US3830152A - Onion topper and slicer - Google Patents

Onion topper and slicer Download PDF

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Publication number
US3830152A
US3830152A US00281149A US28114972A US3830152A US 3830152 A US3830152 A US 3830152A US 00281149 A US00281149 A US 00281149A US 28114972 A US28114972 A US 28114972A US 3830152 A US3830152 A US 3830152A
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onion
knife
paths
blade
sheath
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US00281149A
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F Reed
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Rogers Brothers Co
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Rogers Brothers Co
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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23NMACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR TREATING HARVESTED FRUIT, VEGETABLES OR FLOWER BULBS IN BULK, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PEELING VEGETABLES OR FRUIT IN BULK; APPARATUS FOR PREPARING ANIMAL FEEDING- STUFFS
    • A23N15/00Machines or apparatus for other treatment of fruits or vegetables for human purposes; Machines or apparatus for topping or skinning flower bulbs
    • A23N15/08Devices for topping or skinning onions or flower bulbs

Definitions

  • topping and slicing operation have been completed.
  • the device of the present invention provides a generally improved structure wherein a single impaling knife is employed to hold the onion while the slicing operation is conducted. This results in an onion of higher quality, since the multiple cuts in the surface of the onion are avoided. Thus, in accordance with the present invention only a single impaling cut is made in the onion and this is made by a tiny knife-like member so that the quality of the onion is not degraded.
  • a tubular sheath normally surrounds the impaling device'and this sheath first contacts the onion as the impaling device approaches the onion.
  • pressure from the sheath holds the onion in place as the impaling device enters the onion, resulting in a positive penetration and permitting the use of a very small impaling device.
  • the sheath of the present invention also serves to dislodge the onion after a desired cutting operation has been performed and this is done in a gentle but positive manner since the sheath bears on a relatively large area of the onion during the dislodging operation.
  • the onions are held in a cup of improved shape which could be described as a truncated spherical shell with side bands, so that the onion is supported in an optimum manner during the impaling and slicing operations.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a machine embodying the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 22 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in I FIG. 3.
  • the topping and slicing device of the present invention includes a series of cups generally designated 6 carried on endless chain 8, passing over sprockets 10 and 12.
  • the chain 8 is carried on a first guide rail 14 which is substantially horizontal and a second guide rail 16 which is inclinedat a slight angle to the guide rail 14
  • Mounted over chain 8 on sprockets l9 and 21 is a second endless chain 18 carrying a series of impaling devices generally designated 20 which will be described in detail hereinafter.
  • the bottom run of chain 18 is inclined with respect to guide rail 14 and is generally parallel to guide rail 16 for the bottom chain.
  • the cups 6 consist of a spherical bottom section 24 with bars 26 at each side thereof so that the onions are firmly supported on the cups.
  • Onions, as at 28 are placed on the conveyor either by hand or by a loader mechanism which forms'no part of the present invention.
  • the impaling device, generally designated 20 is shown in detail in FIG. 3.
  • the impaling device is carried on a support member 30 mounted on adjacent links of the chain 18.
  • the bottom of support member 30 is at a slight angle to the chain 30 so that the impaling device 20 is held in a substantially vertical position while the chain 18 runs at an angle to horizontal as is best seen in FIG. 1.
  • Support member 30 carries the impaling device proper which consists of a base member 32 to which is attached shaft 34 terminating in a single, sharp point 36.
  • Surrounding the shaft 34 is a first tube 38 with a second tube 40 of smaller diameter mounted to telescope therein, preferably on Teflon bushings 42.
  • Tube 40 preferably has an intumed shoulder 41 to increase the area of contact with an onion.
  • a compression spring 44 normally urges the tube 4.0 outwardly where it is restrained on the abutting shoulders 4.6. In its fully extended position, as is shown in FIG. 3, the tip of the impaling knife 36 is completely within tube 40
  • Each of the cutting knives has a shield 60 thereon and a cutting blade 62.
  • the shields 60 slant outwardly when viewed from the direction of onion travel so that as an onion enters between the shields, it tends to spread the arms apart due to the flexibility of the arms 52 and the mountings 54 so that the knives 62 contact the root and crown of the onion regardless of the onion size, so that a minimum of usable onion is sliced off.
  • the first set of knives 48 will be set to remove the root and crown while the second set of knives 50 will be set to slice the onion. If it is not desired to slice the onion but merely to remove the root and crown the second set of knives 50 may be omitted. On the other hand, more sets of knives can be included if it is desired to slice the onion into more slices.
  • said endless chains having a first path entering said machine wherein said paths converge, a second path wherein said paths run parallel to each other and a third path wherein said paths diverge from each other,
  • each of said impaling devices comprising a single onion impaling knife, a movable sheath surrounding each knife and resiliently urged outwardly beyond the tip of said knife and retractable to a position wherein the blade of said knife extends beyond said sheath,
  • discharge means at the third portion of said path whereat said paths diverge and said sheath pushes outwardly on said onion, pushing the onion from said knife to discharge said onion.
  • the sheath comprises a pair of telescoping tubes disposed in coaxial, surrounding relationship to the blade, one of said tubes disposed at the tip end of said blade and movable relative thereto and the other of said tubes disposed at the base end of the blade and fixed relative thereto.

