CA2204019A1 - Apparatus and method for cutting helically shaped potato pieces - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for cutting helically shaped potato piecesInfo
- Publication number
- CA2204019A1 CA2204019A1 CA002204019A CA2204019A CA2204019A1 CA 2204019 A1 CA2204019 A1 CA 2204019A1 CA 002204019 A CA002204019 A CA 002204019A CA 2204019 A CA2204019 A CA 2204019A CA 2204019 A1 CA2204019 A1 CA 2204019A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cutting
- rods
- section
- spiral
- rotating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D1/00—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D3/00—Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut made; Apparatus therefor
- B26D3/10—Making cuts of other than simple rectilinear form
- B26D3/11—Making cuts of other than simple rectilinear form to obtain pieces of spiral or helical form
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D3/00—Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut made; Apparatus therefor
- B26D3/24—Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut made; Apparatus therefor to obtain segments other than slices, e.g. cutting pies
- B26D3/26—Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut made; Apparatus therefor to obtain segments other than slices, e.g. cutting pies specially adapted for cutting fruit or vegetables, e.g. for onions
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D7/00—Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
- B26D7/06—Arrangements for feeding or delivering work of other than sheet, web, or filamentary form
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Forests & Forestry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Preparation Of Fruits And Vegetables (AREA)
- Apparatuses For Bulk Treatment Of Fruits And Vegetables And Apparatuses For Preparing Feeds (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus for cutting helically shaped pieces from potatoes has a top portion (10) forming a drive section, a center portion (12) forming a feed section and a lower portion (14) forming a cutting section. The drive section (10) comprises a plurality of rotatable shafts (22) extending in a circle about a central axis. The feed section (12) comprises a plurality of rotatable rods (42) arranged in a circle about the central axis, each rod (42) at its upper end connected to a lower end of a shaft (22). At least the lower part of each rod (42) has a spiral outer surface. The cutter section (14) includes a cutter (62) of hollow conical form having a series of spiral channels (80) on its interior surface, each spiral ending in an aperture (82), the apertures (82) forming cutting edges (84). Potatoes are fed through the feed section (12), on rotation of the rods (42), by the spiral surfaces of the rods (42), and pushed into the cutter (62), which on rotation, cuts helical pieces from potatoes.
Description
APPA~ATU8 AND METHaD FOR ~-u,~lNG
E~ICAL~Y 8HAPED PO~A~ PIECE~
FI~D ~F T~ ~Y~h.10~
This inYention relate~ to apparatus for the cutting of helically shaped potato strips and to m~thod for such cutting.
BA~G~O~D OF TR~ l~v~N~
Helical or spiral potato strips have been a~ailable for ~me time, pro~iding an attractive form of strip. There are many forms af apparatus for ~utting such strip~. In many, a plurality of cutters ~rranged concentri~ally, cut a plurality ~f circles in~o a potato, and a further, transverse, cutter cu~s across the circles to pr~duce ~piral3. other machines cut a single spiral, forming t~i~ flat shapeq~
Many of the forms of appara~us are quite complex and ~any of them feed the p~tatoes individually in a non-c~ntinuous manner.
' Publication WO ~f2~182g6 to ,~oster discloses an assem~ly for cutting helical strips from vegetables.
~n that assembly, a bl~da is pr~vided having a plurality of external tier~, with a series of align~d ex~ernal blades and associated apertures. The blade further comprises a coring mean3 for removing and discarding a central portian of the ~e~etable. In operation, ~he ~egetable mus~ be centred and forced onto the coring means. The periphery i~ cut fro~ the inside of the vegetable into quc~ee~ing helical strips.
~I~,'Jci.'~rD S~t.ET
9O-d d9'~'Z~ 96-~z-~a = =
lA
As t~e b~des approach the exterior of the ~egetable, its structural s~ren~th is reduced resulting in irregular cuts . This device does not ~ake e~f icient use of the vegetable since a significant volume is discarded, and the whole vegetable is not processed as dé~ ired .
