Parallel Cutting Edges Patents (Class 83/858)
  • Patent number: 11590671
    Abstract: A knife holder has a base and a knife support portion extending from the base. The knife support portion includes a distal edge and a knife support surface for supporting a knife. The knife support surface includes a shaped portion and a relieved surface. The shaped portion has a wavy shape and is located adjacent the distal edge. The relieved surface does not have a wavy shape and is located on the knife support surface so that at least part of the shaped portion is between the relieved surface and the distal edge. An abutment surface is between the base and the relieved surface and is defined by the relieved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Urschel Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin Joseph Gereg, Jeffrey S. Radinsky
  • Patent number: 11358298
    Abstract: Knife assemblies adapted for use in slicing machines includes a knife holder having a support surface that defines an outer upper surface of the knife holder and a leading edge of the knife holder. An insert is supported by the knife holder and has leading and trailing ends that each extends along a longitudinal extent of the knife holder, and a longitudinal end between the leading and trailing ends. A knife is at least partly supported by the insert and has a cutting edge that projects beyond the leading end of the insert. The knife is clamped to the knife holder and the insert is secured to the knife holder by at least a first slot defined in the trailing end and/or longitudinal end of the insert, and at least a first locking post that engages the first slot and secures the insert to the knife holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Urschel Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Everette Baxter, Michael Scot Jacko, Ryan Andrew Rust
  • Patent number: 8939055
    Abstract: A cutting block and method for cutting food products is provided. The cutting block includes a plurality of parallel blades secured to a support. The blades extend in a direction along the breadth of the support and are arranged in pairs. Each pair of blades is positioned along the height of the support. Each blade in each pair is aligned along the height of the support and spaced apart along the length of the support. Each blade includes a straight first outer portion, a straight second outer portion, and a third middle portion joining the first outer portion to the second outer portion. The third middle portion is inclined relative to the first and second outer portions. The third middle portion includes first and second curved ends connected by a straight portion, wherein the first and second curved ends are each connected to a different one of the first and second outer portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: McCain Foods Limited
    Inventors: Sylvain Bomont, Guilhem Carrier, Fabrice Desailly
  • Patent number: 8839702
    Abstract: A mandoline slicer includes a slicing blade and an adjustable slicing ramp. A series of julienne blades are selectively movable between a stowed and a deployed position above the ramp. At a distal end of the ramp, a portion of the ramp is pivotable between a first position for using the slicing blade and a second position covering the slicing blade and exposing a grating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Progressive International Corporation
    Inventor: Justin Bagley
  • Patent number: 8813640
    Abstract: A vegetable and fruit cutting device having a rack; a slide-rail adapted for moving vertically mounted on the rack; a platform mounted on the slide-rail; a serrated-blade assembly; a flat-blade assembly; and an escalating device adapted for adjusting vertical movement of the platform. The escalating device having an eccentric cam assembly mounted below the platform and a knob adapted for driving the eccentric cam assembly mounted to the side of the body. The eccentric cam assembly having a shaft mounted between the top of the rack and the bottom of the platform, the shaft having an eccentric cam which is fixed to the shaft. The serrated-blade assembly is mounted to the bottom of the platform. And the platform has a second aperture for receiving a serrated-blade of the serrated-blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: Yan Kwong Wong
  • Publication number: 20140224086
    Abstract: A cutting block and method for cutting food products is provided. The cutting block includes a plurality of parallel blades secured to a support. The blades extend in a direction along the breadth of the support and are arranged in pairs. Each pair of blades is positioned along the height of the support. Each blade in each pair is aligned along the height of the support and spaced apart along the length of the support. Each blade includes a straight first outer portion, a straight second outer portion, and a third middle portion joining the first outer portion to the second outer portion. The third middle portion is inclined relative to the first and second outer portions. The third middle portion includes first and second curved ends connected by a straight portion, wherein the first and second curved ends are each connected to a different one of the first and second outer portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Sylvain Bomont, Guilhem Carrier, Fabrice Desailly
