Food cutting device (options)
The food cutting device with rotating circular knives addresses the inefficiency of existing cutting methods by ensuring consistent, uniform cuts in food products, particularly potatoes, through its innovative knife design and rotation mechanism.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- RU · RU
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MCCAIN FOODS
- Filing Date
- 2022-04-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for cutting food products, such as fruits and vegetables, lack efficiency and consistency in producing uniform shapes, particularly in devices like those used for cutting potatoes into strips for French fries.
A food cutting device with a knife holder and circular knives that rotate relative to a perpendicular and offset axis, featuring a wavy peripheral edge with alternating protrusions and depressions, allowing for precise and uniform cutting of food products.
Ensures consistent cutting results regardless of the food product's speed, achieving uniform cuts with a wavy profile and reducing the need for precise speed control, thereby enhancing cutting efficiency and product consistency.
Smart Images
Figure 00000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to the field of methods and devices for cutting food products, such as fruits or vegetables.
[0002] Technology Level
[0003] Many manufacturers, restaurants and individual consumers cut food and other products in a way that suits their needs.
[0004] For example, these companies might cut potatoes into strips to produce French fries. The speed and consistency of cutting these products with this shape can be improved with a food cutting device.
[0005] Essence of the invention 0006 In one aspect, a food cutting device is proposed. The food cutting device has a food movement axis. The food cutting device may comprise a knife holder and a plurality of circular knives mounted on the knife holder. Each of the plurality of circular knives may form a corresponding knife rotation axis. Each circular knife may be configured to rotate relative to the knife holder around a corresponding knife rotation axis. The corresponding rotary axis of the circular knife may be perpendicular to the food movement axis and offset from it. Each circular knife may have a peripheral edge with the same radius from the corresponding knife rotation axis.
[0007] The peripheral edge of each circular knife may have a series of alternating protrusions and depressions. Each protrusion and depression may have an amplitude in a direction parallel to the corresponding axis of rotation of the knife. In another aspect, a food cutting device is provided. The food cutting device has a food movement axis. The food cutting device may comprise a knife holder and a plurality of circular knives mounted on the knife holder. Each of the plurality of circular knives forms a corresponding knife rotation axis.
[0008] Each rotary knife may be configured to rotate relative to the knife holder around a corresponding knife rotation axis. The corresponding rotary knife rotation axis may be perpendicular to the food product movement axis and offset from it. Each rotary knife may have a peripheral edge with the same radius from the corresponding knife rotation axis. Each of the plurality of rotary knives may have a corresponding cutting axis, which may be parallel to the food product movement axis and located tangentially to the peripheral edge of the rotary knife. The cutting axis of each of the plurality of rotary knives may be substantially collinear with the cutting axis of at least one other of the plurality of rotary knives.
[0009] In another aspect, a method for cutting food products into pieces is provided.
[0010] The method may include:
[0011] moving the food product in the direction along the axis of movement of the food product to a plurality of rotating disc knives,
[0012] wherein the food product hits a plurality of disc knives, and each disc knife forms a corresponding knife rotation axis;
[0013] wherein each disc knife penetrates the food product, each disc knife has a peripheral edge with a series of alternating peaks and valleys, and each peak and valley have an amplitude in a direction parallel to the corresponding axis of rotation of the knife,
[0014] moving the food product through a plurality of disc knives, wherein each disc knife of the plurality of disc knives rotates as the food product passes through the plurality of disc knives; and
[0015] cutting a food product into pieces by means of cuts made by a plurality of disc knives, by moving the food product through the plurality of disc knives.
[0016] In another aspect, a method for cutting food products into pieces is provided.
[0017] The method may include:
[0018] moving the food product in the direction along the axis of movement of the food product to a plurality of rotating knives,
[0019] The food product hits multiple disc knives,
[0020] wherein each disc knife forms a corresponding axis of rotation of the knife,
[0021] while each disc knife penetrates the food product,
[0022] each disc knife has a peripheral edge with a constant radius from the axis of rotation of the knife;
[0023] moving the food product through a plurality of disc knives; and
[0024] cutting a food product into pieces by means of cuts made by a plurality of disc knives, by moving the food product through a plurality of disc knives, wherein each disc knife forms a cut in the food product, the end of which is located inside the food product, and the end of each cut is adjacent to the end of a cut formed by at least one other of the plurality of disc knives.
[0025] Brief description of drawings
[0026] Fig. 1 is a diagram of a hydraulic cutting system according to an embodiment;
[0027] Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view (with a portion of the pipeline removed for clarity) showing an embodiment of a food cutting apparatus within a pipeline of a hydraulic cutting system according to an embodiment;
[0028] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the food cutting apparatus shown in Fig. 2, together with whole potatoes and potato pieces cut by the food cutting apparatus, according to an embodiment;
[0029] Fig. 4 is a front view of a circular knife with an axis according to an embodiment;
[0030] Fig. 5 is a side view of the circular knife shown in Fig. 4;
[0031] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the circular knife shown in Fig. 4;
[0032] Fig. 7 is a front view of the food cutting device shown in Fig. 2;
[0033] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the food cutting apparatus shown in Fig. 2;
[0034] Fig. 9 is a partially exploded perspective view of the food cutting apparatus shown in Fig. 2;
[0035] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a food cutting apparatus together with a whole potato, a potato slice and a potato stick according to another embodiment;
[0036] Fig. 11 is a front view of a food cutting apparatus according to another embodiment;
[0037] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the food cutting apparatus shown in Fig. 12;
[0038] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view along line 13-13 in Fig. 11;
[0039] Fig. 14-15 - arrangement of knives of a food cutting device according to another embodiment;
[0040] Fig. 16 - arrangement of knives of a food cutting device according to another embodiment;
[0041] Fig. 17 - arrangement of knives of a food cutting device according to another embodiment;
[0042] Fig. 18 is an arrangement of knives of a food cutting device according to another embodiment; and
[0043] Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a food cutting apparatus according to another embodiment.
