EP1704971B1 - Method and apparatus for slicing elongated food products - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine (1) for cutting an elongated foodstuff into slices, e.g. sausage, has a laying zone (2) where the food is advanced to a cutter (8). A scanner (10) is in front of the cutter, to register the cross section of the material without contact, before slicing The food is held by a retainer (13) against a support surface (3), with measurement of the gap between the pressure section (15) of the retainer and the support surface to be combined with the scanning.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a method for cutting a strand-shaped food at least in slices, wherein a Gutstrang of the food is inserted into a loading area of a cutting machine, the Gutstrang is then advanced by means of a feed device to a cutting device, the Gutstrang before the cutting device by a scanning plane of a scanning device is moved, with which the respective located in the scan plane cross section of the Gutstrangs is determined, and the Gutstrang is then cut by means of the cutting device at least in slices, wherein the Gutstrang is pressed by a hold-down device in the direction of a footprint of the loading area.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a machine for cutting string-shaped foods, with which the aforementioned method is executable.

State of the art

The document D1 ( US 5,48,466 ) discloses a slicing machine for slicing ham in which slices of almost equal slice thickness are to be obtained. The machine is equipped with means for measuring the weight and length of the material strand and may additionally be equipped with means for measuring the width of the strand of material and for detecting the surface of its upper surface. Furthermore, the cutting machine is equipped with a hold-down, which stabilizes the Gutstrang on its side facing the cutter, with pressure in the vertical direction can be exercised on the Gutstrang. However, the hold-down according to D1 is not controlled in such a way that it adapts to the surface of the material strand as a function of the data determined by means of the scanning device.

A cutting machine with a scanning device in the form of a rotatably mounted and a central opening for the passage of the Gutstrangs having scan ring is from the EP 1 258 327 A2 known. Hereby, the cutting method of the type described above can be performed. The non-described in the document mentioned, but in practice existing hold-down is located between the scanning device and the cutter and is set before the start of the cutting process according to the cross-sectional dimensions of the Gutstrangs to be cut. Also known in this connection is the use of adjustable but spring-loaded hold-down devices, which should always provide the same for a sufficient contact pressure of the hold-down device when varying in the longitudinal direction of the Gutstrangs cross-sections.

Such methods and machines with scanning devices are used in particular in so-called "weight-accurate cutting". In this case, despite a changing cross section, in particular the current height, of the Gutstrangs to be cut, the weight of just cut slices before the cutting process as accurately as possible be determined using the cross-sectional determination of the Gutstrangs. The knowledge of the weight of a slice yet to be cut is important because in this way with very tight tolerances the generation of a self-service packaging unit can be produced with slices of food with a predetermined, always the same weight. The weight control of a stack of discs, which was produced by means of such a process for weight-accurate cutting and then forms a packaging unit for self-service retail, is then carried out with the help of a cutting machine downstream weighing device.

The scanning device for measuring the respective cross-section of the material strand of the food usually has a rotatably mounted in a housing wall scan ring, which defines a passage cross section for the Gutstrang. As a rule, two scanning elements arranged offset by 180 ° from one another are arranged on the scanning ring and operate according to a laser-optical principle. The laser beam emitted from the scanning element onto the surface of the strand of material and reflected therefrom is detected differently depending on the distance of the surface from the transmitting or receiving plane of the scanning element, so that an expression follows rotation of the scanning ring by an angle of at least 180 ° about the cross-sectional shape, d. H. the dependent of the angular position removal of the Gutstrangsoberfläche of the scanning elements is possible.

In connection with the weight-accurate cutting arranged before the cutter hold-down device is therefore of particular importance, because during the cutting process moving, especially tilting or shifting, the Gutstrangs must be avoided under the cutting pressure. Such a displacement or tilting would negatively influence the size or geometrical inaccuracy of the slice just cut off, which would lead to corresponding errors in the weight of this slice and also in the weight of the packaging unit to be formed therefrom. It is therefore of great importance that the hold-down device always ensures a secure fixation of the Gutstrangs in the area immediately before the cutter.

