WO2011123925A1 - Appareil de positionnement pour vide-pomme - Google Patents

Appareil de positionnement pour vide-pomme Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011123925A1
WO2011123925A1 PCT/CA2010/001458 CA2010001458W WO2011123925A1 WO 2011123925 A1 WO2011123925 A1 WO 2011123925A1 CA 2010001458 W CA2010001458 W CA 2010001458W WO 2011123925 A1 WO2011123925 A1 WO 2011123925A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
produce
bracketing
members
pair
positioning apparatus
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2010/001458
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Stephen Raymond Albanese
Steven Anthony Joseph Crobeil
Original Assignee
In-Store Advanced Automation Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by In-Store Advanced Automation Inc. filed Critical In-Store Advanced Automation Inc.
Publication of WO2011123925A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011123925A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B23Q3/00—Devices holding, supporting, or positioning work or tools, of a kind normally removable from the machine
    • B23Q3/18—Devices holding, supporting, or positioning work or tools, of a kind normally removable from the machine for positioning only
    • B23Q3/183—Centering devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23N—MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR TREATING HARVESTED FRUIT, VEGETABLES OR FLOWER BULBS IN BULK, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PEELING VEGETABLES OR FRUIT IN BULK; APPARATUS FOR PREPARING ANIMAL FEEDING- STUFFS
    • A23N4/00—Machines for stoning fruit or removing seed-containing sections from fruit, characterised by their stoning or removing device
    • A23N4/12—Machines for stoning fruit or removing seed-containing sections from fruit, characterised by their stoning or removing device for coring fruit
    • A23N4/20—Machines for stoning fruit or removing seed-containing sections from fruit, characterised by their stoning or removing device for coring fruit for pineapples
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23N—MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR TREATING HARVESTED FRUIT, VEGETABLES OR FLOWER BULBS IN BULK, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PEELING VEGETABLES OR FRUIT IN BULK; APPARATUS FOR PREPARING ANIMAL FEEDING- STUFFS
    • A23N7/00—Peeling vegetables or fruit
    • A23N7/002—Peeling pinaeapples
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
    • B26D3/00—Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut made; Apparatus therefor
    • B26D3/24—Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut made; Apparatus therefor to obtain segments other than slices, e.g. cutting pies
    • B26D3/26—Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut made; Apparatus therefor to obtain segments other than slices, e.g. cutting pies specially adapted for cutting fruit or vegetables, e.g. for onions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
    • B26D7/00—Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
    • B26D7/01—Means for holding or positioning work
    • B26D2007/013—Means for holding or positioning work the work being tubes, rods or logs

Definitions

  • the example embodiments relates generally to the field of produce processors, and in particular to produce processors designed to simplify the task of removing the edible portion of a fruit or vegetable from its inedible portion, especially in volume.
  • Produce processors are used to simplify the task of removing one part of a fruit, vegetable or other food item from another part, especially in volume.
  • the two parts usually consist of an edible portion and an inedible or undesirable portion.
  • produce processors are usually used to remove an edible portion from an inedible or undesirable portion.
  • Examples of a produce processor include pineapple corers, corn cutters, melon processors, and breadbowl makers.
  • a pineapple corer is a tool that simplifies the task of removing the edible flesh of a pineapple from its inedible skin and core.
  • a corn cutter is a tool that simplifies the removal of individual corn kernels from the inedible core of a "corn on the cob".
  • a melon processor is a tool that removes the seeds from for example the core of a cantaloupe.
  • a breadbowl maker is a tool to remove the core of a piece of bread to form a bowl, for example to contain chili.
  • pineapple corers and cutters are known in the art. Considering the above, on one hand pineapple corers may include tools with blades attached to a handle, allowing the manual processing of one pineapple at a time. On the other hand, pineapple corers may also include fully automated and complex pineapple coring assembly lines processing hundreds of pineapples per minute and costing millions of dollars. [0005] Moreover, some conventional systems may also rely solely on gravity for operation and it becomes difficult to control and separate waste portions and edible portions.
  • Example embodiments relate to a produce processing system, which include: firstly, a positioning apparatus for positioning a produce into a pre determined position for cutting, and secondly a cutting apparatus for cutting the pre positioned produce with a blade assembly.
  • the produce is first positioned into a pre determined position such that a central radial axis of the produce is aligned with a central axis of the blade assembly by the positioning apparatus before the cutting apparatus can cut the produce by moving the blade assembly.
