WO1999029478A1

WO1999029478A1 - Automatic slicing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1999029478A1
Application number: PCT/GB1997/003371
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chin-I Huang; Wu Cheng Tsung; Chiu San Tien
Original assignee: Ya Horng Electronic Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ya Horng Electronic Co Ltd
Priority date: 1997-12-05
Filing date: 1997-12-05
Publication date: 1999-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 2000-06-05
Also published as: AU5403398A

Abstract

Apparatus for slicing a bakery product (30), the apparatus including a housing having an opening through which the product may be inserted, an exit portion through which the sliced product may be removed from the housing, cutting means (26) disposed within said housing for slicing the product, means (14a) for positioning the product in the desired orientation with respect to said cutting means, and means for urging the product and the cutting means (26) together whereby slicing of the product is effected.

Description

AUTOMATIC SLICING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to apparatus for automatically slicing a bakery product, particularly, though not exclusively, bagels.

Commercial machines currently available are large and cumbersome, and general include circular or spiral cutting discs/blades. There are also a number of simple holders which retain the bagel and include slots through which a knife or other cutting blade may be placed.

US Patent Number 4,546,686 describes a portable hand operated bagel slicing machine comprising a horizontally disposed blade pair against which a bagel, previously dropped into the machine from above, is pushed using a pusher handle. This has two major disadvantages - there is no means of ensuring that the bagel is sliced in two equally sized portions, i.e sliced centrally, and it is manually operated rather than automatic.

It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide slicing apparatus which is improved in these and in other respects.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for slicing a bakery product (for example, a bagel or the like) , the apparatus including a housing having an opening through which the product may be inserted, an exit portion through which the sliced product may be removed from the housing, cutting means disposed within said housing for slicing the product, means for positioning the product in the desired orientation with respect to said cutting means, and means for urging the product and the cutting means together whereby slicing of the product is effected.

Conveniently, the cutting means comprises at least one, preferably two, longitudinal blades mounted within said housing and being operable to move rapidly and repeatedly along a predetermined path. The movement of the blades may be a simple to and fro reciprocating movement, or it may be a more complex pattern of movement including both reciprocating and circular/orbital elements. The blades are conveniently driven by a mains or battery powered electric motor.

Preferably, the opening in the housing comprises a chute which extends generally upwardly from the main section of the housing and may be integrally formed with, or formed separately and subsequently attached to, the rest of the housing.

The positioning means is preferably located within the chute, and takes the form of a plurality of arms projecting into the interior of the chute. These arms may be spring loaded, so that as the product is placed into the chute it is automatically positioned by said arms in a central orientation with respect to the cutting means, regardless of the thickness and/or shape of the product.

Conveniently, the means for urging the product and the cutting means towards each other comprises a plunger adapted to be inserted to a predetermined distance within said chute, to push the product down through the chute and onto the cutting means.

The plunger preferably includes a plurality of channels which slide over the positioning arms of the chute, during movement of the plunger within the chute. These channels are preferably angled such as to allow maximum pressure to be applied to the product by the positioning arms, during downward movement of the plunger.

Preferably, the plunger and the chute includes cooperating means for activating the motor, and this conveniently takes the form of a protrusion on the plunger which slides within a channel in the chute interior, displacing a lever concealed within said channel, thereby activating the motor. The exit portion preferably comprises a hopper which may be moved between two positions - a closed position in which it is located beneath the cutting blades, and an open position in which the bagel may readily be removed from the hopper. Conveniently, the hopper comprises a corner section of the housing which may be pivoted between said two positions.

A primary safety mechanism is preferably included, whereby the motor driving the cutting blades can only be activated (by inserting the plunger) as long as the hopper remains closed - this may be achieved by means of a concealed lever which is displaced when the hopper is closed, thereby completing the relevant electric circuit and allowing the motor to be switched on by inserting the plunger. The motor can only be activated in this way if the hopper is closed, thereby avoiding the risk of injury to the fingers. As soon as the plunger is removed from the chute the motor stops, and the motor will also stop if the plunger is in the chute and the hopper is opened.

