EP2329930A1 - Device for cutting a food product - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus has a cutting blade (111) that is pivotable for setting a cutting gap and/or for a vertical or dipping depth setting such that spacing between the cutting blade and a reference plane, which extends parallel to a cutting plane (S1) or which coincides with the cutting plane is changed. The cutting blade remains aligned parallel to the cutting plane or departs from a parallel alignment. The pivot movement of the cutting blade takes place around two pivot axes. An independent claim is also included for a method for slicing food products.

Description

The invention relates to a device for slicing food products, in particular high-performance slicer, with a product feed, at least one cutting blade which rotates about a knife axis and / or planetary about a central axis and the at least one product to be cut in a product feed direction can be fed, and one Adjusting device for the cutting blade, with which the cutting blade is movable in an adjustment direction, wherein the blade axis and / or center axis of the cutting blade is inclined during the slicing relative to the horizontal.

Such devices are basically known and serve to slice food products such as sausage, meat and cheese at high speed. Typical cutting speeds are between several hundred to several thousand. Cuts per minute. Modern high-performance slicers differ, inter alia, in the design of the cutting blade and in the manner of the rotary drive for the cutting blade. So-called sickle or spiral blades rotate about a rotation axis, also referred to here as a knife axis, wherein this rotation axis itself carries out no additional movement. For slicers with circular knives, on the other hand, it is provided that the rotating circular knife is also circulated in a planetary manner around a further axis spaced apart from the axis of rotation (also referred to here as center axis). Which blade type or type of drive is to be preferred depends on the respective application. Generally leaves say that with only rotating sickle knives higher cutting speeds can be achieved, whereas rotating and additionally planetary circular blades are universally applicable without sacrificing the cutting quality.

The above-mentioned high cutting speeds make it necessary - and this applies regardless of the type of knife and the type of drive - that, with a portionwise slicing of products, so-called empty cuts are made in which the knife continues to move, i. performs his cutting motion, but not in the product, but "in the void" cuts, so temporarily no slices are separated from the product and these "cutting breaks" can be used to a formed with the previously separated slices portion, such as a stack of discs or shingles arranged discs to be transported away. The time passing between two consecutively separated slices does not suffice for a proper cutting performance or cutting speed for a proper removal of the slice portions. The length of these "cutting breaks" and the number of idle cuts per "cutting break" depend on the particular application.

A problem known in practice in connection with the performance of blanks is that, in most cases, it is not enough to simply stop the supply of the product temporarily to prevent the separation of slices. In fact, in the case of products with a soft consistency, it regularly happens that relaxation effects occur after the product feed has stopped, as a result of which the front end of the product passes beyond the cutting plane and thus into the effective range of the cutting blade. The result is an undesirable separation of so-called product snippets or product chips. Apart from that, it always comes to such a Schnitzelbildung regardless of the product consistency whenever the products are continuously fed during the slicing operation, ie even with products with a firm consistency, so where the above-mentioned relaxation effects do not occur, it comes with a continuous product supply to a schnitzel formation.

The phenomena described above are well known to the person skilled in the art, which is why this will not be discussed in detail.

Measures are already known from the prior art, which serve to avoid a Schnitzelbildung when performing blanks. For this example, on EP 0 289 765 A1 . DE 42 14 264 A1 . EP 1 046 476 A2 . DE 101 147 348 A1 . DE 154 952 . DE 10 2006 043 697 A1 and DE 103 33 661 A1 directed.

Accordingly, it has already been proposed not only to interrupt the product supply for the performance of blanks, but also to withdraw the product, if appropriate together with the product support. This approach reaches its limits, in particular, when the cutting speeds and / or the masses to be moved become too large, because then it can no longer be ensured that the front end of the product can be withdrawn sufficiently quickly. As an alternative to retracting the product, it has also been proposed to move the cutting blade away from the front end of the product. Both solutions have the consequence that between the front end of the product and the cutting blade a sufficiently large distance is produced, which reliably prevents a Schnitzelbildung. The required blade stroke is only a few millimeters, but must be in the order of a few hundredths of a second in a very short time respectively. The possibility of a knife adjustment can also be used for other additional functions, eg for adjusting the cutting gap or for idle cuts in the context of a height adjustment or adjustment of the insertion depth of the cutting blade, which takes place in particular in relation to the or products to be sliced or the product edition, where will be discussed in more detail below.

The prior art proposes various ways to produce the desired distance between knife and product by a displacement of the knife.

One way, for example, in DE 101 47 348 A1 is described, to move only the rotating knife holder on which the knife is interchangeably mounted and which is also referred to as a knife holder, knife shaft or rotor, relative to the other components of the so-called cutter head, in addition to the mentioned Knife holder in particular comprises a rotary bearing for the rotational movement of the knife or the knife holder and a base part, with which the cutter head and thus the knife holder is attached to a frame or frame of the slicer. This attachment can be done for example on or in a so-called cutting head housing on or in which not only the cutter head and knife, but also the drive motor for the cooperating with the cutter head, for example via a drive belt knife rotary drive are mounted.

It is also possible to displace the cutter head as a whole, so that a relative movement between knife holder and pivot bearing of the knife is not required for adjusting the knife. Such a solution is for example in DE 10 2006 043 697 A1 shown.

Furthermore, it is possible to move the entire cutterhead housing including cutter head and rotary drive. Solutions of this type are for example in EP 1 046 476 A2 described.

These approaches described above differ not only in terms of the size of the mass to be moved, but also in terms of design effort and applicability for different types of knives or drives. Although a movement of only the knife holder, for example, has the advantage of a relatively low mass to be moved, but means a relatively high design effort, since with the knife an object must be moved along an axis that simultaneously rotates at high speed about this axis. For this problems in connection with the storage of the knife or the knife holder to solve. While the above-mentioned sickle or spiral blades only rotate about one axis, but this axis does not additionally carry out a circulation movement, concepts for adjusting the blade despite the aforementioned storage problems can be realized with reasonable effort. This is different with slicers with rotating and at the same time planetary revolving circular knives, because here there is the problem to accomplish with reasonable design effort a displacement of only the knife or the knife holder.

However, all known solutions which cause a displacement of the knife either by moving the knife holder, the cutter head or the cutting head housing, have one thing in common, namely the need to move the respective assembly against the effect of gravity, when - in connection with the implementation of blanks - the knife from a dislocated position back into the Cutting position must be moved. This is due to the fact that in the Slicern of the type in question here in practice the slicing always takes place with respect to the horizontal inclined knife axis or central axis, the product feed is also inclined relative to the horizontal, even if - as in principle eg for separating oval slices of products with a circular cross-section - the cutting plane defined by the cutting edge of the knife does not run perpendicular to the product feed. The product to be sliced is thus during slicing at an "inclined plane", which is typically inclined about 40 ° to the horizontal when the cutting takes place with running perpendicular to the cutting plane product feed.

