Patent Publication Number: US-2023146996-A1

Title: Sheeter with removeable cutting roller sleeve

Description:
PRIORITY INFORMATION 
     Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 C.F.R. § 1.57. 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/276,419, filed Nov. 5, 2021, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present inventions relate to improvements in high speed production sheeting devices for comestible products (e.g., tortillas and tortilla chips). More specifically, the present inventions relate to sheeting devices with more easily serviceable cutting rollers. 
     Related Art 
     Corn tortillas and tortilla chips are cut from a sheet of corn dough, called “masa,” and then baked and/or fried. In mass production, the sheeting and cutting stages are accomplished by a tortilla sheeter. 
     High production tortilla sheeters feed masa from a hopper between a pair of large, stainless steel rollers which roll the masa into a sheet of substantially uniform thickness. The rollers are spaced apart in production to form a gap, known as a “pinch point gap,” through which the masa passes. The masa adheres to the surface of one of the rollers, known as the exit roller, after passing through the pinch point gap. A third roller then cuts the masa into either tortillas or tortilla chips. The third roller, known as the cutting roller, commonly has either circular shaped (for tortillas) or triangular-shaped (for tortilla chips) cutting guides positioned on the cylindrical external surface of the cutting roller. The cut tortillas or chips then are stripped from the exit roller by a stripper wire and/or a blower, or by a similar device. 
     With use, various components of such tortilla sheeters must be serviced or replaced, such as the stripper wires, conveyors, rollers, including the cutting roller. With some known sheeters, the cutting rollers are typically formed of a solid metal shaft with a bonded layer of food safe plastic, such as Acetal on the outer surface. The outer surface on the plastic is cut or machined to provide the desired cutting guides for producing the desired final shape of cut dough. With use, the plastic material can deform insufficiently to the point where it can no longer be used. The procedure for replacing this type of known cutting roller is to remove the cutting roller from the sheeter machine, remove the layer of plastic, reapply new layer of plastic, the cut the layer of plastic to include the desired cutting guides. Current cutting rollers can be extremely heavy and often require two or more people and the use of a machine to install and remove. In part because of the difficulty in installing cutting rollers, the cutting rollers are often not sufficiently rigid and bow in the middle as a result. Cutting rollers also bow as a result of the cutting pressure applied during use. The effect of the bow in the middle of a cutting roller can result in uneven cutting of the masa, which may lead to further issues during the food production process. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that a significant amount of labor and parts costs can be saved by forming a cutting roller with a driveshaft and a removeable outer cutting sleeve. With such a configuration, the outer cutting sleeve can be removed from the driveshaft and replaced without the need to replace the entire cutter and shaft and/or without the need for removal of the bonded outer layer of plastic, reapplication of a new layer of plastic to the shaft. 
     Additionally, further optional advantages can be achieved by mounting the cutting roller driveshaft with a sufficiently sized bearing so as to support the shaft by one end. As such, the outer cutting sleeve can be removed from the driveshaft without removing the shaft from the sheeter. This can save a substantial amount of time and labor as a plastic cylindrical cutting sleeves, separate from the driveshaft, are much lighter than the full assembly of the shaft and the plastic necessary for making a cutting roller. In fact, a typical steel core of a cutting roller alone can be hundreds of pounds in a typical sheeter machine. However, the plastic bonded to the outer surface of the shaft is only about 100-200 pounds. With a removeable outer cutting sleeve, therefore, cutting roller servicing can be greatly simplified. 
     Another aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that additional optional benefits can be achieved by providing the outer cutting sleeve with engaging features such that torque from the driveshaft can be transferred to the axial ends of the cutting sleeve, thereby reducing or eliminating the need to transfer torque directly from the driveshaft to the inner bore of the cutting sleeve. This allows the cutting sleeve to have an inner diameter that is sized to provide for easier sliding of the cutting sleeve along the length of the driveshaft, further simplifying removal and reinstallation. 
     Another aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that a removable cutting sleeve for a cutting roller can be made into pieces, thereby further simplifying and reducing the burden on maintenance workers for servicing the cutting roller. For example, a cutting sleeve for a cutting roller can be divided into two or more pieces, with engaging features on the ends configured to engage with each other thereby transferring torque between the individual sleeve members, directly, or by way of an intermediate member. 
     Another aspect of at least one of the inventions disclosed herein includes the realization that a removable cutting sleeve avoids the need to remove the cutter shaft from the machine on a regular basis and thus the cuter shaft can be more permanently mounted to a sheeter and thus can be heavier and stiffer. As such, a sheeter with a stiffer shaft can be constructed without a center support for the cutter shaft, thereby avoiding some cost of parts and an interruption of the output of the sheeter. 
     Thus, in accordance with some embodiments, a dough sheeting device can comprise a support frame having a first side member and a second side member, the second side member comprising a cutting roller access aperture; a rear roller having a first outer surface and supported by the support frame to rotate about a first axis; a front roller having a second outer surface and supported by the support frame to rotate about a second axis spaced from the first axis such that juxtaposed portions of the first and second outer surfaces define a pinch point gap; a cutting roller assembly having an outer cutting surface and supported by the support frame to rotate about a third axis spaced from the second axis such that the outer cutting surface and the second outer surface are sufficiently close to cut dough. The cutting roller assembly can comprise a drive shaft having a first bearing support surface at a first end, a second bearing support surface at a second end, and a cutting sleeve support surface disposed between the first and second ends; a first bearing assembly supported by the first side member of the support frame and rotatably supporting the first bearing support surface of the drive shaft; an access door supported by the second side member over the cutting roller access aperture, the access door being moveable between opened and closed positions; a second bearing assembly supported on the second bearing support surface; at least a first and a second removable cutting sleeve configured to slide over the cutting sleeve support surface of the drive shaft, each of the first and second removable cutting sleeves having first and second axial ends and an outer cutting surface portion defining at least a portion of the outer cutting surface of the cutting roller assembly, each of the first and second of removable cutting sleeves having at least a first engagement portion disposed on at least one of the first and second axial ends and configured to receive or transmit torque; a first torque transfer member fixed to the drive shaft and comprising a second engagement portion engaged with the first engagement portion of the first removable cutting sleeve; at least one inter-sleeve torque transfer member disposed on the cutting sleeve support surface of the drive shaft and between the first and second removable cutting sleeves, the inter-sleeve torque transfer member having a first side and a second side, at least one second engagement portion disposed on the first side and engaged with the first engagement portion on the first removable sleeve and at least one second engagement portion disposed on the second end and engaged with the first engagement portion disposed on the second removable cutting sleeve; wherein the first bearing assembly supports the drive shaft in a cantilevered manner when the access door is in the open position; wherein the first and second removable cutting sleeves can be slid off the drive shaft and through the cutting roller access aperture when the access door is in the open position. 
