• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    rotary knife device for cutting products moved to cut contact with it at a selected speed, and rotary knife device for cutting potatoes moved at a speed selected for cutting contact with it is a rotary knife device for cutting vegetable products, such as raw potatoes, in a spiral shape. the knife device includes a rotatable, ring-shaped blade holder within a hydraulic product flow path. the blade holder includes at least one cutting blade, where the blade is rotated, from a central axis generally longitudinally aligned, outward in opposite circumferential directions with a sharp leading edge adjusted to a desired pitch angle. by controlling the blade pitch angle in relation to the blade rotational speed and the speed at which the potato travels along the hydraulic flow path, the resulting spiral cut is selected. when using multiple cutting blades in known axially spaced positions and selecting the angular position of each cutting blade in succession, the number of spiral shapes cut in each potato is selected. blades can have a straight, non-textured cut edge, or a rough, textured cut edge, or a combination of these.
    公开号:BR112014008674B1
    申请号:R112014008674-5
    申请日:2012-10-10
    公开日:2021-03-23
    发明作者:David Bruce Walker；Allen J. Neel
    申请人:J.R. Simplot Company；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0001] [0001] The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for cutting food products, such as products of plant origin and, in particular, such as raw potatoes and the like, into spiral or helical shaped pieces, the cutting surfaces of which they can be modeled by the design of knife blades, such as to create spiral or helical texturized pieces with "rough cut".
    [0002] [0002] Production cutting systems and related knife devices are useful for cutting vegetable products, such as raw potatoes in spiral or helical shape, in preparation for later production processing steps, such as blanching and pre-frying. In this regard, a typical production system comprises a hydraulic cutting system, in which a so-called water knife device is mounted along the length of an elongated tubular conduit. A pumping device is provided for dragging the vegetable product, such as raw potatoes into a propellant water chute for cutting contact with knife blades of the water knife device. The plant product is pumped, one at a time, successively in a single row into and through the water line with sufficient speed and kinetic energy to transport the plant product through a relatively complex knife device, which includes at least a rotary cutting blade for cutting the product into a plurality of smaller pieces of generally spiral or helical shape. The cut pieces are then carried forward through a discharge duct for further appropriate processing, including the cooking or bleaching, pre-frying, freezing and packaging steps, for later finishing and delivery to customers, as 'loops' (loops). ), Twirls, fries, etc.
    [0003] [0003] Examples of such hydraulic cutting systems and related rotary knife devices are found in U.S. Patents 5,168,784; 5,179,881; 5,277,546; 5,343,791; 5,394,780; 5,394,793; 5,473,967; 5,992,287; and Re. 38,149, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Those skilled in the art will recognize and realize that mechanical production feeding systems can be employed instead of hydraulic feeding systems, as described in U.S. Patents 5,097,735; 5,167,177; 5,167,178, and 5,293,803, which are also incorporated herein by reference.
    [0004] [0004] The present invention is directed to an improved rotary knife device and related cutting blades for cutting raw products of plant origin, such as potatoes, into spiral shaped pieces, which may or may not have textured cutting surfaces, such as such as wrinkles, waves, or other shapes. Summary of the Invention
    [0005] [0005] According to the invention, a rotary knife device is provided to cut vegetable products, such as raw potatoes, into spiral shapes. The knife device comprises a ring-shaped or circular blade holder, adapted to be rotated at a selected rotation speed within a hydraulic product flow path. The blade holder carries at least one cutting blade rotated with it, where the blade is twisted from a central axis, usually longitudinally aligned, outward in opposite radial directions, with a sharp leading edge positioned at an angle desired step. By controlling the blade pitch in relation to the blade rotation speed and the speed at which the potato travels along the hydraulic flow path, the resulting spiral cut shape is selected. Using several cutting blades in known axially spaced positions and selecting the angular position of each cutting blade in succession, the number of spiral shapes cut from each potato is also selected.
    [0006] [0006] In a preferred form, the ring-shaped blade holder of the rotary knife device is rotatably driven within a flow path of vegetable product, such as along a hydraulic flow duct having raw vegetables, such as potatoes , transported in a single file through it. The blade holder supports at least one cutting blade, which is twisted from a central axis, usually longitudinally aligned, outward in opposite radial directions, and which define a pair of sharp cutting edges presented in opposite circumferential directions . Each half of the cutting blade is fixed at a selected pitch angle, which varies according to the specific radial position, using the formula: (1) Step Angle = ArcTan (2 x Pi x Radius) / Step Length.
