EP1177076A1 - Appareil et procede pour decouper des objets - Google Patents

Appareil et procede pour decouper des objets

Info

Publication number
EP1177076A1
EP1177076A1 EP99940455A EP99940455A EP1177076A1 EP 1177076 A1 EP1177076 A1 EP 1177076A1 EP 99940455 A EP99940455 A EP 99940455A EP 99940455 A EP99940455 A EP 99940455A EP 1177076 A1 EP1177076 A1 EP 1177076A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cutting
objects
conveyor
γçó
gap
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99940455A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Arni Sigurdsson
Arni Geir Sigurdsson
Ragnar Sverrisson
Hordur Arnarson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Marel hf
Original Assignee
Marel hf
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Marel hf filed Critical Marel hf
Publication of EP1177076A1 publication Critical patent/EP1177076A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
    • B26D7/00—Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
    • B26D7/27—Means for performing other operations combined with cutting
    • B26D7/30—Means for performing other operations combined with cutting for weighing cut product
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
    • A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
    • A22C17/00—Other devices for processing meat or bones
    • A22C17/0073—Other devices for processing meat or bones using visual recognition, X-rays, ultrasounds, or other contactless means to determine quality or size of portioned meat
    • A22C17/0086—Calculating cutting patterns based on visual recognition
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
    • A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
    • A22C25/00—Processing fish ; Curing of fish; Stunning of fish by electric current; Investigating fish by optical means
    • A22C25/18—Cutting fish into portions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23D—PLANING; SLOTTING; SHEARING; BROACHING; SAWING; FILING; SCRAPING; LIKE OPERATIONS FOR WORKING METAL BY REMOVING MATERIAL, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23D53/00—Machines or devices for sawing with strap saw-blades which are effectively endless in use, e.g. for contour cutting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23D—PLANING; SLOTTING; SHEARING; BROACHING; SAWING; FILING; SCRAPING; LIKE OPERATIONS FOR WORKING METAL BY REMOVING MATERIAL, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23D55/00—Sawing machines or sawing devices working with strap saw blades, characterised only by constructional features of particular parts
    • B23D55/04—Sawing machines or sawing devices working with strap saw blades, characterised only by constructional features of particular parts of devices for feeding or clamping work
    • B23D55/046—Sawing machines or sawing devices working with strap saw blades, characterised only by constructional features of particular parts of devices for feeding or clamping work for feeding work into engagement with the saw blade
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23D—PLANING; SLOTTING; SHEARING; BROACHING; SAWING; FILING; SCRAPING; LIKE OPERATIONS FOR WORKING METAL BY REMOVING MATERIAL, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23D59/00—Accessories specially designed for sawing machines or sawing devices
    • B23D59/001—Measuring or control devices, e.g. for automatic control of work feed pressure on band saw blade
    • B23D59/002—Measuring or control devices, e.g. for automatic control of work feed pressure on band saw blade for the position of the saw blade
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
    • B26D5/00—Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns apparatus and method for automatic cutting of objects into portions of reduced dimensions. More specifically the invention involves utilizing a cutting device placed between two spaced-apart conveyors. The cutting device being operatively connected to a computer and moveable in the space between the conveyors.
  • the cutting means known are circular knives for cutting either transversally or longitudinally, but performing .the cut above the means conveying the object to be cut.
  • US patent no. 4,557,019 a method and equipment is described for automatic control of portion cutting of fish. More specifically, the patent describes portion cutting equipment whereby a transversal circular blade cutter is used.
  • European patent no. 504,446 a method and equipment for automatic portion cutting of fish or meat is described. More specifically, the patent describes automatic portion cutting equipment whereby the fish or meat portions are cut transversally by a sword like cutting device.
  • US patent no. 4,875,254 describes a method and equipment for determining the volume, form, and weight of fish transported on a conveyor and cutting the fish by water jet cutter. By the water jet cutter it is possible to cut the fish longitudinally.
  • the aim of the invention is to present apparatus and method for controlling automatic cutting of objects into portions of reduced dimensions by cutting device which is able to cut the object longitudinally in effective and economical manner.
  • This aim of the invention is achieved by providing an apparatus comprising: a frame, a first and a second conveyors placed one after the other on the frame, for transporting the objects along a transporting path from the first to the second conveyor in downstream direction.
  • the first and second conveyor are separated by a gap.
  • a means is arranged for determining the characteristics of the objects.
  • a computer system is also arranged interacting with the means for determination of the characteristics of the object.
  • a cutting device is arranged on the frame for cutting the objects into portions.
  • the cutting device being operatively connected with the computer system.
  • the cutting device being a band- saw-cutter having a cutting edge extending through the transporting path of the object as well as the gap in-between said first and second conveyor.
  • the cutting edge further being transversely moveable in said gap.
  • the aim of the invention is also achieved by providing a band-saw-cutter that is a continuous band-saw blade cutter.
  • the cutting edge/blade is aligned according to a cutting curve of the object.
  • the band saw cutter is further equipped with a cutting supporting means arranged in a gap in- between the conveyors transporting the object which also forms a plane supporting the object during the cutting operation.
  • the named supporting means is moveable transversely along with the cutting edge in the gap between the two conveyors.
  • One variation of the invention describes arranging a plurality of individually moveable band-cutters spaced apart in the gap in-between the conveyors.
  • the aim of the invention is achieved by providing means for determining the dimensions of the objects comprises imaging equipment.
  • the imaging equipment being a line scan camera or a structural light frame camera device.
  • the means for determining the characteristic properties of the objects being a weighing device.
  • the weighing device being an in- and /or out-weighing conveyor platform.
  • imaging equipment being means for locating non wanted properties in the object or means for determining qualitative properties of the object such as fat/meat ratio, or collar detecting device.
  • the aim of the invention is further achieved by providing a first and a second conveyors placed one after the other on the frame for transporting the objects in downstream direction.
  • the velocity of said first and second conveyor is adjustable according to the determination of the characteristic properties of the objects.
