GB379800A - Improvements in or relating to machines for cutting potatoes or other objects into chips or slices - Google Patents

Abstract

379,800. Cutting and slicing vegetables. ABBOTT, G. J., 7, Prince's Street, Westminster. June 29, 1931, No. 18805. [Class 5 (i).] A machine for cutting potatoes or other objects into slices or chips comprises a rotary member and a stationary member, the rotary member having at least one channel-like passage or throat of which the portion joining the two sides thereof converges from the outer end of the throat, into which potatoes or other objects can be caused to enter, towards an approximately cylindrical circumferential wall of the stationary member which wall constitutes virtually the fourth side of the throat or each throat, the circumferential wall of the stationary member carrying adjacent a discharge slot therein a knife or knives, so that when relative rotation between the members takes place, the knife or knives will cut from an object lying in the throat, pieces which will pass from the machine through the discharge slot. The drive section 12 of the machine comprises an electric motor 15 and gear box 16 having loose upon the main shaft 17 a worm wheel 18, inclined dogs 19 on which coact with dogs 20 on a clutch member 21 splined on the shaft 17 and spring- pressed at 22 from a thrust-bearing 23. The rotor of the machine carried on the shaft 17 comprises discs 24, 25 linked together by members 26, the disc 24 being fast on the shaft 17. The rotor is enclosed by a circumferential wall 27 and plates 28, 29 which plates are readily removed by means of thumb nuts 32, 33. Each member 26 projects from the peripheries of the discs 24, 25 as shown in Fig. 2 and carries a member 35 of progressively enlarging channel section which together with the inner face of the casing 27 forms a throat. The disc 25 has a central opening 37 and annular flange equal in diameter to the delivery opening 38 of the feed hopper 34 which is formed integrally with the plate 29. The inner surface of the casing 27 is formed as two semi-cylinders, merging at one side (the right-hand side in Fig. 2), the lower cylinder being of slightly smaller diameter than the upper and so being separated therefrom radially at the other side. A slicing knife 39 extending across the casing 27 is carried by a detachable member 40 secured by thumb nuts 41 and formed with a delivery shoot 42. For chipping, slitting knives 43, 44, 45 formed in pairs from U-shaped metal strips and attached, in staggered relation, to a carrier plate 49 by means of a plate 50, are provided, the plate 49 being detachably secured to the casing 27 by thumb nuts 52. Rake members 53 comprising prongs 54 adapted to pass between the slitting knives, are carried by arms 55 pivoted to the discs 24, 25, by means of lugs 56 carrying a rigid pin 57 with compression spring 58 which causes the rakes to bear against shoulders 68 on the casing 27, the prongs 54 so extending close to but not touching the inner surface of the casing 27. The shoulders 68 are so shaped that the rakes clear the knife 39, the cutting edge of which may be inclined to the axis of the rotor or may be V-shaped when viewed radially of the rotor. A weighted member 61, movable by a handle 62 is provided to prevent bridging of potatoes in the hopper 34. Outlets 64 are provided in the casing 27 for small pieces of potatoes or liquid, a foraminous sliding drawer 65 collecting the former and the latter being drained away at 67. Different sets of slicing and/or slitting knives may be provided. Two light leaf springs may be mounted on either side of the throat to bear on any object smaller than a certain size and to position it with its axis longitudinal of the throat. In a modification, a hand-operated machine comprises a substantially cylindrical casing formed by bending a strip of sheet metal, one end being displaced radially with respect to the other and carrying or being formed as a slicing knife, the rotor carrying a handle. In a further modification, the rotor is arranged to carry objects around in contact with the outer surface of a circumferential wall.