Water bearing and food cutting assembly

A food cutter assembly can include a spindle body defining an interior passage for receiving a food product. The food cutter assembly can also include a thrust disc connected to the spindle body. The thrust disc can include opposing surfaces extending radially from the rotational axis of the spindle body and a circumferential surface between the opposing surfaces. A cutting tool can be connected to an end of the spindle body for cutting the food product. The food cutter assembly can also include a housing for rotationally mounting the spindle body, where the housing includes a radial bearing to be positioned proximate to the thrust disc. The spindle body and the housing can define fluid passages extending from a port in the housing through the radial bearing to the spindle body and across the opposing surfaces and the circumferential surface to the spindle body.

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of food products are processed before arriving on a consumer's plate. A variety of fruits and vegetables, for example, are cut or shaped and then frozen or otherwise preserved for later use. In order to meet the demand for processed food products and efficiently produce large quantities of such products, the food industry utilizes various equipment for rapidly processing large amounts of foodstuff.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key and/or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Also, this Summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter in any manner.

Aspects of the disclosure can relate to a food cutter assembly. The food cutter assembly can include a spindle body defining an interior passage for receiving a food product. The food cutter assembly can also include a thrust disc connected to the spindle body. The thrust disc can include opposing surfaces extending radially from the rotational axis of the spindle body and a surface between the opposing surfaces. A cutting tool can be connected to the spindle body for cutting the food product. The food cutter assembly can also include a housing for rotationally mounting the spindle body, where the housing includes a radial bearing to be positioned proximate to the thrust disc. The spindle body and the housing can define fluid passages extending from a port in the housing through the radial bearing to the spindle body and across the opposing surfaces and the circumferential surface to the spindle body.

Aspects of the disclosure can also relate to a method for lubricating a radial bearing of a food cutter assembly. The method can include receiving a supply of water at a housing for rotationally mounting a spindle body having a rotational axis, where the housing includes a radial bearing proximate to a thrust disc of the spindle body. The thrust disc can include opposing surfaces extending radially from the rotational axis of the spindle body and a circumferential surface between the opposing surfaces. The water can be directed through fluid passages extending from a port in the housing through the radial bearing to the spindle body and across the opposing surfaces and the circumferential surface to the spindle body. The spindle body may be rotated while the water is directed through the fluid passages to create a water film between the housing and the spindle body that reduces friction between the housing and the spindle body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the disclosure are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, example features. The features can, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the combinations set forth herein; rather, these combinations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope. Among other things, the features of the disclosure can be embodied as formulations, food products, processes, processes for making food products, and processes for making formulations. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Equipment for processing foodstuff can include bearings. The bearings can be lubricated by an oil or gel. In some instances, a portion of the oil or gel used to lubricate the bearings can seep into the food product flow stream, possibly contaminating the food product. Additionally, the lubricant can heat up due to the relative motion of the components and can deteriorate over time. This can result in interruptions where the system needs to cool down or where the lubricant needs to be flushed from the system and changed.

FIGS. 1 through 4illustrate a food cutter assembly100in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure. The features associated with the food cutter assembly100eliminate the risk of contaminating the assembly and reduces down time for the assembly. InFIG. 1, the food cutter assembly is shown to include a housing104for a spindle102having a cutting tool132coupled to an end of the spindle102for processing food product128supplied to the food cutter assembly100by a food product processing path (e.g., as shown inFIG. 4). Even though the specification discusses potatoes as food product128, other food products can be cut with cutting tool132. For example, food product128can include all types of potatoes, sweet potatoes yams, apples, pears, carrots and other types of fruits and vegetables with similar flesh density. In some situations, food product128and be a frozen and/or chilled food product to provide a proper hardness for cutting. The spindle102can be rotated by a sprocket146formed around the spindle102to be driven by a belt148. For example,FIG. 4shows an embodiment of the food cutter assembly100implemented in a food product processing path with a motor158that drives the belt148to turn the sprocket146.

FIGS. 2 and 3show cross-sectional isometric views of the food cutter assembly100. In embodiments the food cutter assembly100may include one or more radial bearings (e.g., a first radial bearing134and a second radial bearing136) for rotationally mounting a spindle body106of the spindle102. The spindle body106may be fixedly connected with one or more thrust discs (e.g. a first thrust disc112and a second thrust disc120) that reduce or eliminate contact between the spindle body106and the housing104. For example, the one or more thrust discs may be connected to the spindle body106by an interference fit, where the one or more discs are heated and the spindle is cooled while the components are fit together so that they tighten up as they return to their previous temperatures. In some embodiments, the thrust discs may be formed of stainless steel. In some embodiments, the first thrust disc112has first opposing surfaces114and116and a first circumferential surface118, and the second thrust disc120has second opposing surfaces122and124and a second circumferential surface126. For example, the first thrust disc112can include first opposing surfaces114and116that extend radially from a rotational axis110of the spindle body106, and the first circumferential surface118can be located between the first opposing surfaces114and116. The second thrust disc120(and possibly other thrust discs) can be similarly structured.