[0044] Detailed Description of the Present Invention
[0045] This application describes numerous embodiments, which are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any sense. The invention is widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the description provided herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be practiced with modifications and variations without departing from the teachings disclosed herein. Although specific features of the present invention may be described with reference to one or more specific embodiments or figures, it should be understood that such features are not limited to use in one or more specific embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described.
[0046] The terms “embodiment,” “embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” “some embodiments,” and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention,” unless explicitly stated otherwise.
[0047] The terms "including," "comprising," and variations thereof mean "including without limitation" unless expressly stated otherwise. A list of elements does not imply that some or all elements are mutually exclusive unless expressly stated otherwise.
[0048] Terms mean "one or more" unless explicitly stated otherwise.
[0049] For the purposes of this invention and in the claims, two or more parts are referred to as "connected," "attached," "linked," "fastened," or "fastened" when the parts are connected or work together either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate parts) as long as a connection exists. For the purposes of this document and in the claims, two or more parts are referred to as "directly connected," "directly linked," "directly attached," "directly fastened," "directly attached," or "directly fastened" when the parts are in physical contact with each other.For the purposes of the present invention, two or more parts are referred to as "rigidly connected," "rigidly attached," "rigidly linked," "rigidly secured," or "rigidly fastened" when the parts are connected in such a way as to move as a single unit while maintaining a constant orientation relative to one another. None of the terms "connected," "attached," "attached," "linked," "fastened," and "fastened" distinguish the manner in which the two or more parts are connected together.
[0050] Furthermore, although the method steps may be described (in the disclosure and / or claims) in a sequential order, such methods may be configured to operate in an alternative order. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of the methods described within the scope of the present invention may be performed in any order that is substantially feasible. Furthermore, some steps may be performed simultaneously.
[0051] Within the framework of the present invention and in the claims, a first element is referred to as "communicatively coupled" or "communicatively coupled" or "communicatively coupled" to a second element, wherein the first element is configured to send or receive electronic signals (e.g., data) to or from the second element, and the second element is configured to receive or send electronic signals to or from the first element. The communication may be wired (e.g., the first and second elements are connected by one or more data cables) or wireless (e.g., at least one of the first and second elements has a wireless transmitter, and at least the other of the first and second elements has a wireless receiver). The electronic signals may be analog or digital. The communication may be one-way or two-way.In some cases, communication may conform to one or more standard protocols (e.g., SPI, I2C, Bluetooth™, or IEEE™ 802.11).
[0052] For the purposes of the present invention and claims, a group of elements "jointly" performs an action when that action is performed by any one of the elements in the group or is performed jointly by two or more (or all) of the elements in the group.
[0053] For the purposes of the present invention and in the claims, a first line or axis is said to be "perpendicular" to a second line or axis in three-dimensional space when the second line or axis is parallel or collinear to an imaginary line that intersects the first line at an angle of 90 degrees or at an angle of approximately 5 degrees parallel to or collinear to the imaginary line.
[0054] For the purposes of the present invention and the claims, a member is said to be "free to rotate" or "can rotate freely" if the member is not in driveable connection (e.g., not directly in driveable connection or not indirectly in driveable connection by gears, chains, cords, belts or other means) with a rotating drive member (e.g., an electric, pneumatic, hydraulic or internal combustion engine, motor or cylinder).
[0055] Certain components within the present invention may be identified by a part number, which consists of a base number followed by an alphanumeric or index-numeral designation (e.g., 112a or 1121). Multiple components within the present invention may be identified by part numbers that share a common base number and differ in designations (e.g., 1121, 1122, and 1123).
[0056] All items with a common base number may be referred to collectively or generically using the base number without a designator (e.g. 112).
[0057] For convenience, the following description uses potatoes as the food product to be cut. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the cutting device and cutting methods described within the framework of the present invention can be used to cut any suitable product, including, but not limited to, food products (such as fruits and vegetables), wood, and fibrous materials (such as bamboo).
[0058] Some examples of vegetables include tubers (such as potatoes, taro, artichokes, yams, and ginger).
[0059] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a hydraulic cutting system 10 in accordance with at least one embodiment. In the example shown, potatoes 12 are fed from a hopper 14 into a tank 16, where they are immersed in water 18.
[0060] As shown, a plurality of pipelines 24 connect the tank 16 to the pump 20, and the pump 20 to the food cutting device 100.
[0061] In some embodiments, pump 20 circulates water 18 from reservoir 16, thereby drawing potatoes 12 through conduits 24 into food cutting device 100. Conduits 24 may be sized to receive potatoes 12 one at a time. For example, conduits (e.g., pipes) 24 may have a diameter greater than the diameter of a potato 12 and less than the diameter of two potatoes 12.
[0062] In the example shown, potatoes 12 are moved through pipelines 24 into a food cutting device 100 at a speed imparted to it by a pump 20.
[0063] The food cutting device 100 is described in detail below.
[0064] When the potato 12 passes through the food cutting device 100, it is cut into smaller pieces 26 and discharged through the discharge pipe 28. Optionally, the potato pieces 26 are subjected to further processing (e.g., boiling, frying, freezing, packaging, etc.). In some embodiments, the potato 12 is raw potato, and the potato pieces 26 are sticks or wedges processed into frozen or fresh, cooked or partially cooked French fries or potato wedges.
[0065] Now referring to Figs. 2-3, Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the food cutting device 100 secured within the section of the pipeline 28, and Fig. 3 shows a whole potato 12 moving in the direction 104 along the axis 108 of movement of the food product into the food cutting device 100, as well as further located pieces of potato 26 that have been cut by the food cutting device 100.