The fixed-setting hold-down devices used in the prior art, ie, a fixed distance from the contact surface in the loading area during the slicing of a material strand, have the disadvantage that, in the case of cross-sectional variation of the material strand over its length, in particular in the case of changes in the height of the material strand relative to the contact surface , Fluctuations in the effectiveness, ie the holding force of the hold-down device occur. Even with the sometimes used hold-down devices with spring-mounted contact pressure element is an optimal mode of operation not sure. While the adjustment of the preload is oriented to a mean expected Gutstrangs, the holding force is often too low with decreasing cross-sectional height of the Gutstrangs to ensure a secure fixation. In contrast, with large deviations of the cross-sectional height of the Gutstrangs up the risk that too strong clamping force is generated in the feed direction by the strong growing holding force, which is why the spring bias of the pressing of the hold-down device can not be set very high in principle. As a result, in any case, the contact force is rarely optimal depending on the respective cross-sectional height of the Gutstrangs in the rarest cases.

Object of the invention

The invention has for its object to provide a method and a machine for cutting a rope-shaped food, in which the force exerted by the pressing of the hold-down device on the Gutstrang force can always be maintained at a constant optimum value.

solution

Based on a method of the type described above, this object is achieved in that the distance of a contact with the surface of the Gutstrangs contact pressure element is set by the footprint of the loading area in dependence on the determined by the scanning device cross-section of the Gutstrangs.

Augrund the adjustment of the distance of the contact pressure of the footprint depending on the straight existing there cross-sectional size of the Gutstrangs always the desired height of the contact pressure of the hold-down device can be realized. In this case, information about the respective cross section of the Gutstrangs is used for the positioning of the pressing of the hold-down device, which is present anyway in such a method for accurate weight cutting. For this reason, no additional method steps or devices are necessary for the measurement, so that the effort required to optimize the hold-down function according to the invention is comparatively low. It is only necessary to provide funds depending on provide the measurement results of the scanning device for varying the distance of the contact pressure element.

However, it is by no means mandatory that the cross-sectional determination or cross-sectional detection represents an exact cross-sectional measurement, in particular does not extend to the entire circumference of Gutsstrangs at each detected point. It is quite sufficient, for example, to determine the cross-sectional height at various points by means of a plurality of laser diodes directed in the scan plane from above onto the Gutsstrang and to derive therefrom the maximum height which is decisive for the adjustment of the hold-down device in the first place.

Due to the certain spatial distance between the scan plane and the contact location of the contact pressure element, it is necessary to adjust the contact pressure element so that it occupies the distance assigned to a specific cross section of the Gutstrang from the contact area, if this straight cross section has reached the contact location of the contact pressure element. This means that, depending on the feed rate of the Gutstrangs the setting of the pressing always has a certain time lag with respect to the time of the cross-sectional measurement or detection. This time lag allows with the help of modern electronic data processing and fast-reacting actuators that the required distance of the contact pressure element at the time is actually realized.

A major advantage of the invention is also that the hold-down can be rigid in its currently set position, ie, unlike the prior art spring-down has no elasticity in the vertical direction. This can be achieved, for example, by means of a self-locking drive for the hold-down adjustment, which theoretically can absorb indefinitely large forces of the material to be cut. In contrast, the bias can not be so large in spring-down devices that even with Gutssträngen with rather small cross-sectional height always safe lifting of the Gutsstrangs can be avoided by the footprint of the loading area. Such a lift-off is to be avoided at all costs, since this, on the one hand, distorts the geometrical inaccuracy of the resulting disks and, on the other hand, the scan result, ie the weight of the disks.

Due to the adjustability of the pressing element results in the procedure according to the invention also the possibility depending on the type of food to be cut in each case the distance, d. H. also adjust the contact pressure. Thus, the difference between the set distance and the actual height of the Gutstrangs be chosen to be larger than the hard less elastic foods for compliant, elastic foods.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention is that the cross section continuously determined by means of the scanning device and the distance between the contact pressure and the footprint continuously adjusted accordingly, wherein the determined at a time T ₁ cross section of the Gutstrangs to a corresponding adjustment of the contact element a time T ₂ , which is calculated as T ₂ = T ₁ + s / v, where s corresponds to the distance measured in the horizontal direction between the scanning plane and the pressing member and v of the feed rate of the Gutstrangs. In this way it is achieved that the pressing element is adjusted during the slicing process over the entire length of the Gutstrangs according to its upper surface contour. The contour of the surface of the Gutstrangs is thus copied from the contact element leading, wherein the effective contact pressure by realizing a desired undersize in the distance adjustment according to the food parameters can be chosen freely.

