Positional locking mechanism for a rotatable knife component, interleaver for food processing system, and methods for the use thereof

Abstract

A positional locking mechanism for rotatable knife components, incorporated for example into an interleaver, includes first and / or second supports moveable between operating and nonoperating configurations. Knife and back-up rollers, having first and second gears, are rotatably supported by the first and second supports. A locking collar is rotatable between an unlocked position, wherein the locking collar is disengaged with one of the first or second gears, and a locked position, wherein the locking collar is engaged with the one of the first or second gears. A latch is moveable between a latched position, wherein the first and second supports are maintained in the operating configuration, and an unlatched position, wherein the first and second supports are moveable to the nonoperating configuration. The latch is moveable from the latched to the unlatched position when the locking collar is in the locked position. Methods of operating the mechanism are also provided.

Description

POSITIONAL LOCKING MECHANISM FOR A ROTATABLE KNIFE COMPONENT, INTERLEAVER FOR FOOD PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND METHODS FOR THE USE THEREOFCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 656,298, filed June 5, 2024, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present application relates generally to a positional locking mechanism for a rotatable knife component, incorporated for example and without limitation into an interleaver for a food processing system, and to methods for the use and assembly thereof.BACKGROUND

[0003] Food processing systems may be configured with an interleaver, or interleaving system, which interleaves a substrate or media with food product. Typically, a knife assembly, used to cut the substrate, may be configured with a pair of rotatable knife components. For example, the knife assembly may incorporate a pair of rollers (e.g., a knife roller and a back-up roller). In some systems, the knife assembly perforates the substrate, which may be later broken by acceleration such that a single piece of substrate may be introduced under the food product for subsequent processing. The rollers of the knife assembly may be separable, i.e., moveable relative to each other, such that the interleaver, and the knife assembly in particular, may be accessed for maintenance, cleaning, rotation and / or replacement of the rollers. It may be important that the positional relationship of the rollers is maintained when separated, such that they are returned to the same interface position. Or, with the positional relationship initially fixed, one or more of the rollers may be deliberately repositioned relativeto each other if desired. In either case, there is a need for maintaining the angular or rotational position of the rollers, i.e., knife and back-up rollers, when not engaged with each other.SUMMARY

[0004] The present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be considered to be a limitation on those claims.

[0005] In one aspect, one embodiment of an interleaver for a food processing system includes a first support moveable relative to a second support from an operating configuration to a nonoperating configuration. A knife roller is rotatably supported by one of the first or second supports. The knife roller includes a first gear rotatable about a first longitudinal axis. A back-up roller is rotatably supported by the other of the first or second supports, and includes a second gear rotatable about a second longitudinal axis. The first and second gears are intermeshed when the first and second supports are in the operating configuration, and the first and second gears are spaced apart when the first and second supports are in the nonoperating configuration. A locking collar is rotatable about a third longitudinal axis between an unlocked position, wherein the locking collar is disengaged with one of the first or second gears, and a locked position, wherein the locking collar is engaged with the one of the first or second gears. A latch is moveable between a latched position, wherein the first and second supports are maintained in the operating configuration, and an unlatched position, wherein the first and second supports are moveable to the nonoperating configuration. The latch is moveable from the latched to the unlatched position when the locking collar is in the locked position.

[0006] In another aspect, one embodiment of a positional locking mechanism for a rotatable knife component, incorporated for example and without limitation into an interleaver for a food processing system, includes a first support moveable relative to a second support from an operating configuration to a nonoperating configuration. A knife roller is rotatably supported by one of the first or secondsupports, and includes a first gear rotatable about a first longitudinal axis. A backup roller is rotatably supported by the other of the first or second supports, and incudes a second gear rotatable about a second longitudinal axis. The first and second gears are intermeshed when the first and second supports are in the operating configuration, while the first and second gears are spaced apart when the first and second supports are in the nonoperating configuration. A locking collar is axially moveable along a third longitudinal axis between an open position, wherein the locking collar is rotatable about the third longitudinal axis between a locked position and an unlocked position, a first closed position, wherein the locking collar is in the unlocked position and is disengaged with the first and second gears, and a second closed position, wherein the locking collar is in the locked position and is engaged with one of the first or second gears. A latch is moveable between a latched position, wherein the first and second supports are maintained in the operating configuration, and an unlatched position, wherein the first and second supports are moveable to the nonoperating configuration. The latch is moveable from the latched to the unlatched position when the locking collar is in the second closed position. The latch is not moveable from the latched to the unlatched position when the locking collar is in the first closed position.

[0007] In another aspect, one embodiment of a method of operating an a positional locking mechanism, for example and without limitation when incorporated into an interleaver, includes intermeshing a first gear rotatable about a first axis with a second gear rotatable about a second axis, wherein the first gear is connected to a knife roller and the second gear is connected to a back-up roller, and wherein the first and second gears are rotatably mounted on first and second supports coupled with a latch in a latched position. The method includes axially moving a locking collar along a third axis from a first closed position, wherein the locking collar is disengaged with the first and second gears, to a first open position, rotating the locking collar about the third axis from the first open position to a second open position, axially moving the locking collar along the third axis from the second open position to a second closed position wherein the lockingcollar is engaged with and immobilizes one of the first or second gears, rotating the latch from the latched position to an unlatched position when the locking collar is in the second closed position, and moving the first and second supports relative to each other and thereby separating the first and second gears and separating the knife roller and the back-up roller.