[0066] As shown, the food cutting device 100 may comprise a knife holder 112 and a plurality of circular knives 116 attached to the knife holder 112. Each circular knife 116 is rotatably mounted on the knife holder 112 and has a corresponding knife rotation axis 120. The rotation axis 120 of each circular knife 116 is perpendicular to the axis 108 of movement of the food product (and the direction 104 of movement of the product) and is offset from it. This may allow the potato 12 to move through the circular knives 116 without hitting the axis or other structural element that rotatably attaches the circular knife 116 to the knife holder 112.For example, in some embodiments, each rotary knife 116 may be rotatably mounted on the knife holder 112 on the knife axis 124, and the minimum distance 128 between each knife axis 124 and the food product movement axis 108 may be at least as large as the radius 132 of the potato 12 delivered to the food cutting device 100.
[0067] Referring to Fig. 4-6, each rotary knife 116 has a peripheral edge 136. In some embodiments, the peripheral edge 136 may have a wavy profile comprising a series of alternating projections 140 and depressions 144. As shown, each projection 140 and depression 144 may have a corresponding amplitude 156 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 120 of this rotary knife 116. This wavy profile on the peripheral edge 136 can ensure that the rotary knife 116 forms cuts in potatoes that have a wavy profile with corresponding projections and depressions. For example, Fig. 3 shows pieces of potato 26, each of which has cutting surfaces 1481 and 1482 that have a wavy profile formed by the peaks 140 and the valleys 144 of the disk knives 116 that cut these surfaces 1481, 1482.As shown, the wavy profile of each cut surface 1481 and 1482 may include peaks 150 and valleys 152 that alternate in the direction 104 of product movement.
[0068] Returning to Fig. 4-6, the wavy profile of the peripheral knife edge 136 may have a constant wavelength 154 (i.e., a constant circumferential distance between successive peaks 140 or between successive valleys 144), as shown. This may allow the rotary knives 116 to make cuts on the potato 12 with a wavy profile having a more uniform wavelength. Alternatively, the wavy profile of the peripheral knife edge 136 may have a variable wavelength. That is, two or more different wavelengths may be present in the wavy profile of the peripheral knife edge 136. In some examples, the peripheral knife edge 136 may have a wavy profile with a wavelength 154 from 5 mm to 50 mm.
[0069] In some embodiments, all of the protrusions 140 and valleys 144 may have the same amplitude 156, measured parallel to the axis of rotation 120 of the knife, as shown. In alternative embodiments, one or more valleys 144 (or all) may have an amplitude 156 different from one or more (or all) of the protrusions 140. In addition, the protrusions 140 may have the same amplitude 156, or there may be one or more (or all) of the protrusions 140 with an amplitude 156 different from one or more (or all) of the other protrusions 140.
[0070] Similarly, the depressions 144 may have the same amplitude 156, or there may be one or more (or all) depressions 144 with an amplitude 156 that is different from one or more (or all) other depressions 144. In some examples, the protrusions 140 and depressions 144 may have an amplitude from 1 mm to 30 mm.
[0071] Continuing with reference to Figs. 4-6, the protrusions 140 and the valleys 144 may have a curved shape, as shown (for example, a sinusoidal shape). In other embodiments, the protrusions 140 and the valleys 144 may have another regular or irregular shape, such as, for example, a square, triangular, sawtooth, or tidal wave shape. The shape of each protrusion 140 and valley 144 may be constant around the peripheral edge 136 of the knife, as shown. In other embodiments, one or more (or all) of the valleys 144 may have a shape different from the shape of one or more (or all) of the protrusions 140.
[0072] Furthermore, the projections 140 may have the same shape (as shown), or there may be one or more projections 140. (or all) projections 140 with a shape different from the shape of one or more (or all) other projections 140. Similarly, the recesses 144 may have the same shape (as shown), or there may be one or more (or all) recesses 144 with a shape different from one or more (or all) other recesses 144.
[0073] All of the circular knives 116 may have the same radius 160, as shown. In other embodiments, one or more of the circular knives 116 (or all) may have a radius 160 different from the radius of one or more (or all) of the other circular knives 116. In some examples, the radius 160 of the knives may be from 10 to 300 mm.
[0074] The peripheral edge 136 of each circular knife 116 may have the same number of projections 140 and valleys 144 as each other circular knife 116. For example, all circular knives 116 may have the same knife radius 160 and a wavy profile with the same wave length 154, as shown. This may allow the circular knives 116 to form cuts having the same or very similar wavy profiles. In some examples, the circular knife 116 may have from 4 to 40 projections and the same number of valleys (plus or minus one).
[0075] In other embodiments, one or more of the circular knives 116 (or all) may have a different knife radius 160 and a wavy profile with a different wavelength 154 than one or more (or all) other circular knives 116, and at the same time have the same number of protrusions 140 and depressions 144 as one or more (or all) other circular knives 116.
[0076] Alternatively, the peripheral edge 136 of one or more (or all) of the circular knives 116 may have a different number of projections 140 and depressions 144 than one or more (or all) of the other circular knives 116. This may allow the circular knives 116 to form cuts having different wavy profiles.
[0077] In alternative embodiments, the peripheral edge 136 of each circular knife 116 is flat, i.e., does not have a wavy profile.
[0078] Referring to Fig. 4, each circular knife 116 may have a peripheral edge 136 with a constant radius 160 from the axis 120 of rotation of the circular knife 116. As shown, the projection of the peripheral edge 136, parallel to the axis 120 of rotation of the knife, may form a circle. Referring to Fig. 7, the peripheral edge 136 of each circular knife 116 may be adjacent to the peripheral edge 136 of at least one other circular knife 116. In the illustrated embodiment, where the circular knives 116 have a constant radius 160 (Fig. 4) from their respective axes of rotation 120 of the knives, their peripheral edges 136 may maintain their adjacency to the peripheral edge 136 of at least one other circular knife 116, even when these circular knives 116 are rotating.