  • Publication number: 20140208910
    Abstract: A food-product slicer having a blade set designed and configured to be skewed and tilted, i.e., double-beveled, relative to a thrust axis of the slicer along which cutting action occurs during a slicing operation. In some embodiments, the blade sets of the present disclosure can be integrated into a blade cartridge that is readily engageable and disengageable with the slicer. In certain configurations, a double-beveling of blade set can reduce binding of food-product slices within the blade set and/or create desirable discharging of food-product slices from the corresponding food-product slicer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Edlund Company, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan S. Whitney
  • Publication number: 20140208917
    Abstract: A blade cartridge for a food-product slicer having a frame and blades located on multiple blade levels, wherein all of the blades are held in tension by the common frame. In various embodiments, the blades on each blade level are held in spaced relation to one another by blade holders located at opposing ends of the blades. In various embodiments the blades on each blade level are tensioned using adjustable fasteners. In various embodiments, blades on one level within a multilevel blade cartridge are spaced from blades on an immediately adjacent bladed level to inhibit binding of slices of food-product sliced using the blade cartridge. In various embodiments, a removable blade cover is securable to the blade cartridge when the cartridge is installed in the food-product slicer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Edlund Company, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan S. Whitney
  • Patent number: 8739669
    Abstract: A vegetable and fruit slicer for slicing vegetables and fruit comprising a knife part (1) and a cooperating anvil part (2). The knife part (1) comprises at least two sets of knives (3), where a set of knives (3) comprises at least two knives (4) arranged at predetermined lateral distances and predetermined level distances from each other forming a stair or a fan (3). Only one knife (4) of each set (3) is positioned at each level and the lateral distances between the knives (4) positioned at the same level are the same and constant for each level of knives (4). A method, wherein a first level of at least two knives (4) starts cutting the vegetable or fruit to be cut, followed by at least a second level of a preferably corresponding number of knives (4) and having the same internal distance in between the knives in every level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: EPU AG
    Inventors: Nikola Knezevic, Daniel Ericsson, Johan Vestberg, Mikael Ericsson, Kerstin Engdahl
  • Publication number: 20140041499
    Abstract: There is disclosed a stationary blade assembly for cutting labels from a label film in labelling machines, comprising: a support and a blade supported by said support; blade comprises at least two cutting edges which are adapted to cut said labels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: SIDEL S.p.A con Socio Unico
    Inventors: Cristian Andreato, James Carmichael
  • Patent number: 8181560
    Abstract: A food processing tool particularly suited for processing garlic and the like generally includes a main body having a tray configured to allow garlic to be passed back and forth across the tray for processing as desired. The main body optionally includes a pair of opposing guides positioned on opposing lateral sides of the tray and a plurality of ribs provided along either a portion or the entirety of the tray to reduce friction and improve the sliding ability of the garlic along the ribs and therefore the tray. A main slicing blade and one or more pluralities of blades are provided to slice, mince, or julienne cut the garlic. A pusher and cap is configured to selectively allow or restrict rotational movement of the cap and garlic for different orientations when cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Progressive International Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Hauser, Ricky Wai Kit Chan, Joanna Clark
  • Patent number: 8109065
    Abstract: A system and method are provided that allow meat logs to be manually loaded into a slicing station and thereafter be continuously automatically processed at the slicing station, a harping station, and an insertion station for automated packaging thereof without the need for handling of the meat stacks by workers. To this end, the slicing station is effective to form smaller sections or chubs from the meat logs and to do so such that the chubs are provided with substantially parallel flat end-faces to ensure that high quality meat slices are generated therefrom. The chubs are then transported to the harping station where each of the chubs undergoes a single cutting operation, thus simultaneously forming the meat slices therefrom and substantially maintaining the slices in the configuration of the chubs for generating well-formed stacks of the slices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Drebing, Timothy T. Watson, Peter V. Doll, Gary Skaar, Paul Doll, Randy J. Glynn
  • Patent number: 8069766