     In some embodiments, a dough sheeting device can comprise a support frame having a first side member and a second side member, the second side member comprising a cutting roller access aperture, a rear roller having a first outer surface and supported by the support frame to rotate about a first axis, a front roller having a second outer surface and supported by the support frame to rotate about a second axis spaced from the first axis such that juxtaposed portions of the first and second outer surfaces define a pinch point gap, a cutting roller assembly having an outer cutting surface and supported by the support frame to rotate about a third axis spaced from the second axis such that the outer cutting surface and the second outer surface are sufficiently close to cut dough. The cutting roller assembly can comprise a drive shaft having a first bearing support surface at a first end, a second end, and a cutting sleeve support surface disposed between the first and second ends, a first bearing assembly supported by the first side member of the support frame and rotatably supporting the first bearing support surface of the drive shaft, a mandrel removably connected to the second end of the drive shaft, the mandrel comprising a second bearing support surface, an access door supported by the second side member over the cutting roller access aperture, the access door being moveable between opened and closed positions, a second bearing assembly supported by the access door, the second bearing surface positioned in the second bearing assembly when the mandrel is connected to the second end of the drive shaft and when the access door is closed, at least a first and a second removable cutting sleeve configured to slide over the cutting sleeve support surface of the drive shaft, each of the first and second removable cutting sleeves having first and second axial ends and an outer cutting surface portion defining at least a portion of the outer cutting surface of the cutting roller assembly, each of the first and second of removable cutting sleeves having at least a first engagement portion disposed on at least one of the first and second axial ends and configured to receive or transmit torque, a first torque transfer member fixed to the drive shaft and comprising a second engagement portion engaged with the first engagement portion of the first removable cutting sleeve, at least one inter-sleeve torque transfer member disposed on the cutting sleeve support surface of the drive shaft and between the first and second removable cutting sleeves, the inter-sleeve torque transfer member having a first side and a second side, at least one second engagement portion disposed on the first side and engaged with the first engagement portion on the first removable sleeve and at least one second engagement portion disposed on the second end and engaged with the first engagement portion disposed on the second removable cutting sleeve, wherein the first bearing assembly supports the drive shaft in a cantilevered manner when the mandrel is disconnected from the second end of the drive shaft, wherein the first and second removable cutting sleeves can be slid off the drive shaft and through the cutting roller access aperture when the access door is in the open position. 
     In yet additional embodiments, a dough sheeting device can comprise a support frame having a first side member and a second side member, the second side member comprising a cutting roller access aperture, a cutting roller assembly having an outer cutting surface and supported by the support frame to rotate relative to the support frame. The cutting roller assembly can comprise a drive shaft rotatably supported by the support frame and having a first end, a second end, and a cutting sleeve support surface disposed between the first and second ends, at least a first and a second removable cutting sleeve configured to slide over the cutting sleeve support surface of the drive shaft, each of the first and second removable cutting sleeves having first and second axial ends and an outer cutting surface portion defining at least a portion of the outer cutting surface of the cutting roller assembly, each of the first and second of removable cutting sleeves having at least a first engagement portion disposed on at least one of the first and second axial ends and configured to receive or transmit torque, a first torque transfer member fixed to the drive shaft and comprising a second engagement portion engaged with the first engagement portion of the first removable cutting sleeve. 
     In yet additional embodiments, a dough sheeting device can comprise a support frame having a first side member and a second side member, the second side member comprising a cutting roller access aperture, a drive shaft rotatably supported by the support frame and having a first end, a second end, and a cutting sleeve support surface disposed between the first and second ends, at least a first removable cutting sleeve configured to slide over the cutting sleeve support surface of the drive shaft. 
     In yet additional embodiments, a cutting roller assembly for a dough sheeting device, the cutting roller assembly can comprise a drive shaft rotatably supported by the support frame and having a first end, a second end, and a cutting sleeve support surface disposed between the first and second ends, at least a first removable cutting sleeve configured to slide over the cutting sleeve support surface of the drive shaft. 
     In yet additional embodiments, a removable cutting sleeve for a cutting roller assembly of a dough sheeting device, the removable cutting sleeve can comprise a cutting sleeve body comprising a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a second end portion, an outer cutting surface and an inner passage comprising an inner surface, the outer cutting surface configured for cooperation with a roller of a dough sheeting device for cutting dough, the inner passage sized to slide over the cutting sleeve support surface of a cutting roller shaft of a dough sheeter, a first torque transfer portion disposed on the first end portion of the cutting sleeve body and configured to receive torque for rotating the cutting sleeve body about the longitudinal axis. 
     In yet additional embodiments, a removable cutting sleeve for a cutting roller assembly of a dough sheeting device, the removable cutting sleeve can comprise a cutting sleeve body comprising a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a second end portion, an outer cutting surface and an inner passage comprising an inner surface, the outer cutting surface comprising raised edges surrounding recess and configured for cooperation with a roller of a dough sheeting device for cutting dough, the inner passage sized to slide over the cutting sleeve support surface of a cutting roller shaft of a dough sheeter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments are depicted in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes, and should in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the embodiments. Furthermore, various features of different disclosed embodiments can be combined to form additional embodiments, which are part of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    is a top, front, and right-side perspective view of an embodiment of a sheeter with an improved cutting roller assembly. 
         FIG.  2    is a top, front, and left-side perspective view of the sheeter of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a left-side elevational view of the sheeter of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a cutting roller that can be incorporated into the sheeter of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic representation of a front, rear, and cutter roller within the sheeter of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic side elevational view of the roller arrangement of  FIG.  5    illustrating an operation of a stripper wire illustrated in  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a top, front, and right-side perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG.  1   , with certain components removed; 
         FIG.  8    is a top, front, and left-side perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG.  7   , with certain components removed; 
         FIG.  9    is an enlarged perspective view of a drive and bearing support assembly of the cutting roller assembly, with the left-side plate of the frame removed; 
         FIG.  10    is another enlarged view of the cutting roller assembly of  FIG.  9   , with the bearing support assembly removed; 
         FIG.  11    is perspective view of one end of a removable cutting sleeve; 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of a right-side of a torque transfer ring in the assembly of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of a left-side of a torque transfer ring in the assembly of  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of an access door assembly for the cutting roller; 
         FIG.  15    is an enlarged perspective view of the assembly of  FIG.  14    with the right-side plate member of the frame removed; 
         FIG.  16    is an enlarged perspective view of the assembly of  FIG.  14   , with the access door and with the assembly partially exploded; 
         FIG.  17    is a further exploded view of the assembly of  FIG.  16   ; 
         FIG.  18    is a further exploded view of the cutting roller assembly with the cutting sleeve fully removed from the driveshaft; 
         FIG.  19    is a perspective view of another embodiment of a cutting roller; 
         FIG.  20    is an enlarged and exploded view of the drive-end of the embodiment of  FIG.  19   ; 
         FIG.  21    is an enlarged perspective view of the access end of the embodiment of  FIG.  19   ; 
         FIG.  22    is a fully exploded of the cutting roller assembly of  FIG.  19   ; 
         FIG.  23 A  is a top, front, and right-side perspective view of a sheeter with an improved cutting roller assembly; 
         FIG.  23 B  is a top, front, and right-side perspective view of the sheeter of  FIG.  23 A  with portions of the frame cover removed; 
         FIG.  23 C  is a top, front, and right-side perspective view of the sheeter of  FIG.  23 A  with portions of the frame cover removed and the front and rear rollers removed; 
         FIG.  24    is a top, front, and left-side perspective view of the sheeter of  FIG.  23 A ; 
         FIG.  25    is a left-side elevational view of the sheeter of  FIG.  23 A ; 
         FIG.  26    is a cutting roller that can be incorporated into the sheeter of  FIG.  23 A ; 
         FIG.  27    is a schematic representation of a front, rear, and cutter roller within the sheeter of  FIG.  23 A ; 
         FIG.  28    is a schematic side elevational view of the roller arrangement of  FIG.  27    illustrating an operation of a stripper wire illustrated in  FIG.  27   ; 
         FIG.  29    is a top, front, and right-side perspective view of the sheeter of  FIG.  23 A , with the cover portions removed; 
         FIG.  30    is a top, front, and left-side perspective view of the sheeter of  FIG.  23 A , with the cover portions removed; 
         FIG.  31    is an enlarged perspective view of a drive and bearing support assembly of the cutting roller assembly, with the left-side plate of the frame removed; 
         FIG.  32    is another enlarged view of the cutting roller assembly of  FIG.  31   , with the bearing support assembly removed; 
         FIG.  33    is perspective view of one end of a removable cutting sleeve; 
         FIG.  34    is a perspective view of a right-side of a torque transfer ring in the assembly of  FIG.  32   ; 
         FIG.  35    is a perspective view of a left-side of a torque transfer ring in the assembly of  FIG.  34   ; 
         FIG.  36    is a perspective view of the right side plate member; 
         FIG.  37    is an enlarged perspective view of the access assembly with the right-side plate member of the frame removed; 
         FIG.  38    is an enlarged perspective view of the access assembly, with the guide plate in a partially downward position with the access assembly partially exploded; 
         FIG.  39    is a further exploded view of the assembly of  FIG.  38   ; 
         FIG.  40    is a further exploded view of the cutting roller assembly with the cutting sleeve fully removed from the driveshaft; 
         FIG.  41    is a perspective view of another embodiment of a cutting roller; 
         FIG.  42    is an enlarged and exploded view of the drive-end of the embodiment of  FIG.  41   ; 
         FIG.  43    is an enlarged perspective view of the access end of the embodiment of  FIG.  41   ; and 
         FIG.  44    is a fully exploded of the cutting roller assembly of  FIG.  41     
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain embodiments of the disclosure. Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosure may include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the embodiments of the disclosure herein described. For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of various embodiments are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that one embodiment may be carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
     Although the various embodiments disclosed herein may have specific relevance to tortilla sheeters, the features, advantages, and other characteristics disclosed herein may have direct or indirect applicability in other applications, such as, for example, in other types of food product sheeters, mechanical devices, and/or the like. 
