TW201930036A - Systems and method related to a food-item cutter with metal wipers and an associated cover - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for cutting a food item when preparing it to be served to a customer. The cutting system may include metal wipers to clean one or more cutting blades. The cutting system may include a cover that may be used to at least partially surround a portion of the cutting system. The cover may include one or more doors, drawers, or other movable components that may be used to engage the cutting assembly of the cutting system by activating one or more sensors located along or proximate to the path traveled by the movable component. The movable component may activate the sensor when the movable component has appropriately positioned the food item under the cutting assembly to be cut. The cover may include a user-engageable switch to selectively engage the cutting assembly when the movable component of the cover is appropriately positioned to be cut.

Description

Related system and method for food cutter with metal scraper and associated cover

The present invention relates generally to a cutting system that cuts and divides a food product, and a cover that at least partially surrounds one of the cutting systems.

There are many items for cutting food. Generally, a table knife includes an elongated blade having a sharp blade. Rotary table knives are often used to cut pizza. The rotary table knife is rotatably mounted to a disc of a handle, and the outer circumference of the disc has a sharp blade.

The sharp edge of a slender or rotary blade can be single or double bevel.

Cutting a food with a clean knife is usually easier than using a dirty knife. Some foods tend to stain a knife more than others. For example, slicing a hot pizza will usually cause the melted cheese to jam on the blade of the knife, making it difficult to use the knife later, and making it more likely that the residue will spread from a first food to a subsequent food. In addition, the sharp edges of table knives and other cutting components can cause serious injury if not handled properly.

A device can be summarized as comprising: a plurality of blades extending radially from a central axis, each of the blades having a pair of faces facing each other across a thickness of the blade, and each of the blades The blade has a cutting edge; a transmission device operable to move the plurality of blades between a retracted position and an extended position; and a plurality of scrapers arranged radially in an array, wherein in the array A gap is formed between the sequentially adjacent ones of the scrapers, and each of the blades is aligned with a respective one of the gaps, and the gaps are sized to At least based on the movement of the plurality of blades from their extended position toward the self-retracted position, the respective blades are tightly received for physical engagement with the face of the blade.

The blades may each include a metal and the wipers may each include a food-grade polymer. The transmission can be coupled to drive the plurality of blades as a single assembly between a retracted position and an extended position along a central axis. The apparatus may further include: a plurality of plates radially arranged in an array, wherein gaps are formed between the metal plates sequentially adjacent in the array, and wherein each of the scrapers may be physically accessible. Removably coupled to one of the boards. Each of the plates may be a stainless steel plate, and each of the wipers may be a polysiloxane wiper. Each of the plurality of scrapers may have a triangular profile and a first set of sizes, and each of the plurality of boards may have a triangular profile and a second set of sizes, the second set The size in the size is smaller than the corresponding size in the first set of sizes. Each of the plurality of wipers may have a first surface and a second surface, the second surface is opposite to the first surface across a thickness of the wiper, and one of the blades The pair of faces of each may be perpendicular to the first and second faces of a respective wiper pair, and the blade is between the first and second faces of the respective wiper pair. Through. Each plate may have a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being opposite to the first surface across a thickness of the plate, and the first surface of each of the plates may be perpendicular and adjacent to the wiper One of the devices has a second side of the wiper. The plurality of blades may include a first blade extending through a central axis and at least a second blade extending through the central axis. Each of the first blade and the second blade has a respective length. The length and the length of the second blade are equal to each other. The plurality of blades may include at least a third blade extending through the central axis, the third blade having a length, and the length of the third blade is equal to the length of the first blade and the second blade. The first blade, the second blade, and the third blade may be nested with each other, and the respective bottommost edges of each of the first blade, the second blade, and the third blade may be coplanar with each other. A respective bottommost edge of each of the first blade, the second blade, and the third blade may exist in a plane perpendicular to a movement direction of one of the first blade, the second blade, and the third blade. The apparatus may further include a frame that supports the plurality of blades and the plurality of wipers on a horizontal surface. The device may further include a base supporting a food product to be cut, the base may be positioned relatively lower than the blades when the plurality of blades are at the extended position, and the base includes a number of registration features. The apparatus may further include a tray supporting a food product to be cut, the tray may be positioned on the base and spaced to be relatively lower than the blades when the plurality of blades are at the extended position. The tray may contain several registration features that are complementary to the registration features of the plate. The tray may include a plurality of channels, which are arranged angularly around an axis in an array. When the registration feature of the tray and the complementary registration feature of the base are physically engaged, the plurality of channels and the blade Align the respective blades. The apparatus may further include a piston that is physically coupled to drive the plurality of blades between the retracted position and the extended position via the transmission at one of the plurality of blades in the extended position. The apparatus may further include an electric motor that is physically coupled to drive the plurality of blades between a retracted position and an extended position via the transmission.

A device can be summarized as comprising: a plurality of blades, each of the blades having an opposite side across one thickness across the blade, and each of the blades having a cutting edge; a transmission device, which can Operated to move the plurality of blades between a retracted position and an extended position; and a plurality of wipers arranged in an array, wherein sequentially adjacent ones of the wipers in the array A gap is formed between the brushes, each of the blades is aligned with a respective one of the gaps, and the gaps are sized to retract towards the base from at least the plurality of blades based on the plurality of blades The movement of the position tightly receives the respective blades to physically engage the faces of the blades. The blades may each include a metal, and the wipers may each include a food-grade polymer. The transmission may be coupled to drive the plurality of blades as a single assembly between a retracted position and an extended position.

The apparatus may further include a plurality of plates arranged in an array, wherein a gap is formed between sequentially adjacent metal plates in the array, and wherein each of the scrapers is physically detachably coupled to the Wait for one of the boards separately. Each of the plates may be a stainless steel plate, and each of the wipers may be a polysiloxane wiper. At least two of the blades may be parallel to each other. The blades may extend radially from a central axis, and the wipers may be arranged radially in an array, wherein a gap is formed between sequentially adjacent wipers among the wipers in the array, And the plates may be arranged radially in an array, wherein gaps are formed between sequentially adjacent metal plates in the array. Each of the plurality of scrapers may have a triangular profile and a first set of sizes, and each of the plurality of boards may have a triangular profile and a second set of sizes, the second set The size in the size is smaller than the corresponding size in the first set of sizes. Each of the plurality of wipers may have a first surface and a second surface, the second surface is opposite to the first surface across a thickness of the wiper, and the wipers The pair of faces of each may be perpendicular to an axis along which the plurality of blades may be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. Each of the plurality of wipers may have a first surface and a second surface, the second surface is opposite to the first surface across a thickness of the wiper, and the wipers At least one of the faces of each may be oriented at an angle along an axis along which the plurality of blades may move between the retracted and extended positions, where the angle may be greater than 0 degrees and Less than 90 degrees. Each plate may have a first side and a second side, the second side being opposite to the thickness of the first side across one of the plates, and the first side of each of the plates may be perpendicular and adjacent to the Wait for one of the wipers to separate the second side of the wiper. The plurality of blades may include a first blade extending through a central axis and at least a second blade extending through the central axis. Each of the first blade and the second blade has a respective length. The length of the first blade and The lengths of the second blades are equal to each other. The plurality of blades may include at least one third blade extending through the central axis, the third blade has a length, and the length of the third blade is equal to the length of the first blade and the second blade. The first blade, the second blade, and the third blade may be nested with each other, and the respective bottommost edges of each of the first blade, the second blade, and the third blade may be coplanar with each other.

A respective bottommost edge of each of the first blade, the second blade, and the third blade may exist in a plane perpendicular to a movement direction of one of the first blade, the second blade, and the third blade. The plurality of blades may include: a first blade extending outwardly from the center axis without passing through the central axis; and at least one second blade extending from the center without passing through the central axis The central axis extends outward and crosses the central axis and faces the first blade in a diametric direction. The first blade and the second blade each have a respective length. The length of the first blade and the length of the second blade are equal to each other. At least one of the plurality of blades is bendable about a central axis. At least one of the plurality of blades is bendable about an axis that is perpendicular to the central axis.

The apparatus may further include a frame that supports the plurality of blades and the plurality of wipers on a horizontal surface.

The device may further include a base supporting a food product to be cut, the base may be positioned relatively lower than the blades when the plurality of blades are at the extended position, and the base includes a number of registration features.

The apparatus may further include a tray supporting a food product to be cut, the tray may be positioned on the base and spaced relatively lower than the blades when the plurality of blades are at the extended position. The tray may include several registration features that are complementary to the registration features of the plate. The tray may include a plurality of channels, which are arranged angularly in an array about an axis. When the registration feature of the tray and the complementary registration feature of the base are physically engaged, the plurality of channels are in engagement with the blade Align the respective blades.

The apparatus may further include a piston that is physically coupled to drive the plurality of blades between the retracted position and the extended position via the transmission at one of the plurality of blades in the extended position.

The apparatus may further include an electric motor that is physically coupled to drive the plurality of blades between a retracted position and an extended position via a transmission.

The device may further include: a first user-engageable input component; and a second user-engageable input component spaced apart from the first user-engageable input component by a distance that prevents a user from One hand can operate the first user-engageable input component and the second user-engageable input component at the same time, and the first user-engageable input component and the second user-engageable input component can be operatively coupled to make the plurality of blades Move in response to both hands of the user engaging both the first user-engageable input component and the second user-engageable input component. Each of the blades of the plurality of blades may have a cutting edge, and the blades of the plurality of blades form a plane, wherein at least one of the blades may be non-linear. At least one of the non-linear blades may form at least one of a letter, logo, or geometric pattern.

A cover that is sized and sized to surround a mechanical cutting system of an item, the mechanical cutting system includes at least one or more cutting blades, an actuator, and a transmission device, the transmission device is operable to When the actuator is triggered to selectively move at least one or more cutting blades between a cutting position and a retracted position, the cover can be summarized as including: a protective shell including at least one wall, the at least one wall An inner part and an outer part separating the cover, the inner part having a top area and an opposite bottom area; a platform along the bottom area of the inner part of the cover, the platform including one or more matching parts Quasi-feature; an aperture positioned along at least one wall of the protective shell, the aperture being sized and sized to allow an article to pass under at least one of the one or more cutting blades into the covered inner portion And a sensor that can be communicatively coupled with the actuator, the sensor is operable to generate a signal when activated and transmit the generated signal to the actuator .

The cover may further include a drawer that can be selectively translated between an open position and a closed position. The drawer in the closed position is located in a bottom area of the inner portion of the cover and is in the open position. The drawer is located at least partially in the outer portion, the drawer including a bottom portion, the bottom portion of the drawer having one of the top areas facing the covered inner portion facing upward, with the platform firmly attached to the upward facing surface of the drawer .

The drawer may further include a rear wall extending upwardly from a top surface of the drawer, the rear wall being substantially perpendicular to a translation direction of the drawer, and wherein the rear wall is aligned to activate the sensor when the drawer is in the closed position.

The cover may further include a change control switch having an ON position and an OFF position, wherein the change control switch is operable to maintain the cutting assembly in the retracted position when the change control switch is in the ON position. The drawer can be selectively translated between an open position, a closed position, and a cutting position. In the closed position, the drawer is located in the bottom area of the inner portion of the cover and is offset from the cutting blade and in the cutting position. The drawer is located in the bottom area of the covered inner portion and is aligned with the cutting blade.

The drawer may further include a handle, the handle including at least one user-engageable switch having an ON state and an OFF state, the user-engageable switch is communicatively coupled with the actuator, and the user-engageable switch transmits a Signal to engage the actuator when in the ON state.

The cover may further include a solenoid, which may be electrically coupled to the actuator, the solenoid having an ON state and an OFF state, and the solenoid in the ON state enables the actuator and the sensing The sensor performs communication coupling, and the solenoid in the OFF state decouples the actuator from the sensor communication.

The drawer may further include one or more registration features, the registration features on the drawer being selectively coupled with one or more registration features on the platform, wherein when the drawer is in the closed position and when on the platform When one or more registration features are coupled with one or more registration features on the drawer, the platform is aligned with the cutting blade.

The cover may further include a plurality of platforms, each of the plurality of platforms further including one or more registration features, the one or more registration features on each of the plurality of platforms may be associated with a drawer One or more of the registration features are selectively coupled, wherein when the drawer is in the closed position and when one or more of the registration features on each of the plurality of platforms are on one or more of the drawers When the registration features are coupled, each of the plurality of platforms is aligned with the cutting blade.

The cover may further include a tray, the tray may be positioned on the platform, and the tray includes a food receiving portion. When the tray is positioned on the platform, the food receiving portion of the tray may be aligned with one or more of the cutting blades.

The cover may further include a drawer that can be selectively translated between an open position and a closed position. The drawer in the closed position is located in the bottom area of the inner portion of the cover and is in the open position. The drawer is located at least partially in the outer portion, wherein the platform forms a bottom surface of the drawer.

The cover may further include a protective wall including a front wall having a stationary portion and a movable portion, the movable portion is rotatably coupled to the stationary portion along a horizontal axis, and the movable portion may be in an inward position and Rotating between an outward position, where the movable portion activates the sensor in an inward position.

