US3610304A — Food-cutting machine

Claim 1

Independent Claim 117 words

A food-cutting machine with semiautomatic feed comprising, in combination, a main housing, a drive shaft journaled for rotation transversely through the main housing, a conveyorized hopper having opposed sidewalls, a plurality of conveyor rollers at the bottom of the hopper and between the sidewalls journaled for rotation to rollingly pass foodstuffs along their engaged surfaces, a food pusher pivotally mounted on the food-cutting machine above the drive shaft and proportioned to nest in and pass through the hopper, yieldable means for urging the pusher forwardly through the hopper, and a rotating disc engaged by the shaft positioned to receive and cuttingly engage foodstuffs which are delivered thereto by means of the yieldably urged pusher within the hopper.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 117 words

A food-cutting machine with semiautomatic feed comprising, in combination, a main housing, a drive shaft journaled for rotation transversely through the main housing, a conveyorized hopper having opposed sidewalls, a plurality of conveyor rollers at the bottom of the hopper and between the sidewalls journaled for rotation to rollingly pass foodstuffs along their engaged surfaces, a food pusher pivotally mounted on the food-cutting machine above the drive shaft and proportioned to nest in and pass through the hopper, yieldable means for urging the pusher forwardly through the hopper, and a rotating disc engaged by the shaft positioned to receive and cuttingly engage foodstuffs which are delivered thereto by means of the yieldably urged pusher within the hopper.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 58 words

In a food-cutting machine with semiautomatic feed as defined in claim 1, a bayonet fastener at the end of the rotating drive shaft, said bayonet fastener being characterized by a pair of upstanding members with offsetting lugs, said rotating disc having a center portion with lug receiving through holes, the latter being engaged by the offset overlapping lugs.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 44 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 2, centering means comprising a tapered extending pin at the end of the drive shaft, and means defining a centering pin receiving hole at the center of the rotating disc and flanked by the lug receiving through holes.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 107 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 1, the improved means for supporting the disc and securing the food pusher for yieldably urging the pusher through the hopper, comprising, a spring-disc support having a body with a disc notch and spring engaging aperture, means defining an opening in the housing through which the body of the spring-disc support passes in engagement therewith, stop means on the spring disc support body proportioned to abut the housing, a spring secured at one end to the spring-engaging aperture and the other end to the pusher, and rib means at the periphery of the disc proportioned to rotate within the disc notches.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 4, said rib means and notch being proportioned to provide a common orientation for the disc when reversed.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 68 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 1, said pusher having a cover proportioned to overlie the hopper, a pusher face, a generally triangular member joining the cover and pusher face, pivot wings extending from opposed corners of the cover, pivot mounting extensions extending upwardly from the housing at opposed sides of the hopper, and pivot means coacting with the wings and extensions pivotally engaging the pusher and housing.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 68 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 4, said pusher having a cover proportioned to overlie the hopper, a pusher face, a generally triangular member joining the cover and pusher face, pivot wings extending from opposed corners of the cover, pivot mounting extensions extending upwardly from the housing at opposed sides of the hopper, and pivot means coacting with the wings and extensions pivotally engaging the pusher and housing.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 74 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 1, a cage joining the opposed sides of the hopper, a lower roller end support formed in the hopper sidewall having a plurality of roller receiving elements, and an upper roller end support proportioned for attachment to the sidewall in opposed relationship to the lower roller end support and having opposed roller-receiving elements, both roller end supports extending from the sidewalls and cooperating to journal the rollers therebetween.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 73 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 4, a cage joining the opposed sides of the hopper, a lower roller end support formed in the hopper sidewall having a plurality of roller-receiving elements, and an upper roller end support proportioned for attachment to the sidewall in opposed relationship to the lower roller end support and having opposed roller-receiving elements, both roller end supports extending from the sidewalls and cooperating to journal the rollers therebetween.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 71 words

A disc for use in the food-cutting machine of claim 1, having, a disc body formed of a metal circular sheet, a rib adjacent the periphery of the body, a central reversible self-energizing fastening means proportioned to coact with the drive shaft of the food-cutting machine, and cutting elements of different configuration oriented on both sides of the disc body whereby differing cuts can be made when the disc is reversed.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 140 words

A food-cutting machine with semiautomatic feed comprising, in combination, a housing, a hopper mechanism proportioned to mount within the housing, a pusher pivotally mounted to pass through the hopper for advancing foodstuffs therethrough, a rotating disc in cutting relationship with the forward portion of the hopper, a drive shaft journaled in said housing, means for rotating said drive shaft, bayonet means for removably securing the disc to the drive shaft, a deflector backplate on the housing, a deflector comprising more than half of a circle, means on said housing for removably securing the deflector thereto, means defining an uninterrupted bottom downwardly directed opening at the lower portion of said deflector and said rotating disc whereby the deflector, disc, and opening cooperate to direct the processed foodstuffs in an interrupted downwardly disposed path into a bowl positioned for receiving the same.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 140 words