In the case of the adjusting movement of the blade away from the front end of the product, which takes place parallel to its axis of rotation inclined relative to the horizontal, the gravitational attraction acts as a support. When the knife is moved back into the cutting position, however, the adjusting device must additionally work against a portion of the weight force of the component to be moved which is dependent on the inclination angle. This lifting obviously has the disadvantage of the heavier the unit to be moved. Even when adjusting only the knife holder including knife but the mentioned proportion of the weight is so relevant that it must be taken into account in design, construction and arrangement of the adjustment.

The object of the invention is to further improve a slicing device with adjustable cutting blade in particular against the background of the problem described above.

The solution of this object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the adjustment direction of the cutting blade extends obliquely to the blade axis and / or center axis of the cutting blade.

The invention thus means a departure from the well-documented by the prior art retracted concept of the art, the adjustment of the cutting blade must be parallel to the axis of rotation of the cutting blade, in the terminology used here parallel to the blade axis and / or center axis. By the inventive approach to move the cutting blade obliquely to its axis of rotation, the portion of the weight to be overcome reduced or - as in a preferred embodiment with horizontally extending adjustment - are reduced to zero. The invention thus enables a weight-neutral knife adjustment, in which in the case of a horizontal adjustment movement from the point of view of the adjustment only the inertial mass of the unit to be moved plays a role.

However, the invention not only achieves the advantage of a lower power requirement on the adjusting device, but further advantages are also achieved:

If, according to the prior art, the blade is displaced parallel to its axis of rotation, then the adjustment path is identical to the change in distance between knife and front product end or between knife and cutting edge achieved by the adjustment, since the axis of rotation of the knife and the product feed direction are parallel. On the other hand, according to the invention, if the adjustment direction runs obliquely to the axis of rotation of the knife, then the knife has to cover a larger distance in comparison to the prior art in order to bring about the same change in distance. This enlargement of the adjustment is actually an advantage, since - as already explained - the adjustment in question here are small anyway, namely only a few millimeters to a maximum of a few centimeters, which is fundamentally problematic in terms of design and operation of the adjustment. The accuracy of positioning movements is namely the more difficult to ensure, the shorter the adjustment is. Especially the knife movements required on high-performance slicers require the highest degree of precision, so that correspondingly high demands are placed on the drive technology, especially since only extremely short times are available for the positioning movements, as also explained in the introductory part. As long as the required adjustment is not too large overall, thus each - from the perspective of the adjustment - resulting increase in the adjustment is a relief insofar as the required precision of the adjustment can be easily realized or even made possible.

To illustrate these relationships, it should be mentioned by way of example that in the case of a spindle drive for the blade movement, as he, for example, from DE 101 47 348 A 1 is known, for which takes place parallel to the axis of rotation of the knife adjusting the spindle only about half a turn, which already represents an optimization in relation to the drive technology used to rotate the spindle. In practice it has been found that this results in problems associated with the lubrication of the spindle, which would not be the case if the spindle could perform at least one complete revolution, for example in an oil bath.

Even in the light of this, it becomes clear that increasing the adjustment path can offer unexpected additional benefits by: For example, when using a spindle drive for the adjustment the required spindle lubrication is simplified.

Furthermore, it can generally be said that the invention allows a higher control quality for the drives, since there are more uniform load conditions and larger adjustment paths.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are also specified in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

As already mentioned above, it can be provided according to a possible embodiment of the invention that the adjustment direction of the cutting blade extends at least approximately horizontally. The "weight fraction" of the knife during adjustment is thus reduced to zero, i. The adjustment does not need to "raise" the knife.

The adjusting device for the cutting blade may comprise a linear drive, for example a spindle drive or a piston-cylinder arrangement. The axis of rotation of the spindle drive or the longitudinal axis of the piston-cylinder arrangement preferably runs parallel to the adjustment direction of the cutting blade. Alternatively, the adjusting device for the cutting blade may comprise an eccentric drive.

In one possible embodiment, a knife head as a whole in the adjustment direction is movable for adjusting the knife. The cutter head in particular comprises a knife holder on which the cutting blade is interchangeably mounted, and at least one pivot bearing for the movement of the cutting blade about the knife axis and / or about the central axis. Due to the movement of the cutter head as a whole, there is no relative movement in the adjustment between the knife holder and the pivot bearing. This means a simplification in terms of design.

A particular advantage of a movement of the cutter head as a whole is that the cutter head can be both a sickle cutter head for a sickle knife rotating about the knife axis and a circular knife head for a circular knife rotating about the knife axis and rotating around the central axis. Whatever the adjusting device is configured concretely, this means that the respective adjustment principle is applicable to both a sickle blade and a circular blade.

It can be provided with respect to the adjustment direction stationary carrier, for example, a component of a stationary frame of the slicing or can be attached to the frame, relative to which the cutter head is movable as a whole in the adjustment direction. This carrier can be universally designed so that it can be exchanged between a sickle cutter head and a circular blade head. This can be converted into a circular blade slicer in a particularly simple manner, a sickle knife slicer, and vice versa.

Furthermore, it is provided in particular that the cutting blade is movable in the adjustment direction for carrying out at least one additional function, in particular for carrying out blank cuts, which are e.g. be performed at a portionwise slicing and / or in the context of a height or immersion depth adjustment, and / or for cutting gap adjustment.

The term "additional function" is to be understood as meaning a function that is not exclusively the actual slicing function, So the rotation or orbital movement of the cutting blade concerns. The additional function is, in particular, the performance of empty cuts or the setting of the cutting gap, as will be discussed in greater detail below. The additional function can also be a height adjustment or adjustment of the depth of immersion of the cutting blade, in particular with respect to the product or products to be sliced or the product support, more precisely the avoidance of chips during the height or immersion depth adjustment performed blank cuts. The adjustment movement of the knife is thus when needed when the additional function is to be performed, this additional function - depending on their nature - with rotating or rotating cutting blade and / or with a stationary cutting blade is feasible.

Furthermore, it can be provided according to the invention that the cutting blade is movable in the adjustment direction in such a way that the distance between the cutting blade and a reference plane which runs parallel to a cutting plane defined by the cutting edge of the cutting blade changes.

In this connection it should be mentioned that for most of the situations which are relevant in practice, in which adjustment of the cutting blade is required or desired, a maximum displacement of not more than 5 to 10 mm is sufficient, in many cases the maximum necessary Adjustment paths are even smaller than 5 mm. In particular, it is sufficient for the implementation of schnitzel free empty cuts when between the cutting blade and the front end of the product a distance of a few millimeters is produced. This also applies to the cutting gap setting, since in most cases a maximum gap size of a few millimeters does not need to be exceeded or may not be exceeded at all.

