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Title:
MECHANIZED CUBING APPARATUS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/183912
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention is a slicing and cubing apparatus for produce, disclosing two upper grid cutters, for cutting on a vertical plane, and one horizontal blade, for slicing the vertically sliced particle at even intervals to form a cube. One or more of the blades may be removed to produce a sliced cut instead of a cube. The blades of the apparatus are encased in a container having a chute for admitting whole fruit or vegetable and expelling cubed or sliced portions of said fruit or vegetable through a lower output chute. The blades and ejection of cut fruits is enabled using a single or multiple removable motor(s).

Inventors:
KLEIN ZALMAN (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2018/025496
Publication Date:
October 04, 2018
Filing Date:
March 30, 2018
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
KLEIN ZALMAN D (US)
International Classes:
A23N15/08; B26D1/29; B26D3/18; B26D3/22; B26D7/06
Foreign References:
US20090301319A12009-12-10
US4062260A1977-12-13
US1668286A1928-05-01
US5950515A1999-09-14
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
KAPLAN, Joshua (US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
What is claimed:

1. A food carving device comprising; a container having four walls, a top cover of said container having an intake chute; said intake chute channeling food items through an opening in a caddy, said caddy disposed on two opposite walls of said container directly beneath said top cover, wherein an opening of said caddy corresponds to a cavity of said intake chute, two parallel rails below said caddy; wherein a width of said rails being equal to a width of said cavity of said intake chute; said parallel rails forming a track for a third cutter, wherein said third cutter having a frame encasing a forward section and a rear section, wherein said forward further comprising a horizontal platform and wherein said rear section having a cutting blade, and wherein said horizontal platform hingengly connected along its rear edge, with its opposing edge being supported by a pressure pin, said horizontal platform being at rest below said cavity of said intake chute and said caddy; an output chute, said output chute having a cavity directly beneath said horizontal platform; said pressure pin disposed beneath said horizontal platform through a notch in one of said rails, said pressure pin attached to a dipping rod, said dipping rod mounting on a compression spring, said compression spring mounted on a bottom surface of said container; a pivoting rod, its first end hingedly attached to said dipping rod and its second end attached to a reciprocating rod; a distal end of said reciprocating rod having a free spinning wheel, wherein said free spinning wheel capable of meshing simultaneously with an upper drive wheel and an outer drive wheel; said upper drive wheel coupled with a shaft, said shaft connecting to an electric motor, said electric motor mounting above a top cover of said container, said outer drive wheel directly connected to a pair of belt wheels supporting a drive belt, wherein said drive belt having a lateral pin for engaging a drive block, wherein said drive block mated with said frame; and wherein said drive block capable of advancing said blade in a lateral direction along said track.

2. The food carving device of claim 1, further comprising a first cutter; said first cutter having a plurality of vertical blades; said first cutter having a slot for engaging a drive pin of a drive wheel; said first cutter being immediately beneath said intake chute, and wherein said first cutter supported by said caddy.

3. The food carving device of claim 2, further comprising a second cutter; said second cutter having a plurality of horizontal blades and a slot for engaging said drive pin of said drive wheel, said second cutter supported by said caddy beneath said first cutter, wherein said plurality of said horizontal blades of said first cutter and said plurality of blades of said second cutter in a substantially perpendicular orientation to each other.

4. The food carving device of claim 3, wherein said first cutter and said second cutter are removable.

5. The food carving device of claim 3, wherein said first cutter and said second cutter may be installed using any side facing upward.

6. The food carving device of claim 3, wherein said drive pin agitates said first cutter in a back and forth direction and wherein said drive pin agitates said second cutter in a left and right direction.

7. The food carving device of claim 1, wherein said third cutter is removable through a lot in one of said walls of said container.

8. A food carving device comprising; a container having four walls, a top cover of said container having an intake chute; said intake chute channeling food items through an opening in a caddy, said caddy disposed on two opposite walls of said container directly beneath said top cover, wherein an opining of said caddy corresponds to a cavity of said intake chute, two parallel rails below said caddy; wherein a width of said rails being equal to a width of said cavity of said intake chute; said parallel rails forming a track for a third cutter, wherein said third cutter having a frame encasing a forward section and a rear section, wherein said forward further comprising a horizontal platform and wherein said rear section having a cutting blade, and wherein said horizontal platform hingengly connected along its rear edge, with its opposing edge being supported by a pressure pin, said horizontal platform being at rest below said cavity of said intake chute and said caddy; an output chute, said output chute having a cavity directly beneath said horizontal platform; a pressure pin disposed beneath said horizontal platform through a notch in one of said rails, said pressure pin attached to a dipping rod, said dipping rod mounting on a compression spring, said compression spring mounted on a bottom surface of said container; a pivoting rod, its first end hingedly attached to said dipping rod and its second end attached to a reciprocating rod; a distal end of said reciprocating rod having a free spinning wheel, wherein said free spinning wheel capable of meshing simultaneously with an upper drive wheel and an outer drive wheel; said upper drive wheel coupled with a shaft, said shaft connecting to an electric motor, said electric motor mounting above a top cover of said container, said outer drive wheel directly connected to a pair of belt wheels supporting a drive belt, wherein said drive belt having a lateral pin for engaging a drive block, wherein said drive block mated with said frame; and wherein said drive block capable of advancing said blade in a lateral direction along said track; a first cutter; said first cutter having a plurality of vertical blades; said first cutter having a slot for engaging a drive pin of a drive wheel; said first cutter being immediately beneath said intake chute, and wherein said first cutter supported by said caddy; a second cutter; said second cutter having a plurality of horizontal blades and a slot for engaging said drive pin of said drive wheel, said second cutter supported by said caddy beneath said first cutter, and wherein said plurality of said horizontal blades of said first cutter and said plurality of blades of said second cutter in a substantially perpendicular orientation to each other.