    Abstract: A manual food dicer includes a frame equipped with a cross blade and two guiding rails, a carriage movable in translation, and a longitudinal cutting knife equipped with triangular blades, wherein the knife cooperates with positioning mechanism enabling it to be elastically mounted between a working position in which the triangular blades jut out over the upper surface of the frame, and wherein a retracted position in which the triangular blades are retracted, the translation of the carriage causing the knife to move into retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: De Buyer Industries
    Inventors: Julien de Buyer, Jean Noël Mathieu
  • Publication number: 20110154998
    Abstract: A vegetable and fruit cutting device comprising a rack; a slide-rail adapted for moving vertically mounted on the rack; a platform mounted on the slide-rail; a serrated-blade assembly; a flat-blade assembly; and an escalating device adapted for adjusting vertical movement of the platform. The escalating device comprises an eccentric cam assembly mounted below the platform and a knob adapted for driving the eccentric cam assembly mounted to the side of the body, a first aperture is positioned below the platform, the eccentric cam assembly comprises a shaft mounted between the top of the rack and the bottom of the platform, the shaft comprises an eccentric cam which is fixed to the shaft, the eccentric cam is adapted to be received by the first aperture, the serrated-blade assembly is mounted to the bottom of the platform, and the platform has a second aperture for receiving a serrated-blade of the serrated-blade assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: YAN KWONG WONG
  • Patent number: 7966737
    Abstract: A kitchen appliance for cutting cuttable material such as vegetables, fruit, etc., with a main body. The appliance comprises a guide surface on which the cuttable material can be moved to and fro, and a blade which, for cutting, is arranged offset in relation to the guide surface so that a piece is cut off from a cuttable material moved on the guide surface in the guide direction toward the blade. The offset between the blade and the guide surface determines the cutting thickness. The appliance further comprises an exchangeable insert for modifying the cutting thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Boerner Kunststoff- und Metallwarenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Juergen Boerner
  • Patent number: 7926401
    Abstract: A tissue harvesting method and device for obtaining micrograft tissue particles within the size range of 50-1500 microns, and more preferably 500-1000 microns, and most preferably 600 microns. The particles may be processed after a piece of donor tissue has been excised from the donor site, or processed into the desired size directly at the donor site, and thereafter excised. Cutters having blades or cutting edges spaced in the range of 50-1500 microns are utilized to obtain particles within the desired size range. An elastomer is positioned between the cutting edges to push the excised particles out of the blades for ease of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajit Mishra, Charles Seegert, Makoto Ohira
  • Publication number: 20110072985
    Abstract: A food cutting device has a raised platform with both food preparation surfaces and an opening through the platform through which cuttings may be forced or dropped. Across the opening are stationary blades that preferably do not move during operation. Pivotally connected to the platform is at least one moving blade that is swung toward the opening to both cut the food and force the food to and past the stationary blades. The moving blade may be part of a pivotal jaw that is manually swung down on top of food placed on, or overhanging, the stationary blades and opening. The jaw provides leverage to the user swinging the jaw, and the combination of generally parallel stationary blades in the platform and the moving blade, perpendicular to the stationary blades, allows quick swings of the jaw in succession to cut or shred the food as desired. A container may be provided underneath the platform to catch the cuttings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: DOUGLAS M. GAUS
  • Patent number: 7866130
    Abstract: A system and method are provided that allow meat logs to be manually loaded into a slicing station and thereafter be continuously automatically processed at the slicing station, a harping station, and an insertion station for automated packaging thereof without the need for handling of the meat stacks by workers. To this end, the slicing station is effective to form smaller sections or chubs from the meat logs and to do so such that the chubs are provided with substantially parallel flat end-faces to ensure that high quality meat slices are generated therefrom. The chubs are then transported to the harping station where each of the chubs undergoes a single cutting operation, thus simultaneously forming the meat slices therefrom and substantially maintaining the slices in the configuration of the chubs for generating well-formed stacks of the slices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Drebing, Timothy T. Watson, Peter V. Doll, Gary Skaar, Paul Doll, Randy J. Glynn
  • Publication number: 20100236372