The protective shell may further include at least one aperture in at least one wall, the at least one aperture being aligned with the platform along the bottom region of the inner portion of the cover.

The front wall of the protective shell may further include a selectively removable portion that is aligned with the cutting blade in the retracted position.

The cover may further include a display that provides a visual representation of information related to the use of the mechanical cutting system. Information related to the use of a mechanical cutting system may include at least one of the following: a pressure applied to the cutting blade when the cutting blade is moved to the cutting position; the cutting blade has extended to the cutting position since a first defined event occurs Several conditions; and an amount of time that has elapsed since the occurrence of a second defined event. At least one of the first defined event and the second defined event may include the occurrence of a cleaning operation on one of the cutting blades.

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various disclosed embodiments. However, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details or with other methods, components, materials, and so on. In other examples, known structures associated with food preparation devices such as table knives, knives, and other similar devices, closed-loop controllers for controlling processing conditions, food preparation techniques, and Wired and wireless communication protocols to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

Unless the context requires otherwise, the wording "comprise" and its variations (such as "comprises" and "comprising") should be interpreted as an open inclusion throughout the following description and the scope of the patent application Sexual meaning, that is, "including but not limited to."

Reference throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, as used in this specification and the scope of the accompanying patent application, the singular forms "a" and "the" include plural referents. It should also be noted that unless the content clearly indicates otherwise, the term "or" is often used in a meaning including "and / or".

The titles and abstracts of the invention provided herein are for convenience only and do not explain the scope or meaning of the examples.

FIG. 1 shows a cutting system 100 according to one of the illustrated embodiments. The cutting system 100 includes a bottom assembly 102, an upper assembly 104 and a frame 110.

The bottom assembly 102 may include a base 120 that supports a food product during cutting. Generally, the base 120 carries a "consumable" tray 118 on which a food item (eg, a cooked or partially cooked food item (eg, a partially baked pizza)) is carried. The consumable tray 118 can be conveniently used as a bottom portion of a package for at least one of cooking, storing, or shipping food. In use, after cutting food, a first consumable tray 118 and a first instance of a food can be removed together, and a new consumable tray 118 and a second instance of a food can be placed together On the base 120.

The base 120 may have one or more physical registration features that cooperate with complementary physical registration features on the consumable tray 118. As illustrated, the physical registration features may include apertures in a top surface or plate of the base and complementary buttons extending from a bottom surface of the tray 118. The physical registration features are of course interchangeable, ie the buttons extend from the base 120 and are recessed into the tray 118. Alternatively, the base 120 may include one or more notches and one or more notches, and the tray 118 may also include one or more notches and one or more notches. Alternatively or additionally, solid registration features other than notches and notches may be used. The physical registration feature allows for rapid alignment, and may even allow automated equipment (eg, a robot) to quickly and accurately move the consumable tray 118 with food into and out of the cutting system 100. The solid registration feature may advantageously prevent the tray 118 from moving (including translation and / or rotation) during cutting.

In at least some embodiments, the upper assembly 104 includes at least one transmission 112, a cutting assembly 114, and a cleaning assembly 116. As explained in more detail below, the transmission 112 is coupled to move the cutting assembly 114 between an engaged position or configuration and a disengaged position or configuration. As explained in more detail below, the cutting assembly 114 includes a plurality of table knives or blades that cut food at least when in the engaged position or configuration. As explained in more detail below, the cleaning assembly is positioned to engage the knife or blade of the cutting assembly 114 at least when passing between the engaged position or configuration and the disengaged position or configuration to pass each time or The knife or blade of the cutting assembly 114 is cleaned automatically or autonomously during use.

The frame 110 may be used to fix or hold the components of the bottom assembly 102 and the upper assembly 104 relative to the bottom assembly 102 and the upper assembly 104 to facilitate the operation of the cutting system 100.

FIG. 2 shows the tray 118 of FIG. 1 in more detail. The tray 118 may have two surfaces, an upper surface 212 and a lower surface 214, and may be placed in a horizontal position in which the surface 212 and the surface 214 are substantially parallel to the ground. In this embodiment, the tray 118 can support a food to be cut. The illustrated tray 118 shown in FIG. 2 has a configuration that is sized and sized to support a pizza. Other consumable trays 118 may be configured to receive different types of food. The tray 118 may consist of a single liquid-resistant layer, an insulating layer, and a layer of food safety material (including but not limited to: molded sugar cane fiber ("bagasse"), molded wood fiber, molded bamboo fiber, molded paper, or plastic (for example, Biodegradable plastic, thermoplastic plastic material, bio-based plastic, recycled plastic, recyclable plastic)). The tray 118 may be opaque, translucent, or transparent (for example, an opaque base made of molded fibers and a cover made of a transparent plastic material). In embodiments where the tray 118 is formed from molded fibers, a single layer of material may have a relatively small thickness between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm (eg, 0.8 mm). In embodiments where the tray 118 is formed of plastic (eg, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA)), the single layer material may have a thickness of 0.5 mm to 0.6 mm or less.

In certain embodiments, the tray 118 includes a circular food receiving portion 220 facing upwards and a pizza receiving on the circular food receiving portion 220 facing upwards. The tray 118 may further include a raised peripheral edge 204 disposed around a periphery of the food receiving portion 220. The raised peripheral edge 204 includes a raised face that faces upward and a side wall that extends downward and outward, a raised face that faces upward, and a side wall that extends downward and outward, and a substantially flat base protrusion The edge 222 intersects, and the substantially flat base flange 222 extends outward from the raised peripheral edge 204. The raised peripheral edge 204 may define the shape and size of the food to be cut or processed. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the raised peripheral edge 204 may define a circle that can be used to receive a particular size pizza. When the raised peripheral edge 204 is raised, it can help keep the food still while the cutting assembly 114 cuts the food. The base flange 222 may have a substantially rectangular (eg, square) outer periphery, wherein the first parallel edge 224a and the second parallel edge 224b and the third parallel edge 224c and the fourth parallel edge 224d define a rounded corner. In addition, the base flange 222 can strengthen the rigidity of the tray 118.

The food receiving portion 220 of the tray 118 includes a flat surface 226 and a number of features that extend from the flat surface 226 in at least one of an upward or downward direction. Specifically, the food receiving portion 220 includes a central recessed groove 228 that extends downward from the flat surface 226 and receives liquid drips or condensate from cooked food (eg, pizza) placed on the tray 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the central recessed groove 228 has a circular perimeter, but may have other shapes (eg, triangle, octagon) in other embodiments.

The food receiving portion 220 may also include a plurality of food receiving portion channels or grooves 208 (also referred to herein as "channels"), the plurality of food receiving portion channels or grooves 208 extending downwardly below the flat surface 226 And it extends radially outward from the central recessed groove 228 and terminates at a raised peripheral edge 204. In some embodiments, the radial channel 208 may extend only partially between the central recessed groove 228 and the raised peripheral edge 204. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the channels 208 has a U-shaped cross-sectional profile, but in other embodiments, the channels may have other shapes (e.g., V-shaped). In certain embodiments, each channel 208 can be sloped downward from the raised peripheral edge 204 toward the central recessed groove 228 to facilitate liquid flow through the channel into the central recessed groove. Each pair of adjacent channels 208 and one of the raised peripheral edges 204 corresponds to a respective sector portion 230 of a food receiving portion 220, each sector portion 230 supporting a portion of a food item (e.g., a pizza slice) ). In the illustrated embodiment, the tray 118 includes eight channels 208 and eight sector portions 230. Generally, the tray 118 may include N channels and N sector portions, where N is a positive integer.

The plurality of channels 208 may have equal radial intervals to allow the cutting assembly 114 to cut the food (eg, pizza) into pieces of equal size when cutting the food. The channels 208 may be positioned relative to the cutting assembly 114 such that each channel 208 is positioned to receive a corresponding feature (e.g., a table knife or blade as discussed below) from the cutting assembly 114 to cut and thereby process food. Since the channel 208 extends downward from the flat surface 226, the cutting assembly 114 can cut through the food on the channel 208 without damaging (e.g., cutting) the food receiving portion 220 of the tray 118. In addition, each of the channels 208 is not parallel to each of the edges 224a to 224d of the tray 118, which can improve the rigidity of the base. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the channels 208 is offset by 22.5 ° relative to the perpendicular of one of the edges 224a to 224d toward which the channel extends. Further, each of the channels 208 is collinear with one of the opposing channels extending radially in the opposite direction. Therefore, when the tray 118 (eg, compost) is discarded, the user can fold the base along an axis extending through one of two opposing collinear channels to reduce the size of the base, so the base will fit in a compost pond Inside.

In addition, the channel 208 may be used to strengthen the rigidity of the tray 118 and provide a support force for the food receiving portion 220 when the tray 118 is placed on a supporting surface such as a work surface, an oven, or another food container. The channel 208 can also be used as a guide for the cutting assembly 114 to cut a food item (eg, a pizza) into 8 pieces of equal size. In addition, the channel 208 may provide a void below the food, which provides additional insulation. In some embodiments, since the food placed on the food receiving portion 220 can substantially cover the channel 208, it can be co-linear with the channel 208 on or adjacent to the raised peripheral edge 204 204 Radially locate the logo (eg, visual and / or tactile markings) to assist a user in cutting food along the channel. The detector in the cutting assembly can also use the logo to confirm that a tray 118 has been properly positioned on the base 120, so that the features on the tray 118 (such as the channel 208) and the corresponding features in the cutting assembly 114 are properly aligned. quasi.

As discussed above, each pair of adjacent channels 208 and a corresponding portion of one of the raised peripheral edges 204 (eg, a 45 ° arc portion) may identify a respective sector portion 230 of a food receiving portion 220, and a respective fan. The zone portion 230 receives an individual piece of food (e.g., a pizza slice). Each sector portion 230 includes a portion of the flat surface 226 and a raised sector portion edge 232. The raised sector portion edge 232 extends from the flat surface 226 and is adjacent to each of the channels 208 defining the sector portion 230. One extends upwards. In addition to supporting food on the flat surface 226, the raised sector portion edge 232 adjacent to the channel 208 can assist in supporting the food near the cutting position, thereby facilitating the cutting process to provide regular individual pieces.

Each sector portion 230 further includes a sector recessed slot 210 that can receive a liquid drip from a food product therein. In the illustrated embodiment, each sector recessed slot 210 has a peripheral edge adjacent to the flat surface 226, the peripheral edge having an oval profile. In other embodiments, each of the perimeter edges may have an outline in at least one of the following shapes: a circle, a triangle, a square, another shape or symbol (eg, a sign). Each sector portion 230 may also include a plurality of raised sector ribs or ridges 234. The plurality of raised sector ribs or ridges 234 extend upward from the flat surface 226 around the sector recessed groove 210. , With one of the uppermost portions supporting one of the hot food products (eg, pizza). In some embodiments, the total area of raised sector ribs 234 in a sector portion 230 is smaller than that of the flat surface 226 in the sector portion. Therefore, compared with a food container having a flat bottom surface, when the food product is supported on the raised sector ribs 234 and the raised sector edge 232 on the uppermost portion, the The heat lost through conduction is substantially reduced due to the relatively large surface area contact between the food container having the flat bottom surface and the bottom surface of the food product. In addition, the raised sector ribs 234 and raised sector portion edges 232 tend to isolate the bottom surface and the flat surface 226 of the food product, which prevents the liquid remaining on the flat surface 226 of the food receiving portion 220 from wetting. Food products.

In the illustrated embodiment, the raised sector ribs 234 are elongated and have a length dimension that extends radially with respect to the central recessed groove 228. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the raised sector ribs 234 are radially symmetrical. In other embodiments, the number, size, and size of the raised sector ribs 234 may be different from those shown in the figures. The raised sector ribs 234 are also used to improve the rigidity of the tray 118.

In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of features of the tray 118 (including raised peripheral edges 204, central recessed grooves 228, sector recessed grooves 210, channels 208, and raised sector ribs 234) A distance of less than or equal to one inch from at least one of the plurality of features. In some embodiments, the food receiving portion 220 of the tray 118 does not have a continuous flat surface exceeding one of 2 inches by 2 inches due to the plurality of features described above. These features can significantly improve the strength of the tray 118, while allowing the base to have a length dimension greater than 12 inches (e.g., 16 inches), a width dimension greater than 12 inches (e.g., 16 inches), and less than 1.5 inches. A total height of one inch (for example, 1 inch) and a material thickness between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm (for example, 0.8 mm). In other embodiments, the tray 118 may have a larger height.

The tray 118 may include one or more registration features 206. Registration features 206 may be used to attach the tray 118 to the frame 110. As such, the registration feature 206 can be used to properly align the tray 118 with other components, such as the cutting assembly 114 in the upper assembly 104. As shown in FIG. 2, the registration feature 206 may include fastening projections in the tray 118 that are sized, sized, positioned, and / or oriented to engage the fastenings in the base 120. Align the notch. In some implementations, the positioning of the channel 208 can be achieved using the registration features 206 previously discussed. The fastening notches can receive complementary fastening protrusions in the tray 118, thereby fixing the tray 118 to the frame 110 or the base 120, respectively.

