EP2520501A1 - Method for packaging disk packs of food in a cutting machine and cutting machine for same - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves moving bread slice packets (46) from a starting position into a packaging position. Packaging film webs (32) are merged at a side of the bread slice packets turned away from the film webs. The film webs are welded by forming two parallel spaced side weld seams. The packaging film webs are merged in a region of a packet retaining compartment (48) at a side edge and welded by forming closed bottom weld seams. Packaged bread slice packets are separated from the packaging film webs in a region between the two side weld seams. An independent claim is also included for a cutting machine.

Description

The invention relates to a method according to the preambles of claims 1 and 3 and a cutting machine according to the preamble of claim 7.

Food slicing machines, in particular bread slicing machines, are generically differentiated into those intended for industrial use and those which are suitable for being set up in retail outlets for slicing up foodstuffs supplied there such as loaves of bread by inserting them into sliced packages, be it by the sales staff immediately prior to the sale or be it by the buyer after the sale. The latter type of cutting machines must be designed as compact as possible because of the usually limited space, and they must above all be encapsulated so that when operating the cutting machine as low as possible, better no risk of injury exists. A typical bread slicer for this application is the DE 10 2008 012 858 B3 refer to.

Such bread slicing machines have a machine frame surrounded by a housing. At the top is a cover. After opening the cover, a loaf of bread can be placed in a horizontally or obliquely downward extending, straight-line bread transport channel. The bread transport channel begins with a loaf tray and continues in Brottransportrichtung after a cutting device in an aligned subsequent Brotscheibenaufnahmefach. The cutting device may comprise a sickle knife or a circular saw-like knife, which is movable into a cutting position from an initial position in which it does not protrude into the bread transport channel.

Associated with the loaf tray is an advancing device having a feed carriage projecting into the bread transport channel and movable via an engine and transmission between an initial position remote from the cutter and an end position near the cutter. The feed slide has a contact plate, via which the inserted loaf of bread is advanced by the adjustable thickness of a slice of bread when carrying out the cutting operation. Between two feeds, a slice of bread is cut off the loaf of bread with the help of a knife. This is repeated in the cycle of the disc until the loaf of bread is completely divided into slices of bread to form a bread slice package. It is then in the bread slice receiving compartment and can be removed from there after opening a cover. Thereafter, it can be wrapped in a packaging bag of plastic film material.

So that the bread slice package does not fall apart, is in the DE 100 49 156 A1 has been proposed to make the bread slice package still accessible in the bread slicer so that the packaging bag can already be pulled over the bread slice package and only then the so-packed bread slice package is taken out of the bread slicer. The same is true in the US 2,035,259 A . DE 20 2007 018 174 U1 . DE 100 49 236 B4 and DE 10 2008 025 628 B3 been proposed.

In the DE 93 10 344 U a bread slicer is disclosed in which in the area of the bread slice receiving compartment packaging bags are kept ready, which can be inflated by means of a blower. Thereafter, the bread slice package can be manually or mechanically inserted into the packaging bag. In the latter case, it no longer requires special handling for coating the packaging bag. A disadvantage of this type of cutting machine is that suitable packaging bags must be provided, and that the function was not secured in mechanical transport of the disc pack in the packaging bag.

For the production and packaging of sliced bread in the industrial sector, large-scale plants are known, on which the loaf of bread is first cut at a cutting station and then transported to a packaging station, where the bread slice package is inserted into mechanically opened packaging bags ( US 5,743,071 A ; GB 2 445 557 A ). Such systems are not suitable for installation in retail outlets, but only for industrial use Manufacturers where the plants are designed for high throughput.

Also intended for industrial use is a packaging plant according to the DE 11 76 554 A in which bread slices are fed via a conveyor belt to a packing station, in which a packaging film web of weldable film material is stretched between two roll-shaped storage media. The bread slice package is pushed with the bread slices one above the other transversely to the packaging film web under formation of a package receiving compartment in the packaging film web. Subsequently, the packaging film web is welded to the front and back. Then the bread slice package is spent with the still open on the sides of the package on a moving conveyor belt in a further station, where the still open side edges of the packaging film web are welded and at the same time also evacuated from the packaging interior are evacuated. Also this plant is designed with its components for use in the industrial sector, ie the industrial bread making, and thus unsuitable for installation in retail outlets.

The invention has for its object to provide a method for packaging cut slice packages in a cutting machine, which ensures a secure packaging of the disc pack. Another object is to design a cutting machine with a packaging station such that the packaging process automatically and nevertheless reliably.

1. a) in der Verpackungsstation wird eine von zwei Seitenkanten begrenzte, in ihrer Breite vorzugsweise konstante Verpackungsfolienbahn aus verschweißbarem Folienmaterial zwischen zwei Vorratsspeichern aufgespannt, und zwar vorzugsweise derart, dass sie in Breitenrichtung, also senkrecht zu den Seitenkanten gerade verläuft;
2. b) das Scheibenpaket wird auf Höhe des aufgespannten Teils der Verpackungsfolienbahn in eine Ausgangsposition zwischen die beiden Seitenkanten mit den Schnittebenen quer zur Verpackungsfolienbahn verbracht;
3. c) die Verpackungsfolienbahn wird unter Abzug von Folienmaterial von beiden Vorratsspeichern quer zur Verpackungsfolienbahn zu einem Paketaufnahmefach ausgeformt;
4. d) das Scheibenpaket wird durch Bewegung parallel zu den Schnittebenen aus der Ausgangsposition in das Paketaufnahmefach hinein in eine Verpackungsposition bewegt;
5. e) die Verpackungsfolienbahn wird an der der Verpackungsfolienbahn abgewandten Seite des Scheibenpakets zusammengeführt und dort unter Ausbildung von zwei parallelen beabstandeten Seitenschweißnähten verschweißt;
6. f) die Verpackungsfolienbahn wird im Bereich des Paketaufnahmefachs zumindest einer Seitenkante zusammengeführt und dort unter Ausbildung einer vorzugsweise geschlossenen Bodenschweißnaht verschweißt;
7. g) das so verpackte Scheibenpaket wird von der Verpackungsfolienbahn im Bereich zwischen den beiden Seitenschweißnähten abgetrennt.

