DE102016120982A1 - Device and method for slicing products - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for slicing products 12, in particular food products, with a product support 14, along which at least one product 12 can be fed to a cutting plane 16, in which a cutting blade, in particular rotating and / or rotating, moves, and with an optoelectronic detection device 34 for Detecting the product 12, in particular the beginning of the product facing the cutting plane, is characterized in that the device 10, in particular the detection device 34, is operable in at least two different operating modes, and in each of the at least two operating modes using the detection device 34 one from respective operating mode dependent property of at least one product 12 can be determined.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for slicing products, in particular food products, with a product support, along which at least one product can be fed to a cutting plane in which a cutting blade, in particular rotating and / or rotating, moves, and with an opto-electronic detection device for detection of the product, in particular the beginning of the product facing the cutting plane.

Various food cutting devices are known. For example, so-called high-performance slicers are used to cut food products, such as meat, sausage or cheese, with a high cutting speed through a cutting knife. In order to increase the cutting performance, such devices may have a product feed, which is designed to supply a plurality of product slices or product bars, which are referred to as products in several adjacent tracks along a conveying direction of a cutting plane in which at least one cutting blade, in particular rotating and / or circulating, moving. The cutting blade can be, for example, a planetary circular blade or a rotating sickle blade. In this way it is possible to use a single cutting device with a correspondingly large knife for simultaneous cutting of several products.

The co-feeding of the products can be accomplished by assigning each product a separate product gripper which engages the rear end of the product to push it forward. In order to compensate for differences in the weight or cross-sectional profile of the products and to be able to change the thickness of the separated product slices for the supplied products independently during slicing, so as to achieve a predetermined weight of individual product slices or the weight of portions of several slices individually , The product grippers may be mounted on a common feed device and be independently retractable relative to the feed device in the conveying direction and retractable against the conveying direction.

When loading the product feeder with products to be re-sliced, there is generally no guarantee that all juxtaposed products will be exactly the same length. Since the product grippers are movable independently of one another along the product feed direction, a difference in length of the products can be compensated for by a suitable adjustment of the product grippers relative to one another. Since the length differences are usually not known in advance, a product search can be performed to determine the positions of the back ends of the products. The product grippers therefore search for the respective product ends and make contact with a contact, for example by closing corresponding gripping claws.

It must be ensured before the first cut that the product beginnings facing the cutting plane are aligned with the cutting plane. To detect the respective position of the product ends, it has already been proposed to provide corresponding sensors above the products. In the usual cutting devices, however, is usually both above and below the product guide relatively little space available. In order to be able to align the product beginnings with the cutting plane, however, the exact positions of these product beginnings must be known before.

In the DE 10 2013 206 994 A1 a method for slicing products is proposed in which by means of a remote on the side facing away from the products in front of the cutting plane, non-contact sensor unit, preferably according to the transit time method, separately detects the positions of the cutting plane facing beginnings of guided along the different tracks products , On the basis of the recorded positions of the product beginnings, the deviations of the positions of these product beginnings relative to each other can be determined. In order to align the product beginnings with the cutting plane, the products in and / or opposite to the product feed direction can be displaced relative to one another such that the determined position deviations of the product beginnings are canceled or compensated. The product beginnings can thus be brought into their desired "starting position" relative to the cutting plane before starting the slicing operation.

When slicing food products, it is not only important to achieve weight-constant portions, which consist for example of shingled or stacked slices, but it is also often desirable to ensure, within the individual portions, that the inner structure of the product slices, for example the Fat and lean portion of sausage or ham slices, as equal as possible. Portions of similar internal structure not only give an optimal appearance, but also lead to defined valences. Classifications are therefore possible which also allow different pricing and allow a distinction between higher and lower portions.

The DE 199 15 861 A1 describes a method for slicing food products having a non-uniform internal structure, in which the products are sliced and shingled portions or stack portions are formed and removed by means of a conveyor system from the slicing area. In the method, the cut surfaces of the respective slices to be separated from the product are detected by means of an optoelectronic detection unit. The cut surfaces or the signals representing the cut surfaces are evaluated with regard to the product inner structure, whereby product slices with within a predefinable tolerance limits of the same internal structure can be combined into portions of a specific class.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for slicing products, in particular food products, which in particular makes use of an opto-electronic detection device in an improved manner.

