EP2248641B1 - Device and method for portioning food products - 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 and a method 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.

From the DE 10 2004 041 915 A1 a device for portioning a material to be cut is known, which has a feed module with a two-part molded tube. This allows the adaptation of the cross section of the forming tube to a material to be cut. The portioning is carried out by means of a portioning module with several Portionierkammern. The separated portions are ejected from a portioning chamber and stored on a transport device.

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.

The invention and its advantages

The device according to the invention with the features of claim 1 is characterized in that at least two transport devices are arranged below the Portionierplatte, and that the Portionierplatte has at least three end positions: a first end position in which a portion is cut from a larger piece, a second End position in which the portion is stored on or on the first transport device and a third end position in which the portion is deposited on or on the second transport device. It can also be provided further transport means and a corresponding number of other end positions of the portioning. The transport devices may, for example, be transport belts for depositing the portions or conveyors for packaging, for example trays or containers. On a conveyor belt, the individual portions can be stored after ejection from the Portionierkammer in groups, shingles or individually spaced from each other. This depends on the speed of the conveyor in relation to the speed of the portioning process. In a conveyor for packaging, the separated portions are placed after cutting directly from the portioning plate in the package. Again, the relative position of the individual portions to each other can be influenced by the speed of the conveyor. Remnants or other pieces that do not meet the weight specifications can be stored on the second conveyor. They do not affect the portions on the first conveyor and their association with particular packages. A rejection by hand is eliminated. Furthermore, portions of different weight can be stored on the two transport devices. Thus, a piece can be divided by the portioning into portions of a first and a second predetermined weight. The portions with the first weight are stored on the first transport device and the portions of the second weight on the second transport device. In this case, advantageously, a third transport device and a fourth end position of the portioning plate provided to deposit remnants.

In a round portioning plate with, for example, four portioning chambers, for example, three positions for depositing a separated portion are possible in addition to the position of the actual portioning process. 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 an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the portioning plate is arranged rotatably about an axis. It also has an even number of Portionierkammern, which are all arranged at the same radial distance from the axis and at the same angular distance from one another 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 depositing 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 cause that the pressing unit and the portioning plate are in their movements do not interfere with each other and that the ejection or removal of the separated portions from the Portionierkammern the Portionierplatte takes place in spatial distance from the pressing unit and thus sufficient space for the transport 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.

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 collecting container for collecting a plurality of portions is arranged on the portioning plate on the side facing away from the pressing unit. 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 sump is movable together with the portioning plate, so that both parts can be transferred together to an ejection position, while the Portioniervorgang is continued with another Portionierkammer the Portionierplatte.

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. It is about in this case, for example, a punch, which moves from one side into the portioning chamber 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 the press 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.

The device according to the invention with the features of claim 4 has the advantage that it is equipped with a servo drive for the ram and / or for the chamber bottom. Press punches and / or chamber floor can thus approach different predefinable positions and maintain them. The positions of ram and / or chamber bottom may also depend on the force with which a piece is compressed. 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 / 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 for portioning food according to the invention with the features of claim 7, a piece of food is placed in an elongated pressing chamber of a Portioniervorrichtung and set the cross-section of the pressing chamber depending on 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 the pressing chamber before starting the Portioniervorgangs reduced 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 each bounded by a compression chamber housing 4a and 4b and a respective closure element 5a and 5b. 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 again with a Pieces of meat are filled. 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 pressing ram 8 pushes the meat from the bottom upwards into a portioning chamber 9 of the portioning plate 2 arranged above the pressing chamber 3a or 3b. 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 through the Chamber bottom drive 11 pulled upwards, 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 aid of a punch-like ejection element 13, the separated portion is pushed down out of 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, a portion is measured in a further portioning chamber 9 of the portioning 2, which is located above the pressing chamber 3a 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 shutter member 5a or 5b is continuously detected not only at the time of inserting a new piece of meat, but also during the portioning operation. 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 further has two 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 no Gap and there is 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 the second transport device 36 is only half as long the second transport device 17 is formed 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. Device for portioning food products, 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), 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 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 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), characterised by the following additional features:

   - at least two transport devices (15, 17, 36) located below the portioning plate (2) that take on the separated portions from the portioning plate (2) and transport them,

   - at least three end positions of the portioning plate (2): one initial end position in which a portion is portioned and cut, one second end position in which a portion is deposited on the first transport device (15) and at least one third end position in which a portion is deposited on the second transport device (17, 36).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the portioning plate (2) is arranged in a rotatable manner around an axis, that it has an even number of portioning chambers (9) which are all arranged at the same radial distance from the axis and at the same angular distance from one another in the portioning plate (2).
3. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the pressing unit (1) and the portioning plate (2) can be rotated around two parallel axes that are spatially separated.
4. Device according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that it is equipped with a servo drive (11, 38) for the plunger (8) and/or for the chamber base (10).
5. Device according to claim 4, characterised in that the plunger (8) and/or the chamber base (10) is equipped with a force sensor.
6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the plunger and/or the chamber base (10) is equipped with a displacement or position sensor.
7. Method for portioning food products, in particular meat, into portions with a predetermined weight and/or a predetermined thickness, using a device according to claim 5 with the following procedural steps
   Insertion of a piece of food in an elongate press chamber (3a, 3b) of a portioning device,
   setting the cross-section of the press chamber (3a, 3b) depending on the piece of food,
   adjustment of the cross-section of a plunger (8) that can be displaced in the axial direction of the press chamber (3a, 3b) to the cross-section of the press chamber,
   adjustment of the cross-section of a portioning chamber (9) arranged at the press chamber (3a, 3b) for the specification of the size of the portions to be separated.
   Determination of the force that the food product exerts on the press chamber (3a, 3b) when reducing the cross-section and/or the length of the press chamber.

Images