Abstract:
An automated apparatus and method for sequentially slicing potatoes into slices, for cooking the slices into chips in a circular oil bath, and for separating the cooked chips from the bath. The apparatus includes a potato slicer, a circular frying trough with oil circulating means and controlled heating means, a rotating and angle changing plurality of circularly arranged paddles for positioning chips in and along the trough during their cooking, a carousel for lifting and separating cooked chips from the trough, and a conveyor belt for delivering the chips from the carousel to a collection point. The method utilizes the apparatus.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to automatic frying apparatus for foodstuffs, such as potato chips and the like, to methods of using the apparatus, and to subassemblies useful in such apparatus.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Apparatus for automatically frying foodstuffs, such as apparatus that slices potatoes, fries the slices to produce potato chips, and removes the resulting chips, has been previously attempted. For example, apparatus for slicing potatoes, frying the slices into potato chips in a longitudinally elongated pan holding a cooking oil bath, and removing the chips on a conveyor is described in Smith et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,533.  
         [0003]     However, this apparatus appears to suffer from various disadvantages. It is believed that these disadvantages would be overcome by an improved apparatus which would achieve better control of cooking temperatures and times, better separation of cooked chips from cooking oil, and better capacity to produce in succession different batches of customized chips. Also, it would be desirable to have improved oil filtration and contaminated oil separation means for association with the apparatus.  
         [0004]     The present invention provides new and very useful automatic foodstuff frying apparatus that overcomes the prior art disadvantages and achieves apparatus which in a present embodiment is particularly useful for making potato chips in successive batches.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     More particularly, the present invention relates to automatic apparatus for making fried foodstuffs, such as chips from potatoes or the like.  
         [0006]     In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus incorporates a toroidal trough for holding a cooking oil bath and a pump for circumferentially circulating oil comprising the bath through the trough. Preferably, the apparatus is associated with oil heating and temperature regulating means.  
         [0007]     The trough is preferably associated with a rotatable circular subassembly incorporating a plurality of paddles. The subassembly is rotatably driven by a motor. The circular paddle subassembly is generally coaxial with the trough. Individual paddles of the paddle plurality travel during rotation along a predetermined pathway or orbit extend over and into the trough through guidance provided by associated cam means that is preferably adjustable. The paddles and the pathway are adapted to manipulate frying foodstuffs such as chips in the flowing cooking oil bath. The cam means functions to provide selective tilting and arcuate movements of individual paddles during paddle subassembly rotation.  
         [0008]     To accommodate conveniently a foodstuff slicer subassembly, and also a cooked foodstuff removal subassembly, an outer side wall region of the trough is preferably formed by a pair of laterally outwardly projecting side wall portions that terminally join to define an apex that preferably extends vertically and at which these wall portions preferably connect perpendicularly. A starting slicer subassembly is associated with and overhangs the trough along a first such side wall portion, and a terminal removal subassembly is associated with and overhangs that trough along the second one of such side wall portions. The direction of oil flow in the trough is preferably such that the second side wall portion is located downstream relative to the first side wall portion.  
         [0009]     When, for example, potato chips are being made, the slicer subassembly preferably incorporates an associated potato charging chute and potato slice discharge orifice. The slices are preferably sequentially discharged into the oil in the trough directly from the slicer subassembly. The fried slices (now chips) are removed from the trough oil by the removal subassembly. During contact with the trough oil, the frying chips are subject to manipulation in a selected and predetermined manner by the rotating, tilting and arcuately turning paddles of the paddle assembly. The chip removal subassembly preferably includes a rotating carousel and a translating conveyor belt. The circumferentially spaced seats of the carousel collect, elevate and discharge chips gravitationally onto the longitudinally outwardly advancing conveyor.  
         [0010]     The frier apparatus preferably includes a computerized control system for regulating the operations of the apparatus and its subassemblies.  
         [0011]     In addition, the invention includes a new and improved automated method for preparing fried foodstuffs, such as chips from potatoes and the like. The method utilizes the frier apparatus.  
         [0012]     The frier apparatus is preferably associatable with a mobile oil filtration and used oil removal apparatus.  
         [0013]     The invention additionally achieves novel and useful subassemblies and features associated with the frier apparatus. One new subassembly includes the combination of toroidal trough with oil pump and oil heating and temperature regulating means. Optionally, a trough oil level sensing and level control means may be included, if desired.  
         [0014]     Another new subassembly includes the rotatable circular subassembly that incorporates a plurality of paddles and a paddle manipulating cam system, as indicated above.  
         [0015]     A further new subassembly includes the combination of carousel and conveyor.  
         [0016]     Another new subassembly includes a simple, optimized control system for ready and convenient operation of the apparatus and its incorporated subassemblies.  
         [0017]     The frier apparatus and the subassemblies used therein are believed to overcome disadvantages found in prior art systems such as described above and to provide new and very useful apparatus and methods with slicing, slice frying and fried slice removal.  
         [0018]     The frier apparatus and the associated method of use are believed to provide a new and very useful automated system for fried foodstuff preparation that can include, if desired, foodstuff slicing, slice frying and fried slice removal with features and advantages not previously known to the art. The apparatus and method are well suited for use in executing relatively small batch chip production operations and the like.  