Abstract

An onion topper and slicer of improved design is provided wherein the onions are impaled on a single blade normally protected by a telescoping sheath. The sheath steadies the onion prior to engagement of the impaling knife and serves to remove the onion after a topping and slicing operation have been completed.

Description

[451 Aug. 20, 1974 United States Patent Reed 2,246,896 6/1941 Polk, Sr. et 99/538 2,974,699 99/636 3/1961 Boles etal.
ONION TOPPER AND SLICER [75] Inventor: Frank E. Reed, Salt Lake City, Utah [73] Assignee: Rogers Brothers Company, Idaho Falls, Idaho Primary ExaminerLeon G. Machlin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert G. Slick 22 Filed: Aug. 16, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 281,149
[57] ABSTRACT An onion topper and slicer of improved design is provided wherein the onions are impaled on a single blade normally protected by a telescoping sheath. The sheath steadies the onion prior to engagement of the 'impaling knife and serves to remove the onion after a 826d 4/02, A23n 15/02 [52] US. [51] Int. Cl. [58] Field of Search........
topping and slicing operation have been completed.
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 430,299 6/1890 30/368 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ONION TOPPER AND SLICER SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Onion topping and slicing machines have been proposed in the past wherein the onion is impaled on a pair of knives, the roots and crown are severed while the onion is thus impaled and wherein a cam serves to remove the impaled onion after a desired cutting operation.
The device of the present invention provides a generally improved structure wherein a single impaling knife is employed to hold the onion while the slicing operation is conducted. This results in an onion of higher quality, since the multiple cuts in the surface of the onion are avoided. Thus, in accordance with the present invention only a single impaling cut is made in the onion and this is made by a tiny knife-like member so that the quality of the onion is not degraded.
In accordance with the present invention a tubular sheath normally surrounds the impaling device'and this sheath first contacts the onion as the impaling device approaches the onion. Thus, pressure from the sheath holds the onion in place as the impaling device enters the onion, resulting in a positive penetration and permitting the use of a very small impaling device.
The sheath of the present invention also serves to dislodge the onion after a desired cutting operation has been performed and this is done in a gentle but positive manner since the sheath bears on a relatively large area of the onion during the dislodging operation.
In accordance with the present invention the onions are held in a cup of improved shape which could be described as a truncated spherical shell with side bands, so that the onion is supported in an optimum manner during the impaling and slicing operations.
Various features of the invention will additionally be brought out in the balance of the specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side view of a machine embodying the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 22 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in I FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings by reference characters, the topping and slicing device of the present invention includes a series of cups generally designated 6 carried on endless chain 8, passing over sprockets 10 and 12. The chain 8 is carried on a first guide rail 14 which is substantially horizontal and a second guide rail 16 which is inclinedat a slight angle to the guide rail 14 Mounted over chain 8 on sprockets l9 and 21 is a second endless chain 18 carrying a series of impaling devices generally designated 20 which will be described in detail hereinafter. The bottom run of chain 18 is inclined with respect to guide rail 14 and is generally parallel to guide rail 16 for the bottom chain. Thus, it
forms a converging path with chain lying on guide rail 14 and a parallel path with chain on guide rail 16. Both the lower chain 8 and the upper chain 18 are driven in synchronism by means of a prime mover 22-.
The cups 6 consist of a spherical bottom section 24 with bars 26 at each side thereof so that the onions are firmly supported on the cups. Onions, as at 28 are placed on the conveyor either by hand or by a loader mechanism which forms'no part of the present invention.
The impaling device, generally designated 20 is shown in detail in FIG. 3. The impaling device is carried on a support member 30 mounted on adjacent links of the chain 18. The bottom of support member 30 is at a slight angle to the chain 30 so that the impaling device 20 is held in a substantially vertical position while the chain 18 runs at an angle to horizontal as is best seen in FIG. 1. Support member 30 carries the impaling device proper which consists of a base member 32 to which is attached shaft 34 terminating in a single, sharp point 36. Surrounding the shaft 34 is a first tube 38 with a second tube 40 of smaller diameter mounted to telescope therein, preferably on Teflon bushings 42. Tube 40 preferably has an intumed shoulder 41 to increase the area of contact with an onion. A compression spring 44 normally urges the tube 4.0 outwardly where it is restrained on the abutting shoulders 4.6. In its fully extended position, as is shown in FIG. 3, the tip of the impaling knife 36 is completely within tube 40.
