US20120272540A1 - Blade Gap Setting for Blade Cutter Assembly - Google Patents
Blade Gap Setting for Blade Cutter Assembly Download PDFInfo
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- US20120272540A1 US20120272540A1 US13/457,109 US201213457109A US2012272540A1 US 20120272540 A1 US20120272540 A1 US 20120272540A1 US 201213457109 A US201213457109 A US 201213457109A US 2012272540 A1 US2012272540 A1 US 2012272540A1
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- blade
- gap setting
- setting device
- blade gap
- reference surface
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
- B23Q17/00—Arrangements for observing, indicating or measuring on machine tools
- B23Q17/09—Arrangements for observing, indicating or measuring on machine tools for indicating or measuring cutting pressure or for determining cutting-tool condition, e.g. cutting ability, load on tool
- B23Q17/0904—Arrangements for observing, indicating or measuring on machine tools for indicating or measuring cutting pressure or for determining cutting-tool condition, e.g. cutting ability, load on tool before or after machining
- B23Q17/0919—Arrangements for measuring or adjusting cutting-tool geometry in presetting devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
- B23Q17/00—Arrangements for observing, indicating or measuring on machine tools
- B23Q17/22—Arrangements for observing, indicating or measuring on machine tools for indicating or measuring existing or desired position of tool or work
- B23Q17/2216—Arrangements for observing, indicating or measuring on machine tools for indicating or measuring existing or desired position of tool or work for adjusting the tool into its holder
Abstract
A blade gap setting device for attachment to a blade holder of a blade cutter assembly has an elongate body with an upper surface and a lower surface and at least one mounting for a depth micrometer having a displaceable spindle. The depth micrometer is installed through a channel of the mounting, with a free end of the displaceable spindle being exposed beneath the mounting. The device also has a first rounded front reference surface located at a position in front of the mounting, a second front reference surface extending downwardly from the body, and a third lower reference surface below the mounting or spindle. The reference surfaces serve as contact points to bear against interior portions of the blade cutter assembly; in particular, the blade holder and a top surface of the blade.
Description
- This is a continuation-in-part and claims filing priority rights with respect to currently pending U.S. patent application of application Ser. No. 13/097,278, filed Apr. 29, 2011. The technical disclosures of all of the above-mentioned applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to a blade gap setting device for a potato chip cutting head and to a method of setting the blade gap on a potato chip cutting head.
- It is well known to employ a rotary cutting apparatus for cutting potatoes into fine slices for the manufacture of potato chips. A well-known cutting apparatus, which has been used for more than 50 years, comprises an annular-shaped cutting head and a central impeller assembly coaxially mounted for rotation within the cutting head to deliver food products, such as potatoes, radially outwardly toward the cutting head. A series of knives is mounted annularly around the cutting head and the knife cutting edges extend substantially circumferentially but slightly radially inwardly towards the impeller assembly. The knife blade is clamped to the cutting head to provide a gap, extending in a radial direction, between the cutting edge of the blade and the head. The gap defines the thickness of the potato slices formed by the cutter. As is known in the art, the blade gap can be measured and precisely adjusted in order to control the slice thickness. The adjustment is achieved by individual adjustment screws that move the individual blades radially with respect to one another. The blade gap must be very accurately set because the accuracy of the blade gap to the desired width impacts nearly every aspect of product quality and process efficiency for the manufacture of potato chips.
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FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a known blade gap setting device. Such a device has been available in commerce for many years from Urschel Laboratories Inc. of Valparaiso, Ind., USA.FIG. 2 is a side view showing the known blade gap setting device ofFIG. 1 when used to measure a blade gap of a potato chip cutter head. - The known blade
gap setting device 100 includes abody 102 having mounted thereon a pair of longitudinally spaceddepth micrometers 104 in the form of analogue dial indicators. Eachdepth micrometer 104 includes a longitudinallymovable measurement spindle 106 located forwardly of thebody 102. Thebody 102 includes alower reference surface 108 that is adapted to bear against awall 110 of the potatochip cutter head 112. Thewall 110 is known in the art as a shoe, and is spaced rearwardly of thecutting edge 114 of theelongate blade 116. Asand gate 113 is fitted to theshoe 110 and is directly rearward of thecutting edge 114. Thesand gate 113 may, or may not, comprise a plurality of circumferential channels separated by circumferential ribs. Thebody 102 also includes a pair of longitudinally spacedside reference surfaces 118 which are adapted to bear against theblade cutting edge 114 and to rest on theupper surface 115 of thesand gate 113. These lower andside reference surfaces device 100 both radially and circumferentially with respect to the potatochip cutter head 112. - Each
depth micrometer 104 can be adjusted so as to lower thefree end 120 of thespindle 106 into contact with theinner surface 122 of theblade 116 to provide a measurement of the blade gap G in a radial direction between theblade cutting edge 114 and theadjacent sand gate 113. The gap is typically from 1 to 1.5 mm. - Such a known gap setting device suffers from a number of problems.
- First, the device requires reference surfaces to bear against the cutting edge of the blade, which can tend to dull the sharpness of the blade edge.
- Second, the device needs to be held in place manually by the operator during the measurement process so as to locate the reference points on the cutter assembly. This leads to poor ergonomics because it is difficult for the operator to maintain the device in the require location while reading the measured blade gap and adjusting the clamping of the blade to achieve the desired blade gap. In addition, the manual holding of the device introduces health and safety issues due to the potential for inadvertent operator contact with the adjacent blade cutting edge in the series of annularly located blades when locating and holding the device in position.
- Third, the combined unit incorporating the specified reference surfaces and the analogue dial indicators can provide rather inaccurate blade gap readings.
- Fourth, the device can be difficult to calibrate accurately and consistently in repeated calibrations, particularly carried out by different operators.
- The present invention aims at least partially to overcome at least some of these problems of the known blade gap setting device.
- A blade gap setting device for a potato chip cutting head comprises an elongate body having an upper surface and a lower surface, at least one mounting for a depth micrometer having a displaceable spindle, the mounting extending from the upper surface to the lower surface to permit a depth micrometer to be mounted to the upper surface with a free end of the displaceable spindle being exposed at the lower surface, a first rounded front reference surface located forwardly of the mounting, a second front reference surface extending downwardly from the body, and a third lower reference surface below the mounting.
- In any embodiment of the device, the first rounded front reference surface extends longitudinally along a portion the body. In any embodiment, the first rounded front reference surface extends between two outer legs of the body.
- Optionally, in any embodiment of the device, the blade gap setting device comprises two mountings, the two mountings being longitudinally spaced along the length of the elongate body, each mounting being adapted to mount a respective depth micrometer.
- Optionally, in any embodiment of the device, the blade gap setting device further comprises at least one magnet connected to the body, and further optionally the at least one magnet is located towards the lower face. Further optionally, in any embodiment, the at least one magnet is supported in a holder. Further optionally, in any embodiment, the at least one magnet is sandwiched between a front block and a back block, said front block and said back block forming a block assembly. In optional embodiments comprising at least one magnet, said magnet is contained within the block assembly. Further optionally, the block assembly is attached forwardly of the mounting.
