NZ611800B2 - Lattice cutting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

lattice cutting or slicing machine is disclosed. The machine includes a multi-knife lattice cutting plate (14) mounted in-line along a hydraulic flow path through which vegetable products such as potatoes are propelled in single file by a hydraulic fluid such as water. The lattice cutting plate is orbitally driven for engaging in succession each of the multiple knives thereon with the vegetable product to form lattice cut slices. These are formed by successive generally corrugated cuts that are angularly oriented perpendicular to each other and where the depths or troughs of the corrugated cuts on opposite sides of each slice intersect in the preferred form to define a pattern of corrugations interrupted by small openings. orbitally driven for engaging in succession each of the multiple knives thereon with the vegetable product to form lattice cut slices. These are formed by successive generally corrugated cuts that are angularly oriented perpendicular to each other and where the depths or troughs of the corrugated cuts on opposite sides of each slice intersect in the preferred form to define a pattern of corrugations interrupted by small openings.

Description

LA'ITICE CU'I'I'ING MACHINE PTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [Para 1] This invention relates generally to improvements in s and methods for cutting food products such as ble products, such as potatoes, into lattice or waffle—cut . More particularly, this invention relates to a relatively simple yet highly effective lattice cutting or slicing machine for cutting a succession of potatoes or the like traveling along a hydraulic flow path into e or waffle—cut slices.

[Para 2] Potato slices having a lattice or waffle—cut geometry represent a popular food product. Such potato slices are characterized by corrugated cut patterns on opposite sides of each slice, wherein the opposing cut patterns are angularly ed relative to each other such as at approximate right angles.

The troughs or valleys of the opposing corrugated cut patterns are bly sufficiently deep to partially intersect one another, resulting in a potato slice having a generally rectangular grid configuration with a repeating pattern of small openings formed therethrough. Relatively thin lattice cut slices of this type are commonly processed to form lattice cut potato chips. r lattice cut slices are typically processed by parfrying and/or finish frying to form lattice or so—called waffle—cut French fries.

WO 94344 [Para 3] Slicing machines have been developed for production cutting of potatoes and other food products into lattice cut slices of the type described above. One such lattice cut slicing machine is shown and described in U.S.

Patent 3,139,130, which is orated by reference herein. This lattice cut slicing machine comprises an upwardly open housing having a rotary impeller mounted therein for receiving and guiding products such as es into cutting engagement with a plurality of lattice cut slicing knives mounted on a peripheral stationary cutting assembly or frame. More particularly, the ts are fed by suitable conveyor or supply means to fall downwardly through an upwardly open inlet throat of the rotary impeller, which in turn throws the products radially dly by centrifugal action into a plurality of radially open guide tubes. These guide tubes support and rotate the products as the impeller rotates to carry the products into cutting engagement with non— rotating lattice cut slicing knives mounted on the nary cutting frame. In addition, these guide tubes rotate the products through approximately 90°, ve to a radial guide tube axis, between engagement with successive slicing knives, so that the cut patterns formed on opposite sides of each slice are oriented approximately perpendicular to each other. In a tion environment, such slicing machine is capable of handling a substantial mass through—put of products, and typically operates with an er speed on the order of about 400 revolutions per minute (rpm).

WO 94344 [Para 4] For additional examples of lattice cut slicing machines, see U.S.

Patents 3,139,127 and 6,928,915; U.S. Publication 2009/0202694; and U.S.

Prov. Appln. 61 /329,843, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[Para 5] While rotatably supporting and manipulating the vegetable product such as a potato for sequentially engaging multiple stationary lattice cut slicing knives is effective to produce a substantial quantity of lattice or waffle—cut slices, modern tion requirements lly e several such slicing machines to operate in parallel with each other to meet consumer demand. As a result, the l ent cost tends to be relatively high, particularly in comparison with straight—cut French fry slices which are typically cut by means of a so—called water knife wherein a grid of knife blades are d along a hydraulic flume or flow path through which potatoes are propelled one at a time by a hydraulic fluid such as water.