  • a positioning apparatus to position a produce including : a pair of bracketing members each having a produce engaging portion; and, a support below the pair of bracketing members for supporting the produce, the pair of bracketing members defining a space therebetween for receiving the produce, a first bracketing member of the pair of bracketing members movable horizontally towards a second bracketing member of the pair of bracketing members for pushing the produce along the support, the first bracketing member movable from an open configuration to a closed configuration towards the second bracketing member, each produce engaging portion on each bracketing member having at least one inclined surface for engaging a surface of the produce and for aligning a central axis of the produce with a central axis defined by the produce engaging portions of the bracketing members when in the closed configuration.
  • a method to position a produce including : receiving the produce between a pair of bracketing members each having a produce engaging portion, each produce engaging portion on each bracketing member having at least one inclined surface for engaging a surface of the produce; supporting the produce on a support positioned below the pair of bracketing members; moving a first bracketing member of the pair of bracketing members horizontally towards a second bracketing member of the pair of bracketing members for pushing the produce along the support, said moving being from an open configuration to a closed configuration towards the second bracketing member; and engaging a surface of the produce using the produce engaging portions and positioning the produce by aligning a central axis defined by the produce engaging portions of the bracketing members with a central radial axis of the produce in the closed configuration .
  • a cutting apparatus to cut a produce placed in a pre-determined position and having a skin portion, an inner portion, and a core portion, including : a horizontally movable mover; and a blade assembly attached to the mover, the blade assembly having an inner circular blade concentrically surrounded by an outer circular blade, the blade assembly horizontally engagable with the produce by containing the inner portion of the produce between the outer circular blade and the inner circular blade and having the inner portion and the core portion of the produce remain in the blade assembly when the blade assembly is horizontally retracted from the produce.
  • a cutting apparatus to cut a produce placed in a pre-determined position and having a skin portion, an inner portion, and a core portion, including : a movable mover; a blade assembly attached to the mover, the blade assembly having an inner circular blade concentrically surrounded by an outer circular blade; and a mask positioned between the blade assembly and the produce, the mask defining a cutout dimensioned to allow the blade assembly to pass through and engage with the produce through the mask unhindered, the blade assembly engagable with the produce by containing the inner portion of the produce between the outer circular blade and the inner circular blade and having the inner portion and the core portion of the produce remain in the blade assembly when the blade assembly is retracted from the produce through the mask.
  • a method to cut a produce having a skin portion, and inner portion and a core portion including : positioning the produce in a pre determined position; impaling the produce with a blade assembly attached to a horizontally movable mover, the blade assembly having an inner circular blade concentrically surrounded by an outer circular blade; and retracting the blade assembly horizontally from the produce and allowing the inner portion and the core portion of the produce to remain in the blade assembly.
  • a method to cut a produce having a skin portion, and inner portion and a core portion including : positioning the produce in a pre determined position; impaling the produce with a blade assembly through a mask, the blade assembly attached to a movable mover and having an inner circular blade concentrically surrounded by an outer circular blade, and the mask defining a cutout dimensioned to allow the blade assembly to pass through unhindered; and retracting the blade assembly from the produce through the mask, the mask stripping the skin portion from the outer circular blade and allowing the inner portion and the core portion of the produce to remain in the blade assembly.
  • Figure 1 shows a front side view of a first embodiment a positioning apparatus positioning a produce in an open configuration .
  • Figure 2 shows a front side view of a second embodiment of a positioning apparatus positioning a produce in an open configuration.
  • Figure 3 shows a front side view of the positioning apparatus of Figure 2 positioning a produce in an intermediate configuration.
  • Figure 4A shows a front side view of the positioning apparatus of Figure 2 positioning a produce in a closed configuration .
  • Figure 4B shows a front side view of the positioning apparatus of Figure 2 positioning a larger produce in a closed configuration.
  • Figure 5A shows a top view of another example embodiment of a positioning apparatus positioning a produce in a closed configuration.
  • Figure 5B shows a side view of the positioning apparatus of Figure 5A.
  • Figure 5C shows a perspective view of the positioning apparatus of Figure 5A.
  • Figure 6A shows a front side view of an example embodiment of a blade assembly having radial blades between two concentric circular blades.
  • Figure 6B shows a right side view of the blade assembly of Figure 6A.