    [0007] [0007] For a blade diameter of 4 inches (radius = 2 inches), and a step length of 3 inches, each cutting blade is anchored, at its outer edge, to the ring-shaped blade holder associated with an angle of about 76.6º. However, note that the specific pitch angle will vary, depending on the radial position along the blade and the pitch length.
    [0008] [0008] In use, the single cutting blade is rotated, preferably at a rotation speed of approximately 6,000 revolutions per minute (rpm), to cut each potato moving along the hydraulic flow duct, the a speed of about 25 feet per second (fps), in a pair of pieces of generally spiral shape. With a step length of about 3 inches. of potato displacement by rotating the cutting blade, this results in a substantially optimal cut of each potato. In one embodiment, a cutting blade is rotatably driven at a speed of rotation, anywhere from about 4,000 rpm to 8,000 rpm. In one embodiment, a cutting blade rotates at a speed of rotation, anywhere from about 4,000 rpm, about 5,000 rpm, about 6,000 rpm, about 7,000 rpm, or about 8,000 rpm, or at speeds greater than 8,000 rpm.
    [0009] [0009] When more than one cutting blade is used, each cutting blade can be physically supported on a stack of ring-shaped blade holders, which have a known axial dimension, such as about 0.5 inches per blade holder, with the various blade holders being fixed for joint rotation. With this configuration, the angle Θ (theta), which separates each of the supported cutting blades in succession, is given by the formula: (2) Θ = T / P (axial dimension of each blade holder / step length) x 360 ° + 360 ° / N (number of pieces cut).
    [0010] [00010] Following this formula, when two cutting blades (N) are used, each supported by a 0.5 inch thick ring-shaped (T) blade holder, a step length (P) of 3 inches, a total of four spiral pieces are cut from each product, and the second cutting blade is rotatably fixed to be 150 ° out of step with the first cutting blade. Likewise, when three cutting blades are used, each product is cut into a total of six spiral pieces, and the second blade is oriented to be offset 120 ° from the first blade, and the third blade is oriented to be offset by another 120 ° from the second, or a total lag from the first slide of about 240 °. And, when four cutting blades are used, each product is cut into a total of eight spiral pieces, and the four blades are oriented respectively to be 105 ° out of phase with the immediately previous blade.
    [0011] [00011] Therefore, the present invention encompasses a multiple blade configuration to produce 2, 4, 6, 8, or more spiral pieces per product. In addition to even numbers of spiral cut pieces per product, the present invention encompasses a configuration of blades, which produce 3, 5, 7, 9 or more spiral pieces per product. An example of such a spiral piece is shown in D640.036, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
    [0012] [00012] Another aspect of the present invention is a cutting blade designed to have a textured or "wrinkled" edge of the surface, so that when it cuts the product, the exposed cutting surface is similarly textured or wrinkled. Thus, in one embodiment, wrinkled spiral cut pieces of the product can be produced, using the blades and the cutting system of the invention.
    [0013] [00013] In any embodiment, or permutation, of cutting blades and number of cutting blades of the cutting system of the invention, any number of spiral pieces can be obtained per product. That is, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, or more than 10 spiral pieces can be cut from each product. In another embodiment, any number or all of the cutting blades can be textured or wrinkled to produce textured cutting surfaces or wrinkled into a spiral piece. Thus, in one embodiment, each spiral-cut piece of a product can contain at least one textured / wrinkled cutting surface, if each cutting blade in the cutting system has a wrinkled surface edge. However, in another embodiment, not every cutting blade in the cutting system has a wavy, textured, or wrinkled edge. Thus, in this case, a single product can be cut, to obtain spiral pieces with smooth surface, as well as spiral pieces cut in a wrinkled way.
    [0014] [00014] "Product" means any vegetable, fruit or wood. A vegetable, which can be cut into 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more than 10 spiral pieces, which may have smooth or textured / wrinkled surfaces, includes, but is not limited to a, any tuberous vegetable, beet, turnip, radish, leek, or any root vegetable. In one embodiment, a tuber is a potato, sweet potato, carrot, cassava, cabbage, or yams. A fruit, which can be cut into 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more than 10 spiral pieces, which may have smooth or textured / wrinkled surfaces, includes, but is not limited to the, apples, pumpkin, peppers, pumpkin, zucchini, zucchini, cucumber, mango and banana. A vegetable or fruit, when processed and cut according to the methods described here, does not necessarily have to be completely made. That is, slices or cut pieces of a vegetable can be pumped into the cutting system, and these slices or pieces subsequently cut with cutting blades for the production of spiral pieces or spiral fragments.
