GB2532282A

GB2532282A - Slicing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2532282A
Application number: GB1420346.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mclintock Bruce
Original assignee: HOWGATE Ltd
Current assignee: HOWGATE Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-17
Filing date: 2014-11-17
Publication date: 2016-05-18
Also published as: GB201420346D0; GB201510053D0

Abstract

A slicing apparatus 10 for food items 100 which are substantially ovoid and define a longitudinal axis 102. The apparatus comprises a container 20 adapted to receive a plurality of food items; a cutting device 40 adapted to receive a food item from the container and perform multiple cutting actions on the food item and transporting means 30 adapted to transport the food items from the container to the cutting device in a first direction. The apparatus further comprises first positioning means adapted to orientate the food item being transported such that the longitudinal axis of the food item is either parallel with or normal to the first direction; and second positioning means adapted to reorientate the food item being transported such that the longitudinal axis of the food item is substantially vertical.

Description

Slicing Apparatus The present invention relates to slicing apparatus for ovoid food items such as particular types of fruit, vegetables, eggs and the like. In particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to slicing apparatus for lemons and limes which can automatically process a plurality of fruit.

The most common way of providing slices and wedges of fruit, for example lemons or limes, in bars, restaurants etc is for staff to slice the fruits by hand using a knife and chopping board. This involves many individual cutting actions and is unsatisfactory as it requires significant time. It also leads to accidents and can be unhygienic.

It is known to provide apparatus which is configured to accept a single fruit and is operable by the user to simultaneously perform many cutting actions on the fruit. However, significant time is still required to insert the fruit within the apparatus at the correct orientation and then carry out the cutting. Also, since it is the user which inserts the fruit and operates the apparatus to cut the fruit, accidents can still occur if the apparatus is not operated correctly.

It is desirable to provide improved apparatus which can automatically load and position the food item at the correct location and orientation prior to cutting.

It is desirable to provide improved apparatus which can receive a plurality of food items and automatically present an individual food item for cutting.

It is desirable to provide improved apparatus which can, after receiving at least one food item, automatically cut and then present the cut food item without further involvement of the user and then repeat the process for further food items.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a slicing apparatus for food items which are substantially ovoid and define a longitudinal axis, the apparatus comprising: a container adapted to receive a plurality of food items; a cutting device adapted to receive a food item from the container and perform multiple cutting actions on the food item; transporting means adapted to transport the food items from the container to the cutting device in a first direction; first positioning means adapted to orientate the food item being transported by the transporting means such that the longitudinal axis of the food item is either parallel with or normal to the first direction; and second positioning means adapted to reorientate the food item being transported such that the longitudinal axis of the food item is substantially vertical.

The container may comprise a hopper device. The container may be adapted to selectively pass an individual food item via an outlet to the transporting means. The container may include a movable closure at the outlet for selectively opening or closing the outlet.

In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus may include a timer and the movement of the closure may be timed to achieve a desired spacing of the food items at the transporting means.

The apparatus may include a height restrictor device. The height restrictor device may comprise a barrier which laterally extends across the transporting means at a predetermined height. The barrier may be adapted to contact and expel food items which are supported by other food items.

The apparatus may include vibration means for vibrating the container to minimise blockages of the outlet by food items.

The transporting means may comprise a conveyor system. The conveyor system may be angled upwards to link the exit of the hopper to the receiving area of the cutting apparatus. The conveyor system may include a platform for receiving food items from the container.

The conveyor system may include one or more rotatable rollers for linearly moving the platform in the first direction.

One or more rollers may be substantially conical. The conical rollers may be adapted to provide the first positioning means.

When the first positioning means is adapted to orientate the food item being transported such that the longitudinal axis of the food item is normal to the first direction, the apparatus may include third positioning means for reorientating the food item such that the longitudinal axis is parallel with the first direction.

The third positioning means may comprise a stationary catch member provided along the conveyor system or on the cutting device. The catch member may be positioned to contact one end of the travelling food item such that subsequent travel of the food item past the catch member causes the food item to rotate 90 degrees.

