DE102019120314A1 - Device for slicing food products - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus, in particular a high-speed slicer, for slicing food products and for forming portions from slices separated from the products. This has a product feed which simultaneously feeds several products to a cutting area in which slices are cut off from the products by means of a moving, in particular rotating and / or revolving knife. Furthermore, the product feed is designed such that at least two of the products are at least partially one above the other at least in the cutting area.

Description

The invention relates to a device, in particular a high-speed slicer, for slicing food products and for forming portions from slices separated from the products with a product feed that simultaneously feeds several products to a cutting area in which a moving, in particular rotating and / or revolving , Knife can be cut from the product slices.

The invention also relates to a method for slicing food products and for forming portions from slices separated from the products, in which several products are simultaneously fed to a cutting area in which the products are removed by means of a moving, in particular rotating and / or revolving knife Slices are cut off.

Such devices and in particular high-speed slicers can be used to cut bar-shaped or loaf-shaped food products such as sausage or cheese bars into slices, it being possible to form portions from the slices which comprise at least one, but often several slices. The general aim is to increase product throughput and flexibility, for example by achieving high cutting speeds of several hundred to several thousand cuts per minute using such devices.

In order to further increase the product throughput, multi-lane product feeds can be provided so that several products can be fed into a cutting area at the same time and slices can be separated from these products practically at the same time using a rotating knife, for example. For this purpose, a conveyor belt can be provided, for example, on which several products are guided into the cutting area next to one another.

Since portions are already formed from the individual slices by means of such devices, which are usually provided for further handling and can be packaged, for example, in the sequence, it may be desirable to have the slices of a portion immediately when the portion is formed as desired and for example in a to arrange an appealing form for a customer. In particular, an overlapping arrangement of the slices can be provided for the appealing presentation of the portion in a packaging or also to reduce the space required by a portion and in accordance with the material required for its packaging.

Such an overlapping arrangement of the slices and, in particular, of slices separated from adjacent products at the same time - i.e. during a cutting process - usually requires an extremely complex construction of the area in which the separated slices are collected and the portions are formed. In order to achieve an overlapping of the slices, it is fundamentally possible to move the mentioned area, also referred to as portioning area in the following, during the cutting of the slices in such a way that the slice cut first is overlapped by the slices subsequently cut. Because of the desired high cutting speeds, such a formation of portions with overlapping slices also requires extremely high speeds of movement of the portioning area, which can at best be achieved with extremely high construction costs. Furthermore, it is extremely problematic to ensure correct and desired positions of the severed panes due to the high accelerations. This problem can basically be countered by increasing the time interval between two successively separated slices, which, however, runs counter to the goal of the highest possible product throughput.

It is therefore an object of the invention, in a device for slicing food products and in particular a high-speed slicer, to create a simplified way of forming portions with overlapping slices separated from products simultaneously fed to a cutting area, while maintaining an undiminished high product throughput.

This object is achieved by a device with the features of claim 1 and in particular in that the product feed is designed in such a way that at least two of the products are at least partially one above the other, at least in the cutting area.

The slices separated from the products fall onto a portioning area in which portions are formed from the slices. In particular, such a portioning area can be formed by a circumferentially guided conveyor belt, usually referred to as a portioning belt, which transports the portions further in a conveying direction and transfers devices downstream of the slicing device for further handling.

Since at least two of the products are partially superposed in the cutting area, the respective product ends overlap which the slices are cut, in a projection onto the portioning area, for example horizontally but in any case below the product ends. It can thus be achieved automatically that the slices separated from these superimposed products overlap after falling onto the portioning area.

According to the invention, it has thus been recognized that an overlap of the subsequently separated wafers can already be achieved on the supply side and before the slices are separated or produced. This creates the possibility of achieving the desired overlapping of the slices for their variable and, in particular, customer-appealing arrangement already by measures in the product feed, so that a complex construction of the portioning area with the associated disadvantages can be dispensed with.

In principle, it is sufficient here that the products partially lie one above the other in the cutting area. On the other hand, it is not absolutely necessary for the products to lie one on top of the other in the product supply over their entire length. In particular, by means of the product feed, different products can also be accordingly guided into the cutting area on different tracks or from different directions, the products being partially positioned one above the other in the cutting area. Alternatively, the products in the product feed can partially lie one on top of the other over their entire length, so that the positioning of the products is the same everywhere in planes perpendicular to the feed direction.

It can be provided that the product feed simultaneously leads several products into a cutting area, a respective part of the products forming a group within which at least two products are at least partially one above the other. Slices separated from products in this group overlap accordingly in the portioning area, so that a portion of overlapping slices is automatically formed for this group. Furthermore, it can be provided that several such groups are cut open at the same time, the groups being separated from one another, in particular in the horizontal direction, and products from different groups not lying on top of one another. It is thus possible to form several portions at the same time, but separated from one another in the portioning area, each with overlapping slices. For example, four products can be fed simultaneously into the cutting area by means of the product feed, with two of the products forming a group and lying one above the other in the cutting area. Correspondingly, the slices separated at the same time from products of a respective group overlap and two portions with two overlapping slices each can be formed at the same time. In principle, any number of such groups can be provided.

Possible embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

In some embodiments, the product supply can have a product support for the products and the products can be partially superposed by the shape and / or orientation of the product support. Such a product support can for example be designed as a conveying device and in particular as a revolving conveyor belt on which the products are guided in a feed direction into the cutting area. In order to achieve the partial superposition of the products in the cutting area, such a product support designed as a conveyor belt can for example be inclined or tilted around an axis parallel to the feed direction so that the products are guided into the cutting area at different heights.