    [0015] [00015] The present invention, in particular, encompasses a new potato chip, which is cut in a spiral and can have smooth or wrinkled surfaces. See, for example, the spiral potato pieces shown in Figure 9. The types of spiral sliced potato slices are a new line of edible products, and can be made in different sizes, or textured or smooth surfaces, from according to the present invention. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention is a package containing several spiral cut potato pieces or slices, in which substantially all spiral cut pieces or slices are approximately the same size or similar to each other. In another embodiment of the present invention there is shown a package containing several spiral-cut potato pieces or slices, in which many of the spiral-cut pieces or slices are approximately the same size or similar to each other. A "package" can be a bag of the type used to store potato chips, or an open support, such as for holding fast-food potato chips, or another containment structure or container. In any of these embodiments, one or more or all of the potato pieces or slices cut in a spiral in a package may have a wrinkled cutting surface. In another embodiment, the potato slices or slices spiraled in the package may be raw, or may be cooked, such as fried, toasted, or baked in an oven. Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention is a set of spiral cut potato pieces that are raw, a set of spiral cut potato pieces that are fried, or a set of spiral cut potato pieces, which are baked in the oven, or a set of pieces of potatoes cut in a spiral that are roasted, where the pieces have smooth surfaces or have a wrinkled cutting surface. "Smooth" surface means a product cut in a spiral, which has been cut with a cutting blade, which has a flat, non-textured surface and edge. "Wrinkled cut" means a spiral cut product, which has been cut with a cutting blade, which has a wrinkled or wavy surface and edge, such as the one shown in Figure 10. In another embodiment, the sliced potato slices Spiral can then be processed or seasoned, such as to produce spiral slices of potato, fried or baked in the oven, empanadas or empanadas with beer.
    [0016] [00016] Pieces of wood can also be cut into 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more than 10 spiral pieces, which can have smooth or textured / wrinkled surfaces. Soft woods can be cut, according to the present invention, for example. Examples of softwood include, but are not limited to, pine, redwood, fir, cedar, and larch. Other materials can also be cut according to the present invention, such as polystyrene, foam, cellulose solid materials, and plastics.
    [0017] [00017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more evident from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. Brief Description of Drawings
    [0018] [00018] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram depicting a hydraulic cutting system of a type using a rotatable driven knife device, constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view, showing a drive motor and toothed belt for rotatingly driving the knife device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view, showing the rotating assembly of the knife device within a rotating support unit; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the front side of a cutting blade supported by a ring-shaped blade holder, according to a preferred form of the invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the front side of a pair of cutting blades supported, respectively, by a corresponding pair of blade holders, according to a preferred alternative form of the invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the front side of a knife device, including three cutting blades, respectively, supported by three blade holders, according to another alternative preferred form of the invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the front side of four cutting blades supported, respectively, by four blade holders, according to another alternative preferred form of the invention; Figure 8 is a drawing similar to FIG. 7, but showing four blades of corrugated or corrugated cutting knife; Figure 9 is a drawing, showing a spiral cut or slice cut with the wrinkled cutting knife blades shown in Figure 8; and Figure 10 is a drawing of an exemplary cutting blade, designed to have textured or wavy or wrinkled surfaces and edges, in order to produce spiral pieces or slices, which have similarly textured, wavy, or wrinkled cutting surfaces. Detailed Description of Preferred Forms of Realization
    [0019] [00019] The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for cutting food products, such as products of vegetable origin and, in particular, such as raw potatoes and the like, into spiral or helical shaped pieces, the surfaces of which cutting tools can be modeled by the design of knife blades, such as to create spiral or helical pieces of "rough cut".
    [0020] [00020] More particularly, this invention relates to a rotatingly driven knife device, having a selected number of knife blades adapted to cut a raw potato, or the like, into generally spiral shaped pieces.