- In any embodiment, the device comprises a block assembly, located forwardly of the mounting. A front bottom portion of the block assembly defines a first rounded front reference surface, which is configured to fit against an interior side of a blade holder. A bottom surface portion of the block assembly defines a third lower reference surface, which is configured to rest against a top surface of a blade. In any embodiment, optionally, the block assembly comprises an extension along its bottom length, said extension comprising the bottom surface portion that rests against a top surface of the blade.
- In embodiments comprising a block assembly, the block assembly may optionally comprise a front block, wherein the front bottom portion of the block assembly extends along a bottom length of the front block. In embodiments comprising a block assembly, the block assembly may optionally comprise a back block, wherein the back block comprises said extension.
- Optionally, in any embodiment, the blade gap setting device further comprises a pair of curved legs extending downwardly from the body and being longitudinally spaced along the elongate body, a front portion of the legs defining a second front reference surface. Optionally, each of the legs is located on exterior sides of at least one mounting. Optionally, the two legs have different thickness. Optionally, the two legs both comprise the same reduced thickness.
- Optionally, in any embodiment of the present invention the blade gap setting device further comprises a handle extending upwardly and rearwardly from the body. Optionally, the handle is centrally located along the longitudinal direction of the elongate body.
- Optionally, in any embodiment of the present invention the blade gap setting device further comprises at least one depth micrometer having a displaceable spindle, each depth micrometer being fitted into a respective mounting. Optionally, the depth micrometer is removably fitted into the respective mounting, and the device further comprises a clamping unit removably clamping each depth micrometer in the mounting, the clamping unit being adapted to permit selective rotation of the depth micrometer in the mounting.
- Optionally, the blade gap setting device is in combination with a calibration block for the device, the calibration block comprising an upper surface of magnetic material adapted to hold the device thereon by a magnetic force from the at least one magnet, the upper surface having at least one tab adapted to receive the second reference surface.
- A method of measuring a blade gap setting of a potato chip cutting head is further provided herein. The method comprises the steps of: providing a blade cutter assembly of a potato chip cutting head including a first shoe comprising a blade holder which removably and adjustably mounts a blade element having an exposed cutting edge and a second adjacent shoe spaced from the exposed cutting edge, a blade gap being defined between the cutting edge and the adjacent shoe; providing a blade gap setting device including a body mounting at least one depth micrometer thereon, the depth micrometer including a movable spindle, the body having a first rounded front reference surface, a second front reference surface, and a third lower reference surface; fitting the blade gap setting device to the blade cutter assembly by respectively locating the first and second front reference surfaces to inner and side surfaces of the blade holder and locating the third lower reference surface to a top surface of said exposed cutting edge; and moving a free end of the spindle into contact with the second wall element to provide a distance measurement on the respective depth micrometer.
- Optionally, the body includes a magnet and the blade gap setting device is magnetically secured to the blade cutter assembly in fitting step.
- Optionally, the blade gap setting device further comprises a pair of curved legs extending downwardly from the body, and the fitting step comprises sliding the legs through a spacing between the first and second wall elements.
- Optionally, the fitting step comprises rotating the blade gap setting device into position by rotating a surface of the body against an internal surface of the blade holder acting as a fulcrum.
- A method of calibrating a blade gap setting device of a potato chip cutting head is also provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a blade gap setting device including a body mounting at least one depth micrometer thereon, the depth micrometer including a movable spindle, the body having a rounded first front reference surface, a second front reference surface, and a third lower reference surface, the device further optionally including at least one magnet; providing a calibration block comprising an upper surface of magnetic material adapted to hold the device thereon by a magnetic force from the at least one magnet, the calibration block having at least one tab and a slightly inclined zone in the upper surface; fitting the blade gap setting device to the upper surface of the calibration block by respectively locating the first and second front reference surfaces to the inclined zone and the tab and by locating the third lower reference surface to the top portion of said inclined zone, wherein in the device is held in the fitted position by the magnetic force from the magnet; and moving a free end of the spindle into contact with a channel in the upper surface of the calibration to provide a distance measurement on the depth micrometer.
- These and other aspects and advantages of the blade gap setting device are provided, as will be apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known blade gap setting device; -
FIG. 2 is a side view showing the known blade gap setting device ofFIG. 1 when used to measure a blade gap of a potato chip cutter head; -
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a blade gap setting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled blade gap setting device ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views that illustrate sequential steps during insertion of the blade gap setting device ofFIG. 3 into a cutting head; -
FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a blade gap setting device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention when used to measure a blade gap of a potato chip cutter head; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a calibration block for use with the blade gap setting device in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. -
FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a blade gap setting device; -
FIG. 8B is a blown-up view of one embodiment of a back block of the blade gap setting device as depicted inFIG. 8A . -
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the assembled blade gap setting device ofFIG. 8A ; -
FIG. 9B is a perspective view of another embodiment of an assembled blade gap setting device; -
FIGS. 10 A and 10B are side views that illustrate sequential steps during insertion of the blade gap setting device ofFIG. 9 into a cutting head; -
FIGS. 10C and 10D are side views that illustrate sequential steps during removal of the blade gap setting device ofFIG. 9 from a cutting head; -
FIG. 11 provides a blown up view depicting the reference points ofFIG. 10B ; -
FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views of a calibration block for use with the blade gap setting device ofFIG. 9 ; and -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the blade gap setting device ofFIG. 9 placed onto the calibration block ofFIGS. 11A and 11B . - Referring to