    Abstract: A blade assembly includes a number of wave-shaped blades arranged substantially parallel to each other, and spaced laterally from each other. The wave-shaped blades are secured to a support. Each wave-shaped blade includes a number of alternating blade peaks and blade troughs. Each blade peak has a maximum, and each blade trough has a minimum. An intermediate portion of the wave-shaped blade is located between the maximum and the minimum of each adjacent blade peak and blade trough. A number of sectioning blades are secured to the support and arranged substantially transverse to the wave-shaped blades. The sectioning blades are aligned with the intermediate portions of the wave-shaped blades. A method of making a cut food product from a starting food product is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: McCain Foods Limited
    Inventors: Fabrice DESAILLY, David M. RAWLINGS
  • Patent number: 7779739
    Abstract: A food chopper and slicer includes a lower receptacle for holding chopped food items and one or more blades at the top. A pushing element is secured within an outer housing, with the outer housing being configured to snugly and slideably fit around the receptacle. The housing forms a guide path such that the pushing element follows a generally straight and vertical path as it moves downward toward the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Progressive International Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah S. Peterson, Sascha Kaposi
  • Patent number: 7677148
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for cutting produce, such as onions and other vegetables. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and devices for minimizing exposure to noxious and irritating gasses that are emitted from certain freshly cut produce, such as the syn-propanethial-S-oxide gas that is emitted by freshly cut onions. In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, a device is provided for cutting onions, which comprises (i) an open-ended container that is adapted to hold a liquid and (ii) a slicer that is capable of cutting onions when submerged in the liquid that is housed within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Syed Rizvi
  • Patent number: 7658133
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus having an annular-shaped cutting head and an impeller assembly coaxially mounted for rotation within the cutting head to deliver food products radially outward toward the cutting head. The cutting head has at least one knife extending radially inward toward the impeller assembly. The impeller assembly is equipped with paddles, each having a radially outer extremity adjacent the impeller assembly, a radially inner extremity, and a face therebetween facing the rotational direction of the impeller assembly. According to preferred aspects of the invention, removable posts radially extend from the radially outer extremity of each paddle, and/or the face of each paddle has grooves transverse to a radial of the impeller assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignees: Urschel Laboratories, Inc., Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Jacko, Daniel Wade King, Rick Wendell Bajema, Annette Stiers Jones, David Ray Warren
  • Publication number: 20100011973
    Abstract: A utensil or tool specifically adapted for manually slicing ripened plantains, overcoming the previous method of a single blade knife, producing one slice at a time. The plantain slicer includes a frame which encompasses an area generally conforming to the shape and size of a typical plantain as well as other similar shaped vegetables and fruits. The frame has two opposing arched longitudinal sides which are interconnected with a multitude of spaced, substantially parallel arranged ribs, set at a diagonal. The ribs are sufficiently thin to cut diagonally through a pealed ripened plantain, vegetable and fruit. The user will have the ability to grasp the utensil by the handles which are located at each end of the frame and slice through the plantain by pushing down. The end result is uniform diagonal slices in one single action, allowing for even cooking. Openings in the handles permit the hanging of the utensil for storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Marianela Kovacs
  • Publication number: 20090249936
    Abstract: A food chopper and slicer includes a lower receptacle for holding chopped food items and one or more blades at the top. A pushing element is secured within an outer housing, with the outer housing being configured to snugly and slideably fit around the receptacle. The housing forms a guide path such that the pushing element follows a generally straight and vertical path as it moves downward toward the blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Progressive International Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah S. Peterson, Sascha Kaposi
  • Publication number: 20090249930
    Abstract: A food slicer includes a lower container for holding sliced food items and one or more blades at the top. In a preferred form, the blades are arranged in a V-shape. A pushing element is secured to a housing, with the housing being configured move with respect to the container and blades along a path such that the pushing element moves downward toward and through the openings between the blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Progressive International Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah S. Peterson, Sascha Kaposi
