Flexible blade

Abstract

A flexible blade that when it starts to wear, the blade stands itself up to continue to provide a sharpened edge.

Claims

1. An external flexible blade attached to a blade support comprising: entirety of said external flexible blade being flat and straight; said external flexible blade attached lengthwise to said blade support; said external flexible blade having a frontside and a backside; entirety of said frontside of said external flexible blade being external from said blade support while attached to said blade support; said external flexible blade configured to use only spring pressure from said blade itself to sharpen the edge of said blade and keep a lengthwise sharp edge of said external flexible blade in contact with a shearing surface; said external flexible blade attached to said blade support by fastener(s) that protrude through said external flexible blade; a space between said external flexible blade and said blade support configured to cause flexing of said external flexible blade when pressure is applied to said external flexible blade; said external flexible blade and said blade support part of a rotary system.

2. The flexible blade of claim 1 wherein said external flexible blade has a beveled angle.

3. The flexible blade of claim 1 wherein said external flexible blade comprises heat treatable steel, high carbon steel or ceramic.

4. The flexible blade of claim 1 wherein said external flexible blade has a Rockwell between 45 C and 60 C.

5. The flexible blade of claim 1 wherein said external flexible blade is part of a grinder machine in ground meat industry.

6. The flexible blade of claim 1 wherein at least two of said external flexible blade and blade supports are inserted into a blade retainer ring.

7. The flexible blade of claim 6 wherein said blade retainer ring is placed on top of a grinder plate as part of a grinder assembly, wherein said grinder plate is fixed and said at least two separate blades move; said blade retainer ring applies pressure to said blade support that applies pressure on said external flexible blade which applies pressure on said grinder plate.

8. The flexible blade of claim 1 wherein said external flexible blade has an angle between approximately 20 to 70.

9. The flexible blade of claim 1 wherein an angle of the external flexible blade is greater than an angle of the blade support.

10. The flexible blade of claim 1 wherein said external flexible blade is configured to be used with a fill plate of a food patty molding machine, so that said fill plate can go back and forth using said external flexible blade.

11. The flexible blade of claim 1 wherein said external flexible blade is configured to be used with a stuffer.

12. The flexible blade of claim 1 wherein said external flexible blade is configured to be used with an extrusion process.

13. The flexible blade of claim 1 wherein said external flexible blade is part of a retainer ring that has at least two separate external flexible blades, each separate external flexible blade attached to a separate blade support; said external flexible blades controlled by a device having independent speed control on outside or inside of a grinder plate that provides for fiber length control.

14. The flexible blade of claim 1 wherein when said external flexible blade wears it has less flexibility and stands more in an upright position.

15. The flexible blade of claim 1 wherein said blade support is configured to continuously brings said lengthwise sharp edge of said external flexible blade in contact with said shearing surface.

16. The flexible blade of claim 1 wherein said external flexible blade is attached to a clamping mechanism which is fastened to said blade support.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a dissembled view of the grinder outboard knife assembly.

(2) FIG. 2 is an illustration of a prior art venturi design.

(3) FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of an orifice or grinder plate of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a magnified top view of an embodiment of an orifice or grinder plate of the present invention. As shown in this embodiment, the spherical portion is shorter compared to the exit cylinder length.

(5) FIG. 5 is a cross sectional side view of an embodiment of an orifice or grinder plate of the present invention. As shown in this embodiment, the spherical portion is shorter compared to the exit cylinder length.

(6) FIG. 6 is a magnified cross sectional side view of an embodiment of an orifice or grinder plate of the present invention. As shown in this embodiment, the spherical portion is shorter compared to the exit cylinder length.

(7) FIG. 7 is a top view of a grinder plate of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is an embodiment of a disassembled view of the grinder outboard knife/blade assembly.

(9) FIG. 9 is an enlarged top view of the blade attached to a grinder assembly of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 10 is a top view of the grinder assembly with blades of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 11 is a top view of the ring having the blades of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 12 is a top view of the blade of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 13 is a top view of the blade attached to a clamp of the present invention.

(14) FIG. 14 is a top view of the blade attached to the grinder assembly of the present invention.

(15) FIG. 15 is an enlarged top view of the blade attached to the grinder assembly of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(16) FIG. 1 shows a grinder outboard knife/blade assembly 10 comprising a grinder knife/blade 12, which is a device that has multiple legs (or extensions) from a hub, each of which has edges designed to cut fibers by rotating on a flat surface with multiple orifices.

(17) A grinder plate 14 is a flat disc that has multiple orifices. The grinder plate 14 is the surface upon which the grinder knife/blade rotates.

(18) The bone collector tube 16 is a tube which is attached to the center hub of the grinder plate 14. It creates a path for bone matter to travel so that it is separated from the ground meat.

(19) In an embodiment, the bone collector, which usually uses a ball valve for flow control, is replaced with a fixed insert orifice that has the spherical hole design of the present invention. This allows for easy size change, removal and installation of a different sized orifice. This assists in keeping the flow consistent, the acceleration through the orifice would be self-cleaning, and it would reduce the outside profile allowing for better exit of meat from the drum device.

(20) The grinder plate nut 18 holds the grinder plate 14 to the grinder barrel.

(21) The gear box clamp 20 is a circular locking clamp that affixes the external gear box to the end of the grinder, via the nut 18.

(22) Outer knife/blade 22 cuts meat on the downstream side of the grinder plate 14.

(23) Knife push rod 24, is a bar that allows spring forces to be exerted on the knife/blade 12.

(24) O-ring 26 is an elastomer used either for sealing mating surfaces or can provide a cushioning and spring effect.

(25) Gear box mounting flange 28, is the part of the gear box that allows the gear box clamp 20 to hold the gear box to the grinder. Gear box clamp engages both flange 28 and nut 18 to hold the device on the grinder.

(26) Gear box housing 30, is comprised of left and right housings that are fastened by bolts.

(27) Bearing 32 supports rotation against the gear box housing 30.

(28) Input shaft bearing 34, which is also known as the drive sprocket bearing, facilitates the drive shaft rotating the outer knife/blade 22.

(29) Bearing race 36 is the cover on the outer diameter of the bearing 32 that contains the balls (ball bearing) or rollers (roller bearing).

(30) The knife/blade assembly 10 further comprises a drive chain 38 that transmits the motor force to the external knife.

(31) Outer knife drive hub 40 is the sprocket that is directly driven by the external motor.

(32) Input sprocket shaft 42 transmits the forces from the auxiliary motor to the drive chain 38.

(33) Motor input coupling 44 is attached to the front of the auxiliary motor.

(34) Gear box housing 46 is comprised of a left and right housing that is fastened by bolts.

(35) Outer knife/blade pressure tension ring 48 applies pressure to the outer knife/blade 22 to keep it on the surface of the grinder plate 14.

(36) In a further embodiment, the springs of the device will be internal with no outer ring.

(37) Tension spring 50 creates force to maintain contact between the outer knife/blade 22 and grinder plate 14.

(38) Tension adjust screw 52 adjusts tension from the compressing spring.

(39) Gear box motor flange 54 is a flange to which the motor is attached.

(40) Motor clamp 56 is a clamp that holds the motor 60 to the gear box.

(41) Motor mount flange 58 is the flange attached to the gear box.

(42) Adjustable speed motor 60 is an electric motor with an inverter drive.

(43) In an embodiment, the grinder knife/blade is installed into the end of the grinder auger. The grinder plate has a plurality of holes that have a spherical component and a cylindrical component. The grinder plate and the grinder knife/blade are assembled to the end of the grinder by a grinder plate nut. The grinder plate nut is assembled to the grinder by a screw thread. The outer knife/blade is assembled to three knife push rods. The gear box mounting flange is assembled to the LH gear box housing. An O-ring is inserted into the gear mounting nut flange to prevent meat leakage.

(44) The bearing and the bearing race are assembled to the outer diameter of the outer drive hub. The outer drive hub has sprocket teeth to accept the drive chain. There is a second bearing and bearing race that fit over the outer knife drive hub and into the gear box housing RH.

(45) There are two input shaft bearings that are assembled to the gear box assembly. The input sprocket shaft is aligned to the outer knife drive hub. The motor input coupling facilitates the motor to drive the assembly. After the gear box assembly is finished then the outer knife/blade with the 3 knife/blade push rods is pushed through the gear box assembly. The three tension springs, one for each rod, are assembled to holes in the gear box housing assembly. The outer knife/blade pressure tension ring is assembled with the tension adjusting screw to provide for tension adjustment.

(46) The entire assembly is affixed to the grinder plate nut by an attachment flange on the nut and a similar flange on the gear box mounting flange. These are attached by the gear box clamp. The gear box motor flange is assembled via three bolts. The motor flange is assembled to the front of the motor.

(47) The motor is affixed to the gear box by the motor clamp that is similar in function to the gear box clamp. The motor is electrically connected to a speed control device.

(48) The bone collector tube is affixed to a hub on the grinder plate.

(49) FIG. 2 shows a prior art venturi 100 comprising a diameter 102, angle transition 104, throat length 106 and discharge 108.

(50) FIG. 3 shows an orifice plate 200 having apertures 210.

(51) FIG. 4 shows a magnified view of the orifice plate 200 showing the apertures 210.

(52) FIG. 5 shows the orifice plate 200 having the apertures 210. The apertures comprising a sphere section 212 and a cylinder section 214.

(53) FIG. 6 shows a magnified view of the apertures 210 having a spherical section 212 and a cylinder section 214.

(54) FIG. 7 shows a grinder plate 250 having a bone collection slots 252, and orifices 254 which are comprised of a spherical diameter 256 and a cylindrical diameter 258. The arrow 260 shows the direction of the meat flow.

(55) FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a disassembled grinder outboard knife/blade assembly.

(56) The grinder outboard knife/blade assembly 300 comprises a grinder nut 201, a drum and sprocket assembly 302, a knife/blade holder spacer 303, a knife/blade retainer ring 304, a gear case 305, a gear case cover 206, a shaft cover 307, and a shaft case flange 308.

