 of the knife 226, respectively, the fingers 248 of the clamp 232 and the fingers 258 of the knife holder 230 interdigitate (interdigitate) as is evident from Figures 16 and 17. The knife 226 is shown semi-transparent in Figures 16 and 17 to allow visualization of the distal ends of the fingers 248 of the clamp 232 and the fingers 258 of the knife holder 230 on the opposite (inner) side of the knife assembly 234, respectively. The interdigitation of the fingers 248 of the clamp 232 and the fingers 258 of the knife holder 230 is believed to improve stability and rigidity of the knife 226 and its cutting edge 227. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, as is particularly apparent from FIG. 17 , the leading edge 252 of the clamp 232, defined by the distal end of the finger 248 which physically engages with the valley 264 in the surface 231 of the knife 226 facing the clamp 232, extends beyond the leading edge 246 of the knife holder 230, defined by the most recessed edge of the notch 260 in the knife holder 230.Also, the leading edge 246 of the knife holder 230, formed by the distal end of the finger 258 that physically engages the valley 268 in the surface 229 of the knife 226 that faces the knife holder 230, extends beyond the leading edge 252 of the clamp 232, which is defined by the most recessed edge of the notch 250 of the clamp 232. Furthermore, in the non-limiting embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the finger 258 of the knife holder 230 extends beyond the leading edge 252 of the clamp 232 at the finger 248 of the clamp 232. As a result, in the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the finger 258 of the knife holder 230 physically engages the surface 229 of the knife 226 inside the valley 268 of the knife 226 that faces the knife holder 230, and extends beyond the leading edge 252 of the clamp 232 at the finger 248 of the clamp 232. As shown in FIG. 16 and 17, the cantilever length (L) for the knife 226 extends beyond the leading edge 252 of the clamp 232 at the finger 248 of the clamp 232. cb ) is defined by the length or distance between the cutting edge 227 of the knife 226 and the leading edge 246 of the knife holder 230 at the distal end of such finger 258.

[0037] As can be seen from FIG. 18, the fingers 248 of the clamp 232 can also be configured to at least partially close an opening or gap created between the clamp 232 and the wavy knife 226 by the valleys 264 in the surface 231 of the knife 226, thereby reducing the accumulation of solids between the wavy knife 226 and the clamp 232.

[0038] Although the present invention has been described through a specific embodiment, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that other configurations of the present invention are also applicable. For example, the knife 226, knife holder 230, and clamp 232 may be different from the illustrated embodiment and used with different devices, impeller assemblies, and cutting heads than the illustrated embodiment and configuration, the specific functions of these components may be achieved by components having different configurations but similar (not necessarily equivalent) functions, and various materials and processes may be employed to fabricate the knife assembly and its components. Although the illustrated non-limiting embodiment of the cutting head is particularly suitable for cutting food into slices, the knife assembly 234 may also be used in combination with cutting heads suitable for slicing other materials. Thus, as stated above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein or illustrated.

Claims

1. A corrugated knife, a knife holder, and a clamp; 1. A knife assembly comprising: a leading edge of the knife holder having fingers and notches therebetween, the fingers of the knife holder engaging valleys in a first surface of the wavy knife; the clamp mates with a second surface of the wavy knife to secure the wavy knife to the knife holder, the clamp having a leading edge with fingers and notches between the fingers, the fingers of the clamp engaging valleys in the second surface of the wavy knife; the fingers of the clamp interdigitate with the fingers of the knife holder; Knife assembly.

2. 1. A knife assembly of a slicing apparatus suitable for slicing a product, said knife assembly comprising: a wavy knife having first and second opposed surfaces terminating in a cutting edge, the cutting edge and at least a portion of the first and second surfaces adjacent the cutting edge comprising a pattern of peaks and valleys, the first surface having peaks and valleys and the second surface having peaks and valleys; a knife holder having a locating surface terminating at a leading edge and a knife seat disposed opposite said locating surface, said knife seat aligning with said first surface of said wavy knife, said knife seat having a pattern of peaks and valleys complementary to said peaks and valleys in said first surface of said wavy knife, said leading edge of said knife holder having fingers and notches between said fingers, said fingers of said knife holder engaging at least some of said valleys in said first surface of said wavy knife and said notches of said knife holder engaging at least some of said peaks in said first surface of said wavy knife; and a clamp that mates with the second surface of the wavy knife and secures the wavy knife to the knife seat of the knife holder, the clamp having a leading edge with fingers and notches between the fingers that define a pattern complementary to the peaks and valleys in the second surface of the wavy knife, the fingers of the clamp engaging at least some of the valleys in the second surface of the wavy knife; Equipped with the fingers of the clamp are interdigitated with the fingers of the knife holder; Knife assembly.