    [0021] [00021] As shown in the example drawings, a hydraulic cutting system comprises a so-called conventional water knife device, generally referred to in Figure 1 by reference number 10 for cutting vegetable products, such as whole potatoes 12, into pieces spiral-shaped for further processing. The present invention comprises a rotary drive knife device 10 (Figs. 2-7) for installation in the cutting system and for rotary drive by means of a drive motor 11, or the like. The knife device 10 includes at least one rotating blade 16 (Figs. 2-4) for cutting the product into a pair of generally spiral shaped pieces 14 of the same size and shape, or the like. In alternative embodiments, the single cutting blade 16 can be combined with a second cutting blade 17 (Fig. 5) to cut the product into four spiral-shaped pieces, with a third cutting blade 18 (Fig. 6 ) to cut the product into six spiral-shaped pieces, or with a fourth cutting blade 19 (Fig. 7) to cut the product into eight spiral-shaped pieces. In fact, any number of cutting blades can be used to subdivide the product into twice the number of spiral shaped pieces of substantially similar size and shape.
    [0022] [00022] FIG. 1 shows the cutting system in the form of a hydraulic cutting system, comprising a tank 78, or the like, for receiving a supply of products of plant origin, such as illustrative whole raw potatoes 12 in a peeled or unpeeled state. Alternatively, such potatoes 12 may include halves or pieces of whole potatoes, peeled or not. In a preferred form, these potatoes 12 comprise relatively small potatoes or pieces of potato with a longitudinal length of the order of about 3 inches. Note, however, that the actual size of the potato is not important, as long as the potato has a diametrical size to pass through the knife device.
    [0023] [00023] As seen in FIG. 1, potatoes 12 are fed through an inlet conduit 30 to a pump 32, which pushes the potatoes in a single row relationship into a chute or flow of propulsion water, through a tubular delivery conduit 34 for contact cutting with the blades (not shown in Figure 1) of the water knife device 10. In a typical hydraulic cutting system, the potatoes are moved through the delivery line 34 at a relatively high speed of about 25 feet per second ( fps), or about 1500 feet per minute (fpm), to provide sufficient kinetic energy, through which each potato is passed through knife device 10 to produce (as will be described in more detail here, by the blade pitch angle) the desired spiral cut elongated pieces 14. In this regard, the delivery conduit 34 may include a centering alignment device (not shown) for substantially centering each potato 12 on a longitudinal center line the flow passage extending through the associated knife device 10, in a manner known to persons skilled in the art. The cut strips 14 move through a short discharge duct 36 to a conveyor 38 or the like, which transports the cut strips 14 for further processing, such as bleaching, drying, breaded topping, pre-frying, freezing etc.
    [0024] [00024] Those skilled in the art will recognize and realize that cutting systems of alternative shape can be used, to include, for example, mechanical cutting systems, in which vegetable products, such as potatoes, are delivered mechanically by by means of a gutter or hopper or the like, to knife device 10. In both cases, knife device 10 is mounted along a production path and is rotated to make contact and cut the input products, forming the desired spiral-shaped pieces.
    [0025] [00025] FIGS. 2-3 show the installation of the illustrative knife device 10 in a rotating support unit 20, in a position in line with a production path for products of plant origin, such as potatoes 12 (Fig. 1). In this regard, the illustrative knife device 10 comprises a blade holder generally in the form of a ring 22, of generally annular or circular shape, and having an area of sufficient cross-section to provide a relatively rigid or resistant structure capable of withstanding the rigors. production environment over an extended period of time. This blade support 22 is fixed, as by means of fixing screws 23, or similar, on the annular ring downstream or lower 21 or similar, in turn adapted for fixation on the lower or downstream end of a rotating support assembly 25, such as by means of screws 25 'or the like.
    [0026] [00026] As shown in FIG. 3, the support assembly 25 is rotatably supported within an assembled bush 26, as by means of screws 26 ', or the like, on an upstream or upper side of the enlarged plate 27, which has an opening 13 formed therein for in-line installation along the production flow path. A flange plate 28 covers the support set 25 to press the set 25 against an inner shoulder 29 inside the sleeve 26. An actuated ring 30 is mounted, in turn, as by means of screws 30 ', on the support set 25 for rotation with the same.
    [0027] [00027] The driven ring 30 of the rotating support unit 20 includes a circumferential arrangement of retainers 41 for registration with teeth 42 of a toothed driving belt 43 (Figure 2). This drive belt 43 is, in turn, fixed around a drive gear 44 on an output shaft 45 of the drive motor 11 (Figure 2). Consequently, the drive motor 11 positively drives the driven ring 30 and the support assembly 25 attached to it at a known speed, preferably in the order of about 6,000 rpm, in the case of the illustrative cutting hydraulic system, for correspondingly , rotate the knife device 10 with the same speed of rotation. It is important to point out that the toothed drive belt 43 beneficially guarantees a constant speed rotary drive of the knife device 10, despite the contact by periodic impact of the water-driven potatoes with it.