[0079] Within the framework of the present invention and in the claims, it is said that the peripheral edge 136 of the rotary knife 116 "adjacent" to the peripheral edge 136 of another rotary knife 116 when the peripheral edges 136 of these two rotary knives 116 are in physical contact with each other, or when the peripheral edges 136 of these two rotary knives 116 are spaced from each other by a distance of less than 2.5 mm or less than 5% of their combined radii 160 of the knives (Fig. 4). Two knives with adjacent peripheral edges 136 can form two cuts that are effectively combined to separate potatoes into pieces. However, if the knife holder 112 and the knife radii 160 (Fig. 4) are sized such that the peripheral edges 136 of the two circular knives 116 are in physical contact, then manufacturing tolerances may cause the circular knives 116 to jam, thereby preventing their rotation.Accordingly, a very small gap may be allowed between the adjacent peripheral edges 136, which does not significantly affect the quality of their combined cuts when the potato passes through.
[0080] In alternative embodiments, the peripheral edge 136 of one or more (or all) of the rotary knives 116 may not have a constant radius 160 from the axis of rotation 120 of the knife (Fig. 6). For example, the peripheral edge 136 of one or more (or all) of the rotary knives 116 may be serrated or have a wavy profile with a radial amplitude.
[0081] Referring to Fig. 2-3, each rotary knife 116 can rotate freely relative to the knife holder 112 around a corresponding knife rotation axis 120, as shown. In use, the rotary knives 116 can rotate relative to the knife holder 112 around their rotation axes 120 due to their interaction with the potato 12, which moves through the food cutting device 100. In embodiments where the rotary knives 116 have peripheral edges 136 with a wavy profile, the rotational speed (e.g., in revolutions per second or in equivalent units) of each rotary knife 116 can be adjusted due to the interaction between (i) the potato 12 and (ii) the protrusions 140 and the depressions 144 of each rotary knife 116.
[0082] Since the wavy profile creates a significant thickness perpendicular to the axis 108 of movement of the food product and the direction 104 of movement of the product (i.e., measured parallel to the axis 120 of rotation of the knife), the potato 12 cannot pass through the device 100 for cutting food products without rotating the rotary knives 116. Indeed, the potato 12 can communicate to each rotary knife 116 a rotation speed that is a function of the speed of the potato (e.g., in feet per second or equivalent units):
[0083] ω blade =f(ν potato ) (Equation 1)
[0084] In equation 1 ω blade this is the rotation speed of the disk knife 116, and ν potato This is the speed of potato 12 through the food cutting device 100.
[0085] For example, the rotational speed of the rotary knife 116 as the potato passes through it may be such that the tangential speed of the rotary knife 116 at its peripheral edge 136 is equal to the speed of the potato 12 through the food cutting device 100:
[0086] ν tangent =ν potato (Equation 2a)
[0087] ω blade ×C perimeter =ν potato (Equation 2b)
[0088] ω blade ×2πr blade ==ν potato (Equation 2c)
[0089] ω blade =ν potato / ((2πr blade ) (Equation 2d)
[0090] In equations 2a-d ν tangent this is the tangential speed of the disk knife 116 at the peripheral edge 136, C perimeter - the circumference of the peripheral edges of the knife 136, and r blade - radius 160 of the knife.
[0091] The equality between the tangential speed of the circular knife 116 at its peripheral edge 136 and the speed of the potato 12 through the food cutting device 100 arises naturally due to the interaction between (i) the potato 12 and (ii) the projections 140 and the depressions 144 of each circular knife 116. In particular, the projections 140 and the depressions 144 that pierce the potato 12 at any given moment create interference that prevents the potato 12 from moving faster or slower than the tangential speed of the circular knife 116 at its peripheral edge 136. Since the circular knives 116 can rotate freely, it is the speed of the potato 12 that determines the rotation speed of the knives.
[0092] As a result, the cuts made in the potato 12 when the potato moves through the food cutting device 100 may be substantially the same, regardless of the speed at which the potato 12 moves. For example, the potato pieces 26 cut from the slowly moving potato 12 and the potato pieces 26 cut from the fast moving potato 12 may have surfaces 148 with substantially the same wavy profile (for example, with the same wavelength and amplitude). Accordingly, the hydraulic system 10 (Fig. 1) equipped with the food cutting device 100 may not need to precisely control the speed at which the potato 12 moves through the food cutting device 100 in order to ensure consistent results when cutting the potato pieces 26.
[0093] In alternative embodiments, one or more of the rotary knives 116 (or all of them) do not rotate freely, but are instead drivenly coupled (e.g., directly drivenly coupled or indirectly drivenly coupled by gears, chains, cords, belts, or other means) to a rotating drive member (e.g., an electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, internal combustion engine, motor, or cylinder) that drives them into rotation. For example, Figs. 11-13 show an embodiment of a food cutting device 100 that includes rotating drive members 252 (depicted as electric motors) that are drivenly coupled to the rotary knives 116.This allows the rotating drive elements 252 (which themselves can be controlled by the computer system) to regulate the speed of rotation of the disk knives 116 around their knife rotation axes 120 (Fig. 13).
[0094] Figure 19 shows another embodiment of the food cutting device 100. For clarity of illustration, the knife axes 124 and some of the rotary knives 116 are not shown. In some embodiments, the food cutting device 100 may comprise one or more fluid nozzles 268. Each fluid nozzle 268 may be positioned and oriented to direct a fluid (gas or liquid) to the rotary knife 116 to reduce, increase, stop, or maintain the rotational speed of this rotary knife 116 around its rotational axis 120. In the illustrated example, each rotary knife 116 has two corresponding fluid nozzles 268 associated with it.
