EP2144735B1 - Apparatus for portioning food - Google Patents

Abstract

The portioning device has a press unit (1) with two long chambers, each with a closing element, closing-element drive (7), at least one press punch with drive, a portioning plate (2) with several portioning chambers (9), a portioning-plate drive, a cutting element between the press unit and the portioning plate, and a drive for the cutting element.

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a device for portioning food, in particular meat.

Such devices are used to cut food into portions, for example in the form of slices, the same weight and / or thickness. The foods include, for example, fresh meat, sausage, ham, cheese, vegetables or baked goods. Known devices for slicing sausage or cheese are also referred to as slicers. Sausage or cheese differs from freshly grown meat because of its consistency in that the corresponding loaves have a solid shape with a volume determined by the production. The slicers are therefore equipped with a device for holding the loaves during slicing of the slices. In contrast, pieces of fresh grown meat do not have a solid shape or volume, unless frozen or frozen. For portioning such pieces of meat it is therefore not enough to keep the pieces of meat as in known slicers. Portioning devices therefore have a pressing chamber in which the piece of meat is first compressed. After completion of the pressing process, the volume which fills the piece of meat is known. This is used during the subsequent portioning.

Portioning devices for freshly grown meat are used, for example, in commercial kitchens, in the production of compiled and pre-packaged menus and machine packaging of sliced foods. From a piece of fresh, aged meat or another piece of food individual portions, especially quick pieces of meat, such as schnitzel, steaks or medallions are separated. It is important that the individual portions have a predetermined weight and optionally a predetermined thickness. The slices must be portioned as precisely as possible so that they coincide in their cooking time, the individual portions are not too different and the weight can be stated on a preprinted pack.

From the prior art of DE 103 04 773 A1 For example, a device for portioning food with an inserting drum having a plurality of pressing chambers and a portioning drum having a plurality of portioning chambers is known. The piece of food is compressed in a pressing chamber by means of a side cover and a press ram and pressed into a portioning chamber. Subsequently, the portion located in the portioning chamber is separated from the piece of meat by means of a knife movable between the pressing chamber and the portioning chamber, and the portion is removed from the portioning chamber. For this, the portioning drum is rotated. In this case, another portioning chamber of the portioning drum comes in extension of the pressing chamber. While one portion is removed from one of the Portionierkammern, the other Portionierkammer can be filled again with the food. This process is repeated until the entire food is divided into portions. During portioning, another piece of food can be placed in a second pressing chamber of the inserting drum. If the first piece of food is completely divided into portions, the loading drum is rotated. The portioning can then be continued with the second piece of food. In the now empty pressing chamber can be inserted again a piece of food.

A disadvantage proves in this prior art that the cross section of the press chambers, the ram and the Portionierkammern is fixed and can not be adapted to the particular food. However, this is important in the case of meat, since the pieces to be portioned can differ greatly in terms of their size and consistency. For adaptation, the user can replace at most the inserting drum and the portioning drum, which is associated with a high expenditure of time and costs. If the user refrains from adapting, this leads to undesirable variations in the weight of the individual portions.

Furthermore, it proves to be disadvantageous that the slices in the known device after portioning can not be further processed automatically, for example, broken into cubes or strips or provided with a necessary for Cordonbleu Schnitzel section.

Finally, it proves to be disadvantageous that from the separated slices usually by hand, the residual pieces must be discarded, which do not meet the requirements in terms of weight. Such slices fall, for example, as the last slice of a piece to be divided into portions. Furthermore, it is not possible to cut off slices with different specifications regarding the weight of one piece and to sort these letters automatically.

In addition, it is not possible to move the pressing die of the pressing chamber or the chamber bottom of the portioning chamber to a precisely predetermined position and to vary this position or to adjust the position to the force with which the piece is compressed.

From the DE 10 2004 041 915 A1 a device for portioning food is known, which is equipped with a two-part mold tube existing pressing chamber. The forming tube has a forming tube groove and a side punch which can be pushed transversely into its opening. The cross-section of the cavity in the forming tube depends on the depth of insertion of the side punch into the forming tube groove. The device is equipped with a plurality of press dies which can be displaced in the mold tube and which have different cross-sectional areas. In each case, that pressing die is used whose cross-sectional area is best adapted to the cross-section of the cavity of the forming tube which is predetermined by the insertion depth of the side punch. It proves to be disadvantageous that a plurality of press punches are necessary in order to adapt to the cross section of the forming tube.