         [0019]     Other and further objects, aim, purposes, features, advantages, embodiments and the like will be apparent to those skilled in the art particularly when taken in combination with the disclosures and teachings of the present specification, the associated drawings and the appended claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     In the drawings:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is an environmental perspective view of one embodiment of the foodstuff frier apparatus of the present invention with the belt of the conveyor removed for illustration purposes;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of the frame and supporting cabinet of the  FIG. 1  apparatus, the components in  FIG. 2  being uniformly rotated clockwise 90° relative to their spatial orientation shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is an exploded, fragmentary perspective view showing the combination of toroidal oil trough and movable paddles of the  FIG. 1  apparatus, this view being in the same component spatial orientation as in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic plan view of the cam arms employed in the  FIG. 1  apparatus;  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  but showing the cam arms in a fragmentary perspective view;  
         [0026]      FIG. 5A  is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a cover member for association with the foodstuff position regulating subassembly, the cover member overlying the mounting means of the individual paddle members;  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one of the paddle subassemblies of the  FIG. 1  apparatus;  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a blade portion of the paddle subassembly shown in  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective of the base portion of the paddle subassembly of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 9  is a fragmentary plan view of the ring of paddle subassemblies illustrating the vertical orientation of paddle blades in the  FIG. 1  apparatus when the cam follower of the base portion of the paddle assembly has been cammed to an extent such that the blade portions of paddle assemblies are in a vertical orientation;  
         [0031]      FIG. 10  is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view of the  FIG. 1  apparatus illustrating the oil flow system;  
         [0032]      FIG. 11  is a fragmentary perspective bottom view of the  FIG. 10  apparatus, some portions thereof being broken away, illustrating further the oil flow system shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a potato slicer subassembly employable in the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , some parts thereof being broken away;  
         [0034]      FIG. 13  is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of a potato slicer subassembly employable in the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of undersurface portions of the knife blade, ring gear and wiper blade subassembly employed in the slicer of  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged perspective view of upper surface portions of the cutting and wiping chamber defined by the chamber-defining component of the slicer subassembly of  FIG. 13 , this component being rotated 90° relative to its orientation in  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 16  is a view similar to  FIG. 15  but showing the lower surface portions of the chamber-defining component;  
         [0038]      FIG. 17  is a fragmentary perspective view of the carousel subassembly of the  FIG. 1  apparatus;  
         [0039]      FIG. 18  is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the carousel subassembly of  FIG. 17  illustrating the manner of supporting and rotating the carousel;  
         [0040]      FIG. 19  is a fragmentary, exploded, detailed perspective view illustrating the seat structure of the carousel of  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the combination of the carousel subassembly (as shown in  FIGS. 17-19 ) and the conveyor belt subassembly comprising the chip removal subassembly of the  FIG. 1  apparatus;  
         [0042]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the combination of  FIG. 20  but showing the conveyor belt assembly in the separated position for maintenance and the like;  
         [0043]      FIG. 22  is a schematic representation in linear form illustrating the progressive potato slicing, slice/chip cooking (frying) and chip removal sequence utilized in operation of the  FIG. 1  apparatus;  
         [0044]      FIG. 23  is a block diagram of a presently preferred control system for the  FIG. 1  apparatus;  
         [0045]      FIG. 24  is a block diagram of a presently preferred oil temperature control system for the  FIG. 1  apparatus; and  
         [0046]      FIG. 25  is a block diagram of a presently preferred motor control system for the  FIG. 1  apparatus. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0047]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-25 , an embodiment  30  of automated chip production apparatus of the present invention is illustrated. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the apparatus  30  is illustratively supported on a cabinet-type platform  31 . The illustrative cabinet-type support platform  31  includes a frame  38  comprised of a plurality of interconnected (preferably by welding) structural angle iron members, two laterally spaced top deck medial cross supports  46 , four adjustable legs  47 , a top deck  39  and a lower shelf  40 . Three sides of platform  31  are each provided with side door pairs  41 ,  42 , and the fourth side is provided with a panel  43 . The top deck  39  has a large circular aperture  45  centrally defined therethrough. The lower shelf  40  is generally L-shaped, thereby defining therein adjacent a corner region thereof a rectangular opening  44  which is utilized as a docking site for a preferably commercially available mobile used oil receiving and preferably also filtering caddy, as discussed below.  
         [0048]     The apparatus  30  preferably incorporates a toroidal trough or oil pan  51  in association with a motor driven pump  60  for circumferentially circulating cooking oil (not shown) in the trough  51 . The trough can also be oval or egg-shaped, for example. In a presently preferred embodiment, such as apparatus  30 , there is included in combination and functional association a toroidal oil holding and frying trough subassembly  33  that incorporates a trough  51 , a pump  60 , and preferably an oil temperature regulating subassembly  68 ; a foodstuff (illustratively, a potato chip) trough position regulating subassembly  34  that includes a circular, rotatable plurality of circumferentially adjacent paddle assemblies  78  that orbit, tilt and arcuately incline; a foodstuff (illustratively, a potato) slicer subassembly  32 ; a foodstuff (illustratively, a potato chip) removal subassembly  35  that preferably includes a rotating carousel  99  and a translating conveyor belt  130 ; and preferably a control system  37  (not shown in  FIG. 1 , but see  FIGS. 23-25 ). For decorative purposes, outer side wall portions of apparatus  30  may be provided with a jacket  36  comprised of sheet metal or the like which can be variously configured; for example, jacket  36  can resemble side portions of a copper kettle, or otherwise, as desired, as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate.  
         [0000]     Oil Trough Subassembly  
         [0049]     In the trough subassembly  33 , the generally toroidally configured, oil-holding trough  51  (see  FIG. 3 , for example) preferably has a generally flattened bottom wall  52 , a continuously interconnected, upstanding, generally circular, inside wall  53 , and a continuously interconnected, upstanding, outside wall  54 . The outside wall  54  is generally circular but preferably (and as shown) includes and defines a side-wise, outwardly extending excursion region  56  whose outside perimeter is defined by a circumferentially adjacent pair of outside wall portions  48  and  49  that each extend from an inner end region thereof preferably straight and tangentially outwards from respective circumferentially spaced locations along the outside wall  54 . The straight outside wall portions  48  and  49  meet at their respective outer end regions and define a right angled (90°) side apex  57  that extends vertically for the height of the outside wall  54 . The bottom wall  52  in the excursion region  56  correspondingly outwardly extends and continuously interconnects with the outside wall portions  48  and  49  along bottom edge portions thereof. If desired, alternative configurations for the excursion region  56  can be used, depending upon objectives. The oil-holding trough  51  with its walls  52 ,  53  and  54  (taken with portions  48  and  49 ) is preferably comprised of stainless steel (including weldments) and preferably has rounded or rolled upper edge portions, as shown.  
         [0050]     The outside wall  54  of trough or pan  51  is provided with an adjacent, enclosing, upstanding support fence  59  that preferably includes upper and lower railings  61  and  62 , respectively, which are preferably each comprised of angled stainless steel, and which are interconnected together in vertically adjacent, spaced, parallel relationship by a plurality of perimetrically spaced, flattened interwelded together spacer members  63 , each preferably comprised of stainless steel. Portions of lower railing  62  are connected to and support projecting portions of a rectangular, transversely extending and transversely oriented bottom frame subassembly  64  (see, for example,  FIG. 2 ) that is conveniently comprised of screwed together (preferred) or interwelded together lengths of bar stainless steel. When the fence  59  is centered over the opening  45  in top deck  39  with the top deck  5   39  in position on the platform  31 , the frame subassembly  64  extends over the opening  45 . The frame subassembly  64  supports the oil pan  51  when the oil pan  51  is positioned horizontally within the fence  59  in the assembled apparatus  30 . Fence  59  provides support for the trough  51 , the slicer subassembly  32 , the removal subassembly  35  and the base  66 .  
