EP2226170B1 - Supply chain frame for automatic slicing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (10) has a supply chain frame (12) relatively arranged towards a transport chain frame (11). A product to be cut slice conveyed towards the transport chain frame is transported from the supply frame into a region between the supply and transport chain frames during transport process. The product to be cut is pierced from chain points of the transport chain frame and is transported into a storage device. Movement of chains (3) of the transport chain frame is synchronized with chains (5) of the supply chain frame.

Description

The invention relates to a feeding device for feeding cut slices of a cutting material from a cutting device in a slicing machine to a depositing device by means of a transport chain frame having provided with tips for receiving slices, in particular rollers driven, circulating chains, wherein a deflection is provided, with which the separated during the cutting operation of the cutting material from the area of the cutting device is deflected in the direction of the transport chain frame, and wherein the deflection device has a reaching to near the cutting edge of the cutting device wedge-shaped wiper.

Such feeders are known, for example from the DE 103 29 842 A1 ,

The material to be cut, in particular in automatically operated slicing machines for rope-shaped foods, such as sausages, ham, salmon, etc., is moved by means of a feed device on a feed surface against the cutting device, usually in the direction perpendicular to the cutting plane, in which usually one or more rotating blades circling to cut off slices of conveyed material.

In simple disk cutting machines, the material to be cut subsequently falls in the conveying direction behind the cutting device following gravity and is removed manually. A feeding device for feeding the cut slices from the cutting device to a depositing device can then be completely eliminated.

The DE 84 10 166 U1 already comprises a disc cutting machine with a feeder of the generic type. This comprises a arranged behind a rotating blade disc deflection and a conveyor with a transport chain frame having equipped with spiked circumferential parallel chains, of which taken the cut slices of Schneideguts and in a storage position be transported on a depositing table or a conveyor belt, where they can then be detached by means of a racket from the transport chain frame and stored in the correct position.

For deflecting the discs of the cutting device in the direction of the transport chain frame here a wedge-shaped wiper arranged immediately behind the circular blade on the one hand and either a curved deflecting baffle or a rotating brush assembly provided on the other hand, between which the cut discs from the circular blade to the transport chain frame deflected and pressed there for further transport on the tips of the chains.

However, a height adjustment or a guide for discs of cutting material of different diameters is not provided in this known feeder, which can lead to problems especially at low slice thickness, so thin discs, because the discs on the way between the cutting device and the transport chain frame often sag or waves or fold, so that they ultimately arrive at the deposit no longer than flat slices and can be stored clean. On the other hand, with small-diameter discs, there is a risk that they will sag or break over the long way.

In contrast, the shows DE 295 18 143 U1 a feeding device in which the cutting material to be conveyed after the cutting device between a plurality of parallel wedge-shaped guide claws on the one hand and a toothed feed roller on the other hand is deflected onto the tips of the transport chain frame. Here, although the paths of the discs between the cutting site and transport chain frame are shorter, but a height-adjustable guide to compensate for discs of different diameters is also not provided.

From the cited above DE 103 29 842 A1 is a feeder with a fixed wedge-shaped wiper on the one hand and a toothed driving device with rotating rollers on the other hand known, the cut disc is passed between the two by the cutting device to the transport chain frame. In order for the rotating rollers not to remove any disks stuck thereon from the transport chain frame, a scraper element is also interposed between the rollers and the chains, dipping between the tips of the chains and the disks carried by the carrier away from the rollers on the chain tips suppressed.

Again, the discs, in particular in their middle region with cutting material of larger diameter, again a relatively long way from the cutting place to the transport chain frame cover, especially for large diameters of the round knives in the cutting device. This increases - as stated above - the risk of drape on thin slices and sagging with thick slices.

Object of the present invention is in contrast to improve a generic feeder of the type described above cost and with the simplest possible technical means to the effect that even with varying thicknesses and different cross-sectional thicknesses of the cutting material to be processed as well as larger between cutting site and transport chain frame by the Slices to be traversed - especially for large-diameter circular knives - achieved uniform and reproducible cutting results and get the cut slices without sagging and throw without wrinkles error-free to the place of deposition, the feeder should also be easy to maintain and easy to use.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in an equally surprisingly simple and effective manner in that the deflection device has a transfer device which comprises a driven supply chain frame, which also has peripheral chains provided with tips for receiving cutting material disks and relative to the scraper is arranged such that during the cutting process by the cutting device separated from the cutting material disc passes between the scraper and the feed chain frame, is impaled by the chain tips and forwarded to the transport chain frame, that arranged the feed chain frame relative to the transport chain frame such in that the cutting material disc conveyed during the transporting process from the feed chain frame to the transport chain frame is transported into a region between the feed chain frame and the transport chain frame, where it is separated from the chain tips S skewered transport chain frame and is transported to the depositing device, and that the movements of the circulating chains of the transport chain frame are synchronized with those of the feed chain frame.