9. The food carving device of claim 8, wherein said first cutter and said second cutter are removable.

10. The food carving device of claim 8, wherein said drive pin agitates said first cutter in a back and forth direction and wherein said drive pin agitates said second cutter in a left and right direction.

11. The food carving device of claim 8, wherein said third cutter is removable through a lot in one of said walls of said container.

12. The food carving device of claim 8, wherein said caddie straddles said rails to minimize vibration.

13. A cubing apparatus comprising: an upper grid, said upper grid having a plurality of

parallel blades surrounded by a frame, said parallel blades being substantially vertical; an agitation stub protruding laterally from said frame of said upper grid, said agitation stub having a tongue, said tongue terminating inside an electrical drive motor; a lower grid, said lower grid having a plurality of parallel blades surrounded by a frame, said parallel blades of said lower grid being substantially vertical; wherein said blades of said upper grid and said lower grid oriented horizontally, and wherein orientation of the blades of said upper grid are at a ninety degree angle to the orientation of the blades of said lower grid; the upper grid having at least one diagonal slot, said at least one diagonal slot matching to a pin on the lower grid, wherein agitation of said upper grid being communicated to said lower grid through linkage of said diagonal slot and said pin; a chassis, said chassis having two parallel sidewalls connected by two parallel connecting rods such that said sidewalls and said rods forming a frame surrounding an open middle section; one connecting rod having a hinge level with said frame, said hinge connecting to a pressure frame, said pressure frame forming a frame surrounding said open middle section; wherein an opposite edge of said pressure frame being supported by at least one spring loaded pin; a pressure pan supported by said pressure frame, said pressure pan closing said open middle of said chassis, said pressure pan having parallel rims along edges that correspond to said sidewalls; a pressure pin having the same plane as said pressure frame mounted to the edge of said pressure frame and jutting out laterally beyond one of said sidewalls; a distal end of said pressure pin oriented at the first end of a seesaw bar, said seesaw bar mounted on said sidewall with a pivot; wherein a weighted end of said seesaw bar is oriented below a rack gear; said rack gear movably mounted on a shaft; said shaft having a first end mounted in a base of a container and said second end of said shaft having a helical gear terminating inside said drive motor; said sidewalls further having distal ends having a wheel rotationally mounted on said distal end, wherein two parallel distal ends having wheels in parallel, and wherein said in parallel wheels joined by an axle; on each said sidewall a belt strung over said wheels mounted on distal ends of said sidewall, such that said belts on said two sidewalls are in parallel; a horizontal blade, said distal ends of said horizontal blade connecting to each said parallel belt; and a sweeper said sweeper oriented vertically, wherein distal ends of said sweeper mounted on said parallel belts, and wherein said sweeper is situated behind said horizontal blade at a distance equal to a length of said parallel blades of said upper grid.

14. The cubing apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a helical gear connected to a distal end of said sidewall mounted on the same axle as said wheel on said same distal end, and wherein said helical gear oriented above said rack gear, said rack gear meshing transitorily with said helical gear; wherein rotation of said helical gear is transmitted through common axle to said wheel, setting belts in transitorial motion; a container enclosing said upper grid and said upper grid and said chassis, said container having an upper chute, wherein perimeter of said chute being equal to or less then perimeter of said frame of said upper grid; and wherein perimeter of said upper grid being greater than or equal to perimeter of said frame of said chassis; and a dipper block, said dipper block having teeth corresponding to tunnels created by crisscrossing blades of said upper grid and said lower grid.

15. The cubing apparatus of claim 13, wherein said upper grid, or said lower grid or said horizontal blade are removable.

16. The cubing apparatus of claim 13, wherein a distance separating said plurality of blades of said upper grid and a distance separating said plurality of blades of said lower grid are variable.

Description:
MECHANIZED CUBING APPARATUS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/479298 filed on March 30 th , 2017, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to kitchen appliances, namely, an apparatus for slicing produce to precise dimensions.

Background of the Invention

The present invention falls into the category of countertop kitchen appliances. These devices exist under the premise that a chef in the house or a restaurant has many concurrent food preparatory tasks that need to be completed with just two hands and a limited time. In the rush to finish tasks and push food to the counter, even tasks that being attended to are performed in a scuttled, chaotic manner that produces visually unappealing results and wastes food.

Mechanized kitchen appliances have been around for a long time. Most simple appliances are designed to perform one or two functions exceptionally well. Tedious, repetitive and labor- intensive functions previously performed by humans have been largely delegated to simple appliances. Mechanized appliances derive power to do work from human action, usually through a rotating crank, a dipping paddle or triggered by a pedal. The next step beyond mechanization is automation of the mechanized process. The more simple or rudimentary the mechanical device, the easier it is to get it automated. Automation in this context means turning a mechanical device functioning under human prodding, usually by turning a crank handle or some other actuator, to having the mechanized drive function in a constant and ongoing manner under its own power, usually powered by electric motors.

Appliances performing cutting, crushing or dicing of raw food ingredients tend to be semi-automated or completely manual. The delicate nature of the raw material proscribes the high oscillation frequency of the reciprocating automatic blades. The one appliance is that has been successfully automated is the proverbial blender. Since in that context the raw material gets pulverized through one directional slicing, the use of blades produces the intended result.

On the contrary, cubing or precise dicing of produce requires extra care. For this reason, three dimensional cutters are either heavily industrialized, or are completely manual solutions. When run manually, delicate operations are less likely to result in pulverization. But on the other hand, require human operation, which limits output to smaller batches.