         [0051]     Trough  51  is associated with a pump  60  that is mounted on pump mount  161  which is associated with frame  64  and fence  59  and also preferably with an oil temperature regulating subassembly  68  as illustratively shown, for example, in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . After traveling around the interior of the trough or pan  51 , oil passes through a conventional oil filter  142  and exits the trough  51  through a port  143  that is preferably and conveniently located in the bottom  52  adjacent the apex  57  as defined by the wall portions  48  and  49 . The filtered oil passes to an electric heater  145  through a conduit  144  past a process thermocouple  146  that senses the oil temperature. The oil is heated in heater  145  to a desired predetermined temperature using a temperature control loop, as known to those skilled in the art, a presently preferred temperature control system being illustrated in  FIG. 24 . From the heater  145 , the oil passes through a conduit  147  into the electric motor-associated (conventional) pump  60 . Oil exiting the pump  60  is split at a T-fitting  148  into separate streams that pass into conduits  149  and  151 . The oil in conduit  149  is delivered to a port  152  in the bottom  52  of trough  51  and passes into, through and out from an elongated spray head  153  that extends angularly across and adjacent to the interior bottom of the trough  51  adjacent the apex  57 . The sprayed entering oil from the head  153  is useful in getting the foodstuffs, such as chips, that are dropped into the oil in the trough  51  from the slicer subassembly  32  or the like (as described below) flowing in a clockwise direction in the clockwise moving oil in the trough  51 .  
         [0052]     The oil in conduit  151  is delivered to a port  154  in the bottom  52  of trough  51  and passes into, through and out from an elongated spray head  155  that extends across and that is adjacent to the interior bottom of the trough  51 . The spray head  155  is preferably located about  1600  beyond the spray head  153  in the trough  51 . The spray heat  155  preferably functions to provide oil currents that are useful in moving foodstuffs, such as cooked chips, in the frying oil bath onto respective seats  100  of the revolving carousel  99 , as described below, for removal from the bath. The conduits  144 ,  147 ,  149  and  151  can be comprised, for example, of oil-resistant, food contact grade, conventional hose fitted as necessary or desirable with mating fittings, such as couplings  157  and  158 . Electric connecting means are generally not shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  for simplicity, but electric control box  161  is shown illustratively.  
         [0053]     At the end of a period of apparatus  30  operation, for example, as the end of a day of operating, an operator can open a valve  162  in the heater  145  and drain out oil from the trough  51  into a conventional oil caddy (not shown) or the like. Various oil caddys are commercially available. One present preference is to use a mobile (wheel mounted) oil caddy that is equipped with an auxiliary oil filtering system and with a pump so that oil drained into the caddy can be recirculated therein and subjected to filtering, thereby enabling further use of the oil which can then be pumped by the caddy pump back into the apparatus  30  through the valve  162 . Alternatively, oil drained from valve  162  into the caddy can be delivered in the mobile caddy to an environmentally acceptable disposal station or the like (not shown). Preferably, the trough  51  is provided with additional valved ports  163  and  164  for possible or optional use in cleaning or maintenance.  
         [0054]     The oil fill level in the oil pan  51  is preferably maintained and regulated within a predetermined level. While the oil level can be automatically controlled, if desired, using preferably a computerized control system or the like, it has been found convenient, satisfactory and simple for an operator to determine the fill level and to manually control the oil fill level in the trough  51 . The operator can add make-up oil to trough  51 , for example, as needed during operations. In a start up mode for apparatus  30  operation, the operator can initially fill the oil pan  51  with cooking oil until a desired fill level is reached after which the operator can actuate the oil pump  60  and the oil heater  145 . In another operating mode, the oil can be charged from an oil caddy through the valve  162  until a desired trough  51  fill level is reached after which the caddy pump can be deactuated, the valve  162  closed, and the pump  60  and heater  145  actuated. Various oil flow and usage arrangements can be utilized as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate.  
         [0055]     In apparatus  30  operation, the oil is pumped by pump  60  at a rate and volume which causes the oil in pan  51  to circulate circumferentially and clockwise through the pan  51  at a predetermined or desired velocity. A present preference, particularly for reasons of easy, simple operation by an operator, is for the oil flow rate to be faster than the rotation rate of the circular plurality of adjacent paddle assemblies  78  in the trough foodstuff position regulating subassembly  34 .  
         [0000]     Position Regulating Subasssembly  
         [0056]     To regulate the frying of foodstuffs (such as chips) in the trough  51 , a foodstuff position regulating subassembly  34  is preferably provided. However, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, if desired, foodstuffs can alternatively be fried in a circulating oil bath in the trough  51  by direct operator control or by other foodstuff position regulating means, not shown.  
         [0057]     In the trough position regulating subassembly  34  of the apparatus  30 , a circular, rotatable plurality of circumferentially adjacent paddle assemblies  78  orbits and individual blade members  79  of the paddle assemblies  78  tilt and arcuately incline over and in the trough  51 .  
         [0058]     The subassembly  34  incorporates a circular base plate  66  (see, for example,  FIG. 3 ) that is centered within the opening  45  and rests upon the cross supports  46 . The base plate  66  has a central circular opening  67   a  that provides an access for ventilation. In the base plate  66 , a raised, circumferentially extending, inner edge  67   b  extends around opening  67   a , and a raised, circumferentially extending out edge  67   c  extends about the perimeter of the plate  66 . A plurality of preferably circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly projecting, apertured ears  71  (preferably four, as shown) are provided about the perimeter of the plate  66 . The plate  66  rests on, and the ears  71  are vertically aligned with, portions of the underlying cross supports  46  (see, for example,  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of platform  31 , and each of the ears  71  is mounted thereto with a countersunk cap screw  72  or the like that is extended through aligned apertures in each ear  71  and the cross supports  46 .  
