CA2006994C

CA2006994C - Food processing apparatus

Info

Publication number: CA2006994C
Application number: CA002006994A
Authority: CA
Inventors: John C. Julian
Original assignee: Lamb Weston Inc
Current assignee: Conagra Foods Packaged Foods LLC
Priority date: 1989-01-03
Filing date: 1990-01-02
Publication date: 1992-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-02
Also published as: DK0377451T3; ES2103712T3; CA2006994A1; DE69030390D1; ATE151329T1; DE69030390T2; EP0377451A2; EP0377451B1; AU4765590A; AU629885B2; EP0377451A3

Abstract

FOOD PROCESSING APPARATUS
Abstract of the Disclosure The present invention discloses an apparatus for slicing a food product such as a potato into helical strips such as curlicue potato fries. The potatoes are pumped with water by a centrifugal food pump to a tapered elastic tubular delivery tube. The tube expands as the potato progresses along the tube. The delivery tube allows the potato to be gently forced against a circular rotating cutting head assembly. The cutting head assembly cores the potato, scores concentric cuts and then slices the potato to produce helical cut segments.

Description

631g8-1075 FOOD PROCE~5SIIIG I~PPARATUS
Field of the Invention The present invention relateæ to food proces~iing and more particularly to a method and apparatus for cutting a food item such as a potato into helical strips.
Backqround of the Inventlon Helical french fries or curlicue ~riss as they are more commonly known, have long been i~ popular food item. Apparatus suitable for making stxips for curlicue french ~rles have been known for decad~s. Earlier devices were usually manually driven.
Later devices used si~ple ~echanii3m~ to rotate the potato again~it a cutter head. Large commercial applicatlons required that the cutting element be ro~ated and brought into engagement with the non-rotatlng potato. A typical problem with early deæigns wai the fact that it was difficult to release the holding mechanism ~or insertlon of the nex~ potato.
One proposed solution to this problem is shown in U.S.
~atent 4,644,838 to Samson et al. and involves the use of a plurality of spring loaded fingers whlch protrude into the wall o~
~O a feed chute supplying potatoes to the cutting element and which act to restrain the potatoes therei~ agalnst rotation. A
reciprocating plunger pushes potatoes through ~he chute. Such an arrangement, however, limits ~he speed wi~h which the apparatus can proce~is potatoes, since approximately half of the plunger' 3 motlon is wasted. The plunger itself contributes ~o the complexity oE th:Ls system since its peripher~ mu~it be conflyured with grooves to permit the plunger to pass by the ~ingers in the chute without puæhing the finyeræ to thelr retracted positton.
This ~eed problem was overcome by ~ood proaesiæing apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pa~*nts 4,926t726 and 4,979,418, assigned to the assignee of the preient applicatlon. These patents dlsclose apparatu~i having a eed mecha~ism utillzi~g a ~eriesi o~ rollers :Lncluding at least one pair of splked roll~rs.
The rollers continuously ~eed potatoes into engagement with a rotatlng cuttiny head wlthout wasited ~otion due to reciprocatincJ
ele~ents. The cutting head of the '418 paten~ is rigidly ~ounted and ro~atably driven by a gear drive system. The cu~ting head o~
the '726 patent ls supported by idler rollers in free floating fashion and rotatably driven by a drive belt.
Although a signlficant improvement over ~he prior art, some problems were still encounte~ed. One problem was that on occasi~n the entire pota~o was not cut. A butt end sometimes was left becaus~ the rollers could not engage the end portion of ~he potato being cut. Also, on occasion the potato was not perfectly centered when it entered khe cutting head or exhibited a gouged urface due to slipping contac~ wi~h the spiked rollers, resultiny in helical strips having lesis than optimum thicknesi or uniformity.
The present invention overcomes the above-noted drawbacks and provides a simple apparatus ~or processl~g larg~
numbers of potatoes into helical strips quickly and ef~iciently.
An object of the present invention t~erefore is to provide a cutting apparatus for u~e in ~ood processing ~achines that is simple and efficient.
Another object is to ~rovide a cutting apparatus that ls easy and economical to manufacture.
Still ano~her obje~t is to provide a cutting apparatu~i with a mini~um number of componen~s, each of which is easily and quickly removed.
Another object is to provide a cutting appara~us that minimizes the accumulation of food pieces within the autter head assembly.
Ye~ another ob~ect isi to provlde a cutting appara~us that improve~i the yield obtained ~rom raw product as well as the quality an~ structural integrity of the helical strips produoed during cutting.
A further object is to provide a cu~ting appara~us that reduces the number of butt pieces produced durl~g cutting.
Another ob~ect ls to provide a cutting apparatus that is better ~uited for processiing smaller potatoes.
Yet ano~her object is to provide a cut~ing apparatus wlth improved centerlng capabili~y.

.. , .. ,, ... , . .... , , ... . .. .. , . , .. ... ,~ . .. . . . .. . .

~3198-1075 A further object is to provide a cutting apparatus that minimizes damage to the surface of the potato prior to cut~ing.
These and other objects, features, and advan~ages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following summary and detalled de~cription which proceeds with reference to the accompanyin~ drawlngs.
~5~ .. ...
In a speciflc embodiment o~ the apparatus of the invention, po~atoes are fed into a water containiny ~upply tank.
A radial impeller type food pump draws the water and potatoes ~rom the supply tank and forces the water and the potatoes into a ~ransfer tube. The trans~er tube conveys ~he water and potatoes to a tapered reducer tube. The outlet of the tapered reducer tube is attached to a tapered elastomeric sleeve. The elastomeric sleeve has an inlet opening greater in diameter than the diameter of the largest potato. The elastomeric sleeve tapers to a diameter at it~ exit end which is smaller than the diameter of the entrance end. The outlet of the tapered elastomer1c tube i6 mounted so tha~ i~s center line is aligned axially with the center line of a rotating cutting me~ber. The cutting member comprises a helical shaped kni~e defining a radially extending slicing blade at a leading edge thereo~ and suppor~ing a plurality of perpendicularly extending scoring blade~. The rotary cuttiny aæsembly i~ adapted to be gear driven by a motor. A stationary dl~charge tu~e is mounted on the outlet side o~ the rotary cutting assembly to recelve and discharge the sliced potato pi~ceæ. This discharge tube prevents the potato piece~ irom ac~u~ulating and possl~ly disintegrating inslde the rotary cutting assembly.
The potatoes are transported through the transport tube at a velocity equal to or leæs than the velocity o~ the wa~er flow. The water pressure and ~low ~orce the enkire potato, including any butt end, through the ~uttln~ member. Means are provided to qulckly remove the cutting member to clear any obstruction or replace an~ dama0ed or dull knife blades.
Various aspec~s of the inventlon are described and claimed hereina~ter. For example, according to one broad aspect, $~L

Brief Description of the Drawinqs Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a food processing apparatus according to a first and second embodiment of the present invention.
Fiy. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the cutting assembly removed.
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3 showing a portion of the conveyor seckion of the feed assembly.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view kaken on line 5-5 of ~ig. 3.
Fig. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a cutting element and associated holder used in the apparatus of the invention and a tool for inserting and removing the cutter from the holder.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the cutting element of Fig. 6 showing in dashed lines the concentric paths of the 4b D - :

