Apparatus for conveying and cutting a product into discrete pieces

Abstract: An elongate product (P) is divided into a plurality of longitudinal strips by frictionally engaging the product between a pair of spaced flexible conveyors (13,15) defining a longitudinal feed path therebetween and feeding the product at a desired orientation into a stationary knife assembly (63) which cuts the product into strips that are discharged through a spiral-shaped chute (67) and collected in a receptacle (69). The spacing between the conveyors may be varied by adjustment assemblies (16) spaced longitudinally along the feed path.

Description: The present invention relates to apparatus for conveying and cutting a product into discrete pieces. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices and machines for dividing agricultural products into discrete pieces of predetermined size and to an improved apparatus for cutting elongate vegetables, such as carrots, zucchini, potatoes, celery and the like, into a plurality of longitudinal strips. Machines for cutting or slicing products, particularly agricultural produce, into plural pieces of various shapes and sizes are well known in the art. A particular type of such machines is conventionally known as a "water gun" or hydraulic cutting system and is particularly useful for cutting potatoes into slabs or strips. Such a system is disclosed, e.g., in US-A-4423652. A water gun operates by pumping a mixture of water and the product to be cut through a pipe. The product is propelled at a fairly high rate of speed and caused to impact against a stationary knife assembly which cuts the product into the required size portions during its travel through the pipe. The resulting mixture of water and cut product is then discharged for separating the cut product from the water. Water guns are particularly useful in the production of french fries, since they are capable of propelling the water and potato mixture through the knife assembly at a high production rate. The stationary knife assembly utilized in a typical water gun is defined by a cutting head block onto which a plurality of elongate knife elements are secured in parallel pairs that are disposed in a staggered relationship and at a 90° offset with respect to adjacent pairs of knife elements. The cutting edges of the knife elements collectively define a plurality of rectangular-shaped boxes for producing strips of the product having corresponding transverse cross-sectional configurations. The interengagement of adjacent knife elements is accomplished by providing each knife element with at least one open slot in its base portion and at least one open slot in its blade portion so that the blade portion of one knife element may be interengaged within the corresponding base portion of an adjacent knife element. The knife elements disposed at the furthermost upstream end of the head block are only provided with slots in their base portions, while the knife elements disposed at the furthermost downstream end of the head block are only provided with slots in their blade portions. A conventional water gun system utilizing a stationary knife assembly of this type is disclosed by the Fischer et al. U.S. Patent 4,766,793. Another known apparatus for cutting elongate products lengthwise into separate strips is disclosed by the Urschel et al. U.S.-A-3,109,469. This apparatus utilizes a single conveyor onto which green or wax beans are fed and longitudinally aligned by a plurality of trough walls. The aligned beans are thereafter conveyed to a rotating knife assembly comprised of a grooved slitting roller and a cooperating bank of circular slitting knives between which the beans are slit into strips. US-A-4398439 discloses an apparatus according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 for conveying a product along a longitudinal feed path defined by two spaced apart conveyors. The products are fed into the feed path at a feed end and discharged to a cutting machine at a discharge end, where they are cut into discrete pieces. A positioning guide accurately positions and guides the pieces to be cut and these are held in the correct orientation between the conveyors as they are transported along the feed belt. US-A-3170564 discloses a conveyor system for conveying extruded tubing and the like away from the extrusion source. Different sizes and shapes can be accurately and reliably conveyed by enabling the spacing between the two conveyors defining the feed path to be varied. Conventional systems and machines for dividing elongate products into plural strips are large and expensive, particularly in the case of a water gun system. They are also complex in design and often do not have the ability to operate at high production capacities. Viewed from one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for conveying and cutting a product into a plurality of discrete pieces