The object is achieved by a device with the features of claim 1 and in particular by the fact that a device of the type mentioned is further developed in that the device and in particular the detection device is operable in at least two different operating modes, and in each of the at least two operating modes a dependent on the respective operating mode property of at least one product is determined.

In the slicing device according to the invention, the detection device can be used in an improved, flexible manner, since it can be used in at least two different operating modes to determine a property of the product or, in the case of a multi-track slicer, of at least one product, depending on the operating mode. Depending on the mode of operation, another characteristic may be determined to detect, for example, an increase in cutting performance and portion quality.

Preferably, the device has a control which is designed to set the operating mode of the device or the optoelectronic detection device in dependence on an operating state of the slicing device. The operating mode in which the detection device is operated may thus depend on the operating state of the slicing device.

The product characteristic, which is detected in an operating mode, can be designed or selected such that it can be used to control and / or regulate the operating sequence and thus to improve the operation of the slicing device.

The term "property" is to be understood broadly. In particular, the term "property" may refer to not only an intrinsic property of the product but, more generally, any property of the product that may be detected by the detection device, such as the position of the product. The property is preferably related to the product beginning facing the cutting plane of at least one product fed to the cutting plane. For example, the property may be the position of the beginning of the product in relation to the cutting plane or an internal structure of the product at the beginning of the product or at the initial product surface.

The controller may be configured to change the operating mode of the detection device in response to a signal of a trigger of the device. The trigger signal may be triggered, for example, by an event during operation of the device. For example, a product applied to the cutting plane may trigger the trigger signal when the product reaches a certain position along the product feed. The pivoting of the product support belt or a loading rocker with support belt can trigger the trigger signal.

In a first operating mode of the detection device or the device, the position of at least one product beginning can be determinable, in particular with respect to a reference location, such as the cutting plane. A product gripper engaged with the rear end of the product can be used to adjust the position of the product beginning relative to the reference location. For example, the product beginning can be aligned with respect to the cutting plane, in particular before the slicing operation on the product is started.

A stop in the area of the cutting plane for the products, e.g. is designed as a flap or gate valve, and a sensor for detecting the concern of the products at the stop, such as a light barrier, can thus be saved. Since such sensors can be relatively easily contaminated and then provide incorrect values, this source of error can be avoided.

In addition, by aligning the products with the product grippers, it can be determined if the products are being gripped securely by the product grippers. If it is determined that a product is not safely seized, because it is relative to the reference location of the associated Product gripper can not proceed in the desired manner, this can be determined before the start of the actual slicing operation. Error messages during the slicing operation, outbreaking products, incorrect weight portions or a poor product yield can thus be reduced or avoided.

For the engagement of a product gripper in the rear end of a product supplied in a track - during loading of the slicer with the product - this is transported with a serving as a support conveyor belt in the feed area against a stop. The length of the product is detected on the conveyor belt, e.g. scanned, or has been previously captured. The product gripper can therefore be moved as close as possible to the expected, rear end of the product. It is also about collision avoidance or the right time of gripping. If the rear end of the product is too far back, the product could press from below into the product gripper or its receptacle when the loading rocker is swung up with the support belt. In addition, the force sensitive product gripper may detect the product in the associated track even during a forward movement that may be performed in a "product search run" manner, for example, when the product is attached to lateral lane boundaries, e.g. a divider between two adjacent tracks, adheres.

It is advantageous if, in the first operating mode, the controller is designed to control a feed device for feeding at least one product to the cutting plane in such a way that the feed device conveys the product beginning or a, in particular predeterminable, product cross section to the reference location.

The feeder may have a separate product gripper on a product feeder for feeding products in multiple lanes for each lane, which engages the rear end of the in-lane product to move it forward. The product grippers can in this case be mounted on a common feed unit and can be moved in independently of one another relative to the feed unit in the product conveying direction and can be moved in against the product conveying direction.