The present invention introduces automation to the most delicate dicing operation, namely, the dicing of fruits and vegetables. The challenge here is to produce a calculated, precise result, without requiring industrial grade equipment, or without pulverizing the raw material. The solution embodied by the present invention produces calculated and consisted result, without requiring manual intervention.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is an automated dicing machine comprising of two upper grids that cut food stuffs introduced through an upper chute on an X and Y axis with respect to each other. The third blade cuts on a Z axis, effectively completing the dicing process. The movement of the blades is enabled using one or more electric motor having a rotating drive wheel(s). The rotational force of the drive wheel is translated through the use of shafts and gear wheels to the cutting surfaces and converted into a reciprocating linear motion or into a rotating motion on various planes.

The device is comprised of three primary cutting surfaces. The first cutter that is at the top of the device immediately above the second cutter. The first cutter is comprised of a frame around plurality of parallel blades, oriented horizontally. The frame contains a sidelong protrusion having an elongated slot. The second cutter is comprised of a frame around a plurality of parallel blades, oriented horizontally. The parallel blades of the first cutter are positioned perpendicularly to the blades of the second cutter below. The second cutter further contains a sidelong protrusion having an elongated slot. The elongated slots of the first and second cutters are precisely stacked one above the other, with the elongated sections of each slot oriented perpendicularly to each other.

A rotating drive pin of a drive wheel is inserted into both of the elongated slots, causing the first and second cutters to move simultaneously. The elongation of the slot on the first cutter, forces the first cutter to be displaced back and forth, while the elongation of the slot on the second cutter, forces the second cutter to be displaced right and left, or in a perpendicular direction to that of the first cutter. The first and second cutters working together, cause a food item to be sliced along the length and width, into rod-like structures. Either the first or the second cutter may be removed to produce a one-dimensional slicing cut. The first and second cutter travel linearly within a caddie having protrusions to guide the linear movement of the first and second cutter. The caddie is securely attached to the inner surface of the walls of the container.

Immediately below the caddie are a pair of parallel rails having internally facing upper and lower flanges running the length of the rail. The flanges and rails run in parallel and face each other, creating a track within which the dip platform and the third knife slide back and forth during operation. The distal ends of the parallel rails are attached to the inner surface of the container.

The right rail contains a notch to accommodate the passage of the pressure pin. The pressure pin connects to a rod, which may also be referred to as the dipping rod. The dipping rod slides up and down on a track that is mounted on the outside wall of the output chute. The bottom end of the rod is supported by compression spring, which in turn is supported by the bottom wall of the container.

Connected laterally to the top of the rod is a pivoting rod. The pivoting rod is pivotedly connected to the rod on its first end and pivotedly connected to a sliding rod on this second end. When the dipping rod is at rest, the pivoting rod is disposed on a downward diagonal between its two connection points.

The sliding rod glides back and forth between parallel guides that are mounted on an internal side wall that is attached underneath the bottom flange of the right-hand rail. The first end of the sliding rod is a hinged connected to the pivoting rod. The second end of the sliding rod is forced against a compression spring. Immediately next to the second end is a free spinning wheel. Thus the sliding or reciprocating rod is driven by the force of the pivoting rod against reciprocating rod's first end, and by a compression ring on the second end of the reciprocating rod. The free spinning wheel may be a spur gear, a helical gear or smooth wheel, having a substantial frictional coefficient.

Mounted on the inner side of the internal sidewall immediately next to the second end of the sliding rod is the first drive belt wheel axle. The first drive belt wheel axle passing through the internal sidewall and mounting wheels on both sides of the sidewall. Outer drive wheel being on the outer side of the sidewall, and the inner belt wheel being on the inner side of the sidewall.

Further along the length of the inner side of the sidewall is a second inner belt wheel. The second inner belt wheel being on the same level as the first inner belt wheel. The distance between the two inner belt wheels approximately equals to the length of the intake chute, or stated in another way, equals the distance which the third cutter needs to travel beneath the intake chute to completely block the chute. The belt running on the inner belt wheels further comprises a sidelong meshing or drive pin that is pointed towards the third cutter. The pin moves in the same direction and at the same rate as the belt where it is mounted.

Directly above the outer drive wheel and mounted on the outside surface of the righthand rail is an upper drive wheel. The upper drive wheel is paired on an axle with a worm gear combination. The worm gear combination is driven by the rotational motion of the electric motor that is communicated to the work gear combination through the shaft that connects to an electrical motor at its first end and to the worm gear at its second end. The distance between the upper drive wheel and the drive wheel below is slightly less than the diameter of the free spinning wheel.

The third cutter rides back and forth along the track created by the parallel rails. The third cutter is made of two adjoining sections. The area of each section equals the area of the opening of the input chute. Each section is approximately three inches wide and three inches long. Both sections are surrounded by one continuous rectangular upright frame. The front portion of the frame forms the forward section. The rear portion of the frame forms the rear section.

The forward section the frame of the third cutter comprises a horizontal platform which is hingedly attached along the long sides of the frame, and which is not attached along its other edges. The right corner of the platform contains a gap corresponding to the notch of the righthand rail. The gap admits the pressure pin of the dipping rod. The front edge of the horizontal platform rests on the pressure pin.

The rear section frame is covered, with the leading edge of the cover forming the third cutter. There is a slight distance between the leading edge of the rear section and the trailing edge of the forward section. The horizontal difference between the platform and the cutter is preferably half of an inch but may vary depending on sizes of the third cutter.

Attached to the underside of the third cutter and substantially adjacent to the inner belt wheels is a drive block containing meshing teeth. The meshing teeth are two protrusions on top and bottom of the drive block. Both protrusions are intended to catch the drive pin. Once the drive pin is engaged, the drive block will move in the direction of the travel of the drive pin and will pull the rest of the third cutter with it. Once the pin reaches the opposing inner belt wheel, the pin goes about the belt wheel and engages the other protrusion starting the motion of the cutter in the verse of the initial motion.

