EP1704973B2 - Method and apparatus for slicing elongated food products - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of cutting a strip form food involves placing the foodstuff on a support (2) to be gripped (18,19) at its outer end and pushed forwardly to a cutter (8). During cutting, the foodstuff is held by a lower holder (15) in the direction of a lifting surface (3) of the support. The foodstuff is protected from tipping by a retainer (22) during feeding.

Description

The invention relates to a method for cutting a strand-shaped food, wherein a Gutsstrang of the food is placed in an insertion area of a cutting machine, an engagement element of Greifeinnung is positively engaged with a rear end of the Gutsstrangs in the feed direction and then the Gutsstrang with the gripper device continuously on a cutting device is advanced to and cut there, wherein the Gutstrang is pressed during the cutting process by means of a holding device in the direction of a footprint of the insertion, wherein the Gutsstrang is secured substantially only during the penetration of the engagement element in Gutsstrang by means of a fixing device against tilting.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for cutting a strand-shaped food, with the above-mentioned method is executable.

State of the art

The use of Greifereinrichtnngen for secure fixation of Gutsstrangs during the feed and cutting operation is well known. Both gripper devices with claw- or claw-shaped engagement elements, which are pivoted from a rest position into an insertion position, but also those in which the engagement element, which in this case may also have tines arranged within a plane, are conventional in the Gutsstrang in a linear direction is introduced. During the advance of the Gutsstrangs on the Schneideinnchtung and the successive cutting of, for example, discs, the engagement elements remain within the Gutsstrangs. Shortly before the engagement element would enter the sphere of influence of the cutting device, the cutting process will be interrupted and the remaining part of the Gutsstrangs still retained by the engagement element will be released. After a return movement of the gripper device, the engagement element can then again be brought into engagement with the rear end of a next Gutsstrangs.

From the publication US 5,989,116 is a cutting machine for meat with large pieces of bone known whose insertion is provided with a cover 94 which covers the Gutstrang in the closed position positively over its entire length and should fix against any displacement. In the region of the material strand facing the blade of the cutting machine, there is another device 200 which presses the material strand onto the bottom of the insertion region, the contact pressure being higher in the period of the cutting process, as in the "idling" of the blade. By means of the device 200, on the one hand, a displacement of the material strand during the cutting process is to be prevented and, on the other hand, the advancing movement of the material strand during "idling" is possible. The device 200 is thus to be equated with the hold-down according to the present application.
Although the Gutstrang is on the one hand during the penetration of the feed device 174 secured in the Gutstrang, but on the other hand it is secured during the entire separation process by means of the cover against tilting.

The publication US 5,481,466 describes a cutting machine for cutting ham into slices, to be made by means of the discs almost the same slice thickness. In addition to means for detecting the weight and the length of the Gutstrangs the cutting machine is equipped with facilities for measuring the width of the Gutstrangs and for detecting the surface contour of its upper side. Furthermore, the machine has a hold-down, which stabilizes the Gutstrang on its side facing the cutter, with pressure in the vertical direction can be exerted on the Gutstrang. Furthermore, a stop (gate 72) is known, which is active only during the penetration of the engagement member, however, the cutting machine according to the US 5,48,466 not via a fixing device, by means of which the Gutstrang can be secured against tilting during the penetration of the engagement element of the gripping device. The scanning device is likewise not arranged between the fixing device and the hold-down device. The state of the art also includes the generic cutting machine with the designation MCS 902-2003 Weber Maschinenbau GmbH, Breidenbach, Germany.

Particularly in the case of irregularly shaped product strands of a hard food, such as raw ham, it is disadvantageous in the known methods that, at the moment in which the engaging element enters the Gutsstrang, this lifts from the footprint in the deposit area. In particular, if between the rear end of the Gutsstrangs and the footprint - due to the shape of Gutsstrangs - a space is due to the large forces that oppose the penetration of the engaging member, the rear end of the Gutsstrangs pressed down it comes in the front of the Gutsstrangs to lift off. Such a process is undesirable because it leads to permanently unstable conditions during the advance and the cutting of such a fixed Gutsstrangs.

task

The invention has for its object to provide a method and apparatus for cutting a rope-shaped food, in which or in which a tilting of the Gutsstrangs in the process of penetration of the engagement member of the gripper device is avoided to after the penetration of the engagement member one for the subsequent Feed and cutting operation to obtain useful fixation of Gutsstrangs.