[Para 6] There exists, therefore, a need for continuing ements in lattice slicing or cutting ent used in production, and, more particularly, to a lattice cutting machine adapted to rapidly and consistently cut potatoes and the like propelled along an hydraulic flow path into lattice or —cut slices of selected slice thickness. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [Para 7] In accordance with the invention, an improved cutting or slicing machine is provided for cutting products such as food or vegetable products, WO 94344 ularly such as potatoes, into lattice or —cut slices, wherein the slicing e includes a multi—knife lattice cutting plate mounted in—line along an hydraulic flow path through which the products are propelled in single file by a hydraulic fluid such as water.

[Para 8] In the preferred form, the lattice cutting plate is orbitally driven so that each potato or the like is engaged in succession with each of the multiple knives thereon to form corrugated, lattice cut , wherein successive cuts on opposite sides of each slice are angularly oriented preferably approximately perpendicular to each other, and further wherein the depths or troughs of these successive cuts preferably intersect with each other so that each slice is defined by corrugations in combination with a pattern of small openings.

[Para 9] The cutting machine s and supports the lattice cutting plate generally across the end of an elongated and typically generally tubular flow path through which the products such as potatoes are led one—at—a—time from a supply tank with entraining hydraulic fluid such as water by a suitable pump.

[Para 10] The lattice cutting plate is, in the red form, carried at opposite ends by a pair of crank arms that are rotatably driven at a selected speed (typically about 1,000 rpm) by a suitable drive motor. The lattice cutting plate defines a plurality of ably four equiangularly spaced cutting or slicing knives each having a corrugated leading cutting edge for forming a ated or waffle—type cut including a selected peak and trough dimension.

Each of the multiple slicing knives is further associated with a lead—in ramp for WO 94344 guiding the product into cutting engagement with said slicing knife, and a downstream—located discharge slot for discharging each cut slice in a downstream direction for further processing.

[Para 1 i] The specific thickness of each cut slice is controlled by variably controlling the speed of orbital nt of the lattice cutting plate in relation to the speed of travel of each product such as a potato along the flow path, so that each potato is forced by the hydraulic fluid t the ramps and further into cutting ment with the slicing knives on the lattice cutting plate. In one preferred form, with the lattice cutting plate displaced orbitally by the drive motor at about 1,000 rpm, the ts (potatoes) are pumped along the hydraulic flow path at a speed of about 80 feet per minute to achieve an indhfidualpeaketo—peakchethkknessofabout0.50inch.InthB embodiment, the s of the lattice cuts are formed on opposite sides of each cut slice to slightly intersect to define the pattern of corrugations in combination with the pattern of small openings. To achieve the desired hydraulic force against each potato product, the velocity of the hydraulic fluid will be somewhat greater, and the velocity of each potato product will be somewhat greater until each potato product engages the rotary driven lattice cutth1g plate.

