Patent Publication Number: US-2016243716-A1

Title: Lattice cutting machine system

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/837,753, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, and entitled LATTICE CUTTING MACHINE SYSTEM, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/341,911, filed on Dec. 31, 2011, and entitled LATTICE CUTTING MACHINE, issued on Sep. 30, 2014, as U.S. Pat. No. 8,844,416, the disclosures of each are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to improvements in devices and methods for cutting food products such as potatoes, into lattice or waffle-cut slices. More particularly, this invention relates to a lattice cutting or slicing machine for cutting a succession of potatoes or the like traveling along a flow path into lattice or waffle-cut slices, and a system for selectively or simultaneously employing multiple such slicing machines in parallel. 
     2. Related Art 
     Potato slices having a variety of shapes, such as having a lattice or waffle-cut geometry, have become popular food products. Lattice or waffle-cut potato slices are characterized by corrugated cut patterns on opposite sides of each slice. The opposing cut patterns are angularly oriented relative to each other, such as at approximately right angles. It is desirable that the troughs or valleys of the opposing corrugated cut patterns are sufficiently deep to partially intersect one another, resulting in a potato slice having a generally rectangular grid configuration with a repeating pattern of small through openings. Relatively thin lattice-cut slices of this type can be processed to form lattice-cut potato chips. Thicker lattice cut slices are typically processed by par frying and/or finish frying to form lattice-cut or waffle-cut French fries. 
     Slicing machines have been developed for production cutting of potatoes and other food products into lattice-cut slices or other shapes, such as crinckle-cut, etc. These machines differ in many respects from more conventional cutting machines. For example, straight-cut French fry slices are typically cut by means of a so-called water knife, which can have a very high throughput rate. The speed of lattice-cut and other slicing machines, on the other hand, is generally slower, and often causes users to employ several such machines in parallel to meet consumer demand. As a result, the capital equipment cost tends to be relatively high. There are also some possible failure modes of some lattice cutting machines that are desirable to avoid. 
     The present disclosure is directed toward one or more of the above issues. 
     SUMMARY 
     It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a lattice cutting machine that can rapidly and consistently cut potatoes and the like propelled along an hydraulic flow path into lattice or waffle-cut slices of selected slice thickness. 
     It has also been recognized that it would be advantageous to have a lattice cutting machine that is affordable and easy to use. 
     In accordance with one embodiment thereof, the present invention provides a cutting machine for cutting a vegetable product. The cutting machine includes a frame, supporting a product flow path, at least three links, pivotally attached to the frame, and a cutting plate, pivotally attached to each of the three links at three pivot points and oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow path. A plurality of cutting knives are carried by the cutting plate, each having a generally corrugated configuration defining adjacent peaks and troughs, the cutting knives oriented angularly with respect to each other. The cutting machine also includes a drive motor, coupled to rotationally drive at least one of the links with respect to the frame, whereby the cutting plate moves in an orbital motion in a plane substantially perpendicular to the flow path, thereby moving the cutting knives sequentially and repeatedly across the product flow path. 
     In accordance with another aspect thereof, the invention provides a cutting plate for cutting vegetables. The cutting plate includes a plurality of cutting blades, disposed radially upon the cutting plate, each cutting blade having a corrugated cutting profile and configured to cut a vegetable slice with a pattern of adjacent peaks and troughs. A corresponding plurality of slots are disposed adjacent to each cutting blade, the slots configured to allow the vegetable slice to pass through after being cut by one of the plurality of cutting blades. The cutting plate also includes a plurality of rotatable links, configured to link the cutting plate to a driving device that rotates the cutting plate in an orbital motion adjacent to a cutting position for the vegetables. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect thereof, the invention provides a system for cutting vegetable products. The system includes a transport system, having an outlet, configured for transporting vegetable products in single file toward the outlet, a plurality of vegetable cutting machines, a collection system, disposed downstream of the vegetable cutting machines, configured to collect the vegetables after cutting, and a selection device, configured to selectively couple the outlet of the transport system to one or more of the vegetable cutting machines. 