FIGS. 3 to 5 , a blade gap setting device, designated generally as 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Thedevice 2 includes a longitudinally extendingelongate body 4 which is rigid. Thebody 4 is typically composed of a metal such as stainless steel. Thelongitudinal body 4 extends between first and second opposed ends 6, 8. Thebody 4 includes a support portion 7 which has anupper face 10, alower face 12, afront side 14 and arear side 16. Located inwardly of arespective end front side 14 are a pair ofmountings 18 of thebody 4, each mounting 18 adapted to mount arespective depth micrometer 20 having adisplaceable spindle 22. The mounting 18 includes ahole 24, or channel as illustrated, extending downwardly there through to permit thedepth micrometer 20 to be removably inserted into thehole 24. This mounts thedepth micrometer 20 to thebody 4 with afree end 26 of thedisplaceable spindle 22 being exposed at a lower surface 9 of thedevice 2. Thehole 24 extends through the thickness of thebody 4 between anupper surface 11 and the lower surface 9. Theholes 24 are longitudinally separated along the length of theelongate body 4 so that eachhole 24 is located inwardly of arespective end body 4. - Each
depth micrometer 20 includes anannular shaft 21 containing themovable spindle 22. Theshaft 21 is clamped within thehole 24 using arotatable clamping element 25, which may include a cantilevered flexure providing an interference fit to provide sufficient friction to hold thedepth micrometer 20 in therespective hole 24. The clamp can be released to allow the angular position of thedepth micrometer 20 to be rotated to a desired rotational position. - The
depth micrometer 20 is preferably a commercially available depth micrometer with a digital display readout providing an absolute measurement of the distance of the blade gap. - In a modified embodiment, the
body 4 is provided with only one mounting 18 for asingle depth micrometer 20. In a yet further modified embodiment, thebody 4 is provided with greater than twomountings 18 for mounting greater than twodepth micrometers 20. - A pair of lower reference surfaces 30 a, 30 b are provided on the lower surface 9, the two lower reference surfaces 30 a, 30 b being laterally spaced across the width of the
elongate body 4. The lower reference surfaces 30 a, b are fixed bybolts 29 to, and located forwardly of, the pair ofmountings 18. The reference surfaces 30 a, b extend longitudinally between and beyond the twomountings 18. The lower reference surfaces 30 a, b are located downwardly from thebody 4. The reference surfaces 30 a, b may be integral with thebody 4 or alternatively, as illustrated, defined in respective parallellongitudinal blocks body 4. - A
front reference surface 33 is located forwardly of themountings 18. Thefront reference surface 33 is comprised of the front surface ofblock 32. Thefront reference surface 33 is employed to fit against a side surface of the sand gate, or of a shoe holding the sand gate, in order to fit the device in a desired circumferential position to a potato chip cutting head. The lower reference surfaces 30 a, b are employed to fit against an upper surface of the sand gate, in order to fit the device in a desired radial position to a potato chip cutting head. - Each
reference surface 30 a, b comprises a centralhigher portion 57 between two opposedlower portions 59. Thesedifferent height portions - A pair of
inclined legs body 4. Thelegs elongate body 4, each being located at arespective end leg 40 a is of different thickness than theother leg 40 b. Thelegs reference surface 40 a and thefree end 26 of thespindles 22 as well asreference surface 40 b and thefree end 26 of thespindles 22 in order to align the opposed free ends 26 properly on shaped blades. - A
handle 50 is integral with or mounted to thebody 4. The handle is inclined rearwardly and upwardly away from thebody 4, and therefore thelegs 40 and handle 50 extend towards opposite sides of thebody 4. Thehandle 50 is centrally located along the longitudinal direction of theelongate body 4. - At least one
magnet 60 is connected to thebody 4, and may be provided in or on thebody 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the three linearly spacedmagnets 60, extending serially along the length of thebody 4, are held in aholder 61 which is sandwiched between the twoblocks magnets 60 are preferably located towards or at the lower surface 9 so that the lower surface 9 of thebody 4 is magnetically attracted to a material such as stainless steel from which a blade cutter assembly of a potato chip cutting head is typically composed. Themagnets 60 provide that thebody 4 can be temporarily attached, by the magnetic force, to the internal circumferential surface of such a blade cutter assembly. - In use, as shown in
FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, the bladegap setting device 2 is temporarily attached by the magnetic force of themagnets 60 to the internalcircumferential surface 70 of ablade cutter assembly 74 of a potato chip cutting head. Theblade cutter assembly 74 includes an arcuatefirst wall element 76, or shoe, carrying ablade mount 78 which removably and adjustably mounts anelongate blade element 80 having an exposedcutting edge 82 pointing substantially circumferentially but oriented radially inwardly, as is known in the potato chip cutter art. Asand gate 84, comprising a second wall element which may or may not have a plurality of circumferential channels separated by ribs (not shown), is spaced circumferentially from the exposedcutting edge 82 by aspacing 90 having a distance d. Thesand gate 84 is supported on a secondarcuate wall element 83, or shoe. Thecutting edge 82 is radially inwardly located a desired blade gap distance D from the inner surface of thesand gate 84. This distance D can be varied by moving theelongate blade element 80 in theblade mount 78. - The blade
gap setting device 2 is held manually by thehandle 50 and moved within the central cavity of theblade cutter assembly 74 towards the internalcircumferential surface 70. Thelegs elongate body 4 by a distance which is greater than the length of theblade element 80 to be measured, so that thelegs 40 do not contact the blade element but slide into the spacing 90 between thewall element 76 andsand gate 84 at opposite ends of theblade element 80. - As shown in
FIG. 5 a, thedevice 2 is inserted with thelegs 40 substantially downwardly and radially oriented. After insertion, thedevice 2 is rotated downwardly as shown by the arrow inFIG. 5 a with theend wall 81 of thesand gate 84 acting as a fulcrum against which thefront surface 87 of thebody 4 is rotated. This action causes the operator to push thedevice 2, as shown by the arrow inFIG. 5 b, downwardly and away from theblade element 80 so that thecutting edge 82 of theblade element 80 is not inadvertently damaged. Theinclined legs 40 function to indicate the insertion orientation of the device and are shaped and dimensioned to cooperate complementarily with the shape and dimensions of theinclined end surface 89 of theshoe 83. This inclined leg configuration ensures that the operator inserts the device in the correct orientation. - The lower reference surfaces 30 a, b are rotated downwardly so as to contact the
inner surface 85 of thesand gate 84. This locates the device accurately in position over theblade cutter assembly 74 within the potato chip cutting head, as shown inFIG. 5 b. No part of the device has contacted theblade edge 82 during the fitting operation. The rearmost part of thefirst reference surface 30 is spaced a small distance, for example about 0.5 mm, forwardly from the cutting edge, so as not inadvertently to damage the cutting edge. Thedevice 2 is held in this fitted position by the magnetic attraction between themagnet 60 and thesand gate 84. - During the subsequent measuring operation, the free ends 26 of the
spindles 22 are positioned downwardly so as to rest upon theupper surface 93 of theblade element 80. The depth reading shown in the digital display of thedepth micrometers 20 corresponds to the blade gap D. The depth micrometers 20 are preferably longitudinally spaced by a distance which substantially corresponds to the length of theblade element 80 to be measured, so that the free ends 26 of thespindles 22 contact the longitudinal ends of the upper surface of theblade element 80. This avoids any potential damage to the major central cutting portion of theblade element 80. - While the device is fitted in the desired location and held in a hands-free manner by the magnetic fitting, the position of the
blade element 80 within theblade mount 78 can be adjusted. - Thereafter, the