The part of the object relating to the method is achieved according to the invention by the following method sequence:

1. a) in the packaging station is bounded by two side edges, preferably uniform in width packaging film web of weldable sheet material between two storage devices, preferably in such a way that it runs straight in the width direction, ie perpendicular to the side edges;
2. b) the disc package is spent at the level of the clamped portion of the packaging film web in an initial position between the two side edges with the cutting planes transverse to the packaging film web;
3. c) the packaging film web is formed under deduction of film material from both storage devices transversely to the packaging film web to a package receiving compartment;
4. d) the disk package is moved to a packaging position by moving parallel to the cutting planes from the home position into the package receiving compartment;
5. e) the packaging film web is on the side facing away from the packaging film web side of the disk package merged and welded there to form two parallel spaced side welds;
6. f) the packaging film web is brought together in the region of the package receiving compartment at least one side edge and welded there to form a preferably closed bottom weld;
7. g) the packaged disc package is separated from the packaging film web in the area between the two side welds.

The basic idea of the invention is thus not to provide a finished packaging bag within the cutting machine, but to produce the packaging bag during the packaging process by wrapping the package of film from a packaging film web of weldable film material and then welding it on at least two sides in such a way the disc package is after this manufacturing process in a packaging bag, one side of which is open, which can then be closed, for example by means of brackets or by another welding process. The advantage of this method is that only simple film webs of weldable material, such as a solid plastic film or a plastic-coated film of paper or metal, must be kept ready, which are easy to procure and handle and secure wrapping the disk package largely independent of its size. The welding can be carried out by direct thermal action or by means of ultrasound action, wherein the plastic material melts.

The method according to the invention is suitable not only for cutting and packaging bread, but also for other, similarly shaped, i. string or loaf-shaped foods having such a consistency that they can be processed according to the method of the invention.

After completion of the packaging process, the cover can be opened, and it can then be removed from the packaged disc package. In the process, the packaging bag formed from the packaging film web and still connected to it tears off in the area between the two side welds. For tearing only a small amount of force is required because only very thin foils are required for the packaging of the disc package.

In an embodiment of the invention it is provided that the package receiving compartment is formed by the disk package by its movement from the starting position into the packaging position. In this design of the method, therefore, the disk package itself is used to form the package receiving compartment, ie the method steps according to the aforementioned features c) and d) merge into one operation. This is done by pushing the disk package in the clamped part of the packaging film web, and preferably so far until the disk package is wrapped on three sides of its circumference of the packaging film web. Then the open side can be merged the packaging film web and then producing the side welds are closed in the circumferential direction.

Alternatively, it can be provided that first the package receiving tray is formed by appropriate molding tools and then the disc package is moved into the receiving compartment, the above-mentioned features c) and d) thus take place successively. Another alternative is that the packaging film web is stretched so that it forms a flat bearing surface, and that the disk package is pushed perpendicular to the cutting planes on the support surface to the starting position. In this alternative, the package receiving tray may be formed by a specialist former such that a package receiving tray is formed around the disk package.

To support the transverse movement of the disk package, it is advantageous if the disk package is not moved horizontally in the package receiving compartment, but obliquely downward.

The basic idea of the invention can also be realized in a modification of the method described above, as characterized in claim 7. In this modification, the packaging film web is first also formed into a package receiving tray before the disk package is inserted into the package receiving tray. However, the insertion does not take place in this case - as in the method described above - transverse to the packaging film web, but longitudinally thereto, ie limited by one of the lateral, of one of the side edges of the packaging film web Opening the package receiving compartment. This variant has the advantage that no change in direction has to be made for the movement of the disk package, but rather the possibility exists of moving the disk package formed by the cutting process, in continuation of the movement through the cutting station and in a straight line, into the previously formed package receiving compartment, preferably with the transport device, with the help of which the food has already been pushed through the cutting station.

In both variants of the method, it is expedient for the packaging film web to be unwound as a storage store during the shaping of the package receiving compartment by two supply rolls. These should be synchronized in such a way that the packaging film web is drawn off from the two storage reservoirs by the same amount during the shaping of the package receiving compartment and during the bringing together for the production of the side welds. This has the advantage that the stock of packaging film web is always the same in both stores.

In practical handling, it has proven to be advantageous that first the side welds and only then the bottom weld are made. Regardless, it is possible to close the packaging bag at both ends by bottom welds.

It is useful if the disc package is pushed straight and preferably horizontally to the starting position. This does not exclude that provided for this purpose Transport channel also has a tendency towards the packaging station.