    [0028] [00028] In a preferred configuration, as seen in FIGS. 2-4, a single cutting blade 16 is used to cut each incoming vegetable product, such as a potato 12, into two separate pieces, generally of a spiral shape 14 (Fig. 1), of similar size and shape. The cutting blade 16 is shown with a sharp cutting edge 16 'along one of its sides. Since the cutting blade 16 is generally twisted around a radial center, or a center line or longitudinal axis of the hydraulic flow path, two cutting edges 16 'are defined to extend radially outwards in opposite directions. , and in opposite directions. A pair of fixing screws 31 or the like is attached through the respective opposite sides of the cutting blade 16, to accommodate the cutting blade within a shallow recess formed by an appropriate pitch angle.
    [0029] [00029] More specifically, the specific pitch angle of the cutting blade 16, at each specific point along its radial length, is given by the formula: (1) Step Angle = ArcTan (2 x Pi x Radius) / Step Length.
    [0030] [00030] For a total blade radius of 2 inches and a pitch length of about 3 inches, the fixing screws 31 secure the outermost radial ends of each cutting blade 16 or 17 at a pitch angle of about 76.6 ° at the axial centerline of the blade. It should be understood, however, that the specific pitch angle is directly proportional to the radial point along the blade, whereby the pitch angle increases from the radial center. It is this pitch angle that determines the spiral shape of the cut product.
    [0031] [00031] In the event that more spiral-shaped pieces 14 are desired from each potato 12, more cutting blades are used, recognizing that each of the cutting blades cuts the input product into two pieces and thus produces twice as much the number of spiral shaped pieces, compared to the number of cutting blades used. It is important to note that the cutting blades are arranged successively at controlled angles, in order to obtain spiral cut pieces of similar or practically identical shape.
    [0032] [00032] More particularly, in a preferred form, as seen in FIG. 5, two cutting blades 16 and 17 are supported by separate blade holders 22 and 22 'in a stack on the associated annular ring 21, such as by means of elongated screws 23. That is, aligned screw holes are formed in the second blade 22 ', in the appropriate positions to receive the elongated screws 23 used to fix the drive rings 22, 22' and the underlying annular ring 21 together for simultaneous rotation.
    [0033] [00033] The two cutting blades 16 and 17 are generally identical to each other, to include a twisted shape generally on its central longitudinal axis and extending radially outward in opposite directions for seated coupling, as by means of fixing screws 31 or similar at the selected pitch angle. Using formula (1) above for the specific pitch angle of each blade 16 or 17 along its radial length, where the total blade radius is 2 inches and the pitch length is 3 inches, the screws clamping brackets 31 secure the outermost radial ends of each cutting blade 16 or 17 at a pitch angle of about 76.6 °.
    [0034] [00034] Furthermore, when the two cutting blades 16 and 17 are rotated at about 6000 revolutions per minute (rpm), to advance each product to be cut along the hydraulic flow path at a speed of about 25 feet per second (fps), the two cutting blades 16 and 17 cut the input product in two pieces, for a total of four spiral shaped pieces 14 in a similar or identical way. With a pitch length of about 3 inches of potato stroke for each cutting blade rotation, and with each of the blade holders 22, 22 'having an axial dimension of about 0.5 inches, the angle Θ ( theta) that separates each of the cutting blades is provided by the formula: (2) Θ = T / P (axial dimension of each blade holder / step length) x 360 ° + 360 ° / N (number of pieces cut).
    [0035] [00035] In the case of two cutting blades 16, 17 adapted to cut each of the input products into four generally identical spiral-shaped pieces, the angle Θ = 150 °.