$~

the invention provides an apparatus for ~utting a ~ood product comprising: a means to combine the food product with a fluid media; a means to hydraulically transport the food product and the fluid media; a tapered elastic tubular member for receiving the food product and the fluid media, said tapered elastic tubular member being sized to facilitate centering o$ the food product;
and a rotating cut~lng head assembly locat~d adjacent an outlet end of said tubular member and adapted to slice the food product into strips.
According to another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for cutting a food produc~ comprising: a bin for receiving the ~ood product and water; a means to pump the food product and water thereby transporting the food product under water pressure; a tapered tubular elastic deliv~ry tube for receiving the food product and water; said delivery tube having an entrance end and an exit end, said exit end being smaller in diameter than said entrance end; and a rotary cutter assembly mounted adjacent to the ~xit end of the delivery tube to slice the food product.
According to yet another aspect, the invention provides an apparatuæ for cutting potatoes into helical strips comprising, hydraulic conveying meanæ for transporting potatoes sequentially in a fluid media to a cutting location; and a rotating cutting head assembly located at said cutting location, and having a disk-like cutting element adapted to slice the potatoeæ into helical striæs; said hydraulic conveying means further serving to convey the helical strlps away ~rom the cut~ing location after slicing.
According to a further aspect, the invention provide~ an apparatus for ~licing potakoes and the like into hellcal strips comprising, a feed tube having an outlet end; a rotatahle cutting head a~sembly located i~ close proximity ~o the outle~ end and having an axi~ of rota~ion ln axial alignment with the outlet end;
a drive means ~or rotating the cutting head assembly about its axis o$ rotation; and hydraulic means for transporting each potato into a ~luid ~low through the feed tube to the cutting head assembly and by hydraulic pres~ure ~orcing the potato against the 61398-10~5 cuk~ing head assembly; the cutting head assembly including a rota~able cutting plate positioned substantially perpendicular to both the axis of rotation and fluid flow.
According to a still further aspect, the invention provides a method for slicing potatoes and the like into helical strips: transporting singula~ed potatoes in a flow of hydraulic fluid con~ained within a condui~, the conduit defining a flow path for the potatoes; locating in the flow path a cutting head assembly capable of cutting po~atoes into helical strips; rotating the cutting head assembly about an axis of rotation; and directing the singulated potatoes in the hydraulic flow against the rotating cutting head assembly so as to slice the potatoes into helical strips.
According to yet another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for slicing potatoes and the like into helical strips comprising: a conduit terminating at a cutting location; a rotatable cutting head assembly located at the cutting location and having an axis of rotation in axial alignment with the conduit, the cutting head assembly having at least one knife element for slicing potatoes and the like into helical strips; a drive structure for rotating the cutting head assembly about its axis of rotation; and a pump for generating a flow of fluid media through the conduit and transporting singulated potatoes in the fluid media through the conduit to the cutting head assembly; the cutting head assembly having a planar surface which is substantially perpendicular to the flow of fluid media.
According to still another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for slicing potatoes and tha like into strips comprising, a conduit terminating at a cutting location;
hydraulic conveying means for transporting potatoe~ and ~he like in a flow of fluid media through the conduit to the cutting ..
location; a rotating cutting element located at the cut~ing locakion and having a planar surface which is substantially perpendicular to the flow of ~luid media; and rotating means for rotatlng the cutting element about an axis of rotation su~stantially parallel to the conduit.

4a 21~i$~34 . ..
6139~-1075 Brief Descri~tion of the Drawinus Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a food processing apparatus according to a first and second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged ~Eragmentary perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the cutting assembly removed.
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-~
of Fig. 3 showing a portion of the conveyor section of the feedassembly.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a cutting element and associated holder used in the apparatus of the invention and a tool for inserting and removing the cutter from the holder.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the cutting element of Fig. 6 showing in dashed lines the concentric paths of the 4b scoring knive~ and showing a fragmentary portion of the holder for the cukting element.
Fig. 8 is a sectional vi~w taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7 showing the inclined slicing edga portion o~ the cutting element.
Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a rotary cutting assembly used in the first and third embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 10 is an enlargad fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 showing the rotary cutting assembly mounting arrangem~nt and the relationship between the rotary cutting assembly and the feed rollers.
Fig. ll is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the apparatus taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 3 illustrating the feed roller mechanism.
Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing a second embodiment of the cutter head assembly and mounting arrangement for same, and their relationship with the feed assembly.
Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the second embodiment showing the relationship between the cutter head ass~mbly, mounting arrangement, and drive mechanism.
Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 14-14 of Fig. 13 illustrating a portion of the mounting arrangement for the cutter head assembly.
Fig. 15 iB a perspective view of a leeve insert o~ the second embodiment.
Fig. 16 is a plan view, partly in section, of the cutter head assembly of the second embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a side view of a third embodiment of the food processing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a rotary cutting apparatus mounted on a frame with a delivery and discharge tube used in a third embodiment of the ~ood processing apparatus of khe present invention.

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Detailed Description_of the First Embodiment ..
Shown in Figs. 1-11 The apparatus of the invention is adaptable ~or cutting various bulbous Yegetables into helical strips.
The illustrated apparatus is particularly adapted to the cutting of potatoes into helical strips, and the apparatus will be described as it is applied to the cutting of potatoes and particularly t~ potatoes such as the Russett Burbank variety having a long axis and an elliptical cross section.
With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a food processing apparatus 10 according to the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a rotary cutting assembly 12 into which potatoes are ~ed by a feed system 14. The potatoes are provided on~ by one to the ~eed system 14 from a ~onventional trough shaker or other sin~ulator device (not shown) capable of feeding potatoes one by one in slightly spaced relation. Helical potato strips cut by the rotary cutting assembly 12 fall into a collection bin 16. The entire apparatus is enclosed in a stainless steel housing 18 for sa~ety.
Referring more particularly to Figs. 2 - 5, feed system 14 includes two principle sections: a conveyor section 30 and a feed roller section 32. Conveyor section 30 includes top, bottom and OppGSite side conveyors 34, 36 and 38, respectively. Potatoes provided to feed system 14 are initially placed on bottom conveyor 36 at an entry position 40, between side conveyors 38. The side conveyors 38 are biased toward each other at their discharge ends by a spring 42 (Fig. 2) and act to center the potato on the lower conveyor 36. Soon after a potato is positioned at en~ry position 40, it is carried beneath ~:
a first or ~orward end 44 of the top conv0yor 34.
The top conveyor 34 is pivotally mounted at its second or discharge end 46 so that the forward end 44 can rise and allow potatoes of various sizes to pass thereunder. The weight of top conveyor 34 on the entering potatoes causes the potatoes to become impaled on dogs 48 Z'~)V~9~

spaced periodically along the lower conveyor's length.
The top conveyor 34 includes two hingedly connected sections 52, 54. The section S2 comprises a rubber belt 56 lugged on its outer surface and trained ov r a pair of rollers 58a and 58b. Roller 58a iq mounted on a drive shaft 62 to which a yoke 60a is pivotally mounted. Roller 58b is rotatably mounted in a second yoke 60b. The yokes 60a, 60b are mounted to the opposite ends of an expandable frame 66 which permits adjusting the tension o~ belt 56.
The expandable frame 66 comprises two slidably engaging members 68a, 68b linked together by a tensioning device 70 comprising a bolt 71 threaded through a mount 72 on the ~rame member 68b and engaging a stop 73 on the frame member 68a. When the bolt 71 is extended out of the mount 15 72 toward the stop 73, the ~rame 66 is extended. A
locking bolt 74 is provided to lock the members 68a, 68b in position. Ribs 76 extend from yokes 60 along the frame men~ers 68a, 68b to improve the structural rigidity thereof.
The second section o~ top conveyor section 54 is similar in construction to the first section 52 and comprises a belt 56 trained over rollers 58c, 58d mounted in yoke 60c, 60d, respectively, whi~h are mounted to the opposite ends of an expandabl~ fram 66. The first and second conveyor sections 52, 54 are tied together by oppositely positioned tie straps 82 in which th~ shafts for the rollers 58b, 58c are carried. The tie straps 82 cooperate with yokes 60b, 60c to ~orm an articulated joint 84 that allows first section 54 o~ top conveyor 34 to move substantially independently of econd section 52 and facilitates ver~ical movement of the top conveyor to accommodate passage of potatoes thereunder. The second section 54 i~ driven from first section 52 by two drive belts 80 trained over the rollers 58b o~ section 52 and 58c of section 54, the ends of the rollers being provided with grooves to receive the belts 80 (see FigO 4~.
The bottom conveyor 36 (Figs. 2-5) comprises a plurality o~ metal pans 90 linked pivotally to one another i99~