The products can, for example, lie directly against one another, with a web-like delimitation element, for example, which forms a stop for the products and prevents them from sliding down from the inclined product support, at a lower end of such an inclined conveyor belt. Such a delimitation element can be connected directly to the product support and circulate together with the conveyor belt, for example in that cam-like or post-like elevations are formed in its lower area that hold the products, while a stop separate from the conveyor belt can also be provided.

Furthermore, a product support designed as an inclined conveyor belt can have separating elements which limit each of the products from sliding down due to the inclination of the product support and guide them into the cutting area in a predetermined or predeterminable position. These separating elements can also be formed, for example, by cam-like or post-like elevations of a circulating conveyor belt that form an interrupted web, or they can be provided as continuous webs or stops that are separate from this.

As an alternative to a conveyor belt, such a product support can be designed as a sliding surface on which the products are slidably advanced into the cutting area, for example by means of a respective product holder engaging a rear product area. In order to achieve the desired overlapping of the products in To reach the cutting area, such a product support can have a corresponding profile so that the products guided into the cutting area on the sliding surface can be positioned one above the other in this.

A product support designed as a sliding surface can in particular be designed as a profiled sheet metal on which the products are guided in respective channels. It is also possible that the products are initially guided next to one another through the course of the channels and only positioned one on top of the other in the cutting area, whereby for example the loading of the products onto the product feed can be facilitated.

In some embodiments, the product support can extend at least in sections curved, angled one or more times and / or laterally inclined, at least in the cutting area.

The products can be positioned one above the other in the cutting area by an inclined course of the product support or one that is tilted about an axis parallel to a feed direction. The products can lie directly next to one another, with separating elements alternatively being provided which limit any sliding down of the products due to the inclination of the product support and enable the products to be positioned in the cutting area in a predetermined manner.

A product support that is curved in sections can, for example, run like a parabolic, so that, for example, two products can be guided into the cutting area, partially lying over a product guided in the lowest area of the product support. Furthermore, the curvature can also form channels within which the products are guided.

A product support angled one or more times can also make it possible to guide products into the cutting area at least partially one above the other. Such a product support can, for example, guide two products at different height levels and side by side in the product feed, with the products lying on top of each other due to a diameter-related protrusion of at least one of the products over the support surface of the assigned height level.

It can be provided that the product support has at least one separating element, by means of which the products are positioned at least in the cutting area in a predefined or predefinable manner. The products are thus at least partially supported by a respective separating element and at least not completely rest on an underlying product. Correspondingly, the products can be positioned in the cutting area in a targeted manner and in a predetermined manner, so that the severed slices can also overlap as desired.

In particular, such separating elements can be provided in the case of inclined product supports in order to prevent the products from sliding down due to the inclination and to position them in a predetermined position in the cutting area. Likewise, profiled product supports configured, for example, as sliding surfaces can comprise separating elements of this type in order to achieve the clearest possible guidance of the products on the product support or the sliding surface.

In some embodiments, the product supply for each product can comprise a respective guide device, the guide devices being designed to position the products at different heights at least in the cutting area. By means of such guide devices, the products are thus positioned at different heights in the cutting area, with the products being able to be positioned directly on top of each other as well as on top of each other due to their diameter.

The height of the products can be related both to their vertical distance from a floor plane and to their distance from a cutting edge in a cutting plane. The cutting plane is defined by the circumference of a knife that cuts off slices from the products, with a cutting edge being able to be provided, so to speak, as a termination of the product feed, beyond which the products protrude to enable slices to be cut off. Correspondingly, the part of the product protruding beyond the cutting edge determines the thickness of the slices to be cut.

Such guide devices can be designed, for example, as defined channels in a profiled product support, within which the products are guided into the cutting area. Furthermore, it is possible to provide the guide devices only immediately in front of the cutting area, so that the products can for example be arranged next to one another in the product feed as usual and the desired superimposition of the products in the cutting area is only achieved immediately beforehand by, for example, ramp-like guide devices.

Furthermore, such guide devices can be embodied as, for example, mushroom-shaped, cam-like or web-like elevations on a product support. In particular, such elevations can be provided on a product support designed as a revolving conveyor belt, so that the products can be guided on this conveyor belt at different heights.

For this purpose, for example, pairs of elevations spaced apart perpendicular to the feed direction and horizontally extending transverse direction can be provided, wherein several of these pairs can be arranged on the conveyor belt at a distance from one another in the feed direction. A respective product can be guided into the cutting area at a predetermined height, resting on these pairs of elevations, whereby products guided next to one another in the transverse direction can be guided through pairs of different heights at different heights. The partially overlapping of the products, which is necessary for the production of overlapping slices, can in turn be achieved by a diameter-dependent protrusion of the products in the transverse direction beyond the pairs of elevations.

Alternatively, completely separate guide devices can also be provided that are not arranged on a common product support. For example, a separate conveyor belt can be provided for each of the supplied products, these conveyor belts themselves being able to run one above the other or the desired laying of the products in the cutting area can be achieved by a diameter-dependent protrusion of the products in the transverse direction over the conveyor belts. Furthermore, such guide devices can be designed as robots, which are designed for a flexible and desired arrangement of the products in the cutting area without the products resting on a product support.

