DE102019006614B4 - Cutting machine for string-shaped food - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cutting machine for string-like food with a housing with an insertion area for the string-like food and with a removal area for the cut string-like food. The cutting machine has a cutting knife for the string-like food and a shaft for receiving the string-like food, the longitudinal direction of which corresponds to the feed direction of the string-like food. The shaft has a first shaft region and a second shaft region which are at least partially separated from one another by a slot. According to the invention, there is a sensor unit in the form of a camera (60) by means of which the cutting process can be monitored. In addition, there is a display unit (62) on which the data captured by the camera (60) can be displayed.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a cutting machine with which bread, cheese and the like can be cut by machine into slices of any thickness.

STATE OF THE ART

From the DE 198 20 004 C2 a slicing machine for cutting a strand of food into slices is known. This cutting machine has a circular cutting knife that can rotate around its central axis and can also be swiveled around in a circular path. During this pivoting movement, it is passed through the string-shaped foodstuff to be cut into slices. The string-shaped food is fed to the cutting knife in a channel-like shaft and cut into slices. The cut slices are stored standing on a storage area downstream of the cutting knife in the conveying direction.

According to the EP 2 045 053 A2 it is provided that the storage surface for the cut slices and the storage surface for the not yet sliced food strand lie in a plane which is oriented obliquely in space. In addition, the storage device for the cut slices can vibrate. As a result, the slice cut in each case can easily be detached from the cutting knife and does not adhere to the same.

From the DE 20 2006 013 561 U1 a gate cutting machine for food such as bread in particular is known. The gate cutting machine has a motor drive for a feed bar with which a food item is pushed through a cutting device made up of two knife gates. This motor drive works continuously so that the bread is transported through the cutting device at a constant speed.

The cutting machines described above are each designed as free-standing devices with a housing. More recently, the cutting machines in cafes and bakeries are increasingly being integrated into the shop counter so that the salesperson no longer has to turn away from the customer standing at the counter in order to operate the cutting machine.

From the DE 10 2013 001 847 A1 a cutting machine for string-shaped food is known, which can be integrated into the counter substructure of a shop. To operate the cutting machine, the cutting machine can be moved completely or partially out of a base frame, so that the food to be cut can be inserted into the part of the cutting machine that has been moved out. After closing the cutting machine, the cutting process can be started. To remove the cut strand of food, the cutting machine must again be moved out of the base frame and thus opened.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Proceeding from this known prior art, the invention is based on the object of specifying an improved cutting machine which can be integrated into the counter substructure of a shop and can be operated as intuitively as possible.

The cutting machine according to the invention is characterized by the features of the main claim 1 given. Useful further developments of the invention are the subject of further claims which follow this claim.

The cutting machine according to the invention for string-like food has a housing with an insertion area for the string-like food and with a removal area for the cut string-like food. The cutting machine has a cutting knife for the string-like food and a shaft for receiving the string-like food. The longitudinal direction of the shaft corresponds to the feed direction of the strand-like food. The shaft has a first shaft region and a second shaft region which are at least partially separated from one another by a slot.

According to the invention, a drawer is provided in the front of the housing of the cutting machine facing the user. The width of the drawer corresponds roughly to the length of the shaft. While the second shaft area with the drawer can be pulled out of the housing of the cutting machine, the first shaft area is designed to be stationary. In such an embodiment, all driven components of the cutting machine are designed to be stationary.

In order to be able to reach the cutting machine as easily as possible for maintenance and cleaning purposes, a maintenance flap can be provided in the upper side of the housing of the cutting machine. The maintenance flap should be arranged above the shaft of the cutting machine and be so wide that both shaft areas are easily accessible.

The maintenance flap can preferably be pivoted about a horizontal axis. This horizontal axis should be present in particular on the rear edge of the maintenance flap. The front of the maintenance flap can have, at least in sections, a cantilevered edge pointing downwards in which at least one opening is present. In this case, the drawer can have at least one pin on its upper edge which, when the drawer and the maintenance flap are closed, engages in the opening of the maintenance flap. When the drawer is closed, the maintenance flap cannot be opened. As a rule, for safety reasons, the cutting process can only be started when the cutting machine drawer is closed. The drawer can also only be opened when the cutting process has already been completed. In this way, it can be prevented in a structurally simple manner that the maintenance flap can be opened while the cutting knife is still moving. The maintenance flap should preferably have several openings in the cantilever edge; the drawer should also have several pins so that the safety can be guaranteed over the entire width of the drawer and the maintenance flap.

A sensor unit can preferably be present by means of which the cutting process can be monitored. In addition, there is a display unit on which the data recorded by the sensor unit can be displayed.