In the cutting gap setting, the gap between the cutting blade - more precisely, the cutting plane defined by the blade of the blade - and a cutting edge is set to a predetermined level. The cutting edge, also referred to as a counter knife, interacts with the cutting blade when separating slices from the product. The cutting edge forms, in particular, the end of the product support which is at the front in the product feed direction. Cutting edges occur in practice in many embodiments. Even relatively complex arrangements, which are provided, for example, as so-called cuffs or shell molds with circumferentially open or closed feedthroughs for the products to be sliced to optimally fix the front end of the product to increase the quality of cutting, are often referred to simply as "cutting edge" in practice ,

Depending on the product to be sliced and possibly on other conditions, it is necessary for optimum cutting quality to set the distance between the cutting blade and the cutting edge, measured in the product feed direction, ie perpendicular to the cutting plane, to a certain level. The axial position of the cutting plane is not exactly defined insofar as the plane defined by the cutting edge, on the one hand, and the plane defined by the cutting blade, more precisely by the knife edge, likewise do not coincide. However, this is unproblematic insofar as, for example, the plane defined by the cutting edge can be used as a reference plane when a reference in the axial direction, ie in the product feed direction, is required or desired.

Another advantage of the invention, which is also important in this context, is that the cutting blade maintains its orientation relative to the product feed direction, ie in particular the cutting plane runs perpendicular to the product feed direction in each knife position. Thus, the mobility of the cutting blade for such functions - such. the above-described cutting gap setting - are used, in which a non-parallel alignment of the cutting blade relative to the original cutting plane, so for example, a tilting of the cutting blade during the adjustment, can not be accepted. While it is in principle irrelevant for the performance of blank cuts, which orientation the cutting blade with respect to the product feed direction, as long as there is a sufficiently large distance between the cutting blade and the front product end, it is imperative for an adjustment of the cutting blade for the purpose of cutting gap adjustment that the The cutting blade is aligned in every position with the cutting plane perpendicular to the product feed direction, since the cutting blade must fulfill the actual cutting function in every position.

It is further proposed according to a further aspect of the invention that the cutting blade is pivotally mounted and for performing at least one additional function, in particular for performing blank cuts, for cutting gap adjustment and / or height or immersion depth adjustment, is pivotable such that the distance between the cutting blade and a reference plane that is parallel to the cutting plane or coincides with the cutting plane, changed while the cutting blade remains aligned parallel to the cutting plane or leaves a parallel orientation.

This aspect is disclosed and claimed both in combination with the subject matters disclosed in the claims and as an independent aspect.

Thus, the cutting blade may thus be pivotable so that effectively, i. when turning off at the beginning and end of the adjustment, results in a direction of inclination extending obliquely to the blade axis and / or center axis of the cutting blade. The adjustment movement of the cutting blade does not have to be a linear movement, but the pivotable mounting of the cutting blade can also be designed such that a linear adjustment movement of the cutting blade results,

As already mentioned, the term "additional function" is to be understood as meaning a function which does not relate exclusively to the actual slicing function, that is to say the rotational movement or orbital movement of the cutting blade. The additional function is, in particular, the performance of empty cuts or the setting of the cutting gap, as will be discussed in greater detail below. The additional function can also be a height adjustment or adjustment of the immersion depth of the cutting blade, in particular with respect to the product (s) to be sliced or the product support. The pivoting of the cutting blade is thus carried out when the additional function is to be performed, this additional function - depending on their nature - in rotating or rotating cutting blade and / or in a stationary cutting blade is feasible.

The pivotal mounting has the advantage that the forces required for pivoting can be kept relatively low. Furthermore, the pivot bearing has the advantage that no sliding or sliding bearings needed be, as they are required for a purely translational, for example axial, adjustment.

The possible according to this aspect embodiment of the pivotal mounting such that the cutting blade remains aligned parallel to the cutting plane, inter alia, has the advantage that the mobility of the cutting blade can also be used for such functions in which a non-parallel orientation of the cutting blade relative to the cutting plane So, for example, a tilting of the cutting blade during the adjustment, can not be accepted. While it is irrelevant for the performance of blank cuts, which orientation the cutting blade takes with respect to the cutting plane, as long as a sufficiently large distance between the cutting blade and the front product end is present, it is imperative when adjusting the cutting blade for the purpose of cutting gap adjustment that the cutting blade is aligned in any position parallel to the cutting plane, since the cutting blade must meet the actual cutting function in each position.

The possible according to this aspect embodiment of the pivotable mounting such that the cutting blade leaves a parallel orientation, can be used in particular when a non-parallel alignment of the cutting blade relative to the cutting plane not only uncritically, but also associated with an advantage, because, for example quickly and / or easily a desired large distance between the cutting blade and the front end of the product can be produced, as is useful in particular for the implementation of blank sections.

It can be provided that the pivoting movement of the cutting blade takes place about at least two axes and / or is an overlay of at least two pivoting movements.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a cutting head comprising the cutting blade and pivotable as a whole is provided. This development of the invention has the advantage, inter alia, that a bearing required for a rotation of the cutting blade is not affected by the adjusting movement. For practical implementation of the invention, it is therefore not necessary to develop special cutting heads, since the invention can be used in conjunction with conventional cutting heads, which allow no adjustment movement of the cutting head as a whole no adjustment of the blade or the blade shaft.

Another advantage of this embodiment of the invention is that it is independent of the blade type and the way of driving the blade. Both a sickle knife cutting head, in which the cutting blade only rotates, and a circular blade cutting head, in which the circular blade rotates and in addition rotates planetary, can be pivoted in the manner according to the invention as a whole.

The term "cutting head" is to be understood broadly insofar as the size or the circumference of the unit which can be pivoted as a whole is not fixed, In particular, depending on the specific embodiment of the slicing apparatus, a drive motor which is responsible for the rotary drive of the cutting blade can either belong to the cutting head and thus be pivoted together with the cutting blade and the other components or do not participate in this pivoting The drive means between so far stationary drive motor on the one hand and cutting blade or knife shaft on the other hand can be designed in this case so as to allow the pivoting movement. Furthermore, the cutting head may comprise only a so-called cutter head, which may in particular comprise the cutting blade together with the holder and gear, or the cutter head and a so-called cutter head housing which at least partially surrounds the cutter head and may comprise the drive motor providing the rotary drive of the cutter blade, the latter is not mandatory.

In this context, it should be noted that it is sufficient for the relevant situations in practice, in which an adjustment of the cutting blade is required or desired, a maximum adjustment of not more than 5 to 10 mm, in many cases, the maximum necessary adjustment even smaller than 5 mm. In particular, it is sufficient for the implementation of schnitzel free blanks when between the cutting blade and the front end of the product a distance of a few millimeters is produced. This also applies to the cutting gap setting, since in most cases a maximum gap size of a few millimeters need not be exceeded or may not be exceeded at all.