  • Figure 7 illustrates a right side view of the blade assembly of Figure 6A, a mask, and a produce.
  • Figure 8 illustrates a right side view of the blade assembly of Figure 6A completely impaling the produce through the mask.
  • Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a blade assembly showing fin blades and pusher arms.
  • Figure 10 shows a front view of a third embodiment of a blade assembly having two concentric circular blades.
  • Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a produce processing system having a positioning apparatus and a blade assembly in accordance with example embodiments, with the produce shown in an initial position.
  • Figure 12 shows a top down view of the produce processing system of Figure 11, with the produce in an initial position.
  • Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the produce processing system of Figure 11, with the produce positioned into a predetermined position.
  • Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the produce processing system of Figure 11, showing the blade assembly completely impaling the produce.
  • Figure 15 shows a perspective view of the produce processing system of Figure 11, showing flesh from the produce inside the blade assembly.
  • Figure 16 shows a perspective view of the produce processing system of Figure 11, with the flesh from the produce inside the blade assembly being pushed out.
  • Figure 17 shows a side view of a mask to be used in the produce processing system of Figure 11, in accordance with an example embodiment.
  • a produce processor may be hand operated, semi automatic, or fully automatic.
  • example embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied as a portable hand operated tool for use in a kitchen by a consumer, a semi automatic tool for use in a supermarket, or as part of an automatic production line in a cannery.
  • pineapples will be used as an example produce to be processed, some of the system, apparatuses and methods disclosed herein may be applied to other types of produce as well.
  • a positioning apparatus for positioning a produce into a pre-determined position for cutting
  • a cutting apparatus for cutting the pre-positioned produce with a blade assembly.
  • the produce is first positioned into a pre-determined position such that a central radial axis of the produce is aligned with a central axis of the blade assembly by the positioning apparatus before the cutting apparatus can cut the produce by moving the blade assembly.
  • a positioning apparatus is used to position a produce for cutting, including a pair of bracketing members each having a produce engaging portion; and, a support below the pair of bracketing members for supporting the produce, the pair of bracketing members defining a space therebetween for receiving the produce, a first bracketing member of the pair of bracketing members movable horizontally towards a second bracketing member of the pair of bracketing members for pushing the produce along the support, the first bracketing member movable from an open configuration to a closed configuration towards the second bracketing member, each produce engaging portion on each bracketing member having at least one inclined surface for engaging a surface of the produce and for aligning a central axis of the produce with a central axis defined by the produce engaging portions of the bracketing members when in the closed configuration.
  • a method to position a produce includes receiving the produce between a pair of bracketing members each having a produce engaging portion, each produce engaging portion on each bracketing member having at least one inclined surface for engaging a surface of the produce, supporting the produce on a support positioned below the pair of bracketing members, moving a first bracketing member of the pair of bracketing members horizontally towards a second bracketing member of the pair of bracketing members for pushing the produce along the support, said moving being from an open configuration to a closed configuration towards the second bracketing member, and engaging a surface of the produce using the produce engaging portions and positioning the produce by aligning a central axis defined by the produce engaging portions of the bracketing members with a central axis of the produce in the closed configuration.
  • a cutting apparatus in accordance with an example embodiment is used to cut a produce placed in a pre-determined position and having a skin portion, an inner portion, and a core portion.
  • the cutting apparatus includes a horizontally movable mover; and a blade assembly attached to the mover, the blade assembly having an inner circular blade concentrically surrounded by an outer circular blade, the blade assembly horizontally engagable with the produce by containing the inner portion of the produce between the outer circular blade and the inner circular blade and having the inner portion and the core portion of the produce remain in the blade assembly when the blade assembly is horizontally retracted from the produce.
  • a method to cut a produce having a skin portion, and inner portion and a core portion includes: positioning the produce in a pre determined position; impaling the produce with a blade assembly attached to a horizontally movable mover, the blade assembly having an inner circular blade concentrically surrounded by an outer circular blade; and retracting the blade assembly horizontally from the produce and allowing the inner portion and the core portion of the produce to remain in the blade assembly.
  • a cutting apparatus in accordance with another example embodiment is used to cut a produce placed in a pre-determined position and having a skin portion, an inner portion, and a core portion, the cutting apparatus including a movable mover; a blade assembly attached to the mover, the blade assembly having an inner circular blade concentrically surrounded by an outer circular blade; and a mask positioned between the blade assembly and the produce, the mask defining a cutout dimensioned to allow the blade assembly to pass through and engage with the produce through the mask unhindered, the blade assembly engagable with the produce by containing the inner portion of the produce between the outer circular blade and the inner circular blade and having the inner portion and the core portion of the produce remain in the blade assembly when the blade assembly is retracted from the produce through the mask.
  • a method to cut a produce having a skin portion, and inner portion and a core portion includes: positioning the produce in a pre determined position; impaling the produce with a blade assembly through a mask, the blade assembly attached to a movable mover and having an inner circular blade concentrically surrounded by an outer circular blade, and the mask defining a cutout dimensioned to allow the blade assembly to pass through unhindered; and retracting the blade assembly from the produce through the mask, the mask stripping the skin portion from the outer circular blade and allowing the inner portion and the core portion of the produce to remain in the blade assembly.
  • Figure 1 shows a front side view of a positioning apparatus 100 in an open configuration.
  • Left bracketing member 101 and right bracketing member 102 are situated on either side of a pineapple 103 supported for example on a support 108 below the pair of bracketing members.
  • the pineapple 103 can be thought of as being generally oval or cylindrical having a circular cross-section.
  • Each bracketing member 101, 102 has at least one inclined surface at a bottom portion for engagement with the skin of the pineapple 103.
  • left bracketing member 101 has inclined surface 104 and inclined surface 106 for engagement with pineapple 103.
  • right bracketing member 102 has inclined surface 105 and inclined surface 107 for engagement with pineapple 103.
  • Left bracketing member 101 and right bracketing member 102 accordingly define a space therebetween for receiving of the pineapple 103.
  • FIG 2 a second embodiment of a positioning apparatus 200 is shown (similar reference numbers used for convenience of reference). Similar to the embodiment in Figure 1, the positioning apparatus 200 of Figure 2 is also shown in an open configuration.
  • bracketing members 101, 102 move towards the pineapple 103 on a pre-defined track defined by the support 108 from an initial open configuration through an intermediate configuration to a closed configuration.
  • first bracketing member 101 moves towards the pineapple 103 and pushes the pineapple 103 along the support 108.
  • both bracketing members 101, 102 move towards the pineapple 103 : left bracketing member 101 moves right towards the pineapple 103, and left bracketing member 102 moves left towards the pineapple 103.
  • both bracketing members 101, 102 move at the same rate, but as the embodiment in Figure 1 best illustrates, in other embodiments the bracketing members 101, 102 may move at different speeds with similar results.
  • Figure 3 shows a front view of the positioning apparatus 200 from Figure 2 in an intermediate configuration.
  • the bracketing members 101, 102 move toward pineapple 103, the inclined surfaces 106, 107 engage to lift a surface of the pineapple 103, and thereafter pineapple 103 is immobilized by the inclined surfaces 104, 105, 106, 107 into a pre-determined position when the bracketing members 101, 102 reach a closed configuration.
  • pineapple 103 has a circular cross section having a longitudinally radial axis 112 and a latitudinal radial axis 114
  • the central radial axes of the pineapple 103 e.g., both the longitudinal radial axis 112 and the latitudinal radial axis 114
  • the same predetermined centralized position may be predictably maintained for various imperfections in sizes and shapes of various pineapples.
  • Figure 4A shows a front view of the positioning apparatus 200 positioning a pineapple 103 in a closed configuration.
  • the bracketing members 101, 102 have immobilized pineapple 103 into the pre-determined position. Once stationary and in alignment with central axis 116, the pineapple 103 may be further manipulated and is in a ready position to be cut.
  • the size of bracketing members 101, 102 is large when compared to pineapple 103, in the closed configuration a portion of the bracketing members 101, 102 may overlap each other, as shown in area 401 on Figure 4A. It can be appreciated that overlap may be accounted for by the use of indents or by having portions of bracketing members 101, 102 or inclined surfaces 104, 105, 106, 107 on different vertical planes.
  • FIG. 5A shows a top view of the positioning apparatus 500 positioning a produce 503 in a closed configuration.
  • left bracketing member 501 and right bracketing members 502 are in different vertical planes.