The feeder according to the invention thus allows a simple height adjustment to different cutting thicknesses and thicknesses and the easy processing of cutting material with different diameters. The distance between cutting device and transport chain frame now no longer plays a role, because it is always safely bridged due to the inventive use of a feed chain frame of the cut disks. The discs are taken directly from the feed chain frame on the cutting blade and passed on to the transport chain frame without slipping, from where they can then be transported to the depositing device virtually anywhere over any desired distance.

Due to the synchronization of chain movements between feed chain frame and transport chain frame ensures that it can not come at the transfer point to a drape or other unwanted evasive movements of the transported discs. Such synchronization of the chain movements can be achieved most effectively in embodiments of the invention in that the drives of transport chain frame and feed chain frame are synchronized with each other.

In particularly uncomplicated and inexpensive developments of these embodiments, the drives of transport chain frame and feed chain frame are mechanically interconnected, preferably via a common transmission.

Alternatively or additionally, in other developments but also the drives of transport chain frame and feed chain frame by electronic control be synchronized with each other, which allows a particularly sensitive control, electronic components nowadays represent no significant cost factor in the production more.

In a very user-friendly class of developments of these embodiments of the invention, the synchronization of the drives of transport chain frame and feed chain frame automatically takes into account the respective thickness of the cutting material slices cut by the cutting device. Thus, the disk cutting machine equipped with a feeding device according to the invention can be operated without difficulty and without time delays by manual adjustment automatically with different cutting thicknesses.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment of the feed device according to the invention, in which are arranged in intermediate spaces between the chains of the feed chain frame scraper wheels and rotate in the area between the feed chain frame and the transport chain frame promoted to the transport chain frame Schneidegut disc of the chain tips of the feed chain frame on the transfer the chain tips of the transport chain frame. These stripping rollers prevent unwanted movement of the pulleys impaled on the feed chain frame beyond the transfer point to the transport chain frame and ensure proper transfer of the pulleys from the feed chain frame to the transport chain frame.

The transfer safety is further increased in developments of this embodiment, when an abutment device is provided, which supports the chains of the transport chain frame in the region of the Andrückens handed over by the feed chain frame Schneidegut disc. This counter bearing device can be formed, for example, cylindrical, but also in the form of gears. Additionally or additionally, in further developments in the region between the feed chain frame and the transport chain frame, a guide comb can be arranged, which also reliably removes the cutting material disc to be transferred to the transport chain frame from the feed chain frame if the disk is "unruly and stubbornly "sticks to the chain tips of the feed chain frame.

For carrying out an automated operation of a slicing machine equipped with the feeding device according to the invention, embodiments are suitable in which a device for adjusting the thickness of the slice to be separated from the slicing material is provided in the slice cutting machine in the area of the slicing device, comprising a movable stop plate for the slicing material in the transport direction of the cutting material brought to the cutting device in a plurality of positions relative to the cutting device, preferably continuously, can be detected.

In compact and inexpensive to produce developments of these embodiments, a hinged lever means is provided on the stop plate, via which the distance of the transport chain frame can be changed to the feed chain frame.

Especially advantageous are variants of these developments in which at least one axis of rotation of the feed chain frame is movably mounted, wherein the lever device is connected to the axis of rotation and adjusts this during a movement of the stop plate. Thus, with the adjustment of the slice thickness of the cutting material, the distances between feed chain frame and transport chain frame automatically become set to the correct value.

To be preferred are also variants of these developments, in which the lever device comprises two hingedly interconnected levers. This allows a safe, fast and technically unobtrusive adjustment.

In practice, a class of embodiments is distinguished, which are characterized in that the feed chain frame is driven by means of a gear device which is connected via toothed belt or drive chain to the transport chain frame and meshes with a drive wheel of the feed chain frame. The drive wheel rolls in an adjustment of the axes of rotation of the feed chain frame on the gear device, so that always, in particular at any disc thickness, a frictional connection between the drive wheel and gear device is maintained.