     The inventions disclosed herein have applicability to sheeters used in conjunction with continuously moving conveyor systems. However, an understanding of the inventions disclosed herein is facilitated with the following description of the application of the principles of the present inventions to dough rolling, and in particular, rolling dough into tortillas and tortilla chips. In some embodiments, the inventions disclosed herein can be used in conjunction with sheeters that have a sheet thickness control system, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,470,599, and 8,740,602, the entire contests of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a tortilla sheeter  10  having a cutting roller assembly  100  with removable cutting sleeve. The tortilla sheeter  10  is in the configuration for tortilla production, and can include various types of electronic thickness control, pinch point gap control, and other related systems and functionality. The inventions disclosed herein have applicability to a variety of different types of food rolling machines and sheeters, however, tortilla sheeters, such as the sheeter  10  the basic understanding of which provides useful context for appreciation of the inventions disclosed herein. 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  1   , the sheeter  10  includes a roller assembly  14  and a support frame assembly  16 . The support frame assembly  16  is in the form of a housing which can include and support various types of devices for operations of the sheeter  10 . In the present embodiment, the support frame assembly  16  includes a right-side plate member  16 A and a left-side plate member  16 B. The roller drive assembly  14  can include electric motors  18  and an appropriate gear reduction mechanism for driving a shaft of one or both of the rollers. The roller assembly  14  is attached to the support frame assembly  16 . Additionally, a hopper assembly  22  is supported above the rollers of the roller assembly  14 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the roller drive assembly  14  also includes a generally cylindrical front roller (aka “exit roller”)  24  and a generally cylindrical rear roller  26 . The rollers  24 ,  26  can have a slightly roughened surface (obtained, for example, with sandblasting). The rollers  24 ,  26  are rotated in opposite directions and can be driven at the same speed or slightly different speeds, depending on desired performance characteristics. The rollers  24 ,  26  are positioned generally parallel to each other. 
     With reference to  FIG.  4   , the cutting roller assembly  100  can include a cutting roller  28  comprising a shaft and one or more removable cutting sleeves, described in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS.  7 - 22   . The cutting roller  28  is in the form of a cutting roller designed for tortilla chip manufacturing, and thus includes triangular-shaped raised edges  29  and recesses  31  (also referred to as “cutting guides”) for cutting triangular pieces of dough. The cutting roller  28  is also mounted within the roller drive  14 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the rollers  24 ,  26  are mounted parallel to each other to define a pinch point gap  30 . The hopper assembly  22  ( FIG.  1   ) is mounted above the rollers  24 ,  26  so as to support dough, such as masa  32  above the pinch point gap  30 . As such, as the rollers  24 ,  26  are driven in counter-rotating directions, the masa  32  is pulled into the pinch point gap  30 . A thin layer of dough  32  is discharged form the pinch point gap and adhered to an outer surface of the exit roller  24 . As the sheet of dough  32  moves counter-clockwise along with the exit roller  24  (as viewed in  FIG.  5   ), it is passed between the cutting roller  28  and the outer surface of the exit roller  24 . The cutting roller  28  cuts the dough sheet  32  into desired shapes. In the illustrated prior art device, the dough is cut into triangular shaped pieces of dough for making tortilla chips. Other types of cutting rollers can also be used. 
     The exit roller  24  also includes a plurality of grooves, in which bands  34  are disposed. The grooves have an inner surface that has a smaller diameter than the inner surface of the bands  34 . The bands are sufficiently large that they can be pulled approximately parallel or slightly projecting from the outer surface of the roller  24 . 
     A stripper wire  36  is secured to the roller assembly  14  at locations adjacent to both ends of the front roller  24  and downstream from the cutting roller  28 . More specifically, the stripper wire  36  is mounted at the right end of the front roller  24  adjacent to the right-most point of contact  38  and secured at the left end of the roller  24  adjacent to the left-most point of contact  40 . The stripper wire is threaded under the bands  34 . As such, the stripper wire can strip off cut pieces of dough from the outer surface of the front roller  24  yet allow remaining pieces of dough, referred to as “rework”, to remain in contact with the bands  34  and be fed back into the hopper so as to become reworked with the dough  32  above the pinch point gap ( FIG.  6   ). 
     With reference to  FIG.  5   , during operation, the rotation of the roller  24  (counter-clockwise in  FIGS.  5  and  6   ) and the resulting friction between the stripper wire  36  and the outer surface of the roller  24  and the bands  34  (which rotate with the roller  24 ) causes the stripper wire  36  to be pulled in the counterclockwise direction. As such, the stripper wire tends to follow an arched shape around the front roller  24 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  5   , the right-most point of contact  38  of the stripper wire  36  and the outer surface of the front roller  24  is close to the cutter roller  28 . However, towards the center of the front roller  24 , the stripper wire  36  is pulled up to an apex  42  which is at the highest point of contact  42  between the stripper wire  36  and the outer surface of the roller  24 . The stripper wire  36  can break, which requires a user to access the space at the discharge side of the front roller  24  and the stripper wire mount points for appropriate repairs. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the difference in height between the right-most contact point  38  and the apex  42  causes individually cut pieces of dough  44  to be separated and fall away from the outer surface of the front roller  24  at different heights. For example, triangular pieces of dough discharge from the front roller  24  near the contact point  36  are dropped immediately down onto an output conveyor assembly  100 . At an intermediate contact point  48  between the contact points  36  and  42 , the cut pieces of dough fall a distance  50  from the outer surface of the roller to the output conveyor  46 . Further, at or near the contact point  42 , the cut pieces of dough fall a greater distance  52  which is much greater than the distance  50 , onto the output conveyor  100 . The higher the contact point  42 , the larger the distance  52 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the cutting roller assembly  100  is supported by the right and left side plate members  16 A,  16 B. The left-side plate member  16 B includes a slot  102  that is sized to allow for adjustment of the position of the cutting roller assembly  100 . The right-side plate member  16 A includes an access aperture  104  that is sized to coincide with the slot  102  but also to be large enough for the entire cutting roller assembly  100  to pass therethrough. The cutting roller assembly  100  includes a drive assembly  110  and an access assembly  160 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  9   , the drive assembly  110  can include a drive motor  112  and a gear unit  114  that can include a right-angle arrangement of gears as well as a gear ratio reduction. Additionally, the drive assembly  110  can include an anti-rotation mount point  116  for preventing the rotation of the motor  112  and the gear unit  114  relative to the support frame assembly. 
     The drive assembly  110  also includes a bearing assembly  118  that can include a bearing offset housing  120 , inside of which are a plurality of bearing sets. The bearing assembly  118  can be configured with sufficient strength to support the cutting roller assembly  110  in a cantilevered manner. Any appropriate arrangement of bearings can be used. 
