WO2011081929A1

WO2011081929A1 - Cherry stem cutter

Info

Publication number: WO2011081929A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/060280
Authority: WO
Inventors: Howard Ernest Huff
Original assignee: Fps Food Processing Systems Bv
Priority date: 2009-12-14
Filing date: 2010-12-14
Publication date: 2011-07-07

Abstract

A device for cutting bunched cherries includes at least two substantially horizontal panlike guides (3) for guiding a liquid flow transporting a stream of bunched cherries in a transporting direction T. The panlike guides (3) are separated by a vertical step defining an upstream supply pan (2) and a downstream cutting pan (3). At least one upwardly extending rim (4) in the bottom of the cutting pan (3) has a slot (5) extending substantially parallel to the direction T. A cutting blade (6) extends upwardly through the slot (5) for cutting the stems of the bunches in the liquid flow being spread and dragged over the cutting blade when passing the cutting blade (6), thus separating the cherries from each other.

Description

CHERRY STEM CUTTER

The present invention concerns a device for splitting stems of cherries. There are well known devices in this field of technology. Thus far, two main ways are utilized to process bunched cherries and to separate bunched cherries from each other. The first one is subjecting a flow of bunched cherries in a liquid stream to centrifugal forces thus drawing the cherries at the ends of the stems from each other, see for example FR2820287. The second one is guiding such bunches along a rotating knife or saw, see for example US2825375.

More in particular US2825375 discloses a so-called cluster breaker. In the cluster breaker saw knives are arranged above a moving belt surface which carries the cherry bunches. In order to position and transport the cherry bunches suitably in relation to the cutting knives, deflectors are provided ahead of said knives.

An advantage of such set-up is the way of transporting on a belt. More in particular this means that a cherry having taken a position after separation such position will be held because friction. This means that undesired collisions and damages may take place, for example separated stems becoming weaved and entangled with bunches further on during transport by said belt and subjected to another separation action thus having a possible wrong position and being damaged.

In a further well known device as well used in this field of technology only comprises knives protruding upwardly through the bottom surfaces of such pans, having the liquid flow as a driving force for dragging the bunches over such knives.

A main disadvantage is the way of guiding the cherries after having been separated. Because no strictly controlled liquid flow patters occur such cherries will collide and meet knives many times again resulting in high damage to the cherries.

In order to remedy such shortcomings the device as stated in the claim preamble, in accordance with the invention the panlike guide comprises at least a two step guide from an upstream high level guide part as a supply pan onto a downstream lower level guide part as a cutting pan, and wherein a slot is arranged in an upwardly extended rim in the cutting pan.

It has appeared a big advantage having flows along such rim and rim parts thereby preventing damages as mention before. Furthermore, dependent on the amount of cherry supply, the speed of flow can be set and controlled in a very suitable way.

Further embodiments of the device of the invention are characterized in that,

the supply pan and the cutting pan have a height difference of a part of a cherry bunch length, thereby dragging stem parts of the cherry bunches over such cutting blade and the cherries over rim side surfaces and cutting pan surface;

the rim at the slot height has an upstream edge which is continuously connected to the upstream supply pan;

the device comprises at least a second downstream cutting pan having a height difference with the upstream cutting pan substantially the same as the height different between the upstream cutting pan and the supply pan;

an odd cutting pan comprises at least n extended rims arranged laterally and being spaced substantially equidistant, whereas the upstream even cutting pan comprises (n + 1) extended rims having a staggered relationship compared to the rims of the odd cutting pans, n being a natural number;

the cutting blade has a substantially circular form wherein the upstream rim side and the cutting blade edge are arranged substantially in line with the slot;

the cutting blade moves;

the cutting blade oscillates in the transporting direction T;

the cutting blade rotates; and

the cutting blade rotates against the transporting direction T.

an upper guard is in a fixed position above the cutting blade and forming a groove where the cherry knuckle passes.

a tine is disposed on a fulcrum point in the rim having an upstream portion and a downstream portion, whereas the downstream portion applies force to hold the cherry knuckle in the groove which guides the cherry knuckle to the cutting blade.

the upstream portion of the tine comprises an adjustable counter weight.

the downstream portion of the tine comprises a slotted trailing end sized to receive part of the cutting blade. an oscillating guard helps clear blockages in front of the upper guard.