In this embodiment the device operates as follows:

a. A food item is introduced through the input chute and encounters the first and second cutters. The food item is cut along the length and width into stick-like pieces, b. The food item is pushed along the intake chute, eventually pressing against the

bottom of the horizontal platform. As the food item presses against the platform, the platform begins to exert a downward pressure on the pressure pin, which in turn begins to push the dipping rod downward.

c. The downward riding rod forces the diagonally disposed pivoting rod into a straight orientation, inline with the plane of the reciprocating rod, which forces the reciprocating rod to slide toward the gap between the outer drive wheel and the upper drive wheel (both of which may be spur or helical gears).

d. Eventually the free spinning wheel comes into simultaneous contact with the upper drive wheel and the outer drive wheel, translating the worm driven rotation of the upper drive wheel to the outer drive wheel, which in turn transfers this rotation over the first axle to the first belt wheel, thus setting in motion the drive belt.

e. The meshing pin then catches the upper protrusion of the drive block, forcing the third cutter across the width of the area beneath the intake chute. By this time, the pressure pin would have cleared the forward gap in the frame, permitting the third cutter an unobstructed path along the track.

f. The moving cutter cuts of a length of a food item corresponding to the horizontal gap between the third cutter and the horizontal platform. The severed pieces of food item drop into an output chute through the linear gap between the horizontal platform and the leading edge of the third cutter,

g. While the food item has been severed and is no longer exerting pression on the

horizontal platform, the third blade continues to move laterally for the entire distance between the first and second belt wheels. Once the meshing pin reaches the first belt wheel, it encircles said wheel, catches the lower protrusion of the drive block, and begins to propel the third blade back toward the starting position. h. Once the third knife is back in its starting position, the forward gap is directly above the pressure pin, allowing the pressure pin to spring back up into the forward gap, thus pulling the reciprocal bar aware from the top and outer drive wheels, thus stopping the motion of the belt

i. The process repeats itself until the entire food item inserted into the intake chute is diced or cubed and expelled from the device through the output chute.

j. A container should preferably be aligned beneath the output chute to catch the cubed food item.

All cutters may be removed for cleaning and all may work without any one or all of the other cutters being present, with the resultant piece being a slice along one, two or three planes, depending on which cutters are in place.

In another embodiment of the invention the automated dicing machine comprises two upper grids that cut food stuffs introduced through an upper chute on an X and Y axis with respect to each other. The third blade cuts on a Z axis, effectively completing the dicing process. The movement of the blades is enabled using one motor having a rotating drive wheel, which agitates one of the two upper grids. The same rotating motor spins a connecting shaft which rotates a side shaft.

The top two grids 1 A and 2 A have interlocking elements. Therefore, agitation of one grid necessarily moves the other. In this case, the upper grid 1 A travels laterally back and forth, while the lower grid 2A travels laterally right and left. The interlocking elements ensure that an agitation of one of the grids in one direction causes an equal or less agitation of the other grid in its respective direction. Both upper and lower grids are traveling on internal ledges of a chamber and are easily removable for cleaning or to install grids of different size. Below the upper blades is a chassis, with the middle section of the chassis corresponding to the overall opening of the two upper grids. The chassis is formed by two parallel side walls that are connected by two parallel connecting rods. The distal end of each sidewall mounts a wheel. The disk of each wheel is linked to a laterally parallel wheel with an axle, while the rims of linearly corresponding wheels are spanned by a drive belt, which creates two drive belts that are parallel to each other and which oscillate in unison. The single blade is attached to the belts and spans the two parallel drive belts. The blade is followed by a sweeper that is similarly mounted on the two parallel belts, with the distance between the blade and the sweeper corresponding to the opening of the two upper grids.

The axle of the wheel adjacent to the side shaft protrudes through the sidewall of the chassis to the other side, where it houses a simple spur gear. The spurs of the simple spur gear correspond to the rack spurs on the rack gear that is housed on the side shaft. However, by default, there is no meshing between the spur gear and the rack gear, since the rack gear is pushed downwardly by a helical compression spring that is mounted around the side shaft and above the rack gear.

The middle section of the chassis contains a frame which houses a pressure frame, with one of the edges of the pressure frame attached to one of the connecting rods of the chassis with the hinge, while the underside of the opposite edge being supported by at least one spring that is mounted on the frame, such that the pressure frame remains on a slanted grade when not under pressure from above. Both the frame and the pressure frame form a substantially square flat frame that surrounds an empty middle area. The purpose of the empty middle area is that is it permits the functionality of the third blade to be disabled, without removing the chassis. Supported by the pressure frame is a pan. The pan is flat and is sized to completely cover the empty middle area of the frame and the pressure frame. The pan contains rims along each edge that lays parallel to the sidewalls of the chassis. The rims are signed to prevent spillage of diced particles over the sidewalls of the chassis. There are no rims along the two edges of the pan that are parallel to the axles of the wheels. This is so that diced food particles can be swept over these edges by the sweeper. The size of the cube is determined by the thickness of the pan. The thicker the pan, the shorter is the distance between the bottom of the pan and the third or horizontal blade. The shorter distance means smaller cubes, while a thinner pan, means a longer distance, and thus a larger cube. The pan is freely removable to a) introduce a pan of desired thickness or to b) deactivate the functionality of the third blade.

Connecting to one of the unconnected side edges of the pressure frame is a pressure pin. The pressure pin extends over the top edge of one of the sidewalls of the chassis to the other side thereof, where the pressure pin terminates just above the first end of a seesaw bar. The second end of the seesaw bar is weighted so that the seesaw bar is biased to recline in the direction of the weighted end when not under pressure from the pressure pin.