  • Publication number: 20090123623
    Abstract: A dicing tool having: a foodstuff holder for holding a block of foodstuff and a cutting base; the cutting base having: a rectangular framework for sliding the foodstuff holder therealong; a first part having an triangular shaped front edge, equally spaced triangular cutting blades being arranged in a triangular arrangement that follows the profile of the triangularly shaped front edge; a handle; a second part having a second upper surface and a right front edge and a left front edge arranged in a deep V shape, with continuous blades attached to the right and left front edges; wherein the second upper surface is always parallel to the first surface and can be slidingly reciprocated between an upper position and a lower position where the horizontal blade is substantially on a level with the first surface and the base of the triangular cutting blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Edward Tweg
  • Publication number: 20080229938
    Abstract: Disclosed is both an apparatus and method for slicing a toddler's food into small bite sized portions for reducing the chance of choking and increasing a toddler's ease of eating the food. The food slicer includes a frame which fits around the food to be reduced and cutting blades fitted within the frame. The food is reduced into small bite sized portions by pressing the food slicer into the food and then removed. The blades of the food slicer can cut the food into bite sized cubes or slices depending upon the configuration of the blades with the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Kathy Hutto
  • Patent number: 7299728
    Abstract: A loaf end trimming station for a high speed food loaf slicing machine, includes a frame, a first knife and a second knife spaced apart along the frame and oriented in positions corresponding to a lead end trimming location and a trailing end trimming location of a food loaf. The trimming station includes a loaf cutting support for receiving the loaf, and a motive mechanism to move the loaf cutting support toward the knives to trim ends off of the loaf. The trimming station includes a loaf staging support, wherein the loaf cutting support deposits the loaves on the loaf staging support after being trimmed by the knives. The loaf staging support is tiltable between a staging position to collect trimmed loaves and a loading position to deliver trimmed loaves to the high speed food loaf slicing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Formax, Inc.
    Inventors: Judd Ferrin, Glenn Sandberg
  • Patent number: 7267036
    Abstract: A device for separating individual containers from a group of multiple containers and delivering the separated individual container for further processing is shown. The device relies in part on gravity for the movement of the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventors: Wayne R. Barr, Rory Westlund, Paul O. Wright, Kelly Mc Gaughey
  • Patent number: 7146737
    Abstract: A kitchen appliance for cutting cuttable material such as vegetables, fruit, etc., with a main body. The appliance comprises a guide surface on which the cuttable material can be moved to and fro, and a blade which, for cutting, is arranged offset in relation to the guide surface so that a piece is cut off from cuttable material moved on the guide surface in the surfaced in the guide direction toward the blade. The offset between the blade and the guide surface determines the cutting thickness. The appliance further comprises an exchangeable insert for modifying the cutting thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Boerner Kunststoff- und Metallwarenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Juergen Boerner
  • Patent number: 7143678
    Abstract: A wire-cutting apparatus 10 used in the manufacture of bricks. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced generally parallel coextensive beams 13 and 14 between which cutting wires 15 pass. Associated with each wire 15 are groove-forming blades 27 and 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Boral Bricks (NSW) Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher Charles Norris Callow
  • Patent number: 7096771
    Abstract: A cutter blade assembly that presents a sequential series of perpendicularly oriented cutting knife arrays which are attached to a frame. A first set of cutting knives is comprised of knives that are generally scalloped shaped. A second set of cutting knives is comprised of knives that are generally straight and are connected in general perpendicular orientation to the first set of strip knives. When a vegetable product such as a potato is forced through the cutter blade assembly, the first set of knives cuts the potato into a scalloped shaped slab. The second set of knives then cuts the slab into a scoop shaped potato piece emulating a portion of a cut stalk of celery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 7051633
    Abstract: A device for splitting apart a card of thermoplastic ampoules is described. The splitter device includes a card receiving base, a cutter assembly, and a pusher assembly for pushing the card along the base through the cutter assembly so as to divide the card into separate thermoplastic ampoules or groups of ampoules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Weiler Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerhard H. Weiler