1. a) die Verpackungsstation weist eine Folienbahnaufspanneinrichtung zum Aufspannen einer von zwei Seitenkanten begrenzten Verpackungsfolienbahn auf;
2. b) die Folienbahnaufspanneinrichtung hat zwei Folienbahnvorratsspeicher, zwischen denen die Verpackungsfolienbahn aufgespannt ist und von denen Folienmaterial abziehbar ist;
3. c) die Transporteinrichtung ist derart ausgebildet, dass ein Scheibenpaket bis an den aufgespannten Teil der Verpackungsfolienbahn in eine Ausgangsposition transportierbar ist;
4. d) der Folienbahnaufspanneinrichtung zugeordnet ist eine motorisch betriebene Fachformeinrichtung;
5. e) die Fachformeinrichtung ist derart ausgebildet, dass in die Verpackungsfolienbahn ein quer zur Verpackungsfolienbahn offenes Paketaufnahmefach für die Aufnahme eins Scheibenpakets ausformbar ist;
6. f) es ist eine motorisch betriebene Fördereinrichtung zur Bewegung eines Scheibenpakets aus der Ausgangsposition in das Paketaufnahmefach vorhanden;
7. g) der Folienbahnaufspanneinrichtung ist eine motorisch betriebene Schweißeinrichtung zum Verschweißen der Verpackungsfolienbahn zugeordnet;
8. h) die Schweißeinrichtung ist derart ausgebildet, dass nach Ausformen des Paketaufnahmefachs und Verbringen eines Scheibenpakets in das Paketaufnahmefach die Verpackungsfolienbahn an der zur Verpackungsfolienbahn abgewandten Seite des Scheibenpakets zusammengeführt und dort unter Ausbildung von zwei parallelen beabstandeten Seitenschweißnähten verschweißbar ist und dass die Verpackungsfolienbahn im Bereich des Paketaufnahmefachs an zumindest einer Seitenkante zusammengeführt und dort unter Ausbildung einer vorzugsweise geschlossenen Bodenschweißnaht verschweißbar ist;
9. i) die Schneidemaschine weist eine elektronische Steuereinrichtung auf, die den Verpackungsvorgang automatisch, vorzugsweise vollautomatisch wie folgt ablaufen lässt:
   • aa) die Transporteinrichtung wird derart gesteuert, dass das Scheibenpaket nach Beendigung des Schneidens des Lebensmittels in die Ausgangsposition bewegt wird;
   • bb) die Fachformeinrichtung wird derart gesteuert, dass in die Verpackungsfolienbahn unter Abzug von Folienmaterial von beiden Vorratsspeichern ein quer zur Verpackungsfolienbahn offenes Paketaufnahmefach ausgeformt wird;
   • cc) die Fördereinrichtung wird derart gesteuert, dass das Scheibenpaket aus der Ausgangsposition in das Paketaufnahmefach befördert wird;
   • dd) nach Verbringen des Scheibenpakets in das Paketaufnahmefach wird die Schweißeinrichtung derart gesteuert, dass die Verpackungsfolienbahn an der der Verpackungsfolienbahn abgewandten Seite des Scheibenpakets zusammengeführt und dort unter Ausbildung von zwei parallelen beabstandeten Seitenschweißnähten verschweißt wird und dass die Verpackungsfolienbahn im Bereich des Paketaufnahmefachs an einer Seitenkante zusammengeführt und dort unter Ausbildung einer Bodenschweißnaht verschweißt wird.

The part of the object relating to the design of the cutting machine is achieved according to the invention by the following features:

1. a) the packaging station has a film web tensioning device for clamping a packaging film web bounded by two side edges;
2. b) the film web tensioning device has two film web supply storage, between which the packaging film web is stretched and of which film material is removable;
3. c) the transport device is designed such that a disk package can be transported to the clamped part of the packaging film web in an initial position;
4. d) the film web tensioning device is associated with a motor-operated molding device;
5. e) the shed forming device is designed such that in the packaging film web a transverse to the packaging film web open package receiving compartment for receiving a disk pack is formed;
6. f) there is a motorized conveyor for moving a disk pack from the home position into the package receiving compartment;
7. g) the film web clamping device is assigned a motor-operated welding device for welding the packaging film web;
8. h) the welding device is designed such that after forming the package receiving compartment and bringing a disk package into the package receiving compartment, the packaging film web is brought together on the side facing away from the packaging film web side of the disk pack and welded there to form two parallel spaced side welds and that the packaging film web in the region of the package receiving compartment is brought together at least one side edge and there welded to form a preferably closed bottom weld;
9. i) the cutting machine has an electronic control device which automatically, preferably fully automatically, runs the packaging process as follows:
   • aa) the transport device is controlled such that the disk package is moved to the starting position after the end of the cutting of the food;
   • bb) the shed forming device is controlled in such a way that a package receiving compartment open transversely to the packaging film web is formed in the packaging film web with the deduction of film material from both storage stores;
   • cc) the conveyor is controlled such that the disk package is conveyed from the starting position into the package receiving compartment;
   • dd) after the disc package has been moved into the package receptacle, the welder is controlled such that the packaging film web is brought together at the side of the package which is remote from the packaging film web and welded there to form two parallel spaced side welds, and the packaging film web is brought together at one side edge in the region of the package receptacle and welded there to form a bottom weld.

The thus designed cutting machine, in particular bread slicing machine, realizes the basic idea of realizing the method described above with the aid of a film web tensioning device, a transport device, a shaping device, a conveyor device and a welding device, ie automatically packaging a disk package within the cutting machine and thus without access from the outside, by wrapping the disk pack of a packaging film web and then the open sides are welded so that the disc package is wrapped by a packaging material consisting of film material bag. In this case, the packaging bag may be open on one side, or it may also be provided there a weld, if the welding device is designed accordingly. It is particularly preferred if the process of cutting and packaging of fully automatic, for example, after operating a start button or closing a cover, happens, so that further operation by the operator is not required. This does not exclude that several buttons must be operated to operate the cutting machine.

In training the above-described cutting machine is provided that the transport device is designed and controlled such that the disk package is moved to a starting position transversely to the clamped part of the packaging film web, and that the conveyor is designed and controlled so that it moves the disk package from the starting position pushes the clamped part of the packaging film web to form the package receiving compartment, so that the conveyor simultaneously forms the tray forming device. This design of the cutting machine or its packaging station has the advantage that it requires for the formation of the package receiving compartment only a simple conveyor, for example in the form of a slide, which is suitable to push the disk located in the starting position in the packaging film web and thereby form the package receiving compartment ,

As an alternative to the above-described embodiment, the shed forming device may comprise a motor-operated shed forming tool which is movable between a rest position and an end position, wherein upon movement into the end position it forms a package receiving compartment in the clamped part of the packaging film web. With the aid of such a shaping device, the package receiving compartment can be formed independently of the shape of the disk package such that the disk package can be inserted into the previously formed package receiving compartment.

An expedient embodiment is that the packaging film web is guided over a bearing surface, which forms the starting position for the disk package, and that in molding the Paketaufnahmefach the packaging film web using the then serving as a conveyor molding tool is so deducted on the support surface that on the packaging film web resting disc package taken and added to the package receiving tray. In this embodiment, therefore, the formation of the package receiving compartment and the introduction of the disc package in that at the same time by movement of the portion of the packaging film web on which the bread slice package rests after shipment to the Ausgans position.

Alternatively, it may be provided that the Fachausformeinrichtung is designed and controlled such that first the package receiving tray is formed, and that then the conveyor is controlled such that the disk pack is inserted into the package receiving tray. In this case, therefore, the operations of forming the package receiving compartment on the one hand and the placement of the disk package in the latter on the other hand take place chronologically one after the other. There are two alternatives to the design of the above proposal.