The first radial bearing134can be positioned proximate to the first thrust disc112, and the second radial bearing136can be positioned proximate to the second thrust disc120when the spindle body106is rotationally mounted to the housing104. In some embodiments, the first radial bearing134and the second radial bearing136are formed of a food grade plastic (e.g., Nylon 6, high density polyethylene, polyethylen terephthyalate, or the like). The spindle body106and the housing104can define one or more fluid passages in between components of the food cutter assembly100that move relative to one another. For example, the spindle body106and the housing104can define first fluid passages138extending from a first port140in the housing through the first radial bearing134to the spindle body106and across the first opposing surfaces114and116and the first circumferential surface118to the spindle body106. The spindle body106and the housing104can also define second fluid passages142extending from a second port144in the housing104through the second radial bearing136to the spindle body106and across the second opposing surfaces122and124and the second circumferential surface126to the spindle body106.

Although, first and second bearings and first and second thrust discs are shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, in other embodiments, the food cutter assembly100may include a single bearing or thrust disc, or more than two bearings or thrust discs. In the illustrated embodiment, first and second bearings and thrust discs are arranged on either side of the sprocket146. This configuration may provide improved balance and allow the spindle102smoothly when the sprocket is driven by the belt148.

In embodiments, a cutting tool132is connected to an end of the spindle body106for processing (e.g., cutting or slicing) food product128received at the food cutter assembly100. For example, the cutting tool132can include a plurality a helical knife having one or more helical or spiral shaped blades for shaping food product128into cut food product segments130(e.g. spiral cut shapes and other shapes). In some embodiments, the cutting tool132may include a pulverizer or any other rotationally driven food processing element.

In operation, the spindle body106may be rotated by the sprocket146that is fixedly connected to the spindle body106and driven by the belt148(e.g., as shown inFIG. 4), whereby the spindle's movement causes the cutting tool132to rotate about a rotational axis110that is aligned with a processing path of the food product128. The spindle body106can also define an interior passage108extending along the rotational axis110. The interior passage108can receive the cut food product segments130from the cutting tool132. In some embodiments, a tube154is located in the interior passage along the length of the spindle body106for receiving the cut food product segments130and transporting the cut food product segments130to another portion of the food product processing path. For example, the tube154can transport the cut food product segments130to another food processing device or station, or to a storage container. The spindle body106can rotate around the tube154, which can be stationary relative to the food product processing path. The tube154may be configured to fixedly connect to the housing104and extend into the spindle body106to receive the cut food product segments130from the cutting tool132. In this regard, the tube154may also serve to protect the cut food product segments130from being damaged or broken down further by the rotating spindle body106. In some embodiments, the spindle body106and/or the tube154can be formed of a food grade plastic material.

Water (or another food safe fluid) can be pumped through the fluid passages138and142to create a water film between the housing104and the spindle body106, where the water film serves to reduce friction between the housing104and the spindle body106while the spindle102is being rotated. For example, arrows inFIG. 3illustrate the water flow through fluid passages138and142. In some embodiments, fresh water can be supplied for the fluid passages138and142from a water source (e.g., a city water tap). Water for the fluid passages138and142may be suppled from the water source at a water pressure in the range of approximately 40 psi to 80 psi, for example the water may be supplied at approximately 60 psi. In some cases, keeping the water pressure above approximately 40 psi may avoid bacteria or mold build up. Using water as a lubricant for the food cutter assembly100can reduce the risk of contaminating or otherwise negatively impacting the food product128during its processing. For example, food safe oils can be used to lubricate processing components; however, these can seep into the food product processing stream and end up the processed food product128(e.g., in the cut food product segments130). The food cutter assembly100described herein can be lubricated with water that is pumped through the fluid passages138and142, thus the seepage of lubricant (i.e., the water) into the food product processing stream has no negative impact on the food product128, which is already being driven through the food product processing path by water.

