A machine for extruding a paste of potatoes

摘要

1,152,747. Extruding potato dough. L. J. ILINES. 3 June, 1966 [8 June, 1965; 15 Dec., 1965], No. 24802/66. Heading B5A. Chips are made by extruding a potato mix from a cylinder 15, supported by a framework 10, 11, 12a and 12b, through orifices 18, 17 in base-plate 10 and cutting the extrudate by reciprocating a frame 41 supporting horizontal wires (44), Fig. 2 (not shown), beneath the baseplate. Extrusion pressure is derived from a manually operated arm 39a via a rack and pinion operated ram 26 and a piston plate 21. To provide chips of equal length, i.e. a similar length of extrudate depending from each orifice prior to each cutting action, the orifices 56, Fig. 7, have widened mouths and the inclined angle decreases from a maximum A at the centre of plate 55 to a minimum B at the periphery of the plate. Furthermore, a preferred crosssectional shape of each orifice 56 is with inwardly bowed sides (57), Fig. 9 (not shown), and rounded corners (56a), it being stated that the cross-section of the extrudate "recovers" from this shape to one which is square. Modifications include the provision of an electric drive 45, 46, Fig. 1, and a geared manual drive (58-66), Figs. 10 and 11 (not shown), which also includes pins (67, 68) on shaft (60) co-operating with an indexing wheel (69) to automatically operate cutter frame (41) at equal time intervals. To facilitate removal of piston plate 21 from container 15 a pressure relief pad (81), Fig. 6 (not shown), e.g. of polyethylene, may be provided. Also the potato mix may be made in the container by initially placing a cover (78) over the orifices. In a second embodiment, Figs. 12 and 13 (not shown), an hydraulic cylinder (87) is employed connected to piston plate (88). An hydraulic pump (90) is actuated manually by means of a bundle (91) and the cylinder is retracted by springs (101) after actuation of a release mechanism (96) by pressing button (98). In this case the cutting device may comprise a resilient plastics sheet placed over die plate (112) and having microscopic holes which enlarge under pressure and contract when pressure is released. A separate piston plate (113) may be used instead of the pressure relief pad (81) of the first embodiment.