In commercial cutting machines, the actual cutting process usually takes place with the cutting machine closed. The cutting process can thus only be observed through the flap, which is usually transparent and via which a free-standing cutting machine can be opened and closed for operation. If, on the other hand, the cutting machine is installed in the counter of a shop, there is no such flap, so that the cutting process is not visible from the outside. This can be strange to the user, as there is no control over what is actually going on inside the cutting machine. In contrast, the cutting machine according to the invention enables the cutting process to be controlled. This can also be particularly helpful in the event of malfunctions, in order to be able to quickly identify the cause of the malfunction and, if necessary, to rectify it.

The sensor unit can preferably be designed for visual monitoring of the cutting process. Even if, in principle, it would also be possible to monitor the advance of the food to be cut or the weight of the food to be cut or sliced, optical monitoring is particularly easy to understand and does not require any lengthy introductions or explanations. In this case, the sensor unit can preferably be designed as a camera.

The display unit can preferably be a monitor. The cutting process can be displayed on the monitor without any time delay, so that monitoring in real time is possible.

In a first alternative, the display unit can be located directly on the cutting machine. In this case, the display unit could be arranged in particular in the area of the operating elements. In this case, the displayed data would be visible to all users of the cutting machine. In a second alternative, the display unit can be designed as a mobile telecommunication device, for example as a mobile phone (smartphone) or as a tablet computer. In this case, the displayed data would only be visible to those persons who have the appropriate programs for the mobile telecommunication devices. These people could be, for example, the owner or manager of the shop or supermarket, but also employees of maintenance companies or the manufacturer of the cutting machine.

A memory unit can preferably be present by means of which the data recorded by the sensor unit can be stored. The data should be stored at least until the cutting process has been completed without an error message or other malfunction and all driven components of the cutting machine have been returned to their starting position.

If the cutting process is not readily visible to the user, it is often difficult for the user to recognize the end of the cutting process. In particular in the case of cutting machines that have been built into corresponding shop furniture, a signal unit can therefore be present in a particularly preferred embodiment, by means of which the end of the cutting process can be recognized.

The signal unit can for example have at least one light unit and / or at least one loudspeaker. The end of the cutting process can be visually indicated by the light unit. The end can be indicated by switching on the light unit, provided that the light unit does not light up during the cutting process. Alternatively, the end can also go through a switching off of the light unit can be displayed, provided that the light unit lights up during the cutting process. A color change of the light unit and / or a blinking of the light unit would also be conceivable as an optical display. The end of the cutting process can be indicated acoustically by the loudspeaker, for example by a signal tone.

As an alternative or in addition to this, the signal unit can have at least one control unit. The housing of the cutting machine can be at least partially opened by the control unit. For example, the closure flap of the housing can be opened at least a little to indicate the end of the cutting process.

If parts of the cutting machine are designed to be movable, for example in the form of a drawer or in the form of a flap, these movable parts of the cutting machine could also be opened by the control unit.

The insertion area for the string-like food can coincide with the removal area for the cut string-like food. In this case, the sliced food can be removed from the same point at which the uncut food was placed in the cutting machine. This can be the case in particular with narrow cutting machines in which the feed direction of the shaft runs perpendicular to the front side of the cutting machine and thus also perpendicular to the operating side of the cutting machine. However, this can also be the case in particular with cutting machines that have been built into the counter substructure.

Further advantages and features of the invention can be found in the features further specified in the claims and in the exemplary embodiment below.

Figure list

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Schneidmaschine im geschlossenen Zustand,
• 2 eine Frontansicht der Schneidmaschine gemäß 1,
• 3 einen Schnitt durch die Schneidmaschine entlang der Linie A-A gemäß 2,
• 4 eine Detailansicht des Bereichs zwischen der Schublade und der Wartungsklappe der Schneidmaschine,
• 5 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Schneidmaschine gemäß 1 mit geöffneter Schublade,
• 6 einen Schnitt durch die Schneidmaschine mit geöffneter Schublade gemäß 5,
• 7 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Schneidmaschine gemäß 1 mit geöffneter Schublade und geöffneter Wartungsklappe und
• 8 einen Schnitt durch die Schneidmaschine mit geöffneter Schublade und geöffneter Wartungsklappe gemäß 7.

The invention is described and explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of the cutting machine according to the invention in the closed state,
• 2 a front view of the cutting machine according to 1 ,
• 3rd a section through the cutting machine along the line AA according to 2 ,
• 4th a detailed view of the area between the drawer and the maintenance flap of the cutting machine,
• 5 a perspective view of the cutting machine according to 1 with the drawer open,
• 6th a section through the cutting machine with the drawer open according to FIG 5 ,
• 7th a perspective view of the cutting machine according to 1 with open drawer and open maintenance flap and
• 8th a section through the cutting machine with open drawer and open maintenance flap according to 7th .

WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The cutting machine according to the invention 10 is shown in the drawing. In the present example, the cutting machine is 10 designed as a circular knife machine with a circular knife. The circular knife is coupled in the usual way with a knife drive, which ensures the rotation of the circular knife and its movement through the food to be cut. In the present example, the food to be cut is bread.

The cutting machine 10 In the present example, it is designed for installation in the counter substructure of a shop. The cutting machine 10 has a housing 12th that is in the 1 to 4th is shown in the closed state. The case 12th owns in its front 14th a door 16 that can be opened for cleaning and maintenance purposes. Behind that door 16 There is also a crumb pan in which to use the cutting machine 10 accumulating crumbs are collected. The case 12th is in the present example with a total of four castors 18th equipped so that the cutting machine can be moved without great effort if necessary.

It is also in the front 14th a drawer 20th available. The drawer 20th In the present example, it extends over the entire width of the cutting machine 10 . In the top of the case 12th is a maintenance hatch 22nd present that have an axis 24 can be pivoted upwards (see also 7th and 8th ). When the cutting machine is closed 10 is the interior of the cutting machine 10 not visible. The actual cutting process is therefore not immediately recognizable for the user.

The cutting machine 10 has a shaft 30th whose longitudinal direction corresponds to the feed direction of the placed food. The Manhole 30th is present approximately horizontally in the present example and runs parallel to the front 14th . In contrast, the shaft could 30th also approximately vertically and thus perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cutting machine 10 be aligned. It would also be possible to provide a horizontal shaft that is perpendicular to the front 14th is aligned.

The shaft 30th the cutting machine 10 has a first, right-hand shaft area 32 and a second, left shaft area 34 that through a slot 36 are separated from each other. Driven by the knife drive, the circular knife moves through this slot 36 so that that is in the area of the slot 36 existing food is separated at this point. Related to 5 then arises to the left of this slot 36 a slice of food. Right of the slot 36 the food is still intact.

The width 26th the drawer 20th corresponds roughly to the length in the present example 38 of the shaft.

The first, right shaft area 32 the cutting machine 10 is designed to be stationary and remains in the interior of the housing 12th the cutting machine 10 . The second, left shaft area 34 can on the other hand via the drawer 20th out of the case 12th the cutting machine 10 be pulled out (see 5 and 6th ). To the drawer 20th To be able to move, this is on both sides of a rail guide 40 , 42 stored. Since the right shaft area 32 not with the drawer 20th out of the case 12th is pulled out, the drawer points 20th in the area of this shaft area 32 no ground on. Behind the slot 36 forms the second shaft area 34 the bottom of the drawer 20th .

The first, right-hand shaft area can also be used for cleaning or maintenance purposes 32 manually from the interior of the cutting machine 10 can be removed.

To the food with the cutting machine according to the invention 10 In order to be able to cut, the drawer must first be 20th be opened. The drawer 20th has a handle for this purpose 48 on. The food to be cut can then be placed in the freely accessible second shaft area 34 filed and the drawer 20th to be closed again. The food can now be grabbed by a transport gripper 50 , which in the present example is at the beginning of the first shaft area 32 is arranged over the slot 36 and on the first shaft area 32 be moved. The transport gripper has for this purpose 50 several claws lying next to each other that pierce the end of the food from above. When moving the food, there is still no cutting process, i.e. no activation of the circular knife either. The food to be cut is then picked up by the transport gripper 50 in the feed direction onto the slot 36 pushed. Now the actual cutting process takes place, in which the circular knife gradually cuts off individual slices of the food.

To prevent the cut food slices from falling over, is behind the slot 36 a disc support 52 arranged. The disc support 52 is movably mounted so that the following discs support the disc 52 can move accordingly. Also the windshield support 52 remains when pulling out the drawer 20th inside the case 12th .

After the cutting process, the drawer can 20th opened again to remove the cut slices. The cut slices are located on the left shaft area 34 , the one with the drawer 20th out of the case 12th can be pulled out. The left shaft area 34 thus serves both as an insertion area for the food to be cut and as a removal area for the cut package of slices.

In contrast to the method described above for cutting the food, it would in principle also be possible to cut the food after opening the drawer 20th on the still in the interior of the cutting machine 10 located first shaft area 32 to discard. In this case the transport gripper would have to 50 do not place the food to be cut in the first area of the chute 32 rather, the cutting process could be started directly.

The operation of the cutting machine 10 takes place via a control panel 54 . The control panel 54 is in the present example in the front of the drawer 20th integrated. Via the control panel 54 For example, the slice thickness can be adjusted; The cutting process is also started via the control panel 54 .