including first and second flexible endless conveyors; means supporting the conveyors in a spaced disposition to define a longitudinal feed path therebetween, the feed path including a feed throat and discharge port, said means for supporting the conveyors including first and second discharge rollers at the discharge port; means for simultaneously driving the conveyors at substantially the same speed whereby a product fed into the feed throat is frictionally gripped and maintained between the conveyors in a fixed orientation and conveyed along the feed path towards the discharge port; and cutting means for receiving the product from the discharge port; in the fixed orientation and dividing the product into a plurality of discrete pieces; characterized by means for varying the spacing between the conveyors along the length of the feed path; and further characterized in that each of said discharge rollers includes a central circumferential groove within which the first and second conveyors may be displaced when a product is gripped between the conveyors at the discharge port. In a preferred embodiment, there is provided an apparatus comprised of two endless flexible conveyor belts supported on a frame and driven at substantially the same velocity by a common drive motor and pulley system. Preferably, each conveyor is supported at its opposite ends by a feed roller and a discharge roller. In a preferred arrangement the conveyors have external transfer services provided with frictional engagement means, with the surfaces being positioned to form a longitudinal feed path therebetween along which a product is caused to travel from a feed throat formed at the feed rollers to a discharge port formed at the discharge rollers. Preferably the spacing of the feed path is variable along the length thereof by a plurality of spaced adjustment assemblies which move the belts towards and away from each other. In one embodiment, a feed hopper and associated feed chute is positioned at the feed throat for feeding the products between the belts which frictionally grip each product in a desired orientation and convey the product to the discharge port and into a stationary knife assembly in which the product is cut into strips. In one arrangement the cut product is sent from the knife assembly through a spiral-shaped discharge chute for collection in a receptacle. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a conveying and cutting apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus, but shown without the feed hopper. Figure 3 is a partial vertical cross sectional view showing the discharge rollers and their associated conveyor belts defining the discharge port of the apparatus. Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but shown with a product frictionally engaged between the conveyor belts and displacing the belts outwardly into corresponding circumferential grooves of the discharge rollers. Figure 5 is a partial vertical cross sectional view showing an adjustment assembly for maintaining a predetermined feed spacing between the transfer surfaces of the conveyor belts. Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing a product frictionally engaged between the conveyor belts and displacing the belts in an outward direction. An apparatus 1 for conveying and cutting a product into a plurality of discrete pieces according to a preferred embodiment of the invention shall now be described with initial reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Apparatus 1 includes a main support frame 3 that is preferably formed from welded or bolted metal channel or rail sections. Frame 3 includes four vertical leg members 5, a pair of spaced upper longitudinal members 7 and a pair of spaced lower longitudinal members 9. A product conveying assembly 11 is mounted on frame 3 and includes an upper endless conveyor belt 13, a lower endless conveyor belt 15, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced adjustment assemblies 16 secured between members 7 and 9. Belts 13 and 15 are each of flexible construction and preferably formed from woven nylon fabric impregnated with a plastic polymer material. Belts 13 and 15 include external transfer surfaces 17 and 19, respectively, each of which are provided with frictional engagement means 21, preferably in the form of a pebble configuration. This is more clearly shown in Fig. 2. Upper belt 13 is supported at its opposite ends by a feed roller 23 mounted on a rotary shaft 24 and a discharge roller 25 mounted on a rotary shaft 26. Similarly, lower belt 15 is supported at its opposite ends by a feed roller 27 mounted on a rotary shaft 28 and a discharge roller 29 mounted on a rotary shaft 30. Belts 13, 15 and their corresponding feed rollers 23, 27 collectively define a feed throat 31 at the intake end of conveying assembly 11, while belts 13, 15 and their corresponding discharge rollers 25, 29 collectively