US2509781A - Apple celling and slicing machine - Google Patents

Description

ay 30,1950 J. w. PEASE 2,509,781

APPLE' CELLING AND SLICING MACHINE Filed Jan. 19, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet l y 1950 J. w. PEASE 7 2,509,781

APPLE CELLING AND SLICING MACHINE Filed Jan. 19, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 1950 J. w. PEASE 2,509,781

APPLE CELLING AND SLICING MACHINE I Filed Jan. 19, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR. WPeaSe,0cea6ec/ I g; erecwraz May 30, 1950 J. w. PEASE 2,509,781

APPLE CELLING AND SLICING MACHINE Ja 19, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 30, 1 950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPLE CELLING AND SLICING MACHINE John W. Pease, deceased, late of Rochester, N. Y., by Winnifred N. Pease, executrix, Rochester,

Application January 19, 1948, Serial No. 3,125

3 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to machines for seed-celling and slicing apples and like fruits.

In the preparation of apples for cooking, canning and drying it is customary practice to first pare and core the apples. Then the apples are fed into a combined seed-calling and slicing machine for removal of the seeds and seed-cells and for quartering the apples or dividing them into lesser divisions.

In seed-celling and slicing machines, it is conventional practice to provide a rotary spindle, to one side of which the celling knife is secured. Mounted radially of this spindle are the slicing blades which are located just beneath the celling knife. The cored apples are dropped over the rotating spindle and guided by their cored holes to the slicing blades. An oscillating arm or beam, which is adapted to straddle the spindle, serves to seat each apple against the slicing blades so that its seed-cells will register axially with the calling knife. The slicing blades enter partly into the apple and serve to hold it against rotation in a partially severed condition while the seed-cells are being removed. After celling, another apple is dropped onto the rotating spindle, and the movement of this apple into seed-celling position by the oscillating arm or beam serves to push the first apple through the slicing blades; and thus the operation of the machine is completed.

The slicing blades only enter partially into an apple prior to the seed-celling operation, but even this partial entrance slightly weakens the apple and may result in the apple being split prematurely under the slightly expanding pressure of the celling knife at its center. Moreover, the falling apple may be shattered by its impact against the slicing blades. These mischances .are particularly possible if the apple happens to be unusually soft and mellow. If the apple is split prematurely it is usually broken up into a lot of unusable fragments.

One object of the present invention is to provide means for holding an apple during celling which Will prevent the apple from being broken into segments under the expanding pressure of the celling knife.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for preventing premature splitting of an apple which will also serve as auxiliary means for holding the apple against rotation during seedcelling.

A further object of the invention is toprovide means for easing the fall of anapple as it drops down the rotating seed' cellin-g spindle, so as toprevent the slicing blades from being embedded by gravity too deeply into the apple or from shattering the falling apple.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which will so retard the fall of the apple that the actual positioning of the apple axially prior to the seed-celling operation Will be wholly controlled by the oscillating arm or beam, thereby insuring more accurate centering of the apple for seed-celling.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinafter from the specification and from the recital of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a seed-celling and slicing machine in which are incorporated the features of the present invention, the machine being shown broken away at the bottom and partly in vertical section and the feeding platform and positioning arm or beam being shown at the end of a cycle of operation;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of the celling knife and the adjacent parts of the celling spindle;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view taken at right angles to the View of Fig. l, with parts broken away, and.

showing an apple dropping down the spindle to celling position;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3 but showing an apple in seed-celling position;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of parts shown in Fig. 5, showing how the apple is held during the seed-celling operation;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged View showing one set of holding blades;

Fig. 8 is a plan sectional view showing the rela tive positions of the slicing spider, apple holding means and celling knife and spindle; and

Fig. 9 is a view showing these parts with an apple in seed-celling position.

Referring now to the drawings more particularly, I 0 denotes the frame of the machine which is substantially rectangular and made of angle iron. The frame is covered at its top by a tray I i which is preferably slightly forwardly inclined, It is upon this tray that the cored apples are spread or piled ready to the hand of the operator.

At an intermediate height there is supported in the frame of the machine a spider l2 (Figs. 8 and 9) which is secured to the frame til by screws or bolts 14. This spider is provided with a central opening in which is mounted a ring it which is provided with a plurality of slicing blades which extend radially from a common center. The

3 slicing ring is secured to the spider i2 by screws H.