Y 0~ T~E IN'f~h-ION
The present inven~ion provides a very simple and effective apparatus in whi~h potatoes are fe~d continuously to a feed section which con~inuously pushes the p~tatoes into a cutting section in which t spirals ~r helicals are cut from the potatc~es. The I potato is fed in one direction and is no~ rotated, ~ing held by th~ feed mechanis~. The cutting section include.~ a cutting member having a plurality o~ ~hannel shaped cutt~rs arranged concentrically about the rotational axis of the cutting member, spaced ~part '.'2rD Sl'!-~T
9O'd d9 -Zl 9~-~z-a~a circumferentially, the cutters mounted on a concave conical surface.
Broadly, there is provided apparatus for cutting helically shaped potato pieces, comprising: a feed section and a cutting section in series and in alignment on a longitll~;n~l axis, the feed section including means for feeding potatoes in sequence to the cutting section; the cutting section including a hollow conical cutting member having a series of spiral channels on its inner surface, and means for rotating the cutting member about its axis, each channel ending in an aperture exte~ing through the wall of the cutting member and forming cutting edges, the spiral channels immediately adjacent each other, and the apertures spaced apart around the inner surface and facing in the direction of rotation of the cutting member.
In a particular arrangement, apparatus for cutting helically potato pieces comprises a top portion forming a drive section, a center portion forming a feed section and a lower portion forming a cutting section. The drive section has a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted, these shafts exten~ing in a circle about a central axis, means being provided for rotating the shafts. The feed section comprises a plurality of rods rotatably mounted and ext~ing in a circle about the central axis. Each rod is conn~cted at an upper end in a flexible manner to a lower end of one of the shafts and at least a lower portion of each rod has a spiral screw-like outer surface. A guide member at an intermediate position along the rods has a plurality of elongate radially ext~n~ing slots, a rod positioned in W O96/14190 PCT/CA~ ~60-each slot. The cutting section comprises a driving ~ member mounted for rotation about the central axis and including a cutting member attached to the lower end of the driving member, the cutting member in the form of hollow conical member having a series of spiral channels on the inner surface, each channel ending in an aperture exten~;ng through the wall of the cutter member and forming cutting edges. These spiral channels are immediately adjacent each other and the apertures are positioned in a spiral around the cutter member.
The invention also includes a method of cu~ting helicaiiy ch~p~ potato pieces in which the potatoes are fed successively along a central axis by plurality of rotating rods positioned around the central axis, each of the rods having a spiral circumference, rll~h; ng the potatoes into a cutting member of hollow, conical form with a plurality of spiral ch~nnels on the inner surface, each channel ending in an aperture forming cutting edges, and rotating the cutting member about the central axis to cut helically shaped pieces from the potatoes.
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DE8CRIPTION OF THE DR~WING8 Figure 1 is a front view of one form of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention, with the lower part in cross-section;
Figure 2 is a top plan view illustrating the drive system for the shafts;
Figure 3 is a view on the lower end of the feeding section, with the cutter shown removed;
Figure 4 is an external perspective view of the cutter;
Figure 5 is an outside perspective view of the cutter;
Figure 6 is an inside perspective view of the cutter;
Figure 7 is a plan view of the cutter showing the inside;
Figure 8 is a cross-section on the line 8-8 of Figure l; and Figure 9 is a cross-section on the line 9-9 of Figure 1.
As illustrated in Figure 1, the apparatus has a top section 10 comprising a drive section, a center section 12 comprising a feed section, and a lower section 14 comprising a cutting section.
The top section 10 has an upper frame member 20 in which are rotatably supported a series of shafts 22 arranged in a circle, driven at their top ends, for example by a toothed belt 24 which passes around the outside of the circle, engaging with each shaft, and WO96/14190 PCT/CA~/00605 driven by a motor 26. The driving arrangement is illustrated in Figure 2. A drive pulley 28 is attached to the upper end of each shaft 22. In the example, the belt 24 passes around the drive pulleys 28 from drive pulley 30 on the motor 26. Idler pulleys 32 provide for tensioning of the belts 24. The belt 24 alternates around the drive pulleys 28, in pairs, to rotate the drive pulleys, and thus the associated shafts, which are driven in what can be considered to be as pairs.
For example, in Figure 2, starting after the motor pulley 30 and an idler 36, and procPP~i~g clockwise, the first pulley 28 and associated shaft 22, rotates anticlockwise, the next two pulleys 28 and their shafts 22 rotate clockwise, the next two pulleys and their shafts 22 rotate anticlockwise and so on until the last pulley 28 and its shaft 22 rotates anticlockwise in conformity with the first pulley. The lower ends of the shaft 22 are connected to the upper ends of the rods by U joints 34.
The center section 12 comprises a top support member 40 and a series of rods 42, and a mid-guide member 44. At their top ends the rods 42 are supported in the top support member 40, one such support being illustrated at 46 in cross-section. At their upper portions rods in the example are smooth and at their lower portions the rods have a spiral or threaded outer surface. In the example, the spiral or threaded outer surfaces are of opposite hand for adjacent rods of a pair. That is for example one rod of a pair has a right-hand thread and the other has a left-hand thread, to conform with the rotation applied via shafts 22 and pulleys 28. The mid-guide member 44 has a series of radial slots 48, and the rods 42 can move radially only while rotating about their own axes. The rods are machined towards their upper ends, for example at 50, to provide a flexing position, for example of reduced cross-section. The rods flex at this position as potatoes are fed through the apparatus.
The lower section 14 comprises a bottom guide member 52 and a driving member 54 rotatably supported in support member 56 The driving member 54 is hollow, and at its lower end is driven or rotated by a toothed belt 60. Attached to the lower end is a cutting member 62. A guide tube 64 extends down into the center of the feed section to guide potatoes into the feed section. The guide member 52 has radiai slots 58 for the rods 42.
The guide member 44 and the top support member 40 are rigidly supported from the top frame member 20 a via rod (not shown). The lower frame member 56 and the upper frame member are connected by rods (not shown).
Figure 3 is a view looking up at the lower end of the drive member 54. In this view the lower ends of the rods 42 are seen. Also, a potato 70 is shown being fed down by the spiral surfaces of the rods 42. The cutter 62 is shown removed and spaced from the bottom of the drive member, to which it is removably attached. The cutter comprises a hollow conical member having its large diameter inlet end facing towards the rods 42. Teh cutter member has a series of spiral nn~lS on its inner surface, the chAnn~ls ~n~;ng at rectangular apertures exten~;ng through the wall of the cutter and forming cutting edges which cut rectangular W O96/14190 PCT/CA~ A
section lengths from the periphery of the potatoes.
The formation of the spiral channels is seen partly in Figures 3 and 4 in which the external surfaces of channels 80 are shown and the apertures 82, with cutting edges 84. The chAnnels are side-by-side, the apertures staggered around the cutter periphery in a spiral arrangement. As the potato is pushed into the cutter, it is engaged by the cutting edges 84. The entire periphery of the potato is engaged, with a series of continuous spirals being c,ut from the potato.
The whole potato is cut into spirals.
Figure 4 shows the cutter with a potato 70 which has been fed into the cutter and spiral lengths of cut potato exiting through the apertures 82.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the cutter 62 in different views. The channels are in the form of parallel spirals, i.e. each channel is a complete circle with the degree of spiral being the dimension of the aperture in a direction normal to the surface of the channel. The width of each aperture is the width of the spiral, the apertures being defined at their sides by the chAn~l walls. In the example, the apertures are staggered around the cutters to form four radial rows.
Also seen in Figures 5, 6 and 7, are key slots or grooves 86 which engage with cooperative key members in a drive collar at the lower end of the drive member 54.
Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not limited thereto and it will be apparent to those ~killed in the art th,~t numerous madifications form part of the present inventian as deflned in the appended claim~.
' ; .~E~ S;'~ET
~'d d9~:Z1 96-~Z-a~
", ,.,~ , S2 r ~ . r _C?5~
E~ICAL~Y 8HAPED PO~A~ PIECE~
FI~D ~F T~ ~Y~h.10~
This inYention relate~ to apparatus for the cutting of helically shaped potato strips and to m~thod for such cutting.
BA~G~O~D OF TR~ l~v~N~
Helical or spiral potato strips have been a~ailable for ~me time, pro~iding an attractive form of strip. There are many forms af apparatus for ~utting such strip~. In many, a plurality of cutters ~rranged concentri~ally, cut a plurality ~f circles in~o a potato, and a further, transverse, cutter cu~s across the circles to pr~duce ~piral3. other machines cut a single spiral, forming t~i~ flat shapeq~
Many of the forms of appara~us are quite complex and ~any of them feed the p~tatoes individually in a non-c~ntinuous manner.
' Publication WO ~f2~182g6 to ,~oster discloses an assem~ly for cutting helical strips from vegetables.
~n that assembly, a bl~da is pr~vided having a plurality of external tier~, with a series of align~d ex~ernal blades and associated apertures. The blade further comprises a coring mean3 for removing and discarding a central portian of the ~e~etable. In operation, ~he ~egetable mus~ be centred and forced onto the coring means. The periphery i~ cut fro~ the inside of the vegetable into quc~ee~ing helical strips.
~I~,'Jci.'~rD S~t.ET
9O-d d9'~'Z~ 96-~z-~a = =
lA
As t~e b~des approach the exterior of the ~egetable, its structural s~ren~th is reduced resulting in irregular cuts . This device does not ~ake e~f icient use of the vegetable since a significant volume is discarded, and the whole vegetable is not processed as dé~ ired .
Y 0~ T~E IN'f~h-ION
The present inven~ion provides a very simple and effective apparatus in whi~h potatoes are fe~d continuously to a feed section which con~inuously pushes the p~tatoes into a cutting section in which t spirals ~r helicals are cut from the potatc~es. The I potato is fed in one direction and is no~ rotated, ~ing held by th~ feed mechanis~. The cutting section include.~ a cutting member having a plurality o~ ~hannel shaped cutt~rs arranged concentrically about the rotational axis of the cutting member, spaced ~part '.'2rD Sl'!-~T
9O'd d9 -Zl 9~-~z-a~a circumferentially, the cutters mounted on a concave conical surface.
Broadly, there is provided apparatus for cutting helically shaped potato pieces, comprising: a feed section and a cutting section in series and in alignment on a longitll~;n~l axis, the feed section including means for feeding potatoes in sequence to the cutting section; the cutting section including a hollow conical cutting member having a series of spiral channels on its inner surface, and means for rotating the cutting member about its axis, each channel ending in an aperture exte~ing through the wall of the cutting member and forming cutting edges, the spiral channels immediately adjacent each other, and the apertures spaced apart around the inner surface and facing in the direction of rotation of the cutting member.
In a particular arrangement, apparatus for cutting helically potato pieces comprises a top portion forming a drive section, a center portion forming a feed section and a lower portion forming a cutting section. The drive section has a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted, these shafts exten~ing in a circle about a central axis, means being provided for rotating the shafts. The feed section comprises a plurality of rods rotatably mounted and ext~ing in a circle about the central axis. Each rod is conn~cted at an upper end in a flexible manner to a lower end of one of the shafts and at least a lower portion of each rod has a spiral screw-like outer surface. A guide member at an intermediate position along the rods has a plurality of elongate radially ext~n~ing slots, a rod positioned in W O96/14190 PCT/CA~ ~60-each slot. The cutting section comprises a driving ~ member mounted for rotation about the central axis and including a cutting member attached to the lower end of the driving member, the cutting member in the form of hollow conical member having a series of spiral channels on the inner surface, each channel ending in an aperture exten~;ng through the wall of the cutter member and forming cutting edges. These spiral channels are immediately adjacent each other and the apertures are positioned in a spiral around the cutter member.
The invention also includes a method of cu~ting helicaiiy ch~p~ potato pieces in which the potatoes are fed successively along a central axis by plurality of rotating rods positioned around the central axis, each of the rods having a spiral circumference, rll~h; ng the potatoes into a cutting member of hollow, conical form with a plurality of spiral ch~nnels on the inner surface, each channel ending in an aperture forming cutting edges, and rotating the cutting member about the central axis to cut helically shaped pieces from the potatoes.
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DE8CRIPTION OF THE DR~WING8 Figure 1 is a front view of one form of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention, with the lower part in cross-section;
Figure 2 is a top plan view illustrating the drive system for the shafts;
Figure 3 is a view on the lower end of the feeding section, with the cutter shown removed;
Figure 4 is an external perspective view of the cutter;
Figure 5 is an outside perspective view of the cutter;
Figure 6 is an inside perspective view of the cutter;
Figure 7 is a plan view of the cutter showing the inside;
Figure 8 is a cross-section on the line 8-8 of Figure l; and Figure 9 is a cross-section on the line 9-9 of Figure 1.
