DE102010034677A1 - Portionskomplettierung when mehrspuringen slicing - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the simultaneous slicing of several food products into portions each comprising several product slices, in which the products are sliced with a common slicing device, in particular a high-performance slicer, which has at least one cutting knife which rotates in a cutting plane about a knife axis and / or revolves around a central axis in a planetary manner and to which the products are fed in multiple lanes, and each incomplete partial portion after slicing a product is completed by slices of a subsequent product, the partial portions being completed in separate tracks.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for simultaneous cutting of several food products in each of several product slices comprising portions. The invention also relates to a transfer unit which can be used in such a device or in such a method.

The portioned slicing of food products, in particular using so-called high-performance slicer, is basically known. The formation of portions is particularly necessary if the slicer is followed by a packaging machine in which not individual product slices, but in each case a plurality of product slices combined in one or more portions are automatically packed. In this context, so-called transfer units are known, which are immediately downstream of the slicer and serve both to take the separated product slices and portions and also remove the portions formed in order to supply them downstream devices such as a packaging machine, in particular via other conveyors. It is also an object of such transfer units to adapt the operating speed of the slicer to the so-called system speed of the downstream devices, since the portions formed must be removed from the portioning region at a speed which is substantially higher than the system speed, in particular in the case of very fast slicers.

Known transfer units are designed, for example, as combinations of conveyor belts. Portioning takes place on a portioning belt arranged immediately downstream of the slicer, on which the separated product slices are deposited to form the portions. Downstream of the portioning tape is at least one so-called control tape, to which the portions are transferred from the portioning tape.

Such transfer units are also used for a so-called portion completions, which is required especially for high-priced products, in the slicing product losses should be kept as low as possible. Portion completion is required if the desired portions are to have a certain number of slices and / or a certain portion weight and the last portion present after slicing a product does not yet meet the respective requirements, d. H. one or more additional product slices is required if it is not to be disposed of as waste.

With this portion completion, the still required product slices are separated from the following product. Since usually at the beginning of the slicing on the new product so-called trim cuts must be performed because the product, for example, does not yet have the required product cross-section, and the resulting in this "trimming", unusable product pieces on the Portionierband and thus on their As part of the portion completion, the transfer unit is operated in such a way that the partial portions are transported by the portioning belt in the conveying direction onto the control belt, where they await the execution of the trimming cuts. As soon as usable slices can be separated from the new product, the partial portion is transported back from the control belt to the portioning belt, i. H. the transfer unit transports the partial portions in this phase contrary to the "normal" conveying direction.

Such a Portionskomplettierung is basically known, for example DE 199 14 707 A1 ,

Also known is the simultaneous slicing of several food products on a slicing device, in particular by means of a single cutting knife. For this example, on EP 0 713 753 B1 directed. The simultaneous slicing of food products is also referred to as multi-slicing.

In a slicing apparatus capable of slicing several products at a time, the products can be fed to the cutting blade at the same time. If the products have a different length and / or for certain reasons, the product supply in the individual tracks with different or different varying individual speeds, ie individually, then this leads to problems in Portionskomplettierung, since the slicing of products in the individual tracks is not finished at the same time and so in the individual tracks to be completed Teilportionen temporally succession arise. One possible reason why the slicing operations in the individual tracks are not terminated at the same time even with exactly the same product lengths is an individual control of the conveyor speeds in the individual tracks which is required if the products have different weight profiles (in the conveying direction). at over the entire product constant product density so different cross-sectional profiles), since then the thickness of the separated product slices and thus the product supply must be adjusted individually to each portion to the desired portion weight achieve. Such an approach is for example off DE 196 04 254 B4 as well as out EP 1 178 878 B1 known.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and reliable way for a Portionskomplettierung when multi-lane slicing of food products.

The solution of this object is achieved by the features of the independent method claim and by the features of the independent device claim.

In the method according to the invention, it is provided that the completion of partial portions takes place in separate tracks.

In the case of the device according to the invention, it is provided that the transfer unit has, for each assigned track, a separate conveyor line which comprises at least two successive conveyor units.

The separation according to the invention makes it possible to carry out measures for portion completion in one lane, without disturbing a respectively desired operation in the other lanes. In particular, depending on how the supply of the products takes place in the case of the respective slicing device, the portion completions in the individual tracks can take place, for example, completely independently of one another. Alternatively, a coordinated operation explained in more detail below is also possible, in which the completion of sub-portions present in the individual tracks is started simultaneously, even if these partial portions have been created one after the other. Such an approach may, in particular, take into account situations in which the supply of the following products in all lanes is started simultaneously, i. H. - Figuratively speaking - all tracks are always loaded simultaneously with new products.

The invention ensures that both product losses and the need for manual corrections can be minimized. The former is particularly advantageous for high-priced products, while the latter substantially improves production hygiene.