Since the actual cutting process cannot be seen from the outside by the user, it is inside the housing 12th a camera 60 available. The camera 60 is in the present example on the inside of the side wall 46 of the housing 12th attached and on the slot 36 aligned. The camera 60 films the cutting process, if necessary including the previous shifting of the uncut food. The one from the camera 60 Recorded images are displayed in real time on a part of the control panel 54 shown. The control panel 54 can therefore also be used as a monitor 62 the camera 60 serve. The camera 60 also has a storage unit in the present example 64 . The storage unit 64 saves the from the camera 60 recorded images or films for a certain time so that they can be retrieved again in the event of maintenance or repair work.

In order to make the end of the cutting process clear for the user, there is a handle 48 the drawer 20th in the present example a signal unit in the form of an LED strip 66 inserted. The LED strip 66 lights up as soon as the cutting process has ended. After opening the drawer 20th the LED strip goes out 66 again.

For safety reasons, the cutting machine 10 not start as long as the drawer 20th is still open. Also the maintenance hatch 22nd must not be open during the cutting process. To ensure that the maintenance hatch 22nd is closed during the cutting process, the maintenance flap 22nd a cantilever rim pointing downwards on its front 70 on (see 4th ). In this cantilever 70 are in the present example two breakthroughs 72 , 74 available (see 7th ). The drawer 20th points at its upper edge 80 corresponding to two pins 82 , 84 on (see 7th ). When the maintenance hatch 22nd is closed, the pins grip 82 , 84 the drawer in the breakthroughs 72 , 74 of the cantilever 70 the maintenance hatch 22nd one as soon as the drawer 20th is closed (see 4th ). The maintenance hatch 22nd can therefore be used with the drawer closed 20th Do not open.

Around the maintenance hatch 22nd The cutting machine must first be able to open 10 removed from the counter. The cutting machine 10 is in this case with the help of the castors 18th pulled out from under the counter. After opening the drawer 20th can also use the maintenance hatch 22nd be opened. This can be done, for example, to clean the cutting machine 10 or for maintenance purposes. As soon as the maintenance hatch 22nd and the drawer 20th are properly closed again, the cutting machine can 10 be moved back under the counter.

Claims (10)

Cutting machine (10) for string-like food - with a housing (12) with an insertion area for the string-like food and with a removal area for the cut string-like food, - with a cutting knife for the string-like food, - with a shaft (30) for receiving the strand-shaped food, the longitudinal direction of which corresponds to the feed direction of the strand-shaped food, - wherein the shaft (30) has a first shaft region (32) and a second shaft region (34), which are at least partially separated from one another by a slot (36), - characterized that - in the front side (14) of the housing (12) of the cutting machine (10) facing the user there is a drawer (20), - the width (26) of the drawer (20) is approximately the length (38) of the shaft (30) corresponds, - the second shaft area (34) with the drawer (20) can be pulled out of the housing (12) of the cutting machine (10), - the first e shaft area (32) is designed to be stationary. Cutting machine after Claim 1 - characterized in that - a maintenance flap (22) is present in the top of the housing (12) of the cutting machine (10), - the width of the maintenance flap (22) corresponds approximately to the length (38) of the shaft (30). Cutting machine after Claim 2 - characterized in that - the maintenance flap (22) can be pivoted about a horizontal axis (24), - the front side of the maintenance flap (22) at least in sections has a cantilevered rim (70) pointing downwards, - in the cantilevered rim (79) of the Maintenance flap (22) has at least one opening (72, 74), - the drawer (20) has at least one pin (82, 84) on its upper edge (80), which when the drawer (20) and the maintenance flap are closed (22) engages in the opening (72, 74) of the maintenance flap (22). Cutting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is a sensor unit (60) by which the cutting process can be monitored, - a display unit (62) is present on which the data recorded by the sensor unit (60) can be displayed . Cutting machine after Claim 4 - characterized in that - the sensor unit is designed as a camera (60). Cutting machine after Claim 4 or 5 - characterized in that - the display unit is designed as a monitor (62). Cutting machine according to one of the Claims 4 to 6th - characterized in that - a memory unit (64) is present, by means of which the data recorded by the sensor unit (60) can be stored. Cutting machine according to one of the Claims 4 to 7th - characterized in that - there is a signal unit (66) by means of which the end of the cutting process can be recognized. Cutting machine after Claim 8 - characterized in that - the signal unit has at least one light unit (66) and / or at least one loudspeaker. Cutting machine after Claim 8 or 9 - characterized in that - the signal unit has at least one control unit by means of which the housing (12) of the cutting machine (10) can be at least partially opened.

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