GB2511365A

GB2511365A - Self centring halving machine

Info

Publication number: GB2511365A
Application number: GB201303744A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Lindsay Holt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-02
Filing date: 2013-03-02
Publication date: 2014-09-03
Also published as: GB201303744D0; GB201403402D0

Abstract

A self-centering halving machine receives produce on a toothed food quality main conveyor belt 16 supported by a platform 7, the produce being transported towards cutters 10. A second conveyor belt 2 is located centrally above the main belt and is driven at the same speed by an array of drive chain or timing belts 17, the minimum height being adjusted by screw adjuster 5. The second conveyor belt is connected to the platform by rod 15 and adjustment mechanism 1. The second conveyor 2 receives the produce and stabilises it, mechanically measuring it and, through rod 15 and adjustment mechanism 1 raises or lowers the main conveyor belt by means of platform 7 and presents the produce to the cutters so that it is accurately cut in half. The cutters are driven together by drive 18 at the same speed as the conveyor belts. Thus potatoes or other products are accurately halved regardless of size and shape.

Description

I

Description.

Self-centring Halving Machine.

This invention is a halving machine fitted with unique mechanical features that enable the machine to halve potatoes or vegetable products accurately.

In the food industry there are many different types of slicing and halving machines. But one problem is, the difference in size and shape of the produce to be cut.

If a company processing baked potatoes usually certain sizes and weights are required, so the potatoes are sized and graded.

Even though most slicers have a size change capability this does not rule out waste product caused by natural irregular shaped potatoes. Example two potatoes weighing the same as each other but one is more or less round and the other more of a flat shape, the conventional halver would cut the round potato in half and the flat potato would have a bottom portion the correct thickness and the top portion would be under size this is a big problem to processing companies causing waste and labour intensive operations.

The self-centring halving machine will almost eliminate the size and shape problems processors have halving their potatoes.

The Self-centring halving machine consists of a main conveyor with a self-centring mechanism housed inside the conveyor, a smaller conveyor belt is positioned above the main conveyor this is called the register belt, this is connected to the self-centring mechanism by the means of two rods one at each side of the conveyor, register rods operate the self-centring platform situated inside the main conveyor the register belt is supported on two pillars and connected to the drive of the main conveyor both run at the same speed as each other, both conveyor belts are food quality timing belts and are driven and carried by geared rollers, the end of the end of the register belt pivots on the support pillars and rests on adjustable stops. The register belt is connected to the self-centring mechanism via arms and linkages, the mechanism has a platform which the main conveyor runs across, as potatoes travel down the main conveyor belt they find their natural position and enter the register belt traveling through the conveyor belts the potatoes or produce are stabilised and centralised before entering two cutting discs or blades set horizontally each side of the main conveyor the discs are set that the periphery of the cutting edges are almost touching.

The cutting edge or periphery of the cutting discs travel at the same speed as the conveyor belts.

Just as the potatoes or produce reach the culling discs they are centralised by the movement of the register belt lifting and the centralising platform going down, presenting the potato central through the cutting discs.

Description.

The invention will now be described solely by the way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1.

Shows the basic parts of the halving machine, and how it is configured.

A main conveyor 16. and its drive motor 17. and its belt or chain configuration also the mounting and position of the two cutting discs 10. with the motor drive and bearing assemblyl 8. Two positive drive conveyor belts 3. running at the same speed, harnessing irregular shaped produce 8,9,14.

and delivering it centrally to a cutting device.

Figure 2.

The conveyors stabilise three different sizes of produce 8,9,14.

Figure 3.

The self-centralising mechanism presenting the produce 14. centralised through the cutting devicel 0.

In Figure 1. A self-centring mechanism number 1, attached by rod 15 to the register belt 2 control the position of the produce to be halved just as they enter the cutting device. Two conveyor belts 16 the main conveyor and 2 the register belt carry the produce through the machine, 8 a potato entering the machine 9 potato been stabilised and finding its natural position controlled by belts 2.16. The self-centring halver consist of two conveyor belts the main conveyor 16. and the small register belt 2 this sits centrally above. Both these belts are toothed food quality timing belts running on toothed drive and idle rollers number 3, assuring there is no belt slip, they are driven by a motor and gearbox 17, with an array of drive chain or timing belts driving both conveyors at the same speed or feet per minute. The cutting device in this case consists of two cutting discs Fig 1& 4 number 10 set horizontally either side of the latter end of the main conveyor Fig 1 number 16 the blades are as close as possible Fig 4 number lOthe cutters are set on two shafts through bearings number 20, connected to each other by chains or timing belts and pulleys number 19, keeping the circular blades running at the same speed, these are driven by a motor and gearbox mounted bellow Fig 4 number 18, the speed of the culling discs are set to the same speed as the conveying belts.