Also components other than the mentioned drive motor, which in particular in the broadest sense have to do with drive, mounting and / or mounting of the cutting blade, can not belong to the cutting head insofar as they do not participate in performing the at least one additional function pivoting movement. Furthermore, in addition to the drive motor, further components, which in the broadest sense have to do with drive, mounting and / or mounting of the cutting blade, participate in the pivoting movement.

In practice, for example, the unit to be pivoted as a whole may have a weight of 50 to 100 kg. However, due to the pivotable mounting according to the invention, this mass does not pose a problem that would not be solvable with reasonable design effort, since the forces to be applied can be kept relatively low with a corresponding relative arrangement of pivot bearing and pivot drive, in particular by utilizing long lever arms Without having to make the pivot drive itself unnecessarily complicated.

If, in the following, a pivoting of the cutting blade is mentioned, then should - unless otherwise mentioned - including the possibility of pivoting a cutting blade comprehensive cutting head to be understood as a whole.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least one parallelogram guide, at least one parallelogram guide and / or at least one four-bar lever is provided for pivoting the cutting blade, which is preferably articulated on the cutting blade or on a cutting head or its holder or holder and on a base is.

As a result, pivoting of the cutting blade with an unchanged alignment of the cutting blade with respect to the cutting plane can be realized in a structurally relatively simple manner.

In a further embodiment of the invention may be provided for pivoting the cutting blade at least a pair of links and / or levers, which are articulated on the one hand on the cutting blade or on a cutting head and on the other hand on a base.

By base is here a part of the slicing to understand relative to which the pivoting movement of the cutting blade, although it is not mandatory, but in most practical cases nevertheless provided that the base is stationary with respect to the environment, so even none as well always performs movement relative to the environment.

The parallelogram, the parallelogram or the four-bar lever can be designed such that their relevant elements, in particular handlebar and / or lever, each have the same length. Alternatively or additionally, the articulation points of the elements or links and / or levers can be selected such that the respectively desired movement of the cutting blade results. Furthermore, the lengths and / or the articulation points of the links and / or levers may be designed to be variable, in order - depending on the selected setting or set configuration - to be able to realize different movements of the cutting blade during pivoting.

According to another possible embodiment of the invention, the cutting blade is pivotally suspended. In particular, the suspension can take place on a base belonging to the slicing device, wherein the base itself can be fixed with respect to the environment.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that a pivot drive is provided for the cutting blade. In particular, it can be provided that this pivoting drive, which serves to pivot the cutting blade for performing the at least one additional function, is provided in addition to a rotary drive of the cutting blade, for the movement of the cutting blade in the cutting plane ensures, so is responsible for the rotation and / or rotation of the cutting blade. For the actual cutting on the one hand and the pivoting of the cutting blade on the other hand then each own drive is provided. However, it is also possible according to the invention to derive the pivot drive by suitable means from a rotary drive of the cutting blade. These means are then designed in particular such that the cutting blade rotates continuously, but the pivoting of the cutting blade is performed only when needed, ie when a pivoting of the cutting blade is required to perform the at least one additional function.

The pivoting drive for pivoting the cutting blade may be designed to act on the cutting blade along an effective at least substantially perpendicular to the cutting plane line of action. This makes it possible to design the pivot drive structurally particularly simple. It may, for example, serve as a simple piston / cylinder arrangement as a pivot drive. If the pivoting of the cutting blade is connected to a stroke, ie a movement component of the cutting blade in the cutting plane, then the coupling between the rotary drive and the cutting blade can be designed such that a relative movement between the rotary drive and the cutting blade taking place in the cutting plane is permitted without this Swiveling the cutting blade by means of the pivot drive to affect.

It is also possible to store the pivot drive movable. A relative movement between the pivot drive and the cutting blade, in particular in the sense of a game between pivot drive and cutting blade, can be avoided in this way.

The invention also relates to the use of a device of the type described for carrying out blanks, in particular when portioning food products and / or height or immersion depth adjustment, with the cutting blade being pivoted away from the front end of the product to temporarily interrupt the cutting of slices from the product and after returning one or more blank slices to resume slicing of slices, the product is swung back again. In this case, the device is thus not only used for slicing the products, but during the slicing of a product if necessary to carry out one or more idle cuts, in order to allow in this way, in particular a portion-wise slicing with an orderly removal of each formed portions. Of course, the interruption of the separation of slices from the product may occur several times during the slicing of a product, as with a portionwise slicing of the product the number of "slicing phases" corresponds to the number of slice portions formed from the product.

According to an embodiment of this use, the idle cuts are carried out while the product feed is stopped.

Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a device of the type described for cutting gap adjustment, wherein the gap between the cutting blade and a cutting edge is adjusted to a predetermined level by pivoting the cutting blade. The cutting edge, also referred to as counter knife, cooperates with the cutting knife when separating slices from the product. The cutting edge forms, in particular, the end of the product support which is at the front in the product feed direction. Cutting edges come in practice in many forms. Even relatively complex arrangements, which are provided, for example, as so-called cuffs or shell molds with circumferentially open or closed feedthroughs for the products to be sliced to optimally fix the front end of the product to increase the quality of cutting, are often referred to simply as "cutting edge" in practice ,

Depending on the product to be sliced and possibly on other conditions, it is necessary for optimum cutting quality to set the distance between the cutting blade and the cutting edge, measured in the product feed direction, ie perpendicular to the cutting plane, to a certain level. The axial position of the cutting plane is not exactly defined insofar as the plane defined by the cutting edge, on the one hand, and the plane defined by the cutting blade, more precisely by the knife edge, on the other hand, do not coincide. However, this is unproblematic insofar as, for example, the plane defined by the cutting edge can be used as a reference plane when a reference in the axial direction, ie in the product feed direction, is required or desired.

In one possible implementation of this use, the cutting gap adjustment can be performed with the cutting blade stationary. Alternatively, it is also possible to carry out the cutting gap adjustment in the cutting plane moving cutting blade, which is also referred to as "dynamic cutting gap adjustment" and offers advantages over a "static" cutting gap setting with stationary cutting blade advantages, which will also not be discussed here.