In some embodiments, at least some of the registration features 206, the central recessed groove 228 and the sector recessed groove 210 extend down to one of the lowermost portions of the tray 118 so that they are load bearing and serve as "foot", These "feet" form a heat insulating gap under the food receiving portion 220 of the tray 118 and form a support surface when the tray 118 is supported on the support surface. Therefore, the raised sector ribs 234 of each sector portion together with at least some of the registration features 206, the central recessed groove 228, and the sector recessed groove 210 use only a single layer of material (i.e., form The material of the tray 118) can form an air insulation layer between the flat surface 226 of the food receiving portion 220 and the food product and an air insulation layer between the food receiving portion 220 and a support surface. In addition, the aforementioned "foot" makes the rest of the tray 118 slightly higher than a supporting surface (for example, a table), which makes casting a shadow similar to a more formal serving board.

FIG. 3A shows the base 120 of FIG. 1 in more detail. The base 120 can be positioned below the cutting assembly 114 (FIG. 1), and when in use, it carries a tray 118, and the tray 118 carries food to be cut. The base 120 may have an upper surface 302 substantially horizontal to the ground. As discussed above, the upper face 302 may have more than one registration feature 304 that may be used to secure the tray 118 during operation of the cutting system 100. The registration features 304 on the base 120 may be complementary to the corresponding registration features 206 on the tray 118. Registration features 304 on the base 120 may allow positioning of the tray 118 relative to the cutting assembly 114. In some embodiments, the base 120 may be attached to the frame 110 using, for example, bolts, screws, or other components. In some embodiments, a base may be included as part of a single integrated frame 110 and base 120. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the tray 118 may be attached directly to the frame 110 without the need for a base 120. Accordingly, the frame 110 may include one or more mounts that are appropriately positioned to provide registration features that are complementary to registration features in the tray 118.

The base 120 may have one or more features that are complementary to the features in the tray 118. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the base 120 may have a central cavity 306, which may be sized and sized to be slightly larger than one of the central recessed grooves 228 in the tray 118 and thus recessed from the center The slots 228 are complementary. Therefore, when processing food, the central recessed groove 228 can be supported in the central chamber 306. The base 120 may have a plurality of sector cavities 314 that may be sized and sized to be slightly larger than the sector recessed grooves 210 in the tray 118 and thus complementary to the sector recessed grooves 210. Therefore, when processing food, the sector recessed groove 210 can be supported in the sector chamber 314.

The base 120 may have a periphery 308 that forms a circle around the central cavity 306. The periphery 308 may be complementary to one of the raised peripheral edges 204 in the tray 118. Therefore, the periphery 308 may have a vertex and a downwardly and outwardly sloping side wall, and the apex and the downwardly and outwardly sloping side wall are sized and sized to be slightly smaller than the corresponding vertices on the raised peripheral edge 204 And side walls that slope downward and outward. In this embodiment, the perimeter 308 may provide support for the raised perimeter edge 204 when the cutting system 100 cuts food.

The base 120 may have a plurality of grooves 310 extending radially from the central cavity 306 to the periphery 308. The groove 310 may be immediately adjacent to two opposite raised portions 312. The groove 310 and the raised portion 312 in the base 120 may be sized and sized to be complementary to the channel 208 and the raised sector portion edge 232 in the tray 118. Therefore, the groove 310 may be slightly larger than a corresponding channel 208, and the raised portion 312 may be slightly smaller than a corresponding raised sector edge 232. In this embodiment, when the cutting assembly 114 cuts food, the groove 310 and the raised portion 312 can support and stabilize the tray 118.

As previously described, the upper assembly 104 may include a transmission 112, a cutting assembly 114, and a cleaning assembly 116. One or more of these components may be attached or fixed to the frame 110 relative to each other and relative to the components in the bottom component 102 to allow the cutting system 100 to cut or process food.

FIG. 3B shows a square base 350 having a shape different from the base 120. The square base 350 may include a perimeter 355, which includes two sets of parallel sides meeting at right angles. As such, the top surface 357 formed by the perimeter 355 may be a square shape or a rectangular shape, and may include a portion configured to register and secure the consumable tray 118 as discussed below. The part of the base for registering and fixing the consumable tray 118 may be changed to adapt to different shapes and sizes of the consumable tray 118. The advantage of using a square base 350 with a standard size or shape around the periphery can be advantageous in that different base self-cutting systems 100 can be easily, quickly and efficiently swapped out. In addition, the top-facing surface 357 of each of the various square bases 350 may have different configurations to handle various sizes, shapes, and types of food. In this way, the square base 350 used in the cutting system 100 can be quickly, easily, and efficiently exchanged, thereby enabling the cutting system 100 to (for example) process various types of food, or the square base 350 can be exchanged out for clean.

The square base 350 can be positioned below the cutting assembly 114 (FIG. 1) and bears a tray 118 during use, and the tray 118 carries food to be cut. The square base 350 may have an upper surface 352 substantially horizontal to the ground. As discussed above, the upper face 352 may have more than one registration feature 354 that may be used to secure the tray 118 during operation of the cutting system 100. The registration features 354 on the square base 350 may be complementary to the corresponding registration features 206 on the tray 118. Registration features 354 on the square base 350 may allow positioning of the tray 118 relative to the cutting assembly 114.

In certain embodiments, a square base 350 may be attached to the frame 110 using, for example, bolts, screws, or other components. In some embodiments, the component for securely physically coupling the square base 350 to the frame 110 may pass through one or more of the registration features 354 to securely engage with a corresponding socket on the frame 110. In such embodiments, the registration features 354 may be used to align the square base 350 to properly place the square base 350 on the frame 110. In some embodiments, a base may be included as part of a single integrated frame 110 and a square base 350. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the tray 118 may be attached directly to the frame 110 without the need for a square base 350. Accordingly, the frame 110 may include one or more mounts that are appropriately positioned to provide registration features that are complementary to registration features in the tray 118.

The square base 350 may have one or more features that are complementary to the features in the tray 118. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the square base 350 may have a central cavity 356, which may be sized and sized to be slightly larger than one of the central recessed grooves 228 in the tray 118 and is thus centered The recessed groove 228 is complementary. Therefore, when processing food, the central recessed groove 228 can be supported in the central chamber 356. The square base 350 may have a plurality of sector cavities 364, which may be sized and dimensioned to be slightly larger than the sector recessed grooves 210 in the tray 118 and thus complementary to the sector recessed grooves 210 . Therefore, when processing food, the sector recessed groove 210 can be supported in the sector chamber 364. In certain embodiments, one or more of the sector chamber 364 and / or the center chamber 356 may be used as registration features to align the tray 118 onto the square base 350.

The base 150 may include a food receiving perimeter 358 that forms a perimeter around the central cavity 356. The food receiving perimeter 358 may be complementary to one of the raised peripheral edges 204 in the tray 118. Therefore, the food receiving perimeter 358 may have a vertex and a downwardly and outwardly sloping side wall, and the apex and the downwardly and outwardly sloping side wall are sized and sized so as to be slightly smaller than the raised peripheral edge 204 corresponding Vertices and side walls that slope downward and outward. In this embodiment, the food receiving perimeter 358 can provide support for the raised peripheral edge 204 when the cutting system 100 cuts food. The square base 350 may have a plurality of grooves 360 that extend, may be sized and dimensioned to be complementary to the channel 208 and the raised sector edge 232 in the tray 118.

FIG. 4 shows a portion of the transmission 112 and the cutting assembly 114 of FIG. 1 in more detail. In some embodiments, the transmission device 112 may include a rod-shaped body 402, an actuator 404, and a plate 406. The actuator 404 may be fixed to the frame 110 using, for example, bolts or screws. The rod-shaped body 402 moves in a direction perpendicular to the surface 212 and the surface 214 of the tray 118 and / or the base 120. The cutting system 100 uses movement of the rod-shaped body 402 to drive the cutting assembly 114 between an upwardly retracted or disengaged position or configuration and a downwardly extended or engaged position or configuration. The blade of the cutting assembly 114 extends through the food in the extended or engaged position or configuration, and the blade is spaced from the food in the retracted or disengaged position or configuration. The cutting assembly 114 is movable (eg, translated) between a retracted position and an extended position along a central axis 408. In some embodiments, the central axis 408 may intersect the tray 118 at a point that is one of the center points of the tray 118.

The actuator 404 may be used to apply a force to the rod-shaped body 402. The force applied by the actuator 404 causes the rod-shaped body 402 to move along the central axis 408. In certain embodiments, the actuator 404 may be a pneumatic actuator (eg, a piston head and a cylinder) that uses compressed gas or hydraulic fluid to apply a force to the rod-shaped body 402. In certain embodiments, the actuator 404 may be an electric motor having one of gears or solenoids that may be coupled (eg, physically, magnetically) to apply force to the rod-like body 402. One force. In some embodiments, the actuator 404 may be composed of pneumatic valves and switches that function based on a directional airflow. In this case, the cutting assembly 114 may be fully pneumatic and may not require electrical connections to operate. In certain embodiments, the actuator 404 may be activated or activated by one or more user-engageable input components 124, such as buttons, switches, or other control features. For example, a user-engageable input assembly 124 (shown in FIG. 1) may be coupled to the actuator 404 to activate the actuator 404. The user-engageable input assembly 124 may be coupled to the actuator 404, for example, by an electrical or mechanical coupling. In some implementations, multiple user-engageable input components 124 may need to be pressed to activate the actuator 404. The cutting system 100 may require pressing (for example, pressing simultaneously) multiple user-engageable input components to activate the actuator 404. Multiple user-engageable input components 124 can be spaced relative to each other so that one of the users can operate each user-engageable input component 124 separately, thereby ensuring that both hands of the user can be engaged by the user. On the input assembly 124 and away from the cutting assembly during the movement of the cutting assembly 114. In addition, the movement of the cutting assembly 114 may require the user to continuously engage the user-engageable input assembly 124, automatically stopping in response to the user's hand disengaging one or both of the user-engageable input assembly 124. Move down at least. Therefore, the user-engageable input assembly 124 may provide a safety feature to prevent the cutting system 100 from being opened accidentally. In some implementations, the actuator 404 may be a simple lever arm, and the actuator 404 may be urged via one or more springs, as appropriate, for example. In some embodiments, a plate 406 can removably attach the cutting assembly 114 to the rod-shaped body 402. Other components may be used to attach the cutting assembly 114 to the rod-shaped body 402. In some embodiments, the cutting assembly 114 may be directly attached to the rod-shaped body 402. Therefore, the force exerted by the actuator 404 on the rod-shaped body 402 can be transmitted to the cutting assembly 114.

The force to be applied by the actuator 404 may depend on the action performed by the cutting assembly 114. For example, when the cutting assembly 114 is moved into the extended position to cut a pizza, as discussed below, the actuator 404 may apply a force in a downward direction to move the cutting assembly 114. When the cutting assembly 114 is moved upward into the retracted position, the actuator 404 may apply a force in an upward direction to move the cutting assembly 114.

FIG. 5 shows the cutting assembly 114 of FIG. 1 in more detail. The cutting assembly 114 may include a plurality of blades 502, a block 504, and optionally a fastener 506. In some embodiments, the plurality of blades 502 can be positioned such that the plurality of blades 502 are disposed relative to a central axis 510, for example, arranged angularly in an array about the central axis 510 and generally oriented toward the central axis 510. Outside extension. In certain embodiments, each blade 502 may be disposed radially about a central axis 510 (eg, like a spoke originating from a hub). For example, in some embodiments, each blade 502 may pass through the central axis 510 such that the blades 502 extend radially from either side of the central axis 510 by a substantially equal amount. In this embodiment, a cutting assembly with one of the number N blades 502 will cut the food into 2 * N pieces. When the cutting assembly 114 is operatively positioned within the cutting system 100, the central axis 510 may be perpendicular to the faces 212 and 214 of the tray 118.

Each blade 502 may have two faces 512 and 514 disposed on opposite sides of the blade 502. The two faces 512 and 514 may be separated by a distance that may be equal to one thickness of the blade 502. In certain embodiments, the blade 502 may include a blade or cutting surface 516 that can be used to cut food. Each blade 502 may be made of stainless steel or any other material that can be safe and suitable for handling and cutting food and is easily sterilized. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of blades 502 may have the same length.

A respective bottommost edge (eg, a cutting edge) of each of the plurality of blades may exist in a plane perpendicular to a direction of movement of the blades. For example, as shown in the left best map in FIGS. 6A to 6D, the blades 502 may each include one or more slots, and the one or more slots are sized and sized to receive other blades in the blade 502. . Therefore, the blades 502 may be nested in slots of other blades, wherein the respective bottommost edges of each of the plurality of blades are coplanar with each other. Thus, the blades 502 can be interlocked with each other.