The product cross section can be created by a cut at the front end of the product. The product cross-section can also be in that through a product and parallel to the cutting plane extending plane, in which the first usable, can be separated by a cut slice of the product. The position of this product cross-section can be calculated on the not yet cut product, for example by means of a calculation unit. The product can then be moved by the feed device along the conveying direction in such a way that the product cross section is conveyed to the reference location. The position of the product cross section can also be determined by the controller, which can in particular use a computing algorithm for this purpose. Such computational algorithms are known from the prior art.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller is configured to switch the detection device from the first operating mode to a second operating mode after the product start or the product cross section has reached the reference location. In particular, after the product beginning or the product cross section has reached the reference location, it may no longer be necessary to determine the position of the product beginning or the product cross section that can be determined in the first operating mode, so that the detection device can be operated in the second operating mode, in which another product characteristic or another product parameter can be determined.

It can be provided that, in the second operating mode, the detection device can detect a cut surface of the slice to be separated from the product, in particular with respect to the product inner structure.

In the second operating mode, the detection device can thus be operated in the manner of an optical balance. In this case, for example, product slices with within a predefinable tolerance limits of the same internal structure can be combined into portions of a specific class.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a controller is designed to determine a slice thickness for the slice to be separated and to control a feed device for feeding the product to the cutting plane in dependence on the detected slice, which is in particular a product start area in that the feeding device requires the beginning of the product so far through the cutting plane that the cutting knife can separate the slice with the specific slice thickness from the product beginning. Depending on the detected initial product area, it is thus possible to determine a specific pane thickness, for example such that the pane to be separated has a specific weight. The disk with the specific disk thickness can then be separated from the product beginning by appropriate control of the feeder and using the cutting blade actually.

The detection device can be designed to detect a plurality of products lying next to one another on the product support, which are fed in a plurality of parallel tracks of the cutting plane. The detection of the products can be done simultaneously.

In particular, if the detection device is operated in the first operating mode, in which the position of the product start of a respective product can be determined, it is possible to align the plurality of adjacent products relative to each other and in particular with respect to the cutting plane or with respect to a reference location.

In particular, based on the detected positions of the product beginnings, the deviations of the positions of the product beginnings relative to one another can be determined, and in order to align the product starts with the cutting edge, the products in and / or opposite to the product feed direction can be displaced relative to one another such that the determined positional deviations of the product starts are canceled become. The corresponding displacement of the products relative to each other may be via product grippers engaged with the rear ends of the products. The products supplied in the several parallel tracks can thus be brought into an optimal starting position, in particular before starting the slicing operation.

The detection device comprises at least one camera, which is preferably a so-called TOF camera. "TOF" stands for Time of Flight. TOF cameras are known in the art.

Such a TOF camera is a run-time 3D camera system which illuminates the scene by means of a light pulse and measures from each pixel the time it takes the light to reach the object and back again. The time required is directly proportional to the distance. The camera thus provides for each pixel, the distance of an object imaged thereon and thus its position, so that in the context of the application described here, the distances of all product beginnings can be detected simultaneously. The principle corresponds to laser scanning, which also provides a depth-resolved image, with the advantage that an entire scene is recorded at once and does not have to be scanned. Besides the relatively high beam resolution, another advantage of such a TOF camera system is that it is very fast. For example, up to a hundred frames per second can be recorded. Accordingly, such a TOF camera system can be easily synchronized with the rotational frequency of the cutting blade in such a way that the light pulses can pass unhindered through the cutting plane to the product beginnings and back to the camera system, even when the cutting blade rotates or revolves.

The simplest form of TOF camera system works with light pulses. The lighting is switched on for a short moment. The light pulse illuminates the scene, here the different product starts, and is reflected at these product beginnings. The lens of the camera system collects this light and images the scene on a sensor element of the camera system. Depending on the distance, the light striking the individual pixels of the sensor element experiences a delay. As the light expands at the speed of light, these times are very small. The individual pixels consist of a photosensitive element, for example a photodiode, which converts the light into an electric current. The photosensitive element is coupled to one or more fast shutters or switches which only pass the electrical signal for a certain period of time. A downstream memory element sums the signal.

Unlike a laser scanner, the TOF camera system contains no moving parts. Since the lighting and the lens are close to each other, the space requirement can be kept relatively small. Shadowing can be excluded. In addition, with the distance information of the TOF camera system, it is easy to extract only the areas of interest from an image. In particular, a distance threshold can be set, in which case only those pixels are considered that provide the closer distance. In particular, it is of particular advantage that the TOF camera system images the entire scene with one shot. In the present case, therefore, the distances or positions of all product beginnings can be detected simultaneously.