The invention further ausgestaltend is provided that the contact pressure element is driven in the feed direction, whereby a safe and low-power feed can be realized even with large contact forces.

If the distance between the pressure element and the contact surface continuously has a certain degree of weakness or in part also with respect to the height of the material section of the Gutstrangs determined by the material device, the effective holding force can be optimized depending on the food to be cut and during the entire slicing process in the Be held in the optimum range.

With regard to a machine for cutting strand-like food, with a loading area into which a Gutstrang the food is inserted, a cutting device with the Gutstrang successively at least in slices, a feed device with which the Gutstrang from the loading area on the cutter zuvorschiebbar, one arranged in the feed direction in front of the cutting device scanning device, within a scanning plane of the respective cross section of the Gutstrangs is determined without contact, and arranged between the scanning device and the cutting device holding means with which the material to be cut in the direction of a footprint of the insertion region can be pressed , the underlying object is achieved in that a contact with the surface of the Gutstrangs contact pressure of the hold-down device in dependence on the previously determined by means of the scanning device cross section in its distance from the footprint is variable, the hold-down device is controlled by the scanning device.

Hereby, the maintenance of a constant holding force is always made possible in terms of machine technology, wherein the information required for tracking the pressing element has already been advantageously determined by means of the already existing scanning device.

Such a cutting machine is designed in such a way that the time can be derived from the quotient of the distance between the scanning plane and the pressing element as well as the feed speed that a distance corresponding to a specific cross section of the material strand is later adjusted to the contact pressure element than the aforementioned cross section of FIG the scanning device was detected.

According to a development of the machine according to the invention, it is also provided that the contact pressure element is a rotatably mounted or rotatably driven roller, the cross section of which increases chronically from a central region to the edges. On the one hand can be reduced by the rotatable mounting even at high holding forces of the resistance, which is opposite to the feed movement of the Gutstrangs of the hold-down device. On the other hand, the aforementioned shape, with a diameter-reduced central region and an increasing diameter, approaches the edges towards most of the articles to be cut with an upper surface which is convex in cross-section. An improved lateral guidance is made possible by such a geometry of the pressing element.

Preferably, the cross section of the Gutstrangs by means of the scanning device continuously determinable and the distance of the contact pressure element to the contact surface continuously corresponding customizable. As a result, an optimization of the hold-down effect is achieved throughout the slicing process over the entire length of the Gutstrangs.

If the feed device is a conveyor belt which preferably runs horizontally with its contact surface, a simple introduction of feed forces into the material strand to be cut can be achieved within the entire insertion region.

In order to support the feed operation in the last section of the loading area is provided according to the invention as an option that between the conveyor belt and a guide frame for a cutting knife of the cutting device is provided with positive locking elements on its surface additional feed means. In particular, in conjunction with a rotationally driven contact pressure of the hold-down device, which may also be provided with form-fitting elements, results in a positive locking on both sides, which reliably avoids the feed movement.

According to a preferred embodiment, the additional advancing means comprises a roller provided with spines on its outer casing, wherein in each case a strap of an additional conveyor belt is arranged between two circumferential rows of spikes adjacent to the axial direction, the spikes protruding with respect to the plane formed by the straps. Despite a continuous, belt-like support formed by the plurality of straps, the use of positive locking elements is at the same time possible to prevent slippage in the feed.

Finally, a further development of the invention is that the pressing element is attached to two perpendicular to the footprint, preferably vertically extending lifting rods, which are movable by means of a servo drive in its longitudinal direction. The attachment to two lifting rods, preferably at two opposite ends of the pressing, allows a secure guide the same, in particular, this prevents tilting or lateral deflection of the contact pressure at higher contact pressures. The servo drive allows a positionally accurate and fast adjustment of the distance between the contact pressure element and the contact surface for the material strand.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Schneidmaschine unter einem Blickwinkel schräg entgegen der Vorschubrichtung,

Figur 2

wie Figur 1, jedoch in einer anderen Perspektive und einer etwas vergrößerten Darstellung,

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Schneidmaschine unter einem Blickwinkel schräg in Vorschubrichtung,

Figur 4

wie Figur 3, jedoch in einer anderen Perspektive und in etwas vergrößerter Darstellung,