In principle, it is sufficient for the formation of portions with overlapping slices if the products are positioned one above the other in the cutting area. It is therefore not absolutely necessary that the products already lie at least partially on top of one another during the entire guidance in the direction of the cutting area. In particular, it is possible to load the products next to one another and possibly at a distance from one another on the product feed or on a loading device upstream of this, while the products are only placed one on top of the other while being guided into the cutting area or in the cutting area itself. For example, for this purpose, the products can be loaded onto guide devices which can be moved in the transverse direction and which enable the products to be conveniently loaded and are only subsequently moved into a position which enables the products to be positioned one above the other in the cutting area. Provision can also be made for the products to be separated from one another and guided obliquely into the cutting area, for example by loading them onto separate conveyor belts leading concentrically into the cutting area.

It can be provided that the guide devices are designed like channels, wherein the guide devices can in particular be designed as continuous or interrupted channels. For example, a profiled product support can include channel-like guides for the products, through which the products can be guided in a controlled manner, for example by a product holder engaging a rear product end, along a predetermined path into the cutting area. Alternatively, a product support designed as a revolving conveyor belt can have, for example, channel-like elevations, but spaced apart in the feed direction, through which the products can be guided at different heights into the cutting area and supported like a channel. Each of these elevations consequently encompasses a section of the respective product in a channel-like manner, so that the entirety of these channel-like elevations functions as a guide device designed as an interrupted channel for the product in question.

In some embodiments, the product supply can comprise a replaceable supply unit. For example, the product supply can comprise a product support designed as a revolving conveyor belt, which can be exchanged for another conveyor belt. In particular, such conveyor belts can have guide devices for the products in the form of elevations, the desired superposition of the products being dependent on their diameter. Since such a conveyor belt can be exchanged in a simple manner, the product support and the respective guide devices can be flexibly adapted to different products to be cut or their respective diameters, so that portions with overlapping slices can be formed for any products. In particular, these conveyor belts can be arranged in removable cassettes, which can minimize the effort required for removal and variable assembly.

Furthermore, the product feed can have a cutting edge via which the products are fed to the knife. The cutting edge thus to a certain extent forms the end of the product feed or the entry into the cutting area, with the protrusion of the products over the cutting edge determines the slice thickness. In particular, such a cutting edge can provide support surfaces for the products which are arranged at different heights and which correspond to the heights predetermined by the guide devices. Correspondingly, the cutting edges can also be part of the exchangeable feed unit, so that cutting edges matched to the respective guide devices can also be flexibly inserted and removed.

In some embodiments, the product feed for each of the products can have a respective product holder that holds the product on a rear product area, the product holders being arranged at different heights or being selectively arranged at different heights, in particular at least two product holders being connected to a common drive unit can, which is movable in the feed direction.

Such product holders can in particular serve to advance the products into the cutting area via a product support designed as a sliding surface or to support or vary the guidance of the products over a product support designed as a conveyor belt. For example, it is possible to briefly interrupt the feeding of the products into the cutting area by means of the product holder in order to be able to transfer a portion that has already been completely formed in a portioning area to a downstream device and to clear the portioning area for the formation of a new portion. Furthermore, the product holders can be designed to guide the products individually into the cutting area, so that, for example, slices can be cut off alternately from two products lying one on top of the other in order to achieve a controlled or variable portion formation.

By arranging the product holders at different heights or the possibility of arranging them at different heights, they can support or enable the desired partial superposition of the products in the cutting area or the corresponding guidance of the products.

Furthermore, the product holders can be height-adjustable while the assigned product is being guided into the cutting area, in order to be able to hold a product guided at different heights during the feeding into the cutting area permanently at a point provided for it in its rear area. For this purpose, the product holder can, for example, be movable perpendicular to the feed direction in which the products are fed into the cutting area in order to be flexibly positioned at different heights. In particular, the product gripper can thereby also support the at least partially superimposed positioning of the products in the cutting area or enable the associated product to be lifted if necessary.

Since in particular at least two product holders can be connected to a common drive unit, a space-saving arrangement can be achieved. By moving this drive unit in the feed direction, the individual mobility of the respective product holder, for example to enable a variable advance of the products into the cutting area, can be kept relatively low and the design effort can be minimized. The drive unit can have a holding arm which extends in the transverse direction and to which at least two product holders are connected. This holding arm can, for example, be connected to a spindle drive running parallel to the feed direction in order to enable its movement in the feed direction. Correspondingly, the holding arm can also be moved counter to the feed direction, for example in order to stop the feed of a product into the cutting area or to be withdrawn again into a starting position after the associated product has been completely cut. Alternatively, the holding arm can be moved in and against the feed direction, for example by means of a toothed belt drive, on an assigned guide.

It is also possible to guide a holding arm, on which at least one product holder is arranged and which can be moved in the direction of the cutting area, in a link-like guide rail in order to move a product gripper connected to the holding arm at different heights during a process in the direction of the cutting area . The product gripper can thus be guided in a path adapted to the positioning of the products at different heights, so that it can always remain in connection with a point provided for this in the rear area of the associated product. Furthermore, a product holder guided at a variable height in this way can support the desired superposition of the products in the cutting area or enable the associated product to be lifted if necessary for this purpose.

In some embodiments, the cutting area can comprise a cutting edge on which the front product ends rest during the severing of the slices. The cutting edge can have at least two surfaces arranged at different heights for supporting the products. The cutting edge can thus be understood as the final element of the product feed or as an entrance to the cutting area, via which the products are fed to the knife, the thickness of the severed slices being predetermined by the protrusion of the product over the cutting edge. The products can rest at different heights on surfaces formed on the cutting edge in order to achieve the desired superimposition. Furthermore, the support surfaces can enable stable positioning of the products.

In particular, the cutting edge can be designed as so-called cutting glasses, which have passages for the products located in different height positions. The products can each be surrounded in a frame-like manner and accordingly clearly separated from one another so that they can be positioned in a defined manner in the cutting area.