  • right bracketing member 502 includes two sub-bracketing members 502a, 502b which are located in the same lateral plane but in different vertical planes with respect to each other and the left bracketing member 501. Accordingly, even if produce 503 is small relative to bracketing members 501, 502, overlap of bracketing members 501, 502 can occur without the bracketing members 501, 502 colliding.
  • each of the bracketing members 501, 502 each may include at least one inclined surface.
  • sub-bracketing member 502b includes inclined surface 506 for assisting in positioning and lifting of the produce 503 when moved horizontally.
  • the inclined surface 506 may in fact define one or more recesses 508 (one shown), for example, to accommodate fin blades (not shown, described in greater detail below), while still performing its intended function.
  • at least part of the inclined surface 506 may be non-continuous or discontinuous.
  • first bracketing member 501 includes inclined surface 510 and sub-bracketing member 502b includes inclined surface 512 (partially shown in Figure 5C).
  • the inclined surfaces 510, 512 may similarly be a non-continuous inclined surface.
  • a central axis 516 is defined by the bracketing members 501, 502, for aligning of a central axis of the produce 503.
  • the positioning of the longitudinal radial axis of the produce 503 can be adjusted by using adjusting brackets 514 in order to suitably align with a cutting apparatus (described in greater detail below).
  • the inclined surfaces 104, 105 may consist of surfaces that slideably engages the skin of the pineapple 103 such as bare metal or TeflonTM or surfaces that frictionally engages the skin of the pineapple 103 such as rubber.
  • An inclined surface may have one type of surface while the other inclined surface may have the other type of surface.
  • inclined surfaces 106, 107 may consist of slidable surfaces while inclined surfaces 104, 105 may consist of frictional surfaces.
  • each inclined surface 104, 105, 106, 107 may consist of a type of surface unique from all of the other inclined surfaces.
  • inclined surfaces 104, 105, 106, 107 may each optionally include padding to accommodate produce with irregular surface features, as well as to protect delicate produce from bruises or the like.
  • bracketing members 101 and 102 It may not be desirable to exert excessive force on pineapple 103 when the bracketing members 101 and 102 are transitioning from the open configuration to the closed configuration.
  • One way to determine this optimal position is to use force feedback sensors so that the movement of the bracketing members 101 and 102 can be stopped when a certain threshold resistance is encountered by the bracketing members 101 and 102.
  • Another way to determine an optimal position is to do so ahead of time.
  • pineapples are typically pre-sorted (size 5, 6, 7, with size 5 pineapples being the biggest, as is understood in the art)
  • a midpoint of first bracketing member 101 should be exactly 10.5 cm away from a midpoint of second bracketing member 102 in order to immobilize pineapple 103 in a pre-determined position while at the same time without subjecting the pineapple 103 to excessive force that may damage the pineapple.
  • Mechanical “stops” may be set so that bracketing members 101 and 102 never move closer than 10.5 cm between the midpoints. Similar measurements may be done for size 5 and size 7 pineapples with similar mechanical "stops” made. In use, the positioning apparatus is limited to one size until the mechanical "stops" are reconfigured; however, as it is industry practice to put pineapples of similar size into the same shipping container, limiting the positioning apparatus to one size is not an impediment.
  • the bracketing members may be made of any suitable metallic material, plastic material, or a combination or alloy thereof as long as it is suitable for the handling of food products. Other suitably rigid materials may also be used.
  • FIG. 6A shows a front view of an embodiment of a blade assembly 600 with inner circular blade 601 being surrounded concentrically by outer circular blade 602. Fin blades 603 are arranged around the circumference of outer circular blade 602 for cutting the skin of the pineapple.
  • Figure 6B shows a side view of the blade assembly 600 with fin blades 603 arranged around the circumference of outer circular blade 602. Blade assembly 600 comprising inner circular blade 601 and outer circular blade 602 may be attached to a mover 605 mounted to rails 606 such that blade assembly 600 is able to move in a pre-determined horizontal line and horizontally engage a pineapple easily.
  • Radial blades 604 are located between the inner circular blade 601 and the outer circular blade 602 and allows pineapple flesh to be cut into unique shapes while blade assembly 600 impales into a pineapple.
  • unique shapes such as a spear or a helix may be cut from the pineapple flesh as blade assembly 600 impales a pineapple.
  • the blade assembly 600 cuts the pineapple flesh into spears and may thus be referred to as a "spearing blade". Further supplementary blades may be used independently or in combination with the radial blades 604 to further cut the pineapple flesh into chunks.