The invention also relates to a transfer unit having the features of claim 15.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are also indicated in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

In particular, it can be provided that each time a partial portion is formed in one track, it continues with the slicing in the remaining other tracks. Full portions can thus continue to be formed and transported away, even if the slicing of the product has already been completed in one or more tracks.

In one embodiment, in each case the completion of the partial portions in one lane takes place independently of the completions of the partial portions in the other lanes, wherein in each lane a resulting partial portion is completed independently of the formation of partial portions in the other lanes. It can therefore start with the slicing of a subsequent product and thus with the completion of the present in the track partial portion, while in the other tracks, the slicing of the products is still ongoing. However, such a temporal divergence of completion start is not mandatory. It is according to a further embodiment of the invention also possible that at Portionskomplettierungen temporally successively in the individual tracks are coordinated so that each continued with the emergence of a partial portion in a track with the cutting in the remaining other tracks and with the completion of the Partial portions only after the emergence of the last partial portion is started. Such an approach is for example beneficial if the tracks are loaded with new products at the same time. This can be dependent on the respective application and / or on the design or mode of operation of the respective product feed.

Furthermore, provision is made in particular for the completion of a partial portion for each track after intermediate positioning of the partial portion in a waiting area and return of the partial portion to a portioning area.

As regards the product feed, it may be provided in one embodiment that the products in the tracks are fed to the cutting blade completely independently of each other.

It is also possible for the products in the tracks to be fed to the cutting blade in such a way that a plurality of conveying devices arranged parallel to one another are jointly driven and the individual speeds of the conveying devices are changed individually.

As already mentioned, such track-specific product feeds may be necessary or desired if an at least substantially constant portion weight is desired and the products differ in terms of their weight or cross-sectional profile.

Furthermore, it is preferred if the completion of the partial portions and the delivery of the products are timed to each other, whereby this can be done only track-related or taking into account all tracks.

In the slicing device according to the invention, the transfer unit can be designed and operated such that the completion of a partial portion formed on the first conveyor unit can be carried out by intermediate positioning of the partial portion on the second conveyor unit and return of the partial portion to the first conveyor unit.

The conveyor units may each comprise a belt conveyor, in particular an endless belt conveyor, which is operable in both the one conveying direction and in the opposite direction.

In particular, the conveyor sections may be operable such that each time a partial portion is formed on a conveyor line, the transfer of complete portions to the remaining other conveyor lines can be continued.

The conveying sections can be operated independently of one another, wherein in particular on each conveying section a resulting partial portion can be completed independently of the formation of partial portions on the other conveying sections.

It is also possible that the conveyor lines are coordinated so operable that at partial succession portions each time a partial portion on a conveyor section, the transfer of complete portions on the remaining other conveyor sections continued and the completion of partial portions until after the emergence of the last partial portion can be suspended ,

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings. Show it:

1 1 is a schematic plan view of a slicing device according to the invention;

2 schematically a perspective view of a transfer unit according to the invention, and

3 schematically the course of a possible with the invention Portionskomplettierung.

According to 1 For example, the slicing apparatus of the invention, which is a high-speed slicer, comprises a product feeder 21 with a product edition 31 for the products not shown here and with a common drive 33 for two single conveyors 19 who are on a common carrier 37 are attached, by means of the common drive 33 along a parallel to the conveying direction F running guide 35 in the conveying direction F and counter to the conveying direction F is movable, as indicated by the double arrow.

The products can each at their rear end of the relevant, designed here as a product gripper conveyor 19 be taken. If the common carrier 37 by means of the common drive 33 in the direction of a cutting plane 15 is moved, thereby all product gripper 19 and thus all products forcibly taken. The product grippers are used to cut open the next products 19 moved back to the starting position. During the slicing, therefore, gives the common drive 33 a common feed rate for the products, but which can be individually corrected for each product by cutting the product grippers during slicing 19 independently relative to the carrier 37 be moved as indicated by the double arrows on the product grippers 19 is indicated.

For each product, this can be a fine-tuning or correction of the common drive 33 determined common feed rate in order to compensate in this way, for example, individual variations of the product cross-section or the product density over the product length so that the products separated from the product slices or portions formed therefrom each have a desired weight.

Alternatively, the product feeder 21 be formed so that for each product a separate feed is present, the product feeds can be operated completely independently of each other.

In the illustrated embodiment, two products can be sliced simultaneously, i. H. the slicing device is here formed in two lanes. The number of tracks is basically arbitrary.

In the cutting plane 15 moves at least one unillustrated cutting blade, which is for example a rotating about a blade axis sickle blade or a Circular knife acts, which rotates about a knife axis and additionally rotates around a central axis planetary.

The cutting plane 15 downstream in the conveying direction F is a transfer unit 23 in that for each track a first conveyor unit designed as a portioning belt 25 and a second conveyor unit designed as a control belt 27 includes. Also, one is the two control bands 27 downstream, two tracks jointly assigned further control band 28 intended.