         [0059]     A ring gear  73  is rotatably mounted on a vertical axis by a plurality (preferably three) guide bearing assemblies  74  over and adjacent to the base plate  66 . The stem of each guide bearing assembly  74  is mounted perpendicularly to the base plate  66 . Coaxially extending in axially spaced, parallel relationship relative to and over the ring gear  73  is a mounting ring  77 . The mounting ring  77  is fixed to the ring gear  73  by a plurality (preferably six) of upstanding, circumferentially spaced, opposite end interconnected spacers  76  that each extend between vertically adjacent side portions of the mounting ring  77  and the ring gear  73 . The spacers  76  are attached thereto by means of screws (not detailed) which threadably associate with each spacer  76  opposite end and which extend through respective sidewall portions of each of the mounting ring  77  and the ring gear  73 .  
         [0060]     Mounted on the mounting ring  77  in circumferentially adjacent relationship to one another is the plurality (preferably  18 ) of paddle subassemblies  78 . Each paddle subassembly  78  (see, for example,  FIGS. 6-8 ) includes a generally flat paddle blade member  79 , a connecting arm  81  and a base mount  82  having a cam follower  110 . Each paddle blade member  79  has an open mesh structure and a perimeter configuration that is comparable to a trapezoid, but the opposed long and the short end sides  85   a  and  85   b , respectively, are each preferably slightly curved longitudinally and generally parallel to one another, as shown. Preferably, the perimeter of each paddle member  79  is defined by a continuously extending heavy wire, and the internal area embraced within the thus defined perimeter is comprised of a grid defined by a plurality of straight smaller wire strand members that include a set of cross strand members and a set of transverse strand members. The respective wire strand members of each set are each in spaced, parallel relationship relative to each other and the sets define generally square openings between adjacent pairs of parallel wires in each set. All the wire members are welded together at points of contact (including crossover) therebetween.  
         [0061]     Near one side edge of each paddle member  79  in the short end side  85   b , a discontinuity or inwardly extending pocket  80  is defined. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , for example, it is preferred to have the leading edge of a paddle member  79  be upwardly inclined since such an incline is believed to function to prevent foodstuff chips or the like in the oil bath from riding up over the top of an individual paddle blade member  79  during operation of the apparatus  30 .  
         [0062]     Each discontinuity  80  is associated with an outer end portion of a connecting arm  81 . Each arm  81  is elongated and generally L-configured so as to define a relatively short forearm portion  81   a  and a relatively long upper arm portion  81   b . The outer end portion of the short forearm portion  81   a  is preferably fixed to each paddle member  79 , and, as so associated, the angle and orientation of arm  81  is such that the forearm portion  81  a extends generally perpendicularly relative to the associated paddle blade member  79 . The outer end portion of each forearm portion  81   a  is conveniently thus mounted by welding or the like to a paddle blade member  79 . The long upper arm portion  81   b  extends outwardly from and above the short end side  85   b . The outer end of the long upper arm portion  81   b  receives telescopically an inner terminal sleeve  108  that has a pin  109  extending diametrically through, and projecting from, the outer end thereof.  
         [0063]     The base mount  82  is rotatably connected to the outer end portion of the upper arm portion  81   b  (see, for example,  FIG. 8 ). The base mount  82  includes a base  82   a  and a cooperating arm lever  82   b  that interfits with and hinges on bushings (not detailed) and a pivot pin  69  relative to the base  82   a  mounts Screws (not detailed) extend through each opposite end of the bottom of base  82   a  and threadably engage mating holes in the mounting ring  77 , thereby to mount a paddle subassembly  78  to the mounting ring  77 . Extending outwards from the back of the base  82   a  is counterpoise  110  that is connected to the base  82   a  preferably by hex-headed screws  84  (three) or the like. Projecting from the outer end of the lever arm  82   b  is a cam follower  110 . Thus, the arm  81  and associated blade member  79  are adapted to pivot and to radially move about the pin  69  responsive to a depressing camming force exerted on the cam follower  110  and the resulting elevation of the counterpoise  83  arcuately moves the pin  109  on the sleeve  108  so that the arm  81  pivots arcuately on its axis.  
         [0064]     To revolve the ring gear  73  and the associated mounting ring  77 , a conventional geared motor subassembly  86  (see  FIG. 3 , for example) is suspended from the base plate  66 . The drive shaft  87  of the motor subassembly  86  extends through the base plate  66  and is keyed to a pinion gear  88  having a vertical axis, the pinion  88  being adapted to engage the perimeter gear teeth of the ring gear  73 . Between the rotating, interconnected components  87 / 88  and the base plate  66  a preferably stainless steel seal  89  is positioned and fitted to plate  66 . A clockwise direction of rotation for the ring gear  73  is utilized.  
         [0065]     To achieve the indicated radial and arcuate movements of each of the connecting arms  81  as the circular plurality of paddle assemblies rotates, a circular cam arrangement is provided which incorporates a plurality of curved cam members. The cam members extend circumferentially around, and in radially inwardly spaced but adjacent relationship relative to, the mounting ring  77  so that the cam follower  110  of each paddle assembly  78  slidably and progressively engages surface portions of the cam members during rotation. The individual cam followers  110 , by sliding over and following the contacted surface portions of the cam members, cause the respective individual paddle members  78  to move arcuately and radially as the mounting ring  77  rotates.  
         [0066]     The cam arrangement includes a generally elongated and curved cam rod  91  (see, for example,  FIGS. 3, 4  and  5 ) that is fixedly mounted in upwardly spaced relationship relative to the base plate  66  and circumferentially extends relative thereto by means of a plurality (preferably four as shown) of circumferentially spaced, perpendicular posts  92  that are rooted in the plate  66  and upstand perpendicularly therefrom in adjacent relationship relative to the raised inside edge  67   b . Upper end portions of the posts  92  are each provided with a generally radially outwardly extending rail  93 , three of which, as shown in  FIG. 4 , connect with respective adjacent inside portions of the cam rod  91 . The cam rod  91  continuously extends over and around the base plate  66  for approximately 180° and includes beginning and terminal portions that are each inclined to better guide the cam followers  110 . This cam rod  91  functions to raise and individual paddle assemblies and thereby permit them to clear the carousel  99  and the slicer assembly  32  as the plurality of paddle assemblies  78  revolves with the ring gear  73  and the mounting ring  77  in the assembled apparatus  30 . The circumferentially extending mid-regions of the cam rod  91  are uniform, extend about 84 degrees, and are generally equidistant from the underlying base plate  66 . The position of the cam rod  91  relative to the trough or oil pan  51  is such that the mid-regions of the cam rod  91  extend over the excursion region  56  of the trough  51  in apparatus  30 .  