Figur 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Greifereinrichtung,

Figur 6

wie Figur 5, jedoch in einer anderen Perspektive,

Figur 7

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Fixiereinrichtung in einer ersten Arbeitsstellung und

Figur 8

wie Figur 7, jedoch in einer zweiten Arbeitsstellung.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment of a device for cutting food, which is shown in the drawing. It shows:

FIG. 1

a perspective view of a cutting machine at an angle obliquely against the feed direction,

FIG. 2

as FIG. 1 but in a different perspective and a slightly enlarged view,

FIG. 3

a perspective view of the cutting machine at an angle obliquely in the feed direction,

FIG. 4

as FIG. 3 but in a different perspective and in a slightly enlarged view,

FIG. 5

a perspective view of the gripper device,

FIG. 6

as FIG. 5 but in a different perspective,

FIG. 7

a perspective view of the fixing device in a first working position and

FIG. 8

as FIG. 7 , but in a second job.

One in the FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrated device 1 for cutting food in the form of each Gutsstrangs in slices, has an insertion area 2, in which a Gutsstrang of the food can be inserted. A footprint 3 of the insertion area 2 is formed by the upper strand of a circulating conveyor belt 4, the deflection and drive rollers are not shown for simplicity. The contact surface 3 of the insertion region is further formed by a plurality of mutually parallel and between each a distance transversely to the conveying direction having straps 5 an additional feed means 6. The additional feed means 6 further comprises one on its outer jacket with spikes (see, in particular Fig. 1 ) provided roll. The spines run in circumferential rows, the axially in the way spaced from each other, that in each case between two adjacent straps 5 a number of spikes 7 of the roller is arranged. The spines 7 are dimensioned in their length so that they protrude with respect to the plane formed by the straps 5 as part of the footprint 3 and can penetrate in this way in the guided along the footprint 3 Gutsstrang to form a slip-preventing positive engagement.

The device 1 further includes a cutting device 8, which comprises a rotationally drivable sickle-shaped knife 9. Component of the device 1 is further a scanning device 10 with a rotatably mounted scanning ring 11, which is provided with two offset by 180 ° laser optical scanning elements 12 which within a scan plane passing through a passage cross section within the scan ring Gutsstrang in terms of its outer contour, i. of its cross-section, palpating and measuring. The scan ring 11 in each case performs an oscillating rotational movement over an angular range of slightly more than 180 °, whereby due to the two scanning elements 12, the entire outer circumference of the Gutsstrangs is scanned within the scan plane.

Another component of the device 1 is a hold-down device 13, which is arranged between the scanning device 10 and a guide frame 14 for the knife 9 of the cutting device 8. The hold-down device 13 consists of a rotatably mounted roller-shaped pressing element 15, from whose two front ends two vertically extending lifting rods 16 go out. The lifting rods 16 terminate in a drive means 17 of the hold-down device 13. In the drive means, not shown, there is a servo motor, which allows a fast and precise vertical displacement of the two lifting rods 16 and thus also the pressing member 15. The contact pressure element 15 is cylindrical in its central region, while adjoining the conical regions on both sides so that in cross-section in particular concave Gutstränge are also guided laterally. Optionally, the contact pressure element 15 can be designed as a rotatably driven and also provided with spikes roller.

The device 1 further comprises a gripping device 18 which is provided at its front end facing the cutting device 8 with an engagement element 19 in the form of 5 angled and mutually parallel claws. The claws are rigidly connected to a front horizontally oriented part 20 of the gripping device 18. At this part 20, a rear obliquely upward extending closes Part 21. The construction of the vertically movable up and down gripper device 18 is based on the Figures 5 and 6 explained in more detail below.

Another component of the device 1 is formed by a fixing device 22 which, viewed in the feed direction, is arranged in front of the scanning device 10. The fixing device 22 consists of a pivotably mounted in a joint 23 on a frame-shaped part of the machine housing arm 24, which is formed by a pneumatic cylinder. The downward emerging from the pneumatic cylinder piston rod 25 carries at its lower end a contact element 26 in the form of a horizontally extending rod portion which is rigidly connected to the piston rod 25 and this gives a T-shaped configuration at its end. The position of the contact element 26 is on the one hand by retraction or extension of the piston rod 25 variable. Furthermore, the contact element 26, starting from the in the Figures 3 and 4 shown first working position in the feed direction (arrow 27 in FIG. 4 ) pivot by rotation in the joint 23. The structure of the fixing device 22 is based on the FIGS. 7 and 8 later explained again in more detail.

