AU671380B2 - Vegetable cutting/trimming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Title of Invention: VEGETABLE CUTTING/TRIMMING APPARATUS ail Aj,.o&li LIA A -t e C n) L t

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Name of Applicant: PETERSVILLE INDUSTRIES LIMITED r

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r The following description is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -1A- VEGETABLE CUTTING/TRIMMING APPARATUS This invention relates generally to cutting or trimming vegetables and other plant produce. In particular, the invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for cutting or trimming broccoli heads in order to yield separated broccoli fleurettes.

It will be convenient to limit the following description to the specific example of i0 broccoli, however it should be kept in mind that the invention is also applicable for use with similar food produce having segmented fleurettes such as cauliflower or broccoflower.

By the very nature of the vegetable broccoli, the formation of the broccoli head is lends itself to processing difficulties, particularly where the product is required for packing. The shape of the head itself is not conducive to convenient space efficient S packaging due to its rounded nature. As a result of this rounded nature, difficulties are created when trimming the broccoli head in order to minimize wastage.

00 In order to effectively trim the broccoli, various methods exist to trim and divide S broccoli heads prior to further processing, These methods aim to cut the broccoli head separating the relatively small individual segmented fleurettes Such methods are particularly applicable where the fleurettes are further processed for use in frozen food products, restaurants, salad bars and the like. Previous methods are described for example in Australian specification 21396/70 or application 23833/88. These S specifications describe automated processing systems for trimming broccoli, however by their very nature, they tend to be inaccurate and wasteful of the produce.

:The present invention aims to overcome or at least alleviate one or more the difficulties associated with the prior art.

The present invention provides An apparatus for cutting or trimming food produce, including: a frame; a cam frame mounted within and off the frame; a plurality of processing units including at least the following; a receptacle having an open top end suitable for holding food produce, and cutting means having associated outrigger arms formed to follow the cam frame during rotation; and -2a conveyor system to drive the processing units in a continuous rotation in use from an upright position to an inverted position; wherein said cam frame is shaped and configured such that, in use, at least at one position during the rotation of the processing units, the shape or configuration of the cam frame initiates a movement of the outrigger arms causing activation of the cutting means to either open or close.

The conveyor system should be adapted to rotate the processing units in a process line manner. That is, in a continuous cyclic process where each processing unit will eventually return to its original position. Typically an apparatus according to the invention may have anywhere from 10 to 100 processing units, although a most convenient number has been found to be in the order of from 15 to The conveyor system includes a drive mechanism wherein the drive mechanism may be any standard mechanism including either mechanical or electrical devices. Generally, the conveyor system will operate by a pair of conveyor chains running on wear strips.

The function of the processing units, is simply to act as the "work station" where the trimming of the broccoli head takes place. Primarily it acts as a means to hold the broccoli head, during trimming and preferably to catch the cut fleurettes as they fall. A S secondary function of the processing units is to assist in the separation of the cut 25 fleurettes from the broccoli stalks.

Most preferably, each processing unit includes a base plate located near the base of each receptacle, with the receptacle being centrally located. The receptacle should be so formed so as to easily hold a broccoli stalk and positioned such that the head of the broccoli will protrude from the receptacle.

Generally, broccoli stalks are of an inconsistent diameter. As a result, the smaller stalk may be loose within a receptacle. In order to hold each stalk firmly, within each receptacle is a guide insert, which may include an O ring in order to provide some tension and hold the smaller stalk.

During operation, the broccoli stalk may be placed in the receptacle by manual means however the present invention does not exclude the use of automatic means for placing the broccoli stalk.

-3- The functional purpose of the base plate is to catch the broccoli fleurettes as they are cut from the stalk. In this sense, the base plate is generally a flat tray, which may have side walls for protection for the operators. In a preferred configuration of the apparatus, the base plate will sit between the pair of conveyor chains, formirg the driving mechanism of the apparatus. In this sense, during a first phase of the production line, the base plate and receptacle will face upwards. This first phase includes placing the broccoli head within the receptacle, ready for cutting or trimming, 0io such that the fleurettes will ultimately fall to the base plate when cut.