The food cutter assembly100can include respective seals (e.g., a first seal150and a second seal152) for each of the first and second radial bearings134and136to keep the water from leaking out of the first and second radial bearings134and136, and to maintain the water at a pressure sufficient to create a film that lubricates the spindle body106and thrust discs112and120as they rotate relative to the housing104. In some embodiments, the first seal150is adjacent to the first thrust disc112and the second seal152is adjacent to the second thrust disc120with the sprocket146disposed between the first seal150and the second seal152. The first and second seals150and152may have seal ports (not shown) that allow the water to exit in a controlled fashion from the fluid passages138and142so that fresh water can be continuously supplied. The water can serve a variety of purposes. For example, in addition to reducing friction between the spindle body106and the housing104, the water pumped through the fluid passages can cool the food cutter assembly100and prevent accumulation of debris (e.g., starch) from the food product128in spaces between the spindle body106and the tube154.

In some embodiments, the spindle body106and the tube154define an opening at a first end (e.g., opposite the cutting tool132) that allows water to enter between the spindle body106and the tube154, thereby creating a film between the spindle body106and the tube154to reduce friction between the two components. In some embodiments, the separation (or play) between the spindle body106and the tube154can be in the range of 5 to 30 one thousandths of an inch (0.005 to 0.030 in.), for example the spindle body106and the tube154can have a separation tolerance of approximately 10 to 15 one thousandths of an inch (0.010 to 0.015 in.). In some embodiments, the separation (or play) at the opening at the first end, where water can enter the space between the spindle body106and the tube154, may be in the range of 10 to 30 one thousandths of an inch (0.010 to 0.030 in.), for example the play between ends of the spindle body106and the tube154that form the opening may approximately 15 one thousandths of an inch (0.015 in.). In some embodiments, the spindle body106and the tube154can also have an opening at a second end (e.g., proximate to the cutting tool132) that allows water to exit from between the spindle body106and the tube154and enter the tube154. The water can serve to reduce friction between the spindle body106and the tube154, and the water can also serve to clean out the space between the spindle body106and the tube154and/or the inner surface of the tube154.

FIG. 4shows an embodiment of the food cutter assembly100implemented in a food product processing path with a motor158that drives the belt148to turn the sprocket146. The motion of the belt148causes the spindle102to rotate and spin the cutting tool132at the end of the spindle102. In some embodiments, the motor158is a 10 horsepower (hp), 3600 revolution per minute (rpm) motor; however, any motor with sufficient horsepower and torque can be utilized. The requisite horsepower and torque may depend on the food product128, cutting tool132, and so forth. In some embodiments, the sprocket146, belt148, and motor158are configured to rotate the spindle102at a rate in the range of approximately 3000 to 6000 rpm, for example, the spindle102may be driven to rotate at a rate of approximately 4500 rpm. Meanwhile, the food product128can be fed into the food cutter assembly100(e.g., through the cutting tool132) via one or more supply tubes, where the food product is transported through the tubes by flowing water. In some embodiments, the water flow rate through the one or more supply tubes is in the range of approximately 400 to 700 gallons per minute, or any flow rate sufficient for driving the food product128through the one or more supply tubes at a sufficient speed for the food cutter assembly100to process the food product128. The one or more supply tubes can include a perforated tube156that directs the food product128into the food cutter assembly100. In some embodiments, the perforated tube156may include a tapered portion that aligns the food product128with the cutting tool132of the food cutter assembly100. A portion of the water used to transport the food product128may be shed through openings in the perforated tube156through a bypass tube160and drained out of the system, while some of the water may enter the interior passage of the spindle body106(e.g., into tube154) through the cutting tool132.

FIG. 5is a flow chart illustrating a method200for supplying a food safe fluid, such as water, to lubricate one or more radial bearings of a food cutter assembly, such as the food cutter assembly100described herein. In some implementations, the method200can include the following blocks. The method200can also include one or more operations or blocks relating to aspects or features of the food cutter assembly100described herein. At block202, the method200can include receiving a supply of water at the housing104for rotationally mounting the spindle body106having rotational axis110, where the housing104includes one or more radial bearings (e.g., first radial bearing134and/or second radial bearing136) proximate to one or more thrust discs (e.g., first thrust disc112and/or second thrust disc120) of the spindle body106. At block204, the water can be directed through fluid passages (e.g., first fluid passages138and/or second fluid passages142) extending from one or more respective ports (e.g., first port140and/or second port144) in the housing104through the one or more radial bearings to the spindle body106and across the opposing surfaces (e.g., first opposing surfaces114and116and/or second opposing surfaces122and124) and the circumferential surface (e.g., first circumferential surface118and/or second circumferential surface126) of each of the one or more radial bearings to the spindle body106. At block206, the spindle body106may be rotated while the water is directed through the fluid passages to create a water film between the housing104and the spindle body106that reduces friction between the housing104and the spindle body106. In some implementations, the water directed through the fluid passages may also cool the housing104and the spindle body106and/or other portions of the food cutter assembly100.