[0008] The various embodiments of the positional locking mechanism, interleaver and methods provide significant advantages over other knife assemblies and interleavers, and methods for the assembly and use thereof. For example, and without limitation, the locking collar maintains the rotational position of at least one of the backup roller or knife roller when the first and / or second supports are moved relative to each other to a non-operating configuration, for example during a maintenance operation. In this way, the knife roller and back-up roller interface at the same location when the first and second supports are returned to the operating configuration. As such, the knife blade(s) on the roller will interface with, and impact, the back-up roller at the same location, which may eliminate the time and potentially wasted materials needed for breaking in the back-up roller, for example if the back-up roller was in advertently rotated when the supports are in the non-operating configuration. At the same time, the back-up roller may be deliberately rotated a predetermined amount after a predetermined time of operation or number of rotational interfaces between the knife and back-up rollers, such that the back-up roller may be incrementally advanced relative to the knife roller for a predetermined new interface, thereby providing multiple interfaces using the same back-up roller and prolonging the life of the back-up roller.

[0009] The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The various preferred embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary food processing system.

[0011] FIG. 2 is partial, perspective view of one embodiment of an interleaver.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a partial, perspective view of the interleaver in an operating configuration.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a partial, perspective view of the interleaver in an operating configuration.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a partial, perspective view of the interleaver in a nonoperating configuration.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a partial, exploded view of the interleaver.

[0016] FIG. 7A is a partial, perspective view of the interleaver in an unlatched, locked position.

[0017] FIG. 7B is a partial, perspective view of the interleaver in a latched, unlocked position.

[0018] FIG. 8A is a partial, perspective view of the interleaver in a latched, closed and unlocked position.

[0019] FIG. 8B is a partial, perspective view of the interleaver in a latched, open and unlocked position.

[0020] FIG. 8C is a partial, perspective view of the interleaver in a latched, open and locked position.

[0021] FIG. 8D is a partial, perspective view of the interleaver in a latched, closed and locked position.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the knife and back-up rollers.

[0023] FIG. 10 is an end view of the knife and back-up rollers.

[0024] FIG. 11 is an end view knife and back-up rollers and locking collar in a closed and locked position.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the interleaver.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] It should be understood that the term "plurality," as used herein, means two or more. As shown in FIG. 2, the term "longitudinal," as used herein, means of or relating to a length or lengthwise direction, for example the rotational axis 2 of a locking collar 30. The term "lateral," as used herein, means situated on, directed toward or running in a transverse or side-to-side direction, for example between rotation axes. The term “coupled” means connected to or engaged with whether directly or indirectly, for example with an intervening member, and does not require the engagement to be fixed or permanent, although it may be fixed or permanent. The terms “first,” “second,” and so on, as used herein, are not meant to be assigned to a particular component or feature so designated, but rather are simply referring to such components and features in the numerical order as addressed, meaning that a component or feature designated as “first” may later be a “second” such component or feature, depending on the order in which it is referred. It should also be understood that designation of “first” and “second” does not necessarily mean that the two components, features or values so designated are different, meaning for example a first direction may be the same as a second direction, with each simply being applicable to different components or features. The terms “upper,” “lower,” “rear,” “front,” “fore,” “aft,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and variations or derivatives thereof, refer to the orientations of the exemplary interleaver facing an operator as shown in FIG. 1.

[0027] The various embodiments of a positional locking mechanism 6 and interleaver 10, and components thereof, provide significant advantages over other locking mechanisms and interleavers. The preferred embodiments accomplish this by new and novel arrangements of elements, materials, relationships, and methods that are configured in unique and novel ways and which demonstrate previously unavailable but preferred and desirable capabilities. The description set forth below in connection with the drawings is intended merely as a description of thepresently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, materials, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions, features, and material properties may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. The present disclosure is described with reference to the accompanying drawings with preferred embodiments illustrated and described. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the disclosure and the drawings. In the figures, the thickness of certain lines, layers, components, elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity. Broken lines illustrate optional features or operations unless specified otherwise. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, a schematic illustration is provided for a food processing system 4, otherwise referred to as a food preparation line, that interleaves a substrate 20 (e.g., a substrate sheet) under food products 16 via an interleaver 10. In one embodiment, the substrate 20 is paper. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the substrate 20 may be formed from other materials. The food processing system may include a slicer / former 12. The slicer / former 12 may be equipment for slicing meats and creating food setups, or can be a former of meat patties, such as for hamburgers, or other food items. A feed conveyor 18 may convey the food products 16, which will be commonly referred to as a “food preparation,” downstream from the slicer / former to other packaging and handling equipment, shown for example as an interleaver. In this embodiment, the interleaver 10 may be located immediately downstream from thefeed slicer / former 12, and will be described in further detail below after the general system description has been completed. The interleaver 10 inserts a substrate 20 beneath the food preparation 16 as the food preparation 16 travels onto and past the interleaver 10. The interleaver 10 includes an interleaver conveyor 24, which receives the food preparation 16 and the substrate 20 nearly simultaneously, and then deposits the food preparation 16, which is now on a substrate 20, onto an infeed conveyor 27 of a food stacker 14. The stacker 14 stacks substrate interleaved food preparations 16. A stack of the substrate interleaved food preparations 16 may be deposited onto a tray (not shown), which is carried further downstream for further packaging and / or handling. Those skilled in the art will understand that various types of slicers / formers 12, stackers 14 and / or tray feeders may be utilized in various food preparation lines in which the interleaver 10, in accordance with the present invention, can be used.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the interleaver 10 includes the interleaver conveyor 24, which is mounted on a frame 22. A housing 26 is connected to, and may form part of, the frame 22. A controller, which controls the various rollers hereinafter disclosed, may be disposed in the housing 26 and may be connected to the frame 22. A substrate feed path of the interleaver 10 moves the substrate 20 through a gap 28 between the end of the feed conveyor 18 and an adjacent end of the interleaver conveyor 24 and deposits the substrate 20 on the conveyor 24. As shown in FIG. 1, a food preparation 16 passes from the end of the feed conveyor 18 onto the interleaver conveyor 24 and, simultaneously, a substrate 20 is fed through the gap 28 and beneath the food preparation 16 as the food preparation 16 passes from the feed conveyor 18 to the interleaver conveyor 24.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the internal components of the interleaver 10 are shown, including a knife assembly 32. A spindle 34 is supported by the frame 22 and is provided for placement of a roll 36 of substrate. The continuous substrate sheet 46 from the roll 36 is fed over and around rollers,shown as a plurality of dancer bars 38, 40 carried by a pair of pivotable arms 42, 44. Through the actions of the dancer bars, the continuous sheet 46 of substrate is pulled from the substrate roll 36 without the need for a feed motor and slack is available for powered feed of the substrate 20 by the interleaver 10 through the gap 28 and beneath the food preparation 16.