The invention and its advantages

This device discloses a device for portioning food, especially meat, in portions of predetermined weight and / or thickness
with a press unit having at least two elongate press chambers and with one closure element per press chamber for laterally closing the press chamber with a closure element drive to move the closure element in the press chamber and adjust the cross section of the press chamber,
with at least one press ram for the press chambers which is equipped with a press ram drive in order to displace the press ram in the longitudinal direction of the press chamber,
with a portioning plate with several portioning chambers, with a portioning plate drive to move the portioning plate (2) relative to the pressing unit,
with a side opening of the portioning chambers,
with a portioning chamber part movably arranged on the portioning plate for covering the opening and for adjusting the cross section of the portioning chamber,
with at least one chamber bottom of the portioning plate,
with a cutting element between the pressing unit and the portioning plate and
with a cutting element drive to move the cutting element relative to the press unit.

Compared to the prior art, the device according to the invention with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that the cross section of the laterally closed by a closure element pressing chamber and the cross section of the ram can be changed and thus adapted to the food to be portioned. The pressing chamber forms an elongate shaft, on the longitudinal side of which a closing element which can be adjusted in its position relative to the rest of the pressing chamber is arranged. Each press chamber is assigned a separate closure element. The cross section of the pressing chamber closed by the closing element depends on how large the distance between the closing element and the opposite wall of the pressing chamber is. In a preferred manner, the closure element is guided through two mutually opposite side walls of the pressing chamber. To move the closure element in the pressing chamber is a closure element drive. This may be, for example, an electric motor, in particular a servo or stepper motor, a pneumatic or hydraulic drive.

The press die closes the press chamber on one of the two end faces. In order to prevent the food pressed together in the press chamber by the press die and the closure element from expanding in a gap between the press die and the press chamber, it is important that the cross-section of the press die is adapted to the cross-section of the press chamber. In order to guarantee this adaptation, the press ram is equipped with two press ram elements defining a pressing surface. These can be moved relative to each other in order to increase or decrease the pressing surface and thus the cross section of the ram either.

The adjustment of the two press die elements to one another can be adjusted by the closure element. The press stamp elements thus automatically follow the movement of the closure element. The adaptation of the press ram to the cross section of the pressing chamber thus takes place automatically.

In a preferred manner, the pressing die elements are pressed against one another or pressed together by the pressing chamber and the closing element. With an enlargement of the cross section of the pressing chamber by moving the closure element, the two press die elements move away from each other, whereby the cross section of the press ram increases again. For this purpose, at least one spring can be arranged between the press-stamp elements. The spring is inserted into the two press ram elements in such a way that it is pressed together already in the initial position of the press chamber, in which the closure element has the greatest possible distance from the bottom of the press chamber. The spring force exerted on the two press die elements forces the two press die elements apart and tends to increase the distance between the two press die elements. This force counteract the pressing chamber and the closure element. They limit the lateral movement of the press-stamp elements and thereby ensure that the two press-stamp elements can not move away from one another at will. Spring and pressing chamber as well as closure element together ensure that the pressing ram with its pressing surface fills the entire cross section of the pressing chamber closed by the closing element. As a result, a gap between the pressing chamber, the closure element and the ram is avoided.

The portioning chambers are adaptable with regard to their cross section to the cross section of the pressing chambers. For this purpose, the portioning chambers have a lateral opening in the portioning plate. The opening is through. Portionierkammerteil covered. This is arranged movably on the portioning plate. The setting of the portioning chamber part relative to the portioning chamber takes place in a preferred manner automatically. For this purpose, either suitable sensors for detecting the position of the closure element of the pressing chamber and a drive for corresponding movement of the Portionierkammerteils are provided or guides or gear, the one Movement of the closure element transmitted to a corresponding movement of the Portionierkammerteils.

Furthermore, the portioning chamber has a chamber bottom which consists of at least two mutually movable chamber bottom elements. The distance between the chamber floor elements is variable for adjusting the cross section of the chamber floor. Advantageously, the chamber bottom elements are pressed against each other by the portioning chamber and the portioning chamber part. In this way, the chamber bottom is automatically adapted to the cross section of the portioning chamber. For this purpose, a spring can be arranged between the two chamber floor elements. Due to the spring force, the chamber floor elements are pressed apart and pressed against the walls of the portioning chamber. If the cross-section of the portioning chamber is reduced, the two chamber bottom elements and the spring are pressed together. The pressure-loaded spring ensures that the two chamber floor elements are pressed apart as far as possible and fill the entire available cross-section of the portioning chamber. This avoids that a gap can form between the chamber bottom and the portioning chamber into which the food can escape. Such gaps or gaps can lead to inaccuracies in the weight of the portions.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the press die elements and / or the chamber floor elements on the side facing each other on several finger-like extensions, which engage in the assembled state of the press die elements and / or engage in the assembled state of the chamber floor elements together. In this case, the distance between two adjacent extensions of a press-stamp element and / or a chamber bottom element corresponds to the width of an extension of the other press-stamp element and / or of the other chamber bottom element. This ensures that the finger-like projections interlock with each other as in two combs and are mutually adjacent.