     The bearing offset housing  120  can be mounted to a guide plate  122 . The guide plate  122  can be slidingly engaged with a pair of guide rails  124 ,  126  that can be secured to the left-side plate  16 B ( FIG.  8   ) of the support frame assembly  16 . For example, the guide rails  124 ,  126  can include a guide groove  128 ,  130  and the guide plate  122  can be sized to fit within the grooves  128 ,  130  so as to be moveable along the longitudinal length of the grooves  128 . An adjustment actuator  130  can be connected to the guide plate  122  for moving the guide plate  122  and thus the entire drive assembly  110  upward and downward for achieving different spacings between the cutting roller assembly  100  and the exit roller  24 . For example, the actuator  130  can be any type of actuator, including, but without limitation, a jackscrew actuator. Additionally, the actuator  130  can be aligned to move the guide plate  122  so as to adjust the position of the cutting roller assembly  110  along the slot  102  ( FIG.  7   ). 
     The cutting roller assembly  100  can include a drive shaft  140  and a removable cutting sleeve assembly  150 . The driveshaft  140  can extend through the bearing assembly  118  and into the drive assembly  110  such that the motor  112  can drive the driveshaft  140 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  10 - 13   , optionally, the driveshaft  140  can transfer torque from the motor  112  to the cutting sleeve assembly  150  through a torque transfer member  142 . For example, but without limitation, the torque transfer member  142  can include at least one engagement member and the cutting sleeve assembly  150  can include one or more engagement members configured engage with the engagement member on the torque transfer sleeve  142  so that they are rotationally coupled together and thus torque can be transmitted from the torque transfer member  142  into the sleeve  150 . 
     For example, but without limitation, the driveshaft  140  can include a flange member  144  fixed to the driveshaft  140 . A plurality of fasteners  146  can be used to secure the drive flange  144  to the torque transfer member  142 , for example, with threaded fasteners extending through holes  148 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the torque transfer member includes a plurality of protrusions  149  extending radially from a collar  151 . 
     The cutting sleeve  150  can include raised edges and recessed in an arrangement appropriate for cutting the desired dough shapes. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting sleeve  150  includes round raised edges and recesses for cutting tortillas. Other arrangement can also be sued. 
     In some embodiments, the cutting sleeve  150  includes a central bore  152 , an increased inner diameter portion  154  that has a larger diameter than the inner bore  152 . Additionally, the sleeve  150  can include a plurality of recesses  156  that are configured to receive the protrusions  149 . The inner surface of the enlarged diameter portion  154  can be sized to receive the outer surface of the collar  151 . Thus, when engaged together, the protrusion  149  and recesses  156 , cooperate to transmit torque from the driveshaft  140 , through the drive flange  144 , to the torque transfer member  142 , and into the sleeve  150 . The diameter of the inner bore  152  can be sized to provide a close fit with the outer surface  158  of the driveshaft  140  and to allow for a relative sliding therebetween. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  14  and  15   , the access assembly  160  includes an access door member  162  and a removeable mandrel member  164 . The access door  162  can comprise a guide plate portion  170  and a pivotable access door  172 . The access door  172  can include a bearing mount aperture  174  supporting a bearing  176  therein. 
     The removable mandrel  164  can include a knob portion  178  and a shaft  180  having a threaded end engaged with a threaded bore with the terminal end of the driveshaft  140 . The outer surface of the mandrel portion or shaft  180  is supported by the bearing  176  in use. The guide plate portion  170  can be supported by guide rails  190 ,  192  that are mounted on either side of the aperture  104  ( FIG.  14   ). The guide rails  190 ,  192  can include guide grooves  194 ,  196 , respectively, configured to slidingly receive side portions of the guide plate  170  for up and down movement. 
     The door portion  172  can be mounted so as to be moveable between opened and closed positions. For example, but without limitation, the upper edge of guide plate  170  can be hingedly connected to the door portion  172 , for mounting the door portion  172  for pivotal movement between opened and closed positions. Additionally, door portion can include studs  173  that are sized to be slidable within the grooves  194 ,  196 . While the studs  173  are captured within the grooves,  194 ,  196 , the door portion  172  is held in the closed position. 
     An actuator  198  can be mounted to the right-side plate  16 A for moving the guide plate  170  and the door  172  upward or downward for proper alignment of the cutting roller assembly  100  during use. Additionally, the guide plate  170  can be moved downward and the door  172  can be pivoted outwardly to expose a sufficient portion of the aperture  140  to allow for removal of the sleeve  150 . 
     For example, with reference to  FIGS.  16  and  17   , the mandrel  164  can be disengaged from the driveshaft  140  thereby disconnecting the door  172  from the cutting roller assembly  100 . As such, the actuator  198  can be actuated to pull the guide plate  170  downwardly until the studs  173  are aligned with exit grooves  191 , thereby allowing the studs  173  to pass through the exit grooves  191  as the door portion  172  is pivoted about its hinged connection to the guide plate  170  and thus opened and providing access to the cutting roller assembly  130  through the aperture  104 . With the door portion  172  in the opened position as such, additional parts can be removed. 
     For example, a locking collar  200 , compression member  202 , and a torque transfer member  204  can be removed from the driveshaft  140 . The locking collar  200  can include one or more set screws for securement to a portion of the driveshaft  140 . The compression member  202  can be configured to be compressible and thus act as a spring for providing a continuous pressing force between the locking collar and all of the components between the locking collar  200  and the drive flange  144  ( FIG.  10   ). As such, the locking collar  200  and compression member  202  provide for transferring an axial force from the collar  200  to the torque transfer member  204  to ensure secure engagement with the sleeve  150 . 
     The torque transfer member  204  can have similar or the same construction as the torque transfer member  142  of  FIGS.  12 - 13   . Optionally, additionally, the torque transfer member  204  includes an additional protrusion  210  configured to act as a “key” and the driveshaft  140  can include a keyway  212  configured to receive the key  210 . As such, torque from the driveshaft  140  can pass to the torque transfer member  204 . 
     The protrusions  205  of the torque transfer member  204 , which can be the same as the protrusions  149  of the torque transfer member  142 , can engage via corresponding recess  156  on the sleeve  150 . As such, torque from the driveshaft  140  can pass through the keyway  212  to the protrusion  210 , into to the torque transfer member  204 , then into the sleeve  150  by way of the engagement of the protrusions  205  with the recesses  156 . 
     With the mandrel  164 , collar  200 , compression member  202 , and torque transfer member  204  removed from the driveshaft  140 , the sleeve  150  can also be removed from the driveshaft  140 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  17   , the assembly  100  can optionally include a number of individual sleeves  150 , connected by way of intermediate torque transfer members  220 . Intermediate torque transfer member  220  can include the same arrangement of protrusions such as those protrusions  149  and collar  151  on both sides to thereby engage with the recesses  156  of two sleeve members that are arranged in an end to end manner. Thus, with reference to  FIG.  18   , all of the sleeves  150  (four sleeves  150  illustrated in  FIG.  18   ) have been removed from the driveshaft  140  along with the three intermediate torque transfer members  220 . 
     As noted above, the drive assembly  110  is provided with the bearing assembly  118  that is sufficiently strong to support the driveshaft  140  in a cantilevered manner, thereby allowing the sleeves  150  to be removed from the driveshaft  140  through the access aperture  104  and through the access assembly  160 . After removal of the sleeves  150 , replacement sleeves (not shown) can then reinstalled on the driveshaft  140  and the access assembly  160  can be readjusted in a manner in the opposite sequence described above. 
       FIGS.  19 - 22    illustrate a modification of the cutting roller assembly  100 , identified generally by the reference numeral  300 . The cutting roller assembly  300  includes a drive end  302 , an access end  304 , and one or removeable cutting sleeves  350  secured to a driveshaft  340 . 
     In some embodiments, the drive end  302  can be configured for being gear driven on the inside of the housing  16 . For example, the driveshaft  340  can include a bearing support portion  342  configured to be supported by a bearing for example a bearing assembly  118  ( FIG.  9   ). Additionally, the drive end  302  can include a driven gear  304  configured to be engaged with a drive gear (not shown) within the sheeter  10 . 