The slicing ring is provided with two sets of slicing blades. The blades of the two sets alternate with one another and are denoted at it and I8, respectively. The blades [8 have their inner ends higher than their outer ends (Fig. 6) and are inclined downwardly from their inner ends to their outer ends, while the blades l8 are inclined upwardly from their inner ends to their outer ends. The inner ends of all the blades are fixed in a stationary sleeve [9.

This sleeve is supported by ribs 26 of a casting 2| which is secured by screws or bolts 22 (Fig. 3) to cross-beams of frame 56. Rotatabl mounted in the sleeve i9 is a rotary spindle The upper free end of this spindle projects into a well 2% (Fig. l) which is near the lower or front end of the tray l and which surrounds an opening 23 in the tray through which an apple may be placed upon the spindle. The spindle is provided intermediate its ends with an enlarged portion 27 (Fig. 2), which terminates in a shoulder 28 that rests upon the sleeve id. The spindle itself is flatted off at its bottom at one side as denoted at 28 in Fig. 2 and is connected by a set screw 30' (Fig. 3) to the bevel miter gear 3i. This gear meshes with and is driven by a bevel miter gear 32 which is secured by a screw 33 to a horizontal shaft 34. The shaft 35 is journaled in the casting 2| and has collars 3t and 2 secured to it by set screws 3'! and These collars engage against the bearings for the shaft to prevent axial movement of the shaft. The shaft is adapted to be driven during operation of the machine by a sprocket or pulley 38 which is secured by a set screw 39 to the shaft.

The enlarged portion 2'! of the spindle has a flat part 3G to which is secured the rigid seedcelling knife 35. This knife projects laterally from the spindle and is bowed or semicircular in a shape. It is narrower at its top than at the bot tom and is inclined slightly upwardly in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the spindle. Thus, while a cored apple is sliding down on the spindle, the knife 35 makes an imperceptible track or channel in the core opening thereof without further mutilation of the apple despite the continuous rotation of the spindle.

48 (Fig. 1) denotes the vertically swinging feedarm or beam which serves to locate the apple axially for seed-ceiling. This arm is pivotally mounted at 4! upon the frame of the machine. It has a fork or bifurcation 32 at its free end which is adapted to straddle the spindle 25 in the movement of the arm. The arm is adapted to be oscillated up and down by cam t l which is secured to a shaft that is journaled in a bracket 49 which is secured to frame til. The throw of the arm 48 can be adjusted precisely by adjustment of a set screw :35 which threads into the arm and engages a strap l'l that is secured at one end to the arm by a screw or rivet 38. This strap engages the periphery of the cam id.

While one apple is being celled, another 1c is prevented from dropping onto the first b a platform 50. This platform is also adapted, when in operative position, to straddle spindle 25. It is carried by an arm 5i that is continuously biased towards operative position by a coil spring '52. The loop of this spring surrounds a pin 53 which is secured in the frame and opposite ends of it engage the arm 5! and an arm 56, respectively. The arm 54 is secured to a bar 55 that is fastened to the frame. The arm M has a fol lower 56 at its inner end that engages in the trackway of a cam 51 which is secured to the shaft 15. The shaft 45 is driven continuously during operation of the machine from a shaft Ed through a spur pinion BI and a spur gear 82, the latter being secured to the shaft 5.

The arm 4% is normally urged upwardly by a coil spring 65 which is secured at one end to an angle plate 66 that is fastened to the frame of the machine and at its opposite end to an arm which is secured by bolts 68 to beam arm Ml.

All of this is conventional structure in seedcelling and slicing machines.

Secured to a cross bar of the frame of the machine are two brackets 78 and 18 (Figs. 3 and 5). Pivotally mounted upon these brackets are the arms 72 and 12'. Secured to opposite sides of the lower end of the arm 72 by screws '54 are two plates 15 and 15a. These plates have legs parallel to the sides of arm 12 and laterally extending wings which are disposed angularly to the legs and which project at opposite sides of the arm. The laterally extending wings have their tops rolled over, as denoted at 7% in Fig. 7. Welded, or secured in any other suitable manner to the upright portions of the wings are holding blades 18. Secured to the lower end of the arm l2 by screws M are similar plates 15' and Eda, respectively (Figs. 8 and 9) which also have blades 16 fastened in them.