[0095] The two nozzles 268 are oriented in different directions so that the fluid from the two nozzles 268 can apply a rotational force to accelerate the circular knife 116 in different rotation directions (i.e., one clockwise and the other counterclockwise).
[0096] In other embodiments, the rotary knife 116 may have only one nozzle 268 associated therewith or three or more nozzles 268.
[0097] Referring to Fig. 7-8, the knife holder 112 may have any configuration that allows a plurality of rotary knives 116 to be mounted with the possibility of rotation and to rotate around respective axes of rotation of the knives 120 (Fig. 2), which are offset from the axis 108 of movement of the food product and perpendicular to it.
[0098] In some embodiments, the knife holder 112 may carry circular knives
[0099] 116, arranged in a circle around the axis 108 of food product movement. The circular arrangement may provide for any number of disc knives 116. For example,
[0100] The knife holder 112 may contain three or more (for example, 3-100) circular knives 116 arranged in a circle.
[0101] The illustrated embodiment includes eight circular knives 116. The circular knives 116 can be evenly distributed along a circular structure, as shown. For example, the circular knives 116 can be mounted on the knife holder 112 in positions that are evenly distributed along an imaginary circle surrounding the food product movement axis 108.
[0102] As shown, the peripheral edge 136 of each rotary knife 116 may be adjacent to the peripheral edge 136 of each other rotary knife 116. This allows the cuts formed by the rotary knives 116 to be aligned and the potatoes 12 (Fig. 3) to be neatly divided into pieces 26 (Fig. 3). In the illustrated example, the peripheral edge 136 of each rotary knife 116 is adjacent to the axis 108 for moving the food product. Referring to Fig. 3, the cut formed by the rotary knife 116 may end inside the potato 12. That is, the depth of each cut may be less than the overall depth of the potato 12 where this cut is made, and each individual cut may not be sufficient to separate the potato 12 into pieces 26. Instead, the end of each cut may be adjacent to the end of at least one other cut, and these adjacent cuts may jointly separate a piece of potato 26 from the potato 12.In the illustrated example, the end of each cut will coincide with the axis 108 of movement of the food product.
[0103] For example, a food cutting device 100 with a circular arrangement of circular knives 116 and peripheral edges 136, which are all adjacent to the axis 108 of movement of the food product, can operate to divide potatoes 12 into potato wedges 26. As shown, each wedge 26 can have a pair of surfaces 1481, 1482, which were cut using cuts formed by different circular knives 116.
[0104] The surfaces 1481, 1482 of the wedges may intersect at the apex 164 of the wedge. During the cutting of the potato 12 into the wedges 26, the apex 164 of the wedge may represent the location of the junction of the ends of the corresponding cuts (formed by two different circular knives 116 that cut the surfaces 1481, 1482). In some cases, the apex 164 of the wedge may be aligned with the axis 108 of movement of the food product (for example, collinear with it) during the period when the food cutting device 100 cuts the potato 12.
[0105] Referring to Fig. 9, each rotary knife 116 can be mounted on the knife holder 112 in any manner that allows the rotary knife 116 to rotate around the knife rotation axis 120 (Fig. 2), offset from and perpendicular to the food product movement axis 108. The illustration shows the knife holder 112, which contains a cylindrical body 168. In the cylindrical body 168, a slot 172 is formed for each rotary knife 116.
[0106] Each of the slots 172 is sized to accommodate the corresponding disc knife 116 without interfering with the free rotation of the disc knife 116.
[0107] Axle 124 can be connected to each rotary blade 116. Each axis 124 can form an axis 120 of rotation of the connected rotary blade 116. In some embodiments, a bearing 176 (for example, a roller bearing or bushing) can be installed between each rotary blade 116 and the corresponding blade axis 124. This can help reduce frictional resistance when rotating each rotary blade 116 around the blade axis 120. Alternative embodiments may not provide bearings 176.
[0108] Two axle locks 180 can be located on the sides of each knife slot 172 to fix the position of the axle 124 of the circular knife 116 inserted into this knife slot 172. The axle locks 180 can have any design suitable for maintaining the position of the axle 124 of the knife. In some embodiments, the axle 124 of the knife can be rotated. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotation of the axle 124 of the knife is blocked when connected to the axle locks 180. As shown, each axle retainer 180 may comprise a recess 184 for receiving one end of the knife axle 124 and a movable (e.g., removable or rotating) cover 188. The cover 188 may be positioned over the recess 184 to hold the knife axle 124 within the recess 184 and may be moved (e.g., removed or rotated) from the recess 184 to allow the knife axle 124 to be removed.
[0109] For example, the knife axle 124 can be removed to remove the attached circular knife 116 for repair (e.g., sharpening) or replacement. The cover 188 can be connected to the axle retainer 180 in any manner, for example, using fasteners 192 (e.g., screws, bolts, or rivets).
[0110] Figures 14-15 show the arrangement of the rotary knives 116 for another embodiment of the cutting device 100 (Figure 1). The rotary knife holder and the knife axes are not shown so as not to obstruct the visibility of the rotary knives 116. As shown, in some embodiments, one or more rotary knives 116 (or all) can be located further or closer (i.e., offset in a direction parallel to the axis 108 of movement of the food product) than one or more (or all) other rotary knives 116.
[0111] In some embodiments, the food cutting device 100 may comprise two or more groups 256 of rotary knives 116, wherein each group 256 of rotary knives 116 may be offset closer to or further from other groups 256 of rotary knives 116. Within each group 256, there may be at least two rotary knives 116 having adjacent peripheral knife edges 136. This allows each group of rotary knives 116 to form substantially intersecting cuts in the food product to separate the food product into pieces. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four groups 2561-2564, each of which has two corresponding rotary knives 1161-1164.