The weighted end corresponds to the underside of a horizontal wheel of the side shaft and is connected to it through a hinge. Thus as the pressure on the pan is exerted by the incoming section of the produce, it exerts the same downward pressure on the pressure frame, and forces it to move downward. The pressure pin that is connected to the pressure frame is then displaced by the same degree and direction, begins to exert a downward pressure on the first end of the seesaw bar. The pressure on the first end of the seesaw bar causes the weighted end to rise, come in contact with the underside of the rack gear and begin lifting the rack gear toward the spur gear. When the pressure frame is substantially on the level grade, the rack and spur gears are fully meshed and the ongoing rotation of the side shaft is now transmitted to the wheels of the chassis, which begin to rotate, setting in motion the lower blade and sweeper. The lower blade slices the section of the produce occupying the space between the pressure pan and the lower blade, with the sweeper funneling the cut section off of the pressure pan into a side shoot. The sweeper thus relieves the downward pressure on the pan and the pressure frame, allowing these to spring back up and thus terminating the motion of the lower blade and sweeper.

Once the pressure frame and the pressure pin are back in the raised position, the rack and spur gears are not meshing and the lower blade is no longer moving, thus waiting for the next section of the produce to be forced down against the pressure pan.

In the present invention, the upper and lower grids cut the produce in two vertical dimensions, while the lower blade cuts the third dimension horizontally. The grids and the lower blade operate independently. Thus if only the upper grid is present, the result is a vertical slice. If both grids are present, the result is a two vertical intersecting cuts, resulting in a French fry type cut. If only the upper grid and the lower blade are present, the result is a slice of produce that is then cut into strips by the lower blade. If only the lower blade is present, the result is a horizontal cut.

The produce is introduced into the blade configuration through a shoot and driven down using a pressure block. The drive end of the pressure block contains teeth that are of sufficient length to extend through the grids and terminate just above the lower blade. The wheels of the chassis may be smaller, for smaller cubes or larger for larger cubes. The space between each blade in the grids can be varied, with the teeth of the pressure block conforming to the size of each grid. Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a view of the first cutter.

Fig. 2 is a view of the second cutter.

Fig. 3 is a view of the caddie supporting the first and second cutters.

Fig. 4 is the detailed view of the rail track.

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the drive system enabling the third cutter.

Fig. 6 is the front view of the drive system enabling the third cutter.

Fig. 7 is a detailed view of the third cutter.

Fig. 8 is a detailed view of the belt drive mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a high-level view of the exterior of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a detailed view of the output chute.

Fig. 11 is a view of the rear panel permitting the removal of the third cutter.

Fig. 11 A demonstrates the ease of removal of the motor compartment.

Fig. 12 is the upper grid.

Fig. 13 is the lower grid.

Fig. 14 is a top view of the chassis.

Fig. 14A is a side view of the chassis.

Fig. 15 is a side view of the chassis in context with the grids and the lower blade with sweeper.

Fig. 15A is a view of the pressure pan.

Fig. 16 is a demonstration of the side shaft, spur and rack gears and the seesaw bar. Fig. 17 is a cutaway diagram of the cuber apparatus showing both grids and chassis in their proper place.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate on preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1 demonstrates the first cutter 110, having a plurality of parallel blades 112, arranged in a substantially vertical orientation. The parallel blades 112 are enclosed within a perimeter frame 115. The perimeter frame 115 contains a sidelong protrusion 111, having an elongated slot 113. The actuating pin 108 of the rotating drive wheel 109 (Fig. 3) engages the first cutter 110 and the second cutter 120 through the stacked elongated slots 113 and 123 respectively of first and second cutter. As the rotating wheel drive wheel turns, it exerts a linear force against the sidewalls 119, thus disposing the first cutter 110 is a back and forth direction 114, and the second cutter 120 in the side-to-side direction 124 (Fig. 2). The distance 118 between each parallel blade 112 of the first cutter 110 may vary, but is preferably one eighth of an inch, one fourth of an inch, one half of an inch or one inch, and equivalent metric value. A user of the device may be inclined to produce larger or smaller individual fragments and may therefore install a first or second cutter 110 and 120, respectively, having the appropriate distance between he blades 112 or 122, respectively.

Fig. 2 demonstrates the second cutter 120, having a plurality of parallel blades 122, disposed at a distance 118. The parallel blades 122 are enclosed in a perimeter frame 125. The perimeter frame 125 has a sidelong protrusion 121 having an elongated slot 123. The elongated slot 113 and the elongated slot 123 are disposed one on top of the other, with the elongated of each slot oriented perpendicularly to each other. Thus, as the actuating pin 108 rotates, both the first cutter 110 and the second cutter 120 move in unison, but in

perpendicular direction to one another.

The distance 118 between the blades 112 or 122 do not need to be the same or coordinated, rather the user is free to elect the appropriate distance 118 based on the desired slice interval. The blades 112 of the first cutter 110 and the blades 122 of the second cutter 120 are shown to be in a perpendicular orientation to each other. This orientation may be more angular or at other angles. The first cutter 110 engages to top surface 127 of the second cutter 120 along its bottom surface 116. However, the top and bottom surface 117 and 116, respectively may be interchangeable. For example, if the blade edge seen from the top surface 117 becomes dull over time, the user may extend the life of the top blade by turning the blade over. Similar qualities may be found on the second cutter 120.

Fig. 3 is the top view of the container 140 showing the first and second cutter 110 and 120. A caddie 130 provides support for the first and second cutter 110 and 120. It should be noted that the caddie contains an opening opposite the intake chute 300. This opening is directly beneath the blades 112 and 122 of the first and second cutters 110 and 120 respectively. The oblique or lateral edge 132 of the caddie 130 mounts on the inside surface of the longer side walls 142 of the container 140, straddling the parallel rails 160. The protrusions 131 on the four corners of the caddie 130 serve as guides, creating a stacked crisscrossing channels for the first cutter 110, While simultaneously permitting the second cutter 120 to be easily removable. The channels of the caddie 130 cause the first and second cutters 110 and 120 to move in unison, and in perfectly perpendicular orientation to each other. The middle level 134 serves as a lower support for the first cutter 134. The lower level 131 provides support for the second cutter 120. The lower level 131 serves to control vibration caused by reciprocal motion of the cutters by forming a second point of attachment to both parallel rails 160, with the first point of attachment being along the edge 132. Also shown in Fig. 3 are the shaft 107, the short walls 141 of the container 140.