In the context of the present invention, a disc cutting machine for cutting slices of particular stranded cutting material, preferably food, with a feed device, which moves on a feed surface cutting material against a cutting device, preferably with a rotating knife moves, as well as with a feeding device, which from Cutting material transported cut slices from the cutting device to a depositing device, wherein the disc cutting machine is characterized in that its feeding device is designed in the manner described above according to the invention.

In a preferred variant in practice, the feed device is driven by a motor and promotes the cutting material on the Feed surface automatically in a direction perpendicular to the cutting plane against the cutting device. Here are the achievable by the invention advantages are particularly beneficial.

The feed chain frame of the slicing machine according to the invention will usually be equipped with spring-loaded chain tension.

Advantageously, embodiments of the disc cutting machine according to the invention, in which the feeding device, in particular the transport chain frame and the feed chain frame, are removably attached to a machine housing of the disc cutting machine, for example, repair, maintenance or cleaning work on the feeder and / or the slicer easier to carry out.

Developments of these embodiments are particularly preferred, in which the feed device is fastened to the machine housing of the disk cutting machine in such a way that it can be exchanged for a feed with a transport chain frame without a feed chain frame. Thus, if necessary, even with older or simpler constructed slicing machines can easily retrofit the feed device designed according to the invention.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures of the drawing, which shows details essential to the invention, and from the claims. The individual features may be implemented individually for themselves or for a plurality of combinations in variants of the invention.

Fig. 1a

eine schematische Draufsicht von oben auf den Übergangsbereich zwischen Schneideeinrichtung und erfindungsgemäß ausgestalteter Zuführeinrichtung zur Ablegevorrichtung in einer Scheibenschneidemaschine;

Fig. 1b

eine schematische Horizontalsicht von der Seite auf die Zuführeinrichtung nach Fig. 1a;

Fig. 2a

eine Draufsicht von oben auf eine Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Zuführeinrichtung mit gemeinsamem Getriebe zwischen Zuführ-Kettenrahmen und Transport- Kettenrahmen;

Fig. 2b

eine Horizontalsicht von der Seite auf die Zuführeinrichtung nach Fig. 2a;

Fig. 3a

eine Draufsicht von oben auf eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Zuführeinrichtung mit automatisch veränderlichem Abstand zwischen Zuführ-Kettenrahmen und Transport-Kettenrahmen während der Verarbeitung von Schneidegut mit geringer Schnittdicke; und

Fig. 3b

die Ausführungsform nach Fig. 3a mit großer Schnittdicke des verarbeiteten Schneideguts.

In the schematic drawing embodiments of the invention are shown, which are explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

Fig. 1a

a schematic plan view from above of the transition region between the cutting device and inventively ausgestalteteter feed device to the depositing device in a disc cutting machine;

Fig. 1b

a schematic horizontal view from the side of the feeder after Fig. 1a ;

Fig. 2a

a top view of an embodiment of the inventive feed device with common transmission between feed chain frame and transport chain frame;

Fig. 2b

a horizontal view from the side of the feeder after Fig. 2a ;

Fig. 3a

a top view of a further embodiment of the feed device according to the invention with automatically variable distance between the feed chain frame and transport chain frame during the processing of cutting material with a small section thickness; and

Fig. 3b

the embodiment according to Fig. 3a with large cutting thickness of the processed cutting material.

In the FIGS. 1a to 3b are schematically from above or from the side of each embodiments of a feeder 10; 20; 30 is shown. This is used to feed cut-off slices of particular stranded cutting material 1; 1 ', 1 ", 1'" (for example, foods such as sausage, ham, cheese rolls, salmon sides, etc.) from a cutting device 2 in a preferably automatic slicing machine to a - not shown in the drawing - depositing device. The cutting material 1; 1 ', 1 ";1"' is lying generally on a feed surface automatically with a - sliced moved advancing against a stop plate 6 and one or more rotating blades of the cutting device 2 - also not shown, usually motor-driven.

Even during the cutting process are from the cutting material 1; 1 ', 1 ", 1"' separated slices from the region of the cutting device 2 by means of a deflecting device, which has a wedge-shaped scraper 4 reaching almost to the cutting edge of the cutting device 2, in the direction of a transport chain frame 11; 21; 31 diverted. The latter has peripheral chains 3 provided with tips for receiving slices of cutting material, from which the slices are transported to the depositing device and are thrown off there, for example with the aid of a whipper 19 .