Figure 2, shows the importance of both the conveyor belts 2,16 been non slip working together stabilising the produce or potatoes 8,9 and actually measuring them mechanically. The register belt height is set to the minimal size product that is going to be halved by adjusting the screw adjuster number 5.

Figure 3, this shows how the self-centring device works, a potatol4, set centrally to the cutting discs 10, by the movement of the register belt 2,13 and the self-centring plafform 7,13 via the connecting rod 15.

Figure 4, this shows the mechanical culling device through which the main conveyor runs, centralising the produce or potatoes number 10, two cutting discs set on two shafts 20, set in bearings connected by drive chains or timing belts and pulleys 19, finally driven by a geared motor 18. a

Claims

Claims.Self-centring halving machine.1. A Halving machine with a self-centring mechanism Fig 1, 1. Made up with linkages and rods 6. To control a platform 7. That supports a conveyor belt 16.
2. A platform Fig 1, 7. That supports a conveyor belt 16. Which is linked or attached by a linkage 15. To a register belt 2. This is supported by a bearing 21. Where the drive is transmitted, the latter end of the register belt moving in conjunction with the platform 7. In opposing directions at the same distance either side of a centre line through the machine where a cutting device 10 is situated.
3. A toothed conveyor belt system Fig 1, 3. With a register belt Fig 1, 2. Situated a above a main conveyor belt Figl, 16. Which measures the height as the produce or potatoes move through the machine and eventually centralising the produce Fig 3, 14. Through a culling device Fig 3, 10.
4. A register belt Fig 3, 2. Controls produce or potatoes while they move down the main conveyor Fig 3, 8. Stabilising and measuring the height Fig 3, 9. And finally centralising Fig 3, 14. The produce through the cutting device Fig 3, 10.
5. A culling device two circular disc blades Fig 4, 10. Set horizontally on two shafts set in bearings Fig 4, 20. Linked by chains or timing belts and pulleys Fig 4, 19. Driven by a geared motor Fig 4, 18. Running at the same speed as each other the periphery of the blades Fig 4, 10. Have a similar speed or feet per minute as the conveyor belts Fig 3, 2.&16. Keeping a steady flow through the halving machine.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS: Claims.Self-centring halving machine.1. A halving machine comprising of a toothed main conveyor belt to ensure no belt slip, the belt set horizontally is arranged to support produce and transport it to a culling mechanism, a small toothed conveyor belt namely the register belt is set horizontally above and over the centre portion of the main conveyor belt the purpose of the small belt is to stabilise and finally measure the produce, the in feed end of the small belt is set at a height to accept the largest product, the belt pivots on a bearing where the drive is generated the out feed end of the register belt is supported on an adjustable stop, below this point is a platform situated bellow the main conveyor belt the space between the platform and the end of the register belt is set to minimum size product, the platform is attached to the register belt via two rods a scissor like mechanism allows the platform to raise and lower horizontally allowing a portion of the main conveyor to move in opposing directions when the produce engages the latter part of the register conveyor to centralise the produce with respect to the culling mechanism, the two horizontal blades of the culling mechanism are the datum and centre line through the machine.2. A halving machine as claimed in claim 1. A platform situated horizontally on a scissor like mechanism allowing the platform to raise and lower a portion of the main belt while supporting the produce, the platform is attached via two rods to the register conveyor belt this situated above the main conveyor belt.3. A halving machine as claimed in claim 1. A small toothed conveyor register belt situated above a main toothed conveyor belt the register belt is attached to a platform situated under the main conveyor belt via two rods.4. A halving machine as claimed in claim l.A culling mechanism comprising of two disc * cutters set horizontally across the main conveyor to accept the centralised produce.* .* *** * * ** * * * * * *.*. **** * S S. * * . S * 55S 55S55 * S