As illustrated in Figure 1, the apparatus has a top section 10 comprising a drive section, a center section 12 comprising a feed section, and a lower section 14 comprising a cutting section.
The top section 10 has an upper frame member 20 in which are rotatably supported a series of shafts 22 arranged in a circle, driven at their top ends, for example by a toothed belt 24 which passes around the outside of the circle, engaging with each shaft, and WO96/14190 PCT/CA~/00605 driven by a motor 26. The driving arrangement is illustrated in Figure 2. A drive pulley 28 is attached to the upper end of each shaft 22. In the example, the belt 24 passes around the drive pulleys 28 from drive pulley 30 on the motor 26. Idler pulleys 32 provide for tensioning of the belts 24. The belt 24 alternates around the drive pulleys 28, in pairs, to rotate the drive pulleys, and thus the associated shafts, which are driven in what can be considered to be as pairs.
For example, in Figure 2, starting after the motor pulley 30 and an idler 36, and procPP~i~g clockwise, the first pulley 28 and associated shaft 22, rotates anticlockwise, the next two pulleys 28 and their shafts 22 rotate clockwise, the next two pulleys and their shafts 22 rotate anticlockwise and so on until the last pulley 28 and its shaft 22 rotates anticlockwise in conformity with the first pulley. The lower ends of the shaft 22 are connected to the upper ends of the rods by U joints 34.
The center section 12 comprises a top support member 40 and a series of rods 42, and a mid-guide member 44. At their top ends the rods 42 are supported in the top support member 40, one such support being illustrated at 46 in cross-section. At their upper portions rods in the example are smooth and at their lower portions the rods have a spiral or threaded outer surface. In the example, the spiral or threaded outer surfaces are of opposite hand for adjacent rods of a pair. That is for example one rod of a pair has a right-hand thread and the other has a left-hand thread, to conform with the rotation applied via shafts 22 and pulleys 28. The mid-guide member 44 has a series of radial slots 48, and the rods 42 can move radially only while rotating about their own axes. The rods are machined towards their upper ends, for example at 50, to provide a flexing position, for example of reduced cross-section. The rods flex at this position as potatoes are fed through the apparatus.
The lower section 14 comprises a bottom guide member 52 and a driving member 54 rotatably supported in support member 56 The driving member 54 is hollow, and at its lower end is driven or rotated by a toothed belt 60. Attached to the lower end is a cutting member 62. A guide tube 64 extends down into the center of the feed section to guide potatoes into the feed section. The guide member 52 has radiai slots 58 for the rods 42.
The guide member 44 and the top support member 40 are rigidly supported from the top frame member 20 a via rod (not shown). The lower frame member 56 and the upper frame member are connected by rods (not shown).
Figure 3 is a view looking up at the lower end of the drive member 54. In this view the lower ends of the rods 42 are seen. Also, a potato 70 is shown being fed down by the spiral surfaces of the rods 42. The cutter 62 is shown removed and spaced from the bottom of the drive member, to which it is removably attached. The cutter comprises a hollow conical member having its large diameter inlet end facing towards the rods 42. Teh cutter member has a series of spiral nn~lS on its inner surface, the chAnn~ls ~n~;ng at rectangular apertures exten~;ng through the wall of the cutter and forming cutting edges which cut rectangular W O96/14190 PCT/CA~ A
section lengths from the periphery of the potatoes.
The formation of the spiral channels is seen partly in Figures 3 and 4 in which the external surfaces of channels 80 are shown and the apertures 82, with cutting edges 84. The chAnnels are side-by-side, the apertures staggered around the cutter periphery in a spiral arrangement. As the potato is pushed into the cutter, it is engaged by the cutting edges 84. The entire periphery of the potato is engaged, with a series of continuous spirals being c,ut from the potato.
The whole potato is cut into spirals.