    [0036] [00036] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate two preferred alternative exemplary forms of the invention, in which three cutting blades 16, 17 and 18 are supported separately by a stack of three ring-shaped blade holders 22, 22 'and 22 "for cutting each input product, forming a total of six spiral-shaped pieces (Fig. 6), and also where four cutting blades 16, 17, 18 and 19 are supported separately by a stack of four ring-shaped blade holders 22, 22 ', 22 "and 22"' (Fig. 7) for cutting each input product, forming a total of eight spiral-shaped pieces. In the examples in Figs. 6 and 7, formula (2) is followed to determine the angular configuration of each cutting blade, successively, in order to form the multiple pieces of spiral shape, of identical or similar shapes In Figure 6, the cutting blades are arranged in angles so successive of about 120 ° to cut products, according to US Patent D640,036, which is incorporated here porated by reference, whereas in FIG. 7, the cutting blades are arranged at successive angles of about 105 °. In each case, the fixing screws 31 are used to accommodate each of the cutting blades at the selected pitch angle within the recess formed in the associated blade holder. Likewise, screws 23 or similar are installed and fixed through aligned holes formed in the stacked blade holders, to fix them together for rotation with the support set 25.
    [0037] [00037] Those skilled in the art will understand and understand, of course, that almost any number of cutting blades can be used, with formula (2) determining the angular spacing of the various cutting blades in succession. For example, when five cutting blades are used, a total of ten spiral shaped pieces are formed; following formula (2), the angular spacing of successive cutting blades is about 96 °. Likewise, when six cutting blades are used, a total of twelve spiral-shaped pieces are formed; following formula (2), the angular spacing of the successive cutting blades is about 90 °. Those skilled in the art will also realize that when three or more cutting blades are used, formula (2) determines that angular spacing of the blades as a group, but that each blade only needs to be fixed in one of the angular positions; that is, the blades do not need to be adjusted to a normal lag interval, as long as one of the blades in the group is adjusted in each of the angular positions.
    [0038] [00038] Alternatively, it should be understood that other shapes of the blade supports and the related interconnecting means can be used, such as the formation of steps including guides and engagement grooves in the respective blade supports, to ensure the desired angular position of the cutting blades and their simultaneous rotation.
    [0039] [00039] In a preferred alternative form, the present invention encompasses a new potato chip, which is cut in a spiral and which may have wavy or wrinkled surfaces. See, for example, the spiral potato pieces 14 'shown in Figure 9. The types of spiral sliced potato slices are a new line of edible products, and can be made in different sizes or textured surfaces, according to the present invention. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention is a package containing several spiral cut potato pieces or slices 14 ', in which substantially all spiral cut pieces or slices are approximately the same size or similar to each other. In another embodiment of the present invention there is shown a package, which contains several spiral cut potato pieces or slices 14 ', in which many of the spiral cut pieces or slices are approximately the same size or similar to each other. A "package" can be a bag of the type used to store potato chips, or an open support, such as for holding fast-food potato chips, or any containment structure or container. In any of these embodiments, one or more or all of the spiral cut pieces or slices of a package may have a rough cut surface. In another embodiment, the potato slices or slices spiraled in the package may be raw or may be cooked, such as fried, toasted, or baked in an oven.
    [0040] [00040] Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention is a collection of spiral cut potato pieces, which are raw, a collection of spiral cut potato pieces, which are fried, or a collection of cut potato pieces spiral, which are baked in the oven, or a collection of potato pieces cut in a spiral, which are roasted, where the pieces have smooth surfaces or have a rough cut surface. By "smooth" surface is meant a product cut in a spiral, which was cut with a cutting blade 16, 17, 18 or 19, which has a flat surface and edge, without texture, as seen in Figs. 4-7. By "rough cut" is meant a spiral cut product, which was cut using a modified knife device 11 'with a 16 ", 17", 18 "or 19" cutting blade, which has a wrinkled surface or edge or wavy 16 "', 17'", 18 '", or 19"', as shown in FIG. 8. In another embodiment, the potato slices cut in a spiral can be further processed or seasoned, such as to produce potato slices fried or baked in the oven, cut in a spiral, breaded or breaded with beer.
    [0041] [00041] It should be clear that the modified knife device 11 'shown in FIG. 8 can be equipped with one or more of the cutting knives of a corrugated and rough cut configuration, according to any of the cutting blade embodiments shown in Figs. 4-7. In fact, more than four of these knife blades can be used, if more than 8 spiral cut slices are desired. It should also be recognized and understood that different size undulations or rough cut configurations can be used for the various cutting blades, as illustrated in FIG. 10 in relation to the 16 "corrugated knife blade and the associated cutting edge 16".