     The driven gear  304  can be rotationally coupled with a torque transfer member  306 . For example, the driven gear can be sandwiched between a spacer member  308  and a collar member  310  for securing driven gear onto the driveshaft  340 . An end plate member  312  can be secured to the collar member  310 . 
     The torque transfer member  306  can include a collar portion  320  and at least one engagement portion  322  configured to cooperate with an engagement portion  352  on the sleeve  350 . For example, the engagement portion  322  can be in the form of a protrusion extending from the collar portion  320  and the engagement portion  352  can be a recess configured to receive the protrusion  322 . In some embodiments the torque transfer member  306  can include a plurality of protrusions  322  and the sleeve  350  can include a corresponding plurality of recesses  352 . In the illustrated embodiment, there are two protrusions  322  and two recesses  352  disposed 180° from each other. 
     The torque transfer member  306  can be secured to the spacer  308  with threaded fasteners and thus rotationally coupled with the driven gear  304 . Additionally, the protrusions  322  can be received within the recesses  352 , thereby transferring torque from the gear  304  to the torque transfer member  306  and into the sleeve  350 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  21   , the access end assembly  304  of the cutting roller assembly  300  can include an arrangement of components similar to that of the access assembly  160  ( FIG.  18   ). For example, the access end  304  can include a removable mandrel  362 , locking collar  364 , a compression member  366 , a spacer  368 , and a torque transfer member  370 . 
     As described above with reference to the torque transfer member  306 , the torque transfer member  370  can include one or more protrusions  322 , protruding from a collar portion  320 . Additionally, the driveshaft  340  can include a keyway  342  configured to engage with another protrusion or “key”  344 . Thus, rotation of the torque transfer member  322  is keyed to the driveshaft  340 . Additionally, the protrusions  322  on the torque transfer member  370  can be received in the recesses  352  of the sleeve  350  and thus torque can be transferred from the torque transfer member  322  to the sleeve  350 . 
     With the mandrel  362  removed, the guide plate  170  and door  172  can be moved to the open position as described with reference to  FIGS.  15 - 17   . 
     With reference to  FIG.  22   , with the aperture  104  opened, all of the sleeves  350  can be removed from the driveshaft  340  for replacement. Similarly to the intermediate torque transfer members  220  described above, the assembly  300  can include intermediate torque transfer members  378 . 
       FIG.  23 A  illustrates another embodiment of a sheeter  410 . The sheeter  410  may include a cutting roller assembly  500  with removable cutting sleeve. The sheeter  410  is in the configuration for tortilla production, and can include various types of electronic thickness control, pinch point gap control, and other related systems and functionality. The sheeter  410  resembles or is identical to the sheeter  10  discussed above in many respects and can include any of the features described above. Accordingly, numerals used to identify features of the sheeter  10  are incremented by a factor of four hundred (400) to identify like features of the sheeter  410 . 
       FIG.  23 B  illustrates the sheeter  410  with some of the coverings removed to illustrate some of the internal components of the sheeter  410 . The coverings may provide some protection to the internal components to, for example, prevent any food production material from compromising any mechanical components and to prevent mold from growing inside the sheeter  410 .  FIG.  23 C  illustrates the sheeter  410  with some of the coverings removed and the front roller  424  and the rear roller  426  removed.  FIG.  24    illustrates a top, front, and left-side perspective view of the sheeter  410 .  FIG.  25    illustrates a left-side elevational view of the sheeter  410 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  23 A- 25   , the sheeter  410  includes a roller assembly  414  and a support frame assembly  416 . The support frame assembly  416  is in the form of a housing which can include and support various types of devices for operations of the sheeter  410 . In the present embodiment, the support frame assembly  416  includes a right-side plate member  416 A and a left-side plate member  416 B. As shown in  FIGS.  23 A, and  25 - 26   , the support frame assembly  416  can include one or more cover portions  420 . The roller drive assembly  414  can include one or more electric motors  418  and an appropriate gear reduction mechanism for driving a shaft of one or more of the rollers described further herein (e.g., front roller  424 , rear roller  426 , cutting roller  428 , and/or the like). The roller assembly  414  is attached to the support frame assembly  416 . Additionally, a hopper assembly  422  is supported above the rollers of the roller assembly  414 . 
       FIG.  27    illustrates a schematic representation of the roller assembly  414  of the sheeter  410 .  FIG.  28    illustrates a schematic side elevational view of the roller assembly  414  of  FIG.  27   , illustrating an operation of a stripper wire  436  illustrated in  FIG.  27   . As shown in  FIGS.  27  and  28   , the roller drive assembly  414  includes a front roller (also referred to herein as an “exit roller”)  424  and a rear roller  426 . Both the front roller  424  and the rear roller  426  may be generally cylindrical. The rollers  424 ,  426  may have a slightly roughened surface (obtained, for example, with sandblasting), which may provide benefits to the production of various food products, such as, for example, tortillas. The rollers  424 ,  426  are rotated in opposite directions and can be driven at the same speed or slightly different speeds, depending on desired performance characteristics. The rollers  424 ,  426  may be positioned generally parallel to each other. For example, the central axis of the front roller  424  may be vertically aligned with the central axis of the rear roller  426 . Generally, both the front roller  424  and the back roller  426  may have approximately the same diameter. However, in some embodiments, the diameters of the front and rear rollers  424 ,  426  may differ and the central axes of the rollers  424 ,  426  may be offset as a result. 
       FIG.  26    illustrates an embodiment of a cutting roller  428  that can be incorporated into the sheeter  410 . The cutting roller  428  may be part of the cutting roller assembly  500 . The cutting roller  428  may comprise a shaft (e.g., driveshaft  540  described with reference to at least  FIG.  31   ) and one or more removable cutting sleeves (e.g., sleeve(s)  550 ), described in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS.  29 - 44   . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  26   , the cutting roller  428  is in the form of a cutting roller designed for tortilla manufacturing, and thus includes a plurality of circular-shaped raised edges  429  and recesses  431  (also referred to as “cutting guides”) for cutting circular pieces of dough. It is recognized that the cutting roller  428  may include cutting guides in any shape to produce a desired shape of a food product. For example, a cutting roller designed for tortilla chip manufacturing may include a plurality of triangular-shaped raised edges (e.g., the cutting roller  128  of  FIG.  4   ). In another example, the cutting roller  428  may include square, circle, oval, diamond, rectangle, triangle, and/or the like cutting guides. In some embodiments, including the embodiments illustrated, the cutting roller  428  includes the same shaped cutting guides extending along the entire length of the cutting roller  428 . In some embodiments, cutting roller  428  may comprise one or more different cutting guide shapes extending along its length. For example, a first segment of the cutting roller  428  may comprise a first shaped cutting guide (e.g., triangular), and a second segment of the cutting roller  428  may comprise a second shaped cutting guide (e.g., circular). In operation, the cutting roller  428  is also mounted within the roller assembly  414 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  27  and  28   , the rollers  424 ,  426  are mounted parallel to each other with a gap between them, such that the roller  424  does not directly contact the roller  426 . The gap may defined as a pinch point gap  430 . The hopper assembly  422  (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  1   ) is mounted above the rollers  424 ,  426  so as to support dough, such as masa  432 , above the pinch point gap  430 . As such, as the rollers  424 ,  426  are driven in counter-rotating directions, the masa  432  is pulled into the pinch point gap  430 . As a result of this interaction, a thin layer of dough  432  is discharged from the pinch point gap  430  and adhered to an outer surface of the exit roller  424 . As the sheet of dough  432  moves counter-clockwise along with the exit roller  424  (as viewed in  FIG.  27   ), the sheet of dough  432  is passed between the cutting roller  428  and the outer surface of the exit roller  424 . The cutting roller  428  cuts the dough sheet  432  into desired shapes. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS.  26 - 28   , the dough sheet  432  is cut into circular shaped pieces of dough, which may be used for, for example, making tortillas. As described above, other types of cutting rollers and cutting guides can also be used. 