According to the invention, the deflection device has a transfer device which has a driven supply chain frame 12; 22; 32 , which likewise has peripheral chains 5 provided with tips for picking up slices and is arranged relative to the scraper 4 in such a manner that, during the cutting operation by the cutting device 2, the cutting material 1; 1 ', 1 ", 1"' separated slices between the scraper 4 and the feed chain frame 12; 22; 32 run through, impaled by the spike of the chain and the transport chain frame 11; 21; 31 forwarded.

The feed chain frame 12; 22; 32 is relative to the transport chain frame 11; 21; 31 arranged such that the cutting material slices in a region between the feed chain frame 12; 22; 32 and the transport chain frame 11; 21; 31 are transported, where they from the chain tips of the transport chain frame 11; 21; 31 impaled and transported to the depositing device.

The movements of the circulating chains 3 of the transport chain frame 11; 21; 31 are with those of the chains 5 of the feed chain frame 12; 22; 32 synchronized, which is usually achieved by synchronizing the two chain drives. For example, the drive roller 17; 27; 37 of the feed chain frame 12; 22; 32 approximately by an electronic control with the drive roller 17 '; 27 '; 37 'of the transport chain frame 11; 21; 31 be synchronized. The synchronization of the drives of transport chain frame 11; 21; 31 and feed chain frame 12; 22; 32 may be designed so that it automatically takes into account the respective thickness of the cutting material slices cut by the cutting device 2.

In spaces between the chains 5 of the feed chain frame 12; 22; 32 may be arranged Abstreifwalzen, which rotate with and in the area between the feed chain frame 12; 22; 32 and the transport chain frame 11; 21; 31, the conveyed cutting material disc from the chain tips of the feed chain frame 12; 22; 32 on the chain tips of the transport chain frame 11; 21; 31 transfer.

In the in the FIGS. 1a, 1b and 3a, 3b shown embodiments of a feed device 10 according to the invention; 30 is a respective roller-shaped abutment device 14; 34 is provided, which the chains 3 of the transport chain frame 11; 31 in the region of the pressing of the feed chain frame 12; 32 handed cutting material disc supports.

The FIGS. 2a, 2b and FIGS. 3a, 3b show embodiments of a feed device 20 configured according to the invention; 30, in which each of the drives of transport chain frame 21; 31 and feed chain frame 22; 32 mechanically via a common gear 23; 33 connected to each other and thus automatically synchronized. The feed chain frame 22; 32 is driven in these embodiments via a gear device which via toothed belt 28; 38 with the transport chain frame 21; 31 is connected and with the drive wheel 27; 37 of the feed chain frame 22; 32 meshes, which in an adjustment of the axes of rotation of the feed chain frame 22; 32 rolls on the gear device, so that always a frictional connection between the drive wheel 27; 37 and gear device is maintained.

The FIGS. 3a and 3b Finally, an embodiment of the invention with a arranged in the region between the feed chain frame 32 and the transport chain frame 31 guide comb 35, which replaces the to be transferred to the transport chain frame 31 Schneidegut discs from the feed chain frame 32.

In addition, in this embodiment, a device for adjusting the thickness of the slice to be separated from the cutting material 1 "'is provided in the region of the cutting device 2. The stop plate 6 for the cutting material 1"' is movable here and in the transport direction of the cutting material 1 brought to the cutting device 2 "'in several positions to the cutting means 2 continuously detected relative. to the stopper plate 6, a lever means is hinged, which two levers 36, 36 hinged together' includes. About this, the distance of the transport chain frame can be changed 31 to the feed chain frame 32. At least one axis of rotation a of the feed chain frame 32 is movably mounted and connected to the lever device with the axis of rotation a, that it is automatically adjusted during a movement of the stop plate 6.

In addition to the embodiments shown in the figures of the drawing, many other geometrical and mechanical embodiments of the feeding device according to the invention are possible.

Claims (15)