define a discharge port 33 at the output end of assembly 11. Shafts 24 and 28 are supported for free rotation by a pair of roller frames 35 and 37, respectively, mounted on main support frame 3. Similarly, shafts 26 and 30 are supported for free rotation by a pair of roller frames 39 and 41, respectively, mounted on main support frame 3. It is understood that frames 35, 37 and 39, 41 may be of any conventional type deemed suitable for the practice of the invention. A motor 43, preferably electric driven and provided with a pulley as shown in Fig. 1, is mounted on main support frame 3 by a motor frame 45. Motor 43 drives feed rollers 23, 27 through a belt and pulley assembly 44 that includes a pair of pulleys 47, 49 carried on the ends of drive shafts 24, 28, respectively, a flexible drive belt 51 and an idler pulley 53 mounted on frame 3. Operation of motor 43 rotates feed rollers 23 and 27 in opposite directions and at substantially or, preferably, exactly the same speed to thereby drive conveyor belts 13 and 15 at a same corresponding speed. It is understood that motor 43 may be of any conventional size, type and power output deemed suitable for the practice of the invention, and may also be provided with any known control system for varying its output or otherwise controlling its operation. A product supply and feed assembly 55 is provided adjacent feed throat 31. Assembly 55 includes a feed hopper 57 for storing a supply of products and a feed chute 59 for conveying and directing the individual products into feed throat 31. Assembly 55 is securely attached to main support frame 3 by an appropriate brace means, shown generally at 61. Assembly 55 may be either of an automatic type wherein the individual products are mechanically fed into feed throat 31 or of a manual type wherein the individual products are manually handled and sequentially fed into feed chute 59, depending upon the nature of the product and desired production rate. A stationary knife assembly, shown generally at 63, is mounted on main support frame 3 by a secondary frame 65. It shall be noted that assembly 63 is positioned directly adjacent the downstream end of discharge port 33 for receiving products conveyed by conveying assembly 11 from feed throat 31 to discharge port 33. Knife assembly 63 is preferably of the type disclosed by the aforementioned Fischer et al. U.S. Patent 4,766,793, the entire disclosure of this patent being incorporated herein by reference. Knife assembly 63 may be of the type utilized in a conventional hydraulic cutting or water gun system and is essentially defined by a cutting head block onto which a plurality of elongate knife elements are secured in parallel pairs that are disposed in a staggered relationship and in a 90° offset with respect to adjacent pairs of knife elements. The cutting edges of the knife elements collectively define a plurality of rectangular-shaped boxes for producing strips of the product having corresponding transverse cross sectional configurations. Knife assembly 63 of this type is highly preferred for the practice of the invention, but it is understood that other forms of knife assemblies, whether stationary or movable, may also be utilized. A rotary knife assembly of the type disclosed by the aforementioned Urschel et al. U.S. Patent 3,109,469, the entire disclosure of this patent being incorporated herein by reference, may further be advantageously utilized in the practice of the invention . The cut product exiting from knife assembly 63 is directed into a discharge assembly 66 which includes a spiral-shaped chute 67 for providing gradual deceleration of the cut product in order to prevent their breakage. Assembly 66 also includes a receptacle 69 disposed below chute 67 for collecting the cut product. The configuration of discharge rollers 25, 29 and the manner in which they form discharge port 33 with their respective conveyor belts 13, 15 shall now be described with particular reference to Figs. 3 and 4. As first seen in Fig. 3, rollers 25, 29 are mounted for rotation on their respective shafts 26, 30. Roller 25 is provided with a central circumferential groove 71 that is bridged across the opposite sides thereof by belt 13. Likewise, roller 29 is provided with a correspondingly configured central circumferential groove 73 that is bridged across the opposite sides thereof by belt 15. As is therefore apparent, transfer surfaces 17, 19 define discharge port 33 therebetween, the width of which is established by the distance between shafts 26 and 30. It is preferable to provide roller mounts 39 and 41 with a certain degree of adjustability so that the distance between shafts 26 and 30 may be varied, thereby increasing or decreasing the feed path between surfaces 17 and 19 at discharge port 33 to accommodate different products. With reference to Fig 4., a product P is shown frictionally engaged between belts 13 and 15. Since