1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improvements in a method and apparatus for slicing produce.
2. Description of the Background Art
Centrifugal slicers for slicing produce are well known in the art. One commercially available slicer is the Urschel Model CC slicer manufactured and sold by Urschel Laboratories, Inc., Valparaiso, Ind. The Urschel Model CC centrifugal slicer was designed for slicing potatoes for potato chips as a primary consideration, but it is also capable of producing slices from a wide variety of other produce, including raw apples, beets, mushrooms, and the like.
In the operation of a centrifugal slicer such as the Urschel Model CC, produce enters a rotating impeller and is forced against the inner surface of a stationary slicing head assembly, which consists of eight separate slicing heads and knives. It is necessary that the impeller of a centrifugal slicer rotate at a relatively high rate of speed, so that the pieces of produce are pushed with sufficient centrifugal force against the slicing knives for cutting or slicing. For example, in the production of potato slices, impeller speeds of at least about 150 r.p.m. are generally utilized and, depending on the desired throughput, impeller speeds of over 350 r.p.m. may be used. A slice is produced as each potato passes each knife blade.
Although relatively high impeller speeds are required to force the produce pieces against the inner surface of the slicing head assembly and the slicing knife to slice the produce, centrifugal slicers generally produce a considerable amount of waste and scrap during the slicing operation. For example, centrifugal slicing of potatoes to form potato slices for chips often results in the loss of up to 8% or more of potato solids in the form of starch, which is washed down the drain when the slices are washed before frying.
Another significant source of scrap generated by the use of centrifugal slicers is scrap resulting from "missed first cuts." The first cut on round produce such as a potato tends to spin it, and several cuts may be made before the potato sits in one position against the slicer head. Scrap generated from "missed first cuts" may be as high as 2% or more.
Another source of scrap results from slicing which occurs near the end of a produce piece, where there is a tendency for the remainder of the produce piece to buckle, resulting in knife blade cuts too close to the existing cut surface.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a centrifugal slicer which produces substantially less waste and scrap.