At the smallest possible spacing of the elements, the finger-like extensions of one element completely fill the spaces between the finger-like extensions of the other element. If the pressing die elements and / or the chamber bottom elements are removed from each other, a distance is created between the tip of each finger-like projection and the apex of the associated gap between two finger-like extensions of the other element. However, compared to the total area of the elements, this gap is very small. In order to prevent the food from penetrating into these gaps during pressing, at least the region of the interlocking extensions of the pressing die elements and / or the chamber bottom elements is advantageously covered by a plate. Since the gaps are small, the ram can build the force needed to compress and displace the food piece without deforming the ram members or the plate. The same applies to the chamber floor.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the chamber bottom to adjust the depth of the portioning chamber is arranged displaceably. In this way, portions of different thickness can be produced. In addition, it is possible to collect several portions in the portioning chamber before they are ejected together from the portioning chamber. In this case, after separation, a portion remains in the portioning chamber and the bottom of the chamber is displaced such that there is room for another portion in the portioning chamber. These steps can be repeated several times until the entire predetermined depth of the Portionierkammer has been exhausted and the chamber bottom has reached an end position.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a sensor for detecting the force is arranged on the closure element of the pressing chamber, which is exerted by the piece of food on the closure element during displacement of the closure element in the pressing chamber.

This force is greater, the further the closure element is inserted into the pressing chamber and the cross-section of the pressing chamber is thereby reduced. The detection of the force allows adjustment of the closure element as a function of the drive of the closure element counteracting force, which in turn depends on the food, in particular its shape and its consistency.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a force limiter is arranged on the closure element of the pressing chamber. This force limiter typically includes a force sensor. Upon reaching a predetermined maximum force which is exerted by the piece of food on the closure element during displacement of the closure element in the pressing chamber, the closure element is locked in the associated position relative to the pressing chamber. It must be ensured that the closure element remains in the relevant position and can not move back to its original position after elimination of the drive.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a displacement sensor is arranged on the closure element. This serves to determine the distance traveled by the closure element when compressing a piece of food or to determine the absolute position of the closure element with respect to the pressing chamber. Such displacement sensors are also referred to as distance sensors. On the basis of the distance covered by the closure element when compressing the food, the cross section of the closed by the closure element pressing chamber can be determined. From the cross section of the pressing chamber, the density of the food and the desired target weight of the portions of the depth of the portioning chamber and thus the position of the chamber bottom is determined.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is on the portioning plate on the side facing away from the pressing unit a collecting container arranged to collect multiple portions. The cross-section of the collecting container coincides with the cross section of the Portionierkammern. The chamber bottom of the portioning chamber is displaceable in the collecting container. This allows the cutting of several portions and collection of the portions before they are ejected from the portioning chamber. Preferably, the collection container is movable together with the portioning plate, so that both parts can be transferred together to an ejection position, while the portioning process is continued with another portioning chamber of the portioning plate.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, an ejection element is arranged on the portioning plate, which ejects one or more separated portions of the portioning chamber. This is, for example, a stamp that enters the portioning chamber from one side and displaces the portions from the portioning chamber. This speeds up the process of ejecting one or more portions from the portioning chamber.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a form is arranged on the side facing away from the ejection element of the portioning, the cross-section of which matches the cross section of the Portionierkammern. The ejection element ensures that the separated portion is transferred in the form predetermined by the Portionierkammer to an additional form. In this form, the further processing or processing of the portion can be done. For example, the mold may be equipped with a plurality of blades for cutting cubes or strips. The portion is thus divided during ejection from the portioning chamber into further small sections. This is done in a single operation without the need for additional stations. Furthermore, during the further processing and processing of the portion, the portioning process can be continued.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the chamber bottom of the portioning chamber is equipped with channels for sucking and / or expelling air or other gases. The device has pins whose cross-section coincides with the cross-section of the channels or is slightly smaller. Further, a pin drive is provided which retracts the pins in a certain position of the portioning plate in the channels and thereby freed the channels of impurities. Such cleaning may be performed automatically after a predetermined number of servings or as needed.