the reciprocating member 56. The reciprocating member 56 is attached to an eccentric 58 so that the bars are given an up and down motion. Each of the cutting knives has a shield 60 thereon and a cutting blade 62. The shields 60 slant outwardly when viewed from the direction of onion travel so that as an onion enters between the shields, it tends to spread the arms apart due to the flexibility of the arms 52 and the mountings 54 so that the knives 62 contact the root and crown of the onion regardless of the onion size, so that a minimum of usable onion is sliced off. Normally the first set of knives 48 will be set to remove the root and crown while the second set of knives 50 will be set to slice the onion. If it is not desired to slice the onion but merely to remove the root and crown the second set of knives 50 may be omitted. On the other hand, more sets of knives can be included if it is desired to slice the onion into more slices.
The overall operation of the machine will now be deerallydesignated 20 move in synchronism and when they reach the position shown at 20A, the extreme outer portion of the tubular member 40 will contact the onion and hold it firmly between the cup and the tubular member. As the onions move further to the position shown .at 208, the tubular member 40 is forcedto retract by pressure from the onion and the impaling blade is forced into the onion. As the onions move further along the path, they are fully impaled when the two paths become parallel, i.e., when chain 8 is supported on the guide rails 16. Now the slicing operation of the knives 48 and 50 takes place while the onions are fully impaled. After the slicing operation has taken place and the onions move further down the line, chain 18 passes over the lower sprocket 21 and at this point the spring 44 can now urge tubular member 40 outwardly as is shown in 20C so that the impaling device 36 is pulled out of the onion by the force exerted by the tubular member 40. The onion thus discharged from the impaling member can be collected in a suitable bin as at 56. The impaling device 20 is now carried around on the chain for a repetition of the cycle.
Many variations can be made in the exact structure shown without departing from the spirit of this invention. For instance, the lower chain run carrying the cups has been shown as moving in two different paths, one horizontal and one at a slight angle, while the upper chain run carrying the impaling devices has been shown as parallel to the latter path. This situation could be reversed since the upper chain run carrying the impaling devices could be broken into angular paths while the lower chain run carrying the cups is straight. Obviously the same relationship could thus be achieved between the impaling devices and the cups. Further, spring means have been shown as urging the telescoping tubular member outwardly but other means such as pneumatic or hydraulic pressure could be used for this purpose.
I claim:
1. An onion cutting machine of the type wherein onions are impaled on a knife and held on a conveyor and advanced through a cutting device and discharged, comprising in combination:
a. a first endless chain carrying a plurality of onion holding cups in a desired path,
b. a second endless chain mounted above said first endless chain and carrying a number of corresponding impaling devices mating with said onion holding cups,
c. said endless chains having a first path entering said machine wherein said paths converge, a second path wherein said paths run parallel to each other and a third path wherein said paths diverge from each other,
d. each of said impaling devices comprising a single onion impaling knife, a movable sheath surrounding each knife and resiliently urged outwardly beyond the tip of said knife and retractable to a position wherein the blade of said knife extends beyond said sheath,
e. means whereby onions can be placed in said onion cups and advanced into said machine so that said sheath first contacts an onion in a mating cup and steadies it and is retracted relative to said knife and said knife penetrates said onion as said paths further converge,
f. said knife holding said onion in said cups during the second path when the paths are parallel to each other,
g. cutting means adjacent to said parallel paths whereby onions held in said cups and impaled on said knives are cut on said cutting means, and
h. discharge means at the third portion of said path whereat said paths diverge and said sheath pushes outwardly on said onion, pushing the onion from said knife to discharge said onion.
2. An onion cutting machine as in claim 1, wherein the blade has a base end and a tip end, the sheath comprises a pair of telescoping tubes disposed in coaxial, surrounding relationship to the blade, one of said tubes disposed at the tip end of said blade and movable relative thereto and the other of said tubes disposed at the base end of the blade and fixed relative thereto.
3. An onion cutting machine as in claim 2, wherein a spring is engaged with said one tube resiliently urging it outwardly relative to said blade.