The invention further relates to a method for slicing food products, in particular by means of the device described, in which at least one product is fed to a cutting plane by means of a product feed, in which at least one cutting blade, in particular rotating and / or slicing, separates the product from the product circulating, moving, and the cutting blade for performing at least one additional function, in particular for performing blank cuts, for cutting gap adjustment and / or for height or immersion depth adjustment is pivoted so that the distance between the cutting blade and a reference plane which is parallel to the cutting plane or coincides with the cutting plane, changed while the cutting blade remains aligned parallel to the cutting plane or leaves a parallel orientation.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung des Funktionsprinzips eines Slicers mit axial verstellbarem Schneidmesser gemäß dem Stand der Technik,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Slicers mit horizontal verstellbarem Messerkopf,

Fig. 3

schematisch eine Seitenansicht einer möglichen konkreten Ausgestaltung eines Schneidkopfes eines erfindungsgemäßen Slicers,

Fig. 4

einen vergrößert dargestellten Ausschnitt von Fig. 3 bei in der Schneidposition befindlichem Messer,

Fig. 5

eine Darstellung entsprechend Fig. 4 mit in einer ausgerückten Position befindlichem Schneidmesser,

Fig. 6a - 6c

schematisch eine erfindungsgemäße Aufschneidevorrichtung mit in unterschiedlichen Schwenkstellungen befindlichem Schneidmesser,

Fig. 7

schematisch eine erfindungsgemäße Aufschneidevorrichtung gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform, und

Fig. 8

schematisch eine erfindungsgemäße Aufschneidevorrichtung gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of the operating principle of a slicer with axially adjustable cutting blade according to the prior art,

Fig. 2

a schematic side view of a slicer according to the invention with horizontally adjustable cutter head,

Fig. 3

1 is a schematic side view of a possible concrete embodiment of a cutting head of a slicer according to the invention,

Fig. 4

an enlarged section of Fig. 3 when the knife is in the cutting position,

Fig. 5

a representation accordingly Fig. 4 with a cutting blade in a disengaged position,

Fig. 6a - 6c

FIG. 2 schematically shows a slicing device according to the invention with cutting blade located in different pivoting positions, FIG.

Fig. 7

schematically a slicing device according to the invention according to a further embodiment, and

Fig. 8

schematically a slicing device according to the invention according to a further embodiment.

Hereinafter, different reference numerals are also used for those parts and terms that actually correspond to each other.

The embodiments explained below can either be combined with each other or realized separately.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a known from the prior art high-performance slicer, which serves to cut food products 27, such as meat, sausage, ham or cheese, in slices. During the cutting process, the product 27 rests on a product support 37 and is moved by means of a product feed 13 along a product feed direction F in the direction of a cutting plane S. The product feed direction F is perpendicular to the cutting plane S. As mentioned in the introductory part, such are also Slicer known in which the angle between the product feed direction and cutting plane of 90 ° is different. From the product feeder 13 are in Fig. 1 only the already mentioned product support 37 and a so-called product holder 25 shown, which engages with claws or grippers in the rear end of the product 27 and driven by not shown drive means in and against the product feed F, as indicated by the double arrow.

The cutting plane S is defined by the cutting edge of a cutting blade 11, which during the cutting operation cooperates with a cutting edge 31, also referred to as a counter blade, which forms the front end of the product support 37. In practice, the cutting edge is usually a separate, replaceable component, e.g. made of plastic or steel, which is not shown here for reasons of simplicity.

As mentioned in the introductory part, the cutting blade 11 may be a so-called circular blade, which rotates planetary about both a central axis and rotates about its own knife axis. Alternatively, the cutting blade 11 may be a so-called sickle or spiral blade which does not orbit planetary, but only rotates about the blade axis A. The drive for the cutting blade 11 is in Fig. 1 not shown.

In order to establish a distance between the knife 11 and the front end of the product 27 as part of an additional function of the slicer, an adjusting device, not shown, is provided, which is adapted to move the cutting blade 11. As indicated by the double arrow in Fig. 1 indicated, it is known from the prior art to move the cutting blade parallel to its axis of rotation (knife axis) A. For this purpose, the cutting blade 11 can be mounted displaceably parallel to the axis of rotation A. In connection with the execution of blanks 11 (in Fig. 1 indicated by a dashed line), ie at a distance from the front product end knife 11, a Schnitzel or Schnipselbildung safely avoided.

With a portionwise slicing of the product 27, as shown in FIG Fig. 1 is shown, the separated product slices 33 portions 35, which in Fig. 1 are shown as a disk stack. Once a portion 35 is completed, this portion 35 is transported in a direction T. So that sufficient time is available for the removal of the finished slice servings 35, the above-mentioned empty cuts are carried out until the beginning of the formation of the next portion 35, for which purpose the product feed (here the product holder 25) also referred to as the product feed is stopped and, on the other hand, the cutting knife 11 by means of said adjusting in the in Fig. 1 dashed position shown is moved.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a slicer according to the invention in a side view. The product feeder 13 is shown in the position in which the product 27 is cut open. For loading with a new product, the product feeder 13 can be pivoted into an at least approximately horizontal position. In the illustrated cutting position, however, the product feed 13 and thus the product feed F is inclined relative to the horizontal, by an angle α, which is for example about 40 °. Since in this embodiment the product feed direction F and thus the plane defined by the product support 37 extends parallel to the knife axis A (which, however, as already mentioned above, is not mandatory), here is the Tilt angle α between the horizontal H and the level of the product support 37 drawn.

During the slicing, the product support 37 thus constitutes an inclined plane for the product 27. The advancing movement of the product 27 is thereby supported by the gravitational attraction. Of greater importance, however, is that due to the inclination of the product feeder 13, the front end of the product is not vertically oriented, as would be the case with a product lying horizontally, so that due to the inclination of the front product end, the filing of the separated product slices 33 - here on a removal belt 45 - improved or even a useful product storage is made possible.

The slicing of food products 27 with respect to the horizontal H inclined product feed 13 is well known in the prior art. Virtually all high-performance slicers work with such an oblique product feeder 13.

While in Slicern known from the prior art, the cutting blade 11 - as shown in FIG Fig. 1 - Is moved parallel to the blade axis A, for example, to achieve a clearance between the cutting blade 11 and front product end to carry out blank sections, according to the invention in the illustrated embodiment of Fig. 1 a horizontal adjustment movement of the cutting blade 11 is provided, as indicated by the adjustment direction V suggestive, horizontally extending double arrow.

While the cutting position of the blade 11, in which the cutting plane S and a reference plane defined by the cutting edge 31 coincide with solid lines, is shown in FIG Fig. 2 with dashed Lines indicated the disengaged position of the knife 11. It is not the knife 11 or a knife holder alone adjusted, but only schematically indicated here cutter head 19 as a whole. This will be described below in connection with the Fig. 3 to 5 discussed in more detail. The adjustment movement of the blade 11 or the cutter head 19 is ultimately relative to a stationary frame or frame 23 of the slicer. This will also be described below in connection with the Fig. 3 to 5 discussed in more detail.

During the construction and the adjustment of the cutter head 19 in more detail on the basis of Fig. 4 and 5 is explained gives Fig. 3 an overview of this possible concrete embodiment of the invention. The knife head 19 is a sickle cutter head, ie the cutting knife 11 is a sickle knife, which performs a self-rotating movement about the knife axis A and does not additionally rotate planetary.