In some embodiments, a movable portioning device can be provided on which the severed slices fall and on which portions are formed from the slices which comprise at least two slices.

Such a portioning device can, for example, be provided in the usual way as a conveyor belt on which the portions are formed and then transferred in a conveying direction to downstream devices for further handling. In particular, such a conveyor belt, referred to as a portioning belt, can be moved in the conveying direction during the cutting process in order to form shingled portions. It can thus be achieved that the slices separated from the products not only overlap in the transverse direction because they are lying one on top of the other in the cutting area, but also that they are shingled in the conveying direction.

Furthermore, the disposition of the slices can also be influenced in other ways by the mobility of the portioning device. For example, such a portioning device can be moved in the transverse direction in order to support or strengthen or weaken the desired overlapping of the slices. Furthermore, the portioning device can be movable in such a way that differences in height of fall caused by the arrangement of the products at different heights in the cutting area can be compensated for. For this purpose, a vertically displaceable portioning belt can be provided, in which case differences in the height of fall can also be compensated for by an inclined course of such a belt.

Furthermore, by moving a portioning device or a portioning belt, effects caused by an inclined product feed can be compensated for or increased. In order to achieve the most uniform possible fall of the cut slices into a portioning area, the product feed can be provided with an incline to the horizontal so that products guided at a greater height protrude further in the conveying direction in a projection onto a horizontally arranged portioning belt. Such an inclined product feed requires that the cutting plane, the normal of which is defined by the feed direction, also runs inclined to the horizontal. Slices falling onto a portioning device that is not moved in the conveying direction can therefore be spaced apart in the conveying direction, since slices separated from products lying further above reach the portioning device in the conveying direction at a greater distance from the cutting edge than slices that have been separated from products lying further down. Correspondingly, the distance between the severed slices in the conveying direction can be influenced by moving the portioning device, for example in order to nevertheless arrange all the slices parallel in the conveying direction.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the further components of the device act on the formation of the portions. For example, the movement of the slices as they fall onto the portioning area can be influenced by the coating or shape of the knife. The impulse transmitted to the slices or its strength and direction can also be changed by changing the cutting angle and the position of the slices on the portioning area can be influenced. Further means can also be provided, for example for generating an air flow or a rake that can be swiveled into the disk flow, in order to achieve a desired arrangement of the disks.

The invention further relates to a method for slicing food products and for forming portions from slices separated from the products, in particular by means of a device as disclosed herein. At the same time, several products are fed to a cutting area in which slices are separated from the products by means of a moving, in particular rotating and / or revolving knife, the products being fed in such a way that at least two of the products are at least partially one above the other, at least in the cutting area.

In this method too, at least two products are thus positioned at least partially one above the other in the cutting area, so that slices that have been separated from the products at the same time overlap each other in a portioning area. Again, the desired overlapping of the panes is already achieved by means of a feed-side measure, without this requiring a high level of constructive effort through a targeted Arranging the already severed panes must be done.

It can be provided that the products are fed to the knife with a time delay. This can be done, for example, by individually controllable product holders that can grip a rear product section. The slices of different products can thus be cut off in successive knife revolutions, for example, in order to achieve variable portion formation. In addition, the time-shifted separation of the slices makes it possible to exclude effects which arise from the simultaneous falling of the slices and a possible interaction between them during the fall and which can lead to an undesirable portion pattern. In particular, by separating the panes at a staggered time, it can be ensured that the pane that was cut off first is overlapped by the subsequent pane, so that the desired overlap can be produced in a controlled and predetermined manner.

It can be provided that at least two of the products are alternately fed to the knife. In particular, such an alternating supply of the products and corresponding alternating separation of slices can ensure a controlled formation of portions, in which case, in turn, interactions between simultaneously falling slices can be excluded and a desired overlap can be achieved. In principle, two or more products can be fed alternately to the knife, so that slices can be severed one after the other from any number of products in a predetermined or predeterminable order. It is also possible here for several products to be guided into the cutting area at the same time, so that, for example, slices can be cut off alternately from respective product pairs. This can be provided in particular when several portions are produced at the same time.

In some embodiments, the portions can be formed on a portioning device, the portioning device being moved during portion formation in order to influence the relative arrangement of the slices within a respective portion.

For example, such a movement of the portioning device can compensate for an effect resulting from a different drop height of the slices separated from different products. This can be done in particular by adjusting the height of the portioning device, moving the portioning device in or against a conveying device or an inclined arrangement of the portioning device. For example, slices that are separated from higher-lying products can be arranged further back in the conveying direction using a portioning belt, so that subsequently cut slices of products lying further down are parallel to the first cut slice after the belt has withdrawn in the conveying direction. In particular, differences in the positioning of cut-off slices in the conveying direction due to an inclined product feed can thereby be compensated for. Furthermore, it can be provided that by moving a portioning belt in the conveying direction during the cutting process, portions with slices overlapping or shingled in the conveying direction can be produced.

• 1 einen schematischen Querschnitt einer Vorrichtung zum Aufschneiden von Lebensmittelprodukten,
• 2 bis 7 schematische Darstellungen von Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit insbesondere vorderseitigen Ansichten auf den Schneidbereich sowie Draufsichten auf in einem Portionierbereich gebildete überlappende Portionen abgetrennter Scheiben, und
• 8, 9 und 10a bis 10c jeweils schematische, rückseitige Ansichten auf Produktzufuhren erfindungsgemäßer Ausführungsformen.