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pressing unit is vertically aligned. The pressing chambers extend in their longitudinal direction in the vertical direction. The press ram is arranged on the underside of the press unit. The cutting element is located at the top of the pressing unit. The portioning plate is arranged above the cutting element. This arrangement is characterized in that the press chambers can be conveniently filled from the top with a piece of food. The opening of the pressing chamber, accessible from above, is at a comfortable height for the user. The feed through the ram takes place from bottom to top. The portions separated from the piece are transferred on the knife together with the Portionierkammer in an ejection position. During the further rotational movement of the cutting element, the portioning chamber is released downwards. By a top-mounted ejection element, the separated portion is pressed down and falls onto a conveyor or transport device or a container in which the separated portions are collected.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, one or more transport means are arranged below the Portionierplatte to take over the separated portions and to transport. In a round Portionierplatte with, for example, four Portionierkammern are next to the position of the actual portioning, for example, three positions for depositing a separated portion possible. Each of these positions can be assigned to a separate transport device. In this way, portions can be stored on different transport devices depending on their weight or quality.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pressing unit and the portioning plate are rotatable about two parallel, spatially separated axes. This allows a particularly fast and efficient movement of the pressing unit and the portioning plate.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention cutting tools such as knives, blades or blades are arranged in or on the form to cut the portion arranged in the form in strips or cubes or to produce an incised pocket. In such bags ingredients can be filled in the portion, for example, a schnitzel cordon bleu cheese and ham. The cutting tools can either be fixed or movable in or on the mold. For cutting a relative movement between the portion to be cut and the cutting tool is necessary. If the cutting tool is stationarily arranged in or on the mold, the cutting takes place when the portion is introduced into the mold and / or when the portion is removed from the mold. If the cutting tool is arranged movably on the mold, the cutting can also take place during the stay of the portion in the mold. Advantageously, the mold is equipped with a guide for the movable cutting tool. This may, for example, be a slot in the mold.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mold is arranged in spatial distance from the pressing unit. It does not hinder the process of portioning and slicing the individual portions. The deposition of the separated portions in the mold and optionally the further processing of the portion in the mold takes place only when the cutting operation is completed. At the same time as depositing a portion in the mold, another portion of the piece can be cut off at the press unit. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the portioning plate is arranged rotatably about an axis. It also has an even number of Portionierkammern, all at the same radial distance from the axis and in the are arranged at the same angular distance from each other in the portioning. The rotatable arrangement of the portioning plate has the advantage that the portioning plate can be moved faster than in a displaceable arrangement. This leads to shorter cycle times. If all Portionierkammern in the Portionierplatte the same radial distance from the axis and the number of Portionierkammern even, so the portioning and cutting and the deposition of separated portions of different transport devices can be done simultaneously. This increases the cycle time of the device.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pressing unit and the portioning plate are rotatable about two parallel, spatially separated axes. The rotatable arrangement ensures that the movement of the pressing unit and the portioning plate can proceed faster than with a displaceable arrangement. Two spatially separated axis mean that the press unit and the portioning plate are not mutually obstructing in their movements and that the ejection or removal of the separated portions from the portioning chambers of the portioning plate is carried out in spatial distance from the pressing unit and thus sufficient space for the transport of the separated Portions is available. Parallel axes are advantageous because the cut is usually perpendicular to the direction of advance of the piece in the press chamber and the press chambers are arranged with their longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of the press unit.

The inventive device has the advantage that it is equipped with a servo drive for the ram and / or the chamber bottom may be. Press punches and / or chamber floor can thus approach different predefinable positions and maintain them. The positions of ram and / or ram bore also be dependent on the force with which a piece is pressed together. This is of great advantage, in particular for the pressing chamber. The press ram can be pushed forward in the press chamber until the piece presses against the press ram with a certain predetermined force. The start-up and maintenance of a predetermined position or displacement of the press ram until reaching a predetermined counterforce is performed by a control. For this purpose, the device is equipped with suitable sensors which measure a distance covered, a distance between two measuring points, an absolute position with respect to a zero point or a force. As motors electric motors, pneumatic or hydraulic drives can be used. Particularly suitable are electric motors. To achieve high cycle times are fast drives advantageous that move the ram or chamber bottom in the shortest possible time to a desired position.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pressing die and the can or the chamber bottom are equipped with a force sensor. About this force sensor, the force is measured, with which the piece presses against the ram to vice versa. The same applies to the chamber floor. This measured force is input to the servo drive control.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the press die and / or the chamber bottom are equipped with a displacement or position sensor. While the displacement sensor measures a distance traveled by the ram or chamber bottom, the position sensor determines the absolute position of the ram or chamber bottom relative to a predetermined zero point. The value measured by the sensor is input to the servo drive control.