the diameter of product P exceeds the spacing between transfer surfaces 17 and 19 defining port 33, belts 13, 15 are caused to be displaced outwardly into their respective grooves 71, 73. This serves to provide a firm frictional grip of product P between belts 13 and 15, maintain its desired orientation, and eject same at a sufficient velocity out discharge port 33 and into knife assembly 63. The manner in which the width of the feed path between belts 13 and 15 along the longitudinal distance from feed throat 31 to discharge port 33 can be varied by adjustment assemblies 16 shall now be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. As seen in Fig. 5, each adjustment assembly 16 includes a pair of vertical support rods 75 and 77 which are secured at their opposite ends to upper and lower longitudinal beams 7 and 9, respectively, of main support frame 3 by means of threaded engagements between rods 75, 77 and a plurality of corresponding nuts 79. A plurality of adjustment assemblies 16 are spaced along the length of conveying assembly 11. This is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. As also seen in Fig. 5, each adjustment assembly 16 includes an upper cross brace 81 and a lower cross brace 83, the opposite ends of each being provided with apertures for slidable engagement on rods 75 and 77. A plurality of nuts 85 are engaged on corresponding threaded portions of rods 75 and 77 and on opposite sides of braces 81 and 83 to permit the spacing between braces 81 and 83 to be varied and maintained at a desired setting. A pair of upper longitudinal slides 87 are welded to a pair of stubs 89 extending downwardly from upper cross brace 81. A pair of lower longitudinal slides 91 are welded to a pair of stubs 93 extending upwardly from lower cross brace 83. As seen in Fig. 1, slides 87 and 91 are preferably in the form of spaced parallel metal rods which extend for substantially the entire length of conveying assembly 11 between feed throat 31 and discharge port 33. Slides 87 and 91 engage the respective inner surfaces of belts 13 and 15 so that a desired spacing between belts 13 and 15 can be established, as shown in Fig. 5. It is preferred that adjustment assemblies 16 be set so that the spacing between transfer surfaces 17 and 19 causes the feed path to taper gradually from feed throat 31 towards discharge port 33. Since the width of the feed path between transfer surfaces 17 and 19 is set at a distance that is less than the diameter of product P, belts 13 and 15 are caused to flex outwardly so that product P may be securely and frictionally gripped therebetween, as shown in Fig. 6. In this way, the desired orientation of each product P fed into feed throat 31 can be immediately established and maintained along the entire length of conveying assembly 11 so that product P is introduced into knife assembly 63 at the desired orientation. For example, when it is desired to cut elongate agricultural products into strip form, each product is aligned with its longitudinal axis parallel to the direction of product movement from feed throat 31 to discharge port 33. The frictional engagement of belts 13 and 15 against opposite sides of product P maintains this longitudinal orientation as product P exits discharge port 33 and into knife assembly 63. The flexibility of belts 13 and 15, and the pebble configuration 21 of transfer surfaces 17 and 19 provide secure frictional engagement of each product P during its movement along conveying assembly 11. This permits high speed operation of apparatus 1 and a corresponding high production output. As a preferred example of the invention, apparatus 1 may advantageously be utilized to cut elongate agricultural products, such as carrots, potatoes, zucchini, celery and the like into plural longitudinal strips. Such products may be conveyed by conveying assembly 11 at a velocity of approximately 45 to 75 feet per second through knife assembly 63 of a stationary type. Motor 43, belt and pulley assembly 44 and an appropriate control system should impart a velocity of between approximately 50 to 85 feet per second to belts 13 and 15. It is further preferred that the product be conveyed at a velocity that is approximately ten percent in excess of the minimum velocity required for proper cutting by knife assembly 63 of the stationary type. Thus, in at least preferred embodiments, there is provided an apparatus for cutting a product into a plurality of discrete pieces; and there is provided an apparatus for longitudinally dividing elongate agricultural products into a plurality of strips having a desired size and configuration; and there is provided a machine for cutting a product into longitudinal strips wherein the apparatus is of compact size, simple in construction and economical to manufacture; and there is provided an apparatus for cutting elongate products into longitudinal strips at a high production rate.

Claims: An apparatus (1) for conveying and cutting a product (P) into a plurality of discrete pieces including first and second flexible endless conveyors (13,15); means (23,25,27,29) supporting the conveyors (13,15) in a spaced disposition to define a longitudinal feed path therebetween, the feed path including a feed throat (31) and discharge port (33), said means for supporting the conveyors (13,15) including first and second discharge rollers (25,29) at the discharge port (33); means (43,23,27) for simultaneously driving the conveyors (13,15) at substantially the same speed whereby a product (P) fed into the feed throat (31) is frictionally gripped and maintained between the conveyors (13,15) in a fixed orientation and conveyed along the feed path towards the discharge port (33); and cutting means (63) for receiving the product (P) from the discharge port (33); in the fixed orientation and dividing the product into a plurality of discrete pieces; characterized by means (16) for varying the spacing between the conveyors (13,15) along the length of the feed path; and further characterized in that each of said discharge rollers (25,29) includes a central circumferential groove (71,73) within which the first and second conveyors (13,15) may be displaced when a product (P) is gripped between the conveyors (13,15) at the discharge port (33). The apparatus of claim 1 characterized by a feed assembly (55) for storing a supply of products (P) and feeding same into the feed throat (31). The apparatus of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the feed assembly (55) includes a feed hopper (57) for storing the products and a feed chute (59) for directing each product to the feed throat (31). The apparatus of claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized by a discharge assembly (66) for receiving and collecting the discrete pieces from the cutting means (63). The apparatus of claim 4 characterized in that the discharge assembly (66) includes a spiral-shaped discharge chute (67) and a storage receptacle (69). The apparatus of any previous claim characterised in that the means for supporting the conveyors in a spaced disposition further includes first and second feed rollers (23,27) at the feed throat (31). The apparatus of claim 6 characterised in that the means for simultaneously driving the conveyors includes an electric motor (43), pulley means (44) carried by each of the first and second feed rollers (23,27), and a flexible drive belt (51) for driving the feed rollers (23,27) at substantially the same speed during operation of the motor (43). The apparatus of any previous claim characterised in that the means for varying the spacing between the conveyors (13,15) includes a first pair of longitudinal slides (87) disposed in engagement against the first conveyor (13); a second pair of longitudinal slides (91) disposed in engagement against the second conveyor (15); and means (16) for moving the two pairs of longitudinal slides (87,91) towards and away from each other, and maintaining the pairs of slides (87,91) at a fixed spacing. The apparatus of claim 8 characterised in that the means (16) for moving the slides (87,91) and maintaining same at a fixed spacing includes a plurality of adjustment assemblies (16) longitudinally spaced along the feed path, with each adjustment assembly (16) including a pair of spaced support rods (75,77), first and second cross braces (81,83) slidably mounted on the support rods (75,77) and supporting the first and second pairs of slides (87,91), respectively, and means (85) for maintaining the cross braces (81,83) in fixed positions on the support rods (75,77). The apparatus of claim 9 characterised in that the means for maintaining the cross braces (81,83) in fixed positions includes a threaded portion on each support rod (75,77) and a plurality of adjustable nuts (85) threadedly engaged on the support rods (75,77) on opposite sides of each cross brace (81,83). The apparatus of any preceding claim further characterized by a main support frame (3) arranged to support the first and second feed conveyors (13,15) so as to define a substantially horizontal feed path. The apparatus of any previous claim characterised in that the cutting means (63) includes a stationary knife assembly. The apparatus of claim 12 characterized in that the stationary knife assembly (63) is defined by a cutting head block and a plurality of elongate knife elements secured to the block in parallel pairs, wherein the parallel pairs of knife elements are disposed in a staggered relationship and substantially at a 90° offset with respect to adjacent pairs of knife elements. The apparatus of any previous claim characterised in that the first and second conveyors (13,15) include means (21) for frictionally engaging the product (P). The apparatus of claim 14 characterised in that the first and second conveyors (13,15) are each formed of woven nylon fabric impregnated with a plastic polymer and the frictional engagement means (21) includes a pebble configuration on each conveyor.

Inventors: FISCHER ROBERT R, ROWELL CHARLES E, FISCHER, ROBERT R., ROWELL, CHARLES E.
Applicants: URSCHEL LAB INC, URSCHEL LABORATORIES, INC.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B26D7
IPC codes: B65G15, B26D3, B26D7, B65G17