and welded at each side to links of one of a pair of drive chains 92. Each pan 90 i5 provided with an upstanding flange 94 along each side edge to prevent a potato from bouncing out of the pan as it is fsd thsrein. Adjacen~
the flanges 94 are opposite flat portions, the center of a pan having a center trough depression 95 defined by sloping side walls 97 and a flalt bottom 9iB which carries the dogs 48. The potatoes will tend to be carried lengthwise in the trough 95 as indicated in Fig. 5 wherein a potato 99 is shown in dotted lines.
The drive chains g2 are driven by drive sprockets 96 mounted on a drive shaEt 101 and are carried by sprockets 100 on a distal shaft 102 at the infeed end of ~he conveyor (see Fig 5). The drive shafts 62, 101 for the upper and lower conveyors 34, 36 are mounted and driven by an arrangement similar to the mounting shafts 70 of the Green Corn Cutting Machine shown in U.S. Patent 2,787,273, which arrangement permits their movement toward and away from one another to accommodate the passage of potatoes therebetween. A support member 116 formed of low friction plastic is disposed beneath the upper run 114 of the conveyor 36 for substantially its entire length to prevent the conveyor from deforming under the combined weight of potatoes and the upper conveyor.
The side conveyors 38 are positioned adjacent the ~ntrance end of the ¢onveyor section 30 to assure centering of the potatoes on the lower conveyor 36 as they are ~ed from the trough shaker onto the conveyor section.
The side conveyors 38 are similar and each comprises a ru~ber belt 120 lugged o~ both surfaces and carried by correspondingly lugged rollers 122, 124. The rollers 122 are fixed to vertical shafts 136 and driven through pinion gears 126, 128 from the shaft 102 which is driven by the bottom conveyor 36 (see Fig. 5~. The rollers 124 are rotatably mounted on sha~ts 132 carried by yokes 134 supported on the free end of the internal ~rame 140, the opposite end of which is fixed to yokes 142 pivotally mounted on the respective drive shaft 136. The side zr,~v~9~34 conveyors 38 are urged toward one another by a tension spring 48 connected to yokes 134.
As a potato leaves ths conveyor saction 30, it passes between three pairs of feed rollers 150, 151, 152 (Figs. 2, 3 and 10) that advance the potato into the rotary cutting assembly 12 while preventing it from rotating. These rollers are mounted and driven in a manner similar to that shown in U.S. Patent 2,787,273 for the feed rollers 60, 62, 64 thereof. Thus, the upper and lower feed rollers o~ each pair ~50, 151 and 152 are -secured to upper and lower sha~ts 153 and 155, respectively (Fig. 11~, there being one such pair of shafts for each pair of rollers. Each sha~t 153 and 155 is connected through a universal joint 156 to a worm gear 157 which is enmeshed with a driving worm 158 on a main driving shaft 159. One such driving worm is provided for each pair of shafts 153 and 155, the worm gears 157 of which engage the driving worm at opposite sides so that the two shafts 153, 155 of each pair rotate in opposite directions. Hence, the feed rollers 150, 151 and 152 cooperate with each other to advance the potatoes successlvely from the conveyor section 30 to the rotary cutting assembly 12.
Each of the three pairs of feed rollers 150, 151 and 152 is provided with means for resiliently pressing the respectively asso~iated upper and lower rollers toward each other. Each pair of rollers is likewise provided with means interconnecting the associated upper and lower rollers for assuriny equalized, opposite movement. Since these means employed ~or each pair of rollers are identical with those employed for each of the other pairs, a description of the presslng means and the equalizing means for one pair of rollers will su~ice. For example, the shafts 153 and 155 o~ the third pair og feed rollers 152 tFig. 11) are rotatable in upper and lower bearing blocks 160 and 161 respectively, which are guided and restricted to vertical sliding movement in channels 163 and 164 in a housing 165. Debris seals 166 slide with . .
~ .

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shafts 153, 155 and prevent debris from entering thP
roller positioning mechanism inside the housing 165.
Upper and lower equalizing arms 167 and 169 are pivoted, respectively, on ~hafts 171 and 173 which are rigidly 5 mounted on a frame 175. The outer ends of the arms 167 and 169 bear against the bearing blocks 160 and 161 toward each other by force derived from biasing springs 176 and 177. The biasing springs 176, 177 encircle a tensioning rod 178 and are each compressed between one of the 10 equalizing arms and a nut 179 on the associated end portion of the rod. Accordingly, the springs 176 and 177 continuously urge the feed rollers 152a, 152b toward each other to effect engagement of thP same with a potato with pressure adequate to ensure advance o~ the potato in 15 response to rotation o~ the rollers and to prevent th potato iErom rotating.
The mechanism that interconnects the feed rollers 152a and 152b for e~ualized movement in opposite directions includes arms 181 and ï83 extending toward each 20 other from the upper and lower shafts 153 and 155, respectively~ These two arms 181 and 183 are inter~ngaged by a tooth and notch arrangement 185 whereby rotary motion of the one about the axis of its supporting shaft effects simultaneous and corresponding rotary motion of the other 25 about the axis of it supporting sha:et. Whereas the lower arm 183 is integral with the lower equalizing arm 169, the upper arm 181 is mounted pivotally on the shaft 171 independently of the upper equalizing arm and is adjustably connected thereto by a lever 187. The lever 30 187 is integral with the arm 181 and ea~tends upwardly from the shaft 171 where it is engaged between opposed adjusting screw~; 189 carried by a lever 191 integral with the upper equalizing arm 167. By manipulation of the adjusting scre~ws 189, the angular position Q~ the upper 35 equalii~iny arm relative to the lever 191 can be adjusted, and consequen1:1y the two feed rollers 152a, 152b can be adjusted to positions wherein they are equidistant ~rom the horizonkal axis of rotation of the cutting element.

J6~9~

Since all of the uppe:r f~fed rollers 150a, 151a and 152a are rotated in one di:rection while all of the lower feed rollers 150b, 151b and 152b are rotated in the opposite direction, a potato dfeflivered to the ~irst pair of rollers 150 will be advanced thereby to the second pair 151, which will pass thff~ potato to thfef third pair o~
rollers 152, which in turn will advance ths potato into the rotary cutting assembly 12.
Since the ef~ualizer arm 167 and 169 associated with each pair of feff~d rollers are interconnected as above described, the rollers of each pair will be thrust apart by each potato as the potato enters between the two opposff~fd rollers, the amount of such yielding movement depending upon the diameter of the potato. Furthermore, the opposite rollers of each pair will always be disposed at ef~ual distances above and below the axis of rotation of the rotary cutting element ~o that each potato during its travel through the machine is maintained in coaxial .~.
alignment with the rotary cutting assembly 12.
The feed rollers 150 and 151 are provided with metal ~ins or paddles 162 (Fiq~ 10) which positively engage a potato without damaging its exterior. The feed rollers 152 immediately adjacent rotary cutting assembly 12, however, aref provided with pins 168 which more positively engage the surface of a potato to prevent its rotation a~ter it is enyaged with the cutting assembly and more positively ~eed the potato into the cu~ter kni~fef.
Since the spiked rollers 152 provide the last positive control over the potato as it enters the rotary cutting assembly 12, it is desirable that these rollers be as close to this cutting assembly as possible (a spaciny of 0.75 inches has been ~ound satis~actory) and that the rollers be able to grip even the small butt end o~ a potato. To this end, bearing blocks 160 and 161 for upper and lower shafts 153 and 155 are sized so that the nominal distance between rollers 152 is smaller than the distance separating the other pairs of rollers 150 and 151. This permits the rollers 152 to exert good control over a potato even when gripped from at its butt end.
The rotary cutting assembly 12 cuts the potatoes advanced throuyh it into helical strips by action o~ a plurality of concentrically spaced scoring blad~s or knives 180 and a slicing blade 182 (Fig. 6). Rotary cutting assembly 12 rests in a cradle 184 de~ined by a guide ~86 (compare Figs. 2 and 10) and is driven by a drive gear 18S powered by an electric motor (not shown).
Referring now to Figs. 6 - 9, the rotary cutting assembly 12 includes a cutting element 190, a ring-like holder 192 for mounting the cutting element at its periphery and a housing 194 within which the holder/cutting element combination can rotate. Cutting element 190 principally comprises a helically shaped plate 196 welded about a central tube 198. On a front surface 200 of the plate 196 are welded the scoring knive~ or blades 180 which are spaced apart radially from the central tube 198 and ext~nd substantially parallel thereto for concentrically scoring a potato as it is advanced toward~ the front surface. The blades 180 are desirably disposed on the plate 196 in an alternating, staggered arrangement defining at least two radially extending rows.
This arrangement minimizes frictional engagement between the potato and the blades by reducing the compression of the potato in the regions being cut. The bladies 180 are bevelled on their outer sides 202 (Fig. 7) to form cutting edges 203 on their outer leading edges, the compression stress induced in the potato by the penetration of the blades 180 being relieved by expansion of the potato towards its p~riphery.
The plate 196 has a leading edge portion 204 (Fig. 6) defining the radially extending slicing blade 182 that slices the ~ace of a potato ~cored by the scoring blades 180. The leading edge portion 204 is bent or inclined approximately three degrees relative to the projected surEace of the plate 196 in a direction away from its trailing edge 205 (that i8, in the direction . ~ . . .. .. ~