The cutting means most preferably comprises a pair of cutting blades. The most preferred configuration of the cutting blades is a rounded blade, such that each individual blade is formed as a quarter of a complete sphere and will generally surround the broccoli stalk and the open top end of the receptacle by forming a hemisphere, when the blades are in a closed position. The blades may generally be formed such that they pivot from pivot points on either side of receptacle. The base plates are 9. positioned to also surround the cutting blades so that the fleurettes will fall over the closed cutting blades as they are cut from the broccoli stalk.

The operation of the cutting means is controlled by the cam frame. Each of the pair of cutting blades has an outrigger arm, where the arm extends to the cam frame.

The outrigger arms may be tensioned such that they apply some positive pressure upon the cam frame, but generally rely upon gravity to maintain a force on the cam 25 frame.

In one sense, it is preferred that the cam frame is actually a pair of frame members, positioned at either side of the apparatus. The frame members are spaced from an have complimentary configurations to each other such that they follow a mirrored path to each other with the imaginary mirror placed vertically. In a pair of outrigger arms, each of the arms is associated with a separate frame member.

The degree to which the blades may "overbite" may be controlled by the unique arrangement of the outrigger arms. Generally, the outrigger arms have an arm section, and a cam follower at the extremity of that arm. The cam follower is in contact with the cam frame and is responsive to the configuration of the cam frame. Generally, the cam follower is cylindrically shaped and may rotate as it runs along the cam frame. In practice, it is fixed to the cam section and does not rotate but simply slides along the cam frame.

-4- The degree of bite may be adjusted by repositioning the cam follower to the arm section. If the cam follower is fixed to the arm section slightly "off centre", it will alter the degree to which the blade will close. By affixing one or both cam followers slightly off centre the blades will close unevenly and most preferably will overbite. The amount of overbite may be adjusted by adjusting the position the of the cam follower.

During a first phase of processing food produce utilizing the apparatus, the i0 cutting blades are in an open position and the receptacle is in an upright position. This facilitates placing the food produce within the receptacle.

The cam frame is shaped and configured, such that during a second phase, which may be referred to as a cutting phase, the cam frame causes movement of the outrigger arms so as to close the blades. In the cutting phase, the cam frame draws further apart the outrigger arms causing closing of the blades. This is a result of a lever S type action and the pivot position of the outrigger arms as the blades draw together as S the arms are further guided apart. Closing of the blades causes the blades to cut and trim the fleurettes from the broccoli stalk and fall to the base plate.

During a third phase of the process line, the base plate will eventually be "tipped up", during the rotation cycle, and the fleurettes will be taken away for further processing. Generally, the blades will remain closed during this phase of the processing when the fleurettes are tipped from the base plates. This will prevent the 25 stalks from being released at the same time. The fleurettes may be temporarily stored, or removed by a secondary conveyor system for further processing.

The opening and closing of the blades is dictated by the shape and configuration of the cam frame. This relies upon the cam followers maintaining a force on the frame members, during all phases of the cycle. In order to achieve this, each frame member may include two 'openings', to allow the cam followers to "cross over", and maintain a run along the top of the frame member when the processing units are in an inverted position. This allows for opening and closing of the blades, when the processing 'nits are in either an upright or inverted position.

At a fourth phase during the process when th3 processing unit is fully inverted the blades will open, releasing the broccoli stalk. The opening of the blades may be achieved by guiding the outrigger arms closer together. It has been found that the broccoli stalks tend to get stuck in the receptacle after it has been cut due to the forces applied to it. In order to facilitate its release, it is preferred to include a release mechanism such as a spring loaded mechanism, in the base of the receptacle, to apply a positive force to remove the broccoli stalk. This may simply be achieved by including a spring, which is compressed by the broccoli stalk when the blades are closed. Upon opening the blades, the spring is released, ejecting the broccoli stalk. The blades may then either remain open or closed until the processing unit returns to the cutting phase.

A further preferred feature of the present apparatus is a ceiling conveyor, which is positioned above the cutting position on the conveyor system. The ceiling conveyor is self powered and speed controlled to create some compression on the top of the broccoli head as it is cut. It is preferred to include the ceiling conveyor as the action of cutting the broccoli head tends to lift the broccoli stalk out of the receptacle. The inclusion of the ceiling conveyor ensures that the broccoli stalk will stay within the receptacle. The ceiling conveyor may have its own tensioning means to ensure that an appropriate tension is maintained on the broccoli head during processing. For example the ceiling conveyor may include a top roller drive belt with a counter weight system that allows it to automatically adjust the hold down tension for changes in the size of the broccoli stalk.

The present invention also provides a process for cutting, trimming and separating broccoli fleurettes from a broccoli head, said process includes the steps of utilizing an apparatus having: an apparatus for cutting or trimming food produce, including: a frame; a cam frame mounted within and off the frame; a plurality of processing units including at least the following; a receptacle having an open top end suitable for holding food produce, and cutting means having associated outrigger arms formed to follow the cam frame during rotation; and a conveyor systemrn to drive the processing units in a continuous rotation in use from an upright position to an inverted position; wherein said cam frame is shaped and configured such that, in use, at least at one position during the rotation of the processing units, the shape or configuration of the cam frame initiates a movement of the outrigger arms causing activation of the cutting means to either open or close.

-6- (ii) when the cutting blades are in a open position and the receptacle is in an upright position, placing the food produce in the receptacle, such that the stalk is held within the receptacle, and the fleurettes protrude above the receptacle; (iii) activating the cutting blades to close and trim the fleurettes from the stalk; (iv) while the cutting blades remain in a closed position, rotate the 0to processing units to an inverse position, to tip the cut fleurettes from the processing units; and activating the cutting blades to open and to expel the remaining food produce from the receptacle.

The preferred features of the apparatus used in the process are described oo above. The process of the present invention is unique in that it allows for automated opening and closing of the blades. This allows for convenient cutting of the broccoli V. head and separation of the cut broccoli fleurettes and broccoli stalk during processing.

SThe process of the present invention allows for controlled and predetermined S opening and closing of the blades. This is achieved by the formation of the cam frame.

This control allows for effective processing and separation of the fleurettes from the S broccoli stalk and by maintaining the blades in a closed position, the stalk can be 25 retained while the fleurettes are removed for further processing. Details of the apparatus and process will become apparent in the description of the drawings to follow.

It would be convenient to more fully describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are intended to be merely illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention and should not be considered limiting upon the generality of the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a side view of the apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the apparatus illustrated in figure 1.

Figures 3 through 6 show operation of the cutting mechanism.

-7- Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the opening of the cutting mechanism in an inverted position, Figure 9 shows a partial perspective view of the cutting mechanism.

Figure 10 shows a schematic view of the cam frame.

Figure 11 illustrates schematically the process of opening and closing the cutting mechanism.

Returning to figures 1 and 2, the various components of the apparatus can be seen in the respective views. The apparatus includes a frame having conveyor belts with base plates Schematically illustrated in figure 1 is the processing units with cutting blades in a closed position, while the top view of figure 2 illustrates S a hole through which the blades may pass when cutting.

V. The base plates are positioned between the conveyor belts and, as illustrated in 0"'o0 the drawings, the system is operable to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction.

In operation, a broccoli head may be placed within a receptacle (21) (illustrated in figures 3 to 8) which is associated with cutting blades in a general loading zone S A ceiling conveyor is illustrated and the tension of the ceiling conveyor may be adjusted by adjustment means The ceiling conveyor is positioned above the cutting zone (23) to place some tension on the broccoli head while being cut. The cutting mecharism is not illustrated in figures 1 and 2 and is described in more detail in the description to follow.

Guarding is illustrated by dotted line and at each respective end of the apparatus (9a).

Figures 3 through 6 show schematically cutting mechanism in operation. Figure 3 in particular illustrates a pair of cutting blades (4a) and (4b) having an associated outrigger arms (10a) and (10b). Associated on the outrigger arms are cam followers (11a) and (11ib). The cam followers are positioned on cam frame (12) which is shown in cross-sectional view. The base plate is illustrated and actually surrounds the cutting blades. The cutting blades will operate through hole in the base plate.