[0031] As shown, a paper turn bar 48 is provided to guide the substrate sheet 46 to the substrate feed path, and the substrate sheet 46 is guided upwardly into a nip located between a pair of feed rollers 54. A fixed or lagged roller, otherwise referred to as a driven nip, may be mounted to the support 72, while a nip roller is mounted to the support 70. Preferably one or both of the feed rollers 54 are a rubber or synthetic rubber material and can grip the substrate via pressure force. One of the rollers may also be made of a hard plastic or metallic material. The knife assembly 32 includes a knife roller 60 and a back-up roller 62, which may be located upstream from the feed rollers 54 along the substrate feed path. In one embodiment, the knife roller 60 and back-up roller 62 may be configured as a perforation roller assembly, which may cut the substrate, for example by creating sequential horizontal perforation lines along the continuous sheet of substrate fed from the substrate roll. The substrate sheet 46 is preferably perforated at fixed, predetermined intervals. As used herein, the term cut or cutting is generically used to refer to ripping, slicing, cutting, or otherwise removing a substrate 20 from the substrate sheet 46.

[0032] Guide bars or rollers 64 guide the perforated, but still connected, continuous sheet 46 to upper nip rollers 56 which, based on the speed of the feed conveyor 18 and the presence of a food preparation 16 may be detected by a sensor, are driven or accelerated via the controller with sufficient speed and / or force such that the perforations are broken and a single piece of substrate 20 is accelerated upwardly and between guide bars or rollers through the gap 28 onto the interleaver conveyor 24 as the food preparation 16 is delivered from the feed conveyor 18 onto the interleaver conveyor 24. Alternatively, instead of accelerating the acceleration rollers, the controller may slow or stop the rotation ofthe feed rollers, which also has the desired result of separating the substrate from the continuous roll at the perforations. The acceleration rollers may include at least one rubber or synthetic rubber which presses against the opposing roller to engage the substrate with sufficient force so that when the rollers are accelerated, the substrate 20 is pulled upwardly with sufficient force to break the perforations.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the interleaver 10 includes the knife assembly 32, or module, which includes a pair of supports 72, 70. A first support 72, or frame, may include a pair of longitudinally spaced plates. The second support 70, or frame, may also include a pair of longitudinally spaced plates. The second support is moveable relative to the first support. The first and second supports may be supported by, be incorporated into, or form part of, the interleaver frame 22. In one embodiment, the second support 70 may be rotatable relative to the first support 72, and may be rotatably supported by a longitudinally extending axle 74 defining a rotation axis 76. In other embodiments, the first and second supports may be translatable, or rotatable and translatable, relative to each other, or the first support may be rotatable. The first support 72 may carry, or rotatably support, one of the lower driven nip rollers 54, the knife roller 60 and one of the upper driven nip roller 56. The second support may carry, or rotatably support, the other of the lower driven nip rollers 54, the knife roller 60 and the other of the upper nip driven nip rollers 56. In this way, it should be understood that the positions of the knife and back up roller 60, 62 may be switched, with the support 72 carrying the backup roller 62 and the support 70 carrying the knife roller 60.

[0034] The first and second supports 72, 70 may be moved, e.g., rotated, between an operating configuration, shown in FIGS. 2-4, and a non-operating configuration, shown in FIG. 5. In the operating configuration, the upper and lower nip rollers 56, 54 create a pair of nips to guide and feed the substrate sheet 46 between the knife roller 60 and back-up roller 62 interface, or nip.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the knife roller 60 may include a pair of knife blades 78 extending radially outwardly from an axle 84, with the roller 60 and axle 84 being rotatable about a longitudinal axis 86. The knife blades 78 maybe non-continuous, or have a plurality of blades separated by gaps (G). The knife roller 60, or shaft, may include a pair of tapered surfaces, or a blade clamp 81, which prevent contact with the knife backup roller while maintaining support of the knife blade 78. Each blade 78 may include a plurality of teeth, so as to provide a perforated cut. The knife blades 78 are angularly oriented relative to each other, for example at 180 degrees. It should be understood that the knife roller may include a single knife blade, or more than two knife blades. The knife roller, in cross-section, has a body 88 with a polygonal shape in cross section, shown as an octagon in one embodiment. The surfaces of the body 88 are spaced radially from the rotation axis 86 a distance less than the distance (Rmax) between the axis the nip 94 defined with the back-up roller 62 surface. The knife blades 78 each have an edge 80 that extends past Rmax in a radial direction, and protrudes radially into the back-up roller 62. In this way, when rotated, only the knife blades 78 come into contact with the back-up roller 62.

[0036] The back-up roller 62 includes a plurality of cylindrical segments 96, which are aligned with the plurality of knife blades 78. The segments 96 are separated by the same gap (G). The back-up roller segments 96 are made of rubber, or other elastomeric material that may be penetrated by the knife blades 78 without dulling the blades. In one embodiment, the roller 62 may include a stainless steel core shaft with an FDA approved urethane coating, while silicone may be used in other alternative embodiments. The knife blades 78 penetrate the segments 96 a distance (D). The back-up roller 62 may be described as an anvil. The back-up roller 62 is mounted on an axle 98, and rotates about a longitudinal axis 99.