handle 50 can be manually engaged and pulled upwardly, disengaging the magnetic holding force. This rotates the device upwardly in a reverse direction away from thesand gate 84, with theend wall 81 of thesand gate 84 again acting as a fulcrum against which thefront surface 87 of thebody 4 is rotated. After thelegs 40 are substantially radially oriented, thedevice 2 can be pulled clear. The device may then be used to measure and adjust the blade gap of the adjacentblade cutter assembly 74. -
FIG. 6 shows an alternative construction for a blade gap setting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The structure is similar to that of the first embodiment, incorporating anelongate body 200 mountingdepth micrometers 202, amagnet 204,inclined legs 206 and aninclined handle 208. However, in this embodiment the device includes at least onefirst reference surface 210 which is adapted to be disposed on thesand gate 211 after fitting for the measurement operation, similar to the reference surfaces 30 of the first embodiment, and asecond reference surface 212 which is adapted to be disposed on theshoe 213 carrying theblade mount 214 after fitting for the measurement operation. The first and second reference surfaces 210, 212 are spaced apart so as to be located on opposite sides of theblade 215 after fitting for the measurement operation. Themagnet 204 is mounted on thebody 200 so as to be disposed above or against theshoe 213 carrying theblade mount 214 after fitting for the measurement operation. Again, the insertion operation is similar to that of the first embodiment, by rotating the device downwardly and urging the device away from theblade 215 and against the edge of thesand gate 210. - By providing that the blade
gap setting device 2 may incorporate one or more magnets so as to be adapted to be magnetically held onto a magnetic material, in accordance with another aspect of the invention the device may benefit from improved calibration accuracy and repeatability. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , the depth micrometer(s) 20, when mounted in thedevice 2, can readily be calibrated on acalibration block 300 which can also act as a holder for thedevice 2. Thecalibration block 300 may be made of a magnetic material to enable the calibration operation to be hands-free. Thecalibration block 300 may be composed of a hard stainless steel magnetic material, for example stainless steel 440C, which improves the dimensional stability and wear resistance of thecalibration block 300. - The
calibration block 300 has a generally planarupper surface 302 which includes at least one calibration channel. In the illustrated embodiment there are threeparallel calibration channels channel channels lower surface 312 a, b, c of thechannels upper surface 302 also has aplanar holding zone 316 for resting thedevice 2 when not in use. - During the calibration process, the
body 4 of thedevice 2 is fitted into the selectedchannel front reference surface 33 is urged against areference edge 310 of the selectedchannel upper surface 302. This simulates thefront reference surface 33 fitting against a side surface of the sand gate, or of a shoe holding the sand gate, in the corresponding potato chip cutting head. The lower reference surfaces 30 a, b are received in the selectedchannel lower surface 312 a, b, c, which simulates thedevice 2 resting on the sand gate. The selectedchannel device 2 in a desired vertical and horizontal position on thecalibration block 300 simulating the corresponding position on the associated cutting head. - The spindle of the
depth micrometer 20 can then be lowered into contact with thecalibration block 300 and the readout adjusted to provide a zero reading. This means that when subsequently used to measure blade gap, the absolute measurement of the blade gap is indicated on the display of thedepth micrometer 20. - The blade gap setting device described herein provides a number of advantages over the known blade gap setting device discussed hereinabove with regard to
FIGS. 1 and 2 . - In particular, the blade gap setting device can provide a very accurately measurement of the blade gap setting, typically with a tolerance of +/−40 microns. The gap setting can be accurately measured along the length of the blade.
- In addition, the blade gap setting device is very easy to install accurately in position on the potato chip cutting head. The magnet holds the device in the desired position on the potato chip cutting head, allowing the operator to use both hands to adjust the blade gap while the measuring device is still located securely in position in the potato chip cutting head. Therefore the blade gap setting device is configured as a “hands-free” device. The particular magnet design described herein allows for the use, to form the body, of hard stainless steel materials, for example stainless steel 440C, which improves the dimensional stability and wear resistance of the device.
- The inclined handle improves the ergonomics of the device and provides easy maneuvering of the device into and out of the measurement position. The handle provides leverage to disengage the magnetic force holding the device onto the cutting head, with the front end of the body being rotatable against a fulcrum of the cutter head during the insertion and removal operation. The handle is oriented upwardly away from the body and points towards the rearward side of the device, which tends to move the hand of the operator upwardly away from any adjacent cutting blades of the series of cutting blades which are located annually around the potato chip cutting head.
- In addition, the blade gap setting device described in
FIGS. 3 to 5 does not contact the cutting edge of the blade during use and so does not tend to dull the cutting edge during use, in contrast to the known setting device discussed above inFIGS. 1 and 2 . The blade gap setting device includes reference surfaces that only bear against and reference the interior circumferential wall and/or sand gate surfaces. The spindle of the depth micrometer only bears against the inner surface of the blade, which constitutes the top blade surface during the measurement operation. No part of the blade gap setting device applies a force, in particular a lateral or sideways force, onto the blade edge and therefore the blade is not dulled during the measuring operation. Furthermore, since the operator manually places the device in the opposite direction of the blade edge, the device exhibits improved health and safety benefits. - The reference surfaces described herein are configured to be utilizable with a wide variety of different cutting head shapes and dimensions. Furthermore, in some embodiments, because the reference surfaces of the blade gap setting device do not contact the blade cutting surface, the correct orientation of the blade gap setting device is independent of blade shape and configuration, and accordingly the same device can be used alternatively with linear planar blades, such as for manufacturing conventional potato chips, or non-planar profiled blades, such as for manufacturing crinkle cut or other three dimensionally-shaped potato chips.
- The structure of the body of the blade gap setting device, in particular the structure of the inclined legs, provides that the device can be quickly and easily located in the correct position and orientation within the cutting head without damaging the depth micrometers or the blade. This provides that the device can readily be located in position without danger of damaging either the cutter head or the device itself.
- The depth micrometers can readily be located into the correct angular position for reading the upper surface of the blade. By providing a design with the inclined legs, the device can be reliably rotated into a correct engaged position with the magnetic holding force holding the device in position.
- The device described herein may be used for the blade gap measurement of cutter heads of the two ring or single ring type, with appropriate rotation of the depth micrometers so that the display is visible to the operator in the respective measurement orientation.