In one alternative, the transport device is designed and controlled such that the disk package is moved to an initial position in front of one of the side edges of the packaging film web, that is not up to the height of the packaging film web transversely thereto. Then, after the package receiving compartment has been formed, the transport device can be controlled such that the disk package is inserted along the packaging film web into the previously formed package receiving compartment and the transport device thereby performs the function of the conveying device. This is particularly useful when a straight transport channel is formed, which extends from the food storage compartment to the packaging station. Of course, there is also the possibility that a separate conveyor is provided in addition to the transport device.

As an alternative to the insertion of the disk package along the packaging film web, it may also be provided that the transport device is designed and controlled in such a way that the disk package is moved into a starting position transversely to the clamped part of the packaging film web, and that the conveying device is activated in such a way after the package receiving compartment has been formed, that the disc package from the starting position towards the Packaging film web is inserted into the package receiving tray.

As already mentioned, it is expedient if the storage devices are designed as supply rolls which are easy to exchange when the packaging film web has been completely removed from them. The storage media should be coupled in such a way that the packaging film web is pulled off during the forming of the package receiving compartment and during the merging for the purpose of producing the side welds in each case by the same amount from the two storage media.

The welding device can be designed such that it has at least two welding bars, wherein a welding bar for the production of the side welds and another for the production of the at least one bottom weld are arranged. Preferably, the welding bars are controlled such that first the side welds and then the bottom weld or bottom welds are made.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the transport device has a preferably rectilinear transport channel, along which a slide is guided motor-driven as part of the transport device, which at least between cutting station and packaging station back and forth. Preferably, the slider is designed and guided so that it first receives the uncut food and in the usual way - for example with the aid of a gripping claw and holding thorns - Fixed, then transported through the cutting station and finally spends the disk package thus formed up in the packaging station and there to the starting position.

According to a further feature of the invention it is provided that the cutting machine is encapsulated such that the access to the cutting station and the packaging station is accessible only via at least one cover which is movable between a closed position and an open position. In this case, it can be provided over the entire transport channel extending cover, which allows both the removal of the packaged disc pack and the insertion of a new food in the open position. However, the cover can also be divided into Abdeckhaubenteile, for example, such that a first Abdeckhaubenteil makes only the receptacle and a second cover part only the packaging station, the Abdeckhaubenteile each can be opened and closed independently.

The cover may be associated with a closing sensor, which influences the control device such that the control of the motors for the machining operation is only possible when the cover is in the closed position. This is for the safety of the operators. It is understood that when Abdeckhaubenteile are present in the aforementioned sense, a control of the individual parts of the bread slicer should be possible only when both Abdeckhaubenteile are in the closed position. The control can then by means of a control button that can be actuated from the outside, but also in such a way that the cutting machine automatically starts to work when the cover - or the cover parts as a whole - has reached its closed position.

To facilitate the operation, it may be appropriate that the cover or its parts by means of a motor between the open position and closed position is movable. The operation is then limited to the operation of a control button.

Also for safety reasons, the control should be interrupted immediately by the control device when the cover - even if only partially - is opened during the machining process, that is moved out of the closed position.

Finally, it is proposed according to the invention that a locking device is provided for cover, which is in communication with the control device and the cover after starting the machining operation in the closed position, at least until the end of the machining process, until the packaging of the disc package, mechanically blocked. Ultimately, this design also serves the safety of an operator.

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht auf die erfindungsgemäße Brotschneidemaschine mit an einem Vorschubschlitten fixierten Brotlaib nach dem Schneiden von drei Brotscheiben;

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht gemäß Figur 1 mit dem Brotlaib am Ende des Schneidvorgangs;

Figur 3

eine Seitenansicht der Brotschneidemaschine gemäß den Figuren 1 und 2 mit einem Schnitt durch deren Verpackungsstation und mit dem Brotscheibenpaket in Ausgangsstellung;

Figur 4

die Darstellung gemäß Figur 3, jedoch mit dem Brotscheibenpaket in Verpackungsstellung;

Figur 5

die Brotschneidemaschine in der Darstellung gemäß den Figuren 3 und 4, jedoch beim Verschweißen der Verpackungsfolie zu einem Verpackungsbeutel;

Figur 6

eine perspektivische Darstellung des in Figur 5 gezeigten Vorgangs;

Figur 7

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer anderen Verpackungsstation für die Brotschneidemaschine gemäß den Figuren 1 und 2 mit dem Brotscheibenpaket in Ausgangsposition;

Figur 8

die Darstellung gemäß Figur 7 mit dem Brotscheibenpaket in der Verpackungsposition;

Figur 9

die Darstellung gemäß den Figuren 7 und 8 vor dem Verschweißen der Verpackungsfolienbahn zu einem Verpackungsbeutel;

Figur 10

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer dritten Verpackungsstation für die Brotschneidemaschine gemäß den Figuren 1 und 2 mit dem Brotscheibenpaket in Ausgangsstellung;

Figur 11

die Darstellung gemäß Figur 10 mit dem Brotscheibenpaket in der Verpackungsposition; und

Figur 12

die Darstellung gemäß den Figuren 10 und 11 vor dem Verschweißen der Verpackungsfolienbahn zu einem Verpackungsbeutel.

In the drawing, the invention is illustrated by means of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

FIG. 1

a plan view of the bread slicer according to the invention with fixed to a feed slide loaf after cutting three slices of bread;

FIG. 2

a plan view according to FIG. 1 with the loaf of bread at the end of the cutting process;

FIG. 3

a side view of the bread slicer according to the FIGS. 1 and 2 with a section through the packaging station and with the bread slice package in the starting position;

FIG. 4

the representation according to FIG. 3 , but with the bread slice package in the packaging position;

FIG. 5

the bread slicer in the illustration according to the Figures 3 and 4 but when welding the packaging film to a packaging bag;

FIG. 6

a perspective view of the in FIG. 5 shown process;

FIG. 7

a schematic side view of another packaging station for the bread slicer according to the FIGS. 1 and 2 with the bread slice package in starting position;

FIG. 8

the representation according to FIG. 7 with the bread slice package in the packaging position;

FIG. 9

the representation according to the FIGS. 7 and 8 before welding the packaging film web to a packaging bag;

FIG. 10

a schematic side view of a third packaging station for the bread slicer according to the FIGS. 1 and 2 with the bread slice package in the starting position;

FIG. 11

the representation according to FIG. 10 with the bread slice package in the packaging position; and

FIG. 12

the representation according to the FIGS. 10 and 11 before welding the packaging film web to a packaging bag.