[0037] In the non-operating configuration, the knife roller 60, and knife blades 78, are disengaged, or separated from the back-up roller 62. Likewise, the nip rollers 54, 56 are spaced apart and do not define nips therebetween. In this way, the various rollers may be accessed for maintenance, for example if a roller needs to be exchanged, if a substrate jam has occurred, and / or if the back-up roller needs to be reoriented relative to the knife roller, for example to provide a new contactpoint, or nip, between the knife roller and back-up roller. It should be understood that either the first or second supports 72, 70, or both supports, may be moveable relative to each other and the frame 22.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 3-5 and 11, the knife roller 60 includes a gear 100 coupled to the end of the axle 84. The gear 100 is configured with a plurality of teeth 102 arranged around a circumferential periphery thereof. The gear 100 may be secured to the axle 84, and rotate about the axis 86, with a key 108 inserted into a pair of mating slots on the axle 84 and gear 100. Likewise, the back-up roller 62 may include a gear 104 coupled to the end of the axle 98. The gear 104 is configured with a plurality of teeth 106 arranged around a circumferential periphery thereof. The gear 104 may be secured to the axle 98, and rotate about the axis 99, with a key 110 inserted into a pair of mating slots on the axle 98 and gear 104. In one embodiment, the gears 100, 104 have the same number of teeth 102, 106, with a 1:1 gear ratio, such that the knife blades 78 interface with the same location on the back-up roller each rotation.

[0039] The knife gear 100 and back-up roller gear 104 are intermeshed when the first and second supports 72, 70 are in the operating configuration, meaning as one of the knife or back-up roller axles 84, 98 are driven, the gears 100, 104 mesh and drive the other of the knife and back-up rollers 60, 62. In this way, the interface of the knife edge 80 and the back-up roller 62 are precisely determined. In the nonoperating configuration, the knife gear 100 and back-up roller gear 104 are spaced apart, and not intermeshed, meaning rotation of either of the gears 100, 104 is not limited by, or coordinated with, rotation of the other gear. In the spaced apart relationship, one of the gears, for example the knife gear 100, may be non- rotatably fixed by a motor, which is not being powered. In other embodiments, for example, the backup roller 62 may be driven by a motor, and non-rotatably fixed, for example with a servo motor having a brake that prevents the servo from rotating, when not powered. In order to preserve the same interface between the knife roller 60 and the back-up roller 62, the other of the gears 100, 104, which is not fixed by a motor, must be rotational fixed, such that when the supports 70, 72are returned to the operating configuration, the knife roller 60 and back-up roller 62 are properly mated. In operation, one of the rollers 62, 60 may be intentionally advanced when the gears 100, 104 are not intermeshed, for example to present a new interface location on the back-up roller 62 for the knife blades 78 of the knife roller 60.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 6-7B and 12, a latch 110 is moveable, e.g., rotatable about a longitudinal axis 134, between a latched position, wherein the latch maintains the first and second supports 72, 70 in the operating configuration, and an unlatched position, wherein the first and second supports 72, 70 are moveable to the non-operation position. The latch 110 includes a shaft 112 defining the axis 134 and a handle 114 extending radially from the shaft. One end of the shaft 112 is rotatably supported by a housing 116 coupled to the support 70, while the other end may be rotatably supported by the support 70, which may include another housing 116. The latch 110 includes a pair of locking paws 118, which may be configured as hooks, that pivot between the latched and unlatched positions. The paws 118 are non-rotatably coupled to opposite ends of the shaft 112 adjacent the supports 70, and are engageable with pins 120 extending axially from an opposite one of the supports 70, as shown for example in FIG. 4. The paws 118 rotate with the shaft 112 during operation. The paws 118 are aligned with and engaged with the pins 120 when the first and second supports 72, 70 are in the operating configuration. The latch 110 also includes a locking pin 122 or shaft extending radially from the shaft 112 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 12. A biasing member 126, shown as a torsion spring disposed in the housing 116, biases the latch 110 toward the latched position. The spring may be disposed between a mounting member 124 on the shaft and a mounting tab 128 on the housing.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 7A-8D and 11, in order to fix the position of one of the rollers 60, 62, for example the back-up roller 62, a locking collar 30 may be rotated about the rotation axis 134 between an unlocked position, wherein the locking collar 30, configured with teeth 138, are disengaged with the back-up roller gear 104 and teeth 106, and a locked position, wherein the locking collar 30and teeth 138 are engaged with the back-up roller gear 104 and teeth 106. It should be understood that the locking collar 30 may also be positioned and rotated to lock or unlock the knife gear 60, for example in the situation where the back-up roller 62 is already rotationally fixed when in a non-operating configuration. The locking collar 30 includes a gear segment 136 along an outer peripheral edge thereof. The gear segment 136 is configured with the teeth 138, which mesh with the teeth 102, 106 of one of the gears 100, 104 when the collar 30 is in the locked position.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 8A-8D, the locking collar 30 is axially moveable in a first direction 150 along the longitudinal axis 134 between a first closed, unlocked position (FIG. 8A) and a first open, unlocked position (FIG. 8B). The locking collar 30 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis 134 between the open, unlocked position (FIG. 8B) and an open, locked position (FIG. 8C). The collar 30 is disengaged with the gears 100, 104 when in the open, locked position (FIG. 8C). The locking collar 30 is further moveable along the axis 134 in a second direction 152 from the open, locked position (FIG. 8C) to a closed locked position (FIG. 8D). The locking collar 30, and the teeth 138, are engaged with one of the first or second gears (shown as the second gear 104), and the teeth 106 thereof, when the locking collar 130 is moved to the closed, locked position (FIG. 8D), thereby fixing the rotational position of the gear 104.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 12, a locking collar shaft 160 is non-rotatably connected to the locking collar 30 and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis 134 with the locking collar so as to move the locking collar 30 between the unlocked and locked positions. The locking collar shaft 160 includes a hollow hub 164 at one end, with the hub defining a circular rim. First and second axially extending slots 166, 168 are formed in the hub and open axially to define mouths at the rim. The second slot 168 has a greater circumferential width than the first slot 166. A spring 170, for example a compression spring, is disposed around the locking collar shaft 160. The locking collar shaft 160 is coaxial with the latch shaft 112,with the locking collar shaft 160 axially moveable and rotatable along and about the axis 134 relative to the latch shaft 112.