- Other modifications to the blade gap setting device described above will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
- Referring to
FIGS. 8 to 9 , another embodiment of a blade gap setting device is illustrated, which is suitable for attachment to a blade holder of a blade cutter assembly for foods such as potato chips. Thegap setting device 400 includes a generallyelongated body 402, which extends from anouter leg 442 a to anotherouter leg 442 b. Thebody 402 includes asupport portion 406, which has anupper face 408, alower face 410, afront side 412, arear side 414 and opposing ends 404. The body further includes anupper surface 427 and alower surface 444. Ahandle 416 extends upwardly and rearwardly from thebody 402 and is centrally located along the longitudinal direction of theelongated body 402. As with embodiments describe above, the handle is inclined rearwardly from thebody 402 as depicted in the figures. In one embodiment, thehandle 416 is integral with thebody 402. In another embodiment, thehandle 416 is mounted to thebody 402 by any means known in the art. Typically, thesupport portion 406 is composed of a metal such as stainless steel. - Located inwardly of opposing ends 404 of the
support portion 406 and fitted to thefront side 412 is at least one mounting 418, which is adapted to mount adepth micrometer 420 having adisplaceable spindle 422. As depicted inFIG. 8A , the illustrative embodiment comprises two mountings being longitudinally spaced along the length of theelongate body 402. Each mounting 418 includes a hole orchannel 424 extending downwardly therethrough to permit thedepth micrometer 420 to be removably inserted into thehole 424. Thechannel 424 extends through the mounting 418 from its upper surface to its lower surface and generally through the thickness of the mounting 418 from top to bottom. When mounted, thedisplaceable spindle 422 extends through thechannel 424 such that afree end 460 is exposed at alower surface 444 of thebody 402. Each of themountings 418 are longitudinally separated along the length of theelongate body 402 such that each mounting 418 and itschannel 424 is located inwardly of thelegs 424. In one embodiment, as depicted best inFIGS. 9A and 9B , the outer sides of themountings 418 are aligned with the outer sides of the opposing ends 404 of thesupport portion 406. However, in other embodiments, themountings 418 are located slightly inward from the opposing ends 404. - Unlike the above embodiments wherein the mounting is attached with its channel facing away from the support portion, in the embodiments depicted beginning with
FIG. 8 , thechannel 424 faces thesupport portion 406 when attached thereto. Thus, as best shown inFIG. 8A , themountings 418 are attached to thesupport portion 406 with locatingpins 426 through the bottom end of themountings 418. Thepins 426 are further mounted to the legs 442. When attached, thechannel 424 is located between thefront side 412 of thesupport portion 406 and the opposite side of the mounting 418 and the, forming a hole therethrough for removable insertion of themicrometer 420. - Each
depth micrometer 420 includes anannular shaft 421 containing the displaceable ormovable spindle 422. Theshaft 421 is clamped within thehole 424 using arotatable clamping element 425, which may include a cantilevered flexure providing an interference fit to provide sufficient friction to hold thedepth micrometer 420 in therespective hole 424. When theclamps 425 are rotated downward until the clamp rods are horizontal, as shown by the arrow inFIG. 8A , themicrometers 420 are locked into place. Theclamp 425 can be released to allow the angular position of thedepth micrometer 420 to be rotated to a desired rotational position. Thedepth micrometer 420 is preferably a commercially available depth micrometer with a digital display readout providing an absolute measurement of the distance of the blade gap. - In a modified embodiment, the
elongate body 402 of thedevice 400 may comprise only one mounting 418 for asingle depth micrometer 420. In a yet further modified embodiment, thebody 402 is provided with greater than twomountings 418 for mounting greater than twodepth micrometers 420. - Opposite the
support portion 406, forwardly of the mounting 418, is attached a back magnet cover or back block 430 with locatingpins 426. In one embodiment, as depictedFIGS. 8A and 8B , theback block 430 comprises anextension 446 b extending along the bottom side of theback block 430. The extension protrudes rearwardly from afront block 432. In one embodiment, when viewed from the side (as best depicted inFIG. 11 ), theextension 446 b extends below the mounting 418, with a slight gap forming in between the bottom of the mounting and the top of theextension 446 b. In other embodiments, the back block may comprise any number of shapes so long as the bottom portion provides for the proper references surface, as further described below. -
FIG. 8B depicts a blown up perspective view of theback block 430 having anextension 446 b along a bottom portion thereof and in betweenhigher end portions 434. In one embodiment, the back block substantially comprises an L-shape when viewed from the side. Other optional shapes include without limitation shapes which are substantially quadrilateral, triangular, or quarter circle. In one embodiment, the bottom of the back block comprises the third lower reference surface. In another embodiment, the bottom of the block assembly, further described below, comprises the third lower reference surface. - On the side opposite the
mountings 418, theback block 430 is connected to a magnet holder orspacer 440, which houses at least onemagnet 438. Thus, at least onemagnet 438 is provided within or connected to thebody 402 of thedevice 400. Themagnet 438 is preferably located towards or at the lower surface 444 (shown inFIG. 9 ) such that thelower surface 444 of thebody 402 is magnetically attracted to a material such as stainless steel from which a blade cutter assembly of a potato chip cutting head is typically composed. Themagnet 438 provides that thedevice 400 can be temporarily attached, by magnetic force, to the internal circumferential surface of such a blade cutter assembly. - As illustrated best in
FIG. 8A , a plurality of linearly spacedmagnets 438, extending serially along the length of thebody 402, are held in theholder 440. In one embodiment, theholder 440 contains only onemagnet 438. In one embodiment, the magnet is long enough to extend between thebolts 428, as depicted inFIG. 8A . In other embodiments, theholder 440 may comprise more than one magnet so long as the magnetic poles of the magnets are properly aligned. In one embodiment, theholder 440 comprises up to seven magnets. Any magnetic material strong enough to support the weight of the device may be used, whether man-made or natural. By way of example, and without limiting the scope of the invention, the magnet(s) may comprise neodymium or any other rare earth magnetic materials or a combination thereof. By providing that the bladegap setting device 400 may incorporate one or more magnets so as to be adapted to be magnetically held onto a magnetic material, in accordance with another aspect of the invention, the device may benefit from improved calibration accuracy and repeatability. It should also be noted that the device need not comprise a magnet. In other embodiments, the blade gap setting device may comprise electromagnetic properties. Alternate embodiments may also include suction cups, for example, to attach the device to a cutting head for measuring. - A first rounded
front reference surface 446 a is located forwardly of the at least one mounting 418. The rounded front reference surface is configured to fit against an interior side of a blade holder of a blade cutter assembly in order to fit the device in a desired position to the potato chip cutting head, as further discussed below. In one embodiment, the first roundedfront reference surface 446 a is comprised of a front magnet cover orfront block 432. Specifically, the lower bottom portion of thefront block 432 comprises a rounded surface that extends longitudinally along at least a portion of thebody 402. Thefront block 432 is further located forwardly of the one ormore magnets 438, on the side opposite theback block 430. In other words, theholder 440 is sandwiched between two covers or blocks, afront block 432 and aback block 430 using fourbolts 428, which are fixed to, and located forwardly of, themountings 418. In one embodiment, thefront block 432 comprises a first roundedfront reference surface 446 a along its bottom, which extends between the two outer legs of the body, as best depicted inFIGS. 10 and 11 , described below. Theblocks higher end portions 434 at the bottom of either end of theblocks lower portion 436 extending therebetween. - The