solution

Starting from the method of the beginning beschbewen type, this object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

The fixing device is an additional device to the gripper device and to the hold-down device, with which, together with the gripper device, the goods strand is held at least at two different locations. The point of application of the fixing device and the point of engagement of the engagement element of the gripper device are to be positioned so that tilting of the Gutsstrangs is prevented. In particular, the Gutsstrang can be kept on both sides of a typically central bearing area so that moments of different rotational direction can be introduced into the Gutsstrang and optimally cancel each other. But also a support of Gutsstrangs on the underside by the fixing device is in principle conceivable to compensate for the forces exerted by the engagement element forces. Thus, while the fixing device is at least during the penetration of the engagement member of the gripping device sicherd actively, the pressing effect of the known, independently of the fixing taxable and movable hold-down device typically - temporally and spatially - later, since the hold-down device usually only in a short distance is arranged in front of the cutting device. However, an overlap of the active phases of fixing device and hold-down device is not excluded.

Characterized that according to the invention, the Gutsstrang is prevented even in the moment in which the engagement element enters the Gutsstrang to an unwanted and usually uncontrolled movement, the Gutsstrang is always in a secure state, which immediately initiate the other to the cutting process counting process steps allowed, such as the controlled and free movement of the Gutsstrangs by a scanning device and the subsequent slicing. Without the fixing device according to the invention, there would be a risk that the Gutsstrang under the action of existing even with known machines Niederhaltareinrichtung, which is usually located between the scanning device and the cutter, in the transverse direction to the feed direction, ie in particular on the footprint of the loading area, is displaced , whereby the measurement result of the scanning device and thus the weight accuracy of the cut slices is adversely affected.

According to the method according to the invention, it is proposed that the securing of the Gutsstrangs against tilting by means of the fixing substantially only during the penetration of the engagement element of Greifeinnchtung takes place. At the latest at a time when a front end of the Gutsstrangs is in the sphere of influence of the arranged in front of the cutter hold-down, a force effect of the fixing is no longer required. The fixing device can then create in its deactivated form during the further feed of the Gutsstrangs required for the passage of the gripper device free space in the region of the conveyor cross-section.

Characterized in that the Gutsstrang is advanced during the penetration of the engaging element of Greifeseintichtung and fixing by means of the fixing device on the Schneideinnchtung and the gripper device and at least one standing with the surface of Gutsstrang contact element of the fixing device at the same speed on the cutting plane to be moved , The feed of the Gutsstrangs can be continued without interruption at the moment of activating the gripping device and the fixing device. This is important in so-called continuous Schneidverfahien in which the Gutsstrang without standstill from the loading area on the cutter to be advanced.

The invention further ausgestaltend is provided that the securing of the Gutsstrangs against tilting by fixing takes place at the opposite end of the engagement element of the gripper device. Since the contact area of Gutsstrangs is usually in the middle, in this way the introduction of opposite torques is achieved by a possible pivot point and thus the Gutsstrang held down on both sides, without that he could turn unintentionally.

In a simple manner, a mobility of the contact element of the fixing device can be realized if it is attached to an arm of the fixing and this arm is pivotable in the feed direction during the penetration of the engagement elements of the Greifereindchtung.

In order to continuously exert a force on the low-holding Gutsstrang during the aforementioned pivoting operation, it is provided to extend the length of the arm of the fixing during the pivoting movement so that the contact element always remains in contact with the surface of the Gutsstrangs. For the extension of the arm, a pneumatic cylinder is preferably used.

Procedurally, a further development of the method also consists in that the contact element of the fixing device remains in contact with the surface of the Gutsstrang at least until a pressing of the hold-down device has come into supporting contact with the surface of the Gutsstrangs. As a result, the Gutsstrang is continuously held down after penetration of the engagement element, at first only by the fixing device, then during a transitional phase in addition by the Nederhaltereinrichtung and finally solely by the hold-down device. An unwanted movement when lifting the contact element of the fixing can be safely avoided.

Furthermore, it is provided according to the invention that the contact element of the fixing device after completion of securing the Gutsstrangs against tilting from a working position is moved back into a rest position in which the gripper device between the contact element and a footprint of the loading area can be moved through.

In terms of the device, the underlying object is achieved by a device for cutting a strand-shaped food with the features of claim 9.