The cutting device may comprise a concave recess for receiving and supporting a food item from the transporting means.

The recess of the cutting device may be positioned at and below a terminal end of the conveyor system. The apparatus may be adapted such that a food item, upon reaching the terminal end of the conveyor system, falls from the conveyor system and into the recess.

The apparatus may be adapted such that the falling food item rotates by a desired amount of rotation before being arrested by the recess. The desired amount of rotation may be 90 30 degrees.

The adaptation of the apparatus to achieve the desired amount of rotation of the food item may provide the second positioning means.

The apparatus may be adapted in terms of one or more of the speed of the conveyor system and the difference in height between the conveyor system and the recess to achieve the desired amount of rotation.

The concave recess may comprise a frame for supporting the food item. The frame may comprise a plurality of cutting blades. The cutting blades may be arranged in a spoke arrangement in that they radially extend outwards from a central axis of the recess for producing wedges. Alternatively, the cutting blades may be arranged in a parallel arrangement for producing slices.

The cutting device may include a movable member which is movable from a first elevated position to a second lower position in which an end of the movable member is within the recess. The end of the movable member may be convex and complementary in profile to the recess. A food item within the recess will be contacted and then forced between the cutting blades (and so sliced) by the movable member as it moves into the recess.

A plurality of cutting devices may be provided.

The plurality of cutting devices may be provided at a rotating or sliding carousel device. The rotation of the carousel device may be synchronised with one or more of the speed of the conveyor system and the spacing of the food items on the conveyor system such that a food item will fall from the conveyor system into an empty recess.

Alternatively, the plurality of cutting devices may vary in one or more of their blade arrangements and dimensions. Each of the plurality of cutting devices may be positionable by the user to a location under the movable member.

The apparatus may include a housing for housing at least the cutting device. The housing may house the transporting means.

The apparatus may include control means for automatic control of the operation of the apparatus. The control means may include user controls which are located externally to the housing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of slicing food items which are substantially ovoid and define a longitudinal axis, the method comprising: storing a plurality of food items within a container; slicing the food items using a cutting device adapted to receive a food item from the container and perform multiple cutting actions on the food item; transporting the food items from the container to the cutting device in a first direction; orientating the food item being transported, using first positioning means, such that the longitudinal axis of the food item is either parallel with or normal to the first direction; and reorientating the food item being transported, using second positioning means, such that the longitudinal axis of the food item is substantially vertical.

The method may include selectively passing an individual food item via an outlet of the container to the transporting means. The method may include providing a movable closure at the outlet for selectively opening or closing the outlet.

The method may include vibrating the container to minimise blockages of the outlet by food 25 items.

The method may include transporting the food items using a conveyor system. The conveyor system may include a platform for receiving food items from the container.

The method may include using one or more rotatable rollers for linearly moving the platform in the first direction. One or more rollers may be substantially conical. The conical rollers may be adapted to provide the first positioning means.

The cutting device may comprise a concave recess for receiving and supporting a food item. The method may include positioning the recess at and below a terminal end of the conveyor system. The method may include allowing a food item, upon reaching the terminal end of the conveyor system, to fall from the conveyor system and into the recess.

The method may include causing the falling food item to rotate by a desired amount of rotation before being arrested by the recess. The desired amount of rotation may be 90 degrees.

The means used to cause the desired amount of rotation of the food item may provide the second positioning means.

The method may include configuring one or more of the speed of the conveyor system and the difference in height between the conveyor system and the recess to achieve the desired amount of rotation.

The method may include providing a plurality of cutting devices at a rotating or sliding carousel device. The method may include synchronising the rotation of the carousel device with one or more of the speed of the conveyor system and the spacing of the food items on the conveyor system such that a food item will fall from the conveyor system into an empty recess.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of the slicing apparatus; and FIG. 1 is a plan view of a disc of the slicing apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a slicing apparatus 10 for slicing food items 100 which are ovoid or egg-shaped and therefore define a longitudinal axis 102.

