Fruit slicing system and method of use

Abstract

An apparatus for cutting fruit. The apparatus includes a frame, at least first and second cutting stations, at least one receptacle in which the fruit is received that includes a plurality of extensions protruding outwardly from an outer circumference thereof, and a conveyor that conveys the receptacle from the first cutting station to the second cutting station. The frame includes a kicker. In use, the object is cut along its vertical axis at the first station, the receptacle is then rotated about its vertical axis as a result of one of the extensions contacting the kicker, and the object is cut at the second station.

1 . An apparatus for cutting an object, the apparatus comprising:
 a. a frame, wherein the frame comprises a kicker,   b. at least first and second cutting stations,   c. at least one receptacle that includes a plurality of extensions protruding outwardly from an outer circumference thereof, wherein the object is received in the at least one receptacle, and   d. a conveyor that conveys the at least one receptacle from the first cutting station to the second cutting station, and   wherein the object is cut along its axis at the first station, the receptacle is then rotated about its vertical axis as a result of one of the extensions contacting the kicker, and the object is cut at the second station.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one receptacle includes a plurality of diametrically opposed slots defined in a side wall thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the kicker comprises an angled surface that is adapted to be contacted by one of the extensions. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one receptacle includes a plurality of diametrically opposed slots defined in the side wall thereof, wherein the cutting stations each include a blade affixed to a weighted arm that is pivotally connected to the frame, and wherein the blade and weighted arm pivot if the blade comes into contact with the receptacle. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an alignment mechanism disposed along the conveyor before each cutting station. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the alignment mechanism is a laser alignment mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the laser alignment mechanism comprises a sender and a receiver. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one receptacle is mounted on and rotatable with respect to a mounting plate, wherein the extensions define a rotational path, wherein the mounting plate includes a brake mechanism extending upwardly therefrom, and wherein the brake mechanism is in the rotational path of the extensions. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a pusher track, wherein the at least one receptacle includes a pusher that is adapted to engage the pusher and track and be moved from a first position to a second position. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one receptacle includes a centering system for centering an object placed therein. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the centering system comprises a plurality of spring biased knobs extending through the side wall of the at least one receptacle and into the interior thereof. 
     
     
         12 . A method of slicing fruit, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. placing the fruit in a receptacle,   b. positioning the receptacle in a first position,   c. conveying the receptacle along a path on a conveyor to a first cutting station,   d. cutting the fruit in half along its vertical axis at the first cutting station,   e. rotating the receptacle about its vertical axis to a second position,   f. conveying the fruit to a second cutting station, and   g. cutting the fruit in half along its vertical axis, thereby providing at least four pieces of the fruit.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the receptacle includes a plurality of diametrically opposed slots defined in the side wall thereof and wherein each of the cutting stations includes a blade, and wherein the method further comprises the step of checking the alignment of the blade with respect to the slots before the receptacle reaches the first cutting station. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the alignment is checked by a laser alignment mechanism comprising a sender and a receiver. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the receptacle includes a plurality of diametrically opposed slots defined in the side wall thereof and wherein each of the cutting stations includes a blade, and wherein the blade pivots upwardly if it strikes the receptacle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of not cutting the fruit in half along its vertical axis at either of the cutting stations if the receptacle is not in proper alignment. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the receptacle includes a plurality of extensions protruding outwardly from an outer circumference thereof, and wherein step (e) is performed by contacting one of the extensions with a kicker. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of pushing the fruit upwardly within the receptacle after it has been cut for the final time. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for cutting fruit, the apparatus comprising:
 a. a frame,   b. at least first and second cutting stations, wherein the cutting stations each include a blade affixed to a weighted arm that is pivotally connected to the frame,   c. a conveyor that conveys the object from the first cutting station to the second cutting station, wherein the object is conveyed in a receptacle that includes a plurality of diametrically opposed slots defined in the side wall thereof and a plurality of extensions protruding outwardly from an outer circumference thereof,   d. a stationary block affixed to the frame between the first and second cutting stations, wherein the stationary block is in the path of one of the plurality of extensions, whereby when the extension contacts the stationary block, the receptacle is rotated about its vertical axis, and   e. a first alignment mechanism disposed along the conveyor before the first cutting station and a second alignment mechanism disposed along the conveyor before the second cutting station,   wherein the blade and weighted arm pivot if the blade comes into contact with the receptacle.   
     
     
         20 . A car for use in an apparatus for cutting objects, the car comprising:
 a mounting plate, and   a receptacle positioned above the mounting plate and rotatable with respect to the mounting plate, wherein the receptacle includes a plurality of diametrically opposed slots defined in a side wall thereof and a plurality of extensions protruding outwardly from an outer circumference thereof.   
     
     
         21 . The car of  claim 20  wherein the mounting plate includes a pair of axles attached thereto. 
     
     
         22 . The car of  claim 21  wherein the axles each include first and second ends having a portion of a chain affixed thereto, and wherein each of the axles include at least one wheel rotatably affixed thereto. 
     
     
         23 . The car of  claim 20  wherein the extensions each comprise a machine ball. 
     
     
         24 . The car of  claim 23  wherein the mounting plate includes a brake mechanism affixed thereto, wherein the machine balls define a rotational path, and wherein the brake mechanism is located in the rotational path of the machine balls. 
     
     
         25 . The car of  claim 20  wherein the receptacle includes a plurality of detents defined in a bottom surface thereof, wherein the plurality of detents define a rotational path, wherein the mounting plate includes at least one spring biased ball bearing extending upwardly therefrom, and wherein the ball bearing is received in one of the detents to stop the rotation of the receptacle. 
     
     
         26 . The car of  claim 21  wherein at least one of the axles is movable in a direction that is generally parallel to a plane defined by a top surface of the mounting plate. 
     
     
         27 . The car of  claim 20  wherein the receptacle includes an opening defined axially therethrough, wherein the opening has a pusher received and movable therein, and wherein the pusher includes a head and a shaft that extends downwardly from the bottom of the car. 
     
     
         28 . The car of  claim 20  wherein the receptacle includes a centering system for centering an object placed therein. 
     
     
         29 . The car of  claim 28  wherein the centering system comprises a plurality of spring biased knobs extending through the side wall of the receptacle and into the interior thereof.