The apparatus preferably includes a secondary safety mechanism to eliminate the possibility of injury during removal of and/or replacement of the cutting blades (for cleaning, repair or renewal) . This mechanism comprises a dual purpose on/off switch and cooperating blade release push button - placing the switch in the "on" position (i.e supplying power to the blades) prevents the blade release button from being pressed downwards - this can only be achieved if the switch is in the "off" position.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of the apparatus according to the present invention,

Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the apparatus in side, end and plan views respectively.

Figure 5 illustrates the principle of operation of the apparatus, particularly the chute, the plunger and the hopper,

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate removal of the cutting blade,

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate blade removal in greater detail, and

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate the electro-mechanical elements of the safety mechanisms.

Referring to the drawings, an electrically driven automatic slicing machine 10 for bagels and other bakery products comprises a plastic housing 12 which accommodates the motor (not shown) and the cutting means. A chute 14, which in the illustrated embodiment is integral with the rest of the housing, extends generally upwards and is roughly rectangular in shape. A hopper 18 of transparent plastics material forms one corner of the housing and is pivoted to the rest of the housing such that it may readily be opened by using catch 18a.

A plunger 16 is shaped to fit neatly within the chute 14 and includes a rim 16b which, when the plunger is fully depressed within the chute, forms a lid to the chute 14, and a plurality of grooves or channels 16a (typically three along each long side of the plunger) and a narrow rib 16d running down one of its short sides. The chute 14 has a plurality of sprung, plastic arms 14a (typically three on each long side) which protrude into the interior of the chute, which act to position the bagel centrally with respect to the blade 26. The grooves 16a slide over the arms 14a as the plunger is depressed, pushing the bagel 30 onto the blade, and the angle of the grooves 16a allows maximum pressure to be applied to the bagel by the arms 14a, while the plunger 16 is pushed down - this ensures that the bagel remains centrally positioned on the blade 26 during the entire cutting process. The rib 16d on the ensures that the bagel remains centrally positioned on the blade 26 during the entire cutting process. The rib 16d on the plunger slides within a corresponding channel 14d in the interior of the chute, and acts to displace a concealed lever 32 within said channel to start the motor (as explained in more detail later) .

The blade 26 (which may comprise twin or dual blades) is removably mounted within the housing by means of blade handle 24 at one end and a blade fixing mechanism (iron chip) 25 (see Figures 8 and 9) . The switch 20 has "ON" and "OFF" positions - when the switch 20 is set to "OFF", the blade lock button 22 can be depressed, displacing fixing chip 25 into the correct position. Whilst keeping button 22 pushed down, the handle 24 is rotated through 90° whereupon the blade 26 may easily be removed by pulling on handle 24. However, if the switch 20 is set to "ON", lug 20a on switch 20 engages with button 22 preventing button 22 from being pushed down and hence preventing removal of the blade 26.

As will be seen from Figures 10 and 11, the hopper 18, when closed, pushes a lever 34 against an intermediate member 36 which in turn acts upon contact member 38. Contact member 38 is an extension of pivoted member 40 which is normally urged upwards as shown in Figure 10 but is pivoted downwards when the switch 20 is turned to "ON", as shown in Figure 11. This causes contact member 38 to pivot downwards into a position in which it can complete the electrical circuit supplying the power to the blade 26 only when the lever switch 32 is pivoted downwards by rib 16d on the plunger and lever 34 is pivoted inwards and upwards by the closed hopper 18 , thereby pushing contact member 38 into electrical contact with the rest of the circuit. Thus, it will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the blade will not operate at all unless all three parts are in the correct position - i.e the switch 20 is set to "ON", the plunger is pushed down into the chute (pushing lever switch 32) , and the hopper 18 is closed (pushing lever 34) . If any one of these three parts is not in position (e.g the hopper 18 is inadvertently left open or the plunger 16 not in the chute 14) , the blade 26 will not operate even when the switch 20 is set to "ON".