The apparatus 10 includes a container in the form of a hopper 20, in which may be placed a number of food items 100. The hopper 20 has an outlet 22 and a movable closure 24 at the outlet for selectively opening or closing the outlet 22 to selectively allow an individual food item 100 to exit the hopper 20. Opening and closing of the outlet 22 is controlled by control means 12 which comprises a processor and memory for storing sequencing instructions.

Provided below the hopper 20 is transporting means for transporting food items 100 released from the hopper 20 to a cutting device 40. The transporting means comprises a conveyor system 30 which includes a platform 32 provided by the upper surface of a continuous belt. The belt is rotated by a number of rollers 34 connected to a motor (not shown). Figure 1 shows a first set of rollers 34 provided on one side of the conveyor system 30 but a second set of rollers is also provided on the other side.

In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus 10 may omit the movable closure 24 and instead rely on gravity for the discharge of food items 100. If excess food items 100 fall upon, and build up on, the platform 32, this can be managed using a height restrictor device. The height restrictor could comprise a barrier which laterally extends across the platform 32 at a predetermined height so that the barrier contacts and expels food items 100 which are supported by other food items 100.

Returning to the embodiment of the figures, the shown rollers in Figure 1 rotate clockwise.

Therefore, a food item 100 landing on the platform 32 near a first initial end 35 of the conveyor system 30 will be linearly moved towards a second terminal end 36 of the conveyor system 30 in a first direction 'A'.

All of the rollers 34 are substantially conical, having a cone axis that extends laterally from the side towards the centre of the conveyor system 30 and normal to the first direction A. Consequently, an ovoid food item 100 on the platform 32 will tend to adopt an orientation in which the longitudinal axis 102 of the food item 100 is horizontal and normal to the first direction A. The conical rollers provide first positioning means for orientating the food item 100 being transported.

The apparatus 10 includes third positioning means for reorientating the food item 100 so that the longitudinal axis 102 is parallel with the first direction. A stationary catch 38 is provided along the conveyor system 30. The catch 38 is positioned to contact one end of the travelling food item 100 so that subsequent travel of the food item 100 past the catch 38 causes the food item to rotate 90 degrees about a vertical axis.

Shortly after passing the catch 38, the food item 100 reaches the terminal end 36 of the conveyor system 30 and then falls off the end. The cutting device 40 includes a recess 42 which is positioned below the terminal end 36. The food item falls from the conveyor system 30 and into the recess 42.

The apparatus 10 is adapted in terms of the speed of the conveyor system 30 and the difference in height between the upper surface of conveyor system 30 and the recess 42 to achieve a desired amount of rotation of the falling food item 100. The speed of the conveyor system 30 is controlled by the control means 12. As a leading end of the food item 100 reaches and then overhangs the terminal end 36 of the conveyor system 30, the weight of this unsupported leading end will cause the food item 100 to rotate about a horizontal axis. With the recess 42 provided at a suitable vertical height, the longitudinal axis 102 of the food item 100 will be vertical when the food item 100 falls into and is trapped within the recess 42. The adaptation of the apparatus 10 to achieve the desired amount of rotation of the food item 100 provides second positioning means.

The apparatus 10 therefore allows a number of food items 100 to be placed in the hopper 20. These food items 100 will adopt a random orientation. A food item 100 landing on the conveyor system 30 will adopt an orientation in which the longitudinal axis 102 is horizontal but it could be at any angle relative to the first direction 'A'. However, the positioning means of the invention reorientates the food item 100 so that the longitudinal axis 102 is vertical and therefore the food item 100 is ready for slicing.

The recess 42 of the cutting device 40 comprises a frame of cutting blades 44 which support the food item 100. The cutting blades 44 are arranged in a spoke arrangement in that they radially extend outwards from a central axis 45 of the recess 42. This is shown in Figure 2.