[Para 12] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which rate, by way of example, the ples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [Para I3] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: [Para 14] FIGURE I is a perspective view illustrating a lattice g machine constructed according to the novel features of the invention, and shown in ation with a pump for propelling food products such as potatoes along a generally tubular flow path; [Para 15] FIGURE 2 is a somewhat schematic discharge end elevation view of the lattice g machine of FIG. I, and illustrating al components thereof; [Para 16] FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a drive assembly including a multi—knife lattice cutting plate in association with a drive motor and related orbital drive means; [Para 17] FIGURE 4 is a further enlarged end elevation view of the drive assembly of [Para 18] FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the knife lattice g plate; [Para 19] FIGURE 6 is an elevation view of the multi—knife lattice cutting plate of [Para 20] FIGURE 7 is an enlarged and fragmented sectional view taken generally on the line 7—7 of [Para 2]] FIGURE 8 is an end ion view of one of the multiple cutting knives mounted on the lattice cutting plate; [Para 22] FIGURE 9 is a somewhat schematic diagram illustrating the multi— knife lattice cutting plate in a first or initial displacement on relative to a vegetable product such as a potato; [Para 23] FIGURE IO is a somewhat schematic diagram similar to but showing the e cutting plate in a second displacement position; and [Para 24] FIGURES I 1—1 6 are also somewhat tic diagrams similar to FIGS. 9 and IO but respectively depicting the lattice cutting plate in third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth displacement positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Para 25] As shown in the exemplary gs, a lattice g or slicing machine referred to generally in FIGURES 1—2 by the reference numeral IO is provided for cutting ts such as vegetable products, and particularly such as potatoes 12 (FIG. I), into a plurality of lattice cut or waffle—cut slices of ed thickness. The cutting machine IO includes an orbitally driven lattice cutting plate I4 (FIGS. 2—4 and 5—8) having multiple corrugated ( g or slicing knives I6 for sequentially ng and cutting each product with a corrugated cut pattern on opposite sides thereof oriented at about right angles to each other. The thickness of each individual cut slice can be controlled so that the troughs associated with these perpendicularly oriented cut opposite sides slightly intersect to form a pattern of small openings in each cut slice.

[Para 26] shows the lattice cutting machine 10 of the present invention in combination with hydraulic feed means 18, including a supply tank 20 for receiving a quantity of products such as potatoes 12 into an hydraulic fluid such as water 22. As is known in the art, a suitable pump 24 or the like draws the potatoes 12 or the like in single file with the hydraulic fluid 22 and propels the potatoes in single file and substantially without rotation entrained within the fluid 22 at a selected and typically relatively high velocity h an elongated and generally tubular conduit 26 defining a generally r flow path 28 leading to a water knife cutting station 30. Such hydraulic feed means 18 are known in the art for use with so—called water knife systems used to rapidly cut products such as potatoes into elongated French fry strips suitable for subsequent production processing steps including blanching, parfrying and freezing before shipment to a customer. See, e.g., U.S. Patents 5,042,342; 4,082,024; and 4,423,652.

[Para 27] The tubular conduit 26 generally terminates within the cutting machine 10 at the water knife g station 30. As shown in the g machine 10 comprises, in one preferred form, a housing 32 defining a generally enclosed cover supported at a suitable elevated position by a support frame or legs 34. A drive motor 36 (FIGS. 1 and 3) is ed for orbitally or bly driving the lattice cutting plate 14 (FIGS. 2—4) at a controlled and preferably ly selected rate of speed. As shown, a rotary output shaft 38 of the drive motor 36 is coupled to an output pulley 40 which is in turn coupled by a suitable drive or cog belt 42 to a driven pulley 44 which is thus rotatably driven by the drive motor 36 at the same speed as the output pulley 40. These two pulleys 40, 44 are coupled in turn to respective associated output shafts 46 for rotatably driving a pair of crank links 48 at the selected rate of speed. As shown, in the preferred form, these crank links 48 are suitably attached to opposite ends, tively, of the lattice cutting plate 14, and may also include counterweights 50 or the like for smooth onal ion.

[Para 28] The lattice g plate 14 is thus orbitally driven by the drive motor 36 through a generally circular path in the illustrative ment, wherein this circular path is disposed generally perpendicular to a centerline of the product flow path 28. As shown, the lattice cutting plate 14 comprises a generally ar component having a pair of opposite—end extensions 52 for facilitated rotatable connection to the ends of the crank links 48. The e cutting plate 14 also includes a central aperture 54 formed therein to facilitate movement of the hydraulic fluid such as water 22 through the orbitally driven plate 14. In addition, if desired, the lattice cutting plate 14 may also include a plurality of small apertures (not shown) formed hout the plate area for additional water relieving flow.