The in the FIGS. 1 and 2 Both have each a machine housing 4, 5 with front walls 6 and 7, rear walls 8 and 9 and side outer walls 10 and 11, respectively.

The upper side of the bread cutting station 2 is formed by a first ceiling wall section 12 extending from the front wall 6 and a second second ceiling wall section 13 originating from the rear wall 8 and a cover hood 15 having a handle 16 and a transparent hood section 17. The cover 15 is slidably mounted on rails 18, 19, wherein the Rails 18, 19 extend on the ceiling wall portion 12. The cover 15 is in its closed position, in which it bridges the area left free by the ceiling wall sections 12, 13.

The packaging station has a fixed ceiling wall section 20, which extends from the rear wall 9 and forms approximately half of the upper side of the packaging station 3. This is followed by a cover 21, which goes to the front wall 7 and has a handle 22 in the region of its front edge. The cover 21 is folded over hinged on the ceiling wall portion 20 hinges from the closed position shown in the figures in an open position.

In the upper region, the bread slicer 1 traverses horizontally a straight, in cross-section U-shaped and open at the top Brottransportkanal 23. It is divided into a Brotlaibaufnahmefach 24 and an aligned subsequent bread slice receiving tray 25. The Brottransportkanal 23 extends - as out FIG. 2 can be seen - over the entire width of the bread slicer 1.

The loaf tray 24 and the bread slice receiving tray 25 are separated by a cutting slot 26, below which a cutter is mounted with a circular saw-like cutting blade driven by a cutting motor. Cutting motor and cutting blade are mounted so that they can be brought from a rest position in which the cutting blade does not protrude into the bread transport channel 23 in a cutting position in which the Cutting knife through the cutting slot 26 upwards.

Into the loaf tray 24 protrudes a feed carriage 27 of a transport device which is mounted below the top wall portion 12 at a parallel to the extension of the bread transport channel 23 extending guide rail and an electric motor and a transmission which converts the rotational movement of the electric motor in a translational movement (eg DE 20 2007 015 217 U1 disclosed), in the longitudinal direction of the bread transport channel 23 can be moved.

Opposite the feed carriage 27, in the bread slice receiving compartment 25, there is a bread slice support 28, which extends across the bread transport channel 23, and is associated with a bread slice support means. It too is mounted in a guide rail extending along the bread transport channel 23 and can be moved back and forth via an electric motor and a gear which converts the rotary motion of the electric motor into a translatory movement.

In the FIGS. 3 to 6 the packing station 3 is shown in more detail. It can be seen that the bread transport channel 23 has a side 29, ie inclined to the cover 21 obliquely downwardly inclined bottom. Associated with the packaging station 3 is a film web tensioning device with two supply rolls 30, 31 which are rotatably mounted above and below the bread transport channel 23 and whose axes of rotation extend horizontally. They are connected to each other via a gearbox so that they each have the same speed and the same direction of rotation. On the supply rolls 30, 31, a single packaging film web 32 is rolled up in equal parts. Their width is constant and is limited by side edges 33, 34. In the width direction she is just stretched. Between the supply rollers 30, 31, the packaging film web 32 is guided over an upper guide roller 35, from there laterally of the bread transport channel 23 and then over a lower guide roller 36. Between the two guide rollers 35, 36 of the bread transport channel 23 to the packaging film web 32 is open.

In continuation of the bottom 29 of the bread transport channel 23 is transverse to its longitudinal extent a support plate 37. Its upper surface is aligned with the top of the bottom 29, that is, both are in the same plane. Assigned to the support plate 37 is a welding device 38, of which only one longitudinal welding bar 39 and one transverse welding bar 40 can be seen here. The longitudinal welding bar 39 extends along the bread transport channel 23 horizontally and above the transition between the bottom 29 of the bread transport channel 23 and the support plate 37. The transverse welding bar 40 extends parallel to the support plate 37 and above this at the cutter facing the end. Longitudinal welding bar 39 and transverse welding bar 40 are from a Ausgansposition ( Figures 3 and 4 ) At the height of the upper guide roller 35 via drive means not shown here in the direction of the support plate 37 in a welding position movable (and vice versa). In the Figures 5 and 6 both are near the welding position. The movement is perpendicular to the Level formed by the bottom 29 of the bread transport channel 23 and the surface of the platen 37.

On the in the views according to the FIGS. 3 to 5 left side of the bread transport channel 23 is a transverse slide 41, which is provided with a sliding plate 42. This slide plate 42 is from a rest position in which it is outside the bread transport channel 23 at the level of the packaging film web 32, in the direction of the clamped portion of the packaging film web 32 to the support plate 37 extendable (see FIG. 4 ), across the bread transport direction A.

From the illustration according to FIG. 1 shows that in the bread transport channel 23 a loaf of bread 43 is received. He is fixed with its right end to the feed carriage 27 via a gripping claw 44 and not seen here holding thorns. To insert the loaf of bread 43 in the bread slice receiving compartment 27 of the feed carriage 27 was moved away to the right, so that the loaf of bread 43 could be inserted in a position in which he had distance from the cutting slot 26. By means of the gripping claw 44, the loaf of bread 43 has then been fixed to the feed carriage 27.

For the initiation of the machining process, the cover 15 has been closed. Only in the closed position of the cover 15, it is possible to start the machining process and in particular the cutting process. This is done by pressing a start button 45, which is locked until closing the cover 15.

After actuation of the start button 45, the electric motor, which is provided for the movement of the bread slice support 28, driven by the electronic control device of the bread slicer 1 so that it the bread slice support 28 from its remote initial position in the in FIG. 1 shown end position adjacent the cutting slot 26 moves and blocked in this position. Subsequently, the electric motor provided for the movement of the feed carriage 27 is actuated, so that the feed slide 27 is moved in the bread transport direction (arrow A) and thus in the direction of the previously inserted loaf 43.

