Patent ID: 6736041
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: B26D,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A cutting machine, for cutting vegetables into vegetable sticks, comprising:a cutting table, the table substantially flat and horizontal, having a substantially horizontal table surface, a feed end and an exit end; a belt assembly, including rollers which axially extend vertically from the table surface, and a belt extending substantially horizontally around the rollers in a closed loop, the belt further extending vertically having a lower edge, which extends substantially parallel to the table surface and substantially touches the table surface, and an upper edge, wherein a belt height is defined between the lower edge and upper edge; a plurality of cleats attached to the belt, each of the cleats having a plurality of cleat fingers extending radially outward from the belt, each cleat having a height that is substantially equal to the belt height and extending substantially between the table surface and the upper edge of the belt, the cleat fingers capable of propelling vegetables inserted at the feed end toward the exit end; and a horizontal blade assembly, including a plurality of horizontal blades positioned in the path of vegetables pushed by the cleats, the horizontal blades extending parallel to the table surface, and vertically spaced apart consistent with the cleat fingers so that as the belt moves the cleat fingers extend between the horizontal blades and the horizontal blades extend between the cleat fingers so that the cleat fingers push the vegetables through the horizontal blades but the cleat fingers do not interfere with the blades.