As indicated by the double arrows, the portioning tapes are 25 and the tax bands 27 Both in the conveying direction F and in the opposite direction drivable, ie lying on these bands discs, portions or partial portions can be transported in response to control signals or commands a control device not shown both in the conveying direction F and against the conveying direction F.

According to the invention, the transfer unit 23 Consequently, formed so separated with respect to the two tracks that the two Portionierbänder 25 and the two tax bands 27 each can be operated independently.

As the representation of 2 can be removed, the transfer unit 23 have further functions, which are each indicated by the double arrows. The portion tapes 25 can be raised and lowered, either independently of the control belts 27 or together with the tax bands 27 , Such a lowering and raising the Portionierbänder 25 can in particular serve to adapt the fall path or the drop height of the separated product slices during a portion formation. Furthermore, the portioning tapes 25 be pivotable, especially the cutting plane 15 (see. 1 ) facing free ends of Portionierbänder 25 each in a position in which unusable product pieces, which occur in particular when performing trimming cuts at the beginning of a slicing operation, can be disposed of.

Both the lowering and lifting as well as the pivoting of each Portionierbandes 25 can be independent of the other portioning tape 25 take place, ie in this regard, a separation of the two tracks can be given.

By way of illustration is in 2 on each portioning belt 25 a portion 13 represented, which consists of a so-called shingled arrangement of several separated product slices. During normal slicing, these portions become 13 as soon as they are complete, quickly from each portioning tape 27 on the tax ribbon 27 transferred. From the tax ribbon 27 will the portion 13 then to the common tax band 28 to hand over. Onward transport from the common tax band 28 to downstream facilities, such as another conveyor 29 (see. 1 ), for example, can be done as soon as on the common control tape 28 two complete portions 13 are present next to each other.

For the portion completion already explained in the introductory part, an incomplete portion can be temporarily "parked" by removing the incomplete portion from the portioning belt 25 to the first tax band 27 is handed over. The free portioning belt 25 is then available for receiving unusable product pieces resulting from the trim cuts on the subsequent product. These can, for example, by folding down and operating the Portionierbands 25 be disposed of contrary to the conveying direction F. The now again portioning tape 25 can then return to the first control tape 27 to record parking incomplete portion by doing this by operating the two bands 25 . 27 against the conveying direction F on the Portionierband 25 is returned.

As already mentioned, such Portionskomplettierungen in the individual tracks can be done completely independently. Alternatively, a procedure can be chosen, as described below with reference to 3 is explained in more detail.

In the 3a to 3f each stroke symbolizes a severed product slice, with a full portion being indicated by five such strokes.

3a shows the "normal" slicing operation. On the portioning tapes 25 resulting portions 13 as soon as they are complete, to the respective subordinate tax 27 pass and then over the further tax band 28 removed.

In 3a a situation is shown in which on the portioning tapes 25 straight portions are formed, which are currently not complete, but only three discs each.

Because that's a product 11 has a shorter residual length than the other product 11 , the slicing process is finished in one track, while in the other track the slicing of the product is finished 11 is still going on. This is in 3b shown.

On the portioning tape 25 the trace with the product of shorter residual length is therefore one incomplete partial portion 17 developed, which comprises only three product slices. The partial portion 17 In this example, for the time being, it will not be on the downstream tax code 27 transported, but remains on the Portionierband 25 which consequently remains temporarily suspended. The previously on the first control tape 27 complete portion is already on the other tax band 28 been transported.

3c shows the situation in which now the product in the other track is completely cut open. The last portion of this product may also be incomplete, ie it is also a partial portion in this lane 17 which, in this example, comprises only a single product slice.

In the exemplary embodiment explained here, it is provided that the completion of these two partial portions 17 starts at the same time. For this purpose, according to 3d the two partial portions 17 from the respective portioning tape 25 on the respective tax band 27 transferred where they are intermediately positioned. Subsequently, both tracks each with a new product 11 loaded ( 3e ), and it is carried out at the front product ends in each case the so-called trim cuts, with the resulting unusable product pieces 39 on the portion tapes 25 be recorded. These product pieces 39 can, for example, in the manner mentioned above by means of Portionierbänder 25 be disposed of.

Then the repatriation of temporarily parked partial portions 17 in accordance with 3f the tax bands 27 and the portioning tapes 25 be moved against the conveying direction F and so the partial portions 17 back to their original position on the - now freed - Portionierbändern 25 reach. Of the new products prepared by the mentioned trimming cuts 11 separated product slices can thus complete the partial portions of the previous products. While one portion needs two slices of product to complete, the other is the portion 17 complete with four more product slices.