  • a pineapple has a skin portion, an inner portion comprising the edible pineapple flesh, and a core portion comprising the inedible core.
  • the inner circular blade is dimensioned to contain the inedible core of a pineapple along its longitudinal axis
  • the outer circular blade is dimensioned to contain the edible flesh of the pineapple while simultaneously having a diameter dimensioned to exclude the skin of the pineapple. It can be appreciated that circular blades having different dimensions may be required to cut other foods, such as corn on the cob or breadbowls.
  • the blade assembly 600 is attached to a mover with one dimensional horizontal mobility, those skilled in the art can appreciate that it is important for pineapple 103 to be immobilized in a pre-determined location such that the center radial axes of the concentric inner circular blade 601 and outer circular blade 602 are in line with the center radial axes of the pineapple 103. Otherwise, the inedible pineapple core may not be accurately contained within the inner circular blade 601 and the edible pineapple flesh may not be accurately contained between the outer circular blade 602 and the inner circular blade 601 when the circular blades cut into pineapple 103.
  • One way to immobilize and position the pineapple 103 at such a pre-determined location is by using the positioning apparatus described herein.
  • FIG. 7 and 8 a side view of the blade assembly 600 with inner circular blade 601, outer circular blade 602, and fin blades 603 is shown, along with a side view of pineapple 103, a side view of a mask 701 and a side view of an end plate 702.
  • Mask 701 defines a cut-away outline (e.g. a cutout) dimensioned to allow the blade assembly 600 to be unhindered when it passes through and retracts from the mask 701.
  • end plate 702 contains an imprint of the blade assembly 600 in order to allow the inner circular blade 601 and the outer circular blade 602 to completely impale pineapple 103.
  • a detail view of an example mask 1401 is shown in Figure 17 in accordance with further example embodiments.
  • the top and bottom of pineapple 103 are chopped off (e.g. as described in greater detail below), then the pineapple 103 is laid on its side and immobilized in a pre-determined location such that the center radial axes of the concentric inner circular blade 601 and outer circular blade 602 are in line with the center radial axes of the pineapple 103, as shown in Figure 7.
  • the pineapple 103 has been immobilized and positioned at such a pre-determined location, for example by using a positioning apparatus as described herein.
  • blade assembly 600 moves horizontally, passes through mask 701 and completely impales pineapple 103 against end plate 702, as shown in Figure 8.
  • the wrapped pineapple skin is sliced into multiple strips. Gravity causes some of the wrapped pineapple skin to drop as garbage.
  • blade assembly 600 is retracted horizontally from pineapple 103. While retracting through mask 701, the shape of the cutout of the mask 701 causes any remaining the pineapple skin around the circumference of outer circular blade 602 to be stripped off into the garbage.
  • the pineapple flesh contained between the outer circular blade 602 and inner circular blade 601 and the inedible pineapple core contained within the inner circular blade 601 pass unhindered through mask 701.
  • the pineapple flesh is extracted from between the outer circular blade 602 and inner circular blade 601 by mechanical mechanisms such as mechanical pushers or graspers.
  • FIG. 9 a perspective view of another example embodiment of blade assembly 900 is shown, having fin blades 902 surrounding the circumference of the outer circular blade in blade assembly 900 and stationary mechanical pusher arms 901 (e.g., ten pusher arm segments shown in this example) for pushing pineapple flesh from in between the outer circular blade and the inner circular blade.
  • the pusher arms 901 may include a wedge- shaped cross-section which is shaped to generally fit between the radial blades.
  • the pusher arms 901 remain stationary and perform their pushing function when the blade assembly 900 retracts.
  • the cutting edges of the fin blades may make an acute angle, a right angle, or an obtuse angle with the circumference of the outer circular blade in the blade assembly.
  • the cutting edges may also be serrated.
  • the fin blades may be set back a distance from the cutting edge of the outer circular blade instead of mounted at the cutting edge of the outer circular blade as illustrated in Figure 9.
  • the inedible pineapple core contained within the inner circular blade 601 may is also mechanically removed by mechanical mechanisms.
  • One way to mechanically push the contained inedible pineapple core is to use the inedible pineapple cores of subsequently processed pineapples.
  • Another way is the use of mechanical pusher arms similar to the mechanical pusher arms used for pushing pineapple flesh from in between the outer circular blade and the inner circular blade.