     In accordance with still another aspect thereof, the invention provides a cutting machine for cutting vegetables. The cutting machine includes a product flow path, a cutting plate, and four cutting knives disposed on the cutting plate. The product flow path is configured to direct the vegetables to a cutting position and the cutting plate is pivotally mounted upon three rotatable links and oriented generally perpendicular to the product flow path. The four cutting knives are disposed upon the cutting plate at approximately 90° intervals and oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to each adjacent cutting knife. Each of the cutting knives includes a generally corrugated configuration defining adjacent peaks and troughs, an upstream side, having a recessed ramp for guiding the vegetables into cutting engagement with the cutting knife, and a downstream side, having a slot for passage of each cut slice therethrough after cutting. The system also includes means for rotationally driving at least one of the links, thereby driving the cutting plate in an orbital path generally perpendicular to the flow path, whereby the cutting knives sequentially and repeatedly move across the cutting position and into cutting engagement with the vegetables to form vegetable slices having a generally corrugated cut shape. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a lattice cutting machine in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the lattice cutting machine of  FIG. 1 , showing; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the lattice cutting machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side, cross-sectional view of the lattice cutting machine of 
         FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partially disassembled, front perspective view of the cutting assembly of the lattice cutting machine of  FIG. 1 , showing the cutting plate and the drive motor; 
         FIG. 6  is a partially disassembled, rear perspective view of the cutting assembly of the lattice cutting machine of  FIG. 1 , showing the cutting plate and the drive motor; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the cutting assembly of the lattice cutting machine of  FIG. 1 , showing the cutting plate and the drive motor; 
         FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of the drive motor and drive linkage of the lattice cutting machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the drive motor and drive linkage of the lattice cutting machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged front view of the cutting plate of the lattice cutting machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a single cutter of the cutting plate of the lattice cutting machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of a cutting blade of the lattice cutting machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 13-16  are front views of the lattice cutting machine of  FIG. 1 , showing the cutting plate in each of four positions during its oscillating cutting motion; 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram of a system for simultaneously employing multiple water knives in parallel; 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram of a system for selectively employing multiple slicing machines which are moveably mounted upon a track system; and 
         FIG. 19  is a diagram of a system for selectively employing multiple slicing machines in parallel via selective adjustment of valves in a water transport system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention. 
     As noted above, lattice cutting machines have been developed, but some of these have a relatively slow operational rates. Some others that have been developed achieve higher speeds but present possible issues that affect the robustness of the design. For example, issues of noise, vibration and balance, and possible failure modes due to stretched or broken timing and drive belts at high operating speeds are among relevant concerns. 
     Advantageously, a lattice cutting machine has been developed that can rapidly and consistently cut potatoes and the like into lattice or waffle-cut slices of a desired slice thickness, and addresses some of the issues related to noise, vibration and balance, and possible failure modes that affect some prior lattice cutting machines. Shown in  FIGS. 1-4  is an embodiment of a lattice cutting or slicing machine  110  in accordance with the present disclosure. This machine is configured for cutting products, particularly vegetable products, such as potatoes  112  ( FIG. 2 ), into a plurality of lattice cut or waffle-cut slices of selected thickness. The cutting machine  110  includes an orbitally-driven lattice cutting plate  114  having multiple corrugated cutting or slicing knives  116 . The knives  116  are configured to sequentially engage and cut each product into slices with a corrugated cut pattern on opposite sides of each slice, the corrugated patterns oriented at about right angles to each other. The thickness of each individual cut slice can be controlled so that the troughs associated with the corrugate pattern on opposing sides of the slice slightly intersect to form a pattern of small through openings in each cut slice. 
       FIG. 2  includes some schematic elements that show the lattice cutting machine  110  in combination with a hydraulic feeding system  118 , including a supply or pump tank  120  for receiving a quantity of potatoes  112  into a hydraulic fluid, such as water  122 . As is known in the art, a suitable pump  124  or the like draws the hydraulic fluid  122  and the potatoes  112  and propels them single file and substantially without rotation at some selected velocity through a supply conduit  126 . The supply conduit  126  defines a flow path  128  leading to a cutting position  130  of the lattice cutting machine  110 . The tubular supply conduit  126  terminates within the cutting machine  110  approximately at the cutting position  130 . Such hydraulic feed systems  118  are known in the art for use with so-called water knife systems, which are commonly used to rapidly cut potatoes or other products into elongated French fry strips suitable for subsequent production processing steps before shipment to a customer. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the cutting machine  110  generally comprises a support frame  132 , which supports a portion of the supply conduit  126 , and includes a control housing  133 , which encloses system controls  134  and the like, and a drive housing  135 , through which the terminal end of the supply conduit  126  extends. A drive motor  136  is attached to a motor mount  137 , which is also attached to the frame  132 . Additional views of the drive motor  136  and related structure are shown in  FIGS. 5-9 . The drive motor is configured to orbitally drive the lattice cutting plate  114  at a controlled rate of speed. As shown, the drive motor  136  includes a rotary output shaft  138  that is coupled to an output pulley  140 , which is in turn coupled by a suitable drive or cog belt  142  to a driven pulley  144 . Those of skill in the art will recognize that the relative speed of the drive pulley  140  and driven pulley  144  will depend on the relative diameter of these two pulleys. 
