DK178582B1

DK178582B1 - Slicing Device

Info

Publication number: DK178582B1
Application number: DKPA201500652A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Henrik Møller Poulsen
Original assignee: Løsning Maskf As
Priority date: 2015-10-21
Filing date: 2015-10-21
Publication date: 2016-07-18
Also published as: DK201500652A1

Abstract

A slicing device configured to slice meat includes a base cabinet, a generally box shaped meat holder, a cutting assembly, and a slider assembly. The meat holder is erected at a predefined angle and inserted into a slot positioned on the base cabinet, where the meat holder is configured to receive the meat inserted by a customer, and hold the meat in position. The cutting assembly is removably attached above the base cabinet and positioned below the meat holder, where the cutting assembly comprises a knife driven by an electric motor drive to slice the meat positioned in the meat holder. The slider assembly is removably attached to the base cabinet and hingedly connected to the meat holder, where the slider assembly is configured to be driven by the electric motor drive to move the meat holder along the knife to enable the meat to be sliced by the knife.

Description

SLICING DEVICE

BACKGROUND

There are numerous methods of serving food, especially meat, depending on the demand of the customers, where some require the food to be served immediately during even peak hours of the inflow of customers into the hotel. In the most conventional system, an employee is assigned to slice the meat as per the requirement of the customer. The employee takes the order from the customer and slices the meat, that is, either by manual slicing using a knife, or a conventional meat slicer where the meat can be positioned and cut using a lever actuated knife or blade. The main problem with manual or lever actuates slicing of the meat is the slicing of equal proportions, where the employee is unable to accurately slice a specified portion of the meat according to the customers desire. If the meat sliced is more than the ordered portion, it’s a loss, and if the meat sliced is below the ordered portion, then that might raise customer complaints and might further contribute to wastage of meat at the end of the day.

Therefore, there is a huge waste of meat during service activities at buffets and the similar occasions. Additionally, an employee at a medium or large buffet uses between, for example, about 1-2 hours per day, to cut and serve cold cuts to the customers. There is a need for a device which can reduce the wastage of meat or sausage, and which can be operated by the customer themselves without the aid of a hotel employee, thereby saving the time spend by the employee in cutting and serving the meat. A fully automated and button operated system of slicing meat or sausage in equal proportions is much needed in the present scenario.

Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for a slicing device which can reduce meat wastage, which can reduce time in cutting and serving the meat, and a where a user or a customer can directly use the device to slice the meat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The slicing device disclosed here addresses the above mentioned need for a device which can reduce meat wastage, which can reduce time in cutting and serving the meat, where a user or a customer can directly use the device to slice the meat. The slicing device is configured to slice the meat, and comprises a base cabinet, a generally box shaped meat holder, a cutting assembly, and a slider assembly. The meat holder is erected at a predefined angle and inserted into a slot positioned on the base cabinet, where the meat holder is configured to receive and hold the meat in position. The cutting assembly is removably attached above the base cabinet and positioned below the meat holder, where the cutting assembly comprises a knife driven by an electric motor drive to slice the meat positioned in the meat holder. The slider assembly is removably attached to the base cabinet and hingedly connected to the meat holder, where the slider assembly is configured to be driven by the electric motor drive to move the meat holder along the knife to enable the meat to be sliced by the knife.

In an embodiment, the slicing device further comprises an adjustment plate slidably attached to the base cabinet, wherein the adjustment plate is configured to position the meat on the base cabinet. In an embodiment, the slicing device further comprises a handle member positioned adjacent to the adjustment plate, where the handle member is a threaded screw configured to change the position of the adjustment plate, thereby adjusting the thickness of the meat to be sliced off by the knife. The meat is positioned in the meat holder. In an embodiment, the slicing device further comprises a weigh block slidably attached along a length of the meat holder to press and hold the meat in position in the meat holder. In an embodiment, the weigh block comprises spikes attached on the surface of the weigh block to grip the meat to be pressed and held in the meat holder.

In an embodiment, the slicing device further comprises a top cabinet fastened above the base cabinet, where the top cabinet is configured to isolate the knife from contact with hands of a user during slicing of the meat, and to provide hygienic conditions for the meat slicing. In an embodiment, the top cabinet comprises a door with a key lock to lock the door, where the door is configured to allow access for a user to place the meat in the meat holder and to remove the meat from the meat holder after the slicing process. In an embodiment, the electric motor drive is positioned below the base cabinet within a cavity defined by the base cabinet, where the electric motor drive is operably connected to lower sections of the meat holder and the knife. The electric motor drive comprises a motor, and a toothed belt drive comprising a belt connecting a shaft of the motor, where the belt drive is configured to move the meat holder in a to and fro motion, and further configured to transfer the drive to a shaft of the knife to enable the rotation of the knife to perform the slicing of the meat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the slicing device.