[0044] A locking collar base 162 is connected to the support 70, for example with a plurality of fasteners 172 shown as bolts, or by welding or other known methods of connection, such that the base is non-rotatably fixed relative to the support. A pair of locator pins 174 extend outwardly, longitudinally, from the base 162 in an axial direction and are received in a pair of curved slots 176 formed in the face of the collar. It should be understood that, in an alternative embodiment, the curved slots may be formed in the base, with the collar being configured with a pair of pins extending longitudinally into the slot. It should be understood that the base and collar may be configured with a single pin and slot, or more than two pins and slots. In any of these embodiments, the pin(s) engage opposite ends of the slot to limit the rotation of the locking collar at the locked and unlocked positions. The pin(s) 174 are axially moveable in the slot(s) 176 as the locking collar 30 is moved between the open and closed positions. The spring 170 is positioned between an interior shoulder 180 of the base 162 and an exterior shoulder 182 of the shaft 160, and biases the locking collar 30 to one of the closed positions. An operator may grasp and pull the locking collar 30 axially outwardly from the closed, unlocked position (FIG. 8A) against the force of the spring 170 to the open, unlocked position (FIG. 8B), then rotate the locking collar 30 about the axis 134 from the open, unlocked position to an open, locked position (FIG. 8C), and then release the locking collar 30, with the spring 170 biasing the locking collar into the closed, locked position (FIG. 8D). During this sequence, the pins 174 are axially moveable in, and axially moveable relative to the slots 176, but remain disposed in the slots 176.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 6-8D and 12, the locking pin 122 extending radially from the latch shaft is disposed in the narrower slot 166 of the collar shaft when locking collar 30 is in the first closed position. The pin 122 engages the sides of the slot 166 and prevents the latch 110, and paws 118 in particular, from being moved to the disengaged position when the locking collar 30 is in the closedunlocked position, with the pins 174 engaging one end of the slots 176 and preventing further rotation of the locking collar 30, and hence the latch 110. As the collar 30 is pulled to the open position, the pin 122 is removed from the first slot 166 and disengaged from the collar shaft 160. The collar 30, and collar shaft 160, may then be rotated to the open, locked position, and thereafter moved to the closed, locked position, wherein the latch pin 122 is received in the second, wider slot 168. In this configuration, the locking collar 30, and gear segment 136 in particular, is intermeshed with the gear 104 and locks the back-up roller 62 in position. Since the slot 168 has a greater circumferential width, the latch 110, by grasping the handle 114, may be rotated about the axis 134 from the latched to the unlatched position, such that the paws 118 are disengaged from the pins 120. In this unlatched configuration, the first and second supports 72, 70 may be moved, e.g., rotated about axis 76, relative to each other to the non-operating configuration, but with the rotational position of the back-up roller 62 fixed relative to the knife roller 60 by way of the locking collar 30 engagement.

[0046] While a positional locking mechanism for a rotatable knife component is disclosed for locking one or more rotatable knife components, e.g., the knife roller and / or the back-up roller, in an interleaver 10 having supports 70, 72 moveable between operating and non-operating configurations, it should be understood that the same positional locking mechanism and system for locking the rotatable knife components may be used in other systems having rollers and gears supported by moveable supports wherein it is desirable to positionally lock at least one of the rollers, with the unlatching of the supports thereafter being permitted. The phrase “rotatable knife components” refers to the knife roller and / or the backup roller, or any other roller incorporated into such a system.

[0047] In operation, the operator grasps and moves the locking collar 30 axially along the axis 134 from the closed, unlocked position to the open, unlocked position. During this operation, the pins 174, which are engaged with, or disposed in, the slots 176, are moved axially in, but remain disposed in, the slots 176. During the axial movement, the pin 122 on the latch shaft 112 is movedaxially out of engagement with the slot 166 in the locking collar shaft 160. The user may then rotate the locking collar 30 from the open unlocked position to the open, locked position, with the pins 174 engaging opposite ends of the slots 176. The operator then moves the locking collar 30 axially to the closed, locked position, with the gear segment 136 intermeshed with the gear 104, thereby rotatably fixing the location of the back-up roller 62. During the axial movement of the locking collar 30, the locking collar shaft 160 is moved axially relative to the latch shaft 112, with the pin 122 being disposed in the second slot 168. The operator may now grasp the handle 114 and rotate the latch 110, and paws 118 in particular, about the axis 134 from the latched position to the unlatched position. Once unlatched, the operator may thereafter move the support 70 relative to the support 72, thereby separating the first and second gears 100, 104 and separating the knife roller 60 and the back-up roller 62, all while the back-up roller 62 is rotationally positionally fixed.