The wing portions of plates i5, 75a, '55 and "i5'a form an approximately hollow square, see Figs. 8 and 9, with the knife blades '35 projecting inwardly. The square arrangement allows the wings to accommodate themselves to the shape of the apple whether regular or irregular, and the holding blades 18, when engaged with the apple prevent it from being broken into segments prematurely under the expanding pressure of the celling knife. The plates ill and We and I5 and l5a constitute, therefore, opposed jaws having sharp edges 16 for securely holding an apple during seed-celling.

Secured to the inside surfaces of the arms l2 and 12' above the plates are spring arms or straps 88 and 88. The straps 88 and 8d are secured to the arms '12 and i2, respectively, in opposed relation by screws 8!. They serve to limit the drop of the apple under the effect of gravit and prevent it from becoming impaled on the slicing blades Hi until the arm 48 in its action positively seats it on these blades, thereby accurately centering it with reference to the celling knife 35.

The arms 12 and 12' are adapted to be constantly urged toward one another under the action of coil springs 82 and 82' (Figs. 3 and 5). These are secured at one end to pins 83 and 83, respectively, and at their opposite ends to pins 84 and 84', respectively. The pins 84 and 8d are threaded into the arms !2 and 12. The pins 83 and 83' are secured in the casting 2!. Stops 85 and 85', which are secured in the plates 10 and '18, respectively, serve to limit the inward movement of the arms 12 and 12' by engagement with the pins 84 and 84', respectively.

The arms 12 and 12' are adapted to rock about pivot studs or bolts 86 and 86' (Figs. 3, 4 and 5). They are held against the plates 10 and 18, re-

spectively, by coil springs, one of which is shown vex surface of plate 'lfl is denoted at 90 in Fig. 4.

The hole bored in each arm l2, 12' for the pivot stud 86 or B6 is double conical in shape. The bore of arm 12. is denoted at 92 in Fig. 4. This construction together with the convex contacting surfaces of the plates permits the arms to rock to accommodate themselves to apples of various sizes and shapes.

The operation of the machine will be understood from the preceding description, but may briefly be summed up here.

When the machine is in continuous operation, there is always an apple resting on the slicing blades 56, as shown at A in Figs. 1 and 6, except for those instantaneous intervals when an apple is actually being pushed through the slicing blades it and H8. At such times, the forked platform 50 is in operative position (Figs. 1 and straddling the spindle 25 and holding a second apple B from falling down the spindle on which it has just been placed by the operator.

For the first operation of the machine on a new lot of apples, the operator places a cored apple over the top end of spindle 25 on forked platform 55). This spindle and the shaft 45 are rotating all the while. At a predetermined point in the rotation of the cam 51, the arm 5| is swung laterally to swing the platform 50 aside (Fig. 3), allowing the apple to drop down the spindle. At this time, the arm or beam 4|] will be in its uppermost position as shown in Fig. 3.

As the apple drops down the spindle, its movement will be retarded by the spring arms 8!] and 89' and it will be prevented from falling onto the knife blades It by gravity. The cam 44 in its rotation will now cause the arm 4|] to move downwardly to engage the apple A and move it down to the celling position. This position can be accurately gauged by adjustment of the strap 41 so that the apple will be correctly centered axi- 't f to th s edelln kn'f 3" w. any W1 h re erence e e c 1 g 1 e a said jaws having a blade thereon which extends under control of the arm 40. There is no chance, as has happened with machines of previous design, that gravity may drop the apple down so far that it cannot be properly centered. Continued rotation of the cam 51 meantime will restore the arm 5! to the position shown in Fig. 1 to support the next apple B which the operator has placed upon the spindle 25.

The action of arm 40 will seat the first apple A securely on the slicing blades I6 and the holding blades 16 will take firm hold of it in line with the point of action of the seed-celling knife. Thus the apple will be held firmly against rotation as the rotating celling knife performs its function. Moreover, the inward pressure exerted by springs 82 and 82' on holding plates 15, 55a, 75 and 15a and blades 16 will offset and counteract any outward pressure due to action of the celling knife; and thus, the apple will be prevented from splitting or disruption.