1. Feeding device (10; 20; 30) for feeding cut slices of a product to be cut (1; 1', 1"; 1"') from a cutting device (2) in a slicing machine to a storage device by means of a transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) comprising continuous chains (3) provided with spikes for receiving slices of the product to be cut, a diverting device being provided by means of which the slice cut from the product to be cut (1; 1', 1"; 1'") during the cutting operation is diverted from the region of the cutting device (2) towards the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) and the diverting device comprising a wedge-shaped scraper (4) extending close to the cutting edge of the cutting device (2), characterised in that the diverting device comprises a transfer device including a driven feed chain frame (12; 22; 32) also comprising continuous chains (5) provided with spikes for receiving slices of the product to be cut and arranged in such a manner relative to the scraper (4) that the slice cut from the product to be cut (1; 1', 1"; 1"') by the cutting device (2) during the cutting operation passes between the scraper (4) and the feed chain frame (12; 22; 32), is pierced by the spikes of its chains and is advanced to the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31), that the feed chain frame (12; 22; 32) is arranged in such a manner relative to the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) that the slice of the product to be cut conveyed from the feed chain frame (12; 22; 32) to the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) during the transport operation is transported into a region between the feed chain frame (12; 22; 32) and the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) where it is pierced by the spikes of the chains of the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) and advanced to the storage device, and that the movements of the continuous chains (3) of the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) are synchronised with those of the chains (5) of the feed chain frame (12; 22; 32).
2. Feeding device according to claim 1, characterised in that the drives of the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) and the feed chain frame (12; 22; 32) are synchronised with one another.
3. Feeding device according to claim 2, characterised in that the drives of the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) and the feed chain frame (12; 22; 32) are mechanically connected together, preferably by means of a common gear unit (23; 33).
4. Feeding device according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that the drives of the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) and the feed chain frame (12; 22; 32) are synchronised with one another by electronic control.
5. Feeding device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the synchronisation of the drives of the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) and the feed chain frame (12; 22; 32) automatically takes account of the respective thickness of the slices cut from the product to be cut by the cutting device (2).
6. Feeding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that scraper rolls are arranged in intermediate spaces between the chains (5) of the feed chain frame (12; 22; 32), said scraper rolls being rotated and transferring the slice of the product to be cut conveyed to the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) from the spikes of the chains of the feed chain frame (12; 22; 32) to the spikes of the chains of the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) in the region between the feed chain frame (12; 22; 32) and the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31).
7. Feeding device according to claim 6, characterised by a preferably roll-shaped support device (14; 34) for supporting the chains (3) of the transport chain frame (11; 31) in the region in which pressure is applied by the slice of the product to be cut transferred from the feed chain frame (12; 32).
8. Feeding device according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterised in that a deflector comb (35) is arranged in the region between the feed chain frame (32) and the transport chain frame (31) and strips the slice of the product to be cut to be transferred to the transport chain frame (31) from the feed chain frame (32).
9. Feeding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a device for adjusting the thickness of each slice to be cut from the product to be cut (1; 1', 1"; 1"') is provided in the slicing machine in the region of the cutting device (2) and includes a movable stop plate (6) for the product to be cut (1; 1', 1"; 1'") which can be fixed, preferably continuously, in several positions relative to the cutting device (2) in the transport direction of the product to be cut (1; 1', 1"; 1"') advanced to the cutting device (2).
10. Feeding device according to claim 9, characterised in that a hinged lever device (36, 36') by means of which the distance of the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) from the feed chain frame (12; 22; 32) can be varied is provided on the stop plate (6).
11. Feeding device according to claim 10, characterised in that at least one axis of rotation (a) of the feed chain frame (12; 22; 32) is movably supported, that the lever device is connected to the axis of rotation (a) and adjusts it in the event of movement of the stop plate (6) and that the lever device includes two levers (36, 36') hinged together.
12. Feeding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the feed chain frame (22; 32) is driven by means of a gear device connected by means of a toothed belt (28; 3 8) or a drive chain to the transport chain frame (21; 31) and meshing with a drive wheel (27; 37) of the feed chain frame (22; 32) which rolls on the gear device in the event of adjustment of the axes of rotation of the feed chain frame (22; 32) so that a non-positive connection is always maintained between the drive wheel (27; 37) and the gear device.
13. Slicing machine for cutting slices from an, in particular, strand-shaped product to be cut (1; 1', 1"; 1"'), preferably a foodstuff, comprising an infeed device for moving the product to be cut (1; 1', 1"; 1'") lying on a feed surface towards a cutting device (2), preferably with rotating blades, and a feeding device (10; 20; 30) for transporting slices cut from the product to be cut (1; 1', 1"; 1"') from the cutting device (2) to a storage device, characterised in that the feeding device (10; 20; 30) is designed according to one of the preceding claims.
14. Slicing machine according to claim 13, characterised in that the feeding device (10; 20; 30), in particular the transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) and the feed chain frame (12; 22; 32), are removably secured to a housing of the slicing machine.
15. Slicing machine according to claim 14, characterised in that the feeding device (10; 20; 30) is secured to the housing of the slicing machine in such a manner that it can be exchanged for a feed unit with a transport chain frame (11; 21; 31) without a feed chain frame (12; 22; 32).

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