Automated machine for slitting and wedge cutting whole fruits and vegetables

摘要

An automated food processing machine receives a whole fruit or vegetable and presses it through a blade set to form slices or wedges. The machine includes a controller coupled to various components including linear motion actuators, a user interface, and sensors. One motion actuator coupled to a slitting blade. Another motion actuator is coupled to a ram. In response to an input the controller activates the motion actuators in a sequence including (1) linear motion of the slitting blade to form a slit in the whole fruit or vegetable and (2) linear motion of the ram to press the whole fruit or vegetable through a blade set to form the slices or wedges.

主权项

1. A food processing machine for providing wedge-shaped portions of a whole fruit or vegetable comprising:
a slitting blade coupled to a first motion actuator; a ram coupled to a second motion actuator; a blade set; a controller configured to receive an input signal and to actuate the first and second motion actuators in a sequence including (1) motion of the slitting blade to form a slit into the whole fruit or vegetable along a first axis followed by (2) motion of the ram along a second axis to press the whole fruit or vegetable through the blade set to form fruit or vegetable wedges; and a receptacle configured to hold the whole fruit or vegetable in alignment between the ram and the blade set during the motion sequence, wherein the receptacle is mounted on a door allowing the whole fruit or vegetable to be loaded when the door is open and whereby moving the door to a closed position aligns the receptacle with the ram, and wherein the blade set is affixed to the door in an aligned position with respect to the receptacle whereby closing the door aligns the blade set with the ram.