6A-6D show a plurality of nestable blades 502a, 502b, 502c, 502d (4 are shown, collectively referred to as 502) according to at least one illustrated embodiment. The blades 502 can be assembled such that each blade passes through the central axis 510 (FIG. 5), with the blades 502 extending radially from either side of the central axis 510 by an approximately equal amount. Although four blades 502a, 502b, 502c, and 502d are illustrated, other embodiments may include a smaller number or a larger number of blades 502. When cutting a food item, such as a pizza, 3 or 4 blades 502 can be used to form 6 or 8 triangular slices.

6A is a schematic diagram of one of the first blades 502a that can be used as a bottom blade in a nested group. The first blade 502a includes a slot 610a that is sized and sized to securely receive additional blades in a nestable group, such as a second blade 502b, a third blade 502c, and a fourth blade 502d. The groove 610a may extend along a height of one of the first blades 502a. However, as shown in FIG. 6A, the groove 610a may not extend completely through the height of the first blade 502a. Instead, a solid portion 614a may be positioned between the lower edge of the groove 610a and an edge 616a defined by the cutting surface or edge 616a of the first blade 502a. In certain embodiments, the first blade 502a may include a solid registration feature 612a, which may be used to secure a set of nestable blades 502 to the block 504, for example as discussed below.

FIG. 6B shows one of the set of nestable blades 502, a second blade 502b. As shown in FIG. 6B, the second blade 502b may include a slot 610b extending along the height of the second blade 502b. A solid portion 614b can separate the groove 610b into an upper groove 610b-1 and a lower groove 610b-2. In some embodiments, the length of the lower groove 610b-2 in the second blade 502b may be approximately equal to the length of the solid portion 614a in the first blade 502a. In this embodiment, the second blade 502b may be nested within the first (eg, bottom) blade 502a, so that a lower groove 610b-2 of the second blade 502b encloses the solid portion 614a of the first blade 502a. Therefore, when the first blade 502a and the second blade 502b are fixed by the block 504, the bottom of the cutting edge 616a and the bottom of the 616b may be at substantially the same horizontal height or flush.

FIG. 6C shows one third blade 502c in a set of nestable blades 502. As shown in FIG. 6C, the third blade 502c may include a slot 610c extending along the height of the third blade 502c. A solid portion 614c can separate the groove 610c into an upper groove 610c-1 and a lower groove 610c-2. In some embodiments, the length of the lower slot 610c-2 in the third blade 502c may be approximately equal to the sum of the solid portion 614a in the first (eg, bottom) blade 502a and the solid portion 614b in the second blade 502b. In this embodiment, the third blade 502c may be nested in the first blade 502a and the second blade 502b, so that the lower groove 610c-2 of the third blade 502c encloses the solid portion 614a and the second blade 502a. The solid portion 614b of the blade 502b. Therefore, when the first blade 502a, the second blade 502b, and the third blade 502c are respectively fixed by the block 504, the bottom or the blade 616c in the third blade 502c may be at substantially the same level as the blades 616a and 616b.

FIG. 6D shows one of a set of nestable blades 502, a fourth (e.g., upper) blade 502d. As shown in FIG. 6D, the fourth blade 502d may include a slot 610d extending along the height of the fourth blade 502d. However, as shown in FIG. 6D, the groove 610d may not completely extend through the height of the fourth blade 502d. Instead, a solid portion 614d may be positioned between an upper edge of the groove 610d and an upper edge of one of the fourth blades 502d. In certain embodiments, the length of the slot 610d in the fourth (eg, upper) blade 502d may be approximately equal to the sum of the solid portions 614a to 614c. In this embodiment, the fourth blade 502d may be nested in the first blade 502a, the second blade 502b, and the third blade 502c, so that the groove 610d of the fourth blade 502d encloses the first blade 502a and the second blade, respectively. 502b and the solid portions 614a to 614c of the third blade to 502c. Therefore, when the blades 502a to 502d are fixed by the block 504, the bottom of one of the cutting edges 616d of the fourth blade 502d may be at substantially the same level or flush with the cutting edges 616a to 616c. In addition, when the block 504 and a set of nestable blades 502a to 502d are incorporated into an operable cutting system 100, the cutting edges 616a to 616d may be parallel to the faces 212 and 214 of the tray 118. In addition, one of the planes in which the cutting edges 616a to 616d exist may be perpendicular to the direction of travel of one of the blades 502 when the blade 502 moves between the engaged position or configuration and the disengaged position or configuration. In certain embodiments, a set of nestable blades 502 may use fewer or more than 4 blades 502.

Although the blades 502 are illustrated and described as extending through the center of the block 504, in some embodiments, shorter blades may be used (e.g., each blade is essentially cut in half), with pairs of blades spanning One of the center points of the blocks 504 is opposite to each other in the diameter direction. This will use twice as many blades and therefore may not be better.

FIG. 7 shows the block 504 of FIG. 5 in more detail. According to at least one of the illustrated embodiments, the block 504 may be used to hold a set of nestable blades 502a to 502d (FIGS. 5, 6A to 6D).

The stacked block 504 may include a plurality of channels 702a to 702d (4 are shown, collectively referred to as 702). The plurality of channels 702 may be sized and sized to receive portions of individual blades in a set of nested blades 502a to 502d (FIGS. 5, 6A to 6D). In some embodiments, each of the plurality of channels 702a-702d will receive one of the blades 502a-502d of a set of nested blades 502a-502d. As shown in FIG. 7, the block 504 may include 4 channels 702a to 702d. In this embodiment, each channel 702a-702d can receive one of four blades 502a-502d of a set of nested blades 502. In certain embodiments, a set of channels 702 may be used to position each blade 502a-502d such that each blade 502a-502d is positioned opposite at least one channel 208 (FIG. 2) in the tray 118. In some implementations, the stacked block 504 may include more or fewer channels than the four channels shown in FIG. 7.

The block 504 may also include one or more registration features 704, which may be used to fix a set of nestable blades 502 in a desired position or orientation relative to the block 504 (e.g., The registration feature 704 in the block 504 may be complementary to the registration feature 612a in the bottom blade 502a. The registration feature 704 may include one or more holes or pores in the stacked block 504. These holes or apertures may be aligned with registration features 612a in the bottom blade 502a, and the registration features 612a may include a hole or aperture. A set of nestable blades 502a-502d may be secured to the block 504 using one or more fasteners 506. As shown in FIG. 5, the fastener 506 may include one or more clips, posts, or pegs that removably secure the bottom blade 502a and the block as the fastener 506 is inserted through the registration features 704 and 612a. 504. Since each of the remaining blades 502b to 502d is nested with the first or bottom blade 502a, it can be used without any additional fasteners 506 (e.g., clips, pegs, bolts and nuts, screws, cam fasteners). In the case, the remaining blades 502b-502d are fixed to the stack block 504 in the same manner. For example, when cleaning the blades 502a to 502d, or when using a new blade 502 or replacing one or more of the blades 502a to 502d for sanding or other maintenance, use two fasteners 506 to nest the blades 502a to 502d A food preparation worker may be allowed to quickly and easily remove all of the blades 502a-502d from the cutting system 100.

8 shows a bottom view of one of the cutting assemblies 114 according to at least one illustrated embodiment, in which the blade 802 is positioned to extend radially away from a central axis without passing through the central axis . In certain embodiments, each blade 802 may be diametrically opposed to another blade 802 across a central axis. In certain embodiments, an odd number of blades 802 may be used in the cutting assembly 114 so that one or more of the blades 802 may not be diametrically opposed to the other blade 802. Each blade 802 may be fixed or attached to the block 504 by one or more registration features 804. For example, the registration feature 804 can be a latch on one side of the block 504 that can be used to secure the blade 802 to the block 504. Other registration features may be used to secure or attach the blade 802 to the block 504. For example, the registration feature 804 may include a notch or spring-loaded lever or clamp located inside the block 504 that engages the blade 802 when the blade 802 is inserted into the block 504. Therefore, each blade 802 can extend radially from the central axis 510 by an approximately equal amount without passing through the central axis. In this embodiment, a cutting assembly having one of the number N of blades 802 will cut the food into N pieces.

FIG. 9 shows one cutting assembly 114 in which the blades 502 are parallel. In this embodiment, the blade 502 may cut the food into parallel pieces. Therefore, the cutting system 100 using one of the N parallel blades 502 can cut the food into N + 1 pieces. As shown in FIG. 9, for example, a cutting assembly 114 may have a block 902 in which parallel channels 904 may be sized and sized to receive the blades 502 and position the blades to each other Separate a distance, which may correspond to the size of a piece of food to be processed. The tray 118 (not shown in FIG. 9) for holding food may have a corresponding channel positioned to meet the parallel blade 502. Block 902 may have one or more registration features 906 that secure or attach each of the parallel blades to block 502. For example, the registration feature 906 may include one or more pins that extend through the block 902 in a direction perpendicular to each of the faces 512 and 514 of the blade 502. In some embodiments, the registration feature may include one or more latches located on one of the faces of the block 902 to secure a blade 502 to the block 902. The registration feature may include a slot, latch, or lever located at least partially within a channel 904 that secures a blade 502 to the block 902 when the blade 502 is inserted into the channel 904. In certain embodiments where the blade 502 is configured to cut food using parallel blades, the transmission 112 and frame 110 may remain substantially unchanged compared to the embodiment where the cutting system 100 cuts food having a circular shape.

FIG. 10 shows a blade 1002 having a curved shape or pattern. As shown in FIG. 10, the blade 1002 may form an arc extending outward from the block 504. In this embodiment, when a plurality of blades 502 are fixed to the block 504, the cutting edge 1004 on the edge of the blade 1002 opposite to the block 504 may form a concave surface (eg, a bowl) profile. In this embodiment, the channel 208 (not shown in FIG. 12) in the tray 118 may be sized and sized to fit the arc formed by the blade 1002. For example, the channel 208 may be sized to slope downwardly from the raised peripheral edge 204 toward the central recessed groove 228, such that the height at the center of the blade 1002 when the cutting assembly 114 is in the extended or engaged position Will not be cut into the channel 208.

11 shows a bottom view of a cutting assembly according to one of the illustrated embodiments, in which the edge of the blade is curved in a plane formed by the edge of the blade. As shown in FIG. 11, the blade 1102 may radiate outward from the central axis 510 and bend around the central axis 510. In this embodiment, the cutting edges on the edge of the blade 1102 opposite the block 504 may be at substantially the same horizontal height or in the same plane. When the blade is fixed or attached to the block 504, the blade edge of the blade 1102 may be parallel to the face 212 and the face 214 of the tray 118. In certain embodiments, when the cutting assembly 114 is in the extended or engaged position, the channels 208 (not shown in FIG. 11) in the tray 118 may be sized and sized to fit the curve formed by the blade 1102. . Each blade 1102 may be fixed or attached to the block 504 by one or more registration features 1104. For example, the registration feature 1104 may be located on one face of the block 504 and may be used to secure the blade 1102 to a latch of the block 504. Other registration features may be used to secure or attach the blade 1102 to the block 504. For example, the registration feature 1104 may include a notch or spring-loaded lever or clamp located within the block 504 that engages the blade 1102 when the blade 1102 is inserted into the block 504.

FIG. 12 shows a cutting system 100 in which the blade 1202 has a curved shape or pattern according to at least one illustrated embodiment. In this embodiment, the blade may be formed into a non-linear shape (e.g., a drawing, a letter, a logo, or a geometric design) that can cut food. Therefore, the blade edge can form a plane substantially parallel to the base 120. In this embodiment, the channels 1204 in the block 1206 may be sized and sized to receive each of the blades 1202. The block 1206 may have one or more registration features 1208 to secure or attach each of the blades 1202 to the block 1206. For example, the registration feature 1208 may include one or more pins extending through one or more of the blades 1202. In some embodiments, the registration feature 1208 may include one or more latches securing one blade 1202 to one of the faces of the block 1206 on one of the faces of the block 1206. The registration feature 1208 may include a slot, latch, or lever located at least partially inside a channel 1204 that secures a blade 1202 to the block 1206 when the blade 1202 is inserted into the channel 1204.

FIG. 13 shows the cleaning assembly 116 of FIG. 1 in more detail. The cleaning assembly 116 may include: a plurality of support plates 1302a, 1302b, 1302c (8 are shown, only 3 are named, collectively referred to as 1302); a plurality of scrapers 1304a, 1304b, 1304c (8 are shown, only 3 named (collectively 1304); and bracket 1306.

Each of the support plates 1302 may have a shape related to a shape in which the food is cut. As shown in FIG. 13, for example, the support plate 1302 may have a triangular profile with dimensions defined by sides 1310a, 1310b, 1310c, where the size of the triangular profile may be, for example, one slice of pizza that the cutting system 100 will cut One size related. Each support plate 1302 may have an upper surface 1312 and a lower surface 1314. The upper surface 1312 and the lower surface 1314 are configured to face each other and separated by a thickness of the support plate 1302. In use, the upper surface 1312 and the lower surface 1314 may be parallel to the tray 118, and the upper surface 1312 and the lower surface 1314 may be perpendicular to the surfaces 512 and 514 of the blade 502 (FIG. 5).