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of the dual parallel rails 160. The rails 160 serve the dual purpose of providing structural support for the caddy 130 and serve as a track for the third cutter 260. Each rail 160 has a lower flange 162. The lower flange 162 of each rail is inward facing, to provide a supporting track surface for to the third cutter 260. The right rail contains a notch 180 for the passage of the pressure pin 213 (fig. 5). The notch 180 and the pressure pin 213, as well as the entire motion mechanism for the third cutter 260 may be disposed on either rail 160. The distal ends 164 of the rails 160 are mounted to the inside surface of the narrow walls 142.

Figs. 6 - 7 demonstrate the components enabling the movement of the third cutter 260. Fig. 7 shows the third cutter 260 in its starting position. The third cutter 260 is comprised on the frame 250, the leading section of the frame 266, the horizontal platform 230 that is hingedly mounted 236 onto the frame 250. The horizontal platform 230, surrounded by the forward section of frame 266 forms the forward portion of the third cutter 260. Also forming the third cutter is the rear section, having the cutting blade 262 and the leading edge 264. The top flanges 161 of the rails 160 are preferably more pronounced in the section of the rails 160 that supports rear section 170. The top flanges 161 are not as pronounced in the area of the rails 160 that correspond to the forward section 231, so as not to serve as undesirable residue accumulation points for food items proceeding along the intake chute 300, which corresponds to the forward section 231 of the cutter 260.

There is a preferably a horizontal gap 274 between the trailing edge 234 of the horizontal platform 230. The horizontal gap 274 is necessary to enable the food item severed by the blade 262 to promptly drop downwards into the output chute 190. the length of each piece being severed by the blade 262 is determined by the vertical gap 272, which may also be equal to or less then the width of the frame 250.

The forward portion 266 contains a gap 268 corresponding to the notch 180 of the parallel rail. The gap 268 is necessary to accommodate the pressure pin 213, which serves as a trigger point for the motion of the third cutter 260. The pressure pin 213 is mounted to the top portion 202 of the dipping rod 200. The dipping rod 200 is mounted on top of the compression spring 210. The distal end 218 of the compression spring 210 is attached to the bottom surface (not shown) of the container 140. The dipping rod 200 slides in an up and down direction between the dual guides 211. The dual guides 211 are mounted onto the wall of the output chute 190. Also mounted to the top of the rod 200 is a pivotal arm 215. The pivotal arm 215 is mounted over the first hinge 212 to the top point 201 of the rod 200 and mounted over the second hinge 216 to the near end of the reciprocating arm 217. The reciprocating arm 217 is mounted between two guides 214 that allow the reciprocating arm 217 to glide back and fourth in response to the linear pressure from the pivotal arm 213 and at-rest bias of the spring 195. The guides 214 are mounted to the inside surface of the long wall 142 of the container 140. The distal end 203 of the reciprocating arm 217 contains a free-spinning wheel 219 that is enclosed within an exterior frame 204. The forward section of the exterior frame 204 contains a compression spring 196 that is mounted on a press screw 195. The press screw 195 is mounted to the exterior side 194 of the interior sidewall 193 (Fig. 10).

Referring to figs. 6 and 8, the movement of the third cutter 260 is directly enabled through the motion of the drive belt 224. Kinetic power to the drive belt is supplied by the shaft 107, which is rotated by the electric motor within the enclosure 145. Any electric motor having suitable revolutions and wattage is suitable to enable rotation to the drive wheel 109 and the shaft 107 (Fig. 3). The drive wheel 109 and the shaft 107 may be connected to a single drive wheel, and may function as reducers, or each may be connected to its own electrical motor. The magnetic field created by the rotation of the electrons on the coils of the electric motor create the rotational power, which is then transferred directly, or through a combination of gears to the drive wheel 109 and the shaft 107. The drive wheel 109 enables the motion of the first and second cutters 110 and 120, whereas the second cutter is enabled by the shaft 107.

The rotational force of the shaft 107 is transferred via the worm gear 253 to the spur gear 254 that is mounted on the upper axle 256. The axle 256, which is mounted on the exterior surface 164 of the rail 160 also contains the upper drive wheel 252. The upper drive wheel 252 rotates at the same rate as the spur gear 254. The tread surface of the upper drive wheel 252 may be in the form of a spur gear, or a smooth surface, having a significance frictional coefficient.

When a food item is introduced through the input chute 300 and passes through the level of the first cutter 110 and the area of the second cutter 120, it begins exerting pressure on the top surface 232 of the horizontal platform 230, pressing downward on the platform 230. The platform 230, being supported by the pressure pin 213, begins to drive the pressure pin 213 down. Moving downward with the pressure pin 213 is the rod 200. As the rod 200 moves down, it forces the pivot bar 215 from a diagonal disposition into a horizontal position in the direction 258. This in turn puts linear pressure on the reciprocal bar 217 in the direction of 257. This in turn depresses the compression spring 196, driving the free spinning wheel 219 in between the upper drive wheel 252 and the lower drive wheel 228. The drive 228 is connected on the same axle 227 to the first belt wheel 225. The first belt wheel 225 and the second belt wheel 222 are connected by the drive belt 224. The drive belt 224 carries a lateral pin 242, which meshes with one of two protrusions, the upper one 244 or the lower one 240. Once the lateral pin 242 catches a protrusion 244 or 242, it begins to move the drive block 226, and the frame 250 to which the drive block 226 is attached, in the direction where the lateral pin 242 is moving. Once the blade 262 cuts off a length of the produce, it relieves pressure on the platform 230. However, the third cutter will continue to be propelled along the length of the rails 160 until the meshing pin rounds the first belt wheel 225, catching the lower protrusion 240, thus forcing the third cutter 260 to drive back to its starting location. Once the cutter 260 is back in its starting location, the forward gap 268 is once again aligned with the pressure pin 213, allowing the pressure pin 213 to return to its previous position inside the gap 268 and the notch 180. Once the pressure pin 213 and rod 200 moves up, it also pulls the pivot bar 215 and forces the reciprocal bar 217 to retreat. Once the free spinning wheel 219 is no longer in connection with the upper drive wheel 252 and the outer drive wheel 228, the motion of the drive belt 224, the lateral pin 242, the drive block 226 and the blade 260 stops. The cycle is repeated for every segment of produce that is pushed downward, inducing pressure to be exerted on the horizontal platform 230. The length of pieces produce corresponding to the vertical distance 272.