towards an advancing potato) for a width of about 0.3 inches, as shown by the bend line 207 in Fig. 7. This arrangement has been found to aid in drawing the potato into and through the cutting assembly. The slicing blade 206 is bevelled on its rear surface 208 oppo~ite front sur~ace 200 to form a knife edge 209 to enhance this effect (see Fig. 8).
The central tube 198 (Fig. 9) terminates in a plane perpendicular to its axis ~nd is bevelled at a front end 210 thereo~ to define a cutting edge 212 along its inner periphery. The cutting edge 212 cuts cores from potatoes advancing into the rotary cutting assembly 12, which cores then pass through tube 198 to the collection bin 16 (Fig. 2). The front end 210 of tube 198 i~
desirably swaged in so that the cutting edge 212 defines a cutting diameter less than the nominal inside diameter of the tube 198 so the cores cut by the cutting edge may more easily slide through the tube to the collection bin.
Referring now to Figs. 6 and 9, the leading edge of the cutting element holder 192 is formed with a bevel 2180 The inner peripheral surface 220 of the holder 192 is formed with a helical groove 222 that begins at the bevel 218 and which corresponds to thei pitch o~ the helical plate 196 at its periphery ~o that the plate can be thrPadedly received by the holder 192. The threading o~ plate 196 into and out of the holder 192 is ~acilitated by providing at least one hole 224 in the plate spaced .
radially from its center. A tool 226 having a suitable projecting pin 227 and a hole 228, such as are shown in Fig. 6, can the~ be engaged in hole 224 and with the hole in tube lg8 tD enable application of a torque ko the plate 196 by which it can be threaded into or out of the holder 192. The groove 222 into which the helical plate 196 threads is just slightly longer than one full turn so that the plate 196, when fully threaded in, is locked against ~urther rotation relative to the holder.
~ he holder 192 and the cutting element 190 are rotatably mounted in the rotary cutt1ng assembly 12 (Fig.

9~

9) which includes a housing 194 including a front guard portion 236 and a rear guard portion 238 between which is mounted a ~rame ring 232 by screws 239, 241.
The housing 194 is ~ixedly mounted in the apparatus by means to be d~scribed while the holder and cutting element 190 rotate relative thereto. Secured to an outer flange 248 of the holder 192 by screws 246 is a drive ring 230 having gear teeth 231 formed on the periphery thereof. The ring 230 is provided with a circumferential groove 243 for receiving a sealed circular bearing 242, the outer race 244 o~ which engages the frame ring 232. The bearing 242 thus permits relative rotational movement between the drive ring 230 and the frame ring 232. The toothed drive ring 230 is rotatably driven by the drive gear 188 (Figs. 2, 11) when the rotary cutting assembly 12 is positioned in the cradle 184. The rotational movement of the drive ring 230 is transmitted to the holder 192, and thus to the cutting element l90o The frame ring has a peripheral protrusion 233 thereon, the function of which will be described.
The rotary cutting assembly 12 is releasably secured to the frame of the apparatus 10 by an overcenter :~
clamp assembly 250 (Fig. 10) which abuts the housing 165 .
and engages notched block 251 with the peripheral protru~ion 233 on the frame ring 233. When in the position illustrated, a post 260 extends from clamp 250 and abuts the housing 165 through a bolt 262, thereby urging the block 251 downwardly onto the assembly 12 about a pivot point 264. When a handle 266 o~ clamp 250 i5 pulled forward, post 260 is retracted ~rom its abutment with the hou3:Lng 165, permitting block 251 to swing upwardly about the pivot 264 to release assembly 12. The protrusion 233 on assembly 12 that is engaged by the notched block 251 o~ clamp 250 also keys into a notch 255 in the guide ~;eat 186 (Figs. 2 and 10) to assure proper alignment of the assembly in the apparatus. As shown in Fig. 11, the drive gear 188 meshes with the gear teeth 231 on the drive ring when the assembly 12 is mounted in .

Z~ 4 place. An orienting boss 254 in the cradle 184 engages a notch 256 (Fig. 9) in ~he frame ring 232 to preven~
rotation of assembly ~2 when drive gear 188 is operated.

Method of Operation -- First Embodiment In operation, the trough shaker or other singulator feeding food process;ing apparatus 10 provides potatoes to entry position 40 with their long axes aligned parallel to the top and bottom conveyors 3k, 36.
Preferably, the potatoes iare provided sPriatim, but at a rate slightly les~ than the advance rate of the conveyors so that they are spaced apart by a slight distance after they have been engaged by the conveyors. The orientation and spacing of the potatoes is maintained during their travel by the conveyors' and feed rollers' positive engagement mechani~ms.
The peripheral speed of the feed rollers 150-152 is desirably slightly greater than the apparent advancing speed of the slicing blade 182. If the pitch o~ the slicing blade, or tha speed at which it is rotated, is such that the advancing rate of the slicing blade 182 is faster than the ad~ancing rate o~ the potato, a severe stress is introduced into the potato at the point at which it is being cut. This stress can break the resultant ~ :
helical strips into non-continuous segments. This is avoided by the desired arrangement in that a potato will be firmly urged against the rotating cutting element 196, with the ~peed di~erential causing the potato to slip slightly on the ipikes 168 on the feed rollers 152. The spacing between adjacent potatoes in the feed system permits this "over~eeding" o~ potatoes into the cutting element without resulting in a backing up of the incoming potatoes.
As cutting element 190 rotates, each incoming potato is scored al~ng concentric lines and sliced by slicing blade 182, producing helical or spiral potato strips of varying diameters. The thickness and width dimensions o~ the helical ~trip~ are dependent upon the zo~

radial spacing o~ the paths of rotation of scoring blades 180 (see Fig. 7) and the spacing between slicing blade 182 and trailing edye 205 (Fig. 8). After being cut, the helical potato strips are conveyed away from the rotary cutting apparatus for further processing.

Detailed Description o~ Second Embodiment Shown in Fias. 12-16 An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 12-16. This embodiment differs from the embodiment of Figs. 1-11 primarily with respect to the cutter head assembly employed to support the cutting element and the mechanism employed to cause rotation of the cutter head assembly. Except where indicated, the two embodiments are otherwise identical. Identical parts in the second embodiment retain the iame reference numerals.
Referring to Figs. 12 and 13, the alternative embodiment designated generally as 300, includes a rotatable floating cutter head assembly 302, cutter head support means for supporting the cutter head assembly, a stationary discharge tube 308, and drive means for causing th~ cutter head assembly to rotate about its longitudinal axis. Potatoes are fed axially by feed system 14 to cutter head ass~mbly 302, where cutting element ~90 (Fig.
15) engag~s and ~lice~i the potatoes into helical strips.
The resulting helical ~trips enter into and are discharged through discharge tube 308.
Cutter head assembly 302, which is substantially cylindrical, has an outer periphery, an upstream cutting end facing ~eed system 14 and an opposite downstream discharge end proximate to where the helical strips are discharged. It includes a rotakable knife means such as cukting element 190 for slicing potatoes into helical ~:
strips, and a rotatable mounting structure ~or securely supporting the knife means and rotating the knife means about its longitudinal axis~ Mor~ specifically, with reference to Fig. 14, the rotat~ble mounting structure includes a cylindrical outer jacket 310 and an inner .