Figure 4 shows the cutter with a potato 70 which has been fed into the cutter and spiral lengths of cut potato exiting through the apertures 82.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the cutter 62 in different views. The channels are in the form of parallel spirals, i.e. each channel is a complete circle with the degree of spiral being the dimension of the aperture in a direction normal to the surface of the channel. The width of each aperture is the width of the spiral, the apertures being defined at their sides by the chAn~l walls. In the example, the apertures are staggered around the cutters to form four radial rows.
Also seen in Figures 5, 6 and 7, are key slots or grooves 86 which engage with cooperative key members in a drive collar at the lower end of the drive member 54.
Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not limited thereto and it will be apparent to those ~killed in the art th,~t numerous madifications form part of the present inventian as deflned in the appended claim~.
' ; .~E~ S;'~ET
~'d d9~:Z1 96-~Z-a~
", ,.,~ , S2 r ~ . r _C?5~
Claims (26)
1. Apparatus for cutting helically shaped potato pieces, comprising:
a feed section (12) and a cutting section (14) in series and in alignment on a longitudinal axis, said feed section (12) including means for feeding potatoes (42) in sequence to said cutting section (14) characterized in that:
said cutting section (14) includes a hollow conica1 cutting member (62) having a series of spiral channels (88) immediately adjacent each other on its inner surface, and means for rotating said cutting member (54) about its axis, each channel (88) ending in an aperture (82) extending through the wall of the cutting member (62) and having cutting edges thereon (84) inside said cutting member (62), and said apertures (82) spaced apart circumferentially around said inner surface and oriented to cut in the direction of rotation of said cutting member (62).
a feed section (12) and a cutting section (14) in series and in alignment on a longitudinal axis, said feed section (12) including means for feeding potatoes (42) in sequence to said cutting section (14) characterized in that:
said cutting section (14) includes a hollow conica1 cutting member (62) having a series of spiral channels (88) immediately adjacent each other on its inner surface, and means for rotating said cutting member (54) about its axis, each channel (88) ending in an aperture (82) extending through the wall of the cutting member (62) and having cutting edges thereon (84) inside said cutting member (62), and said apertures (82) spaced apart circumferentially around said inner surface and oriented to cut in the direction of rotation of said cutting member (62).
2. Apparatus as characterized in claim 1, said feed section (12) comprising a plurality of rods (42) extending around said axis, each rod (42) including for at least part of its length a spiral screw-llke outer surface.
3. Apparatus as characterized in claim 2, including means for rotating each of said rods (10).
4. Apparatus as characterized in claim 3, said spiral screw-like outer surfaces being of opposite hands for adjacent rods (42), said means for rotating said rods (10) adapted to rotate rods (42) of adjacent pairs in opposite directions to produce a feeding movement along said axis towards said cutting section (14).
5. Apparatus as characterized in claim 2, including a top support member (40) at an upper part of said feed section (12), said rods (42) rotatably mounted in said top support member (40).
6. Apparatus as characterized in claim 5, each rod (42) including a resilient section (50) at an upper part, below said top support member (40) for resiliently biasing said rods (42) against outward deflection.
7. Apparatus as characterized in claim 6, said resilient section (50) comprising a portion having a reduced cross section.
8. Apparatus as characterized in claim 5, said means for rotating said rods (10) including a plurality of shafts (46) rotatably mounted in said top support member (40), a shaft (46) connected to each rod (42), and means for rotating said shafts (26).
9. Apparatus as characterized in claim 1, said cutting member (62) having a spiral outer surface (80), formed by said spiral channels (88) on said inner surface.
10. Apparatus as characterized in claim 1, said apertures (82) extending in planes parallel to said axis.
11. Apparatus as characterized in claim 1, said apertures (82) extending in radial planes passing through said axis.
12. Apparatus as characterized in claim 1, including a lower support member (56), and means (54) rotatably mounting said cutting member (62) on said lower support member (56).