With view on Figures 5 and 6 As can be seen, the rear part 21 of the gripping device 18 is fastened by means of two clamping elements 28 on a horizontally extending rod 29. The rod 29 is at her in the Figures 5 and 6 invisible front end provided with a nut which cooperates with a lifting spindle 30. The lifting spindle 30 is rotated by a drive 31, which may be pneumatically or electrically actuated, via a non-visible belt drive in rotation, so that the rod 29 and with it the kind of boom forming parts 20 and 21 with the engagement element 19 connected thereto Move up and down in vertical direction. In this case, the rod 29 moves along a vertical stroke up and down limiting slot 32 in a housing 33 of the gripping device 18. The gripper device 18 is supported by means of an angled boom 34 via a sliding bush 35 on a linearly extending guide rod 36. On the opposite side of the gripping device 18 with respect to the insertion region 2, the housing 33 of which also extends the extension arm 34 is mounted in a linearly displaceable manner on a further guide device. The linear displacement of the gripper device 18 overall takes place by means of an unrecognizable but generally known drive.

As can be seen in particular FIG. 6 shows, the front part 20 below the engaging element 19 on a hinged scraper element 37 in the form of a comb, which is able to grab with its four prongs between the claws of the engagement element 19. The stripping element 37 is drivable via a lever mechanism and a pneumatic cylinder 38 not shown in detail such that it performs a pivoting movement about an axis of rotation, not shown, and pressed by an engagement position, not shown, in which the stripping element through the Gutsstrang upon penetration of the engagement element 19 upwards is in the in FIG. 6 shown stripping position, in which the tines of the stripping element 37 are located at a level below the tips of the claws of the engagement member 19. As will be explained in more detail later, a still remaining piece connected with the engagement element, which can not be further cut, can thereby be removed from the engagement element 19.

FIG. 7 shows the fixing device 22 in a first working position in which the contact element 26 located at the end of the piston rod 25 is in contact with the surface of a Gutsstrang located underneath but not shown at a first time. The piston rod 25 penetrates a first upper plate 39 in a first slot 40. A second plate 41 arranged underneath has a second slot 42 which extends in its projection into the contact surface 3 of the insertion region 2 in the direction of the feed direction 27. By means of a screw connection 43, the two sheets 39 and 41 are pivotable relative to each other and that within a plane formed by their contact surfaces.

FIG. 8 shows the arm 24 together with the piston rod 25 in a second working position in which a pivoting has taken place by an angle α. Such a pivoting is due to the fact that the contact element 26 moves during the exercise of the fixing function in the feed direction (arrow 17), so that the contact point of the contact element 26 on the surface of the Gutsstrangs during the contact pressure corresponding to the feed rate of the Gutsstrangs by a certain distance in Feed direction has moved. In this second working position, the piston rod 25 penetrates the two slots 40 and 42 at their compared to FIG. 7 opposite end portions. By the pivoting of the rotatable sheet 39 relative to the rigid plate 41, the piston rod 25 penetrates the two sheets 39 and 41 always in a minimized in area passage cross-section to prevent the passage of dirt from the loading area upwards. The attachment of the sheets 39 and 41 takes place on a machine-fixed inclined plate 44, the inclination of the inclined rear part 21 of the gripper device corresponds to the gripper device 18 can move sufficiently far forward.

The operation of the device 1 will be explained in more detail below:

An unillustrated Gutsstrang a food, such as a raw ham with greatly varying cross-sectional shape is inserted into the insertion area 2. The gripper device 18 is positioned in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction so that the claws of the engagement element 19 are located above the rear end region of the Gutsstrangs in the feed direction. The gripper device 18 is then lowered in the vertical direction, so that the engagement element 19 penetrates into the Gutsstrang.

Since the described apparatus 1 is a continuous machine, the conveyor 4 is continuously driven during the above-described operation. The positioning and lowering of the engagement member 19 of the gripper means 18 must therefore be done with moving Gutsstrang, i. during lowering, the gripper device 18 is moved simultaneously with the feed speed in the feed direction. A relative movement between the gripper device 18 and Gutsstrang thus does not take place.