  • Patent number: 6959636
    Abstract: A produce slicer 10 for slicing produce is disclosed. The produce slicer includes a frame (12) defining a cavity (16) having a central axis (22). A plurality of radial cutting blades (20) are disposed in the cavity, wherein each of the radial cutting blades are substantially contained by an imaginary plane, wherein the imaginary planes of the radial cutting blades extend radially outward from the central axis toward the frame. The produce slicer (10) further includes a plurality of ancillary cutting blades (24) extending inward from the frame (12) and into the cavity (16). Each ancillary cutting blade intersects at least one of the radial cutting blades at a location between the frame and the central axis. The ancillary cutting blades may include a first series (50) of blades located substantially perpendicularly to a second series (52) of blades. The radial cutting blades may intersect the ancillary cutting blades at an oblique angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Prime Slice, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph M. Graziano
  • Patent number: 6925920
    Abstract: The invention relates to a knife holder for a microtome having a knife receiver for fixing and positioning a knife and a knife for the knife holder. The knife holder is ergonomic, the operation is made easier and safer, and the knife does not need to be changed as often. To this end, the knife receiver is constructed to accommodate a disk-shaped knife. The knife is given the shape of a regular polygon, whereby the edges are cutters. The knife receiver has an axle on which the knife can rotate such that the cutters can be positioned for cutting an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Microm International GmbH
    Inventor: Drago Borosic
  • Patent number: 6923104
    Abstract: A tensive cutting assembly includes a tensionable cutting member formed of a strip of material, typically metal, which is formed having a serpentine configuration. The tensionable cutting member is removably mounted on a tensive cutting head. The tensive cutting head includes an aperture formed through its cross section for passage of food product during the cutting process. The cutting head also includes a first set of returns adjustably opposing a second set of returns, the distance between which is adjustable and which may be driven apart by a cutting member tensioning device. The tensive cutting assembly may also include a breakage detecting device for detecting breakage during use of the tensive cutting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Raleigh J. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6837030
    Abstract: A system and method are provided that allow meat logs to be manually loaded into a slicing station and thereafter be continuously automatically processed at the slicing station, a harping station, and an insertion station for automated packaging thereof without the need for handling of the meat stacks by workers. To this end, the slicing station is effective to form smaller sections or chubs from the meat logs and to do so such that the chubs are provided with substantially parallel flat end-faces to ensure that high quality meat slices are generated therefrom. The chubs are then transported to the harping station where each of the chubs undergoes a single cutting operation, thus simultaneously forming the meat slices therefrom and substantially maintaining the slices in the configuration of the chubs for generating well-formed stacks of the slices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Drebing, Timothy T. Watson, Peter V. Doll, Gary Skaar, Paul Doll, Randy J. Glynn
  • Patent number: 6805030
    Abstract: The invention relates to a food processing system. A fluid conduit of the system is configured for directing the food carried in a fluid medium along a food path. The system has a food inlet operatively associated with the fluid conduit for feeding the food into the conduit, and a pump operatively associated with the conduit for pumping the fluid through the conduit in a fluid stream direction. A processor unit is associated with the conduit, disposed along the food path, and includes a tool configured and associated with the conduit for performing a processing operation on the food, such as cutting potatoes into french fry strips. The system also has a deceleration element operatively associated with the conduit and configured for decelerating the fluid and carried food along the food path while maintaining the fluid flow substantially free of recirculation vortices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: J.R. Simplot Company
    Inventors: James Englar, Juan Gonzalez, Scott Howell, David Gottberg
  • Publication number: 20040194597