Based on the detected positions of the product beginnings then the deviations of the positions of the product beginnings relative to each other can be determined and for aligning the product beginnings with the cutting plane, the products in and / or against the product feed direction relative to each other can be shifted so that the determined positional deviations of the product beginnings canceled or be compensated.

The detection device, in particular in the form of a TOF camera, is preferably arranged on the side opposite the product in front of the cutting plane in order to detect the beginning of the product facing the cutting plane. The generated by the detection device Measuring signals can be directed in particular parallel to the product feed on the product beginnings. In principle, however, it is also conceivable that the measurement signals generated by the detection device are directed obliquely to the product feed direction to the product beginnings. Generally and independently of the respective measuring or detection method, the detection device can thus "look" at the product beginnings in parallel and at an angle, relative to the product support or a product feed direction.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that, in particular in the region of the cutting plane, at least one product start sensor is arranged, with which at least one product start can be detected independently of the detection device. A plausibility check can thus be carried out.

The detection device may be designed to detect an equipment element of the device, such as a machine component, for example a cutting edge, and a controller may release a cutting operation of the device only when the appropriate equipment element has been detected. Thus, a kind of equipment recognition in the cutting area or in the area covered by the detection device can take place. In this case, for example, a predetermined contour can be detected and lead to the release of the cutting operation.

The invention also relates to the use of at least one camera, in particular a TOF camera, in a device according to the invention for product start detection and for detecting the cut surface of the product at the beginning of the product as product initial surface.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for slicing products, in particular food products, in particular with a device according to the invention, wherein the method at least one product is supplied to a cutting plane in which a cutting blade, in particular rotating and / or rotating, moves, and in which the product, in particular the beginning of the product facing the cutting plane, is detected by means of a detection device, the detection device being operated during the feeding of the product to the cutting plane and during the slicing operation in at least two different operating modes, wherein in each of the at least one operating modes one of respective operating mode dependent property of at least one product is determined.

Optionally, it is conceivable that - at least in the phase of the initial product detection - further active supply elements are activated as a function of the initial product detection or at least detected by means of the detection device. This may be, for example, guide elements such as dividers between the tracks. These can still remain relaxed from the loading phase to the product detection in order to offer as little resistance and / or adhesion surface for a product as possible. The guide elements can, in particular after product detection, preferably be controlled as a function of the detection of a trigger signal so that adjacent separating webs clamp a product lying between them and thus can provide at least a slight resistance, while the product is conveyed in the direction of the cutting plane.

An advantage of the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention and in particular the use of a TOF camera is, inter alia, that a TOF camera can cover a plurality of tracks and / or a large product end face with a comprehensive measurement, and that this one safe product start recognition for reaching the "initial position" before starting the slicing operation. By detecting the product initial surfaces in the vicinity of the cutting plane, changes in shape of a product during transport to the cutting edge, in particular compression during gripping, can be taken into account or detected. The TOF camera system does not require additional lighting, which reduces the probability of errors and does not cause shading problems. In addition, the TOF camera can be placed clearly outside the contamination-critical cutting area. The depth image that can be obtained with a TOF camera or the depth view can be helpful, since in previously known methods only one evaluation in one plane is used. The shortest possible, optimized loading time and the associated best possible gripper path control and gripper positioning, in particular a gripper movement approaching as fast as possible and as close as possible to a product end for gripping, can be realized. In addition, the products can be driven to the first usable slice in the cutting plane. A product preparation up to the first usable slice, ie a faster cut by initial slice cutting, can thus be realized. An increase in the yield when cutting and avoiding miss-weighted portions can be achieved. Additional sensors can be saved, which can be error-prone, such as light barriers can quickly become dirty in the area of the cutting plane. Furthermore, loading errors and fault messages can be avoided or at least reduced. In addition, a reduction in incorrect weight portions and an increase in the yield in cutting can be achieved.

• 1 eine Draufsicht auf eine beispielhafte Variante einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Aufschneiden von Produkten,
• 2 eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung mit zugeordnetem TOF-Kamerasystem in zwei alternativen Positionen,
• 3 eine Draufsicht mehrerer auf der Produktauflage der Vorrichtung nebeneinander angeordneter Produkte mit zugeordnetem TOF-Kamerasystem,
• 4 eine Vorderansicht der Produktanfänge der in der 3 dargestellten Produkte aus dem Blickwinkel des TOF-Kamerasystems, und
• 5 eine weitere Draufsicht mehrerer auf der Produktauflage der Vorrichtung nebeneinander angeordneter Produkte mit zugeordnetem TOF-Kamerasystem, insbesondere zur Illustration der Funktion des TOF-Kamerasystems.

The invention will be explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to the drawings. Show, in each case schematically,

• 1 a top view of an exemplary variant of a device according to the invention for slicing products,
• 2 a side view of the device with associated TOF camera system in two alternative positions,
• 3 a top view of several on the product support of the device juxtaposed products with associated TOF camera system,
• 4 a front view of the product beginnings in the 3 presented products from the point of view of the TOF camera system, and
• 5 a further plan view of several products arranged side by side on the product support of the device with associated TOF camera system, in particular for illustrating the function of the TOF camera system.

1 shows a schematic plan view of an exemplary variant of a device according to the invention 10 for slicing products 12 which may be, in particular, food products. The products 12 are in several parallel tracks next to each other along a product support 14 on which the products 12 rest, a cutting plane 16 fed, in which a cutting blade moves in particular rotating and / or rotating. The in product feed direction Z seen the rear ends 18 of the products 12 can with respective product grippers 20 be engaged, at a common feed unit 22 stored and independently relative to the feed unit 22 in and against the product feed direction Z are movable.

As based on the 1 It can be seen, the feed unit 22 one transverse to the product feed direction Z extending, in and against the product feed direction Z movable carrier 24 include, where the product gripper 20 are mounted independently movable. The carrier 24 can by means of lateral, each in the product feed Z extending guides 26 be guided. To relocate the carrier 24 in and against the product feed direction Z this can be a spindle drive 28 with a spindle nut 30 be assigned, over which the carrier 24 is taken.

In addition, the device comprises a controller 32 which, among other things, with the spindle drive 28 as well as the various drives of the product grippers 20 can be connected.

The device 10 also includes an opto-electronic detection device 34 (see the 2 to 5 ), which may be configured as a non-contact sensor unit. The detection device 34 is on the of the products 12 opposite side in front of the cutting plane 16 arranged. By means of the detection device 34 can at least one product 12 and preferably all supplied products 12 be recorded at the same time.

2 shows a schematic side view of the side by side products 12 loaded device with associated detection device 34 , In this case, this detection device 34 shown in two possible alternative positions, in which by the detection device 34 generated measuring signals M (see. 5 ) parallel to the product feed direction (see Detection device 34 ) or obliquely to the product feed direction (see detection device 34 ') on the product beginnings 36 be directed.

The detection device 34 is operable in two operating modes, wherein in each operating mode a dependent on the respective operating mode property of at least one product 12 can be determined. The property stands in particular in connection with the respective product beginning 36 ,

In a first operating mode, by means of the detection device 34 one of the cutting plane 16 facing beginning 36 of at least one product 12 and preferably the beginnings 36 all supplied products 12 be detected at the same time, the position of each product beginning 36 in relation to the cutting plane 16 from the detection device 34 can be determined or determined.

The detection device 34 is preferably designed as a TOF camera system, so that after the runtime method, the positions of the beginnings 36 of the products 12 can be detected. The detection device 34 can, as in 5 is shown illustratively, in particular pulse-like measurement signals M produce whose time sequence is synchronized with the rotational or rotational frequency of the cutting blade so that the measuring pulses M with rotating or rotating cutting blade through the cutting plane 16 through to the product starts 36 and after a reflection on these product beginnings 36 back to the sensor unit 34 reach.