13. Apparatus for cutting helically shaped potato pieces, comprising:
a top portion (10) comprising a drive section, a center portion (12) comprising a feed section and a lower portion (14) comprising a cutting section, said portions in series characterized in that:
said drive section (10) comprises a plurality of shafts (22) rotatably mounted in an upper support member (20), said shafts (22) extending in a circle about a central axis, and means (26) for rotating said shafts (22) at upper ends thereof, said feed section (12) comprises a plurality of rods (42) rotatably mounted in a top support member (40) at an upper part, said rods (42) extending in a circle about said central axis, each rod (42) at an upper end flexibly connected to a lower end of one of said shafts (22) and including for at least a lower portion a spiral, screw-like, outer surface, and a support member (44) spaced down from said top support member (40) having a plurality of elongate radially extending slots (48), a rod (42) positioned in each said slots (48):
said cutting section (14) comprises a driving member (54) mounted for rotation about said central axis, means for rotating said driving member (60), and a cutting member (62) attached to a lower end of said driving member (54) for rotation therewith, said cutting member (62) comprising a hollow conical member having a series of spiral channels (88) immediately adjacent each other on its inner surface, each channel (88) ending in an aperture (82) extending through the wall of the cutter member (62) and having cutting edges (84) inside said cutting member (62), and the apertures (82) positioned in a spiral around the cutter member (62).
a top portion (10) comprising a drive section, a center portion (12) comprising a feed section and a lower portion (14) comprising a cutting section, said portions in series characterized in that:
said drive section (10) comprises a plurality of shafts (22) rotatably mounted in an upper support member (20), said shafts (22) extending in a circle about a central axis, and means (26) for rotating said shafts (22) at upper ends thereof, said feed section (12) comprises a plurality of rods (42) rotatably mounted in a top support member (40) at an upper part, said rods (42) extending in a circle about said central axis, each rod (42) at an upper end flexibly connected to a lower end of one of said shafts (22) and including for at least a lower portion a spiral, screw-like, outer surface, and a support member (44) spaced down from said top support member (40) having a plurality of elongate radially extending slots (48), a rod (42) positioned in each said slots (48):
said cutting section (14) comprises a driving member (54) mounted for rotation about said central axis, means for rotating said driving member (60), and a cutting member (62) attached to a lower end of said driving member (54) for rotation therewith, said cutting member (62) comprising a hollow conical member having a series of spiral channels (88) immediately adjacent each other on its inner surface, each channel (88) ending in an aperture (82) extending through the wall of the cutter member (62) and having cutting edges (84) inside said cutting member (62), and the apertures (82) positioned in a spiral around the cutter member (62).
14. Apparatus as characterized in claim 13, said driving member (54), including a bottom guide member (52) having a plurality of radially extending slots (58), the lower end of a rod (42) in each slot (58).
15, Apparatus as characterized in claim 13, said rods (42) inclined inwardly towards said central axis, and including means (50) resiliently biasing said rods (42) against radial outward deflection.
16. Apparatus as characterized in claim 13, said means for rotating said shafts including a motor (26), a pulley (30) on said motor (26), a pulley (28) on the other end of each shaft (22) and an endless belt (24) extending around said pulley (30) on said motor (26) and said pulleys (28) on said shafts (22), adjacent shafts rotating in opposite directions.
17. Apparatus as characterized in claim 15, said means (50) resiliently biasing said rods (42) against outward deflection comprising a resiliently flexible section (50) at an upper part in each rod (42).
18. A method of cutting helically shaped potato pieces comprising the use of the apparatus according to claim 13 including the steps of:
feeding potatoes successively along a central axis by a plurality of rotating rods (42) positioned around said central axis, each of said rods (42) having a spiral circumference, pushing said potatoes into a cutting member (62) of hollow conical form with a plurality of immediately adjacent channels (88) an an inner surface each ending in a aperture (82) having cutting edges (B4) inside said cutting member (62), and rotating said cutting member (62) about said central axis to cut helically shaped pieces from said potatoes.
feeding potatoes successively along a central axis by a plurality of rotating rods (42) positioned around said central axis, each of said rods (42) having a spiral circumference, pushing said potatoes into a cutting member (62) of hollow conical form with a plurality of immediately adjacent channels (88) an an inner surface each ending in a aperture (82) having cutting edges (B4) inside said cutting member (62), and rotating said cutting member (62) about said central axis to cut helically shaped pieces from said potatoes.
19. A method according to claim 18, including resiliently biasing said rods (42) inwardly.
20. The method of claim 18, including rotating adjacent rods (42) in apposite directions, said spiral circumference of adjacent rods (42) being of opposite hand.