After the loaf 43 has been fixed to the feed slide 27, the blockage of the slice support 28 is released so that it can move freely toward its initial position. Then the actual cutting process is initiated.

For this purpose, for each individual cutting operation, the cutting blade is moved vertically upwards through the loaf of bread 43, thereby cutting off a slice of bread from the loaf of bread 43. After each individual cutting operation, the cutting knife is moved out of the bread transport channel 23 again, and the feed slide 27 is moved in the same direction by the amount of the previously set bread slice thickness in the bread transport direction A while shifting the bread slice support 28, followed by another single cutting operation. This situation is in FIG. 1 to see after three individual cutting operations. The individual cutting operations are repeated until the loaf 43 - as out figure 2 can be seen - is cut into a bread slice package 46.

In FIG. 2 the bread slice package 46 can be seen after the last single cutting operation. Whose end piece 39 is still sitting on the retaining thorns and is held by the gripping claw 47. After the last single cutting operation, the bread slice support 28 has been moved from the bread slice package 46 in the bread transport direction A to the end of the slice take-up channel 25. About the control device, the gripping claw 44 is pivoted back from its gripping position back to its rest position, and the end piece 47 is stripped from the holding thorns.

With the aid of the feed carriage 27, the bread slice package 46 is now moved to approximately in the middle of the bread slice receiving compartment 25 and at the level of the clamped portion of the packaging film web 32, ie transversely to her, the tail 47 occupies a certain defined, for each loaf of bread 43 same position , This starting position is in FIG. 3 to be seen behind the bread slice support 28.

Then, the transverse pushing device 41 is driven in such a way that the sliding plate 32 is moved in the direction of the support plate 37. It detects the bread slice package 46 on the side facing away from the support plate 37 and pushes it parallel to its cutting planes, ie transverse to its longitudinal axis, in the direction of the packaging film web 32. The bread slice package 46 is then in the packaging film web 32 under deduction of sheet material of both Supply rolls 30, 31 and pressed to form a package receiving compartment 48, and that until the bread slice package 46 in the FIGS. 4 to 6 has reached the illustrated packaging position. In this case, the bread slice package 46 is enclosed by the packaging film web 32 on one side like a kind (cf. FIG. 4 ). Then, the slide plate 42 is retracted back to its rest position.

By controlling the welding device 38, the longitudinal and transverse welding bars 39, 40 are now lowered so far in the direction of the support plate 37 that the portion of the packaging film web 32 covering the breadboard package 46 is in contact with the part of the packaging film web 32 extending over the support plate 37 comes into contact. Longitudinal welding bar 39 and transverse welding bar 40 produce a weld seam under direct heat or ultrasonic action, namely the transverse welding bar 40 a simple bottom weld and the longitudinal welding bar 39 two spaced, parallel side welds. Then drive longitudinal and transverse welding bar 39, 40 back up to their rest position. At the same time the blocking of the covers 15, 21 is repealed. The operator can open the cover 21 and then remove the bread slice package 46 packed in the packaging film web 32. The packaging film web 32 breaks in the area between the two side welds. The torn off part of the packaging film web 32 then forms a packaging bag which envelops the bread slice package 46 and which is open at the end opposite the bottom weld seam. This end can then, for example, with Help clips are closed. By the second side weld the packaging film web 32 forms a unit again.

In the FIGS. 7 to 9 is a first variant of a packaging station in a relation to the FIGS. 3 to 5 opposite side view to see. Into the packing station 51 protrudes a coming from the cutter bread transport channel 52, the bottom 53 is inclined obliquely to the left. With the plane of the bottom 53, the top of a support plate 54 is aligned.

Above and below the bread transport channel 52 supply rollers 55, 56 are mounted with horizontal axes of rotation, on which a packaging film web 57 is rolled up with equal proportions. Between the supply rollers 55, 56, the packaging film web 57 - starting from the upper supply roll 54 - guided over a form-shaped strut 58, which in their initial position according to FIG. 7 is located between the bottom 53 of the bread transport channel 52 and the support plate 54 and there the packaging film web 57 perpendicular to the surface of the two leads. Thereafter, the packaging film web 57 extends over the bottom 53 of the bread transport channel 52 up to its edge remote from the support plate 54 and is guided there via a semicircular strip 59 down in the direction of the lower supply roll 56. Shaped form strut 58 is part of a shed forming device not shown here, which causes the movement of the shed strut 58 by means of the control device of the bread slicer 1.

In the illustration according to FIG. 7 There is a bread slice package 60 in the starting position, in which it is at the level of the packaging film web 56, so across it. The bread slice package 60 is pushed onto the part of the packaging film web 57 - with the aid of the feed carriage 27 - which extends over the bottom 53 of the bread transport channel 52.

After taking the starting position, the shaper form strut 58 is moved transversely to the packaging film web 57 and parallel to the surface of the support plate 54 until they are in the position FIG. 9 has reached. In this case, of the two supply rollers 55, 56 film material - each in the same length - deducted. The part of the packaging film web 57, on which the bread slice package 60 rests, then passes together with this on the support plate 54, as from FIG. 8 is apparent. The bread slice package 60 is then in the packaging position within a package receiving compartment 61 formed by the packaging film web 57. This is open to the bread transport channel 52.

The shed form strut 58 is then swung out of the package receiving compartment 61 by means of a suitable mechanism and then enters the in FIG. 9 A longitudinal welding bar 62 is then lowered according to the arrow B in the direction of the bread transport channel 52 adjacent edge of the support plate 54, so that the upper part of the packaging film web 57 touches down on the lower part and with this to form two spaced and parallel side welds welded. The same happens in the region of a side edge of the packaging film web 56, as already to the embodiment according to the FIGS. 1 to 6 described. After starting up the longitudinal welding bar 62, the bread slice package 60, wrapped in a packaging bag made of film material, can then be removed. Then the tray strut 58 is again in the in FIG. 7 shown starting position, and the packaging process can start again when a bread slice package 60 has been brought back into the starting position.