The wiper 1304 may have the same contour as that of the support plate 1302, but with a slightly larger size. Thus, as shown in FIG. 13, each wiper 1304 may be attached to a respective one of the support plates 1302 and extend beyond the periphery of one of the respective support plates 1302. In some embodiments, the wiper 1304 is selectively detachable from the respective support plate 1302 to facilitate cleaning and / or replacement. Each wiper 1304 may have a first face 1316 and an opposite second face 1318; the two faces 1316 and 1318 (named only one of each) may be separated by one thickness of the wiper 1304 . The sides 1316 and 1318 of the wiper 1304 may be perpendicular to the sides 512 and 514 of the blade 502 (FIG. 5). In some embodiments, the wiper 1304 may be composed of a flexible, resilient food-grade material, such as an elastomer (e.g., food-grade silicone, nitrile, neoprene, and / or EPDM (three Yuan ethylene propylene) rubber). In some embodiments, the wiper 1304 may be constructed of a rigid food-grade metal, such as stainless steel.

As shown in FIG. 13, adjacent support plates 1302 may be arranged in an array to form gaps 1320a, 1320b, 1320c (eight are shown, only three are named, collectively referred to as 1320). The support plate 1302 may be positioned so that the gap 1320 has a size slightly larger than one of the widest widths of the blade 502. In some embodiments, a gap 1320 is formed between portions of each pair of wipers 1304 that extend beyond the perimeter of the adjacent adjacent support plate 1302 to form two opposing wipers 1304. The gap 1320 is sized and sized to tightly receive the width of the respective cutting blade 502, so that the opposing wipers 1304 are physically engaged with the faces 512 and 514 of the respective cutting blade 502. Therefore, when the cutting blade 502 is moved from the engaged position or extended position engaged with the food and tray 118 to the disengaged position or retracted position, the scraper 1304 is scraped off from the sides 512 and 514 of the blade 502 and may have been attached to the blade 502 of any food (eg, melted cheese, toppings, breadcrumbs). In some embodiments, the wiper 1304 may be made of a food-grade polymer or silicone.

The optional bracket 1306 allows the cleaning assembly 116 to be attached to the frame 110 and fixes each of the support plates 1302. The bracket 1306 may be fixed or fastened to each of the support plates 1302, thereby allowing the wiper 1304 to clean the entire length of the blade 502. In some embodiments, the bracket 1306 may have a height that is greater than the height of the blade 502. This embodiment may allow the upper assembly 104 to fully retract the blade 502 through the wiper 1304, so that the lower edge of the blade 502 is located at a position higher than the wiper 1304. This configuration may allow cleaning of all the faces 512 and 514 of each blade 502.

In embodiments where the blade 502 is curved or formed into other non-linear shapes or patterns, the support plate 1302 and the corresponding wiper 1304 may have matching shapes.

FIG. 14A shows a cross-sectional view of a pair of opposing wipers engaging a blade 502 at a downward angle. In this embodiment, the wiper 1404 may be angled in a downward direction, wherein the edge of the wiper 1404 adjacent to the support plate 1302 is relatively higher or lower than the edge of the wiper 1404 opposite to the support plate 1302. In this example, the opposing wipers 1404 may intersect to form a "V" shape, where a gap 1406 exists at a point formed on both sides of the "V" shape. The gap 1406 is sized and sized to closely receive the width of the respective cutting blade 502, so that the opposite wiper 1404 physically engages with the faces 512 and 514 of the respective cutting blade 502. Therefore, when the cutting blade 502 is moved from the engaged position or extended position to the disengaged position or retracted position that is engaged with the food and tray 118, the scraper 1404 is scraped off from the sides 512 and 514 of the blade 502 and may have been attached to the blade 502 of any food (eg, melted cheese, toppings, breadcrumbs).

FIG. 14B shows a cross-sectional view of a pair of opposing wipers engaging a blade 502 at an upward angle. In this embodiment, the opposite wipers 1414 may intersect to form an inverted "V", and there is a gap 1416 at the point where the inverted "V" shape is formed. The gap 1416 is sized and sized to closely receive the width of the respective cutting blade 502, so that the opposite wipers 1414 are physically engaged with the faces 512 and 514 of the respective cutting blade 502. Therefore, when the cutting blade 502 moves from the engaged position or extended position engaged with the food and tray 118 to the disengaged position or retracted position, the scraper 1414 is scraped off from the sides 512 and 514 of the blade 502 and may have been attached to the blade 502 of any food (eg, melted cheese, toppings, breadcrumbs).

15A and 15B show one pair of opposing metal wipers that can be used to scrape off any food (e.g., melted cheese, toppings, breadcrumbs) that can be attached to the blade 502 from the sides 512 and 514 of the blade 502 1500. The metal scraper 1500 may be composed of a food-grade metal, such as stainless steel, that can be used to handle and prepare food.

Each metal scraper 1500 may include a flat portion 1502 and one or more extending portions 1504. One or more extending portions 1504 may extend outward from the flat portion 1502 at a non-zero angle. Each metal wiper 1500 may have an upper surface 1508 and a lower surface 1510, which are configured to face each other and separated by a thickness of one of the metal wipers 1500. In use, the upper surface 1508 and the lower surface 1510 along the flat portion 1502 may be parallel to the tray 118 and / or perpendicular to the surfaces 512 and 514 of the blade 502 (FIG. 15B). In certain embodiments, the extension portion 1504 may extend outwardly and downwardly from the flat portion 1502 of the metal wiper 1500. In certain embodiments, the extension portion 1504 may extend outwardly and upwardly from the flat portion 1502 of the metal wiper 1500. In some embodiments, at least one extension portion 1504 of a metal wiper 1500 may extend in a direction different from the flat portion 1502 with respect to other extension portions 1504 on the same metal wiper 1500. In some embodiments, the flat portion 1502 and the extended portion 1504 may form a one-piece structure.

Each metal scraper 1500 may have a shape related to the shape into which the food product is to be cut. As shown in FIG. 15A, for example, the metal wiper 1500 may have a triangular profile with dimensions defined by sides 1506a, 1506b, 1506c, where the size of the triangular profile may be, for example, the same as that to be cut by the cutting system 100 One slice of pizza is size dependent. As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, adjacent metal scrapers 1500 may be arranged in an array to form a gap 1512. The metal wiper 1500 may be positioned such that the gap 1512 has a size slightly larger than one of the widest widths of the blade 502. In certain embodiments, a gap 1512 is formed between the respective paired extensions 1504 of two opposing metal blades 1500, wherein the respective extensions 1504 extend outward beyond the associated flat portion 1502 to form two opposing Metal scraper 1500. The gap 1512 is sized and sized to closely receive the width of the respective cutting blade 502, so that the opposing metal scraper 1500 physically engages with the faces 512 and 514 of the respective cutting blade 502. Therefore, when the cutting blade 502 moves from the engaged position or extended position engaged with the food tray 118 to the disengaged position or retracted position, the metal scraper 1500 is scraped off from the side 512 and the side 514 of the blade 502 and may have been attached to the blade 502 of any food (eg, melted cheese, toppings, breadcrumbs).

In some embodiments, each metal wiper 1500 may include a post 1514 that may physically couple the metal wiper 1500 to the frame 110 to thereby secure each metal wiper 1500. The post 1514 may extend upward from the upper surface 1508 of the flat portion 1502 of the metal wiper 1500. In certain embodiments, the post 1514 may have a height that is greater than the height of the blade 502. This embodiment may allow the upper assembly 104 to fully retract the blade 502 through the metal wiper 1500, so that the lower edge of the blade 502 is located at a position higher than the metal wiper 1500. This configuration may allow cleaning of all the faces 512 and 514 of each blade 502.

FIG. 16 shows a cover 1600 that can be placed over at least a portion of the cutting system 100. The cover 1600 may include a protective shell 1602. The protective shell 1602 has a rear wall 1604, a top wall 1606, a front wall 1608, one or more side walls 1610, and optionally a bottom wall (not shown). In some embodiments, one or more of the top wall 1606 and / or the side wall 1610 may include a window 1612 (such as, for example, made of acrylic, plastic, or similar suitable material) that enables an operator to safely view one of the cutting systems 100. One of the windows). The window 1612 may facilitate positioning of a pizza or other food product under the cutting assembly 114 in the cutting system 100. The side wall 1610 may include opposite apertures 1614a, 1614b, and the apertures 1614a, 1614b may be aligned with the cutting assembly 114 enclosed within the cover 1600 to provide an inlet and / or outlet for food.

In some embodiments, the front wall 1608 may include a movable portion 1616 and a stationary portion 1618. The movable portion 1616 is rotatably coupled to the stationary portion 1618 of the front wall 1608 and is rotatable or pivotable 1620 along a rotation axis 1622 that extends laterally across the front wall 1608. In certain embodiments, a sensor 1617 may be positioned along or adjacent to a path traveled by the movable portion 1616 when the movable portion 1616 is rotated about the rotation axis 1622. The sensor 1617 may be, for example, a proximity sensor, an RFID tag, a Hall-effect sensor, or any other type of sensor. The sensor is movable on the front wall 1608. The portion 1616 may move toward the sensor 1617 or engage with the sensor 1617 to generate a signal. The sensor 1617 may be communicatively coupled with the actuator 404, and may thereby transmit such a signal to engage the actuator 404. As such, when the movable portion 1616 rotates downward, the movable portion 1616 can activate the sensor 1617 or engage the sensor 1617, so that the sensor 1617 generates a signal transmitted to the actuator 404. This signal can be used to trigger the actuator 404 when received by the actuator 404. The actuator 404 can act to move the cutting assembly 114 downward to cut food (e.g., sauced, coated Cheese-dried, flat-topped and partially cooked dough). In some implementations, such a sensor 1617 may be physically attached to the cover 1600. This operation may provide a security feature for the cutting system 100.

In certain embodiments, the movable portion 1616 of the front wall 1608 may include a handle 1626 that is physically fixed to the movable portion 1616 of the front wall 1608. As such, the handle 1626 may be oriented and placed to facilitate rotation 1620 of the movable portion 1616 of the front wall 1608. In some embodiments, the handle 1626 may include a user-engageable switch 1628 or other similar component having one of an ON state and an OFF state. The user-engageable switch 1628 may be communicatively coupled with the actuator 404 and is operable to transmit a signal to the actuator 404, for example, when the user-engageable switch 1628 is in the ON state. In certain embodiments, before the actuator 404 can be engaged to thereby activate the transmission 112 to move the cutting assembly 114, the actuator 404 may need to receive this signal from the user-engageable switch 1628 and from The sensor 1617 receives a signal. This user-engageable switch 1628 may provide a further security mechanism for the operation of the cutting system 100.

In some embodiments, the cover 1600 may include a change control switch 1630 that may have one of an ON position and an OFF position. When in the ON position, even when the movable part is in a closed configuration or position or moved from an open configuration or position to a closed configuration or position, changing the control switch 1630 still prevents the cutting assembly 114 from being blocked. Activate and move out of self-retracting position. For example, changing the control switch 1630 may interrupt the signal so that it cannot be transmitted from the sensor 1617 and / or the user-engageable switch 1628 to the actuator 404. In certain implementations, for example, changing the control switch 1630 can activate one of the solenoids 1632 that can be used to selectively couple or decouple the sensor 1617 and the actuator 404.

In some embodiments, the cover 1600 may be surrounded by a "light curtain" consisting of one or more light-generating components that generate electromagnetic waves, and the associated sensors are oriented to receive the light-generating components. These electromagnetic waves. In this way, the cutting assembly 114 can be automatically operated in a pass-through mode, in which the cutting assembly 114 can process or cut food without operator interaction. In this embodiment, the cutting assembly 114 may continue to operate in a continuous mode unless one or more of the sensors stop receiving corresponding electromagnetic waves from the light-generating component, such as, for example, being penetrated by one person A "light curtain" occurs when one or more optical paths between a light generating component and an associated sensor are blocked. When this situation occurs, the cutting assembly 114 may automatically stop operating until, for example, the cutting assembly 114 is reset, such as by resetting one or more user-engageable input components 124 to perform resetting. Assume.

The front wall 1608 may include one removable portion 1624 that is selectively removable from the cover 1600. In certain embodiments, for example, the removable portion 1624 can enable access to the interior of the cover and align with the cutting assembly 114 on the cutting system 100. As such, the removable portion 1624 can be used to strike the cutting assembly 114 and thereby (for example) change and / or clean the blade 502.

FIG. 17 shows an internal portion 1700 of a cover 1600. One or more of the rear wall 1604, the top wall 1606, the front wall 1608, and the one or more side walls 1610 may separate an inner portion 1700 of the cover 1600 from an outer portion 1702. As such, the inner portion 1700 may include a top region 1704 and a bottom region 1706. In this embodiment, when the cutting assembly 114 is in the retracted position, the cutting assembly 114 of the cutting system 100 may be positioned relatively toward the top region 1704 of the inner portion 1700 of the cover 1600. When the transmission 112 is engaged, the transmission 112 may translate the cutting assembly 114 into a cutting position in the bottom region 1706 of the cover 1600 (such as to cut a food item).