[0112] In some embodiments, the near rotary knife 116 and the far rotary knife 116 may interact to form cuts that substantially intersect in the food product, dividing the food product into pieces. For example, each rotary knife 116 may have a cutting axis 260 parallel to the axis 108 of movement of the food product and tangent to the peripheral edge 136 of this rotary knife 116. The cutting axes 260 of the near rotary knife 116 and the far rotary knife 116 may be substantially collinear. For example, the cutting axis 260 of the near rotary knife 116 may be parallel to the cutting axis 260 of the far rotary knife 116 and adjacent to it (e.g., at a distance of less than 2.5 mm from each other or less than 5% of their combined knife radius). In some examples, the cutting axis 260 of the near and far knives 116 may be adjacent to the food product movement axis 108.As shown, the cutting axis 260 of the near and far knives 116 may be collinear with the food product movement axis 108.
[0113] Referring to Fig. 7-8, in some embodiments, one or more rotary knives 116 may be configured to only cut the food product instead of cooperating with one or more other rotary knives 116 to separate the food product into pieces. For example, one or more rotary knives 116 may have a peripheral edge 136 that is located at a distance from the axis 108 of movement of the food product. Referring to Fig. 14-15, in some embodiments, one or more rotary knives 116 may have a cutting axis 260 that is located at a distance (i.e., is substantially non-collinear) from the cutting axis 260 of all other rotary knives 116.
[0114] Referring to Fig. 2, in some embodiments, the knife holder 112 may comprise a mount 196 for attaching the cutting device to other equipment, such as the hydraulic cutting system 10 (Fig. 1). In the illustrated example, the mount 196 includes a mounting flange for attaching the cutting device 100 to the pipeline 28 of the hydraulic cutting system 10 (Fig. 1).
[0115] Next, with reference to Fig. 10, a food cutting device 100 is shown according to another embodiment. As shown, the food cutting device 100 may comprise a knife holder 112 to which several rows 208 of circular knives 116 are attached. In each row 208 of circular knives 116, each circular knife 116 can rotate around a common knife rotation axis 120. That is, the rotation axis 120 of each circular knife 116 within the row 208 of circular knives 116 is collinear with the rotation axis 120 of the knife of each other circular knife 116 within this row 208 of circular knives 116. The rotation axes 120 of all circular knives 116 may be perpendicular to the axis 108 of movement of the food product and offset from it, as shown.
[0116] The food cutting device 100 may comprise at least two rows 208 of circular knives 116. For example, the food cutting device 100 may comprise at least a first row 2081 and a second row 2082. As shown, the peripheral edge 136 of each circular knife 116 in the first row 2081 of circular knives 116 may be adjacent to the peripheral edge 136 of the corresponding circular knife 116 in the second row 2082 of circular knives 116. For example, the first and second rows 2081, 2082 may have an equal number of circular knives 116, and each circular knife 116 in the first row 2081 may be aligned with the corresponding circular knife 116 in the second row 2082 so that their peripheral edges 136 were adjacent to each other.
[0117] In some embodiments, the common axis 120 of rotation of the circular knives 116 in the first row 2081 is parallel to and offset from the common axis 120 of rotation of the circular knives 116 in the second row 2082.
[0118] As shown, the first and second rows 2081, 2082 of the disc knives 116 may be located on the sides of the food product movement axis 108 so that the potatoes 12 move between them. For example, the food product movement axis 108 may lie between the common rotation axis 120 of the disc knives 116 of the first row 2081 of the disc knives 116 and the common rotation axis 120 of the disc knives 116 of the second row 2082 of the disc knives 116.
[0119] The minimum distance between each axis 124 (or it may be one common axis, as shown) of the circular knives 116 in the first row 2081 and the axis 108 of movement of the food product may be at least as large as the radius 132 of the potato 12 delivered to the food cutting device 100.
[0120] Similarly, the minimum distance between each axis 124 (or it may be one common axis, as shown) of the circular knives 116 in the second row 2082 and the axis 108 of movement of the food product may be at least as large as the radius 132 of the potato 12 delivered to the cutting device 100.
[0121] Still referring to Fig. 10, in use, when potatoes 12 are moved (for example, by a hydraulic drive member) through the food cutting device 100, the rotary knives 116 of the first and second rows 2081, 2082 of the rotary knives 116 can divide the potatoes into slices 212. For clarity, only one slice 212 is shown. As shown, the slice 212 can be formed in the form of a plate with a first cutting surface 1481 separated from a second cutting surface 1482 by a natural (i.e., uncut by the cuts formed by the rotary knives 116) outer surface 216 that surrounds the surfaces 1481, 1482. Each of the surfaces 1481, 1482 was formed by joint cuts of the rotary knife 116 of the first row 2081 and the rotary knife 116 of the second row 2082. In addition, each of the surfaces 1481, 1482 has a wavy profile formed by the peaks 140 and the valleys 144 of the disk knives 116, which cut this surface 1481 or 1482.As shown, the wavy profile of each cut surface 1481 and 1482 may comprise peaks 150 and valleys 152 that alternate in the direction 104 of product movement.
[0122] In some embodiments, the food cutting device 100 may comprise additional rows 208 of rotary knives 116. In the illustrated example, the food cutting device 100 comprises a first plurality 2201 of rotary knives 116 and a second plurality 2202 of rotary knives 116 located after the first plurality 2201. The first plurality 2201 includes the first and second rows 2081 and 2082 of rotary knives 116. The second plurality 2202 includes the third and fourth rows 2083, 2084 of rotary knives 116.
[0123] The second plurality 2202 of circular knives may be similar in type to the first plurality 2201. The above description of the first plurality 2201, including the description of the first and second rows 2081, 2082, may be applied to the second plurality 2202 and its third and fourth rows 2083, 2084.
[0124] In some embodiments, the axes of rotation 120 of the knives of the second plurality 2202 of circular knives may not be parallel to the axes of rotation 120 of the knives of the first plurality 2201. For example, the axes of rotation 120 of the knives of the second plurality 2202 may be perpendicular to the axes of rotation 120 of the knives of the first plurality 2201. This allows the second plurality 2202 to form cuts 224 that are not parallel (e.g., substantially perpendicular) to the cuts formed by the first plurality 2201. In the illustrated example, the cuts 224 are substantially perpendicular to the surfaces 1481, 1482 and form surfaces 1483, 1484 in the resulting potato stick 228. As shown, the surfaces 1483, 1484 may have a wavy profile formed by peaks 140 and valleys 144 disc knives 116, which cut these surfaces 1483, 1484.
[0125] Still referring to Fig. 10, each potato stick 228 may have an upper end 232, a rear end 236, and four sides 1481-1484. The four sides 1481-1484 were formed by cuts of two different circular knives 116 from the first plurality 2201 of circular knives 116 and two different circular knives 116 from the second plurality 2202 of circular knives 116.
[0126] Except for the rotation orientation, the second plurality 2202 of the circular knives 116 may be substantially identical to the first plurality of circular knives 116. For example, the second plurality 2202 may have the same number of circular knives 116, the same distance between adjacent circular knives 116 in the row 208, the size (for example, the radius) of the circular knives 116 and the same wavy profile of the circular knives 116 (for example, the amplitudes and wavelengths) as the first plurality 2201. This can ensure uniformity between the cuts made by the first plurality 2201 and the second plurality 2202. In some examples, each row 208 may contain from 2 to 50 circular knives 116, for example, from 3 to 10 circular knives 116.
[0127] In an alternative embodiment, there may be differences between the second plurality 2202 of circular knives 116 and the first plurality 2201 of circular knives 116. For example, the second plurality 2202 of circular knives 116 may differ from the first plurality 2201 of circular knives 116 in one or more of the number of circular knives 116, the distance between adjacent circular knives 116 in the row 208, the size (for example, the radius) of the circular knives 116 and the wavy profile of the circular knives 116 (for example, the amplitude and wavelength).
[0128] Fig. 16-18 show the arrangement of knives for other embodiments of the cutting device 100 (Fig. 1).
[0129] The rotary blade holder and blade axes are not shown in order not to obscure the view of the blades. As shown, in some embodiments, the food cutting device 100 (FIG. 1) may comprise one or more fixed blades 264 in addition to the rotating rotary blades 116. This allows the food cutting device 100 (FIG. 1) to make additional cuts in the passing food product.
[0130] The fixed knives 264 may have any number (e.g., 1-50 knives), arrangement (e.g., arranged in a row, parallel or non-parallel), position (e.g., closer, further or combined with the rotating knives 116) and shape (e.g., straight or wavy). In the illustrated examples, parallel rows of straight fixed knives 264 are shown. Figs. 16-17 show fixed knives located in front of the rotating knives 116. Fig. 18 shows fixed knives located after the rotating knives 116.
[0131] Although the above description presents exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that some features and / or functions of the described embodiments can be modified without departing from the spirit and operating principles of the described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been described above is intended to illustrate the invention and is not limiting it, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited to the preferred embodiments and examples, but should have the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
Claims
1. A device for cutting food products, having an axis for moving the food product and containing: a knife holder and circular knives attached to the knife holder, wherein each of the circular knives has a corresponding knife rotation axis, wherein each circular knife is configured to rotate relative to the knife holder around a corresponding knife rotation axis, wherein the corresponding rotation axis of the circular knife is perpendicular to the axis of movement of the food product and offset from it, wherein each circular knife has a peripheral edge with the same radius from the corresponding knife rotation axis, wherein the peripheral edge of each circular knife has a series of alternating protrusions and depressions, wherein each protrusion and depression have an amplitude in a direction parallel to the corresponding knife rotation axis.
2. A device for cutting food products according to claim 1, in which the peripheral edge of each circular knife is adjacent to the peripheral edge of at least one other circular knife.
3. A device for cutting food products according to claim 1 or 2, in which the peripheral edge of each disk knife is adjacent to the axis of movement of the food product.
4. A food cutting device according to any one of claims 1-3, which includes first and second circular knives, and the second circular knife is located downstream from the first circular knife.
5. A device for cutting food products according to any one of paragraphs 1-4, in which each disk knife is designed with the possibility of free rotation relative to the knife holder around the corresponding axis of rotation of the knife.
6. A food cutting device according to any one of claims 1-3, which includes a first circular knife, and the first circular knife is operably connected to a rotating drive member.
7. A device for cutting food products according to any one of paragraphs 1-6, in which the disk knives are arranged in a circular arrangement of disk knives surrounding the axis of movement of the food product.
8. A device for cutting food products according to paragraph 7, which is made with a circular arrangement of at least three disk knives.
9. A device for cutting food products according to claim 7 or 8, in which, when arranged in a circle, the disc knives are evenly distributed along an imaginary circle surrounding the axis of movement of the food product.
10. A device for cutting food products according to any one of paragraphs 7-9, in which the peripheral edge of each circular knife in the circular arrangement of circular knives is adjacent to the peripheral edge of each other circular knife in the circular arrangement of circular knives.
11. A device for cutting food products according to any one of paragraphs 7-10, in which the peripheral edge of each circular knife in a circular arrangement of circular knives is adjacent to the axis of movement of the food product.
12. A device for cutting food products according to any one of paragraphs 1-11, in which the peripheral edge of each disk knife has the same number of protrusions and depressions.