     The exit roller  424  may also include a plurality of grooves, in which bands  434  are disposed. For example, the exit roller  424  may include 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 20, 50, 100, and/or the like grooves and bands. The grooves have an inner surface that has a smaller diameter than the inner surface of the bands  434 . The bands are sufficiently large such that they can be pulled approximately parallel or slightly projecting from the outer surface of the roller  424 . 
     The sheeter  410  may include a stripper wire  436  that is secured to the roller assembly  414  at locations adjacent to both ends of the front roller  424  and downstream from the cutting roller  428 . More specifically, the stripper wire  436  is mounted at the right end of the front roller  424  adjacent to the right-most point of contact  438  and secured at the left end of the roller  424  adjacent to the left-most point of contact  440 . The stripper wire is threaded under the bands  434 . As such, the stripper wire can strip off cut pieces of dough from the outer surface of the front roller  424 , yet allow remaining pieces of dough, referred to as “rework”, to remain in contact with the bands  434  and be fed back into the hopper so as to become reworked with the dough  432  above the pinch point gap ( FIG.  28   ). As shown in  FIG.  5   , the stripper wire  436  may cause shaped pieces of dough to fall from the front roller  424 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  27   , during operation, the rotation of the roller  424  (e.g., counter-clockwise in  FIGS.  27  and  28   ) and the resulting friction between the stripper wire  436  and the outer surface of the roller  424  and the bands  434  (which rotate with the roller  424 ) causes the stripper wire  436  to be pulled in the counterclockwise direction. As such, the stripper wire tends to follow an arched shape around the front roller  424 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  27   , the right-most point of contact  438  of the stripper wire  436  and the outer surface of the front roller  424  is close to the cutting roller  428 . However, towards the center of the front roller  424 , the stripper wire  436  is pulled up to an apex  442  which is at the highest point of contact  442  between the stripper wire  436  and the outer surface of the roller  424 . The stripper wire  436  can break, which requires a user to access the space at the discharge side of the front roller  424  and the stripper wire mount points for appropriate repairs. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  27  and  28   , the difference in height between the right-most contact point  438  and the apex  442  causes individually cut pieces of dough  444  to be separated and fall away from the outer surface of the front roller  424  at different heights. For example, circular pieces of dough discharge from the front roller  424  near the contact point  438  are dropped immediately down onto an output conveyor assembly  446 . At an intermediate contact point  448  between the contact points  438  and  442 , the cut pieces of dough fall a distance  450  from the outer surface of the front roller  424  to the output conveyor  446 . Further, at or near the contact point  442 , the cut pieces of dough fall a greater distance, which may be much greater than the distance  450 , onto the output conveyor  446 . The higher the contact point  442 , the larger the distance the cut dough falls. 
       FIG.  29    illustrates a top, front, and right-side perspective view of the sheeter  410 , with the cover portions  420  removed.  FIG.  30    illustrates a top, front, and left-side perspective view of the sheeter  410 , with the cover portions  420  removed. As shown in  FIGS.  29  and  30   , the cutting roller assembly  500  is supported by the right and left side plate members  416 A,  416 B. The right and left side plate members  416 A,  416 B may comprise any suitable material to support the cutting roller assembly  500  and the other components of the sheeter  410 . As described with reference to  FIG.  23 A , the right and left side plate members  416 A,  416 B may generally be covered in operation. The left-side plate member  416 B includes a slot  502  that is sized to allow for adjustment of the position of the cutting roller assembly  500 . For example, the slot  502  may comprise an elongated approximately rectangular slot such that a left side of the cutting roller assembly  500  can be moved vertically along the left side plate members  416 B. The right-side plate member  416 A includes an access aperture  504  that is sized to coincide with the slot  502  but also to be large enough for the entire cutting roller assembly  500  to pass therethrough. The cutting roller assembly  500  includes a drive assembly  510  and an access assembly  560 . For example, the drive assembly  510  may be positioned on the left side of the cutting roller assembly  500  and outside of the left-side plate member  416 B and the access assembly  560  may be positioned on the right side of the cutting roller assembly  500  and outside the right-side plate member  416 A, or vice-versa. As shown in at least  FIG.  23 A , both the drive assembly  510  and the access assembly  560  may be covered in operation by the one or more cover portions  420 . 
       FIG.  31    illustrates an embodiment of the drive assembly  510  of the cutting roller assembly  500 . The drive assembly  510  can include a drive motor  512  and a gear unit  514 . The gear unit  514  may include a right-angle arrangement of gears as well as a gear ratio reduction. Additionally, the drive assembly  510  can include an anti-rotation mount point  516  for preventing the rotation of the motor  512  and the gear unit  514  relative to the support frame assembly. 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  31   , the drive assembly  510  also includes a bearing assembly  518  that can include a bearing offset housing  520 , inside of which are a plurality of bearing sets. The bearing assembly  518  can be configured with sufficient strength to support the drive assembly  510  in a cantilevered manner. Any appropriate arrangement of bearings can be used. 
     The bearing offset housing  520  can be mounted to a guide plate  522 . The guide plate  522  can be slidingly engaged with a pair of guide rails  524 ,  526  that can be secured to the left-side plate  416 B (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  30   ) of the support frame assembly  416 . For example, the guide rails  524 ,  526  can each include a guide groove  528  and the guide plate  522  can be sized to fit within the grooves  528 , so as to be moveable along the longitudinal length of the grooves  528 . An adjustment actuator  530  can be connected at a first end to the guide plate  522  and at a second end to the left-side plate  416 B. The adjustment actuator  530  may be configured to move the guide plate  522  and the connected drive assembly  510  upward and downward for achieving different spacings between the cutting roller assembly  500  and the exit roller  424 . For example, when the guide plate  522  is moved upward, the spacing between the cutting roller assembly  500  and the front roller  424  may be reduced, and when the guide plate  522  is moved downward, the spacing between the cutting roller assembly  500  and the front roller  424  may be increased. The actuator  530  can be any type of actuator, including, but without limitation, a jackscrew actuator. Additionally, the actuator  530  can be aligned to move the guide plate  522  so as to adjust the position of the cutting roller assembly  500  along the slot  502  (e.g., as described above and shown in  FIG.  29   ). 
     As shown in  FIG.  31   , the cutting roller assembly  500  can include a driveshaft  540  and a removable cutting sleeve assembly  550 . The driveshaft  540  can extend through the bearing assembly  518  and into the drive assembly  510  such that the motor  512  can drive the driveshaft  540 . As described further herein, the removable cutting sleeve assembly  550  may comprise one or more cutting sleeves  550  that are configured to be slotted overtop of the driveshaft  540 . The removable cutting sleeve assembly  550  may comprise a plurality of cutting guides  555  comprising raised edges. Like the circular-shaped raised edges  429  of  FIG.  26   , the cutting guides  555  extend radially outwards from the removable cutting sleeve assembly  550  and are configured to cut food product in the shape of the cutting guides  555  in operation. As described above, the cutting guides  555  may comprise square, circle, oval, diamond, rectangle, triangle, and/or the like projections. 
     Having a cutting roller assembly  500  with a removable cutting sleeve assembly  550  can provide many advantages over current sheeter systems. For example, in current systems, the cutting portion of the cutting roller wears overtime and may need to be replaced one or more times a year. Additionally, in current systems, the cutting roller needs to be changed every time the operator wants to cut a different shaped food product (e.g., circular tortillas vs triangular tortilla chips). As described above, current cutting rollers are extremely heavy and difficult to remove and replace for either wear or to produce a different product. Conversely, in the embodiments described herein, the drive-shaft (e.g., the drive-shaft  540 ) can be a semi-permanent/permanent component of the sheeter (e.g., the sheeter  410 ). As a result, when the cutting guides (e.g., the cutting guides  555 ) wear or need to be replaced, only the removable cutting sleeve assembly (e.g., the sleeve  550 ) needs to be changed. This feature allows an individual user to change the cutting sleeve assembly without the need for special machinery or additional people to carry the cutting roller. As a result, an operator can change the cutting sleeves as many times per day as required. Additionally, because the drive-shaft does not need to be removed, a larger and/or heavier drive-shaft can be used. Having a larger/heavier drive-shaft may provide advantages such as, for example, less bowing and more even pressure distribution along the dough. 