    [0042] [00042] A variety of modifications and improvements to the rotary knife device 10 of the present invention will be perceived by persons skilled in the art. As an example, persons skilled in the art will understand that each of the twisted cutting blades, as shown and described herein, can be replaced by a pair of individual blades diametrically aligned with each other and with a pitch angle, as defined by the formula (1), but, on the other hand, not connected to the axial axis of the flow path. As another alternative, the blades do not need to be aligned diametrically, but an odd number of unconnected blades can be used, in case an odd number of product cuts is desired. Accordingly, no limitation of the invention is intended with respect to the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, except as defined in the appended claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (20)
    [0001]
    ROTARY KNIFE DEVICE FOR CUTTING MOVED PRODUCTS FOR CUTTING CONTACT WITH THE SAME AT A SELECTED SPEED, characterized by the fact of understanding: blade holder having a generally ring-shaped configuration; support assembly supporting said blade support; means for rotationally driving said support assembly, for correspondingly rotating said blade support at a selected speed of rotation; at least one cutting blade driven by said blade holder, said at least one cutting blade having a sharp cutting edge on one of its sides and being generally twisted to a central line thereof to define a pair of cutting edges, generally presented in opposite circumferential directions; and means for fixing opposite ends of said at least one cutting blade to a pair of respective angled mounting surfaces on said blade holder with a selected pitch angle, defined by the formula: Step angle = ArcTan (2 x Pi x Radius) / Step length.
    [0002]
    ROTARY KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it also includes hydraulic means to propel the products to cut contact with it along a hydraulic flow path.
    [0003]
    ROTATING KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for fixing opposite ends of said at least one cutting blade to said blade support comprise a pair of fixing screws generally disposed on opposite sides of said at least at least one cutting blade, to seat the opposite ends of said at least one cutting blade within respective shallow recesses formed within said blade holder, at said selected pitch angle.
    [0004]
    ROTARY KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said means for rotationally driving said support set comprises a ring driven on said support set, a driving ring driven on an output shaft of an engine drive, and a toothed belt coupled between said driven and drive rings.
    [0005]
    ROTATING KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said means for rotationally driving said support set are adapted to rotatively drive said support set at a rotation speed of about 6,000 rpm.
    [0006]
    ROTATING KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one cutting blade comprises a plurality of cutting blades mounted successively along a longitudinal central line of the hydraulic flow path, said plurality of cutting blades being angularly positioned successively at controlled angles (Θ) defined by the formula: Θ = (((T / P x 360º) + (360 ° / N)) in which T = axial dimension of each blade holder, P = step length, and N = number of cut pieces) to cut a plurality of pieces of generally identical shape, from each of the products moved along the hydraulic flow path.
    [0007]
    ROTATING KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that said at least one cutting blade is selected from the group, which comprises a straight cut and rough cut edge.
    [0008]
    ROTATING KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that said plurality of cutting blades is selected from the group comprising straight cut and rough cut edges.
    [0009]
    ROTATING KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 6, characterized in that said plurality of cutting blades comprises a combination of straight and rough cut edges.
    [0010]
    ROTARY KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the products moved along the hydraulic flow path comprise products selected from the group consisting of vegetables, fruits and wood products.
    [0011]
    ROTARY KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the products moved along the hydraulic flow path comprise potatoes.
    [0012]
    ROTARY KNIFE DEVICE FOR CUTTING MOVED POTATOES AT A SELECTED SPEED FOR CUTTING CONTACT WITH THE SAME, characterized by the fact of understanding: blade holder having a generally ring-shaped configuration; support assembly supporting said blade support; means for rotationally driving said support assembly, for correspondingly rotating said blade support at a selected speed of rotation; at least one cutting blade driven by said blade holder, said at least one cutting blade having a sharp cutting edge on one of its sides and being generally twisted in its longitudinal center line to define a pair of cutting edges generally presented in opposite circumferential directions; and means for fixing the opposite ends of said at least one cutting blade to a pair of respective angled mounting surfaces on said blade holder with a selected pitch angle, defined by the formula: Step angle = ArcTan (2 x Pi x Radius) / Step length.
    [0013]
    ROTATING KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that it also includes hydraulic means to propel the potatoes for cutting contact with it along a hydraulic flow path.
    [0014]
    ROTATING KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 12, characterized in that said means for fixing the opposite ends of said at least one cutting blade to said blade support comprises a pair of fixing screws generally disposed on opposite sides of the at least one cutting blade is said to seat the opposite ends of said at least one cutting blade in the respective shallow recesses formed within said blade holder, at said selected pitch angle.
