Abstract:
An Avocado Cutting and Splitting Device. The device uses a single cutting blade to cut through both the seed and meat of incoming avocados. To increase uptime, the device allows the cutting blade to be sharpened while in operating condition (without removing the blade from the machine). There are a series of guides, elements and other apparatus that will place the incoming avocados in a consistent orientation relative to the cutting blade before they are cut. Belt agitation fingers have further been added to cause the feed belt to vibrate during operation, in order to assist in positioning the avocados properly prior to their being cut. To improve throughput and reduce the need for human involvement, the device includes a set of custom-shaped ramps designed to guide and transport the cut avocado halves to the moving exit conveyor so that the halves land face-down on the exit conveyor.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13/301,054, filed Nov. 21, 2011 (the “parent application”), now pending. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to food processing equipment and, more specifically, to an Avocado Cutting and Splitting Device. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    This present invention relates to an improvement in cutting avocados through the seed and meat such that the cut avocado exits in two sections to facilitate later seed and skin removal. Avocados have become more and more popular for their versatility and arguable health-related benefits. They come in various varieties and sizes. For example, West Indian avocados produce enormous, smooth round, glossy green fruits that are low in oil and can weigh up to two pounds. Guatemalan varieties produce medium ovoid or pear-shaped, pebbled green fruits that turn blackish-green when ripe. The fruit or pulp of Mexican versions of avocado tends to be smaller (six to ten ounces) with skins that turn glossy green or black when ripe. 
         [0006]    The pulp of avocados is deep green near the skin, becoming yellowish nearer the single large, inedible ovoid seed. The pulp is hard when harvested but softens to a buttery texture as the avocado ripens. Avocados are high in monosaturates and the oil content is second only to olives among fruits in its health benefits. Clinical feeding studies in humans have shown that avocado oil can actually reduce blood cholesterol. 
         [0007]    To effectively obtain the pulp of an avocado, the avocado must be de-skinned and the seed must be removed. The device of the present disclosure addresses the process for preparing the fruit for later efficient seed and skin removal. 
         [0008]    In the prior manual systems, an avocado is first cut through the seed. Thereafter the avocado is split into two sections. Generally one-half of the split avocado seed remains in each section. The seed from each half section would generally be removed before the avocado enters the de-skinning stage. 
         [0009]    Typically, a worker would manually remove the avocado seed from each split section by using a spoon, or similar device, or their thumb. The spoon or thumb is pressed under the seed and the seed is then pried out. This can be a tedious and labor intensive job. Because of their popularity and continued growing popularity, and commercialization of avocados, a need exists to effectively and efficiently cut and split an avocado to facilitate removal of the seed. 
         [0010]    The Parent Application disclosed a revolutionary method for cutting the avocado fruit in half without cutting through the internal seed. While that approach was much more successful than the prior manual (and rudimentary automated) systems, the variability in fruit size and ripeness tended to result in inconsistent output quality. 
         [0011]    The objects of the device of the present disclosure are to: 
         [0012]    a. effectively and efficiently cut an avocado through both the seed and meat in a single pass; 
         [0013]    b. automatically position the cut avocado-halves cut-side-down on an exit conveyor belt for later seed and skin removal without human intervention; and 
         [0014]    c. stagger the cut avocado halves in spaced interval on the exit conveyor belt in a form that is most efficient and effective for the subsequent automated de-seeding/de-skinning process. 
         [0015]    Many prior art devices provide for cutting of fruits to or through the seed and some split the fruit. These prior art devices are extremely complex, somewhat cumbersome, and costly to manufacture and maintain. None is as simple and as effective as the presently described device. 
         [0016]    The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the device of the present disclosure. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the device of the present disclosure. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed device of the present disclosure in a different manner or by modifying the device of the present disclosure within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the device of the present disclosure may be had by referring to the summary of the device of the present disclosure and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the device of the present disclosure defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices and systems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an Avocado Cutting and Splitting Device. The device of the present invention should use a single cutting blade to cut through both the seed and meat of incoming avocados. In order to increase uptime, the device should provide a feature that allows for the cutting blade to be sharpened while in operating condition (without the need for removing the blade from the machine). To increase the uniformity in the orientation of the cut in the avocados, there should be a series of guides, elements and other apparatus that will place the incoming avocados in a consistent orientation relative to the cutting blade before they are cut. In order to improve throughput and reduce the need for human operator involvement, the device should include a set of custom-shaped ramps designed to guide and transport the cut avocado halves down to the moving exit conveyor so that the halves land face-down on the exit conveyor. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  having the blade shield lifted; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the device of  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the device of  FIGS. 1-4  depicting the cutting of an avocado; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the device of  FIGS. 1-5 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a second view of  FIG. 6 , further depicting the location and operation of the belt agitation fingers; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the device of  FIGS. 1-7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide an Avocado Cutting and Splitting Device. 
         [0028]    The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device  10  of the present invention. The avocado cutting and splitting device  10 , as contrasted with the device that is the subject of the parent application, has only a single cutting blade. The single blade serves to simply cut the individual avocados in two separate pieces, with each piece having not only one-half of the fruit, but also of the seed. The resultant simplification of the device  10  allows for more reliable, versatile production of split avocados, in virtually all stages of ripeness. While in operation, the blade (not shown) is covered by blade shield  22  in order to protect the operators and to prevent spray or splatter of avocado parts during the cutting process. The bottom portions (right and left sides) of the shield  22  are bent to cant outwardly to form the first and second shield skirts  22 A,  22 B. The shield skirts  22 A,  22 B provide protection next to and above the cutting area of the blade (not shown) so that the entire cutting area is securely covered, including above and around the incoming and outgoing avocados (as will become apparent with the discussion below in connection with other drawing figures). 
         [0029]    In its preferred form, the device  10  is driven by a single motor  16  driving a shaft (not shown) to rotate. As can be seen, the shaft (not shown) in the depicted version only extends from a single side of the cutting blade (not shown). 
         [0030]    Avocados that have been cut and split in two parts will exit the device  10  via the moving exit conveyor belt  12 . In most instances, the exit conveyor belt  12  will transport the split avocados to a suitable avocado “pulping and skinning” machine where the seeds and skins will be removed and discarded from the fruit (pulp) of the avocado. An example of such a device that was designed to work cooperatively with the device of the parent application is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/423,356 and 12/628,806. 
         [0031]    The split avocados slide from the cutting area to the exit conveyor belt  12  along the first and second finger ramps  14 A,  14 B. These ramps  14 A,  14 B are preferably made from individual stainless steel rods that are curved so as to form the overall complex curved shape that is shown. Furthermore, the rod design creates low friction so that the fruit slides easily, are easy to clean, and the operators can actually see through the ramps  14 A,  14 B while the device  10  is in operation. 
         [0032]    The blade shield  22  is hingably attached to the device  10  at hinge axle  40  so that it may be lifted up and out of the way as depicted in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device  10  of  FIG. 1  having the blade shield  22  lifted. With the shield  22  lifted, we can now see the cutting blade  20 , as well as other elements of this novel design. An upper blade frame  24  generally encircles the upper arc of the cutting blade  20  in order to serve at least three functions: (1) it protects the operators from the sharp cutting blade in the event that the shield  22  must be lifted up while the device  10  is in operation; (2) it serves as a base or mounting point for other structural elements of the device  10 ; and (3) it provides a stable structure upon which an operator can rest a sharpening implement (as will be discussed more fully below in connection with  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0033]    The upper blade frame  24  has a sharpening window formed in its front side that permits the operator access to the cutting edge of the blade  20  for sharpening (see  FIG. 3 , below). 
         [0034]    A lower blade frame  28  attaches to the upper blade frame  24  and/or the main frame  29  of the device  10 . The frame  28  extends from the rear side of the blade  20  and around the two sides of the blade  20  until it interconnects to the upper blade frame  24  in front of the blade  20 , just below the sharpening window  26 . A series of biasing elements  30  extend downwardly from the two blade-side sections of the lower blade frame  28 . These biasing elements  30  are made from spring-grade stainless steel and are configured to provide gentle downward pressure on the incoming and outgoing avocados during the cutting process. The downward pressure provided by the elements  30  will tend to keep the split avocados tight against the two conveyor belts  46  until the split pieces drop off of the end of the conveyor belts  46  and then the elements  30  urge the cut pieces to drop down the elements of the ramp fingers (see  FIG. 1 ) with the interior cut face of the avocado facing the ramp fingers (see  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0035]    The conveyor belt  46  and exit conveyor  12  are preferably made from Urethane, PTFE or other plastic material, while virtually all other components of the device  10  that may come in contact with food product would preferably be made from stainless steel. Now turning to  FIG. 3 , we can examine another unique feature of the instant design. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the device  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . This view is presented to explain the novel blade sharpening process introduced by this invention. Historically, the cutting blade would be removed in order to sharpen the blade on a machine such as this. Of course, this is an undesirable interruption in production, and therefore a new approach was needed. In the current design for the device  10 , the blade  20  can be sharpened in-situ, without blade removal. The operator needs to simply clean the machine  10  and the activate the blade (which rotates in direction “A”). Once the blade  20  has reached normal rotational speed, the operator inserts a conventional sharpening stone  32  through the sharpening window  26  until it comes in contact with the blade  20 . As shown here, the sharpening stone  32  is held so that the abrasive face is aligned against the beveled section  33  of the blade  20 —here the near-side beveled section  33  is being ground down. After a short period of time, the sharpening stone  32  is removed and reinserted so that it is aligned against the far-side beveled section  33 . This process is repeated for the two sides until a suitably sharp cutting edge  41  is produced on the blade  20 . After a brief wipe-down, the device  10  can be placed back in service. Because of the ease of sharpening using the sharpening window  26 , it is expected that the blade  20  will be regularly maintained in a condition that is sharper than was previously convenient. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the device  10  of  FIGS. 1-3 . As can be seen here, the conveyor belts  44  and  46  are arranged on either side of the cutting blade so as to form a 
         [0038]    “V” to cradle the incoming uncut avocados. The belts  44 ,  46  move synchronously in order to drive the individual avocados into the back-side of the cutting blade. After being cut, the avocado halves continue to travel on the tops of the conveyor belts  44 ,  46  until they drop off the ends (can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and land on the exit conveyor belt  12 . As discussed previously, the cut avocados will land face-down on the first and second finger ramps  14 A,  14 B as they drop off the ends of the conveyor belts  44 ,  46 , and gravity (with assistance from the shape of the ramps  14 A,  14 B) will cause the avocado halves to land face-down on the exit conveyor belt  12 . The belt  12  is moving in direction “B” to transport the avocado-halves to the next stage of the avocado pulping operation, where the avocado meat is removed from the seeds and skins. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a simplified depiction of the front view of the device  10  of  FIGS. 1-4  depicting the cutting of an avocado (as viewed when facing the machine from directly in front). The biasing elements  30  (of which only the final pair is shown here), press down on the avocado  17  so that it is firmly within the “V” made by the two moving conveyor belts  44 ,  46 . As the belts  44 ,  46  carry the avocado  17  past the cutting blade  20 , the entire avocado  17  and seed  18  are cut into two virtually matching pieces. Each half  17 A,  17 B is directed by the upper ends of the finger ramps  14 A,  14 B so that they separately travel down their respective ramp  14 A,  14 B in direction “C”. As they land on the exit conveyor  12 , they will be carried away face-down in direction “B”. 
         [0040]    Although not depicted here, another feature of the device  10  of the present invention is a guide member that is positioned so that it “floats” above the surface of the exit conveyor  12  and acts to direct incoming avocado-halves  17 A,  17 B into a single-file line centered on the conveyor belt  12 . The guide member is formed from a pair of opposing flat members arranged to create a V-shaped funnel slightly above the upper surface of the exit conveyor belt  12 .  FIG. 6  is provided to clarify the direction of movement of the various moving components of the device  10 . The conveyor belt  46  (and  44 ) travel in a loop at both ends, with the front end being idler spindle  47  (the drive spindle is at the opposing end of the loop). The spindle  47  is attached to tensioner bracket  51 , which extends from the main frame of the device. One or more tensioner bolts  49  are provided to allow the operators to increase or decrease the distance between ends of the loop (i.e. between the idler and drive spindles) until the desired conveyor belt tension is obtain. Adjustment of the tensioner bolts is an important convenience to account for wear of the conveyor belts and/or the need to remove the belts for maintenance. 