[0048] In this way, the method of operating the knife assembly 32, and interleaver 10 in one embodiment, includes intermeshing the first gear 100 rotatable about the first axis 86 with the second gear 104 rotatable about the second axis 99, wherein the first gear is connected to the knife roller 60 and the second gear is connected to the back-up roller 62, and wherein the first and second gears are rotatably mounted on first and second supports 72, 70 coupled with the latch 110 in the latched position. The method further includes axially moving the locking collar 30 along the third axis 134 from the first closed position, wherein the locking collar is disengaged with one of the first and second gears 100, 104 (shown as the second gear 104), to the first open position, rotating the locking collar 30 about the third axis 134 from the first open position to a second open position, axially moving the locking collar 30 along the third axis 134 from the second open position to a second closed position wherein the locking collar 30 is engaged with and immobilizes one of the first or second gears (shown as the second gear 104), rotating the latch 110 from the latched position to the unlatched position when the locking collar 30 is in the second closed position, and movingthe first and second supports 70, 72 relative to each other and thereby separating the first and second gears 100, 104 and separating the knife roller 60 and the backup roller 62. The step of axially moving the locking collar 30 from the first closed position to the first open position includes moving the pin 122 in the slot 166 of the locking shaft 112 attached to the locking collar 30, and wherein axially moving the locking collar 30 along the third axis from the second open position to a second closed position comprises moving the pin 122 in the second slot 168 of the locking shaft. The step of rotating the locking collar 30 about the third axis includes moving the pin(s) 174 from one end of the curved slot(s) 176 to an opposite end of the curved slot(s) 176, with ends of the slots defining stops to limit the rotation of the collar 30 between the unlocked and locked positions. The step of axially moving the locking collar 30 along the third axis from the first closed position to the first open position includes axially moving the pin(s) 174 in the curved slot(s) 176, and wherein axially moving the locking collar 30 along the third axis 134 from the second open position to the second closed position includes axially moving the pin(s) 174 in the curved slot(s) 176. In this system and method of operation, the supports 70, 72 are maintained as latched, and the latch 110 is not permitted to be unlatched, unless the locking collar 30 is in the locked position. This ensures the rotational position of the roller 62 will be maintained once the latch 110 is disengaged and the supports 70, 72, and associated rollers 60, 62, are separated.

[0049] The subject matter of the disclosure may also relate, among others, to the following aspects:

[0050] A first aspect relates to an interleaver for a food processing system comprising a first support moveable relative to a second support from an operating configuration to a nonoperating configuration; a knife roller rotatably supported by one of the first or second supports, wherein the knife roller comprises a first gear rotatable about a first longitudinal axis; a back-up roller rotatably supported by the other of the first or second supports, wherein the back-up roller comprises a second gear rotatable about a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first andsecond gears are intermeshed when the first and second supports are in the operating configuration, and wherein the first and second gears are spaced apart when the first and second supports are in the nonoperating configuration; a locking collar rotatable about a third longitudinal axis between an unlocked position, wherein the locking collar is disengaged with one of the first or second gears, and a locked position, wherein the locking collar is engaged with the one of the first or second gears; and a latch moveable between a latched position, wherein the first and second supports are maintained in the operating configuration, and an unlatched position, wherein the first and second supports are moveable to the nonoperating configuration, wherein the latch is moveable from the latched to the unlatched position when the locking collar is in the locked position.

[0051] A second aspect relates to the interleaver of aspect 1 wherein the first support is rotatable relative to the second support about a fourth longitudinal axis when the latch is in the unlatched position.

[0052] A third aspect relates to the interleaver of aspect 1 or 2 further comprising a locking collar shaft nonrotatably connected to the locking collar, wherein the locking collar shaft is rotatable about the third longitudinal axis so as to move the locking collar from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0053] A fourth aspect relates to the interleaver of any preceding aspect wherein the locking collar shaft and locking collar are axially moveable along the third longitudinal axis between an open position, wherein the locking collar shaft and locking collar are rotatable about the third longitudinal axis between the unlocked and locked positions, a first closed position, wherein the locking collar is in the unlocked position, and a second closed position, wherein the locking collar is in the locked position.

[0054] A fifth aspect relates to the interleaver of any preceding aspect further comprising a latch shaft coaxially mounted with the locking collar shaft and rotatable about the third longitudinal axis, wherein the latch is coupled to the latch shaft, wherein the latch shaft and the latch are rotatable between the latched position and the unlatched position when the locking collar shaft and the lockingcollar are in the second closed position, and wherein the latch shaft and the latch are not rotatable between the latched position and the unlatched position when the locking collar shaft and the locking collar are in the first closed position.

[0055] A sixth aspect relates to the interleaver of any preceding aspect further comprising a handle extending radially from the latch shaft.

[0056] A seventh aspect relates to the interleaver of any preceding aspect further comprising a pin extending radially from the latch shaft, and wherein the locking collar shaft comprises first and second axially extending slots, wherein the pin is received in the first slot when the locking collar is in the first closed position, and wherein the pin is received in the second slot when the locking collar is in the second closed position.

[0057] An eighth aspect relates to the interleaver of any preceding aspect wherein the second slot has a greater circumferential width than the first slot.

[0058] A ninth aspect relates to the interleaver of any preceding aspect further comprising a locking collar base connected to one of the first or second supports, wherein one of the locking collar base and / or the locking collar comprises a longitudinally extending pin, and the other of the locking collar base and / or the locking collar comprises a curved slot, wherein the pin engages opposite ends of the curved slot when the locking collar is rotated between the unlocked and locked positions.

[0059] A tenth aspect relates to the interleaver of any preceding aspect wherein the pin is axially moveable in the slot as the locking collar is moved between the open position and either of the first or second closed positions.