The invention is described below purely by way of example using embodiments with reference to the drawings. Further embodiments emerge from the description and the claims. Show it:

• 1 a schematic cross section of a device for slicing food products,
• 2 to 7th schematic representations of embodiments of the device according to the invention with in particular front views of the cutting area and top views of overlapping portions of cut-off slices formed in a portioning area, and
• 8th , 9 and 10a to 10c each schematic, rear-side views of product feeds of embodiments according to the invention.

1 shows a cross section through a device 11 for slicing products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th that as high speed slicer 11 is trained. Due to the cross-sectional representation, only the product is included 13 to see (see also the following figures).

The high speed slicer 11 assigns a product feed 31 by means of which the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th simultaneously in a cutting area 33 be guided. In the cutting area 33 are by means of a in a cutting plane S. rotating knife 34 Discs 23 of the product 13 separated on one below the product feed 31 arranged portioning area 59 fall on which one from the severed discs 23 a portion 21st is formed.

This portioning area 59 is than about two diversions 63 revolving conveyor belt 32 formed so that the formed portions 21st in a Conveying direction F. to a not shown, the portioning area 59 downstream facility for whose further handling can be funded. Furthermore, the conveyor belt 32 of the portioning area 59 also while forming the portion 21st in conveying direction F. be moved to the one shown, in the conveying direction F. shingled arrangement of the portion 21st forming discs 23 to reach.

In order to keep the drop of the product as controlled as possible 13 severed discs 23 to achieve is the product supply 31 inclined to the horizontal. The product feed 31 has a product support that is also inclined 35 on that of one through two diversions 63 revolving conveyor belt 32 is formed. The product 13 will be on this conveyor belt 32 resting along a feed direction Z into the cutting area 33 guided.

To guide the product 13 into the cutting area 33 The product supply has to support and be able to design variably 31 a drive unit 53 on having a product holder 51 that includes the product 13 in a rear section 20th holds. This product holder 51 is about a connection 67 with a cross to the feed direction Z extending holding arm 54 connected, which by means of a spindle drive 50 in a guide rail 52 in and against the feed direction Z is movable. Instead of the spindle drive 50 For example, a toothed belt drive can be used to move the holding arm 54 be provided.

For example, the product 13 by the product gripper 51 stopped briefly and its guidance in the cutting area 33 or to the knife 34 be interrupted in order to transport away a fully formed portion 21st from the portioning area 59 in conveying direction F. to enable. The product holder can also do this 51 even in and against the feed direction Z be movable, due to the mobility of the holding arm 54 only a slight mobility of the product holder 51 can be sufficient.

The product feed 31 is from a cutting edge 55 completed corresponding to the beginning of the cutting area 33 Are defined. A front end 14th of the product 13 is used to cut off a disc 23 over the cutting edge 55 out, the respective protrusion of the product 13 over the cutting edge 55 the thickness of the disc to be cut 23 certainly. To ensure the clearest possible transition between the product feed 31 and the cutting area 33 to reach, the cutting edge points 55 a support surface 57 on which the product 13 while cutting off a pane 23 supported.

Furthermore, the high-speed slicer 11 One Base 65 on through which the product feed 31 and the portioning area 59 are supported.

2 shows in the upper area a schematic front view of a cutting area 33 or a cutting plane S. a device 11 for slicing products 13 , 15th and 17th (cf. also 1 ). Thereby the products 13 , 15th and 17th by means of a product feed 31 at the same time in the cutting area 33 guided, with from front ends 14th of the products 13 , 15th and 17th respective discs 23 , 25th and 27 be separated.

These severed discs 23 , 25th and 27 fall on one at the bottom of the 2 Portioning area shown in plan view 59 in which from the disks 23 , 25th and 27 a portion 21st is formed (see also 1 ). Fully formed portions 21st can from the portioning area 59 in one conveying direction F. be handed over to downstream facilities.

In the 2 shown product feed 31 assigns for each of the products 13 , 15th and 17th a respective, assigned guide device 43 , 45 and 47 by means of which the products 13 , 15th and 17th into the cutting area 33 be guided. The guide institutions 43 , 45 and 47 are here as circulating conveyor belts 32 formed, the front deflections 63 are shown schematically.

By means of the guide devices 43 , 45 and 47 become the products 13 , 15th and 17th so in the cutting area 33 led that they are arranged there at different heights. The decisive height can be based on a horizontal floor level as well as on the distance between the products 13 , 15th and 17th to the cutting edge 55 within the cutting plane S. be related (see also 1 ).

Due to the lateral protrusion of the products 13 , 15th and 17th via the respective guide institutions 43 , 45 and 47 out in a transverse direction Q that are orthogonal to a feed direction Z the product feed 31 runs (see also 1 ), the product lies 13 - based on the transverse direction Q - at least partially above the product 15th and the product 15th at least partially above the product 17th . With a simultaneous or almost simultaneous cutting of panes 23 , 25th and 27 of the products 13 , 15th and 17th within one rotation of the knife 34 (see. 1 ) are the severed discs 23 , 25th and 27 due to this overlapping of the products 13 , 15th and 17th overlapping in the portioning area 59 arranged as the product ends 14th in a projection onto the portioning area vertically below 59 overlap (see also 1 ).

Point accordingly to the portioning area 59 the disks 23 and 25th an overlap 30th on, with the disc 25th in this area 59 above the disc 23 lies. The discs too 25th and 27 exhibit an overlap 30th on, being there the disc 27 above the disc 25th lies. For illustration purposes, the lower part of the panes is shown 23 or. 25th indicated by a dashed line.