The knife 11 is removably attached to a here designated as blade holder 17, which also as a blade holder, rotor or. Knife shaft is called. The possible designation as a knife shaft is also chosen because it is in the embodiment shown here in the knife holder 17 that component of the cutter head 19, which is directly - namely with a drive belt 43 - offset by the rotary drive 39 of the slicer in rotation.

The knife head 19, which can be moved back and forth as a whole in the adjustment direction V, furthermore comprises a base part 49 which does not rotate. Between the knife holder 17 and the base part 49 rolling bearings 21 are arranged.

About sliding or sliding bearing 22, the base member 49 and thus the cutter head 19 in the adjustment direction V, ie horizontally, and thus obliquely to the blade axis A and the product feed F relative to a carrier 24 slidably.

The here approximately S- or Z-shape having carrier 24 is fixedly connected to a wall 47 which is part of a cutting head housing 41 which with respect to the adjustment direction V to a stationary frame or frame 23 (see. Fig. 2 ) is attached. An adjustability of the cutting head housing 41 as a whole in directions that lie in the cutting plane S, relative to the product support 37 are also possible, but otherwise of no importance to the subject invention.

A cover or hood, which is connected to the cutting head housing 41 and at least partially surrounds the cutting blade during the cutting operation, is also provided in the Fig. 3 to 5 but not shown.

An adjusting device for the cutter head 19, which comprises a spindle drive with a spindle 51 and a spindle nut 53, is supported on the cutting head housing 41, wherein alternatively also a support of the spindle drive (or in general any adjusting drive for the cutting blade 11 or the Knife head 19) may be provided on the carrier 24.

An unillustrated drive motor is adapted to rotate in the adjustment direction V fixed to the cutting head housing 41 connected spindle nut 53 on request about a rotation axis D of the spindle drive. Depending on the direction of rotation of the spindle nut 53 moves as a result the spindle 51 in Fig. 3 to the left or to the right. The front, in Fig. 3 left end of the spindle 51 is fixed with respect to the adjustment V to the base part 49 and thus the cutter head 19 is connected. The activation of the spindle drive thus ensures - depending on the direction of rotation of the spindle nut 53 - for a movement of the cutting blade 11 from the front end of the product 27 or from the cutting edge 31 away or on the front end of the product or the cutting edge 31.

While Fig. 4 the cutting position, in which the cutting plane S defined by the blade 11 coincides with a reference plane defined by the cutting edge 31, is located in Fig. 5 the knife 11 in a disengaged position.

Since the adjustment movement of the cutter head 19 and thus of the knife 11 takes place in a horizontal direction and thus obliquely to the product feed direction F, the distance 55 measured in the product feed direction F is 55 (FIG. Fig. 5 ) between the front end of the product and the plane defined by the knife edge is smaller than the distance traveled by the cutter head 19 in the adjustment direction V, ie smaller than the gap 57 formed by the adjustment between the fixed to the cutting head housing 41 (see. Fig. 3 ) associated carrier 24 and the base part 49th

While in the embodiment of Fig. 3 to 5 the cutter head 19 is adjusted as a whole, it is in principle alternatively also possible to move only the knife holder 17 in the horizontal adjustment direction V, relative to the other components of the cutter head 19, in particular relative to the required for the rotating blade holder 17 pivot bearing. In a - as given here - non-zero angle between the adjustment direction V of the rotating knife holder 17 and the axis of rotation A of the rotary bearing provides a movement only the knife holder relative to their own pivot bearing is not a trivial design task, which is nevertheless solvable for the skilled person when he is asked this task.

In a further alternative of the illustrated embodiment, instead of the illustrated sickle cutter head 19, a circular blade head may also be provided and adjusted in the horizontal direction V. In particular, these different cutter heads on the one hand and the carrier 24, relative to which the adjusting movement in the adjustment direction V takes place, on the other hand in the form of a universal, coordinated interface or coupling means may be formed so that a single cutting head housing 41 with adjusting device, e.g. can be coupled with a spindle drive 51, 53, both with a sickle cutter head and with a circular blade head. When tuning the different cutter heads also with regard to the required rotary drive then the same rotary drive for the different cutter heads can then be used.

With regard to in Fig. 3 shown drive belt 43 for the rotational drive of the blade holder 17 about the blade axis A is still to be mentioned that according to the invention additional measures that have not been mentioned, may be provided to the deflection or elongation of the drive belt 43, the adjustment of the cutter head 19th and thus that the knife holder 17, which is driven directly by the drive belt 43, in the adjustment direction V occurs, at least partially compensate. One measure for this may consist in the adjustment of the cutter head 19 and the rotary drive motor of the rotary drive 39 in a manner adapted to the adjustment of the cutter head 19 to move such that at least to some extent the Effects of the cutter head adjustment movement on the drive belt 43 can be compensated.

The effect of the belt elongation or deflection can also be at least largely eliminated by a suitable orientation of the cutter head. For this purpose, the cutter head can be installed so that its longitudinal axis does not coincide with the axis of rotation, but is mounted tilted relative to this by a certain angle. It may turn out that the adjustment direction is not exactly horizontal but oblique to the horizontal.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6a to 6c For example, a cutting head 121 comprising a cutting blade 117 is mounted pivotably as a whole on a base 143 of the slicer, which is not shown completely here.

The cutting blade 117 is a sickle or spiral blade, which can be driven by a rotation drive, not shown, for rotation about a rotation axis 118. Alternatively, the pivotal mounting can also be provided for a circular blade head, the blade rotates and also rotates planetary.

For pivotable mounting of the cutting head 121 a comprehensive in this embodiment, two pairs of handlebar parallelogram is provided. From the product feed direction F1 (see. Fig. 6c ) front and rear link pair only one link 125 and 127 is shown.

The pivot axes 133 to 139 of the links 125, 127 on the base 143 and on the cutting head 121 are in parallel, each perpendicular to a reference plane 119 extending plane. The handlebars 125, 127 also have the same length. The orientation or position of the cutting blade 117 in the space thus does not change upon pivoting, as the comparison of Fig. 6a to 6c shows one another. In each pivot position, the cutting blade 117 remains aligned parallel to the reference plane 119.

Alternatively, the links or handlebar pairs 125, 127 may be of different lengths and / or the pivot axes 133 to 139 or articulation points lie in planes that are not perpendicular to the reference plane 119. Depending on the specific embodiment, either an orientation of the cutting blade 117 which is always parallel to the reference plane 119 or a movement of the cutting blade 117 deviating therefrom during pivoting can nevertheless be realized, the latter e.g. with the aim of deliberately swinging out the cutting blade 117 from a parallel position. The length of the link or pair of links 125, 127 and / or the position of the pivot axes 133 to 139 may or may also be made adjustable, in order to specifically specify different movements of the cutting blade 117 during pivoting in this way.

A pivoting movement of the cutting head 121 effecting pivot drive is in the Fig. 6a to 6c not shown.