In the FIGS. 10 to 12 a further variant of a packaging station 65 is shown, in the same view as in the variant according to the FIGS. 7 to 9 , Into the packaging station 65 protrudes the Brotscheibenaufnahmefach a Brottransportkanals 66, the bottom of which is inclined obliquely to the left. Above and below the bread transport channel 66, two supply rollers 67, 68 are mounted rotatably about horizontal axes (ie perpendicular to the plane of the drawing). Rolled onto the supply rolls 67, 68 are in each case identical lengths of a packaging film web 69.

Between the supply rollers 67, 68, the packaging film web 69 is stretched. In this case, it lies above the bread transport channel 66 on a tray strut 70, which in the illustration in accordance with FIG. 10 is in its starting position. Below the form of the form of strut 70, the packaging film web runs over a half-round bar 71 and then to the lower supply roll 68th

In FIG. 10 is a bread slice package 72 in its initial position. In this case, the starting position is not transverse to the clamped-on part of the packaging film web 69, but in the bread transport direction in front of it, outside the region of the packaging film web 69 at a distance from its side edge remote in this view. Shaped form strut 70 is also part of a shed forming device which cooperates with the control device of bread slicer 1. By driving the tray strut 70 from the in FIG. 10 shown starting position in the in FIG. 11 shown packaging position brought. In this case, under deduction of film material from both supply rollers 67, 68 forms a Paketaufnahmefach 73 which is open not only across the packaging film web 69, but also at its end faces, where the Paketaufnahmefach 73 is bounded by the side edges of the packaging film web 69. The bread slice package 72 is then pushed with the aid of the feed carriage (not shown here) into its packaging position along the bread transport channel 66 on the packaging film web until it is completely received in the package receiving tray 73, so rests transversely thereto on the packaging film web 69. In a next step, the shed form 70 is pivoted out of the package receiving tray 73 and then takes the in FIG. 12 shown position.

Adjacent to the upper supply roll 67 there is a longitudinal welding bar 74 which belongs to the welding device and which extends parallel to the packaging film web 79 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Not shown is a in the same arrangement as in the embodiment according to the FIGS. 1 and 6 trained transverse welding beam. For the welding operation, longitudinal welding bars 74 and transverse welding bars are lowered in the direction of arrow C onto that part of the packaging film web 69 which extends over the top side of the bread transport channel 66. After mutual contact two side welds are generated in the manner already described. In a manner already described above, a bottom weld is also produced. Following this, then the bread slice package 72 can be removed, wherein the film is torn off between the two side welds. The bread slice package 72 is then wrapped by a packaging bag, the open end can then be closed with brackets.

It is understood that the formation of the package receiving compartment 73 can already take place during the slicing of the loaf, so that the bread slice package 72 can be transported without interruption from the cutting device to the package receiving compartment 73, thus overriding the starting position described above without stopping.

Claims (15)