The cutting device 40 includes a movable piston member 46 which is movable by the control means 12 from a first elevated position to a second lower position in which an end of the piston member 46 is within the recess 42. The end of the piston member 46 is convex and complementary in profile to the recess 42. Therefore, as the end of the piston member 46 moves into the recess 42 and continues downwards, a food item 100 within the recess 42 will be contacted and then forced between the cutting blades. The cut slices of the food item 100 fall into a second container 60.

The recess 42 is provided by an aperture of a disc 50 (with a frame of cutting blades 44 mounted within the aperture). A number of recesses 42 are provided, each rotational spaced about the disc 50. The disc 50 is mounted to the shaft of a motor 52. This arrangement provides a rotating carousel device. The control means 12 controls the motor 52 to rotate the disc 50 and then stop when an empty recess 42 is below the conveyor system 30. Once a food item 100 has fallen into the recess 42, the motor 52 rotates the disc in discrete steps until the recess and food item 100 are below the piston member 46. The control means 12 then causes the piston member 46 to operate to slice the food item 100 before the disc 50 is further rotated.

Depending on the volume of cut food items 100 required, it may not be necessary to provide multiple recesses for continuous processing. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a single recess could be provided below the positioned below the terminal end 36, with the piston member 46 provided above this. Also, the catch 38 could be located at the cutting device 40.

However, it is desirable to allow a user to choose between different food items 100 (of different size and/or shape) or to choose between producing slices or wedges. Therefore, in another alternative embodiment, at least one other recess could be provided, the recess having different dimensions and/or a different blade arrangement. In this case, there is no carousel arrangement, but a user can select the desired recess by manually positioning (by rotating or sliding) the recess below the piston member 46.

The apparatus 10 includes a housing 14. The housing 14 encloses most of the components of the apparatus 10, in particular all the moving parts and the sharp blades. User controls 16 are located externally to the housing 14. Therefore, the risk of injury to a user is greatly reduced. The first and second containers are immediately accessible.

The apparatus 10 of the invention can receive a number of food items 100 and automatically position an individual food item 100 at the correct location and orientation prior to cutting. This is done without involvement of the user. Multiple food items 100 can be sliced in rapid succession.