In the runtime method, the scene in question is used as a measurement signal M serving light pulse from the camera system 34 illuminated and for each measured pixel (see the points A ₁ . A ₂ . A ₃ . A ₄ . A ₅ . B ₁ . B ₅ , etc. in 5 ) is the time that the light to the object, in the present case to the respective product beginnings 36 , and back again, measured. The time required is directly proportional to the distance. The camera 34 thus supplies simultaneously for each pixel (cf. A ₁ . A ₂ , etc. in 5 ) the removal of the object imaged thereon, in this case all product beginnings 36 , The principle corresponds to the laser scanning with the advantage that an entire scene, that is, all product beginnings must be recorded at once and not scanned. A particular advantage of such a TOF camera system 34 is that it is relatively fast. So can the TOF camera 34 For example, deliver up to 100 images per second. It is thus easily possible, the time sequence of such a TOF camera system 34 generated pulse-like measurement signals M synchronize with the rotational or rotational frequency of the cutting blade so that the measuring signals M with rotating or rotating knife through the cutting plane 16 through to the product starts 36 and after a reflection on these product beginnings 36 get back to the camera system.

The detection device designed in the manner of a TOF camera system 34 includes a lighting unit, an optic 38 (see in particular 3 ) and a control electronics. The optics 38 or the lens of the camera collects this light and images the scene. The TOF camera system 34 has a relatively simple structure and contains no moving parts unlike a laser scanner. Since the lighting and the lens are close to each other, the space requirement is relatively low. Of particular advantage is that it is very simple, only the areas of interest, here the pictures of the product beginnings 36 to extract from a picture. To the individual product beginnings 36 In each case, the corresponding distances or positions can also be specified.

3 shows in schematic plan view, for example, three on the product support 14 the device 10 juxtaposed products with on the side facing away from the cutting plane 16 arranged detection device 34 , which is again preferably a TOF camera system. As indicated by dotted lines, the detection device detects 34 through the cutting plane 16 through all product beginnings at the same time 36 of the adjacent products 12 ,

4 shows a schematic front view of the product beginnings 36 the Indian 3 presented products 12 from the point of view of here preferably provided as a TOF camera system detection device 34 ,

As in 5 can be seen from the top view, the respective beginning 36 a product of an irregular, raised surface. Based on the measured pixels for a product 12 can the camera system 34 the pixel (s) of the product beginning 36 determine which furthest from the cutting plane 16 are removed.

For example, the measured pixels are located A ₁ and A ₅ of the product beginning 36 of the left product 12 farthest from the cutting plane 16 , The detection device 34 and / or the controller 32 can the parallel to the cutting plane extending product cross-section Q ₁ through these pixels A ₁ and A ₅ determine, for example, using an algorithm. In product cross-section Q ₁ begins the first usable slice of the product. The left product 12 in 5 associated, engaging in the rear product end product gripper 20 can be so from the controller 32 be controlled that the left product 12 around the distance x further in the product feed direction Z moves and thus the product cross section Q ₁ in the cutting plane 16 is brought (see the points A ₁ ' and A ₅ ' in 5 ).

As another example, the measured pixel is located B ₅ of the product beginning 36 of the right product 12 of the 5 farthest from the cutting plane 16 , The detection device 34 and / or the controller 32 can then the product cross section Q ₂ through the pixel B ₅ determine, for example, using an algorithm, wherein in the product cross section Q _2, the first usable slice of the right product 12 is and the product cross section Q ₂ again parallel to the cutting plane 16 runs.

As in 5 is shown purely for illustration, the product cross section Q ₂ does not go through the pixel B ₁ of the product beginning 36 but through the point further back B ₁ * which is not from the detection device 34 is detected. The right product 12 in 5 associated, engaging in the rear product end product gripper 20 can be so from the controller 32 be driven that the right product 12 further in the product feed direction Z moves and the product cross section Q ₂ in the cutting plane 16 is brought (see the points B ₁ * ' and B ₅ ' in 5 ).

The slicing process can begin after the products 12 of all tracks and, as described above, the respective product cross section (compare the product cross sections Q ₁ , Q ₂ ) with the cutting plane 16 was aligned. At the products 12 can then by means of the cutting blade create a smooth bleed. The smooth gate then forms the bottom surface of the first usable disk, which of the product 12 separated and on a below the cutting plane 16 arranged product tray is stored (not shown).