The arm remains down during seed-calling with the fork 42 straddling the spindle 25 and just touching the apple A. When the high-point of the cam M, which is rotating in the direction of the arrow 95 (Fig. 1), has rotated out of contact with the strap 41, the arm 40 rises under influence of the spring 65, and, as seed-celling on the first apple A is completed, the cam 51 will rotate to such a position as to swing the arm 5| laterally to release the second apple B.

As the apple B slides down the spindle it will be retarded by spring arms 80 and 80' and settle gently on top of apple A. Cam 5'! will now restore platform to operative position to support the next apple, while cam 44 will cause arm 40 to move downwardly to engage apple B and force that apple down to celling position. The apple B pushes Apple A ahead of it through the slicing blades I6 and I8, and apple B assumes the celling position formerly occupied by apple A.

The movement of apple A through slicing blades 16 and I8 completes the operation thereon and its pieces are deflected into a suitable receptacle by the sheet metaldefiectors 91 (Fig. 1). The machine continues in operation and the cycle of seed-selling and slicing is completed for apple B and for all the other apples of the lot as described for apple A.

While the invention has been described. in connection with a particular embodiment thereof, it'

is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosures as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a seed-celling and slicing machine, the combination with a vertically disposed rotary spindle having a free upper end for impalement of cored apples thereon, a seed-celling knife secured thereto, and a plurality of slicing blades extending radially of said spindle and mounted below said knife, of a pair of pivotally mounted arms disposed at opposite sides, respectively, of said spindle, each of said arms carrying a jaw, the two jaws being adapted to engage an apple from opposite sides thereof to hold the apple against rotation during operation of the knife, each of generally axially of the spindle, and means for resiliently pressing said arms toward the spindle to hold the jaws in operative position, of a resilient finger mounted on each arm, said fingers being disposed at opposite sides of the spindle and above said jaws to retard an apple falling down said spindle, means for rotating said spindle, and means adapted to straddle said spindle to push a cored apple through said resilient fingers to seat the apple on said slicing blades and between said jaws, said last-named means being operable through the intermediation of a second apple to push the first apple through said slicing blades when positioning the second apple between said jaws.

2. In a seedcelling and slicing machine, the combination with a vertically disposed. rotary spindle, a seed-celling knife secured thereto, and a plurality of slicing blades extending radially of said spindle and mounted below said knife but close enough thereto to engage an apple while the seed-ceiling knife is operating on the apple, of auxiliary means for holding the apple during operation of said knife comprising a pair of jaw members disposed above said slicing blades and opposite the seed-celling knife and adapted to grip an apple from opposite sides thereof to hold said apple against disintegration during operation of said knife, each of said jaw members having two jaw faces, projections on the interiors of said faces for biting into an apple to grip the same, means for rotating said spindle, means for moving said jaw members into apple-engaging position, and means for forcing an apple through said slicing blades after the seed-ceiling operation is completed.

3. In "a seed-celling and slicing machine, the combination with a vertically disposed rotary spindle having a free upper end for impalement of cored apples thereon, a seed-celling knife secured thereto, and a plurality of slicing blades extending radially of said spindle and mounted below said knife but close enough thereto to engage an apple while the seed-celling knife is operating on the apple, of auxiliary means for holding the apple during operation of said knife comprising a pair of pivotally mounted jaws disposed at opposite sides of said spindle and adapted to engage an apple from opposite sides thereof to 15 hold the apple during action of said knife, of a said last-named means being operable through the intermediation of a second apple to push the first apple through said slicing blades when positioning the second apple between said jaws, some, at least, of said slicing blades having their inner ends higher than their outer ends and extending upwardly between the jaws.

' 1 WINNIFRED N. PEASE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 237,876 Jones Feb. 15, 1881 945,889 Winans Jan. 11, 1910 1,683,481 Pease Sept. 4, 1928 1,765,310 Reynolds June 17, 1930 1,825,470 'Musselman Sept. 29, 1931 1,861,084 Gorandson et al. May 31, 1932 2,429,749 Dunn Oct. 28, 1947

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