    Abstract: A produce slicer 10 for slicing produce is disclosed. The produce slicer includes a frame (12) defining a cavity (16) having a central axis (22). A plurality of radial cutting blades (20) are disposed in the cavity, wherein each of the radial cutting blades are substantially contained by an imaginary plane, wherein the imaginary planes of the radial cutting blades extend radially outward from the central axis toward the frame. The produce slicer (10) further includes a plurality of ancillary cutting blades (24) extending inward from the frame (12) and into the cavity (16). Each ancillary cutting blade intersects at least one of the radial cutting blades at a location between the frame and the central axis. The ancillary cutting blades may include a first series (50) of blades located substantially perpendicularly to a second series (52) of blades. The radial cutting blades may intersect the ancillary cutting blades at an oblique angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph M. Graziano
  • Publication number: 20040139834
    Abstract: A device for splitting apart a card of thermoplastic ampoules is described. The splitter device includes a card receiving base, a cutter assembly, and a pusher assembly for pushing the card along the base through the cutter assembly so as to divide the card into separate thermoplastic ampoules or groups of ampoules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Gerhard H. Weiler
  • Patent number: 6732622
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a manual vegetable cutter, for selectively varied cutting. Furthermore, the cutter of the present invention does not expose the user to risks of serious cuts. The cutter comprises a frame fitted with at least one cutting blade mounted transversely facing a slot through which the cut vegetables pass and also two side rails providing guidance in to and fro translational motion for a guide chamber equipped with a loading volume for the vegetables to be cut up and acting in conjunction with a press-down cap which the user grips in order to move the guide chamber to and fro along the guide rails while constantly exerting pressure on the vegetables contained in the loading volume so that they are pressed against the cutting blade or blades fitted to the frame and can be cut up by the blade or blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: DeBuyer
    Inventor: Jacques Vincent
  • Patent number: 6601491
    Abstract: A tensive cutting assembly includes a tensionable cutting member formed of a strip of material, typically metal, which is formed having a serpentine configuration. The tensionable cutting member is removably mounted on a tensive cutting head. The tensive cutting head includes an aperture formed through its cross section for passage of food product during the cutting process. The tensive cutting head includes first and second opposing head members, the distance between which is adjustable and which may be driven apart by a cutting member tensioning device. The tensive cutting assembly may also include a breakage detecting device for detecting breakage during use of the tensive cutting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Raleigh J. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20020124709
    Abstract: A blade assembly for cutting a food product such as potatoes or vegetables in a wedge configuration. The blade assembly includes a blade head to which a blade is attached and tensioned by a tensioning assembly. The blade is attached to the blade head with a first end restrained by a first end retainer, a second end restrained by a second end retainer, a first bend positioned about a first return of the blade head, a second bend positioned about a second return of the blade head. The blade also includes a first leg segment extending in a first plane across an aperture of the blade head, and a second leg segment extending across the aperture of the blade head in a second plane at an angle to the first leg segment. The blade assembly for cutting a food product may also include a blade failure sensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Raliegh J. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6435080
    Abstract: A system for attaching a food processing adapter to a food processing unit includes an upper processing adapter attached to a pressure assembly of the unit, and a lower processing adapter attached to a holder at a base of the unit. The holder includes a first slot extending horizontally into a top portion of the holder, and a second slot opposite the first slot and extending vertically into the holder. A first tab extends horizontally from the lower processing adapter and is configured to be inserted into the first slot. A second tab extends vertically from the lower processing adapter so as to be inserted into the second slot. A locking mechanism is configured to releaseably lock the second tab in place to prevent movement of the lower processing adapter during operation of the food processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignees: Thane International, Inc., WHJ, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent Zarlengo
  • Patent number: 6415698
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a wafer sandwich into a plurality of rectangular pieces has a support surface defining a transport path extending longitudinally through a longitudinal-cutting station and a transverse-cutting station. A plurality of stationary and transversely spaced longitudinal blades extend across the path in the longitudinal-cutting station. The surface is formed in the transverse-cutting station with a plurality of transversely extending and longitudinally spaced slots. An abutment is displaceable immediately downstream of the transverse-cutting station between a blocking position in the path and a retracted position clear of the path. A plurality of transverse blades are displaceable transversely in the slots of the transverse-cutting station across the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Franz Haas Waffelmaschinen-Industrie Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Haas, Johann Haas, Gerhard Liebermann