         [0041]    The upper surface of the conveyor belt  46  moves in direction D 1  to feed whole avocados into the cutting blade  20  (the bottom surface of the belt  46  moves in direction D 2 . The blade  20  is rotating clockwise in this view such that the bottom outer edge of the blade  20  is also moving in direction D 1 . The blade  20  rotates so that its cutting edge (at the bottom of the blade  20  in this depiction) is moving away from the incoming whole avocados (in the same direction as D 1 ); this tends to pull the avocados through the blade and propel them down the finger ramps to the belt  46 . As discussed in connection with prior drawing figures, the exit conveyor belt  12  moves away from the cutting blade in direction B.  FIG. 7  shows a feature that was added to the instant version of the device  10  as an improvement to the device of the parent application. 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  is a second view of  FIG. 6 , further depicting the location and operation of the belt agitation fingers  58 . Through experimentation, it was determined that the blade  20  will cut the avocados more reliably and efficiently if the avocados are oriented so that their pointed ends are facing either directly towards the cutting edge of the blade  20 , or facing directly away from the cutting edge of the blade  20 . The solution to this situation was to add a set of belt agitation fingers  58  extending upwardly from the frame. The preferred design is to have a pair of fingers  58  having their tips extending upwardly until they are in close proximity to the bottom side of the belts  46 , [ 44 ]. As the belts  46 , [ 44 ] move in direction [D 1 ], the structural ridges  59  on the bottom of the belts  46  [ 44 ] will strike the tips of the fingers  58 . This rubbing or striking will cause the belts  46 , [ 44 ] to move up and down in direction indicated by arrows “S” and the dashed line representing the moving surface of belt  46 . As the belts  46 , [ 44 ] vibrate, the natural shape of the avocados will cause them to rotate until their tips/tops are pointed towards the blade  20  (to the left in this view). We will finally turn to  FIG. 8  to examine the operation of the device  10  at the pre-cut stage (feed) stage. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the device  10  of  FIGS. 1-7 . The conveyor belts  44 ,  46  feed whole avocados towards the cutting blade (indicated by arrow  20 ). End guard  57  is a stationary element that is positioned over the top of the conveyor belts  44 ,  46  in order to knock down any piles of whole avocados and to prevent them from accidentally falling out through the back of the conveyor belts  44 ,  46  (i.e. the end closest to the reader). A second element, the feed flap  55  is made from flexible, rubberized material, and is positioned at the distal end of the feed stage, just before the cutting blade components—its purpose is to gently re-position the incoming avocados so that they are aligned on their “side” before being cut. On its side in this circumstance means that the pointed end of the avocado is either pointed towards or pointed away from the cutting blade (rather than being pointed up, down or sideways). This insures that each avocado is cut lengthwise, without the need for additional operator intervention in most cases. 
         [0044]    First and second feed support members  34 A,  34 B are positioned above and outside the moving conveyor belts  44 ,  46 , and function as a stable mounting point for feed fingers  36 A,  36 B,  36 C, and of course to guide the individual avocados down to the conveyor belts  44 ,  46 . The fingers  36 A- 36 C are flexible pieces of metal having a plastic or other pliable protective coating. The fingers  36 A- 36 C can flex as whole avocados are drawn down the moving valley created by the conveyor belts  44 ,  46 , so that they gently guide the avocados to rest securely in the lowest portion of the valley in preparation for cutting. Each finger  36 A- 36 C is attached to the feed support members  34 A,  34 B by a variety of means, including the bolts (e.g.  53 A) shown here. 
         [0045]    As discussed previously, the belt agitation fingers [ 58 ] strike the ridges on the bottom surface of the belts  44 ,  46  as those belts  44 ,  46  travel in direction D 1 . The result is that the belts  44 ,  46  are caused to shake or vibrate in directions “S” shown here by arrows. The shaking tends to cause the avocados to roll slightly until they are pointed in a consistent direction before they reach the cutting edge of the blade [ 20 ]. 
         [0046]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.