back block 430 together with thefront block 432 form a block assembly within thedevice 400. Thus, in some embodiments, the first rounded front reference surface is comprised of a front bottom portion of the block assembly, wherein the front bottom portion is configured to fit against an interior side of a blade holder. Further, the third lower reference surface is comprised of a bottom surface portion of the block assembly, wherein the bottom surface configured to rest against a top surface of a blade. The block assembly may comprise any number of shapes including without limitation square, triangular, rectangular or quarter circle. In one embodiment, the block assembly comprises an extension along a bottom length, the extension protruding rearwardly, or towards the spindle. In one embodiment, the extension provides for a substantially L-shaped block assembly when viewed from the side, as inFIG. 11 . - A second
front reference surface 452 extends downwardly from thebody 402. The secondfront reference surface 452 is comprised of a front portion of a pair of curved legs 442. Thelegs elongate body 402 and on the exterior sides of themountings 418, each being located at least partially outside the opposing ends 404 of thesupport portion 406. - The legs 442 may be connected by any means known in the art. As depicted in the figures, for example, the legs are attached via a
bolt 428 and a locatingpin 426. In one embodiment, as best depicted inFIG. 9A , thelegs FIG. 9B , oneleg 442 a is of a different thickness than theother leg 442 b. The thickness of theleg 442 a is reduced in this embodiment in order to eliminate the interference between theleg 442 a (which when inserted into the blade cutter assembly is the top leg) and both the blade and the top ring of a blade cutter assembly. In another embodiment, bothlegs - Once assembled, the
gap setting device 400 may reference and attach to a blade holder of a shoe. As depicted inFIGS. 10 and 11 , both the first roundedfront reference surface 446 a and the secondfront reference surface 452 bear against theblade holder 448. The first roundedfront surface 446 a references or bears against an interior portion of ablade holder 448. The secondfront reference surface 452 is inserted in the gap between theblade holder 448 and anadjacent shoe 454, on the side exterior sides of theelongate blade 450. Thefront reference surface 452, comprising a portion of the front side of the legs 442, references or bears against the side of the blade holder across from theadjacent shoe 452. In order to easily and consistently reference or touch the blade holder, the legs are slightly curved such that a front portion of the legs comes into contact with the forward side of the blade holder. Such contact also helps to pull thedevice 400 into the appropriate position as it is rotated to sit within the interior of the blade cutter assembly. - As best depicted in
FIGS. 8B and 11 , thedevice 400 further comprises a thirdlower reference surface 456 below the mounting 418. The thirdlower reference surface 456 is comprised of a bottom surface portion of a block assembly. In one embodiment, anextension 446 b protruding towards the spindle on the back side of the block assembly, or a back block thereof, comprises thebottom surface portion 456 that rests upon a top surface of the blade. In one embodiment, the extension may be viewed as L-shaped when viewed from the side. However, other embodiments are also plausible including without limitation quarter circle, rectangular, square, etc., so long as a bottom surface portion is configured to gently rest upon a top surface of a blade to help hold the device in place during measurements. In one embodiment, abottom surface portion 456 of theextension 446 b references or gently bears against a top surface of ablade 450. In other words, abottom surface 456 of theextension 446 b may gently touch the top surface of theblade 450 along a line without damaging the blade edge. -
FIGS. 10A-D depict the process of inserting (shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B ) and removing (shown inFIGS. 10C and 10D ) the bladegap setting device 400 such that the device is temporarily attached by the magnetic force of amagnet 438 to the internal circumferential surface of a blade cutter assembly. It should be noted that the blade cutter assembly of a potato chip cutting head is depicted inFIG. 10 without the top and bottom rings in order to best depict the insertion and removal of thedevice 400. The blade cutter assembly includes afirst wall element 458 and asecond wall element 454. Thewall elements first wall element 458 carries ablade holder 448 that removably and adjustably mounts ablade element 450 having an exposed cutting edge. Spaced circumferentially from the cutting edge is asecond wall element 454, a blade gap being defined between the cutting edge and an adjacent surface of thesecond wall element 454. - The blade
gap setting device 400 is held manually by itshandle 416 and moved within the central cavity of the blade cutter assembly towards the internal circumferential surface of the wall elements. Thelegs elongate body 402 by a distance which is greater than the length of theblade element 450 such that the legs 442 do not contact the blade element but slide into a spacing between the top or bottom rings (not shown) and the blade element. Preferably, the device should be tilted forward, as depicted inFIG. 10A . Thelower leg 442 b should be placed against the top of the bottom support ring as a guide to properly align thedevice 400 with theblade element 450 and theblade holder 448. Once tilted as inFIG. 10A , the device can be slid into position along the front surface of the legs against the blade holder. After insertion, thedevice 400 can be rotated downwardly or backwards (toward the handle 416) as shown by the arrow inFIG. 10A , with an internal surface of the blade holder acting as a fulcrum against which the front surface of thebody 402 is rotated. The front curved surfaces of the legs are thus pushed against the blade holder. As shown inFIG. 10B , the device can then be gently pushed into the blade holder to allow the reference surfaces to make the appropriate contacts. In embodiments comprising magnets, the magnets will help hold the device in place by applying consistent pressure against its reference surfaces. - As discussed above with reference to
FIG. 11 , when inserted into a blade cutter assembly, thedevice 400 makes contact with the blade cutter assembly along three reference (i.e., contact) points: a first roundedfront reference surface 446 a located forwardly of the mounting 418, a secondfront reference surface 452 extending downwardly from the body, and a thirdlower reference surface 456 below the mounting or spindle. The first rounded front reference surface contacts an interior side of a blade holder. The second front reference surface contacts a side of a blade holder across from an adjacent wall element or shoe. The third front reference surface contacts a top surface of the blade. Once inserted into the measurement position, the free end(s) 460 of the spindle(s) descend down onto the adjacent shoe. Thus, thefree end 460 is compressed in order to be zeroed on the calibration block and the readings of the depth micrometer are with thefree end 460 extended. - When removing the blade
gap setting device 400, the device is manually rotated about the front edge of the block assembly orfront block 432 in a direction opposite its insertion, as depicted inFIG. 10C . In other words, when grabbing by thehandle 416, thedevice 400 is titled forward as far as possible using the blade holder as fulcrum on which the first reference surface is rotated. Once thedevice 400 is back in its tilted forward position, it can then be pulled towards the center of the blade cutter assembly for safe removal. Thelower leg 442 b (not depicted inFIG. 10 ) may again act as a guide for the sliding of the device against the blade holder. - Referring to
FIGS. 12A and 12B , the depth micrometer(s) 420, when inserted through the channel(s) 424 of themountings 418, can readily be calibrated using acalibration block 500. Similar to the embodiment depicted inFIG. 7 , thecalibration block 500 may also act as a holder for thedevice 400 as depicted inFIG. 12A . To enable calibration to be in a hands-free manner, thecalibration block 500 may be made of a magnetic material such as, for example, a hard stainless steel magnetic material including without limitation stainless steel 440C. This improves the dimensional stability and wear resistance of thecalibration block 500. - As best depicted in
FIG. 12B , thecalibration block 500 has a generally planarupper surface 502 and a slightlyinclined portion 508 sloping up from the planarupper surface 502 to ahigher portion 512. In addition, the calibration block comprises achannel 504, the depth or profile of which can be varied according to the desired thickness of a sliced food product. In the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 12 , there is only onecalibration channel 504. During the calibration process, thecalibration block 500 is preferably set or rested upon a flat surface such as a table. For convenience, theblock 500 may compriselegs 510. - On one end of the
