Patent Application
20080011165
While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “or” indicates a non-exclusive alternative without limitation unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” means “including, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted.
The present invention is a method and device for coring and cutting food products such as peppers in a device such as a hydrocutter. The hydrocutter is known in the prior art and is made up a series of tubes which are functionally interconnected to a tub and a pump which functions to pump material which are to be processed against a cutting mechanism. After impact upon the cutting mechanism has taken place, a way is provided whereby the material which has been cut is separated and sorted, the water which has been utilized to carry the products through the device is removed and the desired items can be recovered.
Referring now to
A coring cutter 16 is suspended in a generally centrally located position within the passageway 14. This coring cutter 16 may be variously dimensioned so as to accomplish a variety of types of cutting and coring activities depending upon the needs and necessities of the user. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the coring cutter 16 includes a pair of peaks 20/20′ which define a pair of troughs 22, 22′ there between. These peaks 20/20′ are oriented and positioned so as to impact the item being processed prior to the other portions of the coring cutter 16 or the assembly 10 and by so doing enables the product to be cut with decreased amounts of force and water pressure. This assists to preserve these items in a desired and designated condition. An example of such a configuration in use is shown in
This coring cutter 16 suspended in this generally centrally located position within said passageway 14 by an intermediary knife 18, which connects the coring cutter 16 and the outer rim 12. In addition to holding the coring cutter 16 in a desired position, the intermediary knife 18 assists to slice the products or items which are impacted against this knife 18.
Preferably, the cutting assembly of the present invention is made from a single piece of material that can be cast as a single piece or machined from a single piece of material or welded together from sub assemblies. This single piece construction provides greater durability and increased life expectancy over clamped type of assemblies. The presence of the peaks and trough portions of the assemblies provide a two-point initial pierce point for the initial core cut. This reduces the force required to initiate the core cut, reduces water and product velocity that are required to make a successful cut, and reduces the likelihood of the device plugging. This also assists in maintaining the pieces of the products that are processed from being deformed during processing and increases their salability. The angled entry edge of the core support knives reduces the force required to initiate and complete the cut. This contributes to reduced water and product velocity required for successful cuts and reduces tendency of the cutter to plug.
The core diameter and overall dimensions can be increased or decreased to accommodate specific food products, and in the preferred embodiment the knife assembly is keyed to ensure proper alignment. In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the attached figures, this intermediary knife 18 is angledly connected between the rim 12 and the coring cutter 16. In this embodiment, the intermediary knife 18 extends back from the connection between this knife 18 and the rim 12 to its connection with the coring cutter 16. In other embodiments of the invention, additional intermediary knives 28 may also be included between the coring cutter and the outer rim.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cutting assembly 10 which contains all of these features are loaded as a single piece into a hydrocutter of the present invention. This device can then be utilized to perform the method of the present invention wherein a device that has all of the features described above is provided, installed and aligned within a hydrocutting device. Once so installed, a product such as a pepper is forced against the blades of the cutting device with sufficient force so as to cause the item to be forced against the blade of the device whereby the core portion is cut out of the device and the item is sliced as desired. An example of such a situation is shown in
While there is shown and described to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto, but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