Progressing through figures 3 to 6, the configuration of the cam frame causes operation of the cutting blades (4a and 4b). Figure 4 illustrates a partially closed positioning of the blades, figure 5 illustrating the blades partially cutting through the broccoli head while figure 6 illustrates the broccoli head fully cut with fleurettes (17) falling to the base plate and the broccoli stalk (19) remaining J: receptacle A slight variation to the illustration is to include an "over bite" in the cutting blades, where one blade will slightly overlap with the other blade in the fully closed position to ensure io complete cutting of the broccoli head. The blades pivot from point (14).

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the processing units in an inverted position, where the stalk is ejected. The blades (4a) and (4b) have remained closc i i:t ihe fleurettes are "tipped off' the base plates, which prevents the broccoli stalk m eing removed.

When the base plates are inverted, during the rotation proct:" ,-he cam frame will again be formed so as to open the cutting blades to release the stalk. This is specifically illustrated in figure 8. It has been found that the stalk may be firmly lodged within the receptacle (21) as a result of the cutting process. Accordingly it is preferred S to have a release mechanism such as a spring, (not illustrated) in the base of the receptacle to assist in the ejection of the stalk. An insert (not illustrated) may also be included to assist in holding the broccoli stalk firm.

Figure 9 is a partial illustration of the positioning of the frame members (12a) and (12b) of the cam frame in relation to the cutting blades. The illustration shows two 25 cutting blades (4a and 4b) in a first closed (or cutting) position and in a second open position. This figure best illustrates how the configuration of the cam frame assists in the opening and closing of the blades by a lever type action on the outrigger arms.

Figure 10 is a further schematic view of the cam frame. Illustrated in this diagram is openings (16) and (18) in with frame members (12a) and (12b) which are effective to ensure that a positive force is maintained on the cam frame by the outrigger arms when in an inverted position. The outrigger arms are able to "cross over" when they pass through the openings, and remain on top of each frame member such that the cam frame is still able to effctively open and close the blades. This figure illustrates rotation of the processing units in an anti-clockwise direction.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of the preferred stages of the process of the invention. As illustrated in this diagram, the solid line (25) illustrates in a schematic form, the configuration of the cam frame. The blades are closed at position A and open when arriving at position B, the schematic diagram indicating the change in -9configuration of the cam frame. The broccoli head is placed into the receptacle at position B. This is generally done by manual means. The blades then cut and close at position C and remain closed at position D. At this stage, the fleurettes, which have fallen to the base plates will be tipped from the base plate and the stalk is helcd, in the receptacle by the closed blades. The blades will open again at position E to release the broccoli stalk at position F. The blades can either remain open or be closed when returning to position A, but as illustrated are closed through action at position G.

It should be understood that the above description is merely illustrative of the present invention, and any modification without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention is also to be included herein.

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Claims (11)

1. An apparatus for cutting or trimming food produce, including: a frame; a cam frame mounted within and off the frame; a plurality of processing units including at least the following; a receptacle having an open top end suitable for holding food io produce, and cutting means having associated outrigger arms formed to follow the cam frame during rotation; and a conveyor system to drive the processing units in a continuous rotation in use from an upright position to an inverted position; wherein said cam frame is shaped and configured such that, in use, at least at one position during the rotation of the processing units, the shape or configuration of the cam frame initiates a movement of the outrigger arms causing activation of the cutting means to either open or close. S 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cutting means includes a pair of rounded cutting blades, each forming a quarter of a sphere, and having pivot points located on opposing sides of the receptacle, and able to pivot such that when in a closed position, the cutting blades form a hemisphere covering the open top end of the receptacle; each one of the pair of cutting blades has an associated outrigger arm S connected to it, the outrigger arms able to effect movement of the cutting blades with a lever type action. 3o 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the cam frame includes a pair of frame members spaced from and having a complimentary configuration to follow a mirrored path to each other, and, in a pair of outrigger arms, each of the arms is associated with a separate frame member.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein, at least at one point, the cam frame is shaped and configured to guide further apart the pair of outrigger arms, resulting in a movement of the cuttiny blades to initiate closing the blades, and at least at another point the cam frame is shaped and configured to guide closer together the pair of outrigger arms to initiate opening the blades. -11- An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each outrigger arm includes an arm section, and a cam follower positioned at the extremity of the arm section to engage with a frame member of the cam frame, the cam follower is adepted to ride along the top of the cam frame, each frame me nber of the cam frame includas at least two openings, to allow the cam follower to cross over to remain on top of the cam frame when the orientation of the processing unit is altered between an upright position and an inverted position.