The cover 1600 can surround a platform 1708 that can be positioned within the bottom region 1706 of the inner portion 1700 of the cover 1600. The platform 1708 may include, for example, one or more of a base 120 and / or a square base 350. The platform 1708 may be aligned with one or more apertures 1614a, 1614b. The apertures 1614a, 1614b can be used as an inlet and / or outlet for covering food in the internal portion 1700 of the 1600. The platform 1708 may include an upwardly facing surface 1710, and the upwardly facing surface 1710 may include one or more registration features 206, such as one or more dimples located in the upwardly facing surface 1710 of the platform 1708. These registration features 206 can be used to align a tray 118 onto a platform 1708. In certain embodiments, the platform 1708 can be selectively removed from the cover 1600. As such, another type of platform 1708 (such as a platform that can be used to cut a food of a different type or size) may be placed within the interior portion 1700 of the cover 1600 as appropriate.

FIG. 18 shows a cover 1800 having a drawer 1802 that moves between an open position and a closed position with respect to the rest of the cover 1800. FIG. 19 shows a cover 1800 with a portion of the front wall 1810 removed. The cover 1800 includes a protective shell 1804. The protective shell 1804 has a rear wall 1806, a top wall 1808, a front wall 1810, and one or more side walls 1812. The protective shell 1804 may separate an inner portion 1818 of one of the covers 1800 from an outer 1820 of one of the covers 1800. In some embodiments, one or more of the top wall 1808 and / or the side wall 1812 may include a window 1814 (such as a window made of acrylic, plastic, or similar suitable material), the window 1814 enables an operation A person can safely observe the cutting system 100. The window 1814 may be convenient for an operator to position a pizza or other food product under the cutting assembly 114 in the cutting system 100. The front wall 1810 may include an aperture 1816, which may provide space for the drawer 1802 to translate from an open position to a closed position, as discussed below.

The drawer 1802 may include a bottom 1822 having an upwardly facing surface 1824. In certain embodiments, the bottom 1822 of the drawer 1802 may extend substantially across a width 1826 and a depth 1828 of the drawer 1802. The upward facing surface 1824 may be used to support the platform 1708. As discussed below, the face-up surface 1824 can include one or more registration features that enable the use of another type of platform 1708 (such as one platform that can be used for a different type of food) 1708) to selectively remove and replace platform 1708. The drawer 1802 may include a front wall 1830 and an opposite rear wall 1832 separated by a depth 1828 of the drawer 1802. In some embodiments, the front wall 1830 may include a handle 1836 that facilitates opening and closing one of the drawers 1802.

The drawer 1802 may be supported by one or more sets of extendable arms 1900 (FIG. 19). The one or more sets of extendable arms 1900 may include rails and / or rollers that guide the drawer 1802 as the drawer 1802 is translated from an open position to a closed position. In the open position, at least a portion of the drawer 1802 may be positioned in the exterior 1820 relative to the cover 1800. In this position, food can be loaded onto the platform 1708 for processing by the cutting system 100 and / or removed from the platform 1708 after the cutting system 100 has completed this processing. In the closed position, the drawer 1802 may be completely surrounded by the protective shell 1804 and contained within the covered inner portion 1818. In this way, the front wall 1830 of the drawer can be flush with the front wall 1810 of the cover 1800. In this embodiment, when the drawer 1802 is in the closed position, the platform 1708 may be aligned with and positioned below the cutting assembly 114.

The drawer 1802 may have an open position, a closed position, and a cutting position. In this embodiment, the open position may correspond to a position in which at least a portion of the drawer 1802 is positioned in the exterior 1820 with respect to the cover 1800. The closed position may correspond to a position in which the drawer 1802 has moved toward and covers the inner portion 1818 of the 1800 and into the inner portion 1818 such that the front wall 1830 of the drawer 1802 is flush with the front wall 1810 of the cover 1800. The cutting position may correspond to a position in which the drawer 1802 has been further pushed into the inner portion 1818 of the cover 1800 through the closed position. As such, when the drawer 1802 is in the cutting position, the front wall 1830 of the drawer 1802 may be recessed relative to the front wall 1810 of the cover 1800. In certain embodiments, it may be necessary to further move or push the drawer 1802 into the inner portion 1818 of the cover 1800 to reach the cutting position to trigger the actuator 404.

When the drawer 1802 has been moved into the inner portion 1818 of the cover 1800, such as when the drawer 1802 is in a closed position and / or a cutting position, the drawer 1802 may trigger a sensor 1838. This sensor 1838 may be, for example, a proximity sensor, a switch, a Hall effect sensor, or any other similar type of sensor, which can be moved to the drawer 1802 to When the inner portion 1818 of the 1800 is covered, the presence or absence of the drawer 1802 and / or engagement with the drawer 1802 are detected. Such a sensor 1838 may be communicatively coupled with the actuator 404. In this embodiment, when the sensor 1838 is activated, the sensor 1838 can generate a signal and transmit the generated signal to the actuator 404, thereby triggering the actuator 404. Once triggered, the actuator 404 may cause the cutting assembly 114 to move downward to cut food (e.g., sauce-coated, cheese-coated, top-flattened, and partially cooked dough).

In some embodiments, the cover 1800 may include a user-engageable switch 1842 or other similar component having an ON state and an OFF state. The user-engageable switch 1842 may be communicatively coupled with the actuator 404 and is operable to transmit a signal to the actuator 404 when the user-engageable switch 1842 is in the ON position. In some embodiments, before the actuator 404 can be engaged to move the cutting assembly 114 to the cutting position, the actuator 404 may need to receive this signal from the user-engageable switch 1842 and the sensor 1838 Receive a signal. In some embodiments, the user-engageable switch may be located on or near the handle 1836. This user-engageable switch 1842 may provide a further security mechanism for the operation of the cutting system 100.

In some embodiments, the cover 1800 may include a change control switch 1844 that may have one of an ON position and an OFF position. When in the ON position, changing the control switch 1844 prevents the cutting assembly 114 from being activated and moving out of the retracted position. For example, changing the control switch 1844 may interrupt the signal so that it cannot be communicated from the sensor 1838 to the actuator 404. In certain embodiments, for example, changing the control switch 1844 can activate a solenoid 1846, which can be used to selectively couple or decouple the sensor 1838 from the actuator 404, and / or A user-engageable switch is selectively coupled or decoupled from the actuator 404.

The front wall 1810 may include one removable portion 1840 that is selectively removable from the cover 1800. In some implementations, for example, the removable portion 1840 can enable access to the inner portion 1818 of the cover 1800 and align with the cutting assembly 114 on the cutting system 100. As such, the removable portion 1840 may be used to access the cutting assembly 114 and thereby (for example) change and / or clean the blade 502.

In some implementations, the cover 1800 can include a display 1834 that can provide visual, audible, or other types of instructions regarding information related to the cutting system 100. This information may include, for example, the number of operations performed by the cutting assembly 114 since the most recent maintenance or cleaning, the pressure and / or force provided by the transmission 112 to move the cutting assembly 114 to the cutting position, and / Or the time elapsed since the last cleaning of the cutting assembly 114 and any other similar type of information.

FIG. 20 shows a cover 1800, wherein a sensor 2000 has been included along the rear wall 1806 from the aperture 1816 across the inner portion 1818 of the cover 1800, and the drawer 1802 is translated through the aperture 1816. In this embodiment, when the drawer 1802 is moved into the inner portion 1818 of the cover 1800, such as when the drawer 1802 is translated in the open position to the closed position and / or the cutting position, the drawer 1802 may trigger the sensor 2000. The sensor 2000 may be, for example, a proximity sensor, a switch, a Hall effect sensor, or any other similar type of sensor, and the sensor may be moved to cover in the drawer 1802. The internal portion 1818 of the 1800 detects when the drawer 1802 is present and / or meshes with the drawer 1802. Such a sensor 2000 may be communicatively coupled with the actuator 404. In this embodiment, when the sensor 2000 is activated, the sensor 2000 can generate a signal and transmit the generated signal to the actuator 404 to trigger the actuator 404. Once triggered, the actuator 404 may cause the cutting assembly 114 to move downward to cut food (e.g., sauce-coated, cheese-coated, top-flattened, and partially cooked dough).

In some embodiments, the drawer 1802 may have one or more of an open position and a closed position, and a cutting position. In this embodiment, the open position may correspond to a position in which at least a portion of the drawer 1802 is positioned with respect to the cover 1800 in the exterior 1820. The closed position may correspond to a position where the drawer 1802 has moved toward the inner portion 1818 of the cover 1800 and into the inner portion 1818 such that the front wall 1830 of the drawer 1802 is flush with the front wall 1810 of the cover 1800. The cutting position may correspond to a position in which the drawer 1802 has been further pushed into the inner portion 1818 of the cover 1800 through the closed position. As such, when the drawer 1802 is in the cutting position, the front wall 1830 of the drawer 1802 may be recessed relative to the front wall 1810 of the cover 1800. In some embodiments, it may be necessary to further move or push the drawer 1802 into the inner portion 1818 of the cover 1800 to reach the cutting position, thereby activating the sensor 2000.

FIG. 21 shows an upwardly facing surface 1824 of a drawer 1802, wherein the upwardly facing surface 1824 has a plurality of registration features 2100 and a physical coupling assembly 2102, according to at least one illustrated embodiment. The registration features 2100 may be selectively engaged with corresponding registration features 2100 located on the platform 1708. In certain embodiments, the registration features 2100 on the upwardly facing surface 1824 of the drawer 1802 may include posts or other extensions that protrude upward from the upwardly facing surface 1824 and engage corresponding recesses on the platform 1708. In certain embodiments, the registration features 2100 on the upwardly facing surface 1824 of the drawer 1802 may include recesses or other recesses recessed into the upwardly facing surface 1824 and engaging with corresponding posts or extensions on the platform 1708 pit. The registration features 2100 on the top-facing surface 1824 can be spaced to engage with corresponding registration features on the platform 1708, and thereby position the platform 1708 on the drawer 1802 such that when the drawer 1802 is in the closed position and / or the cutting position The center stage 1708 will be aligned with the cutting assembly 114.

The physical coupling assembly 2102 may be used to physically couple and secure the platform 1708 to the upward-facing surface 1824 of the drawer 1802. In certain embodiments, for example, the physical coupling assembly 2102 can include one or more threaded sockets that can be configured to securely receive placement on the platform 1708 through an aperture One screw or bolt. In certain embodiments, the physical coupling assembly 2102 may include one or more tabs or snaps that are selectively engageable with corresponding apertures or snaps on the platform 1708. These physical coupling components 2102 on the upwardly facing surface 1824 of the drawer 1802 can be selectively and quickly decoupled from corresponding components on the platform 1708, so that the platform can be changed quickly and efficiently.

22 is a flowchart showing a method 2200 of operating a cutting system 100 according to at least one illustrated embodiment.

At 2202, the cutting system 100 receives one of the food items to be cut. The food may be positioned on a tray 118 and then the tray 118 on the base 120 such that the food is in a desired or appropriate position for the cutting assembly 114. In certain embodiments, various registration features of the tray 118 and / or the base 120 (eg, the raised peripheral edge 204 of the tray 118) can be used to locate food. The cutting system may manually receive items from a food preparation mechanism or from an automatic or mechanical system (for example, a robot).

At 2204, the cutting system 100 receives a signal to engage the actuator 404. This signal is accepted when a food preparation worker engages a start button or switch (such as a user can engage switches 1628, 1842). In certain embodiments, the actuator 404 may respond to a signal indicating the presence or presence of one of the food items properly placed on the tray 118 or the base 120. This signal may be generated by one or more sensors (e.g., light emitter / receiver pair, pressure sensor, touch sensor) for identifying the presence and location of food on the tray 118 and / or the base 120. In some embodiments, the signal may be generated by one or more sensors 1838 that identify the presence and / or location of the platform 1708 when the platform 1708 is aligned with the cutting assembly 114. Alternatively, the signal can be generated manually, for example, by operating a switch or key. In certain embodiments, the actuator 404 may need to receive one or more of these signals to activate. In some implementations, at 2204, a change control switch (such as change control switches 1630, 1844) can interrupt the signal so that the actuator 144 cannot be received, thereby preventing the actuator 404 from starting.

At 2206, the cutting system 100 engages an actuator (e.g., piston, electric motor solenoid) 404 to drive the rod or shaft 402 and the attached cutting assembly 114 in a downward direction. In other embodiments, the cutting system 100 may be manually operated by a person operating a lever or other component to move the cutting assembly 114 between an extended position and a retracted position.

At 2208, the blade 502 in the cutting assembly 114 moves downward to engage the corresponding channel 208 in the tray 118 or base 120. In certain embodiments, the transmission 112 may drive the plurality of blades 502 in the cutting assembly 114 as a single assembly (eg, when the blades are nested in the block 504) along the central axis 510. The cutting system 100 may continue to move the blade 502 downward until a condition is met. For example, the cutting system 100 may continue to extend the blade 502 downward until the actuator 404 has exceeded a defined threshold force. In some embodiments, the actuator 404 is operable for a defined period of time to provide a downward force. The defined time period may be set long enough to ensure that the blade 502 has fully engaged with the corresponding channel 208 in the tray 118. In certain embodiments, the actuator 404 may continue to move the blade 502 until a signal is received that indicates that the blade 502 has contacted the channel 208 in the tray 118 or the base 120 or a portion of the assembly 114 has been cut Travel a defined distance.