calibration block 500, at opposing sides a and b of theblock 500, are twotabs 506. Similar to the blade holder of a blade cutter assembly, thetabs 506 provide a point of contact or reference surface for thelegs 442, 442 b of thedevice 400. To place thegap setting device 400 onto thecalibration block 500, the bladegap setting device 400 is tilted forward, with the legs 442 of thedevice 400 straddling thecalibration block 500 below thetabs 506 at sides a and b. Thedevice 400 is then slid against thetabs 506 along the front, curved surface of the legs 442 until thereference surface 446 a of thebody 402 comes into contact with theblock 500. Having made contact with thereference surface 446 a, thedevice 400 should be rotated backwards slightly such that thelegs tabs 506. Themagnets 438 of thedevice 400 should then help align the reference surfaces 446 a, 452 as thedevice 400 is rotated backwards to hold thedevice 400 in place.FIG. 13 depicts a bladegap setting device 400 placed onto thecalibration block 500. Although not depicted in detail, thespindle 422 of thedepth micrometer 420 is in contact with thecalibration block 500 in thechannel 504 and the micrometer may then be adjusted or calibrated for use. When subsequently used to measure blade gap, the absolute measurement of the blade gap is indicated on the display of thedepth micrometer 420. - As with the embodiment of
FIGS. 3 to 5 , the bladegap setting device 400 provides a number of advantages over the known blade gap setting device discussed inFIGS. 1 and 2 . - First, the inclined handle improves the ergonomics of the device and provides easy maneuvering of the device into and out of the measurement position. The handle provides leverage to disengage the magnetic force holding the device onto the cutting head, with the front end of the body being rotatable against a fulcrum of the cutter head during the insertion and removal operation. The handle is oriented upwardly away from the body and points towards the rearward side of the device, which tends to move the hand of the operator upwardly away from any adjacent cutting blades of the series of cutting blades which are located annually around the potato chip cutting head. Second, the depth micrometers can readily be located into the correct angular position for accurate and consistent measurements (having a tolerance of +/−40 microns) and easy reading of the measurements. The clamp(s) allow for quick adjustment or removal of the depth micrometer(s). Third, the free standing calibration block makes the calibration process simple. Fourth, the blade
gap setting device 400 is very easy to install accurately in position on the potato chip cutting head. Fifth, the magnet holds the device in the desired position on the potato chip cutting head, allowing the operator to use both hands to adjust the blade gap while the measuring device is still located securely in position in the potato chip cutting head. Therefore the blade gap setting device is configured as a “hands-free” device. The magnet design allows for the use, to form the body, of hard stainless steel materials, for example stainless steel 440C, which improves the dimensional stability and wear resistance of the device. - Moreover, the blade
gap setting device 400 gently contacts the top surface of the blade and so it does not dull the blade during use, in contrast to the setting devices currently known in the industry. Because the device attaches to a blade holder and is not dependent upon a sand gate, the references surfaces may be utilized with a variety of cutting head shapes and dimensions and can be used with any number of blades including without limitation, linear planar blades, non-planar profiled blades, and other blades with any number of curves, waves or corrugations. The curved legs provide a surface on either side of thebody 402 of the device, which allows for the device to be quickly and easily located into the correct position and orientation without damaging the depth micrometers, blade, blade cutter assembly or the device itself. - Other modifications to the blade gap setting device described above will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims (26)
1. A blade gap setting device for a potato chip cutting head, the device comprising an elongate body having an upper surface and a lower surface, at least one mounting for a depth micrometer having a displaceable spindle, the mounting extending from the upper surface to the lower surface to permit a depth micrometer to be mounted to the upper surface with a free end of the displaceable spindle being exposed at the lower surface, a first rounded front reference surface located forwardly of the mounting, a second front reference surface extending downwardly from the body, and a third lower reference surface below the mounting.
2. A blade gap setting device according to claim 1 wherein the first rounded front reference surface extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the body.
3. A blade gap setting device according to claim 2 wherein the first rounded front reference surface extends between two outer legs of the body.
4. A blade gap setting device according to claim 1 comprising two mountings, the two mountings being longitudinally spaced along the length of the elongate body, each mounting adapted to mount a respective depth micrometer.
5. A blade gap setting device according to claim 1 further comprising at least one magnet within the body.
6. A blade gap setting device according to claim 5 wherein the at least one magnet is located towards the lower face.
7. A blade gap setting device according to claim 5 wherein the at least one magnet is sandwiched between a front block and a back block.
8. A blade gap setting device according to claim 7 wherein the at least one magnet is supported in a holder.
9. A blade gap setting device according to claim 1 wherein the first rounded front reference surface is comprised of a front bottom portion of a block assembly, said front bottom portion configured to fit against an interior side of a blade holder.
10. A blade gap setting device according to claim 9 wherein said block assembly comprises a front block, wherein said front bottom portion extends along a bottom length of said front block.
11. A blade gap setting device according to claim 1 wherein the second front reference surface is comprised of a front portion of a pair of curved legs.
12. A blade gap setting device according to claim 11 wherein the two legs have different thicknesses.
13. A blade gap setting device according to claim 11 wherein each of the legs is located on the exterior sides of the at least one mounting.
14. A blade gap setting device according to claim 1 further comprising a handle extending upwardly and rearwardly from the body.
15. A blade gap setting device according to claim 14 wherein the handle is centrally located along the longitudinal direction of the elongate body.
16. A blade gap setting device according to claim 1 further comprising at least one depth micrometer having a displaceable spindle, each depth micrometer being fitted into a respective mounting.
17. A blade gap setting device according to claim 16 wherein the depth micrometer is removably fitted into the respective mounting, and the device further comprises a clamping unit removably clamping each depth micrometer in the mounting, the clamping unit being adapted to permit selective rotation of the depth micrometer in the mounting.
18. A blade gap setting device according to claim 1 wherein the third lower reference surface is comprised of a bottom surface portion of a block assembly, said bottom surface configured to rest against a top surface of a blade.
19. A blade gap setting device according to claim 18 comprising an extension along a bottom length of said block assembly, said extension comprising said bottom surface portion.
20. A blade gap setting device according to claim 19 wherein said block assembly comprises a back block having said extension.
21. A blade gap setting device according to claim 5 in combination with a calibration block for the device, the calibration block comprising an upper surface of magnetic material adapted to hold the device thereon by a magnetic force from the at least one magnet, the upper surface having at least one tab adapted to receive the second reference surface.
22. A method of measuring a blade gap setting of a potato chip cutting head, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a blade cutter assembly of a potato chip cutting head including a first shoe comprising a blade holder which removably and adjustably mounts a blade element having an exposed cutting edge and a second adjacent shoe spaced from the exposed cutting edge, a blade gap being defined between the cutting edge and the adjacent shoe;
providing a blade gap setting device including a body mounting at least one depth micrometer thereon, the depth micrometer including a movable spindle, the body having a first rounded front reference surface, a second front reference surface, and a third lower reference surface;
fitting the blade gap setting device to the blade cutter assembly by respectively locating the first and second front reference surfaces to inner and side surfaces of the blade holder and locating the third lower reference surface to a top surface of said exposed cutting edge; and
moving a free end of the spindle into contact with the second wall element to provide a distance measurement on the respective depth micrometer.