How out 1 can be seen, the product feed 31 are inclined to the horizontal, so that in 2 shown, highest in the cutting area 33 arranged product 13 in conveying direction F. compared to the lower-lying products 15th and 17th protrudes, whereby in principle any angle of inclination between 0 ° and 90 ° are possible. The severed panes show accordingly 23 , 25th and 27 on the portioning area 59 an offset in the conveying direction F. on. This offset can, if necessary, be compensated or, if desired, increased by adding the portioning area 59 is designed to be movable. For example, by preferring the portioning area 59 in conveying direction F. before cutting off the pane 23 of the product 13 their position in the conveying direction F. reset, with those from the product 15th severed disc 25th in the conveying direction parallel to the disc 23 by withdrawing the portioning area 59 can be arranged against the conveying direction.

Furthermore, the portioning area can also be provided such that it can be moved in the vertical direction in order to get out of the different drop heights of the slices 23 , 25th , and 27 to compensate for the resulting effects. An inclined arrangement of the portioning area can also be used for this purpose 59 be provided.

A controlled or variable formation of the portion 21st from the discs 23 , 25th and 27 can achieve the products 13 , 15th and 17th for example by means of the respective product holder 51 (see. 1 , 8th , 9 and 10A to 10C ) staggered or alternating in the cutting area 33 be guided. For example, the disk can first 23 of the product 13 be separated, the disc 25th only in a subsequent rotation of the knife 34 of the product 15th is separated. In particular, it can thus be ensured that the disk 23 the portioning area 59 in front of the pane 25th reached and the disc 25th at the overlap 30th above the pane 23 lies. Furthermore, any interactions between the panes 23 and 25th in flight with a simultaneous or almost simultaneous cutting during a single rotation of the knife. The disk can also be accordingly 27 only in a subsequent step of the product 17th be separated to also these in a controlled manner in the overlap area 30th above the disc 25th to arrange.

Furthermore, by individually advancing the products in this way 13 , 15th and 17th into the cutting area 33 also otherwise on the portion formed 21st be acted upon by, for example, first the disc 25th can be separated, whereupon the discs 23 and 27 in a subsequent revolution of the knife 34 be separated. Accordingly, the discs 23 and 27 the disc 25th each in the areas 30th overlap. In particular, the advance of the products 13 , 15th and 17th into the cutting area 33 take place alternately and in accordance with a predefined or predefinable sequence.

In 3 is another embodiment with a product feed 31 shown as inclined or tilted conveyor belt 32 is formed, which via a deflection 63 to be led. On this inclined and as a product pad 35 acting conveyor belt 32 will be three products 13 , 15th and 17th simultaneously in a cutting area 33 led and washers 23 , 25th and 27 severed.

Due to the inclined guidance of the products 13 , 15th and 17th are these in the cutting area 33 partially arranged one above the other, so that the disks formed 23 , 25th and 27 each other in a portioning area 59 again overlap. Here lies the product 13 directly on the product 15th which in turn is directly on the product 17th rests. To prevent the products from sliding down 13 , 15th and 17th due to the incline of the conveyor belt 32 to prevent is a retaining element 61 provided which at a lower end of the conveyor belt 32 is arranged. This retaining element 61 can be designed, for example, as an interrupted web, the several in the feed direction Z spaced apart elements 61 includes that directly to the conveyor belt 32 are connected and circulate with it. Alternatively, the holding element 61 also than from the conveyor belt 32 separate stop be provided on which the product 17th is performed close to

4th also shows a view of the front ends 14th of products 13 , 15th and 17th by means of an inclined and by a conveyor belt 32 formed product edition 35 into a cutting area 33 are led. Deviating from the in 3 product edition shown 35 indicates the in 4th shown product edition 35 between the product 13 and the product 15th as well as between the product 15th and the product 17th a respective separating element 37 which causes the products to slide down due to the tendency 13 and 15th is limited. The products are accordingly 13 and 15th through the dividers 37 in a given Position in the cutting area 33 positioned so that desired and specified or specifiable overlaps 30th of the discs 23 , 25th and 27 in the portioning area 59 can be reached.

Similar to the retaining element 61 can also use the separators 37 for example as interrupted and with the conveyor belt 32 connected webs be formed by their, for example cam-like or post-like and in the feed direction Z spaced, elements 37 the products 13 and 15th be supported. Furthermore, such separating elements 37 also than from the conveyor belt 32 separate stops for the products 13 and 15th be provided.

5 again shows a front, schematic view of a product feed 31 or in a cutting area 33 inside. This product feed 31 has a profiled support surface 35 on, on the three points 13 , 15th and 17th the cutting area 33 are fed simultaneously. Thanks to the profiled product support 35 is achieved that the products 13 , 15th and 17th at different heights in the cutting area 33 be positioned with the products 13 , 15th and 17th due to their diameter in the cutting area 33 partially on top of each other. Correspondingly, a portion is also here 21st with overlapping discs 23 , 25th and 27 in a portioning area 59 generated.

Such a profiled product support 35 can for example be formed from a corrugated sheet metal, which is a sliding surface for the products 13 , 15th and 17th provides. The feed or the guidance of the products 13 , 15th and 17th into the cutting area 33 can for example by in a rear section 20th of the products 13 , 15th and 17th attacking product holder 51 take place (cf. 1 , 8th , 9 and 10A to 10C ).

6 shows in the upper section a view of the front ends 14th of products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th in a cutting area 33 in which of the products slices 23 , 25th , 27 and 29 be separated. Thereby the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th by means of a product feed 31 into the cutting area 33 guided. This product feed includes a revolving conveyor belt 32 on which respective the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th assigned management facilities 43 , 45 , 47 and 49 are arranged.