    [0015]
    ROTATING KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 12, characterized in that said means for rotationally driving said support set comprises a ring driven on said support set, a driving ring driven on an output shaft of a drive motor, and a toothed belt coupled between said driven and drive rings.
    [0016]
    ROTATING KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that said means for rotationally driving said support set are adapted to rotationally drive said support set at a rotation speed of about 6,000 rpm.
    [0017]
    ROTATING KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 13, characterized in that said at least one cutting blade comprises a plurality of cutting blades mounted successively along a longitudinal central line of the hydraulic flow path, said plurality of blades cutting edges being angularly positioned successively at controlled angles (Θ) defined by the formula: Θ = (((T / P x 360º) + (360 ° / N)) in which T = axial dimension of each blade holder, P = step length, and N = number of pieces cut) to cut a plurality of pieces of generally identical shape, from each of the potatoes moved along the hydraulic flow path.
    [0018]
    ROTATING KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that said at least one cutting blade is selected from the group comprising a straight and rough cut edge.
    [0019]
    ROTATING KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that said plurality of cutting blades is selected from the group comprising straight cut and rough cut edges.
    [0020]
    ROTATING KNIFE DEVICE, according to claim 17, characterized in that said plurality of cutting blades comprises a combination of straight and rough cut edges.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    BR112014008674B1|2021-03-23|ROTARY KNIFE DEVICE FOR CUTTING MOVED PRODUCTS FOR CUTTING CONTACT WITH THE SAME AT A SELECTED SPEED, AND ROTATING KNIFE DEVICE FOR CUTTING MOVED POTATOES AT A SELECTED SPEED FOR CUTTING CONTACT WITH THE SAME
    US9943978B2|2018-04-17|System for cutting spiral shaped pieces
    AU2016302158B2|2019-03-07|System for cutting spiral shaped pieces
    AU2016318314B2|2019-05-02|Flow-propelled rotary knife
    BR112018002502B1|2021-09-28|SYSTEM FOR CUTTING PUSHED PRODUCTS, ROTARY KNIFE APPLIANCE, WATER KNIFE CUTTING SYSTEM AND HELICALLY TWISTED PARTS OF PRODUCT
    NZ623103B2|2016-07-01|Rotary knife fixture for cutting spiral, textured potato pieces
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    US9914232B2|2018-03-13|
    AU2012323311A1|2014-04-24|
    AU2017202080C1|2019-04-04|
    MX2014004329A|2015-02-05|
    PL2766154T3|2018-08-31|
    EP3338973A1|2018-06-27|
    ZA201402557B|2015-12-23|
    CL2014000860A1|2014-12-19|
    EP2766154A1|2014-08-20|
    CN104010780B|2016-07-06|
    ES2674699T3|2018-07-03|
    ES2668821T3|2018-05-22|
    BR112014008674A2|2017-04-18|
    NZ623103A|2016-03-31|
    AU2012323311C1|2019-04-18|
    US20180141230A1|2018-05-24|
    MX350207B|2017-08-25|
    WO2013055740A1|2013-04-18|
    PL3192619T3|2018-09-28|
    AU2017202080A1|2017-04-20|
    AU2012323311B2|2017-04-27|
    CA2850796A1|2013-04-18|
    EP3192619A1|2017-07-19|
    EP3192619B1|2018-04-25|
    US20130087032A1|2013-04-11|
    EP2766154A4|2015-10-21|
    CN104010780A|2014-08-27|
    EP2766154B1|2018-04-11|
    AU2017202080B2|2018-10-18|
    CA2850796C|2019-09-03|
    US20150246456A1|2015-09-03|
    US9089987B2|2015-07-28|
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    法律状态:
    2018-12-11| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according art. 34 industrial property law|
    2020-02-11| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: suspension of the patent application procedure|
    2021-01-12| B09A| Decision: intention to grant|
    2021-03-23| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 10/10/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US201161546035P| true| 2011-10-11|2011-10-11|
    US61/546,035|2011-10-11|
    US201261661278P| true| 2012-06-18|2012-06-18|
    US61/661,278|2012-06-18|
    US13/647,319|2012-10-08|
    US13/647,319|US9089987B2|2011-10-11|2012-10-08|Rotary knife fixture for cutting spiral, textured potato pieces|
    PCT/US2012/059465|WO2013055740A1|2011-10-11|2012-10-10|Rotary knife fixture for cutting spiral, textured potato pieces|
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