23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the body includes a magnet and the blade gap setting device is magnetically secured to the blade cutter assembly in the fitting step.
24. A method according to claim 22 wherein the blade gap setting device further comprises a pair of curved legs extending downwardly from the body, and wherein said fitting step comprises sliding the legs through a spacing between the first and second wall elements.
25. A method according to claim 22 wherein the fitting step comprises rotating the blade gap setting device into position by rotating a surface of the body against an internal surface of the blade holder acting as a fulcrum.
26. A method of calibrating a blade gap setting device of a potato chip cutting head, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a blade gap setting device including a body mounting at least one depth micrometer thereon, the depth micrometer including a movable spindle, the body having a rounded first front reference surface, a second front reference surface, and a third lower reference surface, the device further optionally including at least one magnet;
providing a calibration block comprising an upper surface of magnetic material adapted to hold the device thereon by a magnetic force from the at least one magnet, the calibration block having at least one tab and a slightly inclined zone in the upper surface;
fitting the blade gap setting device to the upper surface of the calibration block by respectively locating the first and second front reference surfaces to the inclined zone and the tab and by locating the third lower reference surface to the top portion of said inclined zone, wherein in the device is held in the fitted position by the magnetic force from the magnet; and
moving a free end of the spindle into contact with a channel in the upper surface of the calibration to provide a distance measurement on the depth micrometer.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/457,109 US8296963B1 (en) | 2011-04-29 | 2012-04-26 | Blade gap setting for blade cutter assembly |
PCT/US2012/035826 WO2012149545A1 (en) | 2011-04-29 | 2012-04-30 | Blade gap setting for blade cutter assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/097,278 US8307566B1 (en) | 2011-04-29 | 2011-04-29 | Blade gap setting for potato chip cutting head |
US13/457,109 US8296963B1 (en) | 2011-04-29 | 2012-04-26 | Blade gap setting for blade cutter assembly |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/097,278 Continuation-In-Part US8307566B1 (en) | 2011-04-29 | 2011-04-29 | Blade gap setting for potato chip cutting head |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US8296963B1 US8296963B1 (en) | 2012-10-30 |
US20120272540A1 true US20120272540A1 (en) | 2012-11-01 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/457,109 Expired - Fee Related US8296963B1 (en) | 2011-04-29 | 2012-04-26 | Blade gap setting for blade cutter assembly |
Country Status (2)
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US (1) | US8296963B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012149545A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
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US20120198716A1 (en) * | 2011-02-08 | 2012-08-09 | Alan Russell Tonges | Gauge for aligning hair trimmer blades |
US9089979B2 (en) | 2013-12-06 | 2015-07-28 | Morono Hodge | Apparatus and method for customly calibrating a cutting blade set for a hair clipper |
US9801469B2 (en) | 2015-05-01 | 2017-10-31 | Morono Hodge | Versatile accessory holder for a barber chair |
WO2019210060A1 (en) * | 2018-04-25 | 2019-10-31 | Urschel Laboratories, Inc. | Systems and methods for measuring and adjusting gate openings of slicing machines |
US10968938B2 (en) | 2017-11-03 | 2021-04-06 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Connector with enhanced mounting process |
US11117285B2 (en) * | 2019-02-20 | 2021-09-14 | Urschel Laboratories, Inc. | Knife replacement tools and methods of using the same to remove knives from machines |
RU213590U1 (en) * | 2022-05-25 | 2022-09-16 | Публичное акционерное общество "КАМАЗ" | Tool for setting the cutting head |
US11642803B2 (en) * | 2019-02-13 | 2023-05-09 | Hassan Mohammad Mourtada | Universal trimmer blades adjuster |
Families Citing this family (1)
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US11364586B2 (en) * | 2019-05-07 | 2022-06-21 | Tony Joseph Wensman | Device for measuring and adjusting the tool holding portion of a spindle |
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US1946193A (en) * | 1932-01-18 | 1934-02-06 | Julie C Curdie | Potato chip cutter |
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DE10143508A1 (en) * | 2001-09-05 | 2003-03-20 | Biforce Anstalt Vaduz | Cutting device for cutting food products into slices whereby thickness of cutting gap between cutting knife and cutting edge can be automatically and simply adjusted |
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2012
- 2012-04-26 US US13/457,109 patent/US8296963B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2012-04-30 WO PCT/US2012/035826 patent/WO2012149545A1/en active Application Filing
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US1946193A (en) * | 1932-01-18 | 1934-02-06 | Julie C Curdie | Potato chip cutter |
US5010805A (en) * | 1989-09-13 | 1991-04-30 | Ferrara Daniel A | Potato chip maker including apparatus for centrifugally removing cooking oil from any product |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120198716A1 (en) * | 2011-02-08 | 2012-08-09 | Alan Russell Tonges | Gauge for aligning hair trimmer blades |
US9089979B2 (en) | 2013-12-06 | 2015-07-28 | Morono Hodge | Apparatus and method for customly calibrating a cutting blade set for a hair clipper |
US9801469B2 (en) | 2015-05-01 | 2017-10-31 | Morono Hodge | Versatile accessory holder for a barber chair |
US10968938B2 (en) | 2017-11-03 | 2021-04-06 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Connector with enhanced mounting process |
US11428519B2 (en) * | 2018-04-25 | 2022-08-30 | Urschel Laboratories, Inc. | Systems and methods for measuring and adjusting gate openings of slicing machines |
WO2019210060A1 (en) * | 2018-04-25 | 2019-10-31 | Urschel Laboratories, Inc. | Systems and methods for measuring and adjusting gate openings of slicing machines |
JP2021505410A (en) * | 2018-04-25 | 2021-02-18 | アーシェル ラボラトリーズ,インク. | Systems and methods for measuring and adjusting gate openings in slicing equipment |
AU2019260690B2 (en) * | 2018-04-25 | 2021-10-14 | Urschel Laboratories, Inc. | Systems and methods for measuring and adjusting gate openings of slicing machines |
JP7075419B2 (en) | 2018-04-25 | 2022-05-25 | アーシェル ラボラトリーズ,インク. | Systems and methods for measuring and adjusting gate openings in slicing appliances |
US11642803B2 (en) * | 2019-02-13 | 2023-05-09 | Hassan Mohammad Mourtada | Universal trimmer blades adjuster |
US11117285B2 (en) * | 2019-02-20 | 2021-09-14 | Urschel Laboratories, Inc. | Knife replacement tools and methods of using the same to remove knives from machines |
US11364650B2 (en) * | 2019-02-20 | 2022-06-21 | Urschel Laboratories, Inc. | Knife replacement tools and methods of using the same to remove knives from machines |
RU213590U1 (en) * | 2022-05-25 | 2022-09-16 | Публичное акционерное общество "КАМАЗ" | Tool for setting the cutting head |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2012149545A1 (en) | 2012-11-01 |
US8296963B1 (en) | 2012-10-30 |
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