Cutting – Processes – With preparatory or simultaneous ancillary treatment of work
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-29
2001-10-30
Rada, Rinaldi I. (Department: 3724)
Cutting
Processes
With preparatory or simultaneous ancillary treatment of work
C083S024000, C083S932000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308600
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for trimming the ends of vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, cucumbers, celery, zucchini and the like, and optionally cutting these items to prescribed length segments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many elongated vegetable commodities such as carrots, parsnips and cucumbers require end trimming and segment cutting to prepare them for processing and subsequent packaging. Since the length of each type of vegetable varies considerably, it is important to remove a measured amount from each end before cutting segments from the remaining product. This is normally accomplished by trimming one end and then sliding the product by some means to an opposite end where the other end is trimmed as well.
As early as 1914, Phinney describes in U.S. Pat. No. 1,098,398 a device where a continuous belt of pockets tips one way and then the other to trim both ends of string beans. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,738,258 Goodale discloses a similar concept whereby a chain of trays tips one way and then the other to trim carrots, parsnips and the like. Zanetti pursues a similar path as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,925 where he twists a continuous flighted belt from one side to the other as does Chapman in U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,033. Several attempts have been made to tip the conveyor to one side causing the product to slide to a registration stop as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,800,258 of Lent and U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,675 of Boots, but these only trim one end. McKenna discloses in U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,868 a method of capturing product between the flights of an inverted belt and sliding them from one side to the other using transversely running friction belts.
These machines all utilize mechanical means to orient and move their product, which involves a great number of mechanical parts and drives, such as drive shaft, belts, and timing devices. The complexity of these machines typically leads to maintenance problems and subsequent down time. In addition, these types of machines can be difficult to feed at a high rate, due to inertia of parts and handling limitations inherent in mechanical componentry, and do not accommodate feed problems well. The present invention addresses the shortcomings of previous machines in a novel way that allows for high production with low maintenance.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, the vegetable trimmer of the present invention comprises a vegetable processing apparatus that includes a conveyor with individual, wide pockets for carrying vegetables in a manner that allows the vegetables to slide laterally within the pockets of the conveyor. The vegetable trimmer also includes a lateral abutment at one side of the conveyor and a water jet for laterally repositioning the vegetables in the pockets so that their ends abut the lateral abutment and the vegetables are positioned to have an end trimmed. Finally, the vegetable trimmer includes cutting means at one side of the conveyor for trimming the ends of the vegetables abutting the lateral abutment. Utilizing a water jet, or other fluid, as a source for laterally positioning the vegetables has the advantage of minimizing the number of mechanical parts needed to accomplish the same thing. As a result, machinery cost and maintenance are reduced, and improved control over the vegetables is achieved.
According to an aspect of the invention, an additional water jet is provided for ejecting from the conveyor vegetables not aligned within the pockets of the conveyor. These ejected vegetables can then be returned to the conveyor for proper alignment within the pockets. Preferably, the additional water jet is positioned to direct water above the pockets to hit vegetables resting on top of flights defining the pockets.
According to another aspect of the invention, a set of alignment water jets are provided upstream of the water jet for rotatably re-positioning the vegetables. The alignment set of water jets are positioned to direct jets of water above the pockets in a manner that causes vegetables resting on top of the pockets to rotate and fall into the pockets.
According to another aspect of the invention, both ends of the vegetables are trimmed by means of a second water jet, a second lateral abutment, and a second cutting means. The second lateral abutment is positioned at the side of the conveyor opposite the first lateral abutment, and the second water jet being positioned to direct a jet of water for laterally re-positioning the vegetables against the second lateral abutment.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the pockets of the conveyor are formed by upright, laterally extending dividers that have sufficient height to capture the vegetables and the cutting means includes a blade positioned above the conveyor. The dividers each include a slot extending down to the surface of the conveyor for receiving the blade as the dividers move past the cutting means. Preferably, the dividers each include multiple slots and the second cutting means comprises a gang cutter for cutting the vegetables into multiple pieces.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the vegetable processing apparatus includes a hold down means for keeping the vegetables within their respective pockets while being repositioned by the water jet. In a preferred embodiment, the hold down means is provided by a flexible material that is draped over the flights.
The present invention also includes a method of processing vegetables comprising the steps of conveying the vegetables along a processing path, directing a jet of water against the vegetables to laterally shift the vegetables against a lateral abutment positioned along one side of the processing path, and trimming the ends of the vegetables that are proximate the lateral abutment.
According to an aspect of the method, the vegetables are conveyed on an endless conveyor with individual pockets for carrying vegetables. The pockets are longer than the length of the vegetables, so that the vegetables can slide laterally off the conveyor within the pockets and against the lateral abutment.
According to another aspect of the method, an additional step is provided of directing additional jets of water against vegetables to reorient the vegetables so that they are properly aligned on the conveyer. Preferably, this step is performed by a set of off-set orienting jets that cause the vegetables to rotate into alignment with the conveyor pockets.
According to another aspect additional jets of water are directed against vegetables not properly aligned on the conveyor in order to eject the improperly aligned vegetable from the conveyor.
The method also includes a process for trimming both ends of the vegetables. After one of the ends of the vegetables are trimmed, a second water jet is directed against the vegetables to reposition the vegetables laterally against a second lateral abutment, and a cutting device trims the opposite ends of the vegetables.
These and other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the best mode for carrying out the invention, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the claims, which are all incorporated herein as part of the disclosure of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 32822 (1989-01-01), Hodeges et al.
patent: 3669240 (1972-06-01), Rpss
patent: 3764717 (1973-10-01), Rood
patent: 3838766 (1974-10-01), Wagers, Jr. et al.
patent: 4367675 (1983-01-01), Boots
patent: 4423652 (1984-01-01), Winslow
patent: 4576071 (1986-03-01), Rayment
patent: 4751094 (1988-06-01), Orr et al.
patent: 4831925 (1989-05-01), Zanetti
patent: 5031496 (1991-07-01), Lobash et al.
patent: 5320033 (1994-06-01), Chapman et al.
patent: 5335571 (1994-08-01), Pike
patent: 5390590 (1995-02-01), Mendenhall
patent: 5473967 (1995-12-01), Frey et al.
Flehr Hohbach Test Albritton & Herbert LLP
Rada Rinaldi I.
Tran Kim Ngoc
Wm. Bolthouse Farms, Inc.
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