  • a mover 903 is used to move the blade assembly 900.
  • the mover 903 may include at least one sheath 904, each mounted to a corresponding generally horizontal rail 905, and is moveable using a drive mechanism (not shown, an example drive mechanism is a handle 112 and associated mechanisms best shown in Figure 11 in another embodiment) for rotating two hinged arms 906. Rotation of the hinged arms 906 causes the mover 903 to move horizontally along the rails 905, towards and away from the produce. Accordingly, the rails 905 may define a horizontal track or path for movement of the blade assembly 900.
  • FIG 10 a front view of yet another embodiment of a blade assembly 1000 is shown having merely two concentric circular blades (rather than including the additional radial blades as in the spearing blade shown in Figure 6A).
  • a blade assembly 1000 may be used for coring of the pineapple, either as a whole annular cylinder or into rings, without sectioning into spears.
  • FIG. 11 a perspective view of a produce processing system 1100 having the positioning apparatus and the blade assembly is shown, with a produce 1101 (e.g. a pineapple) laid on its side in an initial position.
  • a first sidewall 1104 defines an opening 1108 for receiving of the produce 1101.
  • a hopper (not shown) or other feeding mechanism may further be mounted to the opening 1108 to facilitate the feeding of the produce 1101.
  • Figure 12 is a top down view of the same produce processing system having the positioning apparatus and the blade assembly, with the produce 1101 laid on its side in the initial position.
  • a support 1102 includes two rails which extend generally horizontally for supporting the produce 1101 along a generally horizontal path. Further, the first and second sidewalls 1104, 1106 are positioned so as to generally maintain the produce 1101 within the generally horizontal path. Second sidewall 1106 may be adjustable to account for various standard sizes of pineapples (e.g. size 5, 6, 7, etc., as is understood in the art).
  • Two angled or biased blades 1110, 1112 are used to cut off the top and bottom of the produce 1101. This is accomplished when the produce 1101 is pushed along the support 1102 by moving the produce through the blades 1110, 1112.
  • Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the produce processing system 1100 having the positioning apparatus and a cutting apparatus comprising a blade assembly 1305.
  • Bracketing member 1301 pushes the produce 1101 through the two angled blades 1110, 1112 to cut off the top and bottom of produce 1101.
  • the bracketing members 1301 and 1302 have positioned the produce 1101 into a predetermined position such that the center radial axes of the concentric inner circular blade 1303 and outer circular blade 1304 of blade assembly 1305 are in line with the center radial axes of the produce 1101.
  • Blade assembly 1305 is horizontally moveable to cut through the produce 1101.
  • Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the produce processing system 1100 showing the positioning apparatus and a cutting apparatus comprising a blade assembly 1305.
  • Blade assembly 1305 is in full extension and has completely impaled produce 1101 through a mask 1401.
  • a detail side view of the mask 1401 is shown in Figure 17.
  • the blade assembly 1305 and associated radial blades cut the produce 1101 into spears.
  • the blade assembly 1305 has retracted from the produce 1101 through the mask 1401.
  • the core from the produce 1101 is contained within the inner circular blade 1303, and the flesh of the produce is contained between the inner circular blade 1303 and outer circular blade 1304.
  • the generally horizontal configuration of the system 110 may allow for greater control and movement of the flesh.
  • fin blades 1501 have cut the skin of the produce into multiple strips, for greater ease of removal.
  • the flesh of the produce 1101 that is contained between the inner circular blade 1303 and the outer circular blade 1304 is being mechanically pushed out by stationary mechanical pusher arms 1601.
  • the flesh (cut into spears in this example) is pushed by the pusher arms 1601 when the blade assembly 1305 retracts and thereafter drops into a curved chute 1602 which leads to a cutting board 1201 (best shown in Figure 12).
  • the cutting board 1201 includes a cradle defining a plurality of slots and for receiving the flesh (spears) from the chute 1602.
  • a plurality of blades, each corresponding to each slot, may be used to cut the spears into chunks. If the flesh is received as a whole (not spears as in the illustrated embodiment), the blades cut the whole flesh into rings.
  • the system 1100 may be operated manually. In other words, in some embodiments the system 1100 may not require, hazardous and complicated motors, spinning blades, automated moving means, and/or positioning sensors for same.
  • the system 1100 may include first handle 1120 and second handle 1122.