Thus, the apparatus of the present invention provides an effective, automatic and safe method of slicing bagels and other bakery products which ensures accurate cutting of the product, preferably into two substantially equal halves.

Claims

1. Apparatus for slicing a bakery product, the apparatus including a housing having an opening through which the product may be inserted, an exit portion through which the sliced product may be removed from the housing, cutting means disposed within said housing for slicing the product, means for positioning the product in the desired orientation with respect to said cutting means, and means for urging the product and the cutting means together whereby slicing of the product is effected.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the cutting means comprises at least one longitudinal blade mounted within said housing and being operable to move rapidly and repeatedly along a predetermined path.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 , wherein the opening in the housing comprises a chute which extends generally upwardly from the main section of the housing and may be integrally formed with, or formed separately and subsequently attached to, the rest of the housing.

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the positioning means is located within the chute, and takes the form of a plurality of arms projecting into the interior of the chute.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the means for urging the product and the cutting means towards each other comprises a plunger adapted to be inserted to a predetermined distance within said chute, to push the product down through the chute and onto the cutting means.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the plunger preferably includes a plurality of channels which slide over the positioning arms of the chute, during movement of the plunger within the chute.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the plunger and the chute include cooperating means for activating the motor.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the exit portion comprises a hopper which may be moved between two positions - a closed position in which it is located beneath the cutting blades, and an open position in which the bagel may readily be removed from the hopper.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8 , wherein the cutting blade can only be operated as long as the hopper remains closed.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein there is provided a dual purpose on/off switch and cooperating blade release push button arranged such that placing the switch in the "on" position prevents the blade release button from being pressed downwards - this can only be achieved if the switch is in the "off" position.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 24 February 1999 (24.02.99); original claims 1 - 10 replaced by new claims 1 - 13 (3 pages)]

1. Apparatus for slicing a bakery product, the apparatus including a housing having an opening through which the product may be inserted, an exit portion through which the sliced product may be removed from the housing, cutting means disposed within said housing for slicing the product, multi-fingered means for optimally positioning the product in the desired orientation with respect to said cutting means, and means for urging the product and the cutting means together whereby slicing of the product is effected.

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the positioning means is located within the chute, and takes the form of a plurality of positioning arms projecting into the interior of the chute.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the means for urging the product and the cutting means towards each other comprises a plunger adapted to be inserted to a predetermined distance within said chute, to push the product down through the chute and onto the cutting means .

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the plunger preferably includes a plurality of channels which conform with and provide sufficient clearance to allow the positioning arms to maintain pressure on the product during movement of the plunger within the chute.

7. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the plunger preferably includes a plurality of channels which slide over the positioning arms of the chute during movement of the plunger within the chute.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the plunger and the chute include cooperating means for activating the motor.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the exit portion comprises a hopper which may be moved between two positions - a closed position in which it is located beneath the cutting blades, and an open position in which the bagel may readily be removed from the hopper.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein the cutting blade can only be operated as long as the hopper remains closed.

11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein there is provided a dual purpose manual on/off switch that controls primary power to the unit and a cooperating blade release push button arranged such that when said on/off switch is in the "on" position it prevents the blade release button from being actuated thus preventing the cutting blade from being removed except when the switch is in the "off" position.

12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the re is provided a dual purpose on/off power switch, a mechanically cooperating cutting blade release push button, a second switch in electrical series with said on/off switch actuated by partial insertion of the plunger, and a third switch in electrical series with said on/off switch actuated by closing the exit hopper, wherein each of said switches must be actuated in order to start said cutting means. lS. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the blade is mounted within the housing by means of a blade handle at one end and a blade fixing mechanism at the other whereby the blade may be removed by rotating the handle and then pulling on the handle.