According to the method according to the invention for portioning food, a piece of food is placed in an elongated pressing chamber of a portioning device and the cross section of the pressing chamber is set as a function of the piece of food. The adjustment can be made automatically in dependence on the resistance which counteracts the closure element when reducing the cross section of the pressing chamber. If the cross section of the pressing chamber is set, then the cross section of the pressing punch and the cross section of the portioning chamber are automatically adapted to this cross section. In this way, an optimized positioning is possible, which is adapted to the individual piece of food. In addition, the cross section of a portioning chamber is adapted to the cross section of the pressing chamber.

Further, the force exerted by the food when reducing the pressing chamber to the pressing chamber is determined. Advantageously, the cross-section of the pressing chamber is reduced until the beginning of the portioning process until a maximum predetermined force is reached. Subsequently, the closure element of the pressing chamber remains in this position and the cross section is retained.

Preferably, this adjustment takes place before the beginning of the portioning process. However, it is also possible to continuously adjust the cross-section of the pressing chamber during the portioning so that the predetermined maximum force is maintained. On the basis of force and displacement sensors, the cross-section of the pressing chamber is adjusted and the set cross section determined.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description, the drawings and the claims.

drawing

Figur 1

perspektivische Ansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Portionieren von Fleisch mit einer Presseinheit, einer Portionierplatte und mehreren Transporteinrichtungen,

Figur 2

weitere perspektivische Ansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 1,

Figur 3

perspektivische Ansicht des Pressstempels mit kleinst möglicher Pressfläche einer Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 1,

Figur 4

perspektivische Ansicht des Pressstempels gemäß Figur 3 mit größtmöglicher Pressfläche,

Figur 5

Pressstempel gemäß Figur 3 mit vollständig herausgezogenem Pressstempelelement,

Figur 6

Seitenansicht des Pressstempels gemäß Figur 5,

Figur 7

Schnitt durch den Pressstempel gemäß Figuren 3 bis 6 entlang der in Figur 6 mit A - A gekennzeichneten Ebene,

Figur 8

perspektivische Ansicht eines Kammerbodens mit kleinstmöglicher Kammerbodenfläche,

Figur 9

Kammerboden gemäß Figur 8 mit größtmöglicher Kammerbodenflä- che,

Figur 10

Kammerboden gemäß Figuren 8 und 9 mit vollständig herausgezo- genem Kammerbodenelement,

Figur 11

Seitenansicht des Kammerbodens gemäß Figur 10,

Figur 12

Schnitt durch den Kammerboden gemäß Figuren 8 bis 11 entlang der in Figur 11 mit A - A markierten Ebene,

Figur 13

Portionierplatte einer Vorrichtung gemäß Figuren 1 und 2 mit zusätzlichen Formen zum Würfelschneiden,

Figur 14

perspektivische Ansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 1 ohne Presseinheit-Antrieb-Gehäuse,

Figur 15

Ausschnitt aus Figur 14 betreffend die Presseinheit,

Figur 16

Portionierplatte einer Vorrichtung gemäß Figuren 1 und 2 mit zusätzlichen Formen zum weiteren Verarbeiten der Portionen.

In the drawing, an embodiment of a device according to the invention is shown. Show it:

FIG. 1

Perspective view of a device for portioning meat with a pressing unit, a portioning plate and several transport devices,

FIG. 2

further perspective view of the device according to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3

perspective view of the press ram with the smallest possible pressing surface of a device according to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4

perspective view of the ram according to FIG. 3 with the largest possible pressing surface,

FIG. 5

Press stamp according to FIG. 3 with completely pulled out pressing stamp element,

FIG. 6

Side view of the ram according to FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7

Section through the ram according to FIGS. 3 to 6 along the in FIG. 6 plane marked A - A,

FIG. 8

perspective view of a chamber floor with the smallest possible chamber bottom area,

FIG. 9

Chamber floor according to FIG. 8 with the largest possible chamber bottom area,

FIG. 10

Chamber floor according to FIGS. 8 and 9 with fully withdrawn chamber floor element,

FIG. 11

Side view of the chamber floor according to FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12

Section through the chamber floor according to FIGS. 8 to 11 along the in FIG. 11 with A - A marked plane,

FIG. 13

Portioning plate of a device according to FIGS. 1 and 2 with additional forms for dicing,

FIG. 14

perspective view of the device according to FIG. 1 without press unit drive housing,

FIG. 15

Extract from FIG. 14 concerning the press unit,

FIG. 16

Portioning plate of a device according to FIGS. 1 and 2 with additional molds for further processing of the portions.