A food-cutting machine with semiautomatic feed comprising, in combination, a housing, a hopper mechanism proportioned to mount within the housing, a pusher pivotally mounted to pass through the hopper for advancing foodstuffs therethrough, a rotating disc in cutting relationship with the forward portion of the hopper, a drive shaft journaled in said housing, means for rotating said drive shaft, bayonet means for removably securing the disc to the drive shaft, a deflector backplate on the housing, a deflector comprising more than half of a circle, means on said housing for removably securing the deflector thereto, means defining an uninterrupted bottom downwardly directed opening at the lower portion of said deflector and said rotating disc whereby the deflector, disc, and opening cooperate to direct the processed foodstuffs in an interrupted downwardly disposed path into a bowl positioned for receiving the same.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 55 words

In a food-cutting machine with semiautomatic feed as defined in claim 11, a bayonet fastener at the end of the drive shaft, said bayonet fastener being characterized by a pair of upstanding members with offsetting lugs, said rotating disc having a center portion with crescent-shaped receiving notches, the latter being engaged by the offset lugs.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 42 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 12, centering means comprising a pin at the center of the drive shaft, and means of defining a centering pin receiving hole at the center of the rotating disc and flanked by the crescent-shaped receiving notches.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 104 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 11, the improved means for supporting the disc and securing the pusher for yieldably urging the pusher through the hopper, comprising, a spring disc support having a body with a disc notch and spring engaging aperture, means defining an opening in the housing through which the body of the spring-disc support passes in engagement therewith, stop means on the body proportioned to abut the housing, a spring secured at one end to the spring-engaging aperture and the other end to the pusher, and rib means at the periphery of the disc proportioned to rotate within the disc notches.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 80 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 11, said pusher having a cover proportioned to overlie the hopper, said pusher having a cover proportioned to overlie the hopper, a pusher face, a generally triangular gusset joining the cover member and pusher face, pivot wings extending from opposed corners of the cover, mounting means extending upwardly from the housing at opposed sides of the hopper, and pivot means coacting with the wings and mounting means pivotally connecting the pusher to the housing.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 67 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 11, a cage joining the opposed sides of the hopper. a roller lower end support on the hopper sidewall having a plurality of roller receiving elements, and an upper roller support on the sidewall support in opposed relationship to the lower roller end support and having opposed roller-receiving elements, the roller elements on the sidewalls cooperating to journal the rollers therebetween.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 63 words

A disc for use in the food-cutting machine of claim 11 having, a disc body formed of a metal circular sheet, a central reversible self-energizing fastening means proportioned to coact with the drive shaft of the food-cutting machine, and cutting elements of different configuration oriented on both sides of the disc body whereby differing cuts can be made when the disc is reversed.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 163 words

In a food-cutting machine having a housing; a hopper in said housing; a drive shaft extending through the housing; means on the end of the shaft to removably secure a cutting disc in operative engagement with the housing, the improved disc construction characterized by a flat circular disc plate, a plurality of cutting members on one side of the disc, and a plurality of cutting members on the other side oF the disc, said means on the end of the shaft to removably secure the cutting disc being self-energizing lugs proportioned for cooperative relationship with through holes provided in the center portion of said disc in opposed cooperative relationship with said lugs, each set of cutting members associated with one side of the disc being recessed and inoperative with respect to the opposite side of the disc plate, whereby upon reversal two separate cutting patterns are achieved through the engagement of the respective sides of the disc with foodstuffs advanced through the hopper.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 163 words

In a food-cutting machine having a housing; a hopper in said housing; a drive shaft extending through the housing; means on the end of the shaft to removably secure a cutting disc in operative engagement with the housing, the improved disc construction characterized by a flat circular disc plate, a plurality of cutting members on one side of the disc, and a plurality of cutting members on the other side oF the disc, said means on the end of the shaft to removably secure the cutting disc being self-energizing lugs proportioned for cooperative relationship with through holes provided in the center portion of said disc in opposed cooperative relationship with said lugs, each set of cutting members associated with one side of the disc being recessed and inoperative with respect to the opposite side of the disc plate, whereby upon reversal two separate cutting patterns are achieved through the engagement of the respective sides of the disc with foodstuffs advanced through the hopper.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 16 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 18, one side of said disc having deep-drawn julienne cuts.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 30 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 19, said julienne cuts having a crescent-shaped relief portion in opposed spaced relation to a crescent-shaped cutting lip on the deep-drawn julienne cutting elements.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 21 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 20, said julienne cutting elements being oriented radially forwardly from the center of the plate.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 34 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 19, said julienne cutting elements being oriented in four radially forwardly spaced locations, the successive rows of which are staggered to overlap the spaces between the preceding row.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 43 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 22, a plurality of grater cutting elements between and on the opposite sides of the julienne cutter rows, said grater cutting elements being disposed in radial staggered rows of varying numbers between the rows of julienne cutters.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 25 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 18, a plurality of radially oriented relief slots, a flat cutting edge on one side of each relief slot.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 36 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 18, a plurality of radially oriented relief slots, straight blades secured to one side of the relief slot, and ripple edges formed on the opposite side of the relief slot.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 15 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 18, an embossed reinforcing rib adjacent the periphery thereof.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 34 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 18, a plurality of stress relief locators formed at the center of the disc to shrink the disc and relieve the stresses induced in forming the cutting members.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 36 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 26, a spacer secured to the center of the disc having a thickness to present an outer face in the same plane as the edge of the embossed reinforcing rib.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 45 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 28, a plurality of stress relief locators formed at the center of the disc and peripherally of the spacer to assist in locating the spacer and stress relieve the disc by shrinking the same centrally of the cutting members.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 118 words