[0060] An eleventh aspect relates to a positional locking mechanism for a rotatable knife component comprising: a first support moveable relative to a second support from an operating configuration to a nonoperating configuration; a knife roller rotatably supported by one of the first or second supports, wherein the knife roller comprises a first gear rotatable about a first longitudinal axis; a backup roller rotatably supported by the other of the first or second supports, wherein the back-up roller comprises a second gear rotatable about a second longitudinalaxis, wherein the first and second gears are intermeshed when the first and second supports are in the operating configuration, and wherein the first and second gears are spaced apart when the first and second supports are in the nonoperating configuration; a locking collar axially moveable along a third longitudinal axis between an open position, wherein the locking collar is rotatable about the third longitudinal axis between a locked position and an unlocked position, a first closed position, wherein the locking collar is in the unlocked position and is disengaged with the first and second gears, and a second closed position, wherein the locking collar is in the locked position and is engaged with one of the first or second gears; and a latch moveable between a latched position, wherein the first and second supports are maintained in the operating configuration, and an unlatched position, wherein the first and second supports are moveable to the nonoperating configuration, wherein the latch is moveable from the latched to the unlatched position when the locking collar is in the second closed position, and wherein the latch is not moveable from the latched to the unlatched position when the locking collar is in the first closed position.

[0061] A twelfth aspect relates to the positional locking mechanism of aspect 11 wherein the first support is rotatable relative to the second support about a fourth longitudinal axis when the latch is in the unlatched position.

[0062] A thirteenth aspect relates to the positional locking mechanism of aspect 11 or 12 further comprising a locking collar shaft non-rotatably connected to the locking collar, wherein the locking collar shaft is rotatable about the third longitudinal axis so as to move the locking collar between the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0063] A fourteenth aspect relates to the positional locking mechanism of any one of aspects 11 to 13 further comprising a pin extending radially from a latch shaft coupled to the latch, wherein the locking collar shaft comprises first and second axially extending slots, wherein the pin is received in the first slot when the locking collar is in the first closed position, and wherein the pin is received in the second slot when the locking collar is in the second closed position.

[0064] A fifteenth aspect relates to the positional locking mechanism of any one of aspects 11 to 14 wherein the second slot has a greater circumferential width than the first slot.

[0065] A sixteenth aspect relates to the positional locking mechanism of any one of aspects 11 to 15 further comprising a locking collar base connected to one of the first or second supports, wherein one of the locking collar base and / or the locking collar comprises a longitudinally extending pin, and the other of the locking collar base and / or the locking collar comprises a curved slot, wherein the pin engages opposite ends of the curved slot when the locking collar is rotated between the unlocked and locked positions.

[0066] A seventeenth aspect relates to the positional locking mechanism of any one of aspects 11 to 16 wherein the pin is axially moveable in the curved slot as the locking collar is moved between the open position and either of the first or second closed positions.

[0067] An eighteenth aspect relates to a method of operating a positional locking mechanism for a rotatable knife component comprising: intermeshing a first gear rotatable about a first axis with a second gear rotatable about a second axis, wherein the first gear is connected to a knife roller and the second gear is connected to a back-up roller, wherein the first and second gears are rotatably mounted on first and second supports coupled with a latch in a latched position; axially moving a locking collar along a third axis from a first closed position, wherein the locking collar is disengaged with the first and second gears, to a first open position; rotating the locking collar about the third axis from the first open position to a second open position; axially moving the locking collar along the third axis from the second open position to a second closed position wherein the locking collar is engaged with and immobilizes one of the first or second gears; rotating the latch from the latched position to an unlatched position when the locking collar is in the second closed position; and moving the first and second supports relative to each other and thereby separating the first and second gears and separating the knife roller and the back-up roller.

[0068] A nineteenth aspect relates to the method of aspect 18 wherein axially moving the locking collar from the first closed position to the first open position comprises moving a shaft in a first slot of a locking shaft attached to the locking collar, and wherein axially moving the locking collar along the third axis from the second open position to a second closed position comprises moving the shaft in a second slot of the locking shaft.

[0069] A twentieth aspect relates to the method of aspect 18 or 19 further comprising a locking collar base connected to one of the first or second supports, wherein one of the locking collar base or the locking collar comprises a longitudinally extending pin, and the other of the locking collar base or the locking collar comprises a curved slot, wherein rotating the locking collar about the third axis comprises moving the pin from one end of the curved slot to an opposite end of the curved slot.

[0070] A twenty-first aspect relates to the method of any one of aspects 18 to 20 wherein axially moving the locking collar along the third axis from the first closed position to the first open position comprises axially moving the pin in the curved slot, and wherein axially moving the locking collar along the third axis from the second open position to the second closed position comprises axially moving the pin in the curved slot.

[0071] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof, which are intended to define the scope of the invention.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 11 November 2025 (11.11 .2025)WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An interleaver for a food processing system comprising: a first support moveable relative to a second support from an operating configuration to a nonoperating configuration; a knife roller rotatably supported by one of the first or second supports, wherein the knife roller comprises a first gear rotatable about a first longitudinal axis; a back-up roller rotatably supported by the other of the first or second supports, wherein the back-up roller comprises a second gear rotatable about a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second gears are intermeshed when the first and second supports are in the operating configuration, and wherein the first and second gears are spaced apart when the first and second supports are in the nonoperating configuration; a locking collar rotatable about a third longitudinal axis between an unlocked position, wherein the locking collar is disengaged with one of the first or second gears, and a locked position, wherein the locking collar is engaged with the one of the first or second gears; and a latch moveable between a latched position, wherein the first and second supports are maintained in the operating configuration, and an unlatched position, wherein the first and second supports are moveable to the nonoperating configuration, wherein the latch is moveable from the latched to the unlatched position when the locking collar is in the locked position.

2. The interleaver of claim 1 wherein the first support is rotatable relative to the second support about a fourth longitudinal axis when the latch is in the unlatched position.

3. The interleaver of claim 1 or 2 further comprising a locking collar shaft non-rotatably connected to the locking collar, wherein the locking collar shaft is rotatable about the third longitudinal axis so as to move the locking collar from the unlocked position to the locked position.

4. The interleaver of claim 3 wherein the locking collar shaft and locking collar are axially moveable along the third longitudinal axis between an open position, wherein the locking collar shaft and locking collar are rotatable about the third longitudinal axis between the unlocked and locked positions, a first closed position, wherein the locking collar is in the unlocked position, and a second closed position, wherein the locking collar is in the locked position.