13. A device for cutting food products according to claim 1, wherein the circular knives are arranged in at least a first and second row.
14. A device for cutting food products according to claim 13, wherein the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the first row of circular knives is collinear with the axis of rotation of each other circular knife in the first row of circular knives and the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the second row of circular knives is collinear with the axis of rotation of each other circular knife in the second row of circular knives.
15. A food cutting apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the peripheral edge of each circular knife in the first row of circular knives is adjacent to the peripheral edge of the corresponding circular knife in the second row of circular knives.
16. A device for cutting food products according to any one of paragraphs 13-15, in which the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the first row of circular knives is parallel to the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the second row of circular knives.
17. A device for cutting food products according to any one of claims 13-16, which includes at least a third row of circular knives and a fourth row of circular knives, the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the third row of circular knives is collinear with the axis of rotation of each other circular knife in the third row of circular knives, the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the fourth row of circular knives is collinear with the axis of rotation of each other circular knife in the fourth row of circular knives, the peripheral edge of each circular knife in the third row of circular knives is adjacent to the peripheral edge of the corresponding circular knife in the fourth row of circular knives, and the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the third and fourth rows of circular knives is not parallel to the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the first and second rows of circular knives.
18. A device for cutting food products according to claim 17, wherein the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the third and fourth rows of circular knives is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the first and second rows of circular knives.
19. A device for cutting food products according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the third and fourth rows of circular knives are located after the first and second rows of circular knives.
20. A device for cutting food products, having an axis for moving the food product and containing a knife holder and circular knives attached to the knife holder, wherein each circular knife forms a corresponding axis of rotation of the knife, wherein each circular knife is configured to rotate relative to the knife holder around a corresponding axis of rotation of the knife, wherein the corresponding axis of rotation of the circular knife is perpendicular to the axis of movement of the food product and offset from it, wherein each circular knife has a peripheral edge with the same radius from the corresponding axis of rotation of the knife, wherein each of the circular knives has a corresponding cutting axis parallel to the axis of movement of the food product and tangent to the peripheral edge of the circular knife,wherein each of the circular knives has a knife radius and each of the circular knives forms at least a pair of circular knives with at least one other of the circular knives and the cutting axes of the circular knives of each pair of circular knives are parallel and located at a distance of less than 5% of the sum of the radii of the circular knives in such a pair of circular knives.
21. A device for cutting food products according to claim 20, in which each disk knife is designed to rotate freely relative to the knife holder around the corresponding axis of rotation of the knife.
22. A food cutting device according to claim 20 or 21, which includes a first circular knife, and the first circular knife is operably connected to a rotating drive member.
23. A device for cutting food products according to claim 20 or 21, which includes a first circular knife and a second circular knife, and a peripheral edge of the first circular knife adjoins a peripheral edge of the second circular knife.
24. A device for cutting food products according to claim 20 or 21, which includes a first circular knife and a second circular knife, and the second circular knife is located downstream of the first circular knife.
25. A device for cutting food products according to any one of paragraphs 20-24, in which the disk knives are arranged in a circular arrangement of disk knives surrounding the axis of movement of the food product.
26. A device for cutting food products according to claim 25, which is made with a circular arrangement of at least three disk knives.
27. A device for cutting food products according to claim 25 or 26, in which, when arranged in a circle, the disc knives are evenly distributed along an imaginary circle surrounding the axis of movement of the food product.
28. A device for cutting food products according to any one of paragraphs 25-27, in which the peripheral edge of each circular knife in the circular arrangement of circular knives is adjacent to the peripheral edge of each other circular knife in the circular arrangement of circular knives.
29. A device for cutting food products according to any one of paragraphs 25-28, in which the peripheral edge of each circular knife in a circular arrangement of circular knives is adjacent to the axis of movement of the food product.
30. A device for cutting food products according to any one of paragraphs 20-29, in which the peripheral edge of each circular knife has the same number of protrusions and depressions.
31. A device for cutting food products according to claim 20, which includes at least a first row of circular knives and a second row of circular knives.
32. A device for cutting food products according to claim 31, wherein the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the first row of circular knives is collinear with the axis of rotation of each other circular knife in the first row of circular knives and the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the second row of circular knives is collinear with the axis of rotation of each other circular knife in the second row of circular knives.
33. A food cutting device according to claim 31 or 32, wherein each circular knife in a first row of circular knives forms a pair of circular knives with a corresponding circular knife in a second row of circular knives and the cutting axes of the circular knives in each pair of circular knives are parallel and located at a distance of less than 5% of the sum of the radii of the circular knives in such a pair of circular knives.
34. A device for cutting food products according to any one of paragraphs 31-33, in which the peripheral edge of each circular knife in the first row of circular knives adjoins the peripheral edge of the corresponding circular knife in the second row of circular knives.
35. A device for cutting food products according to any one of paragraphs 31-34, in which the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the first row of circular knives is parallel to the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the second row of circular knives.
36. A device for cutting food products according to any one of claims 31-35, which includes at least a third row of circular knives and a fourth row of circular knives, the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the third row of circular knives is collinear with the axis of rotation of each other circular knife in the third row of circular knives, the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the fourth row of circular knives is collinear with the axis of rotation of each other circular knife in the fourth row of circular knives, the peripheral edge of each circular knife in the third row of circular knives is adjacent to the peripheral edge of the corresponding circular knife in the fourth row of circular knives, and the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the third and fourth rows of circular knives is not parallel to the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the first and second rows of circular knives.
37. A device for cutting food products according to claim 36, wherein the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the third and fourth rows of circular knives is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of each circular knife in the first and second rows of circular knives.
38. A device for cutting food products according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the third and fourth rows of circular knives are located downstream of the first and second rows of circular knives.