The respective guide institutions 43 , 45 , 47 and 49 point in the feed direction Z spaced pairs of guide elements 41 on by which the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th at different heights in the cutting area 33 can be positioned (see also cross-sectional view in the middle area of the 6 ). The guiding elements 41 are as cam-like elevations on the conveyor belt 32 trained and circulate with them.

By the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th by the respective guide institutions 43 , 45 , 47 and 49 at different heights in the cutting area 33 are arranged and due to their relative to the distance between the guide elements 41 in the transverse direction Q increased diameter in the cutting area 33 partially on top of each other, can be in a portioning area 59 turn portions 21st with overlapping discs 23 and 25th or. 27 and 29 are formed. The products form 13 and 15th one of the products 17th and 19th separate group, so that with such an arrangement two portions at the same time 21st in the portioning area 59 can be formed.

As seen from the cross section in the middle area of the 6 emerges, joins the conveyor belt 32 a cutting edge 55 on, the support surfaces 57 for the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th includes on which the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th while cutting the slices 23 , 25th , 27 and 29 be able to rest and slide. Here are the support surfaces 57 in with the respective guide facilities 43 , 45 , 47 and 49 matching heights are provided and enable a clear and supported positioning of the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th in the cutting area 33 .

As can also be seen, the cutting edge is 55 designed as so-called cutting glasses and includes for the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th a respective passage 58 so that the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th through the cutting glasses 55 or their passages 58 are each surrounded like a frame. Because of the representation in cross section, there is only one of the passages 58 recognizable.

In 7th Figure 3 is a schematic front view of products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th in a cutting area 33 shown. Thereby the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th by means of a product feed 31 into the cutting area 33 out which a revolving conveyor belt 32 includes. In the cutting area 33 is doing one on the conveyor belt 32 arranged guide element 41 recognizable which has a profiled structure and the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th each in the form of a channel 39 supports.

In this embodiment, too, several such profiled guide elements 41 be provided spaced from one another in the feed direction, so that the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th in the respective guide facilities 43 , 45 , 47 and 49 channel-like in the product feed 31 be guided (see also guide element 41 in 6 ). The products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th are in the cutting area 33 Arranged at different heights and partly on top of each other, so that on the separated discs 23 , 25th , 27 and 29 two servings at the same time 21st with overlapping discs 23 and 25th or. 27 and 29 are formed.

Alternatively, a product edition can also be used 35 with a like in 7th through the guide element 41 Profiling shown be provided so that the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th in of such a product edition 35 formed through gutters 39 into the cutting area 33 can be advanced. A representation of such a product edition 35 was essentially different from the 7th that in such an embodiment no circulating conveyor belt 32 would be provided.

The 8th , 9 and 10a to 10c show respective schematic rear views of possible embodiments or their product feeds 31 . In 8th a rear view of the product feed 31 shown in 7th is shown schematically on the front. Each of the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th is in a rear section 20th from a product holder 51 held. Two of the product holders each 51 are via assigned connections 67 with a holding arm 54 connected in the transverse direction Q over the conveyor belt 32 extends. Each of the holding arms 54 is in a guide rail 52 stored, within which the relevant holding arm 54 in and against the feed direction Z is movable (cf. 1 ). The movement of the holding arms 54 can by means of a spindle drive 50 or an associated toothed belt drive.

Also the product holder 51 are according to the guide facilities 43 , 45 , 47 and 49 Arranged at different heights to accommodate each product 13 , 15th , 17th or 19th to be able to work together. By moving the holding arms 54 can do the leadership of the products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th into the cutting area 33 supported or carried out individually.

9 FIG. 13 shows a rear view of a similar to FIG 4th trained product supply 31 who have favourited an inclined and a product support 35 forming conveyor belt 32 having. On this conveyor belt 32 are products 13 , 15th and 17th arranged at different heights, at their respective rear end regions 20th in turn associated product holders 51 are arranged. These three product holders 51 are on a common, located above the conveyor belt 32 in the transverse direction Q extending holding arm 54 by means of respective connections 67 arranged. Again, the holding arm 54 in a guide rail 52 by means of a spindle drive 50 in and against the feed direction Z be proceeded (cf. 1 ).

The 10a to 10c show further possible arrangements of product holders 51 at different heights to hold a cutting area at different heights and one above the other 33 supplied products 13 , 15th and 17th . In 10a are three product holders 51 at a common transverse to a feed direction Z extending holding arm 54 arranged product holder 51 intended. Here are the outer product holders 51 at a greater height than the middle product holder 51 arranged so that the respective products 13 , 15th and 17th be guided one above the other. With appropriate management of the products 13 , 15th and 17th into a cutting area 33 can from the same time from the products 13 , 15th and 17th cut slices according to portions 21st with overlapping discs 23 , 25th and 27 be formed (cf. 1 to 8th ).

10b shows two product grippers arranged at different heights 51 that come with a respective product 13 or. 15th at a rear section 20th work together. Each of the product holders 51 is on a separate holding arm 54 arranged. Further is the connection 67 of the lower product holder 51 with the assigned holding arm 54 provided obliquely and can for example be designed to be pivotable around the part of the products 13 and 15th , which is guided one above the other, to be able to set or select. Correspondingly, both the size of the overlap 30th the one from the products 13 and 15th formed discs 23 and 25th (see. 1 to 8th ) as well as the feed on products 13 and 15th different diameters can be adjusted, with overlapping discs in any way 23 and 25th can be generated.