(57) The grinder outboard knife/blade assembly 300 further comprises a motor flange 309, a mounting ring 310, a cover plate 311, a tensioner arm 312, a motor shaft adapter 313, a clevis block 314, a clamp tie rod 315, a clamp plate 316, a gear case seal 317, and knife/blade holder 318 and a seal 319.

(58) The grinder outboard knife/blade assembly 300 further comprises grinder plate 320, knife/blade 321, drive shaft assembly 322, knife/blade 323, bearing shaft 324, bearing bracket 325, idler sprocket 326, idler shaft 327, plug 328 and seals 329-331.

(59) The grinder outboard knife/blade assembly 300 further comprises motor 332, fasteners 333-336, 339-341, 343-350. bearing 351, quick release pin 352, spring 353, and acorn nut 354.

(60) The grinder outboard knife/blade assembly 300 further comprises retainer ring 355, clevis pin with retainer ring 356, fasteners 357-364, bearings 365-366 and key 367.

(61) FIG. 9 shows a blade 410 attached to a blade holder 412 by fasteners 414, the blade holder 412 is a fixed angle blade support. The blade holder is attached to ring 416 wherein is above grinder plate 418.

(62) FIG. 10 shows the grinder plate 418 and ring 416 having the blade 410 attached to blade 410 attached to blade support 412 by fasteners 414, the figure shows three blade supports 412, 420, 422 attached to ring 416, each blade support has a blade attached to it.

(63) FIG. 11 shows ring 416 having blade supports 412, 420, 422, each having a blade attached to blade support.

(64) FIG. 12 shows blade 410 having beveled angle 424. In a preferred embodiment beveled angle is approximately 20. In an embodiment, the approach angle is approximately 20 to 70. The angle of the blade must be greater than the angle holder. There must be clearance between heel of blade.

(65) FIG. 13 shows blade 410 attached to clamp 426 by fasteners 414.

(66) FIG. 14 shows the embodiment of grinder plate 500 wherein blade having the ring 502, having three blade supports 504, 506, 508, each blade support having blade 510 which is attached to clamping mechanism 512, which is attached by fastener 514 to blade support. The ring 502 is above grinder plate 516.

(67) FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of FIG. 14 showing blade 510 attached to blade support member 504.

(68) The present invention relates to fiber orientation technology. The fiber orientation technology drops pressure across the grinder plate, aligns the fibers of meat so that the contraction of the muscle fiber that does take place is in a direction of choice controlling both bite and shrinkage. The fiber orientation technology provides a lower resistance to product flow.

(69) The fiber orientation technology provides a better shear surface for a cleaner cut. The fiber orientation technology aligns the fibers in the grinder plate so the shearing action disrupts as few muscle cells as possible. The fiber orientation technology decreases the total area of grinder plate blocking the meat flow resulting in less direction change to the product which works the meat. The fiber orientation technology pulls the meat fiber through the apertures of the grinder plate instead of pushing using the principles of the venturi/choke plate.

(70) All of these characteristics of fiber orientation technology reduce the release and mixing of myosin with actin, the net effect is a controlled orientation of the fiber, less myosin activity resulting in a better bite/bind and control over the final cook shape. Spherical geometry in apertures of the grinder plate creates venturi effects.

(71) The grinder plate has a multiplicity of fill orifices distributed in a predetermined pattern. The orifices consist of spherical intersections or a curved structure intersecting a cylindrical section. The spherical section or curved structure has a diameter no greater than the choke flow for the liquid gas or solid used and is no less than the diameter of the connected cylindrical portion. By a reduction in the cross-sectional area a venturi condition is created. By using spherical sections or a curved structure, intersections between cylinder and spheres or curved structures create transitions which can be manufactured whose geometry approaches a venturi style system. It is preferred to have a sharper edge from the edge to the hole. To get a perfect edge it is preferred to sharpen with a grinder. In a preferred embodiment, the grinder plate is chrome coated.

(72) Using conservation of mass and conservation of energy principles the volume rate of flow must be equal at all points in the systems. (.sub.1A.sub.1V.sub.1)=(.sub.2A.sub.2V.sub.2). Since is a constant, velocity is inversely proportional to cross sectional area. Also, a venturi requires a ramp of some finite distance and a throat which also has a finite distance.

(73) A spherical geometry feeding into a circular cross section which creates a product velocity increased while maintaining more consistent pressure on the meat. A sphere has the following properties: All points on a sphere are the same distance from a fixed point. Contours and plane sections of spheres are circles. Spheres have the same width and girth. Spheres have maximum volume with minimum surface area. These properties allow meat to flow with minimum interruptions. There are no static or dead zones. No matter what angle the cylinder intersects the sphere; the cross section is always a perfect circle. Pressure inside of a sphere is uniform in all directions.

(74) When meat is passed through a circular cross section of a sphere, the fact that pressure is uniform in a sphere creates forces which will be coaxial with the sphere. The reduction in area accelerates the meat through the cylindrical section of the fill plate. The acceleration has been shown empirically to align fibers in the primary direct of flow. Hence, there is fiber orientation.