Process for cutting stranded or loaf-shaped foodstuffs, in particular loaves (43), into disk packets, in particular bread slices (46, 60), and for packaging the same in a slicing machine, in particular bread slicing machine (1), the food (43) being in one Cutting station (2) of the cutting machine (1) is cut into a disc package (46, 60) to form parallel cutting planes and then in a packaging station (3, 51) of the cutting machine (1) is moved and wrapped there in a packaging bag, characterized by following features: a) in the packaging station (3, 51) one of two side edges (33, 34) limited packaging film web (32, 57) made of weldable sheet material between two storage reservoirs (30, 31, 55, 56) spanned; b) the disc package (46, 60) is brought at the level of the clamped portion of the packaging film web (32, 47) in an initial position between the two side edges (33, 34) with the cutting planes transverse to the packaging film web (32, 57); c) the packaging film web (32, 57) is formed with removal of film material from both storage memories (30, 31; 55, 56) transversely to the packaging film web (32, 57) to form a package receiving compartment (48, 61); d) the disk package (46, 60) is moved into a packaging position by moving parallel to the cutting planes from the home position into the package receiving compartment (48, 61); e) the packaging film web (32, 57) is brought together on the side facing away from the packaging film web (32, 57) of the disk package (46, 60) and welded there to form two parallel spaced side welds; f) the packaging film web (32, 57) is brought together in the region of the package receiving compartment (48, 60) on at least one side edge and welded there to form a preferably closed bottom weld; g) the so packaged disc package (48, 61) is separated from the packaging film web (32, 57) in the region between the two side welds. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the package receiving tray (48) is formed by the bread slice package (46) by moving it from the home position into the package receiving tray (48), or
in that first the package receptacle is formed and then the disk pack is moved to the packaging position, or that the packaging film web (57) is stretched to form a flat support surface, and that the disk package (60) perpendicular to the cutting planes on the Support surface is pushed to the starting position, in particular that the package receiving tray (61) by means of a shaper (58) is formed such that a package receiving compartment (61) to the disc package (60) is formed. Method for cutting stranded or loaf-shaped food, in particular bread loaves (43), into disk packets, in particular bread slices (72), and for packaging the same in a slicing machine, in particular a bread slicer (1), the food (43) being held in a cutting station (43). 2) of the cutting machine (1) is cut into a disk pack (72) forming parallel cutting planes and then moved into a packaging station (3) of the cutting machine (1) and wrapped in a packaging bag, characterized by the following features: a) in the packaging station (65) is bounded by side edges packaging film web (69) made of weldable sheet material between two storage devices (67, 68) spanned; b) the packaging film web (69) is formed under deduction of film material from both storage memories (67, 68) transversely to the packaging film web (69) to a package receiving compartment (73); c) the disk package (72) is inserted perpendicular to its sectional planes along the clamped portion of the packaging film web (69) in the package receiving tray (73) in a packaging position; d) the packaging film web (69) is brought together on the side facing away from the packaging film web (69) side of the disk package (72) and welded there to form two parallel spaced side welds; e) the packaging film web (69) is brought together in the region of the Paktaufnahmefachs (73) on at least one side edge and welded there to form a preferably closed bottom weld; f) the so packaged disc package (72) is separated from the packaging film web (69) in the region between the two side welds. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the packaging film web (32, 47, 69) when forming the package receiving compartment (48, 61, 73) and when merging for the production of side welds in each case by the same amount of both storage memories (30 , 31, 55, 56, 67, 68). Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that first the side welds and only then the bottom weld are produced. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the disc package (46, 60, 72) straight and preferably moved horizontally to the starting position. Cutting machine, in particular bread slicing machine (1), for cutting stranded or loaf-shaped food, in particular loaves (43), into disk packets, in particular bread slices (46, 60, 72), and for packaging the same, with a cutting station (2) and a adjoining packaging station (3, 41, 65), wherein the cutting station (3, 41, 65) has a motor-driven cutting device for cutting the food (43) into a disk package (46, 60, 72) and wherein the cutting machine (1 ) has a motorized transport device (27) for moving the disc pack (46, 60, 72) from the cutting station (2) in the packaging station (3, 41, 65), in which the disc package (46, 60, 72) by means of a Packaging bag is envelopable;
characterized by the following features: a) the packaging station (3, 41, 65) has a film web tensioning device for clamping a packaging film web (32, 57, 69); b) the film web tensioning device has two film web storage reservoirs (30, 31, 55, 56, 67, 68), between which the packaging film web (32, 57, 69) is stretched and of which film material can be pulled off; c) the transport device (27) is designed such that a disc package (46, 60, 72) up to the clamped Part of the packaging film web (32, 57, 69) is transportable to an initial position; d) the film web tensioning device is associated with a motor-operated molding device; e) the shed forming device is designed such that in the packaging film web (32, 57, 69) a transversely to the packaging film web (32, 57, 69) open package receiving compartment (48, 61, 73) for receiving a disk package (46, 50, 72 ) is shapeable; f) there is a motorized conveyor for moving a disc pack (46, 50, 72) from the home position into the packet receiving compartment (48, 61, 73); g) the film web tensioning device is assigned a motor-operated welding device (38) for welding the packaging film web (32, 57, 69); h) the welding device (38) is designed such that after forming the package receiving compartment (48, 61, 73) and bringing a disk package (46, 50, 72) into the package receiving compartment (48, 61, 73) the packaging film web (32, 57 , 69) is brought together on the side facing away from the packaging film web (32, 57, 69) side of the disk package (46, 50, 72) and welded there to form two parallel spaced side welds and that the packaging film web (32, 57, 69) in the area the package receiving compartment (48, 61, 73) is brought together at at least one side edge (34) and welded there to form a preferably closed bottom weld; i) the cutting machine (1) has an electronic control device which automatically runs the packaging process as follows: aa) the transport device (27) is controlled in such a way that the disk package (46, 60, 72) is moved to the starting position after the end of the cutting of the food (43); bb) the molding device is controlled in such a way
in that a package receiving compartment (48, 61, 73) which is open transversely to the packaging film web (32, 57, 69), with the removal of film material from both storage media (30, 31; 55, 56; 67, 68), is inserted into the packaging film web (32, 57, 69) ) is formed; cc) the conveyor is controlled such that
the disc package (46, 60, 72) is conveyed from the initial position into the packet receiving compartment (48, 61, 73); dd) after removing the disc package (46, 60, 72) in
the package receiving compartment (48, 61, 73) is controlled such that the packaging film web (32, 57, 69) on the side facing away from the packaging film web (32, 57, 69) side of the disk package (46, 60, 72) together and there welded to form two parallel spaced side welds and that the packaging film web (32, 57, 69) in the region of the package receiving compartment (48, 61, 73) at a side edge (34) merged and welded there to form a bottom weld. Cutting machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the transport device (27) is designed and controlled such that the disk package (46) is moved into a starting position transversely to the clamped part of the packaging film web (32), and that the conveying device (41) is formed in this way in that it pushes the disk pack (46) from the starting position into the clamped-on part of the packaging film web (32) to form the package receiving compartment (48) so that the conveyor also forms the compartment molding device. Cutting machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the shed forming means comprises a motor operated shaper (48, 70) which is movable between a rest position and an end position, wherein it moves into the end position of a Paketaufnahmefach (61, 73) in the clamped part the packaging film web (47, 69) ausformt. Cutting machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the packaging film web (47) is guided over a support surface (53) which forms the starting position for the disk package, and that in forming the Package receiving tray (61) the packaging film web (47) by means of the then serving as a conveyor forming tool (48) over the support surface (53) is withdrawn, that on the packaging film web (47) resting disc package (60) taken and into the package receptacle ( 61) is recorded. Cutting machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the Fachausformeinrichtung (70) is designed and controlled such that first the Paketaufnahmefach (73) is formed, and that then the conveyor (27) is controlled such that the disc package (72) in the The package receptacle (73) is inserted. Cutting machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the transport device (27) is designed and controlled such that the disk pack (72) is moved to a starting position in front of one of the side edges of the packaging film web (69), in particular that the transport device (27) after forming the package receiving compartment (73) is driven in such a way that the disk package is inserted along the packaging film web (69) into the package receiving compartment (73) and the transport device (27) thereby performs the function of the conveying device. Cutting machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the transport device is designed and controlled such that the disk package in a starting position transversely to the clamped part of the packaging film web is moved, and that the conveyor is driven after forming the package receiving compartment such that the disk package is inserted from the starting position in the package receiving tray. Cutting machine according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the welding device (38) comprises at least two welding bars (39, 40, 62, 74), one welding bar (39, 62, 74) for the production of the side welding seams and another for the production of the at least one bottom weld seam, wherein preferably the welding bars (39, 40, 62, 74) are controlled in such a way that first the side welds and then the at least one bottom weld are produced and / or the transport means has a preferably straight-line transport channel ( 29, 52, 66), along which a slide (27) is guided by a motor, which at least between the cutting station (2) and the packaging station (3, 51, 65) is movable back and forth. Cutting machine according to one of claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the cutting cutting machine (1) is encapsulated such that access to the cutting station (2) and the packaging station (3, 51, 65) only via at least one cover (15, 21 ) is accessible, which is movable between a closed position and an open position, in particular that the cover (15, 21) is assigned a closing sensor, which influences the control device such that actuations are only possible when the cover is in the closed position, preferably that the control device with control only then begins when the cover (15, 21) has reached the closed position, in particular that the controls are interrupted by the control device immediately when the cover (15, 21) is opened during the machining operation, preferably that a locking device for the cover (15 , 21) is provided, which is in communication with the control device and blocks the cover (15, 21) after taking the closed position until the end of the packaging process.

Images