With such a device, the problem of unwanted and unkonttollierbaren twisting a Gutsstrangs, especially a hard food such as Rob ham, safely avoid, as provided as Zusatzatinnchtung fixing allows at a second location to secure the Gutsstrangs.

Furthermore, hereby the typical procedure is met, according to the penetration of the engagement element takes place with continued feed movement of Gutsstrangs. In order to be able to easily fulfill the function of supporting the moving Gutsstrangs, the contact element of the fixing device can be suspended pendulously on an arm whose length is variable by means of a fluid cylinder, preferably a pneumatic cylinder.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, a contact element of the fixing device engages the end of the Gutsstrangs, which is opposite to the end at which the engagement element of the gripper device penetrates. Due to the support at opposite ends, a rotational movement of the Gutsstrangs around a rotation axis in the region of a central bearing surface is reliably prevented.

An embodiment of the invention also consists in the fact that the fluid cylinder is acted upon during backup against tilting with a constant pressure of the working fluid and thereby continuously extended with continued movement of Gutsstrangs piston rod to the end attached thereto contact element with the surface of Gutsstrangs always in To keep in contact. Preferably, the fluid cylinder is in a rest position, in which the contact element is out of contact with the surface of the Gutsstrangs, vertically aligned and is deflected in working position with the movement of the Gutsstrangs on the cutter to corresponding.

Finally, it is provided that the piston rod of the fluid cylinder is guided through a first plate with a slot whose width is adapted to the width of the piston rod and whose projection into the contact surface of the insertion region parallel to the feed direction and by a parallel to the first and within a rotatably mounted with this common plane second plate is guided, which also has a matched in its width of the piston rod slot. In this way, despite the pivotal movement of the piston rod of the fluid cylinder of the breakthrough between the conveyor section and the engine room located above it to a minimum, namely the overlapping portions of the two slots limited. The risk that undesirable substances penetrate into the interior of the machine housing is thereby minimized.

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 Einlegelbereichs 2 is formed by the upper run of a circulating conveyor belt 4, the deflection and drive rollers for the sake of simplicity are not shown. The Contact surface 3 of the insertion region is further formed by a plurality of mutually parallel and between each a distance transverse to Fördernchtung 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 spikes run in circumferential rows, which are axially spaced apart in such a way that between each 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 in this way can penetrate into the Gutsstrang guided along the footprint 3, 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 by far comprises a gripper device 18, which is provided at its the cutting device 8 facing the front end with an engaging element 19 in the form of 5 angled and 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 upwardly extending portion 21 connects. 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 attached thereto engagement element 19th move up and down in vertical direction. In this case, the rod 29 entlag a the vertical stroke up and down limiting slot 32 in a housing 33 of the gripper device 18. The gripper device 18 is supported by means of an angled boom 34 via a slide bushing 35 on a linearly extending guide rod 36 from. 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 connected via a lever mechanism not shown in detail and a pneumatic cylinder 38 drivable such that it carries out a pivoting movement about an axis of rotation, not shown, and in this case of an engagement position, not shown, in which the stripping element is pressed by the Gutsstrang upon penetration of the engagement member 19 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 plates 39 and 41 is carried out on a machine-fixed inclined plate 44, the inclination of the inclined rear portion 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 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 at the time of lowering the engaging member 19 is pressurized, so that the piston rod 25th 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 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 be further extended from the pneumatic cylinder. 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 means 18 is moved continuously at feed speed to the cutter 8, the piston rod 25 of the fixing device 22 by applying the other side of the piston the pneumatic cylinder actively recovered as far as possible. While in the Figures 3 and 4 the piston rod 25 and the contact element 26 in an extended position, ie a Fixicrstellung are shown, the piston rod is retracted so far in a rest position that the contact element 26 is applied directly to the inclined plate 44 and thus has a minimum possible space requirements.