According to the Gutsstrang is held down at its front end during the lowering of the engaging member 19 by means of the fixing device 22 and thus secured against tilting. For this purpose, the pneumatic cylinder forming the arm 24 is pressurized at the time of lowering the engaging element 19, so that the piston rod 25 extends and the contact element 26 is supported on the upper side of the Gutsstrangs in the front end region. Since the Gutsstrang moves during this holding or securing operation in the feed direction, and the contact element 26 must be able to follow this horizontal movement. The articulated mounting of the arm 24 including the piston rod 25 and the contact element 26 allows at this moment that the contact element 26 can follow the feed movement of the Gutsstrangs. The beginning and end position of the pivoting movement are in the FIGS. 7 and 8 shown. Thus, the fixing device 22 also in the in FIG. 8 shown second working position can exercise their holding function, a greater length of the arm 24 is required, ie the piston rod 25 must continue to extend out of the pneumatic cylinder be. Therefore, the pneumatic cylinder is continuously connected to the pressure supply during the fixing operation and therefore exerts in its further extended state according to FIG. 8 a (equal) holding force on the surface of the Gutsstrangs. The end position of the piston rod, ie the contact element 26, thus results automatically by the predetermined system pressure, the compressed air. Regardless of the pivot position of the fixing device 22 thus ensures the Gutsstrang always with the same holding force.

As soon as the engagement element 19 has completely penetrated into the rear end of the Gutsstrangs and the gripper device 18 is moved continuously at feed speed to the cutter 8, the piston rod 25 of the fixing device 22 actively retracted as possible by applying the other side of the piston of the pneumatic cylinder possible. While in the Figures 3 and 4 the piston rod 25 and the contact element 26 are shown in an extended position, ie a fixing position, the piston rod is retracted so far in a rest position that the contact element 26 bears directly against the inclined plate 44 and thus has a minimum possible space requirement.

During the feed of the Gutsstrangs by the scanning device, the cross section of Gutsstrangs is continuously detected within the scan plane in order to draw conclusions about the subsequently cut slices can. The information about the cross section of the Gutsstrangs determined by the scanning device according to the invention, however, not only used to determine the weight of the cut slices, but also for positioning of the pressing member 15 of the hold-down device 13. For this purpose, in particular the information regarding the height of the respective cross-section of Gutsstrangs is needed , If necessary, however, further information about the cross-sectional shape can also be incorporated into the determination of the optimum distance of the contact pressure element 15 of the hold-down device 13 from the contact surface 3. Since the cross-sectional measurement by means of the scanning device 10 takes place shortly before the passing of the hold-down device 13, sufficient time remains to convert the determined cross-sectional information into an always optimal positioning of the contact pressure element 15. When using a self-locking drive for the lifting rods 16 of the pressing member 15, the pressing member 15 is practically not yielding in the vertical direction. With the inventively controlled by the scanning device 10 hold-down device 13 can thus, if necessary, also generate very large holding forces, the one cause particularly secure fixation of Gutsstrangs during the cutting process. In this case, the guarantee of an always optimal hold-down force is also possible with Gutssträngen over its length strongly fluctuating cross-sectional height, since the position of the contact element 15 is continuously and very quickly adjusted. The surface contour of the Gutsstrangs facing the contact pressure element 15 is thus traced by the contact pressure element 15 "as if copied", whereby an optimum hold-down result is achieved.

As soon as the engagement element 19 of the gripper device 18 located in the rear end region of the Gutsstrangs moved up to a safety distance to the knife 9, i. When the cutting operation is completed with respect to a Gutsstrangs, the knife is stopped in a position outside the conveyor section. The gripper device 18 is moved through the cutting plane with the engagement element 19 and the remnant piece of the Gutsstrangs, so that the remainder on an adjoining, but not shown in the drawing removal conveyor belt can be stored to later from the weighing device before to be discharged from the packaging station. In order to release the remainder piece from the gripper device 18, the stripping element 37 is activated and thus the remaining piece is stripped off the claws of the engagement element 19.