In order to explain the device in accordance with the invention in more detail further description is given thereby referring to,

FIGURE 1, shows schematically the principle of the present invention,

FIGURE 2, shows a further embodiment of the device of the present invention, FIGURE 3, shows a further embodiment of the device of the present invention, FIGURE 4, is a cross-sectional schematic view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3,

FIGURE 5 A, shows top and side views of the tine from FIGURE 3,

FIGURE 5B, shows top and side views of the upper guard from FIGURE 3, and FIGURE 5C, shows top and side views of the rim from FIGURE 3.

Similar numbers in the different figures identify the same parts. FIGURE 1 shows the general operating principle of the cherry stem cutter device and how it may be built and constructed. A flow of liquid transports cherries in a direction T. Such flow transfers cherries, most of which being linked to their own stem, and a substantial part still having their stems linked to bunches, giving bunches of two, three, or even more, linked and bunched cherries.

Substantially flat and horizontal panlike guides 1 form a cascade. The most upstream guide is considered a supply pan 2, whereas the downstream guide or guides are so- called cutting pans 3. Between such pans a height difference h is provided. Such a cutting pan 3 is provided with upwardly extending rims 4 having slots 5, which extend in a direction substantially parallel to the transport direction T. A circular cutting blade 6 protrudes through the rims 4 and slots 5. The cutting blade 6 can be rotated, for example in a rotating direction R. The rotating direction R can be against the transport direction T. As can be seen in FIGURES 1 and 3, such rim 4 has rim sides 7 being slightly curved planes and giving accordingly angles with the cutting pan surface 8. Such geometry produces smooth transport of separated cherries. In order to improve dragging and flowing of the cherries suitably an upstream edge 9 is provided extending from the upstream sleeve end to the next upstream pan surface. In accordance with circumstances like different varieties of cherries that may have different stem strengths, further movements of such cutting blades 6 may be applied. For example, the cutting blades 6 may oscillate within slot 5. The oscillation frequency and resulting force of the oscillations may be varied.

In FIGURE 2 an embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein positioning of the rims 4 over the subsequent pans is presented. Such subsequent pans have their rims 4 in a staggered pattern, thus forming rows between every odd, or even, pan (when counting from the first cutting pan). Furthermore, when distributing such rims laterally over such pan surface in an advantageous way, the number of rims 4 between even and odd cutting pans will differ by 1, giving the general indication from n to (n + 1) or (n - 1), with n being a natural number. In this FIGURE the reasoning started with n giving in this FIGURE the (n + 1). For a skilled person it will be clear that dimensions and controls of such device can be chosen suitably, being the lateral distances between the rims 4 which are preferably equidistant, the flow rates, preferably between 0.5 and 2 m/s, the height difference h between the subsequent pans, substantially the same as the height of such rim 4, preferably a height being a part of the length of a stem, substantially between 2 and 7 cm, and the height of the part of the cutting blade 6 which protrudes from such slot 5, preferably between 0.5 and 1.5 cm.

FIGURES 3-5 illustrate an embodiment of the cherry stem cutter having an upper guard 10 and tine 11. The upper guard 10 is fixed in its position. The upper guard 10 possesses a tunnel-like passage or groove 12 where the cherry knuckles pass.

The tine 11 moves up/down on a fulcrum point 13, shown in FIGURE 5 A. The time contains an adjustable counter weight 14, shown in FIGURE 4, so the tine can move down to clear blockages and help keep the cherry knuckle centered on the tine 11. As joined cherry stems move down the rim 4 they eventually climb onto the tine 11, which lifts and centers the knuckle of the joined cherry stems. The tine 11 passes through the slot 5 of the rim 4. The trailing end 15 of the tine is slotted. The cutting blade 6 rotates through this slot at the trailing end 15. The tine applies enough force to hold the cherry stem knuckle in the groove 12 of the upper guard 10. The groove 12 guides the cherry stem knuckle directly to the cutting blade 6. The force of the tine 11 is adjusted by the counter weight 14, installed on the lower part 16 of the tine. The tine 11 is also used to help position the cherry stem knuckle during the approach of the knuckle to the upper guard 10.