         [0067]     An extension cam arm member  90  (see, for example,  FIG. 4 ) is preferably also provided which helps to guide and lower the individual paddle assemblies  78  as they progress and descend towards the oil bath in the trough  51 . The extension cam arm member  90  is provided with supporting rails  111  and  112  that connect the arm  90  to each of a post  92  and a portion of the cam rod  91 .  
         [0068]     The cam arrangement includes a medium length curved cam rod  166  (see, for example,  FIG. 4 ) which succeeds after an interval the cam rod  91 , which extends for about 60 degrees and which functions to help prevent foodstuffs (chips or the like) in an oil bath in the trough  51  from sticking to the paddle blades  79 . Also included in the cam arrangement are a plurality (preferably two) of short length curved cam rods  167  which can each extend from about 10 to 20°, which are preferably located successively between the end of cam rod  166  and the beginning of the cam rod  91  and which function to help release foodstuffs (chips or the like) from adjacent surfaces in an oil bath in the trough  51 . To provide adjustability for the cam rods  166  and  167 , a cam ring  168  is mounted to the posts  92  so as to be located above and generally over about the inner edge  67   b  of the base plate  66 . Adjustable conventional ring clamps  169  are provided which are each adapted to grasp a portion of the ring  168  and which each include a rail  170  that extends radially and that connects with a portion of a cam rod  166  or  167 .  
         [0069]     The cam follower  110  of each paddle subassembly  78  is adapted to slidably engage progressively over bottom portions of each cam  91 ,  90 ,  166  and  167  as the ring gear  73  rotates as driven by the pinion  88 . After rotating past the cam  91 , each cam follower  83  is briefly free and unengaged with any cam surface or the like. The interrelationship between each cam follower  83  and cam  91  is such that, during such disengagement, about 180° of gear  73  rotation, when the cam followers  83  of the paddle subassemblies  78  are not cam engaged, and the paddle subassemblies  79  are oriented in a generally horizontal configuration, such as illustratively shown in  FIG. 3  for about 180° of rotation. In this configuration, the broad side of each individual paddle member  79  overlies a circumferential portion of the oil pan  51 . The adjustable cam rods  166  and  167  provide for the achievement of different angles for the blades  79 , between the cam rod  166  and the cam rod  91 , if desired, as those skilled in the art will appreciate. The adjusted relationship of the cam rods relative to the blades  79  is such that a particular desired pattern of blade  79  movements are achieved in the apparatus  30  for foodstuff frying operation purposes.  
         [0070]     During the portion of the gear  73  rotation when the cam followers  110  initially engage the cam  91 , each individual paddle member  79  becomes progressively increasingly angularly inclined to a final extent that occurs when each cam follower  110  is over the mid-region of cam  91  where each individual paddle member  79  is placed in a generally vertical orientation and also is elevated by its arm  81  relative to the base plate  66  compared to its position when over the pan  51 . As each cam follower  110  of each individual paddle assembly  78  approaches the opposite (or terminal) end region of the cam  91 , the cam  91  terminal orientation allows each individual cam follower  110  to change its orientation whereby each individual paddle member  79  is progressively returned to its horizontal configuration. When circumferentially beyond the cam  91 , the interrelationship between the various components is such that the horizontal paddle member  79  configuration is assumed and reached at a predetermined location which is somewhat downstream in a clockwise direction from the location along the oil pan  51  where the potato slices prepared by the potato slicer  32  are discharged from the slicer  32  and descend by gravity into the heated oil in the oil pan  51 . The cam  91  and cam followers  110  thus cause the paddle members  79  of the individual paddle subassemblies  78  to be elevated and vertically oriented when the paddle members  79  are passing over the excursion region  56  of the oil pan  51 , thereby avoiding any interference between the paddle subassemblies  78  and components of the apparatus  30  (the slicer subassembly  32  and the carousel/conveyor subassembly  35 ) that are located at and extend along and above the vicinity of the excursion region  56 . After passing thereover, the paddle members  79  are lowered and horizontally oriented as the paddle members  79  pass over selected circumferentially extending portions of the oil pan  51 . To shield the base mount  82  and associated components, the circular arrangement of paddle assemblies  78  is preferably provided with a generally toroidally configured cover plate  58  which has defined therein a plurality of elongated, radially extending slots  58   a , there being one slot  58   a  for each arm  81  and along which each arm can radially move responsive to cam action as the paddle assemblies  78  rotate, as illustrated in  FIG. 5A .  
         [0000]     Slicer Subassembly  
         [0071]     In apparatus  30 , a potato slicer subassembly  32  is conveniently associated with and supported by the outside portion  48  and the fence  59  by a bracket (not detailed) with screws, clamps or the like, as desired. Preferably, the slicer assembly  32  is located along the wall portion  48  in the excursion region  56 , and preferably the slicer subassembly  32  is positioned to overhang the oil pan  51  along side wall portion  48  so that slices cut by the slicer subassembly  32  can descend directly into the oil pan  51  in the excursion region  56 . The slicer subassembly  32  (see, for example,  FIGS. 1 and 12 ) includes a base  113  having a hinged cover  114  that pivots relative to the base  113  by means of hinges  115 . Mounted to and upwardly extending from the cover  114  is an upstanding tubular feed chute  116  for potatoes and the like which preferably has an inclined lower terminal portion  117  that is adapted to position and incline potatoes or the like successively fed thereto so as to cause each so fed item to be sliced angularly and thereby produce slices of relatively large surface area. If desired, the feed chute  116  or the terminal portion  117  can be transparent or can include a transparent portion for viewing the potatoes during the slicing operation.  