The mentioned reference plane 119 is defined by the cutting edge 123 forming the end of a product support 113 with respect to its axial position, ie its position relative to the product feed direction F1. In addition, the reference plane 119 is perpendicular to the product feed. The axis of rotation 118 of the cutting blade 117 runs perpendicular to the product feed direction and thus parallel to the product feed direction F1.

Due to the parallelogram, which can also be referred to as a parallelogram or four-bar linkage, the axis of rotation remains 118 aligned in each pivot position of the cutting blade 117 parallel to the product feed direction F1.

Due to the inventive pivotal mounting of the cutting blade 117 and of the cutting blade 117 comprising the cutting blade 117, an axially movable mounting of the cutting blade 117 is not required, i. it is not necessary to move the cutting blade 117. Special sliding or sliding bearing means such as plain bearing bushes are therefore not necessary in connection with the invention. According to the invention, the desired change in the distance between cutting blade 117 and reference plane 119 takes place exclusively by pivoting or by one or more rotational movements.

The movement that performs the cutting head 121 during pivoting, is a superposition of two pivoting movements or single-pivoting movements: When pivoting the cutting head 121 this is pivoted to the one by means of the front arm pair 125 about the pivot axis 133 relative to the base 143. On the other hand, the cutting head 121 is pivoted about the other pivot axis 135 of the front link pair 125. In response to the pivoting movement about the pivot axis 133, the pivoting of the cutting head 121 about the pivot axis 135 by the rear arm pair 127 is guided such that the position of the rotation axis 118 and the cutting blade 117 in Room does not change. Consequently, the cutting blade 117 always remains parallel to the reference plane 119 and thus aligned with the cutting plane during pivoting.

This effect of the parallelogram link according to the invention can be described analogously starting from the rear link pair 127: Cutting head 121 is pivoted as a whole about the pivot axis 137 relative to the base 143 and simultaneously guided in the manner guided by the front arm pair 125 about the other pivot axis 139 of the rear arm pair 127.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6a to 6c the cutting head 121 is pivotally suspended on the base 143. The "lowest" position of the cutting head 121 shows Fig. 6a in which the links 125, 127 extend parallel to the reference plane 119. When pivoting in one or the other direction, the cutting head 121 thus moves along the respective branch of a U-shaped path, whereby the cutting head 121 and thus the cutting blade 117 also slightly raised, ie parallel to the reference plane 119, is moved.

However, this pivoting blade stroke is completely unproblematic in practice and in particular for the cutting quality, because it is to be considered in this context - as already mentioned above - that the axial displacement of the cutting blade 117 measured in the product feed direction F1 is limited by the pivoting of the cutting head 121 is only on the order of millimeters.

As already explained in the introductory part, the pivoting of the cutting head 121 and the resulting axial offset of the cutting blade 117 can serve different purposes, in particular for performing blank cuts and for cutting gap adjustment.

Merely for the sake of an illustrative explanation, the illustrations in Fig. 6a to 6c chosen such that Fig. 6a and 6b purely by way of example show two possible cutting gap settings. In Fig. 6a is the Gap between cutting edge 123 and cutting blade 117 is relatively large (and here actually disproportionately large), while in Fig. 6b the plane defined by the knife edge of the cutting blade 117 and the plane 119 defined by the cutting edge 123 coincide and thus a cutting gap of zero is set. In practice, both with a zero set cutting gap according to Fig. 6b be cut, in particular in conjunction with a dynamic cutting gap setting, as well as a non-zero cutting gap between cutting edge 123 and cutting blade 117 during cutting available.

Out Fig. 6a It can be seen that - as already explained above - the definition of a cutting plane is only possible exactly if one considers the cutting plane defined either by the blade of the blade 117 or by the cutting edge 123, as long as the respective planes do not coincide.

Fig. 6c illustrates a situation during the slicing of a product 115 in which idle cuts are being performed. The product feed 111 acting at the rear end of the product, which can be driven during the slicing in the product feed direction F1 in order to supply the product 115 to the cutting blade 117, is put out of operation in this situation. In addition, the cutting head 121 has been pivoted so far by means of a pivot drive, not shown, that a sufficiently large distance between the present at the cutting edge 123 front product end 157 on the one hand and the cutting blade 117 on the other hand is present in this situation, the separation of chips from the product 115th by the continue to rotate about the axis 118 cutting blade 117 in this situation safely.

Once the slice portion (not shown) previously formed by separating slices from the product 115 is removed, to resume slicing of the product 115, the cutting head 121 is swung back again so that the cutting knife 117 returns to its original cutting position, for example according to the position Fig. 6a , the position according to Fig. 6b or an intermediate position.

At the in Fig. 7 schematically illustrated embodiment, the parallelogram link 125, 127 engages not directly on the cutting head 121, but on a support 155 which is connected to the cutting head 121.

The cutting head 121 is located between an upper portion of the carrier 155, which is connected to a base 143 of the slicer via the parallelogram link, and a lower portion, on which a pivot drive 145 engages, which is also supported on the base 143. The pivot drive 145 is, for example, a piston / cylinder arrangement, which - as indicated by the double arrow in Fig. 7 indicated - is capable of acting on the carrier 155 along a line of action, which is parallel to the axis of rotation 118 of the cutting blade 117 and thus perpendicular to the cutting plane.

In this case, the pivot drive 145 is coupled to the carrier 155 such that on the one hand, a movement of the carrier 155 in both directions is possible, the carrier 155 including cutting head 121 so both "pushed" and "pulled" can be, and on the other by the pivoting of the carrier 155 also taking place stroke can be taken perpendicular to the axis of rotation 118 (for example, by a slot guide), without requiring a corresponding lifting movement the pivot drive 145 would be required. Alternatively, the pivot drive 145 may be movably mounted in order to follow the movement of the cutting head 121 and thus avoid a game between pivot drive 145 and cutting head 121.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic view of another slicing device according to the invention along the axis of rotation 118 of the cutting blade, not shown here. The cutting head 121 comprises a knife holder 153 to which the cutting blade can be interchangeably attached. A rotational drive 147 not belonging to the cutting head 121 in this embodiment is capable of rotating the blade holder 153 about the axis 118 by means of a drive belt 149.

The cutting head 121, in this embodiment, but not the rotary drive 147, is pivotally suspended on a base 143, again via a parallelogram, of which only a pair of arms 125, 129 is shown here, the handlebar about pivot axes 131, 133 at the base 143 and hinged about pivot axes 135, 141 on the cutting head 121.

Both the pivotal movement of the cutting head 121 and the thereby adjusting stroke of the cutting head 121 perpendicular to the axis of rotation 118 can be easily absorbed by the drive belt 149 without affecting the rotary drive of the knife holder 153.

Basically, it is different from the concept of Fig. 8 According to the invention also possible to integrate the rotary drive 147 in a pivotable as a whole cutting head.