       FIG.  32    illustrates another enlarged view of the cutting roller assembly  500  with the bearing support assembly  518  removed.  FIG.  33    illustrates a perspective view of one end of a removable cutting sleeve  550 .  FIG.  34    illustrates a perspective view of a right-side of a torque transfer member  542  and  FIG.  35    illustrates a perspective view of a left-side of the torque transfer member  542 . With reference to  FIGS.  32 - 35   , optionally, the driveshaft  540  can transfer torque from the motor  512  to the cutting sleeve assembly  550  through a torque transfer member  542 . For example, but without limitation, the torque transfer member  542  can include at least one transfer engagement member  549  and the cutting sleeve assembly  550  can include one or more sleeve engagement members  556 . Generally, the number of transfer engagement members  549  correspond to the number of sleeve engagement members  556 . For example, the torque transfer member  542  and sleeve  550  can include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 50, and/or the like transfer engagement members  549  and sleeve engagement members  556  respectively. The transfer engagement members  549  are configured engage with the sleeve engagement members  556  so that the sleeve  550  and the torque transfer member  542  are rotationally coupled together and thus torque can be transmitted from the torque transfer member  542  into the sleeve  550 . In one example, including the illustrated embodiment, the transfer engagement members  549  comprise a plurality of protrusions extending radially from a collar  151 , and the sleeve engagement members  556  comprise a plurality of recesses configured to receive the protrusions. In some embodiments, the arrangement may be switched, such that the transfer engagement members  549  comprise a plurality of recesses and the sleeve engagement members  556  comprises a plurality of projections. Other arrangements are also possible. 
     With reference to  FIG.  32   , in one example, but without limitation, the driveshaft  540  can include a drive flange  544  fixed to the driveshaft  540 . A plurality of fasteners  546  can be used to secure the drive flange  544  to the torque transfer member  542 , for example, with threaded fasteners extending through holes  548  (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  35   ). 
     With reference to  FIG.  33   , n some embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated, the cutting sleeve  550  includes a central/inner bore  552  and an increased inner diameter portion  554  that has a larger diameter than the inner bore  552 . Additionally, as described above, the sleeve  550  can include a plurality of sleeve engagement members  556  that are configured to receive the transfer engagement members  549 . The inner surface of the enlarged diameter portion  554  can be sized to receive the outer surface of the collar  551 . Thus, when engaged together, the transfer engagement members  549  and the sleeve engagement members  556  cooperate to transmit torque from the driveshaft  540 , through the drive flange  544 , to the torque transfer member  542 , and into the sleeve  550 . The diameter of the inner bore  552  can be sized to provide a close fit with the outer surface  558  of the driveshaft  540  and to allow for a relative sliding therebetween. For example, inner bore diameter  552  may be slightly larger than the diameter of the outer surface  558  to allow for sleeves  550  to be easily replaced within the cutting roller assembly  500 . 
       FIG.  36    illustrates a perspective view of the right-side plate member  416 A. The right-side plate member  416 A includes an access assembly  560 .  FIG.  37    illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the access assembly  560  with the right-side plate member  416 A removed. Generally, the access assembly  560  is configured to allow a user/operator to access the aperture  504 . The access assembly  560  acts as an access door for the aperture  504 . For example, the access assembly  560  is configured to move between an open position, where the aperture  504  is exposed, and a closed position, where the aperture  504  is covered. The open position allows the operator to access the cutting roller assembly  500  and easily remove sleeve(s)  550  as required. The closed position may be used for operation of the sheeter  410 . In some embodiments, the access assembly  560  includes an access door member and a removeable mandrel member, like the access assembly  160  described with reference to at least  FIGS.  14  and  15   . In other embodiments, including the embodiment illustrates in at least  FIGS.  36  and  37   , the access assembly  560  comprises a guide plate portion  570  and a bearing mount portion  572 . The bearing mount portion  572  may be removably coupled to the guide plate  570  and the bearing mount portion  572  can include a bearing recess  574  that is configured to supporting a bearing  576  therein. For example, the driveshaft  540  of the cutting roller assembly  500  may include one or more retained bearing  576  and the bearing recess  574  may be configured to receive and interface with the bearing  576 . To retain the bearing on the driveshaft  540 , the terminal end  580  of the driveshaft  540  may be larger than an inner diameter of the bearing  576 . For example, the terminal end  580  of the driveshaft  540  is supported by the bearing  576  in use. The guide plate portion  570  can be supported by guide rails  590 ,  592  that are mounted on either side of the aperture  504  (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  36   ). The guide rails  590 ,  592  can include guide grooves  594 ,  596 , respectively, configured to slidingly receive side portions of the guide plate  570  for up and down movement. 
     As shown in  FIG.  36   , an actuator  598  can be mounted to the right-side plate  416 A for moving the guide plate  570  and the bearing mount  572  upward or downward for proper alignment of the cutting roller assembly  500  during use. Additionally, the guide plate  570  can be moved downward to expose a sufficient portion of the aperture  504  to allow for removal of the sleeve  550 . Depending on the arrangement, movement of the guide plate  570  via the actuator  598  may cause the bearing  576  to disengage from the bearing recess  574  of the bearing mount  572 . 
       FIG.  38    illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the access assembly  560 , with the guide plate  570  in a partially downward position with the access assembly  560  partially exploded.  FIG.  39    illustrates a further exploded view of the access assembly  560 . In the example arrangement illustrated in  FIGS.  38  and  39   , the guide plate  570  has moved downward exposing the aperture  504 . In this arrangement, the bearing mount  572  is disengaged from the bearing  576  and as a result, the access assembly  560  is disengaged from the driveshaft  540 , thereby disconnecting the guide plate  570  from the cutting roller assembly  500 . As such, the actuator  598  can be actuated to pull the guide plate  570  downwardly until the aperture  504  is unobstructed to provide access to the cutting roller assembly  500  through the aperture  504 . With the guide plate  570  is in a downward positioned such that the aperture  504  is in the opened position, additional parts can be removed. 
     For example, in the configuration described above, a locking collar  600 , compression member  602 , and a torque transfer member  604  can be removed from the driveshaft  540 . The locking collar  600  can include one or more set screws for securement to a portion of the driveshaft  540 . The compression member  602  can be configured to be compressible and thus act as a spring for providing a continuous pressing force between the locking collar and all of the components between the locking collar  600  and the drive flange  544  (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  32   ). As such, the locking collar  600  and compression member  602  provide for transferring an axial force from the collar  600  to the torque transfer member  604  to ensure secure engagement with the sleeve  550 . 
     The torque transfer member  604  can have similar or the same construction as the torque transfer member  542  described with reference to  FIGS.  34 - 35   . Optionally and/or additionally, the torque transfer member  604  may include an additional protrusion  610  configured to act as a “key” and the driveshaft  540  can include a keyway  612  configured to receive the key  610 . As such, torque from the driveshaft  540  can pass to the torque transfer member  604 . 