Description of the embodiment

In the FIGS. 1 and 2 a device for portioning meat is shown in two different perspective views. The device essentially consists of a press unit 1, a portioning plate 2 and a knife rotatably arranged between the pressing unit and the portioning plate. The knife is in the perspective view according to FIG. 1 and 2 not visible. The press unit 1 has two press chambers 3a and 3b which are delimited by a respective press chamber housing 4a and 4b and one closure element 5a and 5b each. In the illustrations according to FIG. 1 and 2 the pressing chamber 3a is below the portioning plate 2 and is therefore not visible. This also applies to the closure element 5a of the pressing chamber 3a. Only the compression chamber housing 4a is partially visible. The press unit 1 is driven by a press unit drive for rotation. This is arranged in the press unit drive housing 6. The pressing unit 1 occupies essentially two positions. In a first in the FIGS. 1 and 2 As shown, the first pressing chamber 3a is located below the portioning plate 2 and the second pressing chamber 3b is at the maximum distance from the portioning plate 2. In this setting, the piece of meat located in this pressing chamber 3a is divided into portions.

The second pressing chamber 3b is not covered by the portioning plate 2 and therefore freely accessible from above. In it a piece of meat can be introduced from above. In order to facilitate insertion, the closure element 5b is pulled out of the compression chamber housing 4b to such an extent that the cross section of the compression chamber 3b has its greatest possible initial setting. As soon as a piece of meat, not shown in the drawing, is inserted into the pressing chamber 3b, the closing element 5b is pushed into the pressing chamber housing 4b with the aid of a closing element drive 7 in order to reduce the cross section of the pressing chamber 3b. A force sensor, not shown in the drawing, thereby determines the force with which the piece of meat counteracts the closure element drive 7. Upon reaching a predetermined maximum force, the closure element 5b is locked in position. The corresponding to the relevant setting of the closure element 5b cross section of the pressing chamber is determined by a, also not recognizable in the drawing displacement sensor.

As soon as the piece of meat arranged in the first pressing chamber 3a has been completely divided into portions, the pressing unit 1 is rotated and the second portioning chamber 3b filled with a piece of meat is moved under the portioning plate 2. The first pressing chamber 3a is now empty and can be refilled with a piece of meat. This is done in the same way as described above. The displacement of the closure elements 5 a and 5 b can take place before, during or after the rotation of the press unit 1.

The two press chambers 3a and 3b are identical.

For portioning, a pressing ram 8 is inserted from below into the pressing chamber 3a or 3b arranged below the portioning plate 2. The punch can also be referred to as a plunger. He is in the FIGS. 1 and 2 not visible. He is in the FIGS. 3 to 7 and 15 shown. The ram 8 pushes the meat from bottom to top in a above the pressing chamber 3a or 3b arranged portioning chamber 9 of Portioning plate 2. The portioning plate 2 is equipped with a total of 4 portioning chambers 9. Above the position at which a pressing chamber 3a or 3b can be brought into coincidence with a portioning chamber 9, a chamber bottom 10 is arranged to be displaceable in the vertical direction. For moving the chamber bottom 10, a chamber bottom drive 11 is provided. It is a servo drive with an electric motor. The chamber bottom 10 is inserted from above into a portioning chamber 9. The thickness and thus the weight of a portion depends on how far or how deep the bottom of the chamber protrudes into the portioning chamber. The weight of the portions and their thickness is thus adjustable over the position of the chamber bottom 10.

The piece of meat is pressed from below through the press ram 8 into the portioning chamber 9 closed by the chamber bottom 10, so that the meat fills the entire portioning chamber. The press ram 8 and the chamber bottom 10 press against each other. The portion, which is located in the portioning chamber 9 is cut by a knife, not shown, from the piece of meat. To relieve the blade during the cutting process of the ram 8 and / or the chamber bottom 10 can be withdrawn. Subsequently, the chamber bottom 10 is pulled upwards by the chamber bottom drive 11, so that the portioning plate 2 can be rotated by the portioning plate drive 12. The rotation in this case by 90 °, 180 ° or 270 °. This depends on the quality of the portion. End pieces of the meat piece, which have a lower weight than the predetermined target weight, for example, can be separated from the remaining portions. The knife, not visible in the drawing, is rotated together with the portioning plate 2 until the separated portion is above the intended ejection position. Subsequently, the knife is returned to its original position above the pressing chamber to cut off the next portion. The portioning chamber 9 is now open at the bottom. With the help of a stamp-like ejection element 13, the separated portion is pushed down from the portioning chamber 9 and falls into a container 14, which is moved by a transport device 15. A second punch-like Ausstoßstelement 16 is located above a second transport means 17. Both ejectors 13 and 16 are equipped with drives 18 and 19.