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 Niederhaltereiririchtaug 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 that cause a particularly secure fixation of Gutsstrangs during the cutting process. In this case, the guarantee of an always optimal hold-down force is possible even with Gutssträngen over its length strongly fluctuating cross-sectional height, since the position of the contact element 15 is adjusted continuously and very quickly. 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 remainder piece of the Gutsstrangs, so that the remainder on an adjoining, but not shown in the drawing removal conveyor belt, can be abgegrelegt to later by 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 (14)

1. A method for slicing an elongated food product, a product strand of the food product being laid in a laying area (2) of a slicing machine, an engagement element (19) of a gripper unit (18) being brought into formfitting engagement with a rear end of the product strand in the feed direction (17) and subsequently the product strand being fed continuously toward a slicing unit (8) using the gripper unit (18) and sliced therein, the product strand being pressed in the direction of a support surface (3) of the laying area (2) using a holddown unit (13) essentially only during the cutting procedure, the product strand being secured against tilting during the penetration of the engagement element (19) in the product strand using a fixing unit (22), characterized in that the product strand is fed toward the slicing unit (8) during the penetration of the engagement element (19) of the gripper unit (18) and the fixing using the fixing unit (22), and the gripper unit (18) and at least one contact element (26) of the fixing unit (22), which is in contact with the surface of the product strand, is moved toward the slicing unit (8) at the same velocity.
2. The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the product strand is secured against tilting by fixing on the end opposite to the engagement element (19) of the gripper unit (18).
3. The method according to Claims 1 through 2, characterized in that one arm (24) of the fixing unit (22) is pivotable in the feed direction during the penetration of the engagement element (19) of the gripper unit (18).
4. The method according to Claim 3, characterized in that the length of the arm (24) of the fixing unit (22) is lengthened during the pivot movement so that the contact element (26) always remains in contact with the surface of the product strand and preferably always exerts the same fixing force on the product strand.
5. The method according to Claim 4, characterized in that the length of the arm (24) of the fixing unit (22) is adjustable using a pneumatic cylinder.
6. The method according to one of Claims 1 through 5, characterized in that the contact element (26) of the fixing unit (22) remains in contact with the surface of the product strand at least until a contact pressure element (15) of the holddown unit (13) is in supporting contact with the surface of the product strand.
7. The method according to Claim 6, characterized in that the contact element (26) of the fixing unit (22), after ending the securing of the product strand against tilting, is moved back out of a work position into a rest position, in that the gripper unit (18) is moved through between the contact element (26) and a support surface (3) of the laying area (2).
8. The method according to one of Claims 1 through 7, characterized in that the product strand is located outside the action area of the holddown unit (13) during the engagement of the gripper unit (18).
9. A device (1) for slicing an elongated food product, having a laying area (2), in which a product strand of the food product may be laid, a slicing unit (8), and a gripper unit (18), which has an engagement element (19), which is insertable into a rear end of the product strand in the feed direction (17) of the product strand, the product strand being able to be fed using the gripper unit (18) along a support surface (3) of the laying area (2) through a scanning plane defined by a scanning unit (10) toward the slicing unit (8) and being able to be pressed in the direction toward the support surface (3) using a holddown unit (13) during the slicing procedure, wherein the product strand may be secured against tilting during the penetration of the engagement element (19) of the gripper unit (18) using a fixing unit (22), the scanning unit (10) being situated between the fixing unit (22) and the holddown unit (13), characterized in that a contact element (26) of the fixing unit (22) is movable with the product strand moving in the feed direction (17) as it is secured against tilting.
10. The device according to Claim 9, characterized in that a contact element (26) of the fixing unit (22) engages on the end of the product strand which is opposite to the end at which the engagement element (19) of the gripper unit (18) penetrates.
11. The device according to Claims 9 through 10, characterized in that the contact element (26) of the fixing unit (22) is suspended swinging on an arm (24), whose length is changeable using a fluid cylinder, preferably a pneumatic cylinder.
12. The device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the fluid cylinder is impinged by a constant pressure of the operating fluid during the securing against tilting and continuously extends its piston with progressing movement of the product strand (25) to always keep the contact element (26) fastened to the end thereof in contact with the surface of the product strand, preferably with constant fixing force.
13. The device according to Claim 12, characterized in that the fluid cylinder is vertically oriented in a rest position, in which the contact element (26) is not in contact with the surface of the product strand, and is deflectable corresponding to the movement of the product strand toward the slicing unit (8) in the operating position.
14. The device according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the piston rod (25) of the fluid cylinder is guided through a first plate (39) having an oblong hole (40), whose width is adapted to the width of the piston rod (25) and whose projection in the support surface (3) of the laying area (2) runs parallel to the feed direction (17), and the piston rod (25) is guided by a second plate (41), mounted so it is parallel to the first and rotatable therewith within a shared plane, which also has an oblong hole adapted in its width to the width of the piston rod (25).

Images