In particular, it is also possible to use the products 13 and 15th only by means of several such product holders 51 that can be arranged distributed over the product, for example, into the cutting area without a product support 35 is provided. The product holder 51 also be designed with greater variability and, for example, as a robot.

10c shows another way of arranging product holders 51 at different heights. A left product holder acts here 51 with a rear section 20th of a product 13 together while a right product holder 51 with a rear section 20th of a product 15th cooperates. The product holders 51 are the respective drive units 53 assigned that in the transverse direction Q are arranged on different sides. Furthermore, the product holders are 51 about connections 67 each with a holding arm 54 connected. These holding arms 54 are also in laterally arranged guide rails 52 stored and in and against the feed direction Z movable (cf. 1 ). The connection 67 of the right product holder 51 is longer than that of the left product holder 51 so that the product 13 partially above the product 15th is performed lying down. Correspondingly, in this case too, overlapping of the products 13 and 15th severed discs 23 and 25th in a portioning area 59 to be ordered.

Such a device 11 for slicing food products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th consequently, it allows a simple way out into a cutting area 33 guided products 13 , 15th , 17th and 19th flexible portions with minimal construction effort 21st with overlapping discs 23 , 25th , 27 and 29 to build.

List of reference symbols

11

Slicing device

13

first product

14th

front end of product

15th

second product

17th

third product

19th

fourth product

20th

rear product area

21st

portion

23

First product slice

25th

Second product slice

27

Third product slice

29

Fourth product slice

30th

overlap

31

Product feed

32

Conveyor belt

33

Cutting area

34

knife

35

Product edition

37

Separator

39

Gutter

41

Guide element

43

first guide device

45

second guide device

47

third guide device

49

fourth guide device

50

spindle

51

Product holder

52

Guide rail

53

Drive unit

54

Holder arm

55

Cutting edge

57

Support surface of the cutting edge

58

passage

59

Portioning device

61

Retaining element

63

Redirection

65

Base

67

Connection of the product holder to the holder arm

F.

Conveying direction

Q

Transverse direction

S.

Cutting plane

Z

Feed direction

Claims (14)

Device (11), in particular high-speed slicer, for slicing food products (13, 15, 17, 19) and for forming portions (21) from slices (23, 25, 27) separated from the products (13, 15, 17, 19) , 29), with a product feed (31) which simultaneously feeds several products (13, 15, 17, 19) to a cutting area (33) in which the products (13) are removed by means of a moving, in particular rotating and / or revolving knife (34) , 15, 17, 19) disks (23, 25, 27, 29) are cut off, wherein the product feed (31) is designed such that at least two of the products (13, 15, 17, 19) are at least partially one above the other at least in the cutting area (33). Device (11) after Claim 1 , wherein the product feed (31) has a product support (35) for the products (13, 15, 17, 19) and the partially superimposed products (13, 15, 17, 19) due to the shape and / or the orientation of the product support (35) is effected. Device (11) after Claim 2 wherein the product support (35) at least in the cutting area (33) is curved at least in sections, angled one or more times and / or inclined to the side. Device (11) after Claim 2 or 3 wherein the product support (35) has at least one separating element (37), by means of which the products (13, 15, 17, 19) are positioned at least in the cutting area (33) in a predefined or predefinable manner. Device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the product feed (31) for each product (13, 15, 17, 19) comprises a respective guide device (43, 45, 47, 49), wherein the guide devices (43, 45, 47, 49) are designed to position the products (13, 15, 17, 19) at different heights, at least in the cutting area (33). Device (11) after Claim 5 , wherein the guide devices (43, 45, 47, 49) are designed like channels, in particular wherein the guide devices (43, 45, 47, 49) are designed as continuous or interrupted channels (39). Device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the product supply (31) comprises an exchangeable supply unit. Device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the product feed (31) for each of the products (13, 15, 17, 19) has a respective product holder (51) which holds the product (13, 15, 17, 19) a rear product area (20), the product holders (51) being arranged at different heights or selectively to be arranged at different heights, in particular wherein at least two product holders (51) are connected to a common drive unit (53) which runs in the feed direction (Z) is movable. Device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting area (33) comprises a cutting edge (55) on which the front product ends (14) rest during the cutting of the slices (23, 25, 27, 29), the cutting edge (55) has at least two surfaces (57) arranged at different heights for supporting the products (13, 15, 17, 19). Device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a movable portioning device (59) is provided on which the severed slices (23, 25, 27, 29) fall and on which from the slices (23, 25, 27, 29) Portions are formed which comprise at least two slices (23, 25, 27, 29). Method for slicing food products (13, 15, 17, 19) and for forming portions (21) from slices (23, 25, 27, 29) separated from the products (13, 15, 17, 19), in particular by means of a Device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, in which a plurality of products (13, 15, 17, 19) are fed to a cutting area (33) at the same time, in which the products (13, 15, 17, 19) disks (23, 25, 27, 29) are cut off, wherein the products (13, 15, 17, 19) are fed in such a way that at least two of the products (13, 15, 17, 19) are at least partially one above the other at least in the cutting area (33). Procedure according to Claim 11 , the products (13, 15, 17, 19) being fed to the knife (34) with a time delay. Procedure according to Claim 11 or 12th , at least two of the products (13, 15, 17, 19) being fed to the knife (34) alternately. Method according to one of the Claims 11 to 13 , wherein the portions (21) are formed on a portioning device (59), and wherein the portioning device (59) is moved during the portioning in order to determine the relative arrangement of the slices (23, 25, 27, 29) within a respective portion (21) to influence.

Images