  • the following steps are performed: conveying a present object to be cut; determining/measuring the characteristic properties of said object to be cut; utilising at least one of the characteristics determined/measured to establishing the desired cutting pattern; cutting the object based on said determined/ measured characteristic of the object; said cutting being performed by band saw cutting blade; the cutting blade extending through the conveying path of the object; the cutting blade being transversely moveable with respect to the conveying path of the object, and thereby cutting the objects into portions of predetermined reduced dimension as the objects are conveyed along said conveyor/ conveying direction.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus
  • Figure 2 is a side view of the set-up of the apparatus
  • Figure 3 is a plan view of the set-up of the apparatus
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cutting edge of the apparatus
  • Figure 5 is a schematic electrical block diagram showing the interrelation of the components.
  • Figure 6 is a plan view of how a filet of fish or chicken breast can be cut.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the portioning apparatus, generally referred to at the figures as number 21.
  • the objects to be cut are placed on a conveyor, which can be of any known type.
  • the conveyor comprises a plurality of conveyors longitudinally aligned end-to-end with the other.
  • the first conveyor belt (2) in which the object to be cut is placed.
  • the first conveyor belt (2) transport the objects to be cut to a cutting device (4) placed in a gap (9) between the first and the second conveyor (2, 3).
  • the object Prior thereto or even as the object is transported on the first conveyor the object is measured/ detected, as to determine one or more characteristics of the object.
  • Such determination can be done by weighing by any known art of conveyor weighing means, such as load cell.
  • Such determination can also be done by image measurement of the object where series of images of the object are recorded as image data (see fig. 2 and 3) .
  • the image equipment is made in accordance with U.S. Patent No. 5, 184,733, which is here incorporated as a reference.
  • the image equipment could also be any kind of known so called structural frame camera, or imaging equipment for locating such characteristics as fat/ meat ratio or non-wanted parts. Such non-wanted parts could be bones or other foreign articles.
  • the image data is any kind of such information, although most preferred any dimensional information for the object to be cut that can be used by the computer system, referred io on the drawings as number 6 (see fig. 5).
  • the dimensional information can be either the actual weight measured or calculated weight, calculated on the bases of length/width/height measurement of the object.
  • the imaging means, or the means for determining the characteristics of the object can be of any known type. Such could be line scan, or frame camera taking picture of the configuration (length, height, width) of the object.
  • weighing the object can also be one way of obtaining the required data for the cutting.
  • the computer system (6) receive signals from the imaging and/or the weighing equipment and based thereupon, estimate /calculates characteristics of the object to be cut accordingly. As the object is conveyed further along the first conveyor (2) it will reach the gap (9) between the first conveyor (2) and the second conveyor (3). In the gap the cutting device (4) is arranged.
  • the cutting device herein described and preferred is a band-saw-cutter (7) extending substantially vertically there through. The object is to be cut along its longitudinal axis
  • the band saw cutter (7) is moveable transversally in the gap.
  • the band-saw-cutter transversally either in-between cutting sessions (no object conveyed from the first to the second conveyor) or during the cutting of object, one will be able to achieve two things. Firstly, by moving the cutter in or out of the conveyor path of a particular object no movement of the object is required and it is no reason to align each and every object according to the placement of the cutter. Secondly, by moving the cutter during the cutting operation one can achieve a curve formed cutting path.
  • Pre-input parameters and/or calculated measurements of the velocity of the conveyor belts, and thus the speed at which the object passes through the equipment, are also input to the computer system (6).
  • the velocity of the conveyor belts and image taken by the imaging equipment can be used by the computer system to determine the relative position of the object to be cut on the conveyor.
  • the use of encoders, sensors, or combination thereof can also be used to determine the relative position of the object to be cut on the conveyor.
  • the relative position of the object to be cut is sent to the computer system (6).
  • the computer system (6) then transmits data to a cutting device (4) operatively connected thereto.
  • the cutting device (4) cuts the object at locations based on the estimated weight or other measured/detected characteristics or calculated by the computer.
  • the objects can alternatively be transported onto a third conveyor belt (not shown) across an . out-weigher (not shown), where each individual portioned part of the object is weighed before being transported for further processing, or for grading by the grading equipment (not shown).
  • Figure 2 and 3 shows the design of the equipment seen from the side and above.
  • the means (5) for determining the characteristics of the objects is only shown in an illustrative manner.
  • On the first conveyor (2) a number of uncut objects are illustrated (fig. 3). After the cutting device
  • FIG 4 shows a perspective view of the band-saw cutting device (7) of the apparatus.
  • the band saw cutting blade (7) is arranged aligned with the transporting direction ( 13) of the conveyors (2, 3).
  • the band extend substantially vertically through the transporting path of the object as well as the gap (9) between the conveyors. It is further illustrated that the blade can be rotated its vertical axle and tilted to the sides. In this way a better cutting of a curved cut is achieved. Therefor longitudinal slanted cut can be achieved.
  • the band-saw cutting device (7) can bee any kind of cutting device having a blade that can extend through the object to cut. Such can be traditional endless band saws, with teethed or knife like cutting edge. A string can also be used, as well as jig- or stitch saws or similar.
  • Figure 5 is a schematic electrical block diagram showing the interrelation of the components. The figure is self-descriptive as each of the components are named as well as numbered and their relation (connections) are shown.
  • Figure 6 is a schematic view of how a filet of fish or chicken breast can be cut in the apparatus.
  • the cut can either, be straight longitudinal cut (22), or curved longitudinal cut.(23).
  • As exemplified either by using more than one cutting devices located in the same gap, or by using cutting devices located one after the other it is possible to split the fish filet as exemplified into two parts as well as cut the outside rim (24) away.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Processing Of Meat And Fish (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil et un procédé pour découper automatiquement des objets en parties de dimension réduite. L'invention porte notamment sur un dispositif de coupe (4) placé entre deux transporteurs (2, 3) espacés l'un de l'autre. Le dispositif de coupe est, par ailleurs, relié activement à un ordinateur (6) et est mobile dans un espace (9) situé entre les transporteurs. Les caractéristiques de l'objet à découper sont déterminées. En utilisant au moins une des caractéristiques pour former le motif de coupe voulu, on peut découper l'objet au moyen d'une lame-ruban (7). Ladite lame s'étend sur le chemin d'acheminement de l'objet et est mobile transversalement par rapport audit chemin.
EP99940455A 1998-09-02 1999-09-02 Appareil et procede pour decouper des objets Withdrawn EP1177076A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IS484198 1998-09-02
IS4841 1998-09-02
PCT/IS1999/000009 WO2000013864A1 (fr) 1998-09-02 1999-09-02 Appareil et procede pour decouper des objets