[Para 29] Importantly, the lattice cutting plate 14 also s the multiple lattice or corrugated cutting knives 16, with four such knives 16 being shown in the exemplary drawings supported on an upstream side of the cutting plate 14 in a generally equiangularly array whereby the knives 16 are oriented generally at intervals of about 90°. Each cutting knife 16 is further associated with an identical recessed ramp 56 (FIGS. 5—7) defined on the upstream side thereof at a leading position relative to the associated knife 16 and the direction of cutting plate rotation. Accordingly, each product in succession is driven by the lic fluid 22 against the ramp 56 which guides the product 12 into cutting engagement with the associated cutting knife 16, with a cut slice ing through a narrow dimension slot 58 ( in the cutting plate 14 associated with each of the knives 16 to a ream position for r production processing, such as blanching, parfrying and freezing. In this regard, the specific angle of the ramps 56 together with the narrow dimensions of the associated slots 58 impacts slice thickness.

[Para 30] shows one of the cutting knives 16 in end elevation to illustrate a cutting edge 60 thereof of generally corrugated shape. Thus, each cutting knife 16 defines a peak and valley or trough configuration to form a corrugated peak—trough cut in the associated product such as a potato 12.

Persons skilled in the art will recognize, in the preferred form, that the le cutting knives 16 are identical.

[Para 31] FIGS. 9—1 6 show one full revolution of the lattice cutting plate 14 relative to an hydraulically driven product such as a potato 12 in 45° increments to cut the product into lattice or waffle—cut slices. As shown, depicts a first or initial onal position, with both crank links 48 in a downwardly ing orientation. In this initial position, a product 12 is disposed in cutting engagement with an uppermost one of the cutting knives 16 which forms a corrugated cut pattern on the product, and wherein a cut slice is discharged from the g plate I4 in a downstream direction through the slot 58.

[Para 32] FIG. IO shows the crank links 48 rotatably advanced in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed) through an angular displacement of about 45°. In this second on, the product 12 at the upstream side of the cutting plate I6 enters the next ramp 56 in succession. FIG. II shows the two crank links advanced another imate 45° to extend toward the right—hand side (as ) for cutting engagement with the next knife I6 in succession.

Importantly, this forms another corrugated cut pattern in the product 12, but this second cut pattern is ed approximately at a right angle, or perpendicular to, the cut pattern on the opposite side of the cut slice.

[Para 33] FIGS. 12—13 respectively shown further crank line rotation through increments of about 45°, so that the product 12 engages the next ramp 56 in succession on the upstream side of the cutting plate I4 (), followed in turn by engagement with the next cutting knife I6 in succession (FIG. I3) to form yet another corrugated cut pattern on the product, and to discharge yet another cut slice for further production processing. Again, the corrugated cut patterns on the opposite sides of this discharged cut slice are oriented at about a right angle to each other.

[Para 34] FIGS. 14—15 and FIG. I6 respectively show further crank link rotation through ents of about 45°, for product engagement with the ramps 56 (FIGS. I4 and I6) followed in turn by product cutting ment with the next cutting knives I6 (FIGS. IS and 9) in succession on the cutting plate 14. Engagement with each cutting knife 16 thus s a corrugated cut pattern in the product, while discharging a cut slice through the associated slot 58 ( for further production sing. Importantly, each cut slice has the corrugated cut patterns on opposite sides thereof oriented at about right angles to each other.

[Para 35] By closely controlling the orbital rotational speed of the lattice cutting plate 14 in relation to the speed of travel of each product 12 along the hydraulic flow path 28, the individual thickness of each cut slice can be closely and consistently controlled. In this regard, the hydraulic fluid propelling each product 12 is at a sufficient mass flow rate to force each product against the ramps and into g engagement with the slicing knives 16 for a y controlled slice thickness governed by the ramp geometry. If the lattice cutting plate 14 is lly rotated at a speed of about 1,000 rpm, then the illustrative four g knives 16 thereof will make 4,000 cuts per minute as the cutting plate 14 is rotatably driven by the drive motor 36. With this parameter, the speed of travel of each product 12 such as a potato is variably adjusted (in the preferred form) to a speed of travel of about 80 feet per minute (fpm) to result in a cut slice ess having a peak—to—peak dimension of about 0.50 inch.