Various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A slicing apparatus for food items which are substantially ovoid and define a longitudinal axis, the apparatus comprising: a container adapted to receive a plurality of food items; a cutting device adapted to receive a food item from the container and perform multiple cutting actions on the food item; transporting means adapted to transport the food items from the container to the cutting device in a first direction; first positioning means adapted to orientate the food item being transported by the transporting means such that the longitudinal axis of the food item is either parallel with or normal to the first direction; and second positioning means adapted to reorientate the food item being transported such that the longitudinal axis of the food item is substantially vertical.
2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the container includes an outlet and is adapted to selectively pass an individual food item via the outlet to the transporting means.
3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the container includes a movable closure at the outlet for selectively opening or closing the outlet.
4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including a timer, and wherein the apparatus is adapted such that the movement of the closure is timed to achieve a desired spacing of the food items at the transporting means.
5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including a height restrictor device, which comprises a barrier which laterally extends across the transporting means at a predetermined height.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including vibration means for vibrating the container to minimise blockages of the outlet by food items.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transporting means comprises a conveyor system including a platform for receiving food items from the container.
8. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the conveyor system is angled upwards from the exit of the hopper to the receiving area of the cutting apparatus.
9. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein the conveyor system includes one or more rotatable rollers for linearly moving the platform in the first direction.
10. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the one or more rollers are substantially conical and adapted to provide the first positioning means.
11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first positioning means is adapted to orientate the food item being transported such that the longitudinal axis of the food item is normal to the first direction, and wherein the apparatus includes third positioning means for reorientating the food item such that the longitudinal axis is parallel with the first direction.
12. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the third positioning means comprises a stationary catch member provided along the conveyor system or at the cutting device.
13. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the catch member is positioned to contact one end of the travelling food item such that subsequent travel of the food item past the catch member causes the food item to rotate 90 degrees.
14. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cutting device comprises a concave recess for receiving and supporting a food item from the transporting means.
15. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the recess of the cutting device is positioned at and below a terminal end of the conveyor system.
16. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the apparatus is adapted such that a food item, upon reaching the terminal end of the conveyor system, falls from the conveyor system and into the recess.
17. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the apparatus is adapted such that the falling food item rotates by a desired amount of rotation before being arrested by the recess.
18. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the adaptation of the apparatus to achieve the desired amount of rotation of the food item may provide the second positioning means.
19. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the apparatus is adapted in terms of one or more of the speed of the conveyor system and the difference in height between the conveyor system and the recess to achieve the desired amount of rotation.
20. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 19, wherein the concave recess comprises a frame for supporting the food item, the frame comprising a plurality of cutting blades.
21. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the cutting blades are arranged in a spoke arrangement in that they radially extend outwards from a central axis of the recess.
22. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 201, wherein the cutting blades are arranged in a parallel arrangement.
23. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 22, wherein the cutting device includes a movable member which is movable from a first elevated position to a second lower position in which an end of the movable member is within the recess.
24. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 23, wherein the end of the movable member is convex and complementary in profile to the recess.
25. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including a plurality of cutting devices.
26. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 25, wherein the plurality of cutting devices are provided at a rotating or sliding carousel device.
27. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 261, wherein the rotation of the carousel device is synchronised with one or more of the speed of the conveyor system and the spacing of the food items on the conveyor system such that a food item will fall from the conveyor system into an empty recess.
28. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 25, wherein the plurality of cutting devices vary in one or more of their blade arrangements and dimensions.
29. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 28, wherein each of the plurality of cutting devices is positionable by the user to a location under the movable member.
30. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including a housing for housing at least the cutting device.
31. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including control means for automatic control of the operation of the apparatus, wherein the control means includes user controls which are located externally to the housing.
32. A method of slicing food items which are substantially ovoid and define a longitudinal axis, the method comprising: storing a plurality of food items within a container; slicing the food items using a cutting device adapted to receive a food item from the container and perform multiple cutting actions on the food item; transporting the food items from the container to the cutting device in a first direction; orientating the food item being transported, using first positioning means, such that the longitudinal axis of the food item is either parallel with or normal to the first direction; and reorientating the food item being transported, using second positioning means, such that the longitudinal axis of the food item is substantially vertical.
33. A method as claimed in Claim 32, including selectively passing an individual food item via an outlet of the container to the transporting means.
34. A method as claimed in Claim 33, including providing a movable closure at the outlet for selectively opening or closing the outlet.
35. A method as claimed in Claim 33 or 34, including vibrating the container to minimise blockages of the outlet by food items.
36. A method as claimed in any of Claims 32 to 35, including transporting the food items using a conveyor system, the conveyor system including a platform for receiving food items from the container.
37. A method as claimed in Claim 36, including using one or more rotatable rollers for linearly moving the platform in the first direction.
38. A method as claimed in Claim 37, wherein one or more rollers are substantially conical to provide the first positioning means.
39. A method as claimed in any of Claims 32 to 38, wherein the cutting device comprises a concave recess for receiving and supporting a food item, and wherein the method includes positioning the recess at and below a terminal end of the conveyor system.
40. A method as claimed in Claim 39, including allowing a food item, upon reaching the terminal end of the conveyor system, to fall from the conveyor system and into the recess, and causing the falling food item to rotate by a desired amount of rotation before being arrested by the recess.
41. A method as claimed in Claim 40, wherein the means used to cause the desired amount of rotation of the food item provides the second positioning means.
42. A method as claimed in Claim 41, including configuring one or more of the speed of the conveyor system and the difference in height between the conveyor system and the recess to achieve the desired amount of rotation.
43. A method as claimed in any of Claims 32 to 42, including providing a plurality of cutting devices at a rotating or sliding carousel device.
44. A method as claimed in Claim 43, including synchronising the rotation of the carousel device with one or more of the speed of the conveyor system and the spacing of the food items on the conveyor system.