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1177076A1 true EP1177076A1 (fr) 2002-02-06

Family

ID=11097461

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99940455A Withdrawn EP1177076A1 (fr) 1998-09-02 1999-09-02 Appareil et procede pour decouper des objets

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1177076A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU5442799A (fr)
IS (1) IS5874A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000013864A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012170650A1 (fr) * 2011-06-07 2012-12-13 Risco Usa Corporation Machine et procédé pour la coupe et le découpage en portions à haute vitesse de produits extrudés
ES2551417T3 (es) * 2012-02-14 2015-11-18 Albert Handtmann Maschinenfabrik Gmbh & Co. Kg Procedimiento y dispositivo para la separación de productos
CN104057147B (zh) * 2014-06-30 2016-04-06 上海鸿安港口设备附件厂 梨形绳套斜面的锯切加工方法
US10160134B2 (en) * 2016-03-01 2018-12-25 Key Technology, Inc. Method of cutting and cutting apparatus using high pressure liquid
US10654185B2 (en) 2016-07-29 2020-05-19 John Bean Technologies Corporation Cutting/portioning using combined X-ray and optical scanning
US10721947B2 (en) 2016-07-29 2020-07-28 John Bean Technologies Corporation Apparatus for acquiring and analysing product-specific data for products of the food processing industry as well as a system comprising such an apparatus and a method for processing products of the food processing industry
US11304423B2 (en) 2018-05-01 2022-04-19 Risco Usa Corporation Apparatus, system, and method for high speed production of food product
US11498138B2 (en) * 2019-01-23 2022-11-15 Steve Dunivan Bandsaw automated portioning saw system and method of use

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB8330422D0 (en) * 1983-11-15 1983-12-21 Whitehouse J A Sizing apparatus
US4557019A (en) * 1984-08-10 1985-12-10 Seafreeze Limited Partnership Automatic portion-cutting method and machine
US4868951A (en) * 1986-03-01 1989-09-26 Nestec S.A. Cutting of material for obtaining a portion of predetermined weight
US4875254A (en) * 1988-03-22 1989-10-24 Design Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for automatically cutting food products to predetermined weight or shape
IS1666B (is) * 1991-02-19 1997-11-14 Marel Hf Aðferð og búnaður til ákvörðunar rúmmáls, forms og þyngdar fisks eða annarra hluta
US6164174A (en) * 1997-02-13 2000-12-26 H. F. Marel, Ltd. Computer controlled portioning machine

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO0013864A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IS5874A (is) 2001-03-02
WO2000013864A1 (fr) 2000-03-16
AU5442799A (en) 2000-03-27

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