Alternative ramp configurations will, of course, result in alternative slice thicknesses. It is noted, however, that the t 12 such as a potato at all times remains centered generally between the pulleys 40, 44.

[Para 36] With a peak—to—peak cut slice thickness of about 0.50 inch, in the preferred form, each of the cutting knives 16 carried by the lattice cutting plate 14 has a trough or valley or depth dimension at least slightly greater than 1/2 the slice thickness. With this ry, when the two corrugated cut patterns are formed on opposite sides of each cut slice, the troughs of the two patterns at least slightly intersect to form a pattern of small openings in each cut slice. In the preferred form, the height dimension of each cutting knife 16 is selected to be about 0.30 inch, to form small openings having a generally rectangular dimension of about 0.20 inch by about 0.20 inch with a peak—to—peak cut slice thickness of about 0.50 inch.

[Para 37] A variety of modifications and improvements in and to the lattice cutting machine 10 of the present invention will be apparent to those persons skilled in the art. As one example, the specific number of slicing knives 16 on the cutting plate 14 can vary, with corresponding change in the product through—put rate. As r example, the ess of each cut slice can be selected in relation to knife geometry so that the corrugated troughs defined by the g knives 16 do not intersect and thus do not form cut slices including a n of small holes. Accordingly, no limitation on the invention is intended by way of the foregoing ption and accompanying drawings, except as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (8)

What is claimed

1. A cutting machine for cutting vegetable products, comprising: a cutting plate having a central aperture formed therein for flow through passage on an hydraulic fluid used to propel the products in single file along a product flow path, said cutting plate further ing a ity of four cutting knives carried thereby and oriented angularly with t to each other at approximate 90° intervals and oriented substantially perpendicular to each successive cutting knife, each of said cutting knives having a corrugated configuration defining adjacent peaks and troughs; and a water knife cutting station for driving said cutting plate through an orbital path disposed generally dicular to said flow path, whereby said cutting plate is moved through the orbital path relative to said flow path at a speed selected ing to the velocity of travel of the product along said flow path for moving said four cutting knives sequentially and repeatedly into g engagement with the product to form each product slice having a corrugated cut shape with corrugations on opposite sides thereof formed substantially perpendicularly.

2. The cutting machine of claim 1, wherein each of said cutting knives has a trough dimension at least slightly greater than ½ the o-peak dimension of each cut slice whereby each cut sliced has a regular pattern of small holes formed therein to define lattice cut slices.

3. The g machine of claim 1, wherein said water knife cutting station for driving said g plate comprises a drive motor, and pulley means driven by said drive motor for rotatably driving said cutting plate through said orbital path relative to said product flow path.

4. The cutting machine of claim 3, wherein said pulley means comprises an output pulley rotatably driven by said drive motor, a driven pulley, a drive belt reeved about said output and driven s for rotatably driving said driven pulley, and a pair of crank links coupled between said cutting plate and said output and driven pulleys, respectively, for rotatably driving said cutting plate through said orbital path.

5. The cutting e of claim 3 or 4, wherein said product flow path is lly centered between said output and driven pulleys.

6. The cutting machine of claim 1, wherein said water knife cutting n for rotatably driving said cutting plate comprises a drive motor, and pulley means driven by said drive motor for rotatably driving said cutting plate through said orbital path.

7. The cutting machine of claim 6, n said pulley means comprises an output pulley driven by said drive motor, a driven pulley, a drive belt reeved about said output and driven pulleys for rotatably driving said driven pulley, and a pair of crank links coupled between said cutting plate and said output and driven pulleys, respectively, for rotatable driving said cutting plate through said orbital path.

8. The g machine of claims 6 or 7, wherein said product flow path is generally centered between said output and driven pulleys. (Q.‘I