While a portion with the aid of one of the two ejection elements 13 or 16 ejected from a portioning chamber 9 and stored in a container 14, in a further portioning chamber 9 of the portioning 2, which is located above the pressing chamber 3a, a portion measured and through the knife cut off from the piece of meat. This process is repeated until the entire piece of meat arranged in the pressing chamber 3a is divided into portions. Subsequently, the pressing unit 1 is rotated to divide another piece of meat in the same way in portions.

In the transition from the position of a pressing chamber 3a or 3b below the portioning plate 2 into a position for filling the pressing chamber, the associated closing element 5a or 5b is pulled out of the pressing chamber housing 4a or 4b, so that the cross section of the pressing chamber increases again and the insertion of a piece of meat is relieved. The position and the force of the closure element 5a or 5b are continuously detected not only when a new piece of meat is inserted, but also during the portioning process. If the force decreases or increases due to the shape of the piece of meat during the portioning operation, the position of the closure element can be adjusted during the portioning process.

The FIGS. 3 to 7 show the press stamp in different views. The press stamp has a holder 20, on which a in FIG. 15 recognizable press-rod 39 can be fixed, which the movement of a in the Figures 14 and 15 recognizable press ram drive 38 transmits to the ram. The press ram 8 also has two press ram elements 21 and 22, which are each equipped with finger-like projections 23. The first ram member 21 is fixedly connected to the holder 20. The second press-stamp element 22 is displaceable relative to the first press-stamp element. The second ram member 22 is for this purpose in a in FIG. 6 recognizable slot of the ram 8 out. The guide is also reinforced by the finger-like extensions 23, with which the two press-stamp elements 21 and 22 engage with each other. The finger-like extensions 23 of the two punch elements and the distances between the finger-like extensions 23 are formed identically in both punch elements 21, 22. On the side facing the pressing chamber, the two pressing die elements 21 and 22 are covered by a plate 24. In two of the finger-like extensions 23 of the second ram member 22, two pins 25 are slidably mounted. They are supported by springs, not visible in the drawing, on the second ram element 22. The springs push the two pins 25 to the outside. They ensure that without the action of an external force, the two press-stamp elements 21 and 22 in the starting position according to FIG. 4 have the greatest possible distance. Only by the action of an external force can they enter the in FIG. 3 shown position in which the finger-like extensions 23 are so close to each other that there is no gap and no gap between them. In this setting, the pins 25 are completely pressed into the channels provided for this purpose, the finger-like extensions 23. The force which presses the two press-stamp elements 21 and 22 together is exerted by a press-chamber housing 4a, 4b and the associated closure element 5a, 5b.

In the FIGS. 8 to 12 the chamber bottom 10 is shown, which is adjustable with respect to its chamber bottom surface just like the press ram. The structure of the chamber bottom with a holder 26, two chamber bottom elements 27 and 28, finger-like extensions 29, a plate 30 and pins 31 corresponds to the structure of the press ram. The functionality is identical.

The force which presses the two chamber bottom elements 27 and 28 together is exerted on the chamber bottom 10 by the portioning chamber 9. In addition, the chamber bottom is additionally equipped with channels 32 and connections 33 to extract air from the portioning chamber or to introduce compressed air. The suction of air favors the complete filling of the portioning chamber with meat. The introduction of compressed air promotes the ejection of a portion from the portioning chamber.

FIG. 13 shows the portioning plate 2 with two ejection elements 13 and 16, a drive 34 for the knife, and the portioning plate drive 12 and additional molds 35 below the portioning plate 2, with which a portion can be divided into cubes. Each of the two molds 35 is equipped with a gate of several blades. The two ejection elements 13 and 16 press a portion disposed in a portioning chamber 9 down into the molds 35, whereby the portion is cut into cubes. The cubes then fall down and are sent for further processing.

FIG. 14 shows the device in a similar view as in FIG. 1 , In contrast to FIG. 1 is the second conveyor 36 formed only half as long, the second conveyor 17 in FIG. 1 , In addition, the press unit 1 without pressing unit drive housing 6 is shown. Because of this, are in FIG. 14 the drive 37 for rotating the press unit 1 and the ram drive 38 can be seen. It is the punch drive 38 is a servo drive with an electric motor.