The gripper device 18 is then returned at maximum speed against the feed direction and at the same time raised. In the meantime, the next Gutsstrang has been placed on the conveyor belt 4, which is already taken in the already described at the beginning of the engagement member 19 of the gripper device 18 at its rear end. In this case, at the front end of the Gutsstrangs turn the fixing device 22 is back in action. During the entire operation of stopping the cutter 8, discarding the remnant, and retracting the gripper, the conveyor 4 was moved at a continuous speed, namely, the feed speed. In order to have sufficient time for the discarding of the remaining piece after completion of the slicing process of a Gutsstrangs, the gutstrings are placed on the conveyor belt 4 side so that there is a sufficient horizontal distance between them.

Claims (12)

1. A method for slicing an elongated foodstuff at least into slices, with an elongated strand of the foodstuff being inserted into an insertion area (2) of a slicing machine, the elongated strand thereafter being advanced by means of an advancing device to a slicing device (8), the elongated strand is moved before the slicing device (8) through a scanning plane of a scanning device (10) with which the cross section of the elongated strand respectively situated in the scanning plane is determined in a contactless manner and the elongated strand is thereafter sliced at least into slices by means of the slicing device (8), with the elongated strand being pressed by a holding-down device (13) in the direction towards a contact area (3) of the insertion area (2), characterized in that the distance of a pressing element (15) of the holding device (13) which is in contact with the surface of the elongated strand from the contact surface (3) of the insertion area (2) is set depending on the cross section of the elongated strand as determined by the scanning device (10).
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross section is determined continuously by means of the scanning device (10) and the distance between the pressing element (15) and the contact surface (3) is set continuously in a respective way, with the cross section of the elongated strand as determined at a time T₁ leading to a respective setting of the pressing element (15) at a time T₂, which is calculated as T₂ = T₁ + L/v, with L corresponding to distance as measured in the horizontal direction between the scanning plane and the pressing element (15) and v to the advancing speed of the elongated strand.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pressing element (15) is driven in the advancing direction (17).
4. A method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the distance between the pressing element (15) and the contact surface (3) continuously has a certain deficient or excessive amount with respect to the height of the cross section of the elongated strand as determined by the scanning device.
5. An apparatus for slicing an elongated foodstuff, comprising an insertion area (2) in which an elongated strand of the foodstuff can be inserted, a slicing device (8) with which the elongated strand can be sliced successively at least into slices, an advancing device with which the elongated strand can be advanced from the insertion area (2) to the slicing device (8), a scanning device (10) arranged in the advancing direction (17) in front of the slicing device (8), with which the respective cross section of the elongated strand can be determined in a contactless way within the respective scanning plane, and a holding-down device (13) which is arranged between the scanning device (10) and the slicing device (8), with which the material to be sliced can be pressed in the direction of a contact surface (3) of the insertion area (2), characterized in that a pressing element (15) of the holding-down device (13) which can be brought into contact with the surface of the elongated strand can be changed in its distance from the contact surface (3) of the insertion area (2) depending on the cross section determined beforehand by means of the scanning device (10), with the holding-down device (13) being controllable by the scanning device (10).
6. An apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the time difference can be derived by means of the scanning device (10) from the quotient from the distance between scanning plane and pressing element (15) and the advancing speed by which the distance of the pressing element (15) associated with a specific cross section of the elongated strand is set on the pressing element (15) later than the said cross section was detected by the scanning device (10).
7. An apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the pressing element (15) is rotatably held or rotatbly drivable roller whose cross section increases conically from a middle region to the edges.
8. An apparatus according to one of the claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the cross section of the elongated strand can be determined continuously by means of the scanning device (10) and the distance of the pressing element (15) to the contact surface (3) can be adjusted accordingly in a continuous way.
9. An apparatus according to one of the claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the advancing device is a conveyor belt (4).
10. An apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that an additional advancing means (6) which is provided on its surface with interlocking elements is arranged between the conveyor belt (4) and a guide frame (14) for a slicing blade (9) of the slicing device (8).
11. An apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the additional advancing means (6) comprises a roller which is provided on its outer jacket with spikes (7), with a small belt (5) of an additional conveyor belt being arranged between two rows of spikes (7) which revolve adjacently in the axial direction, with the spikes (7) protruding beyond the plane formed by the small belts (5).
12. An apparatus according to one of the claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the pressing element (15) is fastened to two lifting rods (16) which extend perpendicular to the contact surface (3), preferably vertically thereto, and which are movable in their longitudinal direction by means of a servo-drive.

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