Claims (3)

1. An onion cutting machine of the type wherein onions are impaled on a knife and held on a conveyor and advanced through a cutting device and discharged, comprising in combination: a. a first endless chain carrying a plurality of onion holding cups in a desired path, b. a second endless chain mounted above said first endless chain and carrying a number of corresponding impaling devices mating with said onion holding cups, c. said endless chains having a first path entering said machine wherein said paths converge, a second path wherein said paths run parallel to each other and a third path wherein said paths diverge from each other, d. each of said impaling devices comprising a single onion impaling knife, a movable sheath surrounding each knife and resiliently urged outwardly beyond the tip of said knife and retractable to a position wherein the blade of said knife extends beyond said sheath, e. means whereby onions can be placed in said onion cups and advanced into said machine so that said sheath first contacts an onion in a mating cup and steadies it and is retracted relative to said knife and said knife penetrates said onion as said paths further converge, f. said knife holding said onion in said cups during the second path when the paths are parallel to each other, g. cutting means adjacent to said parallel paths whereby onions held in said cups and impaled on said knives are cut on said cutting means, and h. discharge means at the third portion of said path whereat said paths diverge and said sheath pushes outwardly on said onion, pushing the onion from said knife to discharge said onion.
2. An onion cutting machine as in claim 1, wherein the blade has a base end and a tip end, the sheath comprises a pair of telescoping tubes disposed in coaxial, surrounding relationship to the blade, one of said tubes disposed at the tip end of said blade and movable relative thereto and the other of said tubes disposed at the base end of the blade and fixed relative thereto.
3. An onion cutting machine as in claim 2, wherein a spring is engaged with said one tube resiliently urging it outwardly relative to said blade.
US00281149A 1972-08-16 1972-08-16 Onion topper and slicer Expired - Lifetime US3830152A (en)

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4877655A (en) * 1987-07-15 1989-10-31 Figgie International Inc. Ball holding and cementing apparatus and method
FR2683430A1 (en) * 1991-11-07 1993-05-14 Surgelation Bretonne Machine for topping or tailing vegetables
US20080060334A1 (en) * 2006-09-08 2008-03-13 Kido Duane R Systems and method for improving airflow in an onion topping device
NL2029063B1 (en) * 2021-08-26 2023-03-17 Mark Jacob Van Der Peet DEVICE FOR ORIENTING BULBS AND METHOD FOR THEREOF

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US430299A (en) * 1890-06-17 Centering-tool
US2246896A (en) * 1938-09-28 1941-06-24 Polk Dev Company Apparatus for sectionizing citrus fruits
US2974699A (en) * 1958-03-05 1961-03-14 Basic Vegets Le Products Inc Onion topper and slicer

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US430299A (en) * 1890-06-17 Centering-tool
US2246896A (en) * 1938-09-28 1941-06-24 Polk Dev Company Apparatus for sectionizing citrus fruits
US2974699A (en) * 1958-03-05 1961-03-14 Basic Vegets Le Products Inc Onion topper and slicer

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4877655A (en) * 1987-07-15 1989-10-31 Figgie International Inc. Ball holding and cementing apparatus and method
FR2683430A1 (en) * 1991-11-07 1993-05-14 Surgelation Bretonne Machine for topping or tailing vegetables
US20080060334A1 (en) * 2006-09-08 2008-03-13 Kido Duane R Systems and method for improving airflow in an onion topping device
NL2029063B1 (en) * 2021-08-26 2023-03-17 Mark Jacob Van Der Peet DEVICE FOR ORIENTING BULBS AND METHOD FOR THEREOF

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