5. The interleaver of claim 4 further comprising a latch shaft coaxially mounted with the locking collar shaft and rotatable about the third longitudinal axis, wherein the latch is coupled to the latch shaft, wherein the latch shaft and the latch are rotatable between the latched position and the unlatched position when the locking collar shaft and the locking collar are in the second closed position, and wherein the latch shaft and the latch are not rotatable between the latched position and the unlatched position when the locking collar shaft and the locking collar are in the first closed position.

6. The interleaver of claim 5 further comprising a handle extending radially from the latch shaft.

7. The interleaver of claim 5 or 6 further comprising a pin extending radially from the latch shaft, and wherein the locking collar shaft comprises first and second axially extending slots, wherein the pin is received in the first slot when the locking collar is in the first closed position, and wherein the pin is received in the second slot when the locking collar is in the second closed position.

8. The interleaver of claim 7 wherein the second slot has a greater circumferential width than the first slot.

9. The interleaver of any preceding claim further comprising a locking collar base connected to one of the first or second supports, wherein one of the locking collar base and / or the locking collar comprises a longitudinally extending pin, and the other of the locking collar base and / or the locking collar comprises a curved slot, wherein the pin engages opposite ends of the curved slot when the locking collar is rotated between the unlocked and locked positions.

10. The interleaver of claim 9 wherein the pin is axially moveable in the slot as the locking collar is moved between the open position and either of the first or second closed positions.

11. A rotatable knife arrangement with a positional locking mechanism, the rotatable knife arrangement comprising: a first support moveable relative to a second support from an operating configuration to a nonoperating configuration; a knife roller rotatably supported by one of the first or second supports, wherein the knife roller comprises a first gear rotatable about a first longitudinal axis; a back-up roller rotatably supported by the other of the first or second supports, wherein the back-up roller comprises a second gear rotatable about a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second gears are intermeshed when the first and second supports are in the operating configuration, and wherein the first and second gears are spaced apart when the first and second supports are in the nonoperating configuration; a locking collar axially moveable along a third longitudinal axis between an open position, wherein the locking collar is rotatable about the third longitudinal axis between a locked position and an unlocked position, a first closed position,wherein the locking collar is in the unlocked position and is disengaged with the first and second gears, and a second closed position, wherein the locking collar is in the locked position and is engaged with one of the first or second gears; and a latch moveable between a latched position, wherein the first and second supports are maintained in the operating configuration, and an unlatched position, wherein the first and second supports are moveable to the nonoperating configuration, wherein the latch is moveable from the latched to the unlatched position when the locking collar is in the second closed position, and wherein the latch is not moveable from the latched to the unlatched position when the locking collar is in the first closed position.

12. The rotatable knife arrangement of claim 11 wherein the first support is rotatable relative to the second support about a fourth longitudinal axis when the latch is in the unlatched position.

13. The rotatable knife arrangement of claim 11 or 12 further comprising a locking collar shaft non-rotatably connected to the locking collar, wherein the locking collar shaft is rotatable about the third longitudinal axis so as to move the locking collar between the unlocked position to the locked position.

14. The rotatable knife arrangement of claim 13 further comprising a pin extending radially from a latch shaft coupled to the latch, wherein the locking collar shaft comprises first and second axially extending slots, wherein the pin is received in the first slot when the locking collar is in the first closed position, and wherein the pin is received in the second slot when the locking collar is in the second closed position.

15. The rotatable knife arrangement of claim 14 wherein the second slot has a greater circumferential width than the first slot.

16. The rotatable knife arrangement of claim 11 further comprising a locking collar base connected to one of the first or second supports, wherein one of the locking collar base and / or the locking collar comprises a longitudinally extending pin, and the other of the locking collar base and / or the locking collar comprises a curved slot, wherein the pin engages opposite ends of the curved slot when the locking collar is rotated between the unlocked and locked positions.

17. The rotatable knife arrangement of claim 16 wherein the pin is axially moveable in the curved slot as the locking collar is moved between the open position and either of the first or second closed positions.

18. A method of operating a positional locking mechanism for a rotatable knife component comprising: intermeshing a first gear rotatable about a first axis with a second gear rotatable about a second axis, wherein the first gear is connected to a knife roller and the second gear is connected to a back-up roller, wherein the first and second gears are rotatably mounted on first and second supports coupled with a latch in a latched position; axially moving a locking collar along a third axis from a first closed position, wherein the locking collar is disengaged with the first and second gears, to a first open position; rotating the locking collar about the third axis from the first open position to a second open position; axially moving the locking collar along the third axis from the second open position to a second closed position wherein the locking collar is engaged with and immobilizes one of the first or second gears; rotating the latch from the latched position to an unlatched position when the locking collar is in the second closed position; andmoving the first and second supports relative to each other and thereby separating the first and second gears and separating the knife roller and the backup roller.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein axially moving the locking collar from the first closed position to the first open position comprises moving a shaft in a first slot of a locking shaft attached to the locking collar, and wherein axially moving the locking collar along the third axis from the second open position to a second closed position comprises moving the shaft in a second slot of the locking shaft.

20. The method of claim 18 or 19 further comprising a locking collar base connected to one of the first or second supports, wherein one of the locking collar base or the locking collar comprises a longitudinally extending pin, and the other of the locking collar base or the locking collar comprises a curved slot, wherein rotating the locking collar about the third axis comprises moving the pin from one end of the curved slot to an opposite end of the curved slot.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein axially moving the locking collar along the third axis from the first closed position to the first open position comprises axially moving the pin in the curved slot, and wherein axially moving the locking collar along the third axis from the second open position to the second closed position comprises axially moving the pin in the curved slot.

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