         [0072]     Rotatably mounted on a bearing (not detailed) associated with the base  113  is a stub shaft  118  having a vertical axis. Keyed to the shaft  118  is a cutting plate  119  having a longitudinally and radially extending (relative to shaft  118 ) pair of cutting blades  120  that are adapted to rotate together with plate  119 , and adjacent to but in spaced, parallel relationship to, underlying adjacent surface portions of the base  113 . Each blade  120  has a leading, convexly curved cutting edge, and each blade  120  is circumferentially flattened. The blades  120  have symmetrically arranged (relative to each other) slightly inclined side surface portions relative to the adjacent surface portions of the cutting plate  119 . The blades  120  are in generally end opposed relationship relative to each other. Radially adjacent, opposed end portions of each blade  120  associated with opposite side portions of the shaft  118  extend radially outwardly from the shaft  118 . A slice slit orifice  121  is defined in the plate  119  along the curved edge of each blade  120 . Thus, individual slices cut by the blades  120  as the plate  119  rotates on shaft  118  are discharged through the orifices  121 . If desired, the inclination angle of the blades  120  can be adjustable, if desired, (not shown) as those skilled in the art will appreciate, so that slices of predetermined, selected thickness can be achieved. Beneath the cutting plate  119 , a portion (not shown) of the base  113  is open so that slices passing through the orifices  121  fall by gravity and can descend locally into the oil bath provided in the underlying pan  51  in the assembled apparatus  30 .  
         [0073]     The circumferential perimeter edge portions of the cutting plate  119  are provided with a ring gear  122 . A conventional geared motor  123  with housing is suspended from the cutting plate  119 , and the drive shaft of the motor  123  is keyed to a pinion gear  124  having a vertical rotation axis and located in spaced, adjacent relationship to the base  113  so that the pinion  124  is engageable with the ring gear  122 . Thus, actuation of the motor  123  causes the ring gear  122  to rotate so that slicing can occur.  
         [0074]     A preferred slicer subassembly  192 , which is usable in place of the slicer subassembly  32  with similar interconnections with the side wall  48  and the fence  59 , is illustrated in  FIGS. 13-16 . Other and various mounting arrangements can be employed if desired. Preferably, the slicer subassembly  192  is along the wall portion  48  in the excursion region  56  and overhangs the side wall  48  of the trough  51  so that slices cut by subassembly  192  descend vertically into the oil bath circulating in the trough  51  in the excursion region  56 . The slicer subassembly  192  (see, for example,  FIGS. 13-16 ) includes a base plate  193  that is covered by a pivotably associated yard plate  194  and that pivots relative to the base  193  by means of a pivot pin  194 . Mounted to and upwardly extending from an apertured cover plate  205  is an upstanding tubular foodstuff (illustratively, potato) fee chute, not shown, which is similar to the chute  116 / 117  of the subassembly  32 .  
         [0075]     Rotatably mounted on rim bearings (not detailed) that are associated with the yard plate  194  is a circular cutting plate  195  that has a radially extending (relative to the plate  195 ) cutting blade  196 . The plate  195  and associated blade  196  are adapted to rotate in adjacent spaced parallel relationship relative to underlying surface portions of the plate  194 . Blade  196  has a leading, convexly curved cutting edge and is circumferentially flattened with slightly inclined and raised side surface portions relative to adjacent surface portions of the plate  195 . A slice slit orifice  197  is defined in the plate  195  along the curved edge of the blade  196 . Thus, individual slices cut by the blade  196  as the plate  195  rotates are discharged through the orifice  197 . If desired, the inclination angle of the blade  196  can be adjustable (not shown), as those skilled in the art will appreciate. Beneath a portion of the plate  195  a U-shaped portion  198  located adjacent an edge of the plate  194  beneath the plate  195  is removed so that slices cut and passing through the orifice  197  can fall by gravity and descend directly into the oil bath in the underlying pan  51  in the assembled and operating apparatus  30 .  
         [0076]     The circumferential perimeter edge portions of the plate  195  are associated with a ring gear  199 . A conventional housed geared motor  201  is suspended from the base plate  103  and the drive shaft  202  of the motor  201  is keyed to a pinion gear  203  having a vertical rotation axis and located in upwardly spaced, adjacent relationship relative to the plate  194  so that the pinion  203  is engageable with the ring gear  199 . Actuation of the motor  201  causes the ring gear  199  and plate  195  to rotate so that slicing can occur when the cover plate  205  is associated with the plate  194  and positioned over the plate  195  by means of spacer nut and bolt assemblies  206 .  
         [0077]     A circular insert plate  207  is associated in a fixed position adjacent surface portions of the plate  194  and is sized to be received within a cavity  208  defined in the underside of the subassembly of plate  195  and ring gear  199 . Preferably in contrast to other components of the slicer subassembly  197 , which are preferably comprised of a metal such as stainless steel or the like, the plate  207  is conveniently formed by molding and machining and is preferably comprised of a durable plastic. One circumferential edge adjacent region  208  of plate  207  is removed so as to provide an opening that corresponds to the removed portion  198  and that can overlie same. Medial regions of the upper surface of the plate  207  are removed so that a chamber or cavity  212  is defined vertically between the medial upper surface regions of the plate  207  and medial undersurface portions of the plate  195 . A radially extending scraper blade member  209  is provided that is generally diametrically aligned with the blade member  196  relative to the plate  195  and that is mounted to the undersurface of the plate  195  along the back side edge of blade member  209  by a bracket member  211  and rivets or screws (not fully detailed), as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . As the plate  195  rotates, the scraper blade  209  is adapted to sweep over and wipe adjacent surface portions of the plate  207  in the cavity  212  for the functional purpose of moving circumferentially any slices that might tend to adhere to the surface portions of the cavity  212  towards and out through the edge cavity  208  for deposition into the trough  51  oil bath. To aid in such movement of slices, the inside bottom face of the cavity  212  in the plate  207  is provided with a slight bevel that increases as the edge cavity  208  is approached.  
         [0078]     For cleaning and maintenance purposes, the plates  194 ,  195 ,  207  and  205  are readily and simply assembled and disassembled relative to each other. For example, a spring-biased lever arm  214  pivots slightly to normally lockingly engage or disengage and separate (upon lever actuation) the plate  195  from the plate  194 . To accommodate the lever arm  214 , adjacent undersurface portions  215  of the plate  207  are removed, as shown in  FIG. 16 . In the subassembly  192 , the plate  207  fits over and is retained against movements by locating pins  218  mounted in plate  194  that fit into sockets  219  defined in the undersurface portions  215  of the plate  207 .  
         [0000]     Removal Subassembly  
         [0079]     Fried foodstuffs in the trough  51  can be manually or automatically removed. Preferably in the apparatus  30 , removal is automatically accomplished preferably by a removal subassembly  35 . Presently preferred is a removal subassembly  35  that incorporates a sequential combination of a rotating carousel  99  and a cooperating translating conveyor belt  130 .  