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the processing unit further includes a base plate located near the base of receptacle, to form a tray, and is positioned in such a manner so that it is able to catch the trimmed produce as it is cut.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cam PC frame is shaped and configured such that in use, the apparatus is able to process PC:: through at least the following phases: a first phase, wherein the cutting means is in an open position, and the 0 receptacle is in an upright orientation, and food produce is able to be placed within the open top end of the receptacle; (ii) a second phase, wherein the cutting means is activated to close and to cut or trim any food produce; PC (iii) a third phase, wherein the cutting means remains in a closed position, 25 and the processing unit is rotated to an inverse position, and any trimmed food produce is tipped from the processing unit; and *PC (iv) a fourth phase, wherein the cutting means is in an open position, and the remaining food produce is expelled from the receptacle. 9

8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the food produce is broccoli, cauliflower or broccoflower having a stalk and a head, and the receptacle is of such dimension so that it is able to receive the stalk of a partially cut produce, while the head of the produce protrudes above the top end of the receptacle.

9. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus further includes a ceiling conveyor, positioned such that, in use, the ceiling conveyor is able to apply some pressure upon the food produce at the time the produce is cut or trimmed by the cutting means. -12- An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the conveyor system comprises two conveyor chains and said base plate is positioned between and connected to the conveyor chains.

11. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the receptacle includes a release mechanism located within and near the base of the receptacle to actively expel the remaining food produce from the receptacle after it has 0io been cut or trimmed.

12. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the receptacle further includes an insert to assist in holding the stalk of said food produce.

13. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the position of the cam follower is adjustable on the outrigger arm, to adjust the level that the outrigger arm is able to S follow the cam frame such that, the degree of bite of the cutting blades may be altered.

14. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the food 20"-0 produce is broccoli. ••go An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus includes between 15 to 25 processing units. 25 '16. A process for cutting or trimming food produce having a stalk, and a head consisting of fleurettes, including the following steps: iroviding an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, (ii) when the cutting blades are in a open position and the receptacle is in an upright position, placing the food produce in the receptacle, such that the stalk is held within the receptacle, and the head protrudes above the receptacle; (iii) activating the cutting blades to close and trim the fleurettes from the stalk; (iv) while the cutting blades remain in a closeu position, rotate the processing units to an inverse position, to tip the cut fleurettes from the proessing units; and activating the cutting blades to open and to expel the remaining food produce from the receptacle.

17. A process according to claim 16 wherein the apparatus includes a base plate and the fleurettes are caught in the base plate after being trimmed from the stalk. -13- 17. An apparatus according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the drawings. DATED: 19 August, 1994 PHILLIPS ORMVONDE FITZPATRICK 10 lt Attorneys for: i PE-TER6VffL-ENEFRIES-H MTE-&3 3533N 87~~v A 4 fee o a. 0 ABSTRACT An apparatus for cutting or trimming food produce, including: a frame; a cam frame mounted within and off the frame; a plurality of processing units including at least the following; a receptacle having an open top end suitable for holding food produce, and cutting means having associated outrigger arms formed to follow the cam frame during rotation; and a conveyor system to drive the processing units in a continuous rotation in use from an upright position to an inverted position; wherein said cam frame is shaped and configured such that, in use, at least at one position during the rotation of the processing units, the shape or configuration of 15 the cam frame initiates a movement of the outrigger arms causing activation of the cutting means to either open or close. ease *ee oee**e e• eooe e oo