cylindrical sleeve 312 which i6 removably mounted inside jacket 310. The jacket has an inner diameter just large enough to provide clearance ~or the outer diameter o~
sleeve 312.
As seen best in Figs. 14 and 15, sleeve 312 has a substantially cylindrical conf:iguration and serves primarily to mount cutting element 190. It has opposed inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, an upstream cutting end portion where potatoes are received from feed system 14 and an opposite downstream discharge end portion ~acing away from the feed system. A helical groove 2~2a (Fig.
15) of about one and one-half turns is machined in the inner surface of the sleeve at its cutting end portion to threadably receive cutting element 190. A plurality of half-moon shaped indentations or recesses 326 (Fig. 15) are machined or otherwise formed in an end surface of the sleeve's cutting end portion and are spaced equidistantly about the circumference of the end surface. Similarly, a plurality of circular indentations or recesses 324 ~Fig.
15) ar~ drilled or tapped partially into the outer surface of the sleeve near its discharge end. Recesses 324 are spaced equidistant ~rom one another, and are circumferentially aligned. : -Jacket 310 is formed essentially of three main components: a central belt-engaging member 316 and a pair of opposite annular outer members 314a, 314b which enclose central member 316. Outer member 314a is located proximate to the discharge end of the cutter head assembly while outer member 314b is located proximate the cutting end. Central member 316 has a con~iguration that includes opposite shoulder portions which mate with respective complementary shoulder portions o~ outer members 314a, 314b, thereby providing a ne ting fit between the central member and adjacent outer members.
Jacket fastening means, shown in the illustrated ..
embodim~nt as allen head cQnnecting screws 318, are employed to ~asten the central and outer members together as an integral unit. To assemble the jacket, allen head screws 318 are inserted through openings in an end face o~
outer member 314b, then through corresponding openings in central member 316, and finally are threadably received by respPctive seats 319 (one shown) in outer member 314a. As shown in Fig. 14, the screw openings in outer member 314b are enlarged at the end surface! to permit the heads of screws 318 to lie flush with the end surface. The screws may be tightened or loosened in a conventional manner using an allen wrench.
Central member 316, which has a substantially cylindrical configuration, has a plurality of belt-engaging teeth 320 about its entire circumference to provide a complementary gripping surface for the driving means.
Outer members 314a, 314b essentially are mirror imag~s of one another, except for the connecting screw and set screw allowances~ At opposed end faces o~ the jacket, each outer membPr has a radially extending flange portion 315a,b (Fig. 15) and a flat interior ~houlder portion 317a,b ad~acent central member 316. The flange portions and shoulder portions of outer members 314a, 314b, together with central membPr 316, fo~m a guide or track for the drive means.
As shown in Figs. 14 and 16, flange portion 315b is part of an end face having a radially inwardly ext2ndiny lip. This lip acts as an abutment or stop means for sleeve 312 when the sleeve is mounted coaxially inside the jackek. The lip terminates at a circular infeed opening having the same diameter as the sleeve's inner diameter. The sleeve is securely mounted within the jacket, with the cutting end o~ the sleeve in abutment with the lip, by fastening mean~ comprising set screws 322. Screws 322 are threaded through outer member 314a and extend into locking engagement with aligned recesses 324. Thie engagement o~ sleeve 312 by set screws 322 prevents both axial and rotational movement of sleeve 312 relative to jacket 310. Similarly, the heads of connecting screws 318 each have a portion thereof which ~0~ 4 engages complementary-shaped, aligned recess 326 so as to provide additional means to lock sleeve 312 and jacket 310 together and prevent relative rotation therebetween.
It will thus be apparent that the jacket/ sleeve and cutter element rotate together about a common longitudinal axis aligned with the longitudinal axis o~
the potatoes fed to the cutting element by the feed system. The jacket, as described, serves as a support means for the sleeve and cutting element and as a means for imparting a rotational force to the cutting element.
Referring now to Fig. 14, the cutter head support means includes three idler support rollers 304 and three thrust support rollers 306. Idler rollers 304 ride on -shoulders 317a, 317b in the track or guide created by outer members 314a, 314b. They serve primarily to support the cutter head a~sembly and prevent radial movement of the cutter head assembly as it rotates. Secondarily, the idler rollers serve somewhat to resist axial movement of the cutter head assen~ly by virtue of their radially overlapping relationship with ~lange portions 315a, 315b which are spaced closely on either side of the idler rollers. Each idler roller 304 has an outer urethane layer 330, an inner bearing-engaging race 332, a pair of single-row radial ball bearings 334a, 334b, and a bearing ~ -shaft 336 on which the bearings ar~ mounted.
Thrust rollers 306 (Figs. 13 and 14~ supportingly engage the downstream discharge end surface o~ ths jacket so as to counteract axial forces on ths cutter element and cutter head a~se.mbly caused by potatoes being forced into the cutter element by feed system 14. The thrust rollers rollingly engag~ outer member 314a as it rotates to resist the pushing force exerted on the cutter head assembly by the potatoes being fed thereto. Thrust rollers 306 have an outer urethane layer 340, an inner, bearing-engaging race 342, a single-row radial ball bearing 344, and a bearlng sha~k 346 on which bearing 344 is mounted. The fore thicknes; of urethane lay~r 340 is smaller than its aft thickness such that the axis o~ the shaft 346 ~orms an 39~
: - 20 -acute angle ~ (Fig. 14~ of pre~erably about 19 degrees with the radial plane of the cutter head assembly. The canted disposition o~ the thrust rollers is required because the angular velocity of the cutter head assembly increases as the distance from the center of its axis increases.
Each thrust roller 306 is mounted in close proximity to a corresponding idler roller 304. As seen best in Fig. 14, each idler roller and its corresponding thrust roller are mountsd to a common support means. The support means includes a support bracket 352 which extends perpendicularly from frame 350, a bearing mounting member 354 from which shafts 33S and 346 integrally extend, and fastening means such as b~lts 356 and associated nuts for fastening mounting member 354 to support bracket 352.
This co~mon support means permits each pair of idler and thrust rollers to be quickly and easily removed to enable access to and removal of the cutter head assembly 302.
Stationary discharge tube 308 is mounted coaxially inside sleeve 312 so that lts leading upstream end is in close proximity to cutting element 190.
Discharge tubs 308 has an opposite downstream discharge end which extends outwardly of the discharg~ opening of the sleeve. The discharge tube i5 mounted by supporting brackets (unnumbered in Fig. 12) secured to frame 350.
Helical potato strips emerging from the cutting element enter into the discharge tube, axe pushed downstream by the following stream of sliced potatoes, and then are discharged out the discharge end. The stationary discharge tube buffers the sliced potato strips from the centrifugal ~orce acting on the ~leeve, thereby prev~nting the strips from contacting the rotating inner surfac~ o~
the sleeve and possibly disintegrating into undesirably small pieces.
The drive means which causes rotation of the cutter head as6em~1y includes a first lugged timing ~elt 360 (Figs. 13, 14) trained over the outer periphery of the cutter head assembly. More specifically, timing belt 360, ;~0~)6~

which is provided with lugs 366 (Fig. 13~, is trained over central member 316 such that the lugs engage the teeth 320 of the central member.
Fig. 12 shows timing belt 360 in a channel formed between outer members 314a, 314b such that it does not contact or interfere with idlel^ rollers 304 as the cutter assembly is rotated. At its other end, belt 360 is trained over a drive pulley 362 (Fig. 13), which is driven by a second endless timing belt 364. As shown in Fig. 13, an electric motor or other power means drives belt 364, idler pulley 362 and belt 360 and, through this power train, rotates the cutter head assembly.

Method of Operation - Second Embodiment The operation of the second embodiment just described is similar to the operation of the first embodiment. One difference of the embodiment of Figs. 12-16 is that the cutter head assembly is driven by a drive belt which engages the toothed central member of the ~acket, thereby eliminating the need for drive ring 230 (Flg. 9), large bsaring 242, 243 and associated components of the first embodiment. The cutter head assembly itsel~
requires no bearings which must be replaced periodically due to wear at appreciable expense~ Although bearings 334a, 334b and 344 are load bearing members that must be r~placed periodically, they are relatively inexpensive components which individually are subject to relatively low operational stresses and th~refore require replacement relatively in~requ~ntly.
The idler and thrust rollers are configured and mounted in a manner which facilitates easy removal and installation of the cutter head assembly. Once fasteners 356 are removed, each associated idler and thrust roller pair can be disengaged ~rom the cutter head assembly.
With these support rollers so disengaged, the cutter head a~sembly can be removed and, if desired, the jacket un~astened from the sleeve for repair or replacement of components of the sleeve, jacket or cutting element.
~.

it~

Detailed Description of Third Embodlment Shown in Fias. 17-1~
Referring to FIG. 17, the potatoes are placed in 5 a water filled supply tank ~OO. The water acts as a fluid transport media for the potatoes. The supply tank 400 is connected by means of a tubular connector 402 to the inlet of a centrifugal food pump 404. The centrifugal Pood pump 404 is driven by a suitable mean~ such as an electric motor 406. Th~ centri~ugal food pump 404 draws the fluid transport media and the potatoes ~rom the supply tank 400.
The outlet of the centrifugal food pump 404 connects to a transport tube 4080 This transport tube 408 is typically six inches in diameter.
The supply tank 400 and the centrifugal food pump 404 can be located remotely from the rotary cutting assembly 12 of the present embodiment of the invention.
Yarious elbows and other supply tubes 410 ~re used to connect the transport tube 408 to a rigid tapered member 412 which reduces the diameter of the delivery system from approximately six inches in diameter at the inlet of the rigid tapered member 412 to four inches in diameter at the outlet of the rigid tapered member 412. The outlet of the rigid tapered member 412 is connected to an eliastomeric tapered member 414. The elastomeric tapered member 414 is, in the preferred embodiment, typically cast from a polyurethene material. This cast tapered elastomeric member 414 has an inlet opening of approximately four inches in diameter and an outlet opening of approximately two inches in diameter. The inlet opening corresponds to the diameter of the largest potato to be sliced and the outlet diameter corresponds to the smallest diameter of potato to be ~31 iced. Ik has been ~ound, however, that potatoes smal:Ler in diameter than the outlet end of the tapered elast:ic member 414 may be successfully sliced.
This is b~cawae the ~maller potatoes agglomerate and act as a larger potato. The outlet end of the tapered delivery tube 414 has a bell shaped flange 430 which can be seen in FIG. 18 which is attached to an opening in a frame 416 by means of suitable ~asteners 432.
The rotary cutting assembly 12 is releasibly attached to the frame 416 as will be explained below. A
stationary discharge tube 308 is centrally located to the rotary cutting assembly 12. A receiving bin 16 is provided below the discharge tube 308 to collect the water and the cut potato product. Subsequent apparatus (not shown) separate the cut potato product the water and recirculates the water back to the supply tank 400. The use of the supply tank 4~0 and the centri~ugal ~ood pump 404 to hydraulically transport the potatoes eliminates the need to use a trough shaker or other singulator device as described in the description of the first embodiment.
In re~erring to Fig. 17 it should be noted that the potatoes are fed vertically downward from the tapered elastic member to the rotary cutting assembly. This arrangement has been found to have several advantages.
The force of gravity assists the movement o~ the potatoes.
The cut potato product as it exits the discharge tube ~alls under the force of gravity and the water into the collection bin. This reduces the damage to the cut product. It should be notedl however that the elastic member and the rotary cutting head assembly may be position at any angle and may be horizontal as shown in the first and second embodiment of the invention.
Referring now to FIG. 18, the lower end of the tapered elastomeric member 414 isi shown in cross section.
The lower end of the tapered elastomeric member 414 has a bell shaped ~lange 430 which is rigidly mounted to frame 416. The taplsred elastic member 414 may have a constant wall thicknesi~ or, as in the preferred embodiment, have a wall thicknes~ which varies from five-eighths of an inch at the entrance end to three--eighths of an inch at the exit end.
The rotary cutting a~sembly 12 cuts the potatoes advanced through it into helical strips by activn of a plurality of concentrically spac~d scoring blades or 9~

knives 180 and a slicing blade 182 (Fig. 6). Referring back now to Figs. 6 - g, the rotary cutting assembly 12 includes a cutting element 190, a ring-like holder 192 for mounting the cutting element at its periphery and a housing 194 within which the holder/cutting element combination can rotate. Cutting element 190 princip311y comprises a helically shaped pl,ate 196 welded about a central tube 198. On a front surface 200 of the plate 196 are welded the scoring knives or blades 180 which are spaced apart radially ~rom the central tube 198 and extend substantially parallel thereto ~or concentrically scoring a potato as it is advanced towards the front surface. The bl~des 180 are desirably disposed on the plate 196 in an alternating, staggered arrangement defining at least two radially extending rows. This arrangement minimizes frictional engagement between the potato and the blades by reducing the compression of the potato in the regions being cut. The blades 180 are bevelled on their outer sides 202 (Fig. 7) to form cutting edges 203 on their outer leading edges, the compression stress induced in the potato by the penetration of the blades 180 being relieved by expansion o~ the potato towards its periphery.
The plate 196 has a leading edge portion 204 (Fig. 6) defining the radially extending slicing blade 182 that slices the face of a potato scored by the scoring blades 180. The leading edge portion 20~ is bent or inclined approximately three degrees relative to the projected sur~ace of the plate 196 in a direction away from its trailing edge 205 (that is, in the direction toward~ an advancing potato) for a width of about 0.3 inches, as shown by the bend line 207 in ~ig. 7. The slicing blade 206 i5 bevelled on its rear surface 208 opposite ~ront ~urface 200 to form a knife edge 2ng (see ~ig. 8)o The central tube 198 (Fig. 9) terminates in a plane perpendicular to its axi~ and is bevelled at a front end 210 thereo~ to define a cutting edge 212 along its inner periphery. The cutting edge 212 cuts cores from ~(~)~J~3~

potatoes adva~cing into the rotary cutting assembly 12, which cores then pass through tube 198 to the collection bin 16 (Fig. 17). The ~ront end 210 of tube 19~ is desirably swaged in so that the cutting edge 212 de~ines a cutting diamster less than the nominal inside diameter of the tube 198 so the cores cut by the cutting edge may more easily slide through the kube to the collection bin 16.
The tube 198 typici~lly has an outside diameter of approximately three-eighths o~ an inch and an inside diameter of approximately one fourth of an inch in diameter. ~he tube 198 extends approximately five-eighths oP an inch above the surface of plate 196 which insures that the tube 198 extends into the area of the tapered elastic tube 414. A further improvement of placing serrated teeth 422 (Fig. 18~ on the cutting edge 212 has been found to reduce the chance sf fracturing the potato as the potato impacts the tube 198.
Referring now to Figs. 6 and 9, the leading edge of the cutting element holder 192 is formed with a bevel 218. The inner periph~ral surface 220 o~ the holder 192 is formed with a helical groove 222 that begins at the bevel 218 and which corresponds to the pitch of the helical plate 196 at its periphery ~o that the plate can ~
be thr adedly received by the holder 192. The threading ..
of plate 196 into and out of the holder 192 is ~acilitated ~-by providing at least one hole 224 in the plate spaced radially from its center. A tool 226 having a ~uita~le projecting pin 227 and a hole 228, ~uch as are shown in Fig. 6, can then be engaged in hole 224 and with the hole in tube 198 to enable application o~ a torque to khe plate 196 by which it can be threaded into or out o~ the holder 192. The groove 222 into which the helical plate 196 threads is just slightly longPr than one full turn so that the plate 196, when fully threaded in, is locked against further rotation relative to the holder~
The holder lg2 and the cutting element 190 are rotatably mounted in the rotary cutting assembly 12 (Fig.
9) which includes a housing 194 including a ~ront guard ' ~f~06 portion 236 and a rear guard portion 238 between which is mounted a frame ring 232 by screws 239, 241.
The h~using 194 is fixedly mounted in the apparatus by means to be descr:ibed while the holder and cutting element 190 rota-te relative thereto. Secured to an outer flange 248 of the holdar 192 by screws 246 is a drive ring 230 having gear teeth 231 formed on khe periphery thereo~. The ring 2:30 is provided with a circum~erential groove 243 for receiving a sealed circular 10 bearing 242, the outer race 244 o~ which engages the frame ring 232. The bearing 242 thus permits relative rotational movement between the drive ring 230 and the frame ring 232. The toothed drive ring 230 is rotatably driven by the drive gear 188 (Fig. 18) when the rotary 15 cutting assembly 12 is assembled to the frame 416. The rotational movement of the drive ring 230 is transmitted to the holder 192, and thus to the cutting element 190.
The frame ring has a peripheral protrusion 233 thereon, the function of which will be described.
The rotary cutting assembly 12 is releasably secured to the frame 416 by an overcenter clamp assembly 250 (Fig. 10) which is attached to the frame 416 and engages the peripheral protrusion 233 on the frame ring 238. As shown in Fig. 18, the drive gear 188 meshes with -25 the geax teeth 231 on the drive ring 230 when the rotary cutting as6embly is mounted to the frame 416.
A ~eal 434 is placed between the ~ront guard 236 o~ the rotary cutting assembly 12 and the frame 416 to prevent fluid leakage between the rotary cutting assembly 30 12 and the frame 416. Seal 434 completely blocks all ~luid flow between the rotary cutting a~sembly 12 and the ~rame 416 or in an alternate embodiment may be open to allow ~luid to escape.
A secondary purpoBe o~E seal 434 is to act as a ~pacer to en~;ure that the exit end 434 of the tapered elastic member 414 i8 as close as possible to the cutting element 190. It i~ preferable that the potato is always engayed by either the center tube 198 or the tapered 9~q~

-- 27 -- .

elastic member 414 or more preferably both. This requires that the exit end 436 o~ the tapered elastic member 414 be within at least five-eighths of an inch to the plate 196, more preferably three-eights of an inch and most preferably within one-eighth of an inch of the plate 196.
This arrangement of the spacing will insure that the center tube projects into the opening o~ the exit end 436 of the ~apered elastic member 414.
The holes 224 (Fig. 6) may be increased in diameter or in number to allow a portion of the water to escape through the blade assembly 190. This still allows most of the water to pass between the leading edge 209 and the trailing edge 205 (Fig. 8) of the cutting blade. This assists in transporting the cut potato material and insures that no cut material blocks the cutting blade.

Method o~ Operation - Third Embodiment In the third emhodiment of the invention, the speed of the cutting element 190 is adjustable to between 2000 revolutions per minute to 10,000 revolutions per minute. A preferxed embodiment rotates the cutting element at a speed of 6000 revolutions per minute. The pump 404 transfers the water and the potatoes through the supply tube 408 at a rate of 2000 linear ~eet per minute. The fluid pressure in a free ~low condition (that is without potatoes present) is adjustable between 4 - 20 po~mds per square inch and more preferable between 6 - 9 pounds per ~quare inch. This pressure con~erts to a fluid flow having a volume of 500-600 gallons per minute. The hydraulic ~eed system of the present invention automatically centers the potato on the cutting head ~or slicing because the outlet end of the tapere~ elastic member 414 is rigidly attached to the ~rame 416 in axial alignment with the ce~terline of the rotary cutting assembly 12. It is also believed that the water ~lowing about the potato as it is being cut prevents the potato from rotating due to the reacition to the rotary cutting assembly 12. The hydraulic pressure ~orces the potato ~0'~;9~

against the rotary cutting assembly such that the entire potato is cut.
The potato 99, as it reaches the elastomeric member 414, expands the elast~meric member 414 as the potato 99 travels toward the exit end as shown in FIG. 18.
This decreases the velocity of the potato, but increases the water pressure to the range of 15-25 pounds per square inch. Water pressures as high as 40 pounds per square inch have been encountered with extremely large potatoes without adverse ef~ects. Thus the potato is forced evenly and gently onto the central tube 198 of the rotary cutter assembly 12. The central tube 198 and the scoring knives 180 also decelerate the potato before the slicing blade 190 cuts the potato. The potato 99 continues to be ~orced against the cutting blade 190 by the force of the water behind it. The total ~orce to slice the potato is provided by the slicing blade assembly 190 and not by the transport mechanism. No external mechanical devices touch the potato thus eliminating any damage to the outside of the potato.
As the cutting blade 190 rotates, each incoming potato is scored along concentric lines by scoring knives 180 and sliced by slicing blade 182 producing helical or spiral potato strips o~ varying diameters. The thickness and width dimensions of the helical strips are dependent upon the radial spacing of the paths of rotation of scoring blades 180 and the spacing between slicing blade 182 and trailing edge 205 (Fig. 8). After being cut, the helical potato strips are conveyed away from the rotary cutting assembly 12 by stationary discharge tube 308 ~or ~urther processing.
It has alsa been found that preheating the potato to a core temperature of 130 degrees fahrenheit assists in high speed cutting without ~hattering the potatoes.
It will be apparent that the present embodiment of the invention accurately aligns the longitudinal center axis of potatoes having widely varying diameters with the longitudinal center axis of the rotating cutting blade 9~

190. Furthermore, this longitudinal alignment is maintained as the potato moves longitudinally into cutting engagement with the cutting hlade. As a result, helical strips are produc~d having exc011ent thickness uniformity and structural integrity. The~;e advantages are attained in a high production context, even when using smaller potatoes.
Having described and illustrated the principals of our invention in an illustrated embodiment, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention c~n be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principals. Although the invention has been described in relationship with a rotary cutting assembly to produce helical cut potato products it is to be understood that any rotary or reciprocating cutter head will function as well and should be considered to fall within the range of equivalents anticipated by this application. Accordingly, we claim all modifications coming within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cutting a food product comprising:
a means to combine the food product with a fluid media;
a means to hydraulically transport the food product and the fluid media;
a tapered elastic tubular member for receiving the food product and the fluid media, said tapered elastic tubular member being sized to facilitate centering of the food product; and a rotating cutting head assembly located adjacent an outlet end of said tubular member and adapted to slice the food product into strips.

2. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 1 further including a frame for supporting said tapered elastic member and said cutting assembly.

3. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 1 wherein the fluid media is water.

4. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 1 wherein the tapered elastic tubular member is a cast polyurethane material.

5. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 4 wherein the polyurethane tapered elastic tubular member has a wall thickness between about three-eighths of an inch and about five-eighths of an inch in thickness.

6. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 1 wherein the means to hydraulically transport the food product and the fluid media includes a centrifugal food pump.

7. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 6 wherein the centrifugal food pump produces a fluid pressure of about 4 to 20 pounds per square inch when no food product is present.

8. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 7 wherein the centrifugal food pump produces a fluid pressure of between about 6 to 9 pounds per square inch when no food product is present.

9. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 1 wherein the cutting head assembly includes a means to core the food product, a means to score the food product, and a means to slice the food product.

10. An apparatus for cutting food product as recited in claim 9 wherein the means to slice the food product is a knife on a helical plate.

11. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 10 wherein the means to score the food product is a plurality of upstanding knife blades attached to the helical plate.

12. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 11 wherein the means to core the potato is an upstanding tubular member centrally located on the helical plate.

13. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 11 wherein the tubular coring member is located inside the exit end of the tapered tubular member.

14. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 2 wherein the frame supports the tapered elastic tubular member in a vertical position and further supports the cutting head co-axially beneath the tapered elastic tubular member.

15. An apparatus for cutting a food product comprising;
a bin for receiving the food product and water;
a means to pump the food product and water thereby transporting the food product under water pressure;
a tapered tubular elastic delivery tube for receiving the food product and water;

said delivery tube having an entrance end and an exit end, said exit end being smaller in diameter than said entrance end; and a rotary cutter assembly mounted adjacent to the exit end of the delivery tube to slice the food product.

16. An apparatus for cutting a food products as recited in claim 15 wherein the delivery tube is made from a polyurethane material.

17. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 16 wherein the thickness of the polyurethane material is between about three-eighths of an inch and about five-eighths of an inch in thickness.

18. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 15 wherein the exit end of said tapered tubular delivery tube includes a bell shaped flange formed thereon.

19. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 18 wherein said bell shaped flange positions the exit end of said delivery tube within about five-eights of an inch of said cylindrical cutter assembly.

20. An apparatus for cutting a food products as recited in claim 15 wherein the cutter assembly includes a means to core the food product, a means to score the food product and a means to slice the food product.

21. An apparatus to cut a food product as recited in claim 20 wherein the means to slice the food product is a knife on the leading edge of a helical plate.

22. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 21 wherein the means to core the food product is a tubular member having a serrated leading edge.

23. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 20 wherein said tubular member extends into an opening in the exit end of said delivery tube.

24. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 22 wherein the means to score the food product is a plurality of upstanding knives attached to the helical plate.

25. An apparatus for cutting a food product comprising:
a means to combine the food product with a fluid transport media;
a means to pump the food product and the fluid transport media;
a means to guide the food product and fluid transport media;
a tapered tubular elastic delivery tube having a longitudinal axis, said delivery tube connected to said guide means;
said delivery tube having an entrance end larger in diameter than the diameter of the food product and an exit end smaller in diameter than the diameter of the food product;
said delivery tube confining fluid flow therein, whereby the full force of said fluid pressure is exerted against said product and said delivery tube expanding about the product and decelerating the product as the product moves along the delivery tube:
a substantially cylindrical cutter head assembly having a cutting end, a discharge end, a knife assembly including a coring tube, a slicing knife and a plurality of scoring knives, said knife assembly mounted on the cutting end of said cutter head assembly for slicing the food product;
a frame;
a means to mount the exit end of the delivery tube to the frame;
a means to mount the cutter head assembly to said frame such that the cutting end is adjacent the exit end of the delivery tube and the coring tube is in line with the longitudinal axis of the delivery tube;
a means to rotate the knife assembly; and a stationary discharge tube positioned co-axially inside said cutter head assembly adjacent said discharge end, whereby said knife assembly rotates relative to said stationary discharge tube as said discharge tube receives and discharges the food product sliced by said slicing knife.

26. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 25 wherein the means to rotate the knife assembly rotates the knife assembly in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the delivery tube.

27. An apparatus for cutting a food product as recited in claim 26 wherein the longitudinal axis of the delivery tube is substantially vertical and the delivery tube is disposed above the knife assembly.

