U.S. patent application number 10/655285 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-15 for food processing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lyco Manufacturing, Inc.. Invention is credited to Maupin, Daniel D., Zittel, David R..
Application Number | 20040069151 10/655285 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24831723 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040069151 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zittel, David R. ; et
al. |
April 15, 2004 |
Food processing apparatus
Abstract
A frameless food blancher has a steel tank of generally
U-shaped, transverse cross sectional shape and also has an open top
with opposite sides. The opposite sides each have an upper edge
bent inwardly and downwardly to form an upwardly facing water
trough. A rigidifying steel member co-extensive in length with the
trough is welded to it, and is also welded to the outer side of the
tank. The trough and member form a cross section shape of
triangular-box-cross-section and act to rigidify the sides. The
blancher has opposite ends and an end plate is fabricated from
sheet steel and has a main portion welded to each of the opposite
ends of the tank. These plates also each having a leg portion
integral with the main portion for supporting the blancher. The end
plates are formed by being cut by a CNC laser machine which
simultaneously forms a series of holes extending through the end
plate. A method of manufacturing the steel end plate for a food
blancher, the end plate has a main portion for being welded to a
tank end and an integral leg portion extending from the main
portion. The method is accomplished by providing a steel sheet and
automatically cutting out the main portion and the integral leg
portion, and also substantially simultaneously locating and cutting
holes in the end portion, all cutting being done automatically by a
CNC laser machine
Inventors: |
Zittel, David R.; (Columbus,
WI) ; Maupin, Daniel D.; (Columbus, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David D. Stein
Boyle, Fredrickson, Newholm, Stein & Gratz, S.C.
250 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1030
Milwaukee
WI
53202
US
|
Assignee: |
Lyco Manufacturing, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
24831723 |
Appl. No.: |
10/655285 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10655285 |
Sep 4, 2003 |
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09705017 |
Nov 2, 2000 |
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6615707 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
99/348 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A23B 7/06 20130101; A23N
12/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
099/348 |
International
Class: |
A23L 001/00 |
Claims
1. A frameless food blancher comprising, a steel tank of generally
U-shaped, transverse cross sectional shape and having an open top
with opposite sides, said opposite sides each having an upper edge
bent inwardly to support and welded to a water trough extending
inwardly therealong and thereby rigidifying said sides.
2. The blancher described in claim 1 further characterized by
having opposite ends, an end plate fabricated from sheet steel and
having a main portion welded to each of said opposite ends of said
tank, said plates also each having a leg portion formed integrally
with said main portion for supporting said blancher.
3. The blancher set forth in claim 2 wherein said end plate has a
series of precisely located holes extending therethrough, which
holes are located and cut precisely by a CNC laser cutting
operation.
4. The blancher of claim 3 including a flange formed by bending
along each of said main portions and their respective leg portion
extending therefrom, said flange being bent at a substantial right
angle to said main portion and said leg portion to rigidify said
end plate.
5. The blancher set forth in claim 2 including a pair of tubes
welded to and extending between said opposite end plates to
rigidify said blancher.
6. A frameless food blancher comprising, a steel tank of generally
U-shaped, transverse cross-sectional shape and having an open top
with opposite sides, said opposite tank sides each having an upper
portion bent inwardly and upwardly and terminating in an edge, and
a rigidifying steel member co-extensive in length with said tank
and having a lower edge welded to the outside of said tank, said
steel member extending inwardly and forming an upwardly facing
water trough therealong, said steel member welded to said edge of
said upper portion of said tank side thereby forming a generally
triangular in-cross-section box for rigidifying said sides.
7. The blancher described in claim 6 further characterized by
having opposite ends, an end plate fabricated from sheet steel and
having a main portion welded to each of said opposite ends of said
tank, said plates also each having a leg portion formed integrally
with said main portion for supporting said blancher, said end
plates formed by being cut by a CNC laser machine which
simultaneously forms a series of holes extending therethrough.
8. The blancher of claim 7 wherein said end plates have opposite
vertical edges, including a flange formed by bending along each of
said opposite vertical edges of said end plate main portions and
their respective leg portion extending therefrom, said flange being
bent at a substantial right angle to said main portion and said leg
portions to rigidify said end plate.
9. The blancher set forth in claim 8 including a pair of tubes
welded to and extending between said opposite end plates to
rigidify said blancher.
10. A frameless food blancher comprising, a steel tank of generally
U-shaped, transverse cross sectional shape and having an open top
with opposite sides, said opposite sides each having an upper edge
bent inwardly to partially form a water trough therealong and
thereby rigidifying said sides, said blancher having opposite ends,
two end plates fabricated from sheet steel and each having a main
portion, one end plate welded to each of said opposite ends of said
tank, said plates also each having a leg portion integrally formed
with said main portion for supporting said blancher, and a flange
formed by bending along each of said end plate main portions and
their respective leg portion extending therefrom, said flanges
being bent at a substantial right angle to said main portion and
said leg portion to rigidify said end plates.
11. The blancher as described in claim 10 including a pair of rigid
tubes welded to and extending between said opposite ends plates to
rigidify said blancher.
12. As an article of manufacture, an end plate fabricated from
sheet steel and for a frameless food blancher, said end plate
having a main portion for being welded to a tank of said blancher,
said plate also having leg portions integrally formed with said
main portion and extending downwardly therefrom for supporting said
blancher.
13. The article set forth in claim 12 wherein said end plate has a
series of holes extending therethrough, which holes are located and
cut precisely by a robotic laser machine.
14. The article of claim 13 including a flange formed by bending
along each of said main portions their respective legs extending
therefrom, said flange being bent at a substantial right angle to
said main portion and said legs to rigidify said end plate.
15. A method of manufacturing a steel end plate for a food
blancher, said end plate having a main portion for being welded to
a tank end and an integral leg portion with a lower edge and
extending from said main portion, said method comprising providing
a steel sheet and automatically cutting out from said steel sheet,
said main portion and said integral leg portion to form said end
plate having opposite side edges and also substantially
simultaneously locating and cutting holes in said end portion, all
said cutting being done automatically by a CNC laser machine.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15 including bending outwardly
turned flanges along said sides of said end plate, and bending
outwardly turned flanges along said lower edge of said integral leg
portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to apparatus for processing food in
general and in particular to apparatus for heating food products
within a water bath.
BACKROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the apparatus of the type to which the present invention
pertains, it is necessary to produce a blancher at a minimum cost
and of simplified design.
[0003] Prior art blanchers utilize a separate frame for supporting
the tank of the blancher which may include a framework welded
together and including legs in the frame for supporting the main
portion of the blancher. Such blanchers are shown in U.S. Pat. No.
5,429,041, issued Jul. 4, 1995 to Zittel; U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,869,
issued Jan. 14, 1997 to Zittel; U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,249, issued
Jul. 28, 1992 to Zittel; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,810, issued Jul.
24, 1990 to Zittel and Robbins et al.
[0004] The prior art including the above patents utilize a separate
framework which is welded together and then the tank itself is
assembled into this framework. This separate frame construction
results in considerable cost.
[0005] The prior art constructions also required many feet of
welding to provide a water seal between the cover of the blancher
and the lower tank portion thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The blancher of the present invention provides a frameless
design and a simplified water seal between the cover and the lower
tank. The lack of a separate frame structure is possible by the use
of end plates for the tank, which have integrally formed legs.
These end plates for the tank can be cut on a CNC (Computer
Numerical Control) laser machine which locates all of the holes in
the end plate precisely and which permits subsequent robotic
welding of attached tubes, as will appear. These end plates are
welded to each end of the lower tank portion. The end plates with
the integral legs are fabricated to form the particularly rigid and
strong structure.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a simplified
cover for the tank and together therewith forms a simplified water
seal between the cover and the tank which eliminates many feet of
welding in such a structure.
[0008] The invention also provides a particularly rigid structure
which includes the U-shape tank having an end plate with integral
legs welded to each end of the tank and also having a pair of main
tubes extending between the two end plates and rigidly secured
thereto as by welding. The upper opposite edges of the tank are
formed in a particularly rigid manner by means of being fabricated
to form a water seal for the cover. These two rigid upper edges of
the tank, together with the two main tubes and the end plates with
integral legs, all form a particularly rigid and economically
produced structure. In addition, they permit easy assembly,
handling, strength, and the ability to accommodate thermal
stresses.
[0009] The present invention also provides a method of
manufacturing a steel end plate for a food blancher. The CNC laser
machine is used with the present manufacturing process and is of
itself a conventional but improved design. This machine is
engineered to maximize beam intensity and provides a constant
length pivoting beam, which minimizes beam divergence. Vibration
has been reduced using computer-aided engineering. These machines
are of the CO.sub.2 gas laser type having a wavelength of 10.6
micron non-visible light. If other characteristics of this laser
machine are deemed to be either necessary or desirable, reference
may be had to the Mazak Nissho Iwai Company located in Schaumburg,
IL. 60173.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will appear hereinafter as this disclosure
progresses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of the frameless
blancher of the present invention and shown in the assembled
position.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the front end
portion of the blancher shown in FIG. 1 but also showing the cover
in the raised position.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the blancher
and on a slightly enlarged scale.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the water seal
between the cover and the tank, the view being an enlargement of
the corresponding portion shown in FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective, view of the tank with the end
plates welded thereto and also showing the rotary support drums
located generally centrally of the length of the tank.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective, exploded view of the tank, the end
plates with integral legs, and two main tubes extending between the
end plates and welded thereto.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view through the end
plate and a main tube welded thereto.
[0018] FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail of the rigid upper edge of the
tank, which is formed along each upper edge of the tank and which,
together with the main tubes, the tank, and the end plates with
integral legs, form a particularly rigid structure.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, the general organization of the
improved blancher includes the generally U-shaped in cross-section
tank 10, the cover 11 extending co-extensively with the tank 10,
two end plates 12 and 13 with integral legs. As shown in FIG. 2,
the cover 11 can be raised and thus separated from the tank by
means of the hydraulic or electric cylinders 16 located at each
corner of the blancher and connected between the end plates 12 and
13.
[0020] Plates 12 and 13 are similarly formed and have a main
portion 17 (FIG. 3) and a lower leg portion 18.
[0021] The end plates 12 and 13 with integral legs are fabricated
from heavy sheet steel of a thickness, for example, 3/8 of an
inch.
[0022] As shown clearly in FIG. 2, the end plates 12 and 13 have a
series of precisely located holes formed therein by being cut on a
CNC laser machine simultaneously with the cutting of the end plate
itself. These end plates are the main structural support for the
blancher and result in considerable material saving and labor due
to the lack of framework material being otherwise required as in
conventional blanchers. The holes in the end plate include those
previously mentioned for the two tubes 14 and 15, welded therein.
The tubes 14 and 15 are also utilized by acting as conduits or
enclosures for running air or hydraulic lines, etc., or other
utility members.
[0023] As an example of the use of the other holes, hole 20 is for
water discharge (as will appear), hole 21 is for steam, hole 22 is
for a thermometer, hole 23 is for steam, holes 24 and 25 are for
air discharge, with all of these holes being accurately and
efficiently formed by a laser controlled numerical cutting
device.
[0024] It will be noted that the end plates have outwardly turned
flanges along their opposite vertical edge. The lower portion of
the end plates 12 and 13 has, respectively, outwardly turned
flanges 12A and 13A along the vertical sides. Flanges 12B and 13B
are formed along the lower edges of plates 12 and 13, respectively.
The flanges 12A and 12B are welded together at their comer
intersection as shown in FIG. 3 and the end plate 13 at the
opposite end of the blancher is similarly formed, resulting in end
plates that are particularly strong and rigid.
[0025] Along the length of the upper edges of the tank, as shown
clearly in FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 8, are formed water seals between the
cover II and the tank 10. More particularly, as shown clearly in
FIG. 8, the upper edge of the tank 10 has an inwardly turned
portion 28 that terminates in an upper end 28a. A steel rigidifying
member 26 extends along the upper edge of the length of each side
of the tank. Member 26 is bent inwardly as at 27 and terminates in
an upwardly facing trough 29 of which terminates in an upper free
end 30. The lower edge 31 of member 26 is welded at 32 along the
length of the outside of the tank. The upper end of member 28a is
welded all along at 33 to the free end 30 of the trough 29.
[0026] This design requires only two lengths of welding on each
side of the tank and is relatively easy to make because the joints
are easily accessible.
[0027] The upper comer of the tank is thus formed as a generally
triangular in cross section box B, is particularly rigid and
resists twisting and bending of the tank. This construction also
maintains the shape and straightness of the assembly during
construction. Also, the trough is concealed within the blancher and
shielded from contact by the operator.
[0028] This simplified water seal also results in a simplified
cover design which is relatively light and inexpensive to
manufacture.
[0029] Thus, along each upper edge of the tank a rigidifying
structure is provided, which together with the tubes 14 and 15, the
tank 10, end plates 12 and 13, forming the integral legs, create a
strong and rigid structure without the necessity for additional
framework.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, to form the water seal along the
entire length of the upper edges of the tank, the cover 11 has an
inwardly turned portion 34 along its length, at each side. This
portion 34 terminates in a downwardly turned portion 35 that is
located in the trough or channel 29 of the tank as shown in FIG. 4.
Thus, the moisture water flows down the inner side of the cover 11
and into the trough 29 where it is drained out of the tank for
example, through the end plate holes 20 (FIGS. 2 and 5).
[0031] A water seal is also formed between the end plates 12 and 13
of the tank and ends 11A of the cover 11 (FIG. 2). A flange 11B is
formed by bending along the lower, inside edge of each end 11A of
the cover and its lower edge is received in the trough 46 (FIGS. 2
and 5) that is welded along the inner side of the end plates 12 and
13. The end troughs 46 are in communication with the side troughs
29 at their comer points of juncture and are both then drained out
of the previously mentioned holes 20.
[0032] Within the tank is located the conventional rotary apparatus
49 for moving the product from the inlet end 50 (FIG. 2) to the
outlet end 52 (FIG. 3) in the known manner. This rotary food
transporting apparatus is shown in the above mentioned patents and
others, and which patents are incorporated here by reference. A
further description of such food transporting apparatuses is deemed
neither desirable nor necessary in the present application.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 5 conventional means are provided for
supporting rotary drums of the food transporting apparatus as shown
and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,041 (FIG. 1). These two
separate rotary drums are driven at each end of the blancher by a
pulley 60 (FIGS. 1 and 2) which, in turn, is driven by the shaft 61
from the electric motor 62 (mounted on the platform 63) in the
known manner. This driving arrangement is the same at each end of
the blancher.
RECAPITULATION
[0034] As shown in FIG. 6, the present invention provides a
particularly rigid basic structure for a food blancher and which
includes the tank 10 having a rigidifying upper edge along either
of its sides, formed by the water seal, the two end plates 12 and
13 with integral legs, the end plates being formed simultaneously
with the necessary openings by means of CNC laser operation. The
basic tank is furthermore rigidified and strengthened by the two
elongated tubes 14 and 15 welded at each of their ends to the end
plates. These tubes take significant stress off the tank.
[0035] The end plate of the tank can be cut on a CNC laser machine
which also locates all of the holes precisely and which permits
robotic welding of parts to be subsequently attached. This
structure provides a material saving due to the lack of a frame
material. This frameless design also provides the simplified water
seal along each side of the machine between the tank and cover and
which results in a cover design which is lighter and less expensive
than prior art devices. The end plates are provided with integrally
formed legs and the entire arrangement permits the elimination of a
separate frame structure.
* * * * *