21. A rotating cutter in an apparatus for cutting helically shaped potato pieces, characterized in that:
a hollow conical cutting member (62) has a series of spiral channels (88) immediately adjacent each after on its inner surface, each channel (88) ending in an aperture (82) extending through the wall of the cutting member (62) and having cutting edges (84) inside said cutting member (62) for cutting strips from a potato therein and discharging said strips through said apertures (82), and said apertures (82) spaced apart circumferentially around said inner surface and oriented to cut in the direction of rotation of said cutting member (62).
a hollow conical cutting member (62) has a series of spiral channels (88) immediately adjacent each after on its inner surface, each channel (88) ending in an aperture (82) extending through the wall of the cutting member (62) and having cutting edges (84) inside said cutting member (62) for cutting strips from a potato therein and discharging said strips through said apertures (82), and said apertures (82) spaced apart circumferentially around said inner surface and oriented to cut in the direction of rotation of said cutting member (62).
. 22. Apparatus as characterized in claim 13, said cutting section (14) arranged in alignment on a longitudinal axis with said feed section (12), having a large diameter inlet end and a lower apex end, said large diameter inlet end facing towards said feed section (12) for receiving potatoes fed by said plurality of rods (42).
23. Apparatus as characterized in claim 24, said cutting member (62) having a spiral outer surface (80), formed by said spiral channels (88) on said inner surface .
24. Apparatus as characterized in claim 25, said apertures (82) extending in planes parallel to said axis.
25. Apparatus as characterized in claim 25, said apertures (82) extending in radial planes passing through said axis,
26. Apparatus as characterized in claim 21 having a large diameter inlet end for receiving potatoes and a lower apex end.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002204019A CA2204019A1 (en) | 1994-11-03 | 1994-11-03 | Apparatus and method for cutting helically shaped potato pieces |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002204019A CA2204019A1 (en) | 1994-11-03 | 1994-11-03 | Apparatus and method for cutting helically shaped potato pieces |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2204019A1 true CA2204019A1 (en) | 1996-05-17 |
Family
ID=4160535
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002204019A Abandoned CA2204019A1 (en) | 1994-11-03 | 1994-11-03 | Apparatus and method for cutting helically shaped potato pieces |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2204019A1 (en) |
-
1994
- 1994-11-03 CA CA002204019A patent/CA2204019A1/en not_active Abandoned
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5331874A (en) | Cutting apparatus | |
| EP0759837B1 (en) | cutting blade for a ROTARY APPARATUS FOR CUTTING A FOOD PRODUCT and rotary cutting apparatus | |
| US4434526A (en) | Device for separating and processing the gizzards of slaughtered poultry | |
| US5385074A (en) | Apparatus and method for cutting helically shaped potato pieces | |
| WO1992019427A1 (en) | Helical spiral food product and apparatus for making the same | |
| EP0289220A2 (en) | Rotary slicing machine | |
| EP0412835B1 (en) | Apparatus for conveying and cutting a product into discrete pieces | |
| CA2204019A1 (en) | Apparatus and method for cutting helically shaped potato pieces | |
| EP0596464B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for cutting a keyway in a mill roll | |
| US5337640A (en) | Cutter blade assembly | |
| US5050492A (en) | Cherry splitter | |
| EP0141432B1 (en) | Device for separating the gizzard from the connected entrails of slaughtered poultry | |
| JPH0455645B2 (en) | ||
| US4624031A (en) | Descaler roll for fish scaling machine | |
| GB2134432A (en) | Cork paper cutter | |
| GB2173994A (en) | Cutting a length of material into pieces | |
| US2445488A (en) | Piece cutting machine | |
| US4249702A (en) | Produce stalk cutter | |
| KR100439866B1 (en) | Piece cheese manufacturing method and device | |
| CN217168661U (en) | Food cutting knife group | |
| JPS637520Y2 (en) | ||
| WO1993007999A1 (en) | Cutting apparatus | |
| IE904082A1 (en) | Cutting apparatus | |
| JPH0424960Y2 (en) | ||
| CA1225804A (en) | Descaler roll for fish scaling machine |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20001103 |