At 2210, the actuator 404 can reverse the direction of travel of the blade 502, thereby retracting the blade 502 in an upward direction toward the retracted or disengaged position. During this movement, the scraper 1304 can scrape or "squeeze" the surfaces 512 and 514 of the blade 502 to remove food stuck on the surfaces 512 and 514, thereby cleaning the blade 502.

At 2112, the cut food is removed from the cutting system 100. In some embodiments, a food preparation worker may remove food with, for example, the tray 118. In some embodiments, the food can be removed by an automated system or a mechanical system (for example, a robot). A cover (not shown) may be placed on the tray 118 to form a package that encloses the cut food items. The package can be loaded with food, for example, into an oven for shipping to a delivery destination. The food may be cooked while being delivered to the delivery destination under one or more cooking parameters (eg, temperature, time, humidity) controlled based on an estimated time of arrival at one of the destinations, for example.

The cutting system 100 is reset to receive and cut another food product.

The foregoing description of the illustrated examples and implementations (including those set forth in the Abstract) is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the examples and implementations to the precise forms disclosed. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that although specific embodiments and examples have been described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The teachings of the various embodiments provided herein can be applied to cutting various types of foods, and are not necessarily limited to the exemplary cutting of the pizzas generally described above.

For example, the foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and / or procedures using block diagrams, schematics, and examples. To the extent that these block diagrams, diagrams, and examples contain one or more functions and / or operations, those skilled in the art will understand that they can be individually made by a variety of hardware, software, firmware, or almost any combination thereof. Each function and / or operation within these block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples is implemented locally and / or collectively. In one embodiment, the subject matter of the invention may be implemented via an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as one or more computer programs executed by one or more computers (for example, as one or more computer systems running on one or more computer systems or Programs), as one or more programs executed by one or more controllers (e.g., microcontrollers), as one or more programs executed by one or more processors (e.g., microprocessors) , As a firmware or as almost any combination thereof, fully or partially equivalently implemented in a standard integrated circuit, and in view of the teachings of the present invention, designing circuits and / or writing code for software and / or firmware will Within the skills of those familiar with this technology.

When logic is implemented as software and stored in memory, the logic or information may be stored on any computer-readable medium for use by or in conjunction with any processor-related system or method. In the context of the present invention, a memory system is a computer-readable medium that contains or stores an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or component of a computer and / or processor program. Logic and / or information may be included in any computer-readable medium for an instruction execution system, device, or device (such as a computer-based system, a processor-containing system, or extractable from an instruction execution system, device, or device) Instructions and other systems that execute instructions associated with logic and / or information) or use them in combination.

In the context of this specification, a "computer-readable medium" may be any element that can store programs associated with logic and / or information for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, device, and / or device. A computer-readable medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of computer-readable media will include the following: a portable computer diskette (magnetic compression flash card, secure digital, etc.), a random access memory (RAM) , A read-only memory (ROM), a removable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM or flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM) and digital tapes, and other Non-transitory media.

Many of the methods described in this article can be implemented with variations. For example, many methods include additional actions, omit certain actions, and / or perform actions in a different order than illustrated or explained.

The various embodiments set forth above may be combined to provide other embodiments. In a sense consistent with the specific teachings and definitions herein, all US patents, US patent application publications, US patent applications, foreign patents, Foreign patent applications and non-patent publications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. These applications include, but are not limited to, the title of "SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF PREPARING FOOD PRODUCTS" issued on March 22, 2016. No. 9,292,889; U.S. Patent Application No. 15/040866 entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF PREPARING FOOD PRODUCTS” filed on February 10, 2016; and entitled “CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORT AND” filed on March 22, 2016 "STORAGE OF FOOD PRODUCTS", US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/311787; Title of the US Provisional Patent Application entitled "ON-DEMAND ROBOTIC FOOD ASSEMBLY AND RELATED SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS" filed on April 8, 2016 No. 62/320282; US Design Patent Application No. 29 /, titled "FOOD CONTAINER", filed on March 22, 2016 No. 558874; US Design Patent Application No. 29/558873 titled "FOOD CONTAINER COVER" filed on March 22, 2016; American design titled "FOOD CONTAINER BASE" filed on March 22, 2016 Patent Application No. 29/558872; U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/574802 titled "FOOD CONTAINER" filed on August 18, 2016; Titled "FOOD CONTAINER" filed on August 18, 2016 "COVER" U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/574805; U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/574808 entitled "FOOD CONTAINER BASE" filed on August 18, 2016; filed on March 21, 2016 Hong Kong Patent Application No. 16103287.8 entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREPARING FOOD PRODUCTS”; European Patent Application No. EP14814044.5 entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREPARING FOOD PRODUCTS” filed on November 9, 2015 No .; PCT Application No. PCT / US2014 / 042879 entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREPARING FOOD PRODUCTS” filed on June 18, 2014; September 13, 2016 The title of the application is "CUTTER WITH RADIALLY DISPOSED BLADES", US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/394063; and the title of the application filed on July 14, 2017 is "SYSTEMS AND METHOD RELATED TO A FOOD-ITEM CUTTER AND ASSOCIATED COVER" US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/532914; US Patent Application No. 15/465228 entitled "CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORT AND STORAGE OF FOOD PRODUCTS" filed on March 21, 2017; April 6, 2017 The title of the application is "ON-DEMAND ROBOTIC FOOD ASSEMBLY AND RELATED SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS", US Patent Application No. 15/481240; the title of the application filed on September 11, 2017 is "SYSTEMS AND METHOD RELATED TO A FOOD" -ITEM CUTTER AND ASSOCIATED COVER ", US Patent Application No. 15/701099; US Patent Application No. 15/341977 entitled" LAZY SUSAN MENU GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE "filed on November 2, 2016; 2017 Application titled July 14, entitled "MULTI-MODAL VEHICLE IMPLEMENTED FOOD PREPARATION, COOKING, AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/532885 of July 27, 2017; US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/531131, entitled "CONFIGURABLE FOOD DELIVERY VEHICLE AND RELATED METHODS AND ARTICLES", filed on July 11, 2017 US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/531136 titled “CONFIGURABLE FOOD DELIVERY VEHICLE AND RELATED METHODS AND ARTICLES” filed on the 11th; US Provisional Application titled “CONFIGURABLE OVEN RACK SYSTEM” filed on September 11, 2017 Patent Application No. 62/556901; US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/529933 titled "CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORT AND STORAGE OF FOOD PRODUCTS" filed on July 7, 2017; filed on June 20, 2017 U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/522583 entitled "VEHICLE WITH CONTEXT SENSITIVE INFORMATION PRESENTATION"; U.S. Provisional Patent titled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS ON A COMMUNICATIONS BUS" filed on August 25, 2017 Application No. 62/550438; the application filed on October 6, 2017 was titled "SELF- PROPELLED FOOD PREPARATION APPLIANCES AND ON-DEMAND ROBOTIC FOOD ASSEMBLY WITH SELF-PROPELLED FOOD PREPARATION APPLIANCES ", US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/569404; the title of the application filed on October 18, 2017 is" ON-DEMAND FOOD ASSEMBLY EQUIPMENT, AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS "; US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/574088; US Patent Application No. 15/568120 entitled" VEHICLE HAVING A DEVICE FOR PROCESSING FOOD "filed on October 20, 2017; and US Design Patent Application No. 29/618670 entitled "FOOD CONTAINER" filed on September 22, 2017. When necessary, the aspect of the embodiments may be modified to adopt other patents, applications, and publication systems, circuits, and concepts to provide other embodiments.

These and other changes may be made to the embodiments in light of the above detailed description. In general, in the following patent application scope, the terms used should not be understood as limiting the scope of patent application to specific embodiments disclosed in the description and the scope of patent application, but should be understood to include all possible embodiments and the scope of this patent application The full range of equivalents conferred. Therefore, the scope of patent application is not limited by the present invention.

100‧‧‧ cutting system

102‧‧‧ bottom assembly

104‧‧‧upper assembly

110‧‧‧Framework / Integrated Framework

112‧‧‧ Transmission

114‧‧‧ cutting assembly

116‧‧‧Cleaning assembly

118‧‧‧Consumable pallet

120‧‧‧base

204‧‧‧ raised peripheral edge

206‧‧‧ Registration Features

208‧‧‧ Food receiving part of the channel or groove / channel

210‧‧‧Sector recess

212‧‧‧upper side

214‧‧‧Lower side / face

220‧‧‧ Face up circular food receiving section / food receiving section

222‧‧‧ essentially flat base flange / base flange

224a‧‧‧first parallel edge / edge

224b‧‧‧Second parallel edge

224c‧‧‧ Third parallel edge

224d‧‧‧ Fourth parallel edge

226‧‧‧ flat surface

228‧‧‧ central recess

230‧‧‧Sector

232‧‧‧ raised sector edge

234‧‧‧ raised sector ribs or bulges

302‧‧‧upper side

304‧‧‧ Registration Features

306‧‧‧Central Chamber

308‧‧‧periphery

310‧‧‧Groove

312‧‧‧Bulge

314‧‧‧Sector Chamber

352‧‧‧upper side

354‧‧‧ Registration Features

355‧‧‧periphery

356‧‧‧Center Chamber

357‧‧‧ face up

358‧‧‧Food Acceptance

360‧‧‧Groove

364‧‧‧Sector Chamber

402‧‧‧ rod-shaped body / shaft

404‧‧‧Actuator

406‧‧‧board

408‧‧‧center axis

502‧‧‧Blade

502a‧‧‧Nestable Blade / Blade / First Blade

502b‧‧‧Nestable Blade / Second Blade / Blade

502c‧‧‧Nestable Blade / Blade / Third Blade

502d‧‧‧Nestable Blade / Fourth Blade / Blade

504‧‧‧blocks / stacked blocks

506‧‧‧Fastener

510‧‧‧center axis

512‧‧‧ faces

514‧‧‧ noodles

516‧‧‧Blade or cutting surface

610a‧‧‧slot

610b-1‧‧‧ Upper slot

610b-2‧‧‧lower groove

610c-1‧‧‧ Upper slot

610c-2‧‧‧Lower groove

610d‧‧‧slot

612a‧‧‧Entity Registration Features

614a‧‧‧solid part

614b‧‧‧solid part

614c‧‧‧solid part

614d‧‧‧solid part

616a‧‧‧cut surface or blade

616b‧‧‧Blade

616c‧‧‧Bottom or blade

616d‧‧‧Blade

702‧‧‧channel

704‧‧‧ Registration Features

802‧‧‧Blade

804‧‧‧ Registration Features

902‧‧‧block

904‧‧‧parallel channel / channel

906‧‧‧ Registration Features

1002‧‧‧Blade

1004‧‧‧Blade

1102‧‧‧Blade

1104‧‧‧ Registration Features

1202‧‧‧Blade

1204‧‧‧channel

1206‧‧‧block

1208‧‧‧ Registration Features

1302‧‧‧Support plate

1304‧‧‧Scraper

1306‧‧‧carriage

1310a‧‧‧side

1310b‧‧‧ side

1310c‧‧‧ side

1312‧‧‧upper side

1314‧‧‧Lower side

1316‧‧‧First side / side

1318‧‧‧Second side / side

1404‧‧‧Scraper

1406‧‧‧Gap

1414‧‧‧Scraper

1416‧‧‧Gap

1500‧‧‧metal scraper

1502‧‧‧ flat

1504‧‧‧ extension

1508‧‧‧upper side

1510‧‧‧ lower side

1512‧‧‧Gap

1514‧‧‧columns

1600‧‧‧cover

1602‧‧‧Protective shell

1604‧‧‧ rear wall

1606‧‧‧Top wall

1608‧‧‧ front wall

1610‧‧‧Sidewall

1612‧‧‧window

1614a‧‧‧ Pore

1614b ‧ ‧ pore

1616‧‧‧Movable section

1617‧‧‧Sensor

1618‧‧‧Stationary

1620‧‧‧ Pivot

1622‧‧‧Rotary shaft

1624‧‧‧Removable parts

1626‧‧‧Handle

1628‧‧‧User can engage the switch

1630‧‧‧Change control switch

1632‧‧‧solenoid

1700‧‧‧Internal part

1702‧‧‧External part

1704‧‧‧Top Zone

1706‧‧‧ bottom area

1708‧‧‧platform

1710‧‧‧ face up

1800‧‧‧ Cover

1802‧‧‧Drawer

1804‧‧‧Protective shell

1806‧‧‧ rear wall

1808‧‧‧Top Wall

1810‧‧‧Front wall

1812‧‧‧ sidewall

1814‧‧‧window

1816‧‧‧ Pore

1818‧‧‧Internal part

1820‧‧‧External

1822‧‧‧ bottom

1824‧‧‧ face up

1826‧‧‧Width

1828‧‧‧ Depth

1830‧‧‧Front wall

1832‧‧‧ rear wall

1836‧‧‧Handle

1838‧‧‧Sensor

1840‧‧‧Removable parts

1842‧‧‧User can engage the switch

1844‧‧‧Change control switch

1846‧‧‧solenoid

1900‧‧‧Extendable arm

2000‧‧‧ Sensor

2100‧‧‧ Registration Features

2102‧‧‧Entity Coupling Component

2200‧‧‧Method

2202‧‧‧ Operation

2204‧‧‧ Operation

2206‧‧‧ Operation

2208‧‧‧Operation

2210‧‧‧ Operation

In the drawings, the same element symbol identifies similar elements or actions. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes and angles of various elements are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some of these elements can be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve the clarity of the drawings. In addition, the particular shape of the drawn component is not necessarily intended to convey any information about the actual shape of the particular component, and may be selected only for easy identification in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a cutting system according to one of the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a tray according to one of the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 3A is an isometric view of a circular base according to one of the illustrated embodiments.