         [0080]     The carousel  99  (see, for example,  FIGS. 1 and 17 - 21 ) incorporates a pair of transversely spaced, parallel side walls  101  preferably comprised of formed heavy stainless steel sheeting. The side walls  101  are each toroidally configured with radially spaced, circumferentially rounded outer and inner perimeter edge regions. Between the side walls  101 , a plurality of circumferentially preferably equally spaced seats  100  are mounted. Each seat  100  is comprised of a wire mesh that is preferably formed of stainless steel. Radially spaced, parallel front and back edge portions of each seat  100  are associated with a straight stiffening wire  127  by welding or the like as detailed in  FIG. 19 . Each wire  127  extends parallel to the other in a seat  100 , and each wire  127  is preferably comprised of stainless steel. For carousel  99  seat  100  mounting, opposite end portions of each stiffening wire  127  are provided with a downturned flange  128 . A cross pin  126  (location indicated, pin not separately shown) extends through each flange  128  and an adjacent portion of a side wall  101 . The cross pins  126  are each fixed by welding, thereby mounting each seat  100  between the side walls  101  with the wires  127  also supporting the side walls  101 . Relative to the side walls  101 , each of the seats  100  preferably generally extends radially but arcuately across each side wall  101  between the outer and inner edge region perimeters of each side wall  101  so as to define an upwardly (relative to the counterclockwise direction of carousel  100  rotation) concave seat depression medially therein. Each seat  100  is thus adapted to receive a chip  97  or the like, and to permit such chip  97  to rest thereon as the seat  100  continues its rotational advance after receiving the chip  97 , and to permit the draining of cooking oil from chip  97  through the seat  100  mesh, as illustrated in  FIG. 19 , for example.  
         [0081]     The carousel  99  is rim driven, as illustrated in  FIG. 18 , for example. The carousel  99  conveniently and preferably rests by gravity upon, and is positioned and supported by, the combination of a laterally spaced horizontal guide or idler roller  172  and a horizontal driven roller  104 , each roller  172  and  104  preferably being provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced (relative to each roller  172  and  104 ) circumferentially extending grooves  173  that are adapted to receive matingly an adjacent outer circumferential rim edge portions of a different side wall  101 . The idler roller  172  is associated with a support plate  171 , and the driven roller  104  is supported by the motor  102 , as indicated below, using the plate  103 . The plates  103  and  171  are supported by the outside wall of  54  of the trough  51 . In the apparatus  100 , as so supported, the carousel  99  extends over and into the trough  51  and the lower edge portion of the carousel  99  is positioned to be immersed in the oil bath flowing in the trough  51  (see, for example,  FIG. 1 ). To rotate the carousel  99  counterclockwise, as desired, a conventional housed geared motor  102  is mounted on a mounting plate  103 . The roller  104  is keyed to the drive shaft  105  of the motor  102  and the roller  104 , in alignment with rim portions of the side walls  101  of the carousel  99 , rotatably drives the carousel  99  when the motor  102  is actuated. For cleaning and maintenance, the carousel  99  is simply lifted upwards and separated from the rollers  104  and  172 .  
         [0082]     As a safety device, a bracket  129  is preferably provided in the vicinity of the drive roller  104  to avoid hand contact by operators or spectators with the rotating shaft  104 .  
         [0083]     Cooked chips  97  or the like progressing in a flowing oil bath in trough  51  move onto individual seats  100  of the rotating carousel  99  and are carried upwards on the seats  100  as the carousel  99  rotates. When the seats  100  of the carousel  99  approach and reach about a vertical position, chips  97  resting on the seats  100  fall downwards by gravity away from the individual seats  100  generally radially relative to the carousel  99 . The falling chips  97  are captured by (i.e., land on) surface portions of the advancing, translating cooperatively associated conveyor belt  130  that continuously operates and moves outwardly from about the mid central region of the carousel  99  (see, for example,  FIGS. 1 and 20 ). To prevent falling chips  97  from floating or descending to one side or the other of the conveyor belt  130 , or from landing beyond the inner end of the conveyor belt  130 , a diagonally extending side baffle  131  is provided on each side of the belt  130  together with a diagonally extending end baffle  132  at the inner end of the belt  130 . Chips  97  on the belt  130  are transported (carried) outwards laterally from the carousel  99  to a delivery and collection location (not detailed) which is conveniently and preferably at the forward end of the belt  130  and which is preferably along one side of the cabinet platform  31 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , for example.  
         [0084]     The conveyor belt  130  is conveniently and preferably comprised of an endless loop of mesh that is preferably comprised of stainless steel. Chips  97  on the belt  130  can thus drain excess oil through the mesh of the belt  130 . To support the belt  130 , a pair of transversely spaced side rails  176  is provided which are in a fixed relationship relative to each other as achieved by a plurality of longitudinally spaced cross supports  174  that are individually end mounted to each side rail  176 . Between the adjacent spaced opposite ends of the side rails  176  pair a guide roll  177  is provided. Preferably edge guides (not fully shown) are also provided. Thus, the belt  130  is positioned between the rails  176  and extends over the guide rolls  177  and is adapted for endless translation.  
         [0085]     Each of the side rails  176  is associated with a laterally adjacent support plate  178  by nut and bolt assemblies  179  with associated spacers. To drive the conveyor belt  130 , an elongated roll  139  is rotatably mounted between the side rails  176  beneath the belt  130 , and circumferential surface portions of the roll  139  are provided with a plurality of short, upstanding, radially outwardly extending pins  139   a , thereby to provide a so-called pinroll. The pinroll  139  is adapted to engage under surface portions of the conveyor belt  130  and thereby, when rotated, to translate the belt  130 . To rotatably drive the pinroll  139 , a conventional housed geared motor  138  is mounted on one support plate  178 , and the drive shaft (not detailed) of the motor  138  is keyed to one end of the pinroll  139 . Actuation of the motor  138  thus translates the belt  130 .  