FIG. IB exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the slicing device.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the slicing device.

FIG. 3A exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the internal components of the slicing device with the top cabinet removed.

FIG. 3B exemplarily illustrates a left side perspective view of the internal components of the slicing device with the top cabinet removed.

DETAIDED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A-1B exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view and a side perspective view of the slicing device 100. The slicing device 100 is primarily developed as a sheer to be used in hotels, conference centers, cafeterias, restaurants and the like, that is, wherever a buffet machine is being used. The working of the slicing device 100 is simplified to enable a customer visiting the hotel to flexibly use the slicing device 100 to his/her advantage. The steps of working of the slicing device 100 involves positioning the meat or sausage to be sliced within the slicing device 100 according the ordered quantity by a customer, taking a plate or a dish, placing the plate into the slicing device 100, pressing an actuation button which initiates the slicing of the meat already positioned within the slicing device 100, for example, a cold cut, and finally withdrawing the plate from the slicing device 100 with a precisely sliced portion of the meat according to the order placed by the customer. If more than one slice of meat is required, then the button is pressed as many number of times as per the requirement of a fresh slice of meat from the slicing device 100.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the slicing device 100. The slicing device 100 disclosed here is configured to slice meat, and comprises a base cabinet 101, a generally box shaped meat holder 102, a cutting assembly 104, and a slider assembly 107. The meat holder 102 is erected at a predefined angle and inserted into a slot 103 positioned on the base cabinet 101, where the meat holder 102 is configured to receive the meat from a customer and hold the meat in position. The cutting assembly 104 is removably attached above the base cabinet 101 and positioned below the meat holder 102, where the cutting assembly 104 comprises a knife 105 driven by an electric motor drive 106 to slice the meat positioned in the meat holder 102. The slider assembly 107 is removably attached to the base cabinet 101 and hingedly connected to the meat holder 102, where the slider assembly 107 is configured to be driven by the electric motor drive 106 to move the meat holder 102 along the knife 105 to enable the meat to be sliced by the knife 105.

In an embodiment, the slicing device 100 further comprises an adjustment plate 108 slidably attached to the base cabinet 101, wherein the adjustment plate 108 is configured to position the meat on the base cabinet 101. In an embodiment, the slicing device 100 further comprises a handle member 109 positioned adjacent to the adjustment plate 108, where the handle member 109 is, for example, a threaded screw configured to change the position of the adjustment plate 108, thereby adjusting the thickness of the meat to be sliced off by the knife 105. The meat is positioned in the meat holder 102. In an embodiment, the slicing device 100 further comprises a weigh block 110 slidably attached along a length of the meat holder 102 to press and hold the meat in position in the meat holder 102. In an embodiment, the weigh block 110 comprises spikes attached on the surface of the weigh block 110 to grip the meat to be pressed and held in the meat holder 102.

In an embodiment, the slicing device 100 further comprises a top cabinet 111 fastened above the base cabinet 101, where the top cabinet 111 is configured to isolate the knife 105 from contact with hands of a buffet employee during slicing of the meat, and to provide hygienic conditions for the meat slicing. In an embodiment, the top cabinet 111 comprises a door 112 with a key lock 113 to lock the door 112, where the door 112 is configured to allow access for the buffet employee to place the meat in the meat holder 102 and to remove the meat from the meat holder 102 after the slicing process. In an embodiment, the electric motor drive 106 is positioned below the base cabinet 101 within a cavity 114 defined by the base cabinet 101, where the electric motor drive 106 is operably connected to lower sections 102a and 105a of the meat holder 102 and the knife 105. The electric motor drive 106 comprises a motor 115, and a toothed belt drive 116 comprising, for example, a belt, connecting a shaft 117 of the motor 115, where the belt drive 116 is configured to move the meat holder 102 in a to and fro motion, and further configured to transfer the drive to a shaft 118 of the knife 105 to enable the rotation of the knife 105 to perform the slicing of the meat.

In addition, the reference numerals 119 and 120 represents a snack dummy and a sausage dummy that needs to be positioned in the meat holder 102. The door 112 comprises a hinge 121 at the upper end to engage to the top cabinet 111. The handle member 109 comprises a knob 122 to adjust the displacement of the adjustment plate 108. To explain the working of the slicing device 100, the buffet employee loads the meat holder 102 of the slicing device 100 with a predetermined amount of meat. The slicing device 100 is generally used in hotels or restaurants for buffets, and a customer present at the buffet can introduce the plate 123 into the base cabinet 101 of the slicing device 100. The plate 123 is introduced through the opening 124 positioned on the base cabinet 101. The meat/sausage, which is represented by the reference numerals 119 and 120 is already positioned in the meat holder 102 and the customer presses a button which actuates the knife 105 to slice the meat/sausage positioned in the meat holder 102. The meat/sausage is sliced to a definite proportion as ordered by the customer and it’s collected on the plate 123 which can be retrieved through the opening 124, and is ready to be served in the buffet.