3B is an isometric view of a square base according to one of the illustrated embodiments.

Figure 4 is an isometric view of a transmission and a portion of a cutting assembly according to at least one illustrated embodiment.

5 is an isometric view of a cutting assembly including a plurality of blades and a block according to at least one illustrated embodiment.

6A-6D are views of each of several nestable blades according to at least one illustrated embodiment.

7 is an isometric view of a block that can be used to hold a set of nestable blades according to at least one illustrated embodiment.

8 is a bottom plan view of a cutting assembly according to at least one illustrated embodiment, in which the blade positions extend radially away from a central axis without passing through the central axis.

9 is an isometric view of a cutting assembly according to at least one of the illustrated embodiments in which the blades are parallel.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a blade curved outward from a cutting block according to at least one illustrated embodiment.

11 shows a bottom plan view of one of the cutting assemblies according to one of the illustrated embodiments, in which the edge of the blade is curved in a plane formed by the edge of the blade.

Fig. 12 is an isometric view of a cutting system according to at least one of the illustrated embodiments, in which the blade has a curved shape or pattern.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a cleaning assembly according to one of the illustrated embodiments.

14A is a side elevation view of one of a pair of opposing wipers according to at least one illustrated embodiment, the pair of opposing wipers engaging a blade at a downward angle such that the opposing wipers The intersection of the organs forms a "V" shape.

14B is a side elevation view of one of a pair of opposing wipers according to at least one of the illustrated embodiments, the pair of opposing wipers engaging with a blade at an upward angle such that the opposing wipers The intersection of the organs forms an inverted "V" shape.

15A is an isometric view of a cleaning assembly including a metal wiper according to at least one illustrated embodiment.

15B is a side elevation view of one of the cleaning assemblies including a metal wiper according to at least one illustrated embodiment.

16 is a front isometric view of one of the covers for one of the cutting systems according to at least one illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is a dashed front isometric view of one of the coverings of FIG. 16 according to at least one illustrated embodiment, in which the front wall and a side wall are shown in dashed lines to show an interior of the covering section.

FIG. 18 is a front isometric view of a cover having a drawer in accordance with at least one illustrated embodiment, the drawer moving between an open position and a closed position relative to the remainder of the cover.

FIG. 19 shows a cover according to at least one of the illustrated embodiments of FIG. 18 with a portion of a front wall removed to show an interior portion of the cover.

FIG. 20 is a front isometric view with one of the covers removed from one of the portions of a front wall, wherein one wall of a drawer is moved along one of the walls containing one of the covers in accordance with at least one illustrated embodiment There is a position sensor.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of one of the drawers with a plurality of registration features facing up, according to at least one illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an operation method of a cutting system according to at least one illustrated embodiment.

Claims (45)

A device comprising: A plurality of blades, each of the blades having an opposite one across each thickness across the thickness of the blade, and each of the blades having a cutting edge; A transmission device operable to move the plurality of blades between a retracted position and an extended position; and A plurality of metal wipers arranged in an array, wherein gaps are formed between the metal wipers that are sequentially adjacent in the array, each of the blades and a respective gap pair of one of the gaps The gaps are sized to tightly receive the respective blades to physically engage the faces of the blade at least as the plurality of blades move from the extended position toward the retracted position. If the equipment of claim 1, it further comprises: The plurality of plates are arranged in an array with respect to the gaps formed between sequentially adjacent metal wipers in the array, wherein each of the metal wipers is formed from one of the plurality of plates. One extends towards one of the gaps. The device of claim 2, wherein one of the metal scrapers and the one of the plurality of plates form a one-piece structure. The device of any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein each of the metal scrapers extends in a downward direction from a respective one of the plates toward the respective gap. The device of claim 4, wherein each of the metal wipers extends in an outward direction from the respective plate of the plates toward the respective gap. The equipment of claim 2 wherein each of the plates and the metal scrapers is composed of stainless steel. The device of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of metal wipers has a triangular profile containing a first set of dimensions, and each of the plurality of plates has a second containing A triangular profile of the group size, the sizes in the second group size are smaller than the corresponding sizes in the first group size. The device of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of metal wipers has a first side and a second side, and the second side and the first side span one of the metal wipers. Thickness, and at least one of the faces of each of the metal wipers is oriented along with the plurality of blades as they move between the retracted position and the extended position. An axis forms an angle, where the angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. The device of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of blades are parallel to each other. The device of claim 1, wherein the blades extend radially away from a central axis and are angularly arranged in an array about the central axis, and the metal wipers are radially arranged in an array, where the A gap is formed between successive metal scrapers in the metal scraper. The device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of blades include a first blade extending through the central axis and at least a second blade extending through the central axis, each of the first blade and the second blade having a The respective lengths, the length of the first blade and the length of the second blade are equal to each other. The device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of blades include at least a third blade extending through the central axis, the third blade having a length, the length of the third blade equal to the length of the first blade, The length of the second blade. The device of claim 12, wherein the first blade, the second blade, and the third blade are nested with each other, and each of the first blade, the second blade, and the third blade is separate The bottommost edges are coplanar with each other. The device of claim 13, wherein the respective bottommost edges of each of the first blade, the second blade, and the third blade exist between the first blade, the second blade, and the third blade. One of the blades moves in a plane that is perpendicular. The device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of blades include a first blade extending axially outward from the central axis without passing through the central axis and from the central axis without passing through the central axis At least one second blade extending outward, and the second blade and the first blade are diametrically opposed across the central axis, the first blade and the second blade each have a respective length, and The length and the length of the second blade are equal to each other. The device of claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of blades is bent around the central axis. The device of claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of blades is bent about an axis perpendicular to the central axis. If the equipment of claim 1, it further comprises: A frame supporting the blades and the metal scrapers on a horizontal surface. The equipment of claim 18, further comprising: A base supporting a food to be cut, the base can be positioned relatively lower than the blades when the plurality of blades are at the extended position, and the base includes a number of registration features. The device of claim 19, further comprising: A tray supporting a food to be cut, the tray can be positioned on the base, and is spaced to be relatively lower than the blades when the plurality of blades are at the extended position. The device of claim 20, wherein the tray contains a number of registration features complementary to the registration features of the plate. If the device of claim 21, wherein the tray includes a plurality of channels angularly arranged in an array about an axis, when the registration features of the tray are physically engaged with the complementary registration features of the base, the The plurality of channels are aligned with respective ones of the blades. If the equipment of claim 1, it further comprises: A piston is physically coupled to drive the plurality of blades between the retracted position and the extended position via the transmission at one of the extended positions of the plurality of blades. If the equipment of claim 1, it further comprises: An electric motor is physically coupled to drive the plurality of blades between the retracted position and the extended position via the transmission device. If the equipment of claim 1, it further comprises: A first user can engage the input assembly; and A second user-engageable input component is spaced apart from the first user-engageable input component by a distance that prevents one of a user from simultaneously operating the first user-engageable input component with the one-handed component. The second user can engage the input assembly, The first user-engageable input component and the second user-engageable input component may be operatively coupled to enable the plurality of blades to simultaneously engage the first user-engageable input component in response to the respective hands of the user. And the second user can engage both the input assembly and move. If the device of claim 1, wherein each of the blades of the plurality of blades has a cutting edge, and the blades of the plurality of blades form a plane, wherein at least one of the blades is non- Straight. The device of claim 26, wherein at least one of the non-linear blades forms at least one of a letter, logo, or geometric pattern that is not a straight line. A cover that is sized and sized to surround a mechanical cutting system of an item, the mechanical cutting system includes at least one or more cutting blades, an actuator, and a transmission device, the transmission device is operable to When the actuator is triggered, the at least one or more cutting blades are selectively moved between a cutting position and a retracted position. The covering includes: A protective shell comprising at least one wall, the at least one wall separating an inner portion of the cover from an outer portion, the inner portion having a top region and a relatively bottom region; A platform along the bottom region of the covered inner portion, the platform including one or more registration features; An aperture positioned along the at least one wall of the protective shell, the aperture being sized and sized to allow the item to be passed to the covering underneath at least one of the one or more cutting blades The internal part; and A sensor is positioned near the at least one wall of the protective shell, and the inner part across the cover is opposite to the aperture. The sensor can be communicatively coupled with the actuator, and the sensor is being A signal is operatively generated during startup and transmits the generated signal to the actuator. If covered by claim 28, it further includes: A drawer that can be selectively moved in translation between an open position and a closed position, the drawer in the closed position is located in the bottom region of the inner portion of the cover, and the A drawer is located at least partially in the outer portion, the drawer includes a bottom portion, the bottom portion of the drawer having an upward facing surface facing the top area of the covered inner portion, wherein the platform is securely attached to the This side of the drawer faces up. As covered in claim 29, wherein the drawer further includes a rear wall extending upwardly from a top surface of the drawer, the rear wall is substantially perpendicular to a translation direction of the drawer, and wherein the rear wall is aligned to be in the drawer The sensor is activated when in the closed position. If covered by claim 30, it further includes: A change control switch having an ON position and an OFF position, wherein the change control switch is operable to maintain the cutting assembly in the retracted position when the change control switch is in the ON position. If the cover of item 29 is requested, wherein the drawer can be selectively translated between an open position, a closed position, and a cutting position, the drawer in the closed position is located in the bottom area of the inner portion of the cover Inside and offset from the cutting blades, and the drawer in the cutting position is located in the bottom area of the inner portion of the cover and is aligned with the cutting blades. If the cover of item 29 is requested, wherein the drawer further includes a handle, the handle includes at least one user-engageable switch having an ON state and an OFF state, the user-engageable switch is communicatively coupled with the actuator, The user-engageable switch transmits a signal to engage the actuator when in the ON state. If covered by claim 29, wherein the drawer further comprises one or more registration features, the registration features on the drawer may be selectively coupled with one or more registration features on the platform, where when the When the drawer is in the closed position and the one or more registration features on the platform are coupled with the one or more registration features on the drawer, the platform is aligned with the cutting blades. If covered by claim 34, it further includes: A plurality of platforms, each of the plurality of platforms further comprising one or more registration features, the one or more registration features on each of the plurality of platforms may be associated with one of the drawers or A plurality of registration features are selectively coupled, wherein when the drawer is in the closed position and the one or more registration features on each of the plurality of platforms are with the one or more registrations on the drawer When the quasi-feature is coupled, each of the plurality of platforms is aligned with the cutting blades. If covered by claim 28, it further includes: A solenoid which can be electrically coupled with the actuator, the solenoid has an ON state and an OFF state, and the solenoid in the ON state connects the actuator with the sensing The sensor is communicatively coupled, and the solenoid in the OFF state decouples the actuator from the sensor. If covered by claim 28, it further includes: A tray can be positioned on the platform, and the tray includes a food receiving portion. As covered by claim 37, wherein when the tray is positioned on the platform, the food receiving portion of the tray is aligned with one or more of the cutting blades. If covered by claim 28, it further includes: A drawer that can be selectively moved in translation between an open position and a closed position, the drawer in the closed position is located in the bottom region of the inner portion of the cover, and the A drawer is located at least partially in the outer portion, wherein the platform forms a bottom surface of the drawer. As covered in claim 28, wherein the protective shell includes a front wall having a stationary portion and a movable portion, the movable portion is rotatably coupled to the stationary portion along a horizontal axis, and the movable portion may be Rotating between an inward position and an outward position, wherein the movable portion causes the sensor to be activated in the inward position. The cover of claim 40, wherein the protective shell further comprises at least one aperture in the at least one wall, the at least one aperture being aligned with the platform along the bottom region of the inner portion of the cover. The cover of claim 40, wherein the front wall of the protective case further includes a selectively removable portion that is aligned with the cutting blades in the retracted position. If covered by claim 28, it further includes: A display that provides a visual representation of information related to the use of the mechanical cutting system. If covered by item 43, where the information related to the use of the mechanical cutting system includes at least one of the following: a pressure applied to the cutting blades when the cutting blades are moved to the cutting position; The number of cases where the cutting blades have extended to the cutting position since the occurrence of a first defined event; and an amount of time that has elapsed since the occurrence of a second defined event. As covered by claim 44, at least one of the first defined event and the second defined event includes a cleaning operation occurring on the cutting blades.