  • the first handle 1120 is operably coupled to the bracketing member 1301, such that when the first handle 1110 is operated (e.g. pulled by an operator) the bracketing member 1301 operable moves towards the second bracketing member 1302.
  • the second handle 1122 is operably coupled to the blade assembly 1305 so that through movement (e.g.
  • the system 1100 and associated methods can be manually operated using two relatively straight forward motions. Referring now to Figure 14, this shows the second handle 112 pulled down so that the blade assembly 1305 moves to impale the produce 1101.
  • Variations may be made to some example embodiments, which may include combinations and sub-combinations of any of the above.
  • the various embodiments presented above are merely examples and are in no way meant to limit the scope of this disclosure. Variations of the innovations described herein will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art, such variations being within the intended scope of the present disclosure.
  • features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected to create alternative embodiments comprised of a sub-combination of features which may not be explicitly described above.
  • features from one or more of the above- described embodiments may be selected and combined to create alternative embodiments comprised of a combination of features which may not be explicitly described above.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Preparation Of Fruits And Vegetables (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé et un système destinés à couper et évider un produit, séparer ses parties comestibles de celles qui ne le sont pas, le système comprenant un appareil de positionnement et un appareil de coupe. L'appareil de positionnement comporte un support pour supporter le produit. Un premier élément d'enchâssement est mobile horizontalement en direction d'un second élément d'enchâssement pour pousser le produit le long du support en direction du second élément d'enchâssement. Chaque partie de venue en prise avec le produit de chaque élément d'enchâssement comprend au moins une surface inclinée conçue pour venir en prise avec une surface du produit et aligner un axe central du produit avec un axe central délimité par les parties de venue en prise avec le produit des éléments d'enchâssement lorsqu'ils sont dans une configuration fermée. L'appareil de coupe comporte un ensemble lame qui peut se déplacer pour empaler horizontalement le produit à travers un masque et qui extrait les parties comestibles du produit lorsqu'il est rétracté du produit à travers le masque.
PCT/CA2010/001458 2010-04-07 2010-09-23 Appareil de positionnement pour vide-pomme WO2011123925A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US32156410P 2010-04-07 2010-04-07
US61/321,564 2010-04-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2011123925A1 true WO2011123925A1 (fr) 2011-10-13

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ID=44761952

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA2010/001458 WO2011123925A1 (fr) 2010-04-07 2010-09-23 Appareil de positionnement pour vide-pomme

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WO (1) WO2011123925A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104942887A (zh) * 2015-06-10 2015-09-30 成都森绿家具有限公司 基于压紧不同尺寸木材的卡紧装置改进结构
CN106714585A (zh) * 2014-08-22 2017-05-24 雷德尔都有限责任公司 由蔬菜果实或水果果实制作空心柱形的可食用的容器的方法和装置
CN111067114A (zh) * 2020-01-15 2020-04-28 翟国松 一种自动苹果去核装置
CN112641105A (zh) * 2020-12-25 2021-04-13 中国热带农业科学院南亚热带作物研究所 一种具有定位结构便于固定的菠萝去芯机

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA1269582A (fr) * 1986-01-29 1990-05-29 Muro Corporation Eplucheuse mecanique
US7581491B2 (en) * 2004-07-28 2009-09-01 A.B.L. S.R.L. Machines used for peeling and coring melons and pineapples

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA1269582A (fr) * 1986-01-29 1990-05-29 Muro Corporation Eplucheuse mecanique
US7581491B2 (en) * 2004-07-28 2009-09-01 A.B.L. S.R.L. Machines used for peeling and coring melons and pineapples

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106714585A (zh) * 2014-08-22 2017-05-24 雷德尔都有限责任公司 由蔬菜果实或水果果实制作空心柱形的可食用的容器的方法和装置
CN104942887A (zh) * 2015-06-10 2015-09-30 成都森绿家具有限公司 基于压紧不同尺寸木材的卡紧装置改进结构
CN111067114A (zh) * 2020-01-15 2020-04-28 翟国松 一种自动苹果去核装置
CN111067114B (zh) * 2020-01-15 2022-08-16 翟国松 一种自动苹果去核装置
CN112641105A (zh) * 2020-12-25 2021-04-13 中国热带农业科学院南亚热带作物研究所 一种具有定位结构便于固定的菠萝去芯机

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