FIG. 15 shows a section FIG. 14 , In the section, only the pressing unit 1 is shown. The pressing chamber housing 4b and the closing element 5b are missing, so that the pressing ram 8 with the pressing ram bar 39 can be seen. The press ram rod 39 transmits the stroke of the ram drive 38 to the ram 8.

FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment of molds 40, in which a portion can be stored after cutting by the portioning and a discharge element 13. The molds 40 do not contain cutting tools. They only supply the portions of the further processing and thereby receive the predetermined by the Portionierkammern form.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

press unit

2

portioning

3a

baling chamber

3b

baling chamber

4a

Press chamber housing

4b

Press chamber housing

5a

closure element

5b

closure element

6

Press unit driving housing

7

Fastener-driving

8th

press die

9

portioning

10

chamber floor

11

Chamber floor drive

12

Portionierplatten drive

13

ejection element

14

container

15

transport means

16

second ejection element

17

second transport device

18

Drive the first ejection element

19

Drive the second ejection element

20

Holder on the press ram

21

Press plunger element

22

Press plunger element

23

finger-like extension

24

plate

25

pen

26

Holder on the bottom of the chamber

27

Chamber floor element

28

Chamber floor element

29

finger-like extension

30

plate

31

pen

32

Duct for compressed air

33

Connection for compressed air

34

knife drive

35

Shape for dicing

36

second transport unit

37

Drive for rotating the press unit

38

Press punch drive

39

Press plunger rod

40

shape

Claims (7)

1. Apparatus for portioning food, in particular meat, into portions with a predetermined weight and/or a predetermined thickness
   with a pressing unit (1) with at least two elongate press chambers (3a, 3b) and with one closure element (5a, 5b) per press chamber (3a, 3b) for sealing the press chambers (3a, 3b) laterally,
   with one closure element drive (7) to move the closure element (5a, 5b) within the press chamber (3a, 3b) and to adjust the cross-section of the press chamber (3a, 3b),
   with at least one plunger (8) for the press chambers (3a, 3b), which is equipped with a plunger drive (38) to move the plunger (8) in the longitudinal direction of the press chamber (3a, 3b),
   with at least two plunger elements (21, 22) moving towards each other to define a pressing area of the plunger (8),
   with variable settings of the plunger elements (21, 22) in relation to one another to adjust the cross-section of the pressing area,
   with a portioning plate (2) with several portioning chambers (9), with a portioning plate drive (12) to move the portioning plate (2) relative to the pressing unit (1),
   with a lateral opening in the portioning chambers (9),
   with a moving portioning chamber section positioned on the portioning plate (2) to cover the aperture and to adjust the cross-section of the portioning chamber (9),
   with at least one chamber base (10) on the portioning plate (2),
   with at least two chamber base elements (27, 28) of the chamber base moving towards each other,
   with variable settings of the chamber base elements (27, 28) in relation to one another to adjust the cross-section of the chamber base,
   with a cutting element between the pressing unit (1) and the portioning plate (2) and
   with a cutting element drive (34) to move the cutting element relative to the pressing unit (1).
2. Apparatus according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the plunger elements (21, 22) and/or the chamber base elements (27, 28) on the sides facing each other exhibit several finger-like extensions (23, 29) which interlock when fitted together with the result that the distance between two adjoining extensions (23, 29) of a plunger element (21, 22) and/or of a chamber base element (27, 28) corresponds to the width of an extension (23, 29) on the other plunger element (21, 22) and/or the other chamber base element.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that at least the section of the interlocking extensions (23, 29) is covered by a plate (24, 30).
4. Apparatus according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the chamber base (10) for adjusting the depth of the portioning chamber (9) is arranged movably.
5. Apparatus according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that a sensor to detect the force exerted by the piece of food on the closure element (5a, 5b) when the closure element (5a, 5b) is displaced within the press chamber (3a, 3b) is positioned on the closure element (5a, 5b) of the press chamber (3a, 3b).
6. Apparatus according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that a displacement sensor is positioned on the closure element (5a, 5b) to determine the distance travelled by the closure element (5a, 5b) when a piece of food is compressed or to determine the absolute position of the closure element (5a, 5b) in relation to the press chamber (3a, 3b).
7. Apparatus according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the chamber base (10) of the portioning chambers (9) is fitted with channels (32) for drawing in and/or expelling air or other gases, and that the apparatus is fitted with pins, the cross-section of which corresponds to the cross-section of the channels or is marginally smaller, and that the apparatus is equipped with a pin drive to extend the pins into the channels when the portioning plate is in a given position and to clear the channels of contaminants.

Images