  • Patent number: 6318049
    Abstract: A slitter machine of the type where tab lock cases of varying height, width, and length are advanced therethrough in a product flow direction on a machine bed by a main drive motor, is presented. The slitter machine includes a frame, a centerline, a leading flap lifter and a trailing flap lifter. The leading flap lifter and trailing flap lifter are mounted are mounted to the frame on opposite sides of the centerline, and extend at an incline relative to the machine bed. Each flap lifter includes a tear drop assembly attached to a drive chain and actuated by a pair of cams to rotate the leading flap and the trailing flap toward a closed position. A chain track is disposed in each of the flap lifting assemblies, with the drive chains disposed therein. Each chain track has a first section having a first distance between the drive chains and a second section having a second distance between the drive chains. The second distance is greater than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Standard Knapp Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Raudat, Emilio N. CoFrancesco, Jeffrey Reilly
  • Publication number: 20010011491
    Abstract: A device (1) for cutting potatoes (5) or other vegetables into slices or sticks, comprising a cutting member (2) with a supply tube (3) and a discharge tube (4) connected thereto. The device is designed for moving potatoes (5), by a water stream supplied by the supply tube (3), through the cutting member (2) and discharging them again via the discharge tube (4). In the cutting member (2), a number of knives (9) are arranged. The cutting member comprises a number of segments (6) held together by a casing (11), each segment having an opening (20) which together form a passage for the water stream, while in each opening (20) one or more knives (9, 10) may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventor: Dirk Johan Somsen
  • Patent number: 6209439
    Abstract: A garlic cutter having a housing and a beaker shaped structure adapted to receive garlic rotatably disposed in the housing. The beaker shaped structure has a cutting grid for cutting garlic or other vegetables. An upper part, bearing a punch, threadingly engages the housing such that when rotated the punch is urged towards the cutting grid pushing the garlic through the cutting grid. Preferably, the punch and cutting grid are rotated in unison upon rotation of the upper part to allow a plurality of pegs of the punch to align with and enter corresponding apertures in the cutting grid. A cutting blade is non-rotatably disposed beneath the beaker shaped structure to cut garlic emerging from the cutting grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventors: Cedomir Repac, Branko Culig
  • Patent number: 6119572
    Abstract: A device for the mechanical separation of work pieces having plastic material in the area of separation, in particular, packages for flowable media joined together in pairs in the top wall is provided with feed and discharge means with guide rails and drivers and with separating blades arranged on a conveyor belt, with a first linear cutter with cutters arranged in pairs symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry, each with straight cutting blades followed by a round cutter with rotatable circular cutters arranged in pairs symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry, the cutters with the straight cutting blade being located in the cutting plane perpendicular to the plane of symmetry, and the straight cutting blades being disposed at an angle to the plane of symmetry such that the straight cutting blades get closer together in the conveying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Bernhard Korus, Heiko Bub, Gottfried Pusch, Wilhelm Reil
  • Patent number: 6105480
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a ribbon-coated multicore optical fiber at a plurality of positions at once, wherein the ribbon-coated multicore optical fiber includes a number of single-core fibers arranged in parallel. This apparatus comprises a first cutting member in which a plurality of sets of arc faces opposed to each other by way of a through path for inserting the ribbon-coated multicore optical fiber are disposed along the through path, while the arc faces in the respective sets extend from one side section of the through path halfway through the width direction of the through path; a second cutting member having a plurality of arc faces which continuously extend to and are adapted to join with the respective arc faces of the first cutting member in the width direction of the through path; and guide members which are respectively disposed at both end positions of the through path so as to position the ribbon-coated multicore optical fiber inserted into the through path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Osaka, Hideyuki Iwata