     Like the torque transfer member  542 , the torque transfer member  604  may comprise a plurality of transfer engagement members  605 , which may comprise protrusions configured to engage with the sleeve engagement members  556  (e.g., corresponding recess) on the sleeve  550 . As such, torque from the driveshaft  540  can pass through the keyway  612  to the protrusion  610 , into to the torque transfer member  604 , then into the sleeve  550  by way of the engagement of the transfer engagement members  605  with the sleeve engagement members  556 . With the collar  600 , compression member  602 , and torque transfer member  604  removed from the driveshaft  540 , the one or more sleeves  550  can also be removed from the driveshaft  540 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  39   , the cutting roller assembly  500  can optionally include a number of individual sleeves  550 , connected by way of intermediate torque transfer members  620 . Intermediate torque transfer member(s)  620  may include a similar arrangement of engagement members to torque transfer member  542  and torque transfer member  604 . For example, the intermediate torque transfer members  620  can include the same arrangement of engagement members (e.g., protrusions) and a collar (e.g., like collar  551 ) on both sides to thereby engage with the recesses  556  of two sleeve members that are arranged in an end to end manner. For example,  FIG.  40    illustrates a further exploded view of the cutting roller assembly  500 , with all of the sleeves  550  removed from the driveshaft  540  along with the three intermediate torque transfer members  620 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  40   , the cutting roller assembly  500  comprises four sleeves  550 . However, it is recognized that the cutting roller assembly  500  can comprises any number of sleeves  550  with enough intermediate torque transfer members  620  to connect the sleeves  550 . For example, the cutting roller assembly  500  may comprise, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, and/or the like sleeves  550 . Having multiple interfacing sleeves  550  can provide some advantaged. For example, if the cutting guides  555  on a single sleeve  550  are damaged, only the damaged sleeve  550  may need to be replaced. Compared to traditional systems, replacing a single damaged sleeve  550  would result in large cost savings, compared to replacing an entire cutting roller. 
     As noted above, the drive assembly  510  is provided with the bearing assembly  518  that is sufficiently strong to support the driveshaft  540  in a cantilevered manner, thereby allowing the sleeves  550  to be removed from the driveshaft  540  through the access aperture  504  and through the access assembly  560 . After removal of the sleeves  550 , replacement sleeves (not shown) can then be reinstalled on the driveshaft  540  and the access assembly  560  can be readjusted in a manner in the opposite sequence described above. The ability to quickly remove and replace sleeves  550  can result in less time being spent changing cutting rollers compared to traditional systems and a corresponding increase in food product production. 
       FIGS.  41 - 44    illustrate a modification of the cutting roller assembly  500 , identified generally by the reference numeral  700 . The cutting roller assembly  700  includes a drive end  702 , an access end  704 , and one or removeable cutting sleeves  750  secured to a driveshaft  740 . 
     In some embodiments, the drive end  702  can be configured for being gear driven on the inside of the housing covering the support frame assembly  416 . For example, the driveshaft  740  can include a bearing support portion  742  configured to be supported by a bearing, such as, for example, the bearing assembly  518  described with reference to  FIG.  31   . Additionally, the drive end  702  can include a driven gear  705  configured to be engaged with a drive gear (not shown) within the sheeter  410 . 
     The driven gear  705  can be rotationally coupled with a torque transfer member  706 . For example, the driven gear can be sandwiched between a spacer member  708  and a collar member  710  for securing the driven gear  705  onto the driveshaft  740 . An end plate member  712  can be secured to the collar member  710 . 
     The torque transfer member  706  can include a collar portion  720  and at least one first engagement portion  722  configured to cooperate with a second engagement portion  752  on the sleeve  750 . For example, the first engagement portion  722  can be in the form of one or more protrusions extending from the collar portion  720  and the second engagement portion  752  can be one or more recesses configured to receive the protrusion(s)  722 . In some embodiments the torque transfer member  706  can include a plurality first engagement portions  722  (e.g., in the form of a plurality of protrusions) and the sleeve  750  can include a corresponding plurality of second engagement portions  752  (e.g., in the form of a plurality of recesses). In the illustrated embodiment, the first engagement portion  722  comprises two protrusions and the second engagement portion  752  comprises two recesses disposed 180° from each other. 
     The torque transfer member  706  can be secured to the spacer  708  with threaded fasteners and thus rotationally coupled with the driven gear  705 . Additionally, the first engagement portions  722  can be received within the second engagement portions  752 , thereby transferring torque from the gear  705  to the torque transfer member  706  and into the sleeve  750 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  43   , the access end assembly  704  of the cutting roller assembly  700  can include an arrangement of components similar to that of the access assembly  560  (e.g., described with reference to at least  FIG.  37   ). 
     As described above with reference to the torque transfer member  706 , the torque transfer member  770  can include one or more first engagement portions (e.g., protrusions)  722 , protruding from a collar portion  720 . Additionally, the driveshaft  740  can include a keyway  742  configured to engage with another protrusion or “key”  744 . Thus, rotation of the torque transfer member  722  is keyed to the driveshaft  740 . Additionally, the protrusions  722  on the torque transfer member  770  can be received in the recesses  752  of the sleeve  750  and thus torque can be transferred from the torque transfer member  722  to the sleeve  750 . With the guide plate  570  in a downward position, the aperture  504  can be in the open position as described with reference to  FIGS.  37 - 39   . 
     With reference to  FIG.  44   , with the aperture  504  opened, all of the sleeves  750  can be removed from the driveshaft  740  for replacement. Like the intermediate torque transfer members  620  described above, the assembly  700  can include one or more intermediate torque transfer members  778 . 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claimed subject matter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the described embodiment or embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope defined by the claims, which includes known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents at the time of filing this patent application. 
     In the foregoing specification, the systems and processes have been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the embodiments disclosed herein. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. 
     Indeed, although the systems and processes have been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the various embodiments of the systems and processes extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the systems and processes and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the embodiments of the systems and processes have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this disclosure, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the disclosure. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with, or substituted for, one another in order to form varying modes of the embodiments of the disclosed systems and processes. Any methods disclosed herein need not be performed in the order recited. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the systems and processes herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular embodiments described above. 
     It will be appreciated that the systems and methods of the disclosure each have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible or required for the desirable attributes disclosed herein. The various features and processes described above may be used independently of one another or may be combined in various ways. All possible combinations and sub-combinations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. 
     Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments also may be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment also may be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination may in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination. No single feature or group of features is necessary or indispensable to each and every embodiment. 
     It will also be appreciated that conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “for example,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. In addition, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. In addition, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” as used in this application and the appended claims are to be construed to mean “one or more” or “at least one” unless specified otherwise. Similarly, while operations may be depicted in the drawings in a particular order, it is to be recognized that such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Further, the drawings may schematically depict one or more example processes in the form of a flowchart. However, other operations that are not depicted may be incorporated in the example methods and processes that are schematically illustrated. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the illustrated operations. Additionally, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other embodiments. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems may generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. Additionally, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims may be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. 
     Further, while the methods and devices described herein may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments are not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but, to the contrary, the embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the various implementations described and the appended claims. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with an implementation or embodiment can be used in all other implementations or embodiments set forth herein. Any methods disclosed herein need not be performed in the order recited. The methods disclosed herein may include certain actions taken by a practitioner; however, the methods can also include any third-party instruction of those actions, either expressly or by implication. The ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all overlap, sub-ranges, and combinations thereof. Language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “between,” and the like includes the number recited. Numbers preceded by a term such as “about” or “approximately” include the recited numbers and should be interpreted based on the circumstances (for example, as accurate as reasonably possible under the circumstances, for example ±5%, ±10%, ±15%, etc.). For example, “about 3.5 mm” includes “3.5 mm.” Phrases preceded by a term such as “substantially” include the recited phrase and should be interpreted based on the circumstances (for example, as much as reasonably possible under the circumstances). For example, “substantially constant” includes “constant.” Unless stated otherwise, all measurements are at standard conditions including temperature and pressure. 
     As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: A, B, or C” is intended to cover: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A, B, and C. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be at least one of X, Y or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present. The headings provided herein, if any, are for convenience only and do not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the devices and methods disclosed herein. 
     Accordingly, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with this disclosure, the principles and the novel features disclosed herein.