The above-described orientation of the products 12 with regard to the product cross sections Q ₁ , Q ₂ etc. can only be seen as an example. The products 12 As another example, they can also be aligned so that they are furthest on the cutting plane 16 lying point of the product beginning 16 with the cutting plane 16 is aligned. The left product 12 in 5 then becomes, for example, the distance s in the direction of the cutting plane 16 emotional.

As another example, the products 12 also be aligned such that the right product 12 in 5 first by the distance ΔAB in the direction of the cutting plane 16 is moved. As a result, the product cross sections Q ₁ and Q _{2 are} in the same, parallel to the cutting plane 16 extending level. The products 12 can then go the same distance x in the direction of the cutting plane 16 be moved to the product cross sections Q ₁ and Q ₂ in the cutting plane 16 bring to.

After the product cross sections (see the product cross sections Q ₁ and Q ₂ in 5 ) of all supplied products 12 with the cutting plane 16 are aligned, the controller can 32 the device 10 or the detection device 34 switch from the first operating mode to a second operating mode.

In the second operating mode, the respective at the beginning of the product 36 lying cut surface of each product 12 concerning the product internal structure of the detection device 34 be recorded. This can be done by the detection means representing the cut surfaces 34 detected signals are evaluated in terms of product internal structure. With regard to the product inner structure, the respective proportions of different constituents related to the surface can be detected, for example, the meat or lean components and fat fractions can be selected as constituents.

Since the proportions of different components also have different effects on the quality or valence of the respective product 12 may also have different tolerance limits are given for different components preferably, and it can be taken into account for different components and weighting factors.

In the weighting factors can also enter the respective disc thickness, since with regard to the achievement of weight-constant portions in many slicing operations, the slice thickness is changed within one portion.

If the individual portions formed are or are assigned to specific classes, then these classified portions which are successively formed, possibly in irregular sequence, can be identified electronically, so that the corresponding marking or marking can be carried out in a simple manner during the packaging of the respective portions.

As a rule, portions of at least one particular class are formed from a specific product, and product slices outside the predetermined tolerance range or predetermined tolerance ranges are rejected or removed, which is done by appropriate activation of the conveying means assigned to the product formation area or formed, for example, by swiveling in an outflow unit into the stream Slices can be made.

As a further rejection criterion for the disks formed, the undershooting of a minimum size of the area of the respective product disk can also be used.

The control 32 In particular, it may be designed to determine a slice thickness for the slice to be separated and the product grippers depending on the detected slice surface or the product start face 20 or the feeder 22 to control such that the product starts 36 so far through the cutting plane 16 be conveyed through that the cutting blade the respective disc with the disc thickness from the product beginning 36 can separate.

In the area of the cutting plane 16 may further at least one product start sensor 40 be provided with which at least one product start 36 independent of the detection device 34 is detectable. As a result, the functionality of the detection device 34 be checked.

The detection device 34 may also be used to detect an item of equipment, such as a machine component, such as the cutting plane 16 defining cutting edge (not shown) may be formed, and the controller 32 can release the slicing operation only when the appropriate equipment element has been detected. The use of the device 10 without equipment element, so for example without cutting edge, can be excluded.

The device described 10 is suitable for carrying out a method for cutting in several parallel tracks of the cutting plane 16 supplied products 12 , wherein the device 10 and in particular the detection device 34 during the delivery of the products 12 to the cutting plane 16 and operated during the slicing operation in the two described different operating modes. The switching from the first operating mode to the second operating mode may be effected by a trigger signal provided by a trigger (not shown), for example after the product cross sections Q ₁ , Q ₂ , etc. of the products 12 aligned with the cutting plane. The switchover from the second operating mode to the first operating mode can be triggered by a further trigger signal, eg when newly supplied products 12 up to a certain distance to the cutting plane 16 were promoted.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

contraption

12

product

14

product support

16

cutting plane

18

rear end

20

product gripper

22

feed

24

carrier

26

guide

28

spindle drive

30

spindle nut

32

control

34

Detection device, TOF camera system

36

product initial

38

optics

40

Product start sensor

Z

product feed

M

Measuring signal, measuring pulse

A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃ , A ₄ , A ₅

pixel

B ₁ , B ₅ , B ₁ *

pixel

A ₁ ', A ₅ '

Point

B ₁ * ', B ₅ '