FIG. 3A-3B exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view, and a left side perspective view of the internal components of the slicing device 100 assembled together, and with the top cabinet 111 removed. The threaded screw handle member 109 helps an employee in changing the position of the adjustment plate 108, and the adjustment plate 108 helps in positioning the meat on the base cabinet 101. The reference numeral 120 represents the meat positioned in the meat holder 102. The weigh block 110 attached to the meat holder 102 presses and hold the meat in position in the meat holder 102. The spikes on the surface of the weigh block 110 grips the meat to be pressed and held in the meat holder 102. The slicing device 100 is made in two variants, one with cooling function and one without cooling function. According to the model with the cooler, the food, for example, meat, is always cooled to the required temperature when it is to be served during the buffet. If an entire cold cuts sausage, for example, is not being used the same day, the restaurant can therefore use it during the next day, since the meat or sausage was cooled considerably during the previous day so that the meat/sausage stays fresh for the next day. So, in contrast to the conventional systems, where the they place the food/meat on serving plates, and disposed when excess meat is left over, the method of including a cooling system preserves the meat and eliminates the possibility of the meat getting spoiled.

The slicing device 100 without cooler is considerably cheaper than the model of slicing device 100 with cooler. In this case, however, the excess meat has to be disposed exactly how it’s conventionally performed, but with significantly better hygiene. In front of the slicing device 100, a display section is provided where the customer can see the type of meat/food placed within the slicing device 100. The employee can change the text on the display using a button, which only the employee have access to, and therefore the customer is enabled to view the cold cut sausages available in the machine. In an example, apart from food like meant and sausage, the slicing device 100 is further used to slice cheese, rye bread, bread and other similar food items, which is achieved by changing the type of knife 105 used for the slicing activity.

The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present concept disclosed herein. While the concept has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the concept has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the concept is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the concept extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the concept in its aspects.

Claims

A cutting unit 100 configured to cut meat, comprising: a cupboard 101; a general box-shaped meat rack 102 erected at a predefined angle, and inserted into a groove 103 located on the cupboard 101, the meat rack 102 configured to receive and hold the meat in position; a cutting unit 104 removably mounted over the cupboard 101 and located below the meat rack 102, the cutting unit 104 consists of a knife 105 driven by an electric motor 106 to cut the meat located in the meat rack 102; a slide rail 107 removably mounted on the cupboard 101 and connected with hinges to the meat rack 102, the slide rail 107 configured to be driven by the electric motor 106 to move the meat rack 102 along the knife 105, and allowing the meat to be cut by the knife 105.

2. The cutting unit 100 of claim 1, further consists of an adjustable plate 108 which is slidable and attached to the cupboard 101, to which the adjustment plate 108 is configured to place the meat on the cupboard 101.

3. The cutting unit 100 of claim 2 further comprises a handle 109 located adjacent to the adjustment plate 108, the handle 109 being a threaded screw configured to change the position of the adjustment plate 108, thereby adjusting the thickness of the meat cut by the knife 105 when the meat is placed in the meat rack 102.

4. The cutting unit 100 of claim 1 further comprises a weight block 110 slidably secured along the length of the meat rack 102 to press and hold the meat in place in the meat rack 102.

The cutting unit 100 of claim 4, wherein the weight block 110 consists of spikes attached to the weight block surface 110 to grasp the meat to be pressed and held in the meat rack 102.

The cutting unit 100 of claim 1, further comprises a top cabinet 111 attached over the cupboard, wherein the top cabinet 111 is configured to insulate the knife 105 from contacting a user's hands during cutting of the meat, and to provide hygienic conditions during cutting. of the meat.

The cutting unit 100 of claim 6, wherein the top cabinet 111 consists of a door 112 with a key lock 113 for locking the door with 112, wherein the door 112 is configured to allow the user to place meat in the meat rack 102 and to remove the meat from the meat rack 102, after the cutting process.

The cutting unit 100 of claim 1, wherein the electric motor 106 is located under the cupboard 101, in a cavity 114 defined by the cupboard 101, wherein the electric motor 106 is operatively connected to the lower sections of the meat rack 102 and the knife 105, wherein it electric motor 106 consists of: a motor 115; a toothed belt 116, consisting of a belt attached to a shaft 117 on the motor 115, wherein the belt is configured to move the meat rack 102 in a reciprocating motion, and is further configured to transfer the belt to the shaft 118 of the knife 105, allow rotation of the knife 105, thereby cutting the meat.