A food-cutting machine with semiautomatic feed comprising, in combination, a housing, a hopper having an opening within the housing, a pusher pivotally mounted to pass through the hopper for advancing foodstuffs therethrough toward the hopper opening, a rotating disc proportioned for cutting relationship with the hopper opening, a drive shaft journaled in said housing, means for rotating said drive shaft, a self-energizing bayonet fastener at the end of the drive shaft, means on said rotating disc for self-energizing engagement with the drive shaft fastener, and a disc support adjacent the hopper opening formed to receive the cutting disc periphery and coact with the self-energizing fastener to removably and reversibly secure the disc for rotation by the drive shaft.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 118 words

A food-cutting machine with semiautomatic feed comprising, in combination, a housing, a hopper having an opening within the housing, a pusher pivotally mounted to pass through the hopper for advancing foodstuffs therethrough toward the hopper opening, a rotating disc proportioned for cutting relationship with the hopper opening, a drive shaft journaled in said housing, means for rotating said drive shaft, a self-energizing bayonet fastener at the end of the drive shaft, means on said rotating disc for self-energizing engagement with the drive shaft fastener, and a disc support adjacent the hopper opening formed to receive the cutting disc periphery and coact with the self-energizing fastener to removably and reversibly secure the disc for rotation by the drive shaft.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 16 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 30, pair of disc supports positioned adjacent the hopper opening.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 22 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 31, said pair of disc supports being positioned in symmetrically opposed relationship adjacent the hopper opening.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 30 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 30, a pair of disc periphery limit stops positioned on the housing to engage the disc periphery at opposed stations beneath the self-energizing fastener.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 30 words

In the food-cutTing machine of claim 31, a pair of disc periphery limit stops positioned on the housing to engage the disc periphery at opposed stations beneath the self-energizing fastener.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 30 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 32, a pair of disc periphery limit stops positioned on the housing to engage the disc periphery at opposed stations beneath the self-energizing fastener.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 47 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 30, a circular rib at the periphery of said disc, and a spacer at the center of the disc extending in the same direction as the circular rib to accommodate reversal of the disc while maintaining symmetry with the disc support.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 47 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 31, a circular rib at the periphery of said disc, and a spacer at the center of the disc extending in the same direction as the circular rib to accommodate reversal of the disc while maintaining symmetry with the disc support.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 47 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 32, a circular rib at the periphery of said disc, and a spacer at the center of the disc extending in the same direction as the circular rib to accommodate reversal of the disc while maintaining symmetry with the disc support.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 47 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 33, a circular rib at the periphery of said disc, and a spacer at the center of the disc extending in the same direction as the circular rib to accommodate reversal of the disc while maintaining symmetry with the disc support.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 47 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 34, a circular rib at the periphery of said disc, and a spacer at the center of the disc extending in the same direction as the circular rib to accommodate reversal of the disc while maintaining symmetry with the disc support.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 33 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 35, a circular rib at the periphery of said disc, and means defining a disc-positioning notch in said disc support to nestingly receive the disc circular ribs.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 19 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 30, a deflector removably secured to the outer upper portion of the housing.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 34 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 42, said housing having a bowl foot proportioned to cooperate with said deflector to direct cut foodstuffs into a bowl positioned adjacent the foot and beneath the deflector.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 29 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 42, said deflector having a rejection surface on its inner face opposite said disc to inhibit flat wet contact with the cut food.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 16 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 11, means for securing said drive shaft against longitudinal movement.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 16 words

In the food-cutting machine of claim 30, means for securing said drive shaft against longitudinal movement.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-10-04	1975-04-05	1975-10-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-10-04	1979-04-05	1979-10-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-10-04	1983-04-05	1983-10-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Food-cutting machine

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag