U.S. patent application number 13/097278 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-01 for blade gap setting for potato chip cutting head.
Invention is credited to Ahmed Nadim KHAN, Richard Decena ORNELAZ, JR., Julian ROMANCZUKIEWICZ, Brian David SCHROEDER, David WARREN.
Application Number | 20120272539 13/097278 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47066780 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120272539 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KHAN; Ahmed Nadim ; et
al. |
November 1, 2012 |
Blade Gap Setting for Potato Chip Cutting Head
Abstract
A blade gap setting device for a potato chip cutting head, the
device comprising an elongate body having an upper surface and a
lower surface, at least one mounting for a depth micrometer having
a displaceable spindle, the mounting extending from the upper
surface to the lower surface to permit a depth micrometer to be
mounted to the upper surface with a free end of the displaceable
spindle being exposed at the lower surface, a first lower reference
surface and a second front reference surface, at least the second
front reference surface being located forwardly of the at least one
mounting.
Inventors: |
KHAN; Ahmed Nadim;
(Staffordshire, GB) ; ORNELAZ, JR.; Richard Decena;
(Frisco, TX) ; SCHROEDER; Brian David; (Lancaster,
TX) ; WARREN; David; (Plano, TX) ;
ROMANCZUKIEWICZ; Julian; (Plano, TX) |
Family ID: |
47066780 |
Appl. No.: |
13/097278 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
33/641 ;
73/1.79 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B26D 7/2628
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
33/641 ;
73/1.79 |
International
Class: |
G01B 1/00 20060101
G01B001/00; G01B 3/28 20060101 G01B003/28 |
Claims
1. A blade gap setting device for a potato chip cutting head, the
device comprising an elongate body having an upper surface and a
lower surface, at least one mounting for a depth micrometer having
a displaceable spindle, the mounting extending from the upper
surface to the lower surface to permit a depth micrometer to be
mounted to the upper surface with a free end of the displaceable
spindle being exposed at the lower surface, a first lower reference
surface and a second front reference surface, at least the second
front reference surface being located forwardly of the at least one
mounting.
2. A blade gap setting device according to claim 1 comprising two
mountings, the two mountings being longitudinally spaced along the
length of the elongate body, each mounting being adapted to mount a
respective depth micrometer.
3. A blade gap setting device according to claim 2 wherein the
first and second reference surfaces extend longitudinally.
4. A blade gap setting device according to claim 1 wherein the
first lower reference surface includes at least two portions which
extend downwardly from the body by different distances.
5. A blade gap setting device according to claim 1 comprising two
first lower reference surfaces, the two first lower reference
surfaces extending longitudinally and being laterally spaced in a
direction across the width of the elongate body.
6. A blade gap setting device according to claim 1 further
comprising at least one magnet connected to the body.
7. A blade gap setting device according to claim 6 wherein the at
least one magnet is located towards the lower face.
8. A blade gap setting device according to claim 6 wherein the at
least one magnet is sandwiched between two elements, each element
defining a respective first lower reference surface.
9. A blade gap setting device according to claim 8 wherein the at
least one magnet is supported in a holder.
10. A blade gap setting device according to claim 1 further
comprising a pair of inclined legs extending downwardly and
forwardly from the body, the legs being longitudinally spaced along
the elongate body.
11. A blade gap setting device according to claim 10 wherein the
two legs have different thickness.
12. A blade gap setting device according to claim 11 further
comprising a handle extending upwardly and rearwardly from the
body.
13. A blade gap setting device according to claim 12 wherein the
handle is centrally located along the longitudinal direction of the
elongate body.
14. A blade gap setting device according to claim 1 further
comprising at least one depth micrometer having a displaceable
spindle, each depth micrometer being fitted into a respective
mounting.
15. A blade gap setting device according to claim 14 wherein the
depth micrometer is removably fitted into the respective mounting,
and the device further comprises a clamping unit removably clamping
each depth micrometer in the mounting, the clamping unit being
adapted to permit selective rotation of the depth micrometer in the
mounting.
16. A blade gap setting device according to claim 1 further
comprising a third lower reference surface on the lower surface,
the third lower reference surface being located rearwardly of the
at least one mounting.
17. A blade gap setting device according to claim 16 wherein the
first lower reference surface extends downwardly from the body a
greater distance than the third lower reference surface.
18. A blade gap setting device according to claim 16 comprising two
first lower reference surfaces, the two first lower reference
surfaces being longitudinally spaced along the length of the
elongate body.
19. A blade gap setting device according to claim 18 comprising a
single third lower reference surface, the third lower reference
surface being centrally longitudinally spaced along the length of
the elongate body.
20. A blade gap setting device for a potato chip cutting head, the
device comprising an elongate body having an upper surface and a
lower surface, at least one mounting for a depth micrometer having
a displaceable spindle, the mounting extending from the upper
surface to the lower surface to permit a depth micrometer to be
mounted to the upper surface with a free end of the displaceable
spindle being exposed at the lower surface, at least one lower
reference surface and at least one side reference surface adapted
to fit the device in a desired radial and circumferential position
to a potato chip cutting head, and at least one magnet connected to
the body adapted to hold the device onto a potato chip cutting head
by a magnetic force.
21. A blade gap setting device according to claim 20 in combination
with a calibration block for the device, the calibration block
comprising an upper surface of magnetic material adapted to hold
the device thereon by a magnetic force from the at least one
magnet, the upper surface having at least one channel shaped and
dimensioned to receive the at least one lower reference surface and
at least one side reference surface, the channel being adapted to
fit the device in a desired vertical and horizontal position on the
calibration block.
22. A blade gap setting device for a potato chip cutting head, the
device comprising an elongate body having an upper surface and a
lower surface, at least one mounting for a depth micrometer having
a displaceable spindle, the mounting extending from the upper
surface to the lower surface to permit a depth micrometer to be
mounted to the upper surface with a free end of the displaceable
spindle being exposed at the lower surface, at least one lower
reference surface and at least one side reference surface adapted
to fit the device in a desired radial and circumferential position
to a potato chip cutting head, and at least one downwardly
extending inclined orientation element extending below the lower
surface and adapted to fit within a potato chip cutting head at a
predetermined orientation.
23. A method of measuring a blade gap setting of a potato chip
cutting head, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a
blade cutter assembly of a potato chip cutting head including a
first wall element carrying a blade mount which removably and
adjustably mounts an elongate blade element having an exposed
cutting edge and a second wall element spaced from the exposed
cutting edge, a blade gap being defined between the cutting edge
and an adjacent surface of the second wall element; b. providing a
blade gap setting device including a body mounting at least one
depth micrometer thereon, the depth micrometer including a movable
spindle, the body having a first lower reference surface and a
second front reference surface reference; c. fitting the blade gap
setting device to the blade cutter assembly by respectively
locating the first lower and second front reference surfaces to
inner and side surfaces of the second wall element; and d. moving a
free end of the spindle into contact with the cutting edge to
provide a distance measurement on the respective depth
micrometer.
24. A method according to claim 23 wherein the body includes a
magnet and the blade gap setting device is magnetically secured to
the blade cutter assembly in fitting step c.
25. A method according to claim 23 wherein the blade gap setting
device further comprises a pair of inclined legs extending
downwardly and forwardly from the body, the legs being
longitudinally spaced along the body, and in fitting step c the
legs are slid through a spacing between the first and second wall
elements.
26. A method according to claim 23 wherein the blade gap setting
device is rotated into position in fitting step c by a surface of
the body rotating against a surface of the second wall element
acting as a fulcrum.
27. A method of calibrating a blade gap setting device of a potato
chip cutting head, the method comprising the steps of: e. providing
a blade gap setting device including a body mounting at least one
depth micrometer thereon, the depth micrometer including a movable
spindle, the body having a first lower reference surface and a
second front reference surface, the device further including at
least one magnet; f. providing a calibration block comprising an
upper surface of magnetic material adapted to hold the device
thereon by a magnetic force from the at least one magnet, the upper
surface having at least one channel; g. fitting the blade gap
setting device to the upper surface of the calibration block by
respectively locating the first lower and second front reference
surfaces to lower and side surfaces of the channel, the channel
being shaped and dimensioned to receive the at least one lower
reference surface and at least one side reference surface and being
adapted to fit the device in a desired vertical and horizontal
position on the calibration block, in the fitted position the
device being held in the desired position by the magnetic force
from the at least one magnet; and h. moving a free end of the
spindle into contact with the upper surface of the calibration
block to provide a calibration of a distance measurement on the
depth micrometer.
Description
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a blade gap setting device
for a potato chip cutting head and to a method of setting the blade
gap on a potato chip cutting head.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] It is well known to employ a rotary cutting apparatus for
cutting potatoes into fine slices for the manufacture of potato
chips. A well-known cutting apparatus, which has been used for more
than 50 years, comprises an annular-shaped cutting head and a
central impeller assembly coaxially mounted for rotation within the
cutting head to deliver food products, such as potatoes, radially
outwardly toward the cutting head. A series of knives is mounted
annularly around the cutting head and the knife cutting edges
extend substantially circumferentially but slightly radially
inwardly towards the impeller assembly. The knife blade is clamped
to the cutting head to provide a gap, extending in a radial
direction, between the cutting edge of the blade and the head. The
gap defines the thickness of the potato slices formed by the
cutter. As is known in the art, the blade gap can be measured and
precisely adjusted in order to control the slice thickness. The
adjustment is achieved by individual adjustment screws which move
the individual blades radially with respect to one another. The
blade gap must be very accurately set because the accuracy of the
blade gap to the desired width impacts nearly every aspect of
product quality and process efficiency for the manufacture of
potato chips.
[0003] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a known blade gap setting
device. Such a device has been available in commerce for many years
from Urschel Laboratories Inc. of Valparaiso, Ind., USA. FIG. 2 is
a side view showing the known blade gap setting device of FIG. 1
when used to measure a blade gap of a potato chip cutter head
[0004] The known blade gap setting device 100 includes a body 102
having mounted thereon a pair of longitudinally spaced depth
micrometers 104 in the form of analogue dial indicators. Each depth
micrometer 104 includes a longitudinally movable measurement
spindle 106 located forwardly of the body 102. The body 102
includes a lower reference surface 108 which is adapted to bear
against a wall 110 of the potato chip cutter head 112. The wall 110
is known in the art as a shoe, and is spaced rearwardly of the
cutting edge 114 of the elongate blade 116. A sand gate 113 is
fitted to the shoe 110 and is directly rearward of the cutting edge
114. The sand gate 113 may, or may not, comprise a plurality of
circumferential channels separated by circumferential ribs. The
body 102 also includes a pair of longitudinally spaced side
reference surfaces 118 which are adapted to bear against the blade
cutting edge 114 and to rest on the upper surface 115 of the sand
gate 113. These lower and side reference surfaces 108, 118 locate
the device 100 both radially and circumferentially with respect to
the potato chip cutter head 112.
[0005] Each depth micrometer 104 can be adjusted so as to lower the
free end 120 of the spindle 106 into contact with the inner surface
122 of the blade 116 to provide a measurement of the blade gap G in
a radial direction between the blade cutting edge 114 and the
adjacent sand gate 113. The gap is typically from 1 to 1.5 mm.
[0006] Such a known gap setting device suffers from a number of
problems.
[0007] First, the device requires reference surfaces to bear
against the cutting edge of the blade, which can tend to dull the
sharpness of the blade edge.
[0008] Second, the device needs to be held in place manually by the
operator during the measurement process so as to locate the
reference points on the cutter assembly. This leads to poor
ergonomics because it is difficult for the operator to maintain the
device in the require location while reading the measured blade gap
and adjusting the clamping of the blade to achieve the desired
blade gap. In addition, the manual holding of the device introduces
health and safety issues due to the potential for inadvertent
operator contact with the adjacent blade cutting edge in the series
of annularly located blades when locating and holding the device in
position.
[0009] Third, the combined unit incorporating the specified
reference surfaces and the analogue dial indicators can provide
rather inaccurate blade gap readings.
[0010] Fourth, the device can be difficult to calibrate accurately
and consistently in repeated calibrations, particularly carried out
by different operators.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention aims at least partially to overcome at
least some of these problems of the known blade gap setting
device.
[0012] Accordingly, the present invention provides a blade gap
setting device for a potato chip cutting head, the device
comprising an elongate body having an upper surface and a lower
surface, at least one mounting for a depth micrometer having a
displaceable spindle, the mounting extending from the upper surface
to the lower surface to permit a depth micrometer to be mounted to
the upper surface with a free end of the displaceable spindle being
exposed at the lower surface, a first lower reference surface and a
second front reference surface, at least the second front reference
surface being located forwardly of the at least one mounting.
[0013] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present invention the
blade gap setting device comprises two mountings, the two mountings
being longitudinally spaced along the length of the elongate body,
each mounting being adapted to mount a respective depth
micrometer.
[0014] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present invention the
first and second reference surfaces extend longitudinally.
Optionally, in any embodiment of the present invention the first
lower reference surface includes at least two portions which extend
downwardly from the body by different distances. Optionally, in any
embodiment of the present invention the blade gap setting device
comprises two first lower reference surfaces, the two first lower
reference surfaces extending longitudinally and being laterally
spaced in a direction across the width of the elongate body.
[0015] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present invention the
blade gap setting device further comprises at least one magnet
connected to the body, and further optionally the at least one
magnet is located towards the lower face. Further optionally, the
at least one magnet is sandwiched between two elements, each
element defining a respective first lower reference surface.
Further optionally, the at least one magnet is supported in a
holder.
[0016] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present invention the
blade gap setting device further comprises a pair of inclined legs
extending downwardly and forwardly from the body, the legs being
longitudinally spaced along the elongate body. Optionally, the two
legs have different thickness.
[0017] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present invention the
blade gap setting device further comprises a handle extending
upwardly and rearwardly from the body. Optionally, the handle is
centrally located along the longitudinal direction of the elongate
body.
[0018] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present invention the
blade gap setting device further comprises at least one depth
micrometer having a displaceable spindle, each depth micrometer
being fitted into a respective mounting. Optionally, the depth
micrometer is removably fitted into the respective mounting, and
the device further comprises a clamping unit removably clamping
each depth micrometer in the mounting, the clamping unit being
adapted to permit selective rotation of the depth micrometer in the
mounting.
[0019] Optionally, in any embodiment of the present invention the
blade gap setting device further comprises a third lower reference
surface on the lower surface, the third lower reference surface
being located rearwardly of the at least one mounting. Optionally,
the first lower reference surface extends downwardly from the body
a greater distance than the third lower reference surface.
Optionally, in this embodiment the device comprises two first lower
reference surfaces, the two first lower reference surfaces being
longitudinally spaced along the length of the elongate body.
Optionally, in this embodiment the device comprises a single third
lower reference surface, the third lower reference surface being
centrally longitudinally spaced along the length of the elongate
body.
[0020] The present invention further provides a blade gap setting
device for a potato chip cutting head, the device comprising an
elongate body having an upper surface and a lower surface, at least
one mounting for a depth micrometer having a displaceable spindle,
the mounting extending from the upper surface to the lower surface
to permit a depth micrometer to be mounted to the upper surface
with a free end of the displaceable spindle being exposed at the
lower surface, at least one lower reference surface and at least
one side reference surface adapted to fit the device in a desired
radial and circumferential position to a potato chip cutting head,
and at least one magnet connected to the body adapted to hold the
device onto a potato chip cutting head by a magnetic force.
[0021] Optionally, the at least one magnet is located towards the
lower face. Further optionally, the at least one magnet is
sandwiched between two elements, each element defining a respective
lower reference surface. Further optionally, the at least one
magnet is supported in a holder.
[0022] Optionally, the blade gap setting device is in combination
with a calibration block for the device, the calibration block
comprising an upper surface of magnetic material adapted to hold
the device thereon by a magnetic force from the at least one
magnet, the upper surface having at least one channel shaped and
dimensioned to receive the at least one lower reference surface and
at least one side reference surface, the channel being adapted to
fit the device in a desired vertical and horizontal position on the
calibration block.
[0023] The present invention further provides a blade gap setting
device for a potato chip cutting head, the device comprising an
elongate body having an upper surface and a lower surface, at least
one mounting for a depth micrometer having a displaceable spindle,
the mounting extending from the upper surface to the lower surface
to permit a depth micrometer to be mounted to the upper surface
with a free end of the displaceable spindle being exposed at the
lower surface, at least one lower reference surface and at least
one side reference surface adapted to fit the device in a desired
radial and circumferential position to a potato chip cutting head,
and at least one downwardly extending inclined orientation element
extending below the lower surface and adapted to fit within a
potato chip cutting head at a predetermined orientation.
[0024] Optionally, the orientation element comprises an inclined
leg extending downwardly and forwardly from the body. Further
optionally, the blade gap setting device comprises a pair of
inclined legs extending downwardly and forwardly from the body, the
legs being longitudinally spaced along the elongate body.
Optionally, the two legs have different thickness.
[0025] Optionally, the blade gap setting device further comprises a
handle extending upwardly and rearwardly from the body. Optionally,
the handle is centrally located along the longitudinal direction of
the elongate body.
[0026] The present invention further provides a method of measuring
a blade gap setting of a potato chip cutting head, the method
comprising the steps of: [0027] a. providing a blade cutter
assembly of a potato chip cutting head including a first wall
element carrying a blade mount which removably and adjustably
mounts an elongate blade element having an exposed cutting edge and
a second wall element spaced from the exposed cutting edge, a blade
gap being defined between the cutting edge and an adjacent surface
of the second wall element; [0028] b. providing a blade gap setting
device including a body mounting at least one depth micrometer
thereon, the depth micrometer including a movable spindle, the body
having a first lower reference surface and a second front reference
surface; [0029] c. fitting the blade gap setting device to the
blade cutter assembly by respectively locating the first lower and
second front reference surfaces to inner and side surfaces of the
second wall element; and [0030] d. moving a free end of the spindle
into contact with the cutting edge to provide a distance
measurement on the respective depth micrometer.
[0031] Optionally, the body includes a magnet and the blade gap
setting device is magnetically secured to the blade cutter assembly
in fitting step c.
[0032] Optionally, the blade gap setting device further comprises a
pair of inclined legs extending downwardly and forwardly from the
body, the legs being longitudinally spaced along the body, and in
fitting step c the legs are slid through a spacing between the
first and second wall elements.
[0033] Optionally, the blade gap setting device is rotated into
position in fitting step c by a surface of the body rotating
against a surface of the second wall element acting as a
fulcrum.
[0034] The present invention further provides a method of
calibrating a blade gap setting device of a potato chip cutting
head, the method comprising the steps of: [0035] a. providing a
blade gap setting device including a body mounting at least one
depth micrometer thereon, the depth micrometer including a movable
spindle, the body having a first lower reference surface and a
second front reference surface, the device further including at
least one magnet; [0036] b. providing a calibration block
comprising an upper surface of magnetic material adapted to hold
the device thereon by a magnetic force from the at least one
magnet, the upper surface having at least one channel; [0037] c.
fitting the blade gap setting device to the upper surface of the
calibration block by respectively locating the first lower and
second front reference surfaces to lower and side surfaces of the
channel, the channel being shaped and dimensioned to receive the at
least one lower reference surface and at least one side reference
surface and being adapted to fit the device in a desired vertical
and horizontal position on the calibration block, in the fitted
position the device being held in the desired position by the
magnetic force from the at least one magnet; and [0038] d. moving a
free end of the spindle into contact with the upper surface of the
calibration block to provide a calibration of a distance
measurement on the depth micrometer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known blade gap setting
device;
[0041] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the known blade gap setting
device of FIG. 1 when used to measure a blade gap of a potato chip
cutter head;
[0042] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a blade gap
setting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0043] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled blade gap
setting device of FIG. 3;
[0044] FIGS. 5a and 5b are side views which illustrate sequential
steps during insertion of the blade gap setting device of FIG. 3
into a cutting head;
[0045] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a blade gap setting
device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention when used to measure a blade gap of a potato chip cutter
head; and
[0046] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a calibration block for use
with the blade gap setting device in accordance with another aspect
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, a blade gap setting device,
designated generally as 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention is illustrated. The device 2 includes a
longitudinally extending elongate body 4 which is rigid. The body 4
is typically composed of a metal such as stainless steel. The
longitudinal body 4 extends between first and second opposed ends
6, 8. The body 4 includes a support portion 7 which has an upper
face 10, a lower face 12, a front side 14 and a rear side 16.
Located inwardly of a respective end 6, 8 and fitted to the front
side 14 are a pair of mountings 18 of the body 4, each mounting 18
adapted to mount a respective depth micrometer 20 having a
displaceable spindle 22. The mounting 18 includes a hole 24, or
channel as illustrated, extending downwardly there through to
permit the depth micrometer 20 to be removably inserted into the
hole 24. This mounts the depth micrometer 20 to the body 4 with a
free end 26 of the displaceable spindle 22 being exposed at a lower
surface 9 of the device 2. The hole 24 extends through the
thickness of the body 4 between an upper surface 11 and the lower
surface 9. The holes 24 are longitudinally separated along the
length of the elongate body 4 so that each hole 24 is located
inwardly of a respective end 6, 8 of the body 4.
[0048] Each depth micrometer 20 includes an annular shaft 21
containing the movable spindle 22. The shaft 21 is clamped within
the hole 24 using a rotatable clamping element 25, which may
include a cantilevered flexure providing an interference fit to
provide sufficient friction to hold the depth micrometer 20 in the
respective hole 24. The clamp can be released to allow the angular
position of the depth micrometer 20 to be rotated to a desired
rotational position.
[0049] The depth micrometer 20 is preferably a commercially
available depth micrometer with a digital display readout providing
an absolute measurement of the distance of the blade gap.
[0050] In a modified embodiment, the body 4 is provided with only
one mounting 18 for a single depth micrometer 20. In a yet further
modified embodiment, the body 4 is provided with greater than two
mountings 18 for mounting greater than two depth micrometers
20.
[0051] A pair of lower reference surfaces 30a, 30b are provided on
the lower surface 9, the two lower reference surfaces 30a, 30b
being laterally spaced across the width of the elongate body 4. The
lower reference surfaces 30a, b are fixed by bolts 29 to, and
located forwardly of, the pair of mountings 18. The reference
surfaces 30a, b extend longitudinally between and beyond the two
mountings 18. The lower reference surfaces 30a, b are located
downwardly from the body 4. The reference surfaces 30a, b may be
integral with the body 4 or alternatively, as illustrated, defined
in respective parallel longitudinal blocks 31, 32 fitted to the
body 4.
[0052] A front reference surface 33 is located forwardly of the
mountings 18. The front reference surface 33 is comprised of the
front surface of block 32. The front reference surface 33 is
employed to fit against a side surface of the sand gate, or of a
shoe holding the sand gate, in order to fit the device in a desired
circumferential position to a potato chip cutting head. The lower
reference surfaces 30a, b are employed to fit against an upper
surface of the sand gate, in order to fit the device in a desired
radial position to a potato chip cutting head.
[0053] Each reference surface 30a, b comprises a central higher
portion 57 between two opposed lower portions 59. These different
height portions 57, 59 enable the reference surfaces 30a, b to
engage with different cutter heads or with different respective
sand gate constructions, used for manufacturing different types of
potato chip using the same cutter head incorporating different
blade/sand gate combinations.
[0054] A pair of inclined legs 40a, 40b extends downwardly and
forwardly of the body 4. The legs 40a, 40b are longitudinally
spaced along the elongate body 4, each being located at a
respective end 6, 8. One leg 40a is of different thickness than the
other leg 40b. The legs 40a, 40b have different thickness in order
to achieve the desired longitudinal distance between reference
surface 40a and the free end 26 of the spindles 22 as well as
reference surface 40b and the free end 26 of the spindles 22 in
order to align the opposed free ends 26 properly on shaped
blades.
[0055] A handle 50 is integral with or mounted to the body 4. The
handle is inclined rearwardly and upwardly away from the body 4,
and therefore the legs 40 and handle 50 extend towards opposite
sides of the body 4. The handle 50 is centrally located along the
longitudinal direction of the elongate body 4.
[0056] At least one magnet 60 is connected to the body 4, and may
be provided in or on the body 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the
three linearly spaced magnets 60, extending serially along the
length of the body 4, are held in a holder 61 which is sandwiched
between the two blocks 31, 32. The magnets 60 are preferably
located towards or at the lower surface 9 so that the lower surface
9 of the body 4 is magnetically attracted to a material such as
stainless steel from which a blade cutter assembly of a potato chip
cutting head is typically composed. The magnets 60 provide that the
body 4 can be temporarily attached, by the magnetic force, to the
internal circumferential surface of such a blade cutter
assembly.
[0057] In use, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the blade gap setting
device 2 is temporarily attached by the magnetic force of the
magnets 60 to the internal circumferential surface 70 of a blade
cutter assembly 74 of a potato chip cutting head. The blade cutter
assembly 74 includes an arcuate first wall element 76, or shoe,
carrying a blade mount 78 which removably and adjustably mounts an
elongate blade element 80 having an exposed cutting edge 82
pointing substantially circumferentially but oriented radially
inwardly, as is known in the potato chip cutter art. A sand gate
84, comprising a second wall element which may or may not have a
plurality of circumferential channels separated by ribs (not
shown), is spaced circumferentially from the exposed cutting edge
82 by a spacing 90 having a distance d. The sand gate 84 is
supported on a second arcuate wall element 83, or shoe. The cutting
edge 82 is radially inwardly located a desired blade gap distance D
from the inner surface of the sand gate 84. This distance D can be
varied by moving the elongate blade element 80 in the blade mount
78.
[0058] The blade gap setting device 2 is held manually by the
handle 50 and moved within the central cavity of the blade cutter
assembly 74 towards the internal circumferential surface 70. The
legs 40a, 40b are longitudinally spaced along the elongate body 4
by a distance which is greater than the length of the blade element
80 to be measured, so that the legs 40 do not contact the blade
element but slide into the spacing 91 between the wall element 76
and sand gate 84 at opposite ends of the blade element 80.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 5a, the device 2 is inserted with the legs
40 substantially downwardly and radially oriented. After insertion,
the device 2 is rotated downwardly as shown by the arrow in FIG. 5a
with the end wall 81 of the sand gate 84 acting as a fulcrum
against which the front surface 87 of the body 4 is rotated. This
action causes the operator to push the device 2, as shown by the
arrow in FIG. 5b, downwardly and away from the blade element 80 so
that the cutting edge 82 of the blade element 80 is not
inadvertently damaged. The inclined legs 40 function to indicate
the insertion orientation of the device and are shaped and
dimensioned to cooperate complementarily with the shape and
dimensions of the inclined end surface 89 of the shoe 83. This
inclined leg configuration ensures that the operator inserts the
device in the correct orientation.
[0060] The lower reference surfaces 30a, b are rotated downwardly
so as to contact the inner surface 85 of the sand gate 84. This
locates the device accurately in position over the blade cutter
assembly 74 within the potato chip cutting head, as shown in FIG.
5b.
[0061] No part of the device has contacted the blade element 80
during the fitting operation. The rearmost part of the first
reference surface 30 is spaced a small distance, for example about
0.5 mm, forwardly from the cutting edge, so as not inadvertently to
damage the cutting edge. The device 2 is held in this fitted
position by the magnetic attraction between the magnet 60 and the
sand gate 84.
[0062] During the subsequent measuring operation, the free ends 26
of the spindles 22 are moved downwardly so as to the upper surface
93 of the blade element 80. The depth reading shown in the digital
display of the depth micrometers 20 corresponds to the blade gap D.
The depth micrometers 20 are preferably longitudinally spaced by a
distance which substantially corresponds to the length of the blade
element 80 to be measured, so that the free ends 26 of the spindles
22 contact the longitudinal ends of the upper surface of the blade
element 80. This avoids any potential damage to the major central
cutting portion of the blade element 80.
[0063] While the device is fitted in the desired location and held
in a hands-free manner by the magnetic fitting, the position of the
blade element 80 within the blade mount 78 can be adjusted.
[0064] Thereafter, the handle 50 can be manually engaged and pulled
upwardly, disengaging the magnetic holding force. This rotates the
device upwardly in a reverse direction away from the sand gate 84,
with the end wall 81 of the sand gate 84 again acting as a fulcrum
against which the front surface 87 of the body 4 is rotated. After
the legs 40 are substantially radially oriented, the device 2 can
be pulled clear. The device may then be used to measure and adjust
the blade gap of the adjacent blade cutter assembly 74.
[0065] FIG. 6 shows an alternative construction for a blade gap
setting device according to a second embodiment of the present
invention. The structure is similar to that of the first
embodiment, incorporating an elongate body 200 mounting depth
micrometers 202, a magnet 204, inclined legs 206 and an inclined
handle 208. However, in this embodiment the device includes at
least one first reference surface 210 which is adapted to be
disposed on the sand gate 211 after fitting for the measurement
operation, similar to the reference surfaces 30 of the first
embodiment, and a second reference surface 212 which is adapted to
be disposed on the shoe 213 carrying the blade mount 214 after
fitting for the measurement operation. The first and second
reference surfaces 210, 212 are spaced apart so as to be located on
opposite sides of the blade 215 after fitting for the measurement
operation. The magnet 204 is mounted on the body 200 so as to be
disposed above or against the shoe 213 carrying the blade mount 214
after fitting for the measurement operation. Again, the insertion
operation is similar to that of the first embodiment, by rotating
the device downwardly and urging the device away from the blade 215
and against the edge of the sand gate 210.
[0066] By providing that the blade gap setting device 2 may
incorporate one or more magnets so as to be adapted to be
magnetically held onto a magnetic material, in accordance with
another aspect of the invention the device may benefit from
improved calibration accuracy and repeatability.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 7, the depth micrometer(s) 20, when
mounted in the device 2, can readily be calibrated on a calibration
block 300 which can also act as a holder for the device 2. The
calibration block 300 may be made of a magnetic material to enable
the calibration operation to be hands-free. The calibration block
300 may be composed of a hard stainless steel magnetic material,
for example stainless steel 440C, which improves the dimensional
stability and wear resistance of the calibration block 300.
[0068] The calibration block 300 has a generally planar upper
surface 302 which includes at least one calibration channel. In the
illustrated embodiment there are three parallel calibration
channels 304, 306, 308. Each channel 304, 306, 308 corresponds to a
cutter head set-up for manufacturing a particular potato chip
product. The channels 304, 306, 308 therefore vary in channel depth
and in the profile of the lower surface 312a, b, c of the channels
304, 306, 308. The upper surface 302 also has a planar holding zone
316 for resting the device 2 when not in use.
[0069] During the calibration process, the body 4 of the device 2
is fitted into the selected channel 304, 306, 308. The front
reference surface 33 is urged against a reference edge 310 of the
selected channel 304, 306, 308, indicated by arrows on the upper
surface 302. This simulates the front reference surface 33 fitting
against a side surface of the sand gate, or of a shoe holding the
sand gate, in the corresponding potato chip cutting head. The lower
reference surfaces 30a, b are received in the selected channel 304,
306, 308 and rest on the lower surface 312a, b, c, which simulates
the device 2 resting on the sand gate. The selected channel 304,
306, 308 is therefore adapted to fit the device 2 in a desired
vertical and horizontal position on the calibration block 300
simulating the corresponding position on the associated cutting
head.
[0070] The spindle of the depth micrometer 20 can then be lowered
into contact with the calibration block 300 and the readout
adjusted to provide a zero reading. This means that when
subsequently used to measure blade gap, the absolute measurement of
the blade gap is indicated on the display of the depth micrometer
20.
[0071] The blade gap setting device according to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention provides a number of
advantages over the known blade gap setting device discussed
hereinabove.
[0072] In particular, the blade gap setting device can provide a
very accurately measurement of the blade gap setting, typically
with a tolerance of +/-40 microns. The gap setting can be
accurately measured along the length of the blade.
[0073] In addition, the blade gap setting device is very easy to
install accurately in position on the potato chip cutting head. The
magnet holds the device in the desired position on the potato chip
cutting head, allowing the operator to use both hands to adjust the
blade gap while the measuring device is still located securely in
position in the potato chip cutting head. Therefore the blade gap
setting device is configured as a "hands-free" device. The
particular magnet design of the preferred embodiment allows for the
use, to form the body, of hard stainless steel materials, for
example stainless steel 440C, which improves the dimensional
stability and wear resistance of the device.
[0074] The inclined handle improves the ergonomics of the device
and provides easy maneuvering of the device into and out of the
measurement position. The handle provides leverage to disengage the
magnetic force holding the device onto the cutting head, with the
front end of the body being rotatable against a fulcrum of the
cutter head during the insertion and removal operation. The handle
is oriented upwardly away from the body and points towards the
rearward side of the device, which tends to move the hand of the
operator upwardly away from any adjacent cutting blades of the
series of cutting blades which are located annually around the
potato chip cutting head.
[0075] In addition, the blade gap setting device of the preferred
embodiments does not contact the cutting edge of the blade during
use and so does not tend to dull the cutting edge during use, in
contrast to the known setting device discussed above. The blade gap
setting device of the preferred embodiments includes reference
surfaces that only bear against and reference the interior
circumferential wall and/or sand gate surfaces. The spindle of the
depth micrometer only bears against the inner surface of the blade,
which constitutes the top blade surface during the measurement
operation. No part of the blade gap setting device applies a force,
in particular a lateral or sideways force, onto the blade edge and
therefore the blade is not dulled during the measuring operation.
Furthermore, since the operator manually places the device in the
opposite direction of the blade edge, the device exhibits improved
health and safety benefits.
[0076] In the preferred embodiments, the reference surfaces are
configured to be utilizable with a wide variety of different
cutting head shapes and dimensions. Furthermore, since the
reference surfaces of the blade gap setting device do not contact
the blade cutting surface, the correct orientation of the blade gap
setting device is independent of blade shape and configuration, and
accordingly the same device can be used alternatively with linear
planar blades, such as for manufacturing conventional potato chips,
or non-planar profiled blades, such as for manufacturing crinkle
cut or other three dimensionally-shaped potato chips.
[0077] In the preferred embodiments, the structure of the body of
the blade gap setting device, in particular the structure of the
inclined legs, provides that the device can be quickly and easily
located in the correct position and orientation within the cutting
head without damaging the depth micrometers or the blade. This
provides that the device can readily be located in position without
danger of damaging either the cutter head or the device itself.
[0078] The depth micrometers can readily be located into the
correct angular position for reading the upper surface of the
blade. By providing a design with the inclined legs, the device can
be reliably rotated into a correct engaged position with the
magnetic holding force holding the device in position.
[0079] The device of the preferred embodiments may be used for the
blade gap measurement of cutter heads of the two ring or single
ring type, with appropriate rotation of the depth micrometers so
that the display is visible to the operator in the respective
measurement orientation.
[0080] Other modifications to the blade gap setting device of the
preferred embodiments of the present invention will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art.
* * * * *