3. The knife assembly of claim 2 , wherein the pattern of peaks and valleys of the wavy knife is a periodic pattern.

4. The knife assembly of claim 2 , wherein the fingers of the clamp extend beyond the leading edge of the knife holder at the notch in the knife holder located between the fingers of the knife holder.

5. The knife assembly of claim 2 , wherein the fingers of the knife holder extend beyond the leading edge of the clamp at the notch of the clamp located between the fingers of the clamp.

6. The knife assembly of claim 2 , wherein the fingers of the knife holder extend beyond the leading edge of the clamp at the fingers of the clamp.

7. 3. The knife assembly of claim 2, wherein the leading edge of the knife holder is beveled at its positioning surface such that a peak of the knife holder that is present on the knife seat and engages with a valley of the wavy knife at the first surface of the wavy knife protrudes beyond a valley of the knife holder that is present on the knife seat and engages with a peak of the wavy knife at the first surface of the wavy knife.

8. The knife assembly of claim 2 , wherein the locating surface of the knife holder comprises a pattern of peaks and valleys complementary to the pattern of peaks and valleys in the knife seat of the knife holder.

9. The knife assembly of claim 2 , wherein the knife assembly is secured to a segment of a cutting head.

10. The knife assembly of claim 2 , wherein the cutting head is configured such that the knife assembly produces lattice cut slices or chips.

11. 1. A slicing device for slicing a product, comprising: The slicing device comprises: an annular cutting head having an axis; at least one knife assembly having a serrated knife extending axially around an outer periphery of the cutting head and extending radially inward within the cutting head, the serrated knife having opposed first and second surfaces terminating at a cutting edge, the cutting edge and at least a portion of the first and second surfaces adjacent the cutting edge comprising a pattern of peaks and valleys, the first surface having peaks and valleys and the second surface having peaks and valleys; an impeller assembly coaxially mounted within said cutting head for rotation relative to said cutting head about said axis thereof, said impeller assembly including means for conveying product toward an outer periphery of said cutting head as said impeller assembly rotates inside said cutting head; Equipped with The knife assembly includes: a knife holder having a locating surface terminating in a leading edge and an oppositely disposed knife seat, the knife seat aligning with the first surface of the wavy knife and having a pattern of peaks and valleys complementary to the peaks and valleys in the first surface of the wavy knife, the leading edge having fingers and notches between the fingers, the fingers of the knife holder engaging at least some of the valleys in the first surface of the wavy knife and the notches of the knife holder engaging at least some of the peaks in the first surface of the wavy knife; a clamp that mates with the second surface of the wavy knife and secures the wavy knife to the knife seat of the knife holder, the clamp having a leading edge with fingers that form a complementary pattern to the peaks and valleys in the second surface of the wavy knife and notches between the fingers, the fingers of the clamp engaging at least some of the valleys in the second surface of the wavy knife; Further equipped with the fingers of the clamp are interdigitated with the fingers of the knife holder; Slicing device.

12. 12. The slicing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the impeller assembly is configured to rotate about the axis of the cutting head while the conveyor rotates about its axis, causing products in the conveyor to rotate about their respective axes.

13. 12. The slicing device of claim 11, wherein the pattern of peaks and valleys of the wavy knives is a periodic pattern.

14. 12. The slicing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fingers of the clamp extend beyond the leading edge of the knife holder at the notch of the knife holder between the fingers of the knife holder.

15. 12. The slicing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fingers of the knife holder extend beyond the leading edge of the clamp at the notch of the clamp between the fingers of the clamp.

16. The slicing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the fingers of the knife holder extend beyond the leading edge of the clamp at the fingers of the clamp.

17. 12. The slicing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the leading edge of the knife holder is beveled at its positioning surface such that a peak of the knife holder that is present on the knife seat and engages with a valley of the wavy knife at the first surface of the wavy knife protrudes beyond a valley of the knife holder that is present on the knife seat and engages with a peak of the wavy knife at the first surface of the wavy knife.

18. 12. The slicing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the locating surface of the knife holder comprises a pattern of peaks and valleys complementary to the pattern of peaks and valleys in the knife seat of the knife holder.

19. The slicing device of claim 11 , wherein the knife assembly is fixed to a segment of the cutting head.

20. The slicing device of claim 11 , wherein the cutting head and impeller assembly are configured such that the knife assembly produces lattice cut slices or chips.

21. A method for producing lattice cut slices or chips using a slicing apparatus according to claim 11.

22. Rotating the impeller assembly; Supplying a product to the impeller assembly; conveying the product to an outer periphery of the cutting head by rotating the impeller assembly and the conveying means; and slicing the product with the serrated knife to produce the lattice cut slices or chips.

22. The method of claim 21 comprising:

23. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the product is a food product.

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