         [0086]     Each support plate  178  is joined adjacent to its respective opposite ends to a different one of a pair of spaced, parallel, cross-sectionally rectangular, steel support bars  182  that downwardly extend therefrom. To opposing corners of a rectangular base plate  183  the bottom end of each bar  182  is connected by swivel bolts  184 . The base plate  183  supports the conveyor belt  130  and the related components on the top deck  39 . The bolt connections between each opposite end of each bar  182  are adjusted so that the pair of bars  182  associated with each support plate  178  and the base plate  183  are in a pivotable parallelogram configuration relative to each other so that each pair of bars  182  is movable (pivotable) from an upright orientation to a diagonal orientation. Diagonally extending from a lower corner of each side of the base plate  183  to an upper end of one bar  182  where it joins each support plate  178  is a conventional fluid cylinder and associated piston assembly  186 . The fluid (conveniently nitrogen or other inert gas) pressure in each cylinder and piston assembly  186  is adjusted so that the conveyor belt  130  and associated components can be manually moved by an apparatus  30  operator from the operative position shown in  FIG. 20  outwardly away from the carousel  99  to a cleaning and maintenance position such as illustrated in  FIG. 21  and then back again to the operative position.  
         [0087]     For further disassembly for cleaning and/or maintenance, the conveyor belt  130  and the side rails  176  are preferably associated by a latching arrangement (not detailed but conventional) with the support plates  178  so that the combination can be disengaged therefrom by manual operation of latches  187  (shown in  FIG. 21 , not structured but conventional). Preferably the side baffles  131  are disengaged by merely sliding same upwards until their the respective heads of their stationary retaining screws  189  are moved in guidance slots  190  to a location where these screw heads reach an enlargement in the guidance slots  190 , as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , thereby permitting disengagement of the side baffles  131 .  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0088]     As exemplified diagrammatically in  FIG. 22 , when, for example, slices  94  as cut from a potato  95  that was dropped into the charging chute of a slicer subassembly  32  are discharged into the heated bath oil  96  in the trough or pan  51 , the slices  94  initially promptly sink in the bath oil  96  owing to their starting density which reflects the characteristic initial water content of slices  94 . Within a few seconds, however, the water in the slices  94  is characteristically heated, boiled and converted to steam which leaves the slices  94 , and incidentally also the oil, whereupon the frying slices  94  become lighter in weight and density and rise towards the surface of the oil bath  96 . The paddle blade members  79 , as horizontally positioned over the bath  96  in pan  51 , serve the function of keeping the individual frying slices  94  continuously immersed in the oil bath  96  for a desired time which is necessary to insure that the individual slices  94  are uniformly cooked into potato chips, as desired. Adjustment of movements of the blades  79  as they rotate can advantageously affect the frying of the slices  94 .  
         [0089]     The interrelationship between such variables as the rate of slice/chip translation circumferentially in and along the oil pan  51 , the slice/chip transport or residence time in the oil bath  96 , and the temperature and velocity of the oil bath  96  in the pan  51  is such that the individual slice/chip bodies moving in the oil bath  96  are completely converted into desired cooked chips  97  by the time the individual bodies reach the carousel/conveyor subassembly  35 . Also, the interrelationship between the apparatus  30  components is such that the individual frying slices  94  in pan  51  tend to progress along and through the oil pan  51  sequentially and so arrive at the carousel subassembly  35  sequentially. As the downward immersing force exerted on the frying slices  94  by the individual paddle wheels  79  bodies is removed when the cam followers  83  engage the cam  91 , the cooked chips  97  rise in the oil bath  96  and are carried by the flowing oil of the bath  96  onto individual seats  100  of the rotating carousel  99 . Thus, the slicing rate at the slicer subassembly  32 , along with the formation of individual slices  94  and the dispensing thereof into the oil bath  96 , is preferably synchronized with the spacing between individual frying slices  94  in the bath  96 , the velocity and temperature of the bath  96  in the pan  51 , and the rotational velocity of the carousel  99 . When individual chips  97  in the oil bath  96  reach the rotating carousel  99  in the carousel assembly  35 , each chip  97  as cooked is preferably received on a different successive one of the seats  100  of the revolving carousel  99  in the carousel assembly  35 .  
         [0000]     Control System  
         [0090]     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that frying of foodstuffs using the pan  51 , the pump  60  and preferably also oil temperature regulation as herein provided can be carried out by an operator using manual controls.  
         [0091]     However, it is preferred to operate the apparatus  30  with electronic controls utilizing generally known technology.  
         [0092]     An illustrative and abbreviated control diagram for apparatus  30  operating to cut, fry and separate potato chips employing a conventional PLC (that is, a programmable logic controller) and a known PID (proportional-integral-derivative) algorithm is shown in  FIG. 23 . The trough position regulation subassembly  34  is preliminarily adjusted to a particular operating pattern. The PLC continuously and successively monitors status signal inputs from components of the apparatus and also regulating inputs that affect apparatus operation. For example, from the apparatus, the PLC also receives inputs regarding temperature of the oil in the trough  51 . Regarding regulating inputs, the control loop utilizes certain user (operator) inputs and certain inputs from the slicer subassembly, namely, the input from a photoeye that senses potatoes fed to the slicer and the input from a proximity switch indicating slicer blade rotation. User inputs involve selection of such controllable variables as slicer operating speed and a particular previously programmed apparatus operating sequence for potato chip production. The regulating inputs affect the operation of components of the apparatus. The PLC is programmed to operate the apparatus responsive to permitted regulating inputs.  
         [0093]      FIG. 24  diagrammatically illustrates the manner in which temperature of the oil is controlled. Two separate loops are employed. In one loop, which is apart from the PID, the temperature is controlled within a predetermined operating range. Basically, the heater  145  operates if the oil temperature is below this range and does not operate if the oil temperature is above this range. In the second loop, which is responsive to the PID algorithm, oil temperatures that are within the predetermined operating range are, essentially, fine tuned to achieve optimized apparatus operation.  
         [0094]      FIG. 25  illustrates how each of the five motors employed in the apparatus  30 , that is, the oil pump motor  60 , the circular paddle assembly rotating motor  86 , the carousel rotating motor  102 , the slicer rotating motor  123 , and the conveyor translating motor  138 , is separately and independently controlled. For each motor, power is separately controlled and a separate and independent motor actuation (“run”) signal is required. In addition, for the slicer, a slicer run signal is necessary.  
         [0095]     The  FIGS. 23-25  are believed to be self-explanatory so that no detailed description is believed to be necessary.  
         [0096]     As is apparent from the foregoing specification and the appended drawings, the invention is susceptible to being embodied in various alternative and modified embodiments which may differ from the particular teachings here disclosed. It should be understood that the present invention includes all such alternative and modified embodiments as reasonably and properly come with the scope of this contribution to the art.