As in Fig. 8 is indicated by the four side by side resting on the product support 113 products 115, several products 115 can be cut simultaneously with the slicer according to the invention, with only a single cutting blade.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11

cutting blade

13

product feed

15

adjustment

17

knife holder

19

cutter head

21

pivot bearing

22

Sliding or sliding bearing

23

frame

24

frame-fixed carrier

25

product holder

27

product

31

cutting edge

33

product slice

35

slice serving

37

product support

39

rotary drive

41

Cutting head housing

43

drive belts

45

removal belt

47

wall

49

base

51

spindle

53

spindle nut

55

distance

57

gap

A

blade axis

F

product feed

S

cutting plane

T

removal direction

V

adjustment

H

horizontal

D

Rotary axis of the spindle drive

α

tilt angle

111

product feed

113

product support

115

product

117

cutting blade

118

Rotation axis of the knife

119

reference plane

121

cutting head

123

cutting edge

125

handlebars

127

handlebars

129

handlebars

131

swivel axis

133

swivel axis

135

swivel axis

137

swivel axis

139

swivel axis

141

swivel axis

143

Base

145

Rotary actuator

147

rotary drive

149

drive belts

151

casing

153

knife holder

155

carrier

157

front end of product

F1

product feed

Claims (15)

Apparatus for slicing food products (27; 115), in particular high-performance slicers, having a product feed (13, 111, 113), - At least one cutting blade (11; 117) which rotates about a knife axis (A) and / or orbiting around a central axis planetary and at least one product aufzuschneidendes (27; 115) in a Produktzuführrichtung (F) can be fed, and - an adjusting device (15) for the cutting blade (11, 117), with which the cutting blade (11, 117) in an adjustment direction (V) is movable, wherein the blade axis (A) and / or center axis of the cutting blade (11; 117) is inclined during the slicing relative to the horizontal (H), and
wherein the adjustment direction (V) of the cutting blade (11; 117) extends obliquely to the blade axis (A) and / or central axis of the cutting blade (11; 117). Device according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that the adjustment direction (V) of the cutting blade (11; 117) extends at least approximately horizontally, and / or that the blade axis (A) and / or the center axis of the cutting blade (11; 117) extends at least approximately parallel to the product feed direction (F). Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized ,
that the adjustment of the cutting knife (11; 117) is a linear movement. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized ,
in that the adjusting device (15) for the cutting blade (11; 117) comprises a linear drive, in particular a spindle drive or a cylinder-piston arrangement, wherein in particular a rotation axis (D) of a spindle drive or a longitudinal axis of a cylinder-piston arrangement parallel to the adjustment direction (V) of the cutting blade (11; 117). Device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized ,
that the adjusting device for the cutting blade includes an eccentric drive. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized ,
that the angle of inclination (α) between the knife axis (A) and / or central axis of the cutting blade (11; 117) and the horizontal (H) during cutting is in the range of 30 ° to 50 ° and in particular at least approximately 40 °. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized ,
in that a knife holder (17) on which the cutting knife (11) is replaceably attachable, in the adjustment direction (V) is movable, and / or that a knife holder to which the cutting blade is replaceably attached, in the adjustment direction relative to at least one pivot bearing for the movement of the cutting blade about the blade axis and / or about the central axis and / or relative to a base part, via which the blade holder is attachable to a frame-fixed carrier, is movable. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized ,
in that a cutter head (19) as a whole is movable in the adjustment direction (V), wherein preferably the cutter head (19; 121) has a knife holder (17) on which the cutting blade (11; 117) can be interchangeably attached, and at least one pivot bearing ( 21) for the movement of the cutting blade (11, 117) about the blade axis (A) and / or about the central axis, wherein in particular the cutter head (19, 121) as a sickle cutter head for a about the blade axis (A) rotating sickle blade (11; 117) is formed, or that the cutter head is designed as a circular blade head for a circular blade rotating around the blade axis and rotating planetary about the central axis. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized ,
in that a stationary frame (23) is provided, a knife head (19, 121) as a whole or a knife holder, to which the cutting knife can be interchangeably attached, relative to a frame-fixed one Carrier (24) in the adjustment direction (V) is movable, and / or that between the cutter head (19; 121) and the carrier (24) or between a knife holder to which the cutting blade is replaceable attachable, and at least one pivot bearing for the movement the cutting blade is provided around the blade axis and / or around the central axis a sliding or sliding bearing (22). Device according to claim 9,
characterized,
in that the carrier (24) is arranged on or in a cutting head housing (41), and / or that the carrier (24) for the cutter head (19; 121) is designed universally such that it can be exchanged between a sickle cutter head and a circular cutter head. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that a cutter head (19; 121) is a rotary drive (39) is allocated, whereby in particular the rotary drive (39) fixed to the frame or to the adjusting movement of the cutting blade (11; 117) coordinated compensating movement is capable of, and / or that the Rotary drive (39) together with the cutter head (19; 121) is arranged on or in a frame-fixed cutting head housing (41), and / or that the rotary drive (39) with the adjusting movement as a whole exporting cutter head (19; 121) or with a the adjustment movement exporting part of the cutter head, in particular a knife holder cooperates, in particular via at least one drive belt (43). Device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized ,
in that the cutting blade (11; 117) is movable in the adjustment direction (V) such that the distance between the cutting blade (11; 117) and a reference plane parallel to a cutting plane defined by the cutting edge of the cutting blade (11; 117) (S) runs, changes, and / or that the cutting blade (11, 117) in the adjustment direction (V) for performing at least one additional function is movable, in particular for performing blank cuts and / or for cutting gap adjustment. Use of a device according to one of the preceding claims for carrying out blank cuts, in particular when portioning food products,
wherein for temporarily interrupting the separation of slices from the product (27; 115), the cutting blade (11; 117) moves away from the front product end and after carrying out one or more idle cuts to resume slicing of the product (27; 115) again is moved back. Use of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for cutting gap adjustment,
wherein, by moving the cutting blade (11; 117), the gap between the cutting blade (11; 117) and a cutting edge (31; 123) is set to a predetermined amount. Process for slicing food products, in particular by means of a device according to one of Claims 1 to 12, in which
at least one product (27; 115) is fed to a cutting plane by means of a product feed (13; 111, 113), in which at least one cutting blade (11; 117) moves to separate slices from the product (27; 115) a blade axis (A) rotates and / or orbits planetary about a central axis, wherein the blade axis (A) and / or center axis of the cutting blade (11; 117) is inclined during the slicing relative to the horizontal (H), and
the cutting blade (11, 117) for performing at least one additional function, in particular for performing blank cuts, for cutting gap adjustment and / or for height or immersion depth adjustment, in an oblique to the blade axis (A) and / or center axis of the cutting blade (11, 117) Adjustment (V) is moved.

Images