28. An apparatus for cutting a food product comprising:
a bin for receiving a food product and water;
a means to hydraulically transport the food product and water;
a tapered tubular elastic delivery tube for receiving the food product and water;
said delivery tube having a longitudinal axis with an entrance opening and an exit opening;
a rotary cutter assembly having a longitudinal axis and rotating in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said cutter assembly;
said longitudinal axis of said delivery tube in line with said longitudinal axis of said cutter assembly;
and a tubular member on said longitudinal axis of said cutter assembly protruding into the exit opening of said delivery tube.

29. An apparatus for cutting potatoes into helical strips comprising:
hydraulic conveying means for transporting potatoes sequentially in a fluid media to a cutting location; and a rotating cutting head assembly located at said cutting location, and having a disk-like cutting element adapted to slice the potatoes into helical strips;
said hydraulic conveying means further serving to convey the helical strips away from the cutting location after slicing.

30. An apparatus for slicing potatoes and the like into helical strips comprising:
a feed tube having an outlet end;
a rotary knife assembly having an axis of rotation;
a mounting structure for mounting the rotary knife assembly adjacent the outlet end of the feed tube such that the axis of rotation is in axial alignment with the outlet end;
a drive structure for rotating the knife assembly about its axis of rotation;
the knife assembly including a cutting plate having a radially extending slicing edge and front and back surfaces, a central tube extending substantially perpendicularly from the front surface in line with the axis of rotation, and a plurality of scoring knives extending substantially perpendicularly from the front surface of the cutting plate and being located varying radial distances from the central tube; and hydraulic means for transporting the potatoes in single file in a fluid flow through the feed tube to the rotary knife assembly;
the knife assembly being mounted such that the front surface of the cutting plate is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the cutting plate is helicoidal and has an outer periphery.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the knife assembly includes a holder for removably mounting the cutting plate, the holder having an internally threaded bore wall with a thread pitch corresponding to the outer periphery of the cutting plate, whereby the cutting plate can be threaded into and out of the holder.

33. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the feed tube includes an elastomeric tapered sleeve section which terminates at one end thereof at the outlet end.

34. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the central tube projects into the outlet end of the feed tube.

35. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the cutting plate has plural openings through which fluid may pass from one side to the other.

36. An apparatus for slicing potatoes and the like into helical strips comprising:
a feed tube having an outlet end;
a rotatable cutting head assembly located in close proximity to the outlet end and having an axis of rotation in axial alignment with the outlet end;
a drive means for rotating the cutting head assembly about its axis of rotation; and hydraulic means for transporting each potato in a fluid flow through the feed tube to the cutting head assembly and by hydraulic pressure forcing the potato against the cutting head assembly;
the cutting head assembly including a rotatable cutting plate positioned substantially perpendicular to both the axis of rotation and fluid flow.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the feed tube has a tapered elastomeric section which terminates at the outlet end, the elastomeric section having a diameter at the outlet end which is smaller than at least some of the potatoes passing therethrough such that the elastomeric section decelerates the potato as it approaches the cutting head assembly and engages the potato as the hydraulic pressure forces the potato against and through the cutting assembly.

38. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the cutting plate is helicoidal and has an outer periphery.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the cutting head assembly includes a holder for removably mounting the cutting plate, the holder having an internally threaded bore with a thread pitch corresponding to the outer periphery of the cutting plate, whereby the cutting plate can be threaded into and out of the holder.

40. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the cutting plate has plural openings through which fluid may pass from one side to the other.

41. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the drive means rotates the cutting head assembly at a speed of about 2,000 to 10,000 rpm.

42. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the hydraulic means produces a hydraulic pressure of about 4 to 20 psi when no potatoes are present in the feed tube.

43. An apparatus for slicing potatoes and the like into helical strips comprising:
rotary knife means for slicing the potatoes into helical strips, the rotary knife means including a cutting plate and having an axis of rotation;
drive means for rotating the knife means about its axis of rotation;
a feed tube having an outlet end which terminates in close proximity to the rotary knife means, the feed tube being in axial alignment with the axis of rotation;
and hydraulic means for transporting potatoes in single file in a fluid flow to the knife means and forcing each potato against the knife means;
the rotary knife means including holding means for mounting the cutting plate substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation and direction of fluid flow.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the cutting plate has plural openings through which fluid may pass.

45. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the cutting plate is helicoidal.

46. An apparatus for slicing potatoes and the like into helical strips comprising:
a feed tube having a diameter conducive to transporting potatoes in single file therein and an outlet end;
a knife assembly capable of cutting potatoes into helical strips, the knife assembly including a cutting plate having a radially extending slicing edge, an axial centerline passing through the center of the cutting plate, and a plurality of scoring blades extending substantially perpendicularly from the cutting plate and being spaced varying radial distances from the centerline;
a mounting structure for mounting the feed tube and knife assembly such that the outlet end of the feed tube is axially aligned with and in close proximity to the cutting plate;
a drive structure for rotating the knife assembly about the axial centerline; and hydraulic means for transporting the potatoes in a fluid media through the feed tube and then against the cutting plate as the cutting plate rotates, the fluid media and potatoes having a flow path which is perpendicular to the cutting plate.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the feed tube includes a tapered elastomeric section which terminates at the outlet end and has a diameter at the outlet end that is smaller than at least some of the potatoes passing therethrough such that the feed tube decelerates the potato as it approaches the knife assembly and engages the potato as it is forced against and through the knife assembly, whereby the potato is gripped as it is sliced by the knife assembly.

48. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the knife assembly includes a central coring tube extending perpendicularly from the cutting plate, the coring tube extending into an opening defined by the outlet end of the feed tube.

49. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the cutting plate is helicoidal.

50. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the cutting plate has an outer periphery and the knife assembly includes a holder for supporting the cutting blade by supportively engaging the outer periphery.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the cutting plate is rotated through engagement of the drive structure with the holder to which the cutting plate is mounted.

52. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the cutting plate is helicoidal.

53. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the holder has a threaded bore which includes a helical groove adapted to threadably receive the outer periphery of the cutting plate, the helical groove having a pitch which corresponds to the outer periphery.

54. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the knife assembly further includes a drive ring secured to the holder, the drive structure including a gear cooperable with the drive ring for rotating the drive ring, holder and cutting plate as a unit.

55. A method for slicing potatoes and the like into helical strips:
transporting singulated potatoes in a flow of hydraulic fluid contained within a conduit, the conduit defining a flow path for the potatoes;
locating in the flow path a cutting head assembly capable of cutting potatoes into helical strips;
rotating the cutting head assembly about an axis of rotation; and directing the singulated potatoes in the hydraulic flow against the rotating cutting head assembly so as to slice the potatoes into helical strips.

56. The method of claim 55 further including the step of engaging an outer surface of the potato as the potato is directed against the rotating cutting assembly such that hydraulic pressure behind the potato urges the potato against the cutting head assembly.

57. A method for slicing potatoes and the like into helical strips:
rotating about an axis of rotation a cutting head assembly capable of slicing potatoes into helical strips;
providing an enclosed conduit having an outlet end in close proximity to and axially aligned with the cutting head assembly; and transporting the potatoes in a hydraulic flow within the conduit to the cutting head assembly where the potatoes are sliced into helical strips.

58. The method of claim 57 further including using the hydraulic fluid to transport the helical strips away from the cutting head assembly.

59. The method of claim 57 further including gripping an outer surface of the potato as it approaches and contacts the cutting head assembly so as to decelerate the potato and allow hydraulic pressure to force the potato against and through the cutting head assembly.

60. An apparatus for slicing potatoes and the like into helical strips comprising:
a conduit terminating at a cutting location;
a rotatable cutting head assembly located at the cutting location and having an axis of rotation in axial alignment with the conduit, the cutting head assembly having at least one knife element for slicing potatoes and the like into helical strips;
a drive structure for rotating the cutting head assembly about its axis of rotation; and a pump for generating a flow of fluid media through the conduit and transporting singulated potatoes in the fluid media through the conduit to the cutting head assembly;
the cutting head assembly having a planar surface which is substantially perpendicular to the flow of fluid media.

61. The apparatus of claim 60 wherein the cutting head assembly includes a substantially radially extending knife edge and a plurality of scoring knives spaced varying radial distances from the axis of rotation.

62. The apparatus of claim 60 wherein the cutting head assembly includes a cutting member having a substantially helicoidal outer periphery.

63. An apparatus for slicing potatoes and the like into strips comprising:
a conduit terminating at a cutting location;
hydraulic conveying means for transporting potatoes and the like in a flow of fluid media through the conduit to the cutting location;
a rotating cutting element located at the cutting location and having a planar surface which is substantially perpendicular to the flow of fluid media;
and rotating means for rotating the cutting element