Based on empirical testing, the difference in the amount of force required to lift the knuckle and hold it in the grove 12 of the upper guard 10, and too much force, trapping the knuckle, is very slight. The counterweight 14 is initially set almost at a point of balance. To set the force, the position of the counterweight 14 is adjusted along the lower part 16 of the tine 11 that protrudes below the rim 4. The tine pivots at the fulcrum point 13 in the rim 4.

The tine 11 may be made of any suitable material. The tine 11 may be made of a plastic. The counterweight 14 may be a suitably sized threaded nut. In one example, the counterweight is a ¼"stainless steel nut. The materials are chosen based on the environment. The number, weight, and size of the counterweight 14 may be adjusted as needed. For example, if needed, the counterweight can be easily increased by adding a second threaded nut.

An optional oscillating guard 17, shown in FIGURE 4, may be provided to help clear blockages in front of the upper guard 10.

The rim 4 may have a narrower trailing end 18 as shown in FIGURE 5C. The rim shape can be made wider, narrower, longer or shorter to optimize its function. In addition, the number of rims and cutting blade arrangements may be adjusted to provide adequate cherry stem cutting.

Furthermore suitable material will be chosen for such pan cascade in order to fulfil food safety rulings, to have suitable manufacturing conditions for such device, and to have a suitable cleaneability. Generally all kind of steel species and plastics can be applied.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Device for cutting stems of bunched cherries joined at a cherry knuckle, comprising,

at least two substantially horizontal panlike guides for guiding a liquid flow transporting a stream of bunched cherries in a transporting direction T, wherein said panlike guides are separated by a vertical step defining an upstream high level guide part as a supply pan and a downstream lower level guide part as a cutting pan,

at least one upwardly extending rim in the bottom of said cutting pan, said rim having a slot extending substantially parallel to said direction T, and

a cutting blade extending upwardly through said slot for cutting the stems of said bunches in said liquid flow being spread and dragged over said cutting blade when passing said cutting blade, thus separating the cherries from each other.

2. Device of claim 1, characterized in that, the supply pan and the cutting pan have a height difference less than a cherry bunch length thereby dragging stem parts of the cherry bunches over the cutting blade and the cherries over rim side surfaces and cutting pan surface.

3. Device of claim 2, characterized in that, the rim at the slot height has an upstream edge which is continuously connected to the upstream supply pan.

4. Device of claim 3, characterized in that, the device comprises at least a second downstream cutting pan having a height difference with the upstream cutting pan substantially the same as the height different between the upstream cutting pan and the supply pan.

5. Device of claim 4, characterized in that, an odd cutting pan comprises at least n extended rims arranged laterally and being spaced substantially equidistant, whereas the upstream even cutting pan comprises (n + 1) extended rims having a staggered relationship compared to the rims of the odd cutting pans, n being a natural number

6. Device of claim 1, characterized in that, the cutting blade has a substantially circular form whereas the upstream rim side and the cutting blade edge are arranged substantially in line with the slot.

7. Device of claim 6, characterized in that, said cutting blade moves.

8. Device of claim 7, characterized in that, said cutting blade oscillates in the transporting direction T.

9. Device of claim 6, characterized in that, said cutting blade rotates.

10. Device of claim 9, characterized in that, said cutting blade rotates against the transporting direction T.

11. Device of claim 1, characterized in that, the device further comprises an upper guard in a fixed position above the cutting blade and forming a groove where the cherry knuckle passes.

12. Device of claim 11, characterized in that, the device further comprises a tine disposed on a fulcrum point in the rim having an upstream portion and a downstream portion, whereas the downstream portion applies force to hold the cherry knuckle in the groove which guides the cherry knuckle to the cutting blade.

13. Device of claim 12, characterized in that, the upstream portion of the tine comprises an adjustable counter weight.

14. Device of claim 12, characterized in that, the downstream portion of the tine comprises a slotted trailing end sized to receive part of the cutting blade.

15. Device of claim 11, characterized in that, the device further comprises an oscillating guard to help clear blockages in front of the upper guard.