Fig. 9 demonstrates the exterior features of the device embodied in the present invention. Shown are the container 140, the motor compartment 145, the intake chute 300, having the cavity of the intake chute 314 and the pressure block 310, having teeth 312. When the pressure block 310 is encased within the intake chute 300 up to the maximum depth of the intake chute 300, the teeth 312 preferably extend through the first cutter 110 and the second cutter 120, until the area just above the blade 262 of the third cutter 260.

Fig. 10 demonstrates the underside portion of the present invention, shown is the output chute 190 having a cavity 192. The cavity 192 is preferably equal in area to the cavity of the input chute 300. The cutting surfaces of the first, second and third cutters, 110, 120 and 260, respectively cover the entire width and length of the cavity 92 during their operation. The output chute 190 contains a notch 106 to admit the pressure pin 213, when the pressure pin 213 is at its lowest depression point. While apparent, it should nevertheless be noted, that the first and second belt wheels 220 and 222 are mounted next to or aft of the output chute 190 onto the interior surface 191 of the interior partition 193. The interior partition 193 is in turn mounted onto one of the rails 160. Also shown is the top cover 320, the lower level of the caddy 131 and the motor compartment 145.

Fig. 11 shows that removal slot 143 for the third cutter 260 and the drive block 226. The third cutter 260 may be removed and replaced with a cutter capable of producing smaller cubes. The third cutter 260 may also be removed if cubing or latitudinal cutting is not desired.

Fig. 11A demonstrates that the motor in the compartment 145 straddles the shafts 109 and 107, but can otherwise be easily removable so that the device shown in the present invention can be easily disassembled for cleaning or maintenance.

Figures 12 through 17 demonstrate an alternative design of the present invention.

Fig. 12 shows an upper grid 1A, having individual blades 2, which in a series form a grid. Also shown are the side planes 3, the backplane 6, the front plane 12, and the tongue 7 with the agitation stub 60. Forming a ring over the agitation stub 61 is a circular gear 8 of a reducer electrical motor. The circular motion of the gear 8 is translated into a reciprocal oscillation of the agitation stub 61. A gear similar to the circular gear 8 would be connected to the helical gear 10 on the side shaft 32. Alternatively, the circular gear 8 also provides rotation to a connecting shaft. The connecting shaft would contain a spur gear beneath the circular gear 8. On the opposite end of the connecting shaft would be helical gear corresponding to the helical gear 10 on the side shaft 32.

One of the side planes 3, contains diagonal openings 4 that serve as entry points for pins

5. Each diagonal opening 5 contains one pin 4. The diagonal orientation of the slots 4 acts as a driver on the pins 5. Essentially, as the upper grid moves in the direction 62, the slots 4 transmit this motion through the pin 5 to the lower grid 2 A, which then agitates in the direction 63. Alternatively, both side planes 3 contain diagonal openings 4 that serve as entry points for correspond pins 5.

The preferred length 13 of the upper grid 1 A is between 3.5 and 4.5 inches, while the preferred width 14 is between 3 and 4 inches. The distance 60 between individual blades 2 is what determines the size of the grids. The preferred sizes 60 may be one eighth, one forth, half and one inch. However, many different sizes may be implemented, including sizes measured in metric units. All distances and sizes and distances stated in this application may be embodied in both metric system units and imperial system units.

Fig. 13 is a diagram of the lower grid 2A. Also shown are the pins 5, the blades 15 and the side edge 16. The side edge 16 forms a perimeter around the opening 64 of the lower grid 2A. The opening of the grids corresponds closely to the opening 64, which is slightly less than the opening 59 of the entry chute 58 (Fig. 17). It should be noted that the blades 2 of the upper grid 1A and the blades 15 of the lower grid 2 A are shown oriented in a straight line.

Alternatively, the blades 2 and 15 on both or either of the grids 1A and 2 A may be on a diagonal. Shown in Fig. 1 and 2 are side wheels 43 for the upper grid 1A and side wheels 44 for the lower grid 2A. The wheels 43 and 44 make the agitation more fluid and instantaneous. Alternatively, the two grids 1 A and 2 A may be sliding within their housings without the additional wheeled propulsion.

Fig. 14 is a top view of the chassis 3 A. Shown are the side walls 25, the connecting rods 35, the base frame 19, is obstructed by the pressure frame 66 that is directly on top of the frame 19. Both the frame 19 and the pressure frame 66 form the middle section 20. The rims of the wheels 21 contain frictional elements 22, which may also be spurs or general protrusions. The parallel wheels 21 are connected laterally with an axle 23. The wheel 21 adjacent to the side shaft 32 contains a spur gear 46 on the other side of the sidewall 25. Below the spur gear 46 is the rack gear 30 which rotates axially with the turning of the shaft 32. Shown also is the pressure pin 28 the pivot 27 and the seesaw bar 29. The preferred length of the sidewall 35 is between 3.75 inches and 4.75 inches, with the wheels 25 mounted on the distal ends of the sidewall 35. The preferred width 33 of the chassis 3 A is between 2.75 and 3.75 of an inch. The middle section 20 preferably forms a square that corresponds to the opening 64 (Fig. 13).