Thus, it is not necessary according to the invention to complete partial portions by hand. In addition, product losses are minimized because partial portions do not need to be disposed of.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11

product

13

portion

15

cutting plane

17

subportion

19

Conveyor

21

product feed

23

Transfer unit

25

first conveyor unit, portioning belt

27

second conveyor unit, tax band

28

Feed unit, further tax band

29

Downstream facility

31

product support

33

common drive

35

guide

37

carrier

39

product pieces

F

conveying direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 19914707 A1 [0006]
• EP 0713753 B1 [0007]
• DE 19604254 B4 [0008]
• EP 1178878 B1 [0008]

Claims (15)

Method for simultaneously cutting several food products ( 11 ) in portions each comprising a plurality of product slices ( 13 ), in which - the products ( 11 ) are cut open with a common slicing device, in particular a high-performance slicer, which has at least one cutting blade which is in a cutting plane ( 15 ) rotates about a knife axis and / or rotates planetary about a central axis and the products ( 11 ) are fed in multiple lanes, and - in each case after slicing a product ( 11 ) incomplete partial portions ( 17 ) through slices of a subsequent product ( 11 ), whereby the completion of partial portions ( 17 ) takes place in separate tracks. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in each case when a partial portion ( 17 ) continues in one track with the slicing in the remaining remaining tracks. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in each case the completion of the partial portions ( 17 ) in a lane independent of the completions of the partial portions ( 17 ) takes place in the other tracks, in particular in each track a resulting partial portion ( 17 ) regardless of the occurrence of partial portions ( 17 ) in the other tracks is completed. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at temporally successive partial portions ( 17 ) the Portionskomplettierungen in the individual tracks are coordinated so that each case of a partial portion ( 17 ) continued in one track with the slicing in the remaining remaining tracks and with the completion of the partial portions ( 17 ) only after the last partial portion ( 17 ) is started. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for each track the completion of a partial portion ( 17 ) after intermediate positioning in a waiting area and return to a portioning area. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the products ( 11 ) are fed in the tracks completely independently of each other to the cutting blade. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the products ( 11 ) are fed in the tracks to the cutting blade in such a way that a plurality of conveying devices arranged parallel to one another (FIG. 19 ) and the individual speeds of the conveyors ( 19 ) are changed individually. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the completion of the partial portions ( 17 ) and the supply of the products ( 11 ) are timed to each other. Device, in particular high-performance slicer, for simultaneous slicing of several food products ( 11 ) in portions each comprising a plurality of product slices ( 13 ), with - a product feeder ( 21 ), which has a plurality of conveyors arranged parallel to one another ( 19 ), with which the products ( 11 ) a cutting plane ( 15 ) can be fed in multiple tracks, in which at least one cutting blade, in particular rotating and / or rotating, moves, and - a transfer unit downstream of the cutting blade, at least a part of the tracks ( 23 ), with the complete portions ( 13 ) at the transfer unit ( 23 ) downstream facilities ( 25 ) and in each case after slicing a product ( 11 ) incomplete partial portions ( 17 ) through slices of a subsequent product ( 11 ) are complete, wherein the transfer unit ( 23 ) has for each associated track a separate conveyor line, the at least two successive conveyor units ( 27 . 29 ). Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that on each conveyor line the completion of a on the first conveyor unit ( 27 ) partial portion ( 17 ) by intermediate positioning of the partial portion ( 17 ) on the second conveyor unit ( 29 ) and return of the partial portion ( 17 ) to the first conveyor unit ( 27 ) is feasible. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the conveyor units ( 27 . 29 ) each comprise a belt conveyor, in particular an endless belt conveyor, which is operable both in the one conveying direction (F) and in the opposite direction. Device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the conveyor lines ( 27 . 29 ) are operable in such a way that in each case when a partial portion ( 17 ) on a conveyor line ( 27 . 29 ) the transfer of whole portions ( 13 ) on the remaining other routes ( 27 . 29 ) is continuable. Device according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the conveyor lines ( 27 . 29 ) are independently operable, in particular on each conveyor line ( 27 . 29 ) a resulting partial portion ( 17 ) regardless of the emergence of partial portions ( 17 ) on the other conveyor lines ( 27 . 29 ) is complete. Device according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the conveyor lines ( 27 . 29 ) can be operated in such a coordinated manner that, with temporally successive partial portions ( 17 ) in each case when a partial portion ( 17 ) on a conveyor line ( 27 . 29 ) the transfer of whole portions ( 13 ) on the remaining other routes ( 27 . 29 ) and the completion of partial portions ( 17 ) until the last partial portion ( 17 ) is suspendable. Transfer unit for a device according to one of claims 9 to 14, in particular for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the transfer unit ( 23 ) has for each associated track a separate conveyor line, the at least two successive conveyor units ( 27 . 29 ), wherein in particular the transfer unit ( 23 ) additionally comprises the features of one of claims 10 to 14.

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