Point

Q1

Product section

Q2

Product section

x

distance

s

distance

ΔAB

distance

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 102013206994 A1 [0006]
• DE 19915861 A1 [0008]

Claims (17)

Device for slicing products (12), in particular food products, with a product support (14) along which at least one product (12) can be fed to a cutting plane (16) in which a cutting blade, in particular rotating and / or rotating, moves and with an optoelectronic detection device (34) for detecting the product (12), in particular the beginning of the product facing the cutting plane, characterized in that the device (10), in particular the detection device (34), is operable in at least two different operating modes, and in each of the at least two operating modes, using the detection device (34), a characteristic of at least one product (12) which is dependent on the respective operating mode can be determined. Device after Claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a controller (32) which is adapted to set the operating mode in dependence on an operating state of the device (10). Device after Claim 1 or 2 characterized in that it comprises a controller (32) adapted to change the mode of operation in response to a signal of a trigger of the device (10). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a first operating mode, the position of at least one product start (36) can be determined, in particular with respect to a reference location, in particular the cutting plane (16). Device after Claim 4 characterized in that it comprises a controller (32) which is adapted to control, in the first operating mode, a feed device (20, 22) for feeding at least one product (12) to the cutting plane (16) in such a way that the feed device ( 20, 22) promotes the product beginning (36) or a, in particular predeterminable, product cross-section (Q ₁ , Q ₂ ) to the reference location (16). Device after Claim 5 , characterized in that the product cross-section (Q ₁ , Q ₂ ) lies in that through a product (12) and parallel to the cutting plane (12) extending plane, in which the first usable, can be separated by a cut slice of the product (12) , Device after Claim 6 , characterized in that the controller (32) is adapted to determine, in particular on the basis of a calculation algorithm, the position of the product cross-section (Q ₁ , Q ₂ ). Device according to one of Claims 5 to 7 , characterized in that the controller (32) is adapted to switch the device (10) and in particular the detection device (34) from the first operating mode to a second operating mode after the product start (34) or the product cross section (Q ₁ , Q ₂ ) has reached the reference location (16). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a second operating mode of the device (10), in particular the detection device (34), a cutting edge of the product (12) to be separated from the product (12) can be detected, in particular with respect to the product internal structure. Device after Claim 9 , characterized in that a controller (32) is adapted to determine depending on the detected cut surface, in particular product initial area, a slice thickness for the slice to be separated and a feeder (20, 22) for feeding the product (12) to the cutting plane (16) to control such that the feed device (20, 22) the product start (36) so far through the cutting plane (16) passes through that the cutting blade can separate the disc with the disc thickness of the product beginning (36). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device (34) is adapted to simultaneously detect a plurality of products (12) lying adjacent to the product support (14) which are fed in a plurality of parallel tracks of the cutting plane (16) , Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device (34) has at least one camera, in particular a TOF camera or a TOF camera system. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device (34) on the product (12) opposite side in front of the cutting plane (16) is arranged to one of the cutting plane (16) facing beginning (36) of at least one product ( 12). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that further provided, in particular in the region of the cutting plane (16), at least one product start sensor (40) with which at least one product start (36) is detectable independently of the detection device (34). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection means (34) for detecting an equipment element, for example a machine component, such as a cutting edge is formed, and a controller (32) of the device (10) a cutting operation of the device (10 ) releases only upon successful detection of the appropriate equipment element. Use of at least one detection device (34), in particular a camera system, such as a TOF camera system, in at least two operating modes in a device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular for product start detection and for detecting the cut surface of at least one product beginning (36) Product (12) as product initial area. Method for slicing products (12), in particular food products, in particular with a device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 to 15 in which in the method at least one product (12) is fed to a cutting plane (16) in which a cutting blade, in particular rotating and / or rotating, moves, and in which the product (12), in particular one of the cutting plane (16) facing the beginning (36) of the product (12), by means of an optoelectronic detection device (34) is detected, characterized in that the device (10) and in particular the detection means (34) during the feeding of the at least one product (12) to the cutting plane (16) and is operated during the slicing operation in at least two different operating modes, wherein in each of the at least two operating modes a dependent on the respective operating mode property of the at least one product (12) is determined.

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