     The driven pulley  144  is coupled to an output shaft  146  that is supported by the drive housing  135 , and rotatably drives a crank link  148   a,  which is one of three crank links  148   a - c . The motor  136  can thus drive the cutting plate  114  at a selected rate of speed, depending on the speed of the motor  136 . The rate of speed of the motor can be controlled via the system controls  134 , based on product feed rate and other parameters. As shown in the figures, each of the crank links  148  are rotatably attached to the drive housing  135  at pivot points  149 , and the distal end of each crank link  148  is also rotatably attached to one of three pivot points  150  of the lattice cutting plate  114 . The crank links can each include counterweights  151  or the like for smooth rotational operation. 
     The length or distance L ( FIG. 7 ) between the crank link pivot point  149  and cutting plate pivot point  150  of each crank link  148  is identical. In one embodiment, the distance L is  4  inches. An embodiment of the lattice cutting machine  110  has also been tested in which the distance L is  5  inches. Other lengths of the crank links  148  can also be used. By driving the first crank link  148   a,  the drive motor  136  thus drives the entire cutting plate  114  in an orbital motion through a generally circular path near the cutting position  130 . This circular path is oriented in a plane that is generally perpendicular to a centerline of the product flow path  128 . While the motor  136  drives only one of the three crank links  148 , the other two crank links rotate in unison since they are connected to the first crank link via the cutting plate. This configuration does not include any additional timing belts, pulleys or other connections between the crank links, and thereby avoids mechanical issues that can arise with such structure. Concurrent rotation of all three crank links is achieved with the linkage through the cutting head alone. 
     As shown more particularly in  FIG. 10 , the lattice cutting plate  114  includes a generally circular cutting region  151  that is approximately centrally disposed within three extensions  152 , which include the pivoting connections or pivot points  150  to the ends of the crank links  148 . The lattice cutting plate  114  also includes a central aperture  154  formed therein to facilitate movement of the hydraulic fluid such as water  122  through the orbitally driven plate  114 . In addition, if desired, the lattice cutting plate  114  can also include a plurality of small apertures  155  formed throughout the plate area for additional water relieving flow. 
     The lattice cutting plate  114  also carries multiple lattice or corrugated cutting knives  116 , with four such knives being shown in the figures, supported on an upstream side of the cutting plate  114  in a generally equiangular array, whereby the knives  116  are oriented generally at intervals of about 90°. Each cutting knife  116  is further associated with a recessed ramp  156  ( FIGS. 10-11 ) defined on the upstream side of the cutting plate  114  at a leading position relative to the associated knife  116  and the direction of cutting plate rotation. The ramps  156  can be formed as part of the cutting plate  114 , or as a separate structure that is attached to the plate  114 . As another alternative, each ramp can be associated with a knife assembly that includes the cutting knife  116 . Each product (e.g. potato) in succession is driven by the hydraulic fluid  122  against the ramp  156 , which guides the product  112  into cutting engagement with the associated cutting knife  116 , with a cut slice traveling through a slot  158  ( FIG. 11 ) in the cutting plate  114  associated with each of the knives  116 . The specific angle of the ramps  156  together with the dimensions of the associated slots  58  affect slice thickness. Upon discharge through the respective slot  158 , the slice proceeds downstream into a collection system, and can be taken on for dewatering and further production processing, such as blanching, parfrying and/or freezing. As an alternative to the ramps  156 , other configurations for guiding the product into cutting engagement with each knife  116 . For example, a slot of a selected size can be provided in the cutting plate  114  adjacent to each knife  116 , allowing a next succeeding portion of the product to extend to a cutting position, at which the adjacent knife can cut a slice. 
       FIG. 12  shows one of the cutting knives  116  in end elevation to illustrate a cutting edge  160  thereof of generally corrugated shape. Each cutting knife  116  defines a peak and valley or trough configuration to form a corrugated peak-trough cut in the associated product such as a potato  112 . In the embodiment shown in the figures, the multiple cutting knives  116  are identical, though it will be appreciated that cutting configurations with knives that are not all identical can also be used. 
       FIGS. 13-16  show one full revolution of the lattice cutting plate  114  relative to a hydraulically driven product such as a potato  112  in 90° increments to cut the product into lattice or waffle-cut slices. In these figures the outline of the drive housing  135 , two of the crank link pivot points  149  and the cutting position  130  are shown in outline. Since these features do not move with respect to the cutting machine  110 , their positions provide a fixed reference for observing the motion of the cutting plate  114 . For clarity, the cutting knives are labeled as  116   a - d . It will be recognized that the cutting knives  116   a - d  in  FIGS. 13-16  are located slightly differently with respect to the cutting plate  114  compared to the cutting knives  116  shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 7 . In  FIGS. 10 and 13-16  the positions and orientations of the knives  116   a - d  are slightly different with respect to the cutting plate  114 , but are still oriented generally perpendicular to each other. It is to be appreciated that the exact arrangement of the knives  116  relative to the cutting plate  114  can vary without affecting the operation of the cutting machine  110 . 
     Each of the crank links  148  rotates in a clockwise direction, thus causing the cutting plate  114  to move in a clockwise orbital motion. Because of this motion, each cutting knife  116  passes across the cutting position  130  at an angle that is generally perpendicular to the direction of the pass of the immediately preceding knife. However, because the entire cutting plate  114  moves in an orbital motion, the orientation of the cutting knives does not rotate with respect to the cutting position  130 . Thus the knives each pass across the cutting position in sequence in a curvilinear motion. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the radius of the curvilinear motion of the knives depends upon the length (L in  FIG. 7 ) between the two pivot points  149 ,  150  on the crank links  148 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , in a first or initial rotational position, all three crank links  148  are positioned in an upwardly extending orientation (with respect to their pivot points  149 ), with the counterweights  151  oriented downward. In this initial position, the lowest one of the cutting knives  116   a  is positioned to move across the cutting position  30 , and engage the product  112  in cutting engagement. Because of the clockwise direction of motion of the cutting plate  114 , this motion of the lowest cutting knife  116   a  (moving left to right in the figure) forms a generally horizontal corrugated cut pattern on the product. It is to be appreciated that the terms “horizontal” and “vertical” as applied to the direction of cutting of the knives  116   a - d  in  FIGS. 13-16  are only approximate, and are not used to suggest exactly horizontal or vertical motion. The slice that is cut in this motion is discharged from the cutting plate  114  in a downstream direction through the slot  158 , and can drop into the collection system. 
     Moving to  FIG. 14 , as the crank links  148  rotatably advance in the clockwise direction through an angular displacement of about 90° (with the crank links  148  extending to the right relative to their pivot points  149  and the counterweights  151  to the left) the product  112  at the cutting position  130  enters the next ramp  156  for cutting engagement with the next knife  116   b  in succession. As can be seen from the figure, at this position the cutting knife is moving generally downwardly, and hence forms a generally vertical corrugated cut pattern on the product. Since this second cut pattern is oriented approximately at a right angle, or perpendicular to, the cut pattern immediately previously cut on the opposite side of the cut slice, the pattern of troughs and ridges on the opposing sides of the slice will be oriented at approximately right angles to each other, thus creating a lattice or waffle pattern. Depending on the overall thickness of the slice and the relative depth of the corrugations of the knives  116 , the corrugation troughs of one side can intersect with the corrugation troughs of the other side, and create a lattice or waffle pattern with through holes in the opposing troughs. 
     Viewing  FIG. 15  the crank links  148  rotatably advance in the clockwise direction through another angular displacement of about 90°, so that the product  112  advances and engages the next ramp  156  in succession on the upstream side of the cutting plate  114 . At this stage the crank links  148  are pointing down and the counterweights  151  are oriented upwardly. During this motion the next cutting knife  116   c  moves generally right to left across the cutting position  130 , and thus forms a generally horizontally corrugated cut pattern on the product, and discharges the slice that is cut from the cutting plate  114  in a downstream direction through the slot  158 . Again, since this cut pattern is oriented approximately at a right angle, or perpendicular to, the cut pattern immediately previously cut on the opposite side of the cut slice, the result is another slice having the lattice or waffle pattern on opposing sides. 
     Finally, viewing  FIG. 16 , as the cutting plate  114  continues its orbital cycle, the crank links  148  rotatably advance in the clockwise direction through another angular displacement of about 90°, so that the product  112  advances and engages the next ramp  156  in succession on the upstream side of the cutting plate  114 . At this stage the crank links  148  are pointing to the left and the counterweights  151  are oriented to the right. During this motion the next cutting knife  116   d  moves generally upwardly across the cutting position  130 , and thus forms a generally vertically corrugated cut pattern on the product, and discharges the slice that is cut from the cutting plate  114  in a downstream direction through the slot  158 . Again, this cut pattern is oriented approximately perpendicular to the cut pattern immediately previously cut on the opposite side of the cut slice, producing another slice having the lattice or waffle pattern on opposing sides. 
     Engagement with each cutting knife  116  thus creates a corrugated cut pattern in the product, while discharging a cut slice through the associated slot  158  for further production processing. Advantageously, each cut slice has the corrugated cut patterns on opposite sides thereof oriented at about right angles to each other. 
     By closely controlling the orbital rotational speed of the lattice cutting plate  114  in relation to the speed of travel of each product  112  along the hydraulic flow path  128 , the individual thickness of each cut slice can be controlled. In this regard, the hydraulic fluid propelling each product  112  can be pumped at a sufficient mass flow rate to force each product against the ramps and into cutting engagement with the slicing knives  116  for a closely controlled slice thickness governed by the ramp geometry. In one operational example, the lattice cutting plate  114  is orbitally rotated at a speed of about 1,000 rpm, so that the four cutting knives  116  will make 4,000 cuts per minute as the cutting plate  114  is rotatably driven by the drive motor  136 . With these parameters, the speed of travel of each potato  112  can be about 80 feet per minute (fpm) producing a cut slice thickness having a peak-to-peak dimension of about 0.50 inch. Alternative ramp configurations will, of course, result in alternative slice thicknesses. It will also be apparent that different operational ranges of cutting plate orbital speed and product flow rate can also be used. For example, with crank links  148  having a length L of 4 inches the cutting machine  110  has been operated at a speed of 1300 rpm. It is believed that operational speeds in the range of 500 to 1500 rpm are likely to be typical, and it is believed that faster speeds can also be used. 
     With a peak-to-peak cut slice thickness of about 0.50 inch, each of the cutting knives  116  carried by the lattice cutting plate  114  can have a trough or valley depth dimension that is slightly greater than ½ the slice thickness. With this geometry, when the two corrugated cut patterns are formed on opposite sides of each cut slice, the troughs of the two patterns at least slightly intersect to form a pattern of small openings in each cut slice. In one embodiment, the height dimension of each cutting knife  116  is selected to be about 0.30 inch, to form small openings having a generally rectangular dimension of about 0.20 inch by about 0.20 inch with a peak-to-peak cut slice thickness of about 0.50 inch. 
     A variety of modifications and improvements in and to the lattice cutting machine  110  of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. As one example, the specific number of slicing knives  116  on the cutting plate  114  can vary, with corresponding change in the product through-put rate. As another example, the thickness of each cut slice can be selected in relation to knife geometry so that the corrugated troughs defined by the slicing knives  116  do not intersect and thus do not form cut slices including a pattern of small holes. Other variations can also be used. 
     Another advantageous feature of the lattice cutter disclosed herein is that this cutter can be fed using a mechanical system, in addition to the hydraulic system shown and described. For example, the product can be conveyed into the cutter using belts or chains. Additionally, the cutter can be oriented so that product flow is downward (either vertical or at an angle), so that product can be dropped or slid into the cutter. Thus the lattice cutter can be fed hydraulically, mechanically, or by gravity, or any combination of these. 
     The lattice cutting system depicted in  FIGS. 1-16  and described above can be incorporated into various systems for transporting and controlling products to be cut. Several embodiments for such systems are shown in  FIGS. 17-19 . Each of these systems include a transport system that is configured for transporting vegetable products in single file toward an outlet, and a plurality of vegetable cutting machines positioned at the outlet(s). These systems also include a selection device that is configured to selectively couple the outlet of the transport system to one or more of the vegetable cutting machines. Such systems can allow for easy variation of cutting methods, and/or for easier selection of system components and taking certain components off line for cleaning, maintenance, etc. 
     Shown in  FIG. 17  is a diagram of a system for simultaneously employing multiple water knives in parallel for cutting potatoes. This system generally includes an input stream  200  of whole potatoes  201  of various sizes, which are first fed into a potato sizing machine  202 , which segregates the potatoes  201  by size, and selectively discharges them into any one of multiple transport conduits  204   a - c . The potato sizing machine  202  in this embodiment operates as a selection device. Each of the transport conduits  204  lead to a pump tank  206 , which stores the potatoes  201  in a hydraulic fluid  208  (e.g. water) in preparation for feeding into the respective water knife cutting machine  210 . Each pump tank  206  is connected to a pump  212 , which pumps the hydraulic fluid  208  with the potatoes  201  in single file, to a unique water knife cutting machine  210 . In a three machine water knife system, as shown, the potatoes  201  are sorted into small, medium and large sizes, and conveyed to three water knife cutting machines  210  of different sizes. Three and four cutting machine systems are common, and other numbers of machines can be used. 
     The system of  FIG. 17  also includes a collection system, disposed downstream of the vegetable cutting machines, configured to collect the vegetables after cutting. Specifically, following cutting by the respective cutting machines  210 , the potatoes  201  enter a common collection flume  214  which leads to a dewatering machine  216 . Those of skill in the art will be aware that food product collection systems often collect product on a conveyor belt, in a flume, or on a vibratory conveyor. Mesh belt conveyors, fixed screens, Or vibratory conveyors are frequently used to dewater. The dewatering machine separates the hydraulic fluid (e.g. water) from the potato slices, and discharges the cut and dewatered potato slices in one stream  218  (e.g. on a conveyor belt or chain) and returns the water to the pump tanks  206  via a pump  220  and return water lines  222 . 
     Shown in  FIG. 18  is a diagram of another system for selectively employing multiple slicing machines, in which the selection device is a cutting machine transport device that selectively moves one of multiple cutting machines into an operating position. In this configuration, a stream  240  of sized potatoes is provided to a pump tank  242 , then pumped toward an outlet  244  of the single transport system  246 . Multiple slicing machines  248  are moveably mounted upon rails  250  of a track system  252 . The track system  252  is the cutting machine transport device, upon which the plurality of vegetable cutting machines  248  are mounted. The system is configured to selectively move any one of the plurality of vegetable cutting machines  248  between an active position  249   a  in communication with the outlet  244  of the transport system  246 , and one or more inactive positions, indicated at  249   b.    
     Each cutting machine  248  includes a releasable coupler  254  at its inlet end, configured for selectively releasably connecting the respective vegetable cutting machine  248  to the outlet  244  of the transport system  246 . Each cutting machine  248  also includes a releasable coupler  256  at its outlet end, configured for selectively releasably connecting the respective vegetable cutting machine  248  to the inlet of a collection system or collection flume  258 , disposed downstream of the vegetable cutting machines  248 . As discussed above, the collection system  258  is configured to collect the vegetable slices after cutting, and can lead to a dewatering system, etc. 
     In the system of  FIG. 18  the cutter  248  that is desired for a particular product can be rolled into place upon the rails  250  and quickly connected to the transport system  246  and collection system  258  with the releasable couplings  254 ,  256 . This configuration allows multiple types of cutting machines, such as loop and lattice cutters, to be added to a water knife system via the track system  252 . This can allow rapid selection and switching between the different types of machines, and can also make it easier to take one machine off line for cleaning or maintenance. 
     Another approach is shown in  FIG. 19 , which provides a diagram of a system for selectively employing multiple slicing machines in parallel via selective adjustment of valves in a water transport system. In this embodiment, a stream  260  of sized potatoes is provided to a pump tank  262 , then pumped toward an outlet  264  of the single transport system  266 . In this embodiment, rather than moving different cutting machines to an operating position, the cutters are stationary and product is directed to and from the desired cutter by opening or closing valves in a piping system. Specifically, the selection device in this system includes a plurality of transport valves  268 , disposed in communication with the outlet  264  of the transport system  266 , and a plurality of transport extensions  270 , each extending from one of the plurality of transport valves  268  to one of the plurality of vegetable cutting machines  272 . This arrangement can be used for selectively switching between the use of multiple cutting machines of different types. It could also be used for simultaneously employing multiple cutting machines of the same type at the same time. Other uses may also be possible. 
     The system shown in  FIG. 19  also includes a plurality of collection valves  274 , each disposed in a collection system  276  downstream of the vegetable cutting machines  272 . A plurality of collection system extensions  278  extend from each one of the collection valves  274  to a common portion of the collection system  276 . As discussed above, the collection system  276  can be configured to collect the vegetable slices after cutting, and can lead to a dewatering system, etc. With this system, selecting between the different cutting machines  272  is fast, and product damage can be reduced or avoided by selecting large radius elbows  274  in the product transport extension conduits  270 . Conduits can also be relocated to form the flow paths and valves omitted. For example, the flow paths can be assembled as needed from pipe components and quick connectors without the need for valves. This option can help reduce the risk of product damage due to contact with the internal components of valves. 
     It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.