Fig. 14A is a side view of the chassis 3 A. Shown are the sidewalls 25 and the mount points 26 for the axle 23. The wheels 21 are shown positioned on the distal ends 65 of the sidewall 25. The height 36 of the chassis 3 A is shown including the wheel 21 and is

demonstrated as 1.75 inches.

Figs. 15 and 15A are side views of the chassis 3 A. Shown is the sidewall 25, having the bottom edge 37 and the top edge 41. The wheels 21 mounted to the same sidewall 25 are connected together with a belt or a chain 38. The belt 38 houses a horizontal blade 39 that is followed by a sweeper 40. The distance between the blade 39 and the sweeper 40 is preferably equal to the length of the opening 64 (Fig. 13). Shown also is the pressure pin 28 that is connected to the lateral edge of the pressure frame 66. The pressure frame 66 is connected to one connecting rod 35 with a hinge 67. The hinge 67 is preferably positioned as close to the base frame 19 as possible. The base frame 19 is actually not visible from this angle but is shown anyway for clarity. The edge of the pressure frame 66 that is opposite the hinge 67 rests on a compression spring 42. The compression spring 42 keeps the pressure frame 66 on a diagonal grade. The grade changes as produce pushed from above in the downward direction 68 exerts pressure on the pan 68 that is supported by the pressure frame 66. As shown in Fig. 15 A, the pressure pan 68 contains two parallel rims 69 that are oriented in parallel to the sidewalls 35 and are intended to provide a rail to prevent spillage of sliced segments of produce spilling over the sidewalls 35. The edges 70 are completely clear of any rims so that the sweeper 40 is able to push sliced chunks off of the pan, over the axles 34 and into an awaiting container (not shown).

Also shown in the context of Fig. 15 are the upper grid 1A and the lower grid 2A. The upper grid 1 A preferably rides on wheels or protrusions 43, while the lower grid 2 A rides on wheels or protrusions 44. Grids 1 A and 2A are in a slided association through the use of pins 5. As illustrated in this figure the distance 45 is what determines the size of the cubes or the thickness of the horizontal cut. The distance 45 is preferably varied by the thickness of the bottom side 71 of the pan 68. For example, if the distance 45 between the frame 19 and the belt 38 may be one inch. Therefore, the biggest resulting sliced cube will be one-inch long. To reduce this measurement to half of an inch, one would use a pan 68 with a bottom side 71 being half of an inch thick. Alternatively, the distance 45 may be varied by utilizing a smaller diameter of the wheels 21, which should result in the belt 38 and blade 39 to be closer to the base frame 19 (fig. 4) thus resulting in a smaller cube or a thinner horizontal slice. Also shown for clarity is the outline of the outer chamber 4 A and the chute 71. The chute 71 is used to channel cut produce to the corresponding section of the chamber 4A, or the chamber 4A may have an opening in the spot 72 for channeling cubed produce to an awaiting external container (not shown). To provide for a more compact chamber, the belt 38 may move toward the same side as the side shaft 32 that terminates within the motor 80. In such an embodiment, the chute 71 would be on the same side as the motor thus requiring a smaller chamber 4A. Fig. 16 is another side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16 describes the side featuring the side shaft 32. The shaft 32 contains a helical gear 10 at the top section. The helical gear 10 is preferably rotated by a circular gear of the drive motor (not shown). Alternatively, the helical rack gear may be rotated by the corresponding helical spur gear mounting on a shaft. The helical gears 10 and the corresponding gear of such a shaft, may alternatively be in the form of bevel, spiral or hypoid gears. The opposite end of the shaft would then contain another gear 8A that meshes with the main drive gear 8 of the motor. The motor 8 may be any conventional motor known in the art that provides motion to appliances of this type.

Below the rack gear 30 is the weighted end 48 that is mounted on top of one end of the seesaw bar 29. The opposing end of the seesaw bar 29 is the pressure pin 28. The seesaw bar rotates reciprocally about a pivot 27. The weighted end 48 may be a protrusion, a stub, a ball bearing or a gear.

Fig. 16 also contains a close-up view of the side shaft 32. The side shaft 32 contains a base mount point 51. Slightly above the base mount point 51 is the rack gear 30. The rack gear 32 is in loose association with the shaft 32 and may travel linearly along the shaft 32. The rack gear 32 is kept on a lower default position through the use the compression spring 49, which presses against the rack gear 30 on one end and against a flange or a lip 50 on its opposite end. The spurs 47 of the spur gear 46 are shown above the spurs 31 of the rack gear 30. Spurs 47 and 31 mesh when the pressure pin 28 is fully depressed, causing the weighted end 48 to exert a maximum upward pressure on the rack gear 30.

Fig. 17 is an exploded/cutaway diagram of the present invention. Shown are the upper grid 1 A, the lower grid 2A, the chassis 3A, all housed within a chamber 4A. The upper grid 1 A rides on wheels or protrusions 43 that correspond to the interior ledge 52 of the chamber 4A. The lower grid 2A rides on ledges 53. The chassis 3 A is also removable and therefore preferably contains interior container protrusions or ledges corresponding to its dimensions. The chamber 4A contains the upper cover 55 and the bottom 57, the chute 58 that forms a perimeter to the opening 56. The opening 56 is larger than the opening 64 and is designed to easily permit entry and egress of the grids 1 A and 2A. Alternatively, the opening 56 may correspond to the opening 64 and the grids may be removable using a different form of disassembly. The chute 58 contains an opening 59. Through which a food items will be introduced and driven downward through the blades by the pressure block 5 A. The pressure block 5 A contains teeth 58. The teeth 58 are designed to fit within the spaces between the intersecting blades 2 and 15 of the upper grid 1 A and the lower grid 2A, respectively.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.