US3722339A

US3722339A - Onion slicing machine

Info

Publication number: US3722339A
Application number: US00126137A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Boyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-03-19
Filing date: 1971-03-19
Publication date: 1973-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-27

Abstract

Onions to be sliced are placed in pockets formed in a rotary table made up of a plurality of coaxial horizontal discs that are mounted on top of one another to rotate about a common axis. Around the table are disposed a plurality of rotary knives, which are positioned in interleaved relation with the onion holding discs but which are disposed at progressively different vertical positions so that successive knives are interleaved with progressively different pairs of onion transporting discs. As the transport discs revolve, therefore, the knives cut the onions in the pockets into slices.

Description

United States Patent [191 Boyer ONION SLICING MACHINE [76] Inventor: Emanuel F. Boyer, 4826 Oak ()rchard Rd, Albion, NY. 14411 [22] Filed: Mar. 19, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 126,137

[52] US. Cl ..83/4, 83/404.4, 83/41 1 R [51] Int. Cl ..A23n 15/100, B26d 4/04 [58] Field of Search ..146/78 R, 98, 105, 42, 165, 146/167, 6

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,638,949 5/1953 Blevins, Sr. et al. ..146/78 R X 464,674 12/1891 Church 146/165 2,262,882 11/1941 Bucklin ....146/167 X 1,992,688

2/1935 Bonvallet 146/165 Mar. 27, 1973 2,755,835 7/1956 Puccinelli 146/105 X Primary Examiner-Willie G. Abercrombie Attorney-Shlesinger, Fitzsirnmons & Shlesinger [5 7] ABSTRACT Onions to be sliced are placed in pockets formed in a rotary table made up of a plurality of coaxial horizontal discs that are mounted on top of one another to rotate about a common axis. Around the table are disposed a plurality of rotary knives, which are positioned in interleaved relation with the onion holding discs but which are disposed at progressively different vertical positions so that successive knives are interleaved with progressively different pairs of onion transporting discs. As the transport discsv revolve, therefore, the knives cut the onions in the pockets into slices.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing PATENTEBMARNIQB I INVENTOR. EMANUEL F. BOYER ATTORNEYS ONION SLICING MACHINE The present invention relates to machines for slicing vegetables, fruits, and the like, and more particularly to machines for slicing onions that are to be canned, frozen, fried, or otherwise preserved or processed.

The machines heretofore provided for these purposes, and particularly those for slicing onions, are wasteful of the product. The cutting blades have to be of substantial thickness, and therefore must gouge out of the onions portions of substantial thickness as they pass through the onions. The several portions, that are gouged-out in toto in cutting the several slices in the onions amount to a rather considerable portion of the total thickness of the onion, sometimes as much as a quarter; and this is all waste. Moreover the known machines can cut only thick slices.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a machine which will be simple in construction and which can cut an onion into the required number of slices in one operation and in one set-up, and without waste.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of this nature which is relatively compact, and which employs readily replaceable and inexpensive cutting tools.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinafter from the specification and claims, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an onion slicing machine built according to one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows and FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating how an onion is sliced by the machine of this invention.

Referring now to the drawing by numerals of reference, denotes the base plate of the machine which is supported on a plurality of legs 11, only one of which is shown. 1

Mounted on the base is a table 12 comprising a plurality of coaxial discs 14 which are keyed to a shaft 15 to rotate therewith. Shaft 15 is joumaled at its lower end in base 10. Each disc is recessed on its lower face as denoted at 16; and each disc is provided with a plurality of equi-angularly spaced apertures 17 therethrough. The apertures in one disc register with the apertures in all the other discs to form therewith a plurality of pockets 18 equi-angularly spaced about the axis of shaft 15 and table 12.

The table is driven by a gear-motor unit of conventional form, indicated generally at 20, through gearing 21, 22, 23, the last-named being coupled to shaft 15. Nuts 24 and a flexible washer 25 hold the discs 14 on the shaft 15.

Welded or otherwise secured to base 10 to project thereabove are a plurality of angularly spaced uprights to each of which is welded, or otherwise secured, a pair of parallel, horizontally-projecting

arms

31, 32. In each pair of arms there is joumaled a shaft 34, to the bottom of which there is fastened a rotary knife 35.

The shafts 34 are mounted parallel to shaft 15 and spaced equi-angularly thereabout so that the knives 35 are interleaved with the different discs 14 to enter the recesses 16 thereof and to pass through the pockets 18 as the discs 14 revolve with shaft 15. The shafts 34 may be made of progressively different lengths so that knives 35 are disposed at progressively different heights to enter the recesses 16 between successively different pairs of discs 14, and thereby cut progressively different slices S in the onions placed in the pockets 18, as the table 12 rotates; or the knives can be disposed at progressively different heights on their respective shafts 34. In any event, successive knives cut difierent slices from the onion 0.

The knives 35, which are preferably stainless steel discs, and which therefore will have indefinite lives, can all be driven from a common motor 40 through a pulley 41, an endless belt 42, and pulleys 44, one of which is secured to each shaft 34; or each shaft 34 may be driven by a separate motor 40 through an individual set of belts and pulleys, or in any other suitable manner.

Motor 40 may be supported from a plate or bracket 45 through a box 46. Plate 45 may be supported at opposite ends on posts 30 of the machine.

A jet spray may be disposed at a suitable point around table 1 to spray water on. the discs 14 to wash away the onion juices and prevent these juices from gumming up the machine.

An important feature of the machine is the recessing of the discs 14 which permit the discs to clear the several knives during cutting, so that the knives slice the onions without waste.

In use, an operator may stand at the front of the machine; and as each pocket 18 passes him, may place an onion therein so that the onion will be carried by table 12 past successive knives 35 which extend far enough into the spaces between adjacent discs to cut successive slices in the onions as the onions are carried by the table past the successive knives. Numerals l7 and 17" denote the positions of the pockets at which the operator of the machine may put the onions to be cut into the pockets. A hole is provided in base 10; and when a sliced onion registers with this hole, it will drop through this hole into chute 56, to be carried away for processing.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and that this application is intended to cover any modifications, or uses of the invention which come within the scope of the present disclosure or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A slicing machine comprising a rotary table having plurality of pockets arranged about the axis of rotation of said table for holding a plurality of products to be sliced, said table comprising a plurality of coaxial discs disposed one above another axially of said table,

each disc having an annular recess extending radially inwardly from its periphery and having therethrough a plurality of holes arranged in equiangularly spaced relation about said axis and registering with said recesses,

each hole being disposed inwardly of the periphery of its disc and the holes in one disc registering with holes in all the other discs to provide said plurality of pockets,

means for rotating said table, and

means for rotating said knives.

2. A slicing machine as claimed in claim 1, having a discharge opening with which said pockets register successively in the rotation of said table.

Claims

1. A slicing machine comprising a rotary table having plurality of pockets arranged about the axis of rotation of said table for holding a plurality of products to be sliced, said table comprising a plurality of coaxial discs disposed one above another axially of said table, each disc having an annular recess extending radially inwardly from its periphery and having therethrough a plurality of holes arranged in equi-angularly spaced relation about said axis and registering with said recesses, each hole being disposed inwardly of the periphery of its disc and the holes in one disc registering with holes in all the other discs to provide said plurality of pockets, a plurality of rotary disc knives mounted in angularly spaced relation about the axis of said table to rotate on axes parallel to said table axis, and disposed so that different knives extend into the recesses between successive discs, thereby to cut progressively different slices from said onions, means for rotating said table, and means for rotating said knives.