EP2537651B1 - Method and device for cutting a length of food into slices - Google Patents

Description

introduction

1. a) Die Lebensmittelstränge werden in eine Zuführeinrichtung eingelegt, wobei sie sich dann in einer Einlegestellung befinden.
2. b) Die Lebensmittelstränge werden von der Zuführeinrichtung auf eine Vorschubeinrichtung gefördert, wobei sie sich dann in einer Übergabestellung befinden.
3. c) Die Lebensmittelstränge werden mittels der Vorschubeinrichtung in eine Vorschubstellung überführt, in der sie gegenüber der Horizontalen stärker geneigt sind als in der Übergabestellung.
4. d) Die Lebensmittelstränge werden an einem hinteren Ende mittels einer Halteeinrichtung ergriffen und gehalten.
5. e) Die Lebensmittelstränge werden auf eine Schneideinrichtung zu bewegt.
6. f) Die Lebensmittelstränge werden mittels der Schneideinrichtung sukzessive in Scheiben geschnitten.

The invention relates to a method for cutting a plurality of slices of food into slices with the following method steps:

1. a) The food strands are placed in a feeder, where they are then in an insertion position.
2. b) The food strands are conveyed by the feeder to a feed device, wherein they are then in a transfer position.
3. c) The food strands are transferred by means of the feed device in a feed position in which they are more inclined relative to the horizontal than in the transfer position.
4. d) The food strands are grasped and held at a rear end by means of a holding device.
5. e) The food strands are moved to a cutter.
6. f) The food strands are successively cut into slices by means of the cutting device.

1. a) eine Zuführeinrichtung, in die eine Mehrzahl von Lebensmittelsträngen einlegbar ist, die sich dann in einer Einlegestellung befindet, und mit der die Lebensmittelstränge förderbar sind,
2. b) eine Vorschubeinrichtung, auf die die Lebensmittelstränge mittels der Zuführeinrichtung förderbar sind, wobei die Lebensmittelstränge sich dann in einer Übergabestellung befinden, wobei des Weiteren die Lebensmittelstränge mittels der Vorschubeinrichtung in eine Vorschubstellung überführbar sind, in der sie gegenüber der Horizontalen stärker geneigt sind als in der Übergabestellung, und anschließend in ihre Längsrichtung förderbar sind,
3. c) eine Halteeinrichtung, mit der die Lebensmittelstränge an einem hinteren Ende ergreifbar und halterbar sind, und
4. d) einer Schneideinrichtung, mit der die Lebensmittelstränge im Zuge einer Vorschubbewegung sukzessive in Scheiben schneidbar sind.

Moreover, the invention relates to a device for cutting a plurality of slices of food into slices

1. a) a feeding device, in which a plurality of food cords can be inserted, which is then in an insertion position, and with which the food strands are conveyed,
2. b) a feed device to which the food strands are conveyed by means of the feed device, wherein the food strands are then in a transfer position, wherein further the food strands by means of the feed device be transferred into a feed position in which they are inclined relative to the horizontal more than in the transfer position, and are then conveyed in their longitudinal direction,
3. c) a holding device, with which the food strands at a rear end are gripped and halterbar, and
4. d) a cutting device with which the food strands are successively sliced in the course of a feed movement in slices.

State of the art

A method and apparatus of the type described above are well known. Such devices are referred to in particular as "high-performance slicer", which are used in the industrial production and processing of meat and sausage products and cheese use. Typically, in such high-speed slicers, several food strands are placed parallel to one another, conveyed and cut, with a correspondingly large-sized slicing knife sweeping over the cross-sections of all juxtaposed food strands and thus separating a corresponding plurality of slices from the food strands with each revolution.

In a generally known method, the food strands are placed in parallel arrangement on an arranged as a feed belt and arranged for the most part outside of a machine housing feeder by an operator. Then, the food strands are simultaneously promoted by the feed belt on the feed device, which has a number of concurrently handled food strands corresponding number of narrow, in cross-section V-shaped feed belts. After a complete transfer of the food strands on the conveyor belts of the feed device, this can be transferred by a pivoting movement, for example, 75 ° in the actual feed position. Previously, the cutting operation of the foregoing plurality of food strings has been completed, and the holding means engaging the rear ends of the food strings have each released the remainder remaining therefrom and have been moved back from the knife near end position to the knife-away start position to begin upon arrival of the next food strands in the food stream Advance position to take these at the ends and hold. The gripping process However, is set only when the Gutstränge due to the transfer into the "tilt" according to the feed position in their respective front ends were aligned with each other, which is characterized in that lower tractor belts, the feed during the cutting process in a close to the knife Support area, was transferred to a rotated by about 90 ° locking position, whereby the conveyor section for the food strands is blocked. The lower tractor belts thus serve as a stop for the food strings produced in the same length, so that due to the longitudinal equality and the rear ends are approximately aligned and thus can be brought into interaction with the coupled to a holding unit holding element for all food trains.

A cutting device with such a holding unit is for example the DE 195 18 583 A1 removable. This shows a so-called collet holder, which is able to intervene with a plurality of juxtaposed food strand from the rear side thereof and then fed controlled to the knife of the cutter. As explained above, the collet holder engages the food strings as soon as they are in their feed position, that is, they are arranged inclined relative to the horizontal axis. During the advance of the skewed food strands in the direction of the knife, the former can be guided by means of guide means, wherein in particular both side surfaces and an upper side of a joweiligon food strand can be fixed, while the underside rests on the respective conveyor belt.

Another device, which uses the principle of pivoting a plurality of food strands against the horizontal, is in the EP 2 239 108 A2 shown. Here, the individual food strands are pivoted by means of a separate device against the horizontal and then - pushed out of the pivoted position - on a permanently "obliquely" set feed belt or pulled. During the transfer of the food strands from the horizontal position to the "inclined position", the individual food strands are separated by means of rigid partitions and thus blocked against lateral breaking or buckling.

A disadvantage occurs in the known procedure in appearance that despite the direction of the food strands Ausrich at their front ends a precisely aligned alignment of the same on their backs, ie rear ends, not always succeed. This is because that the food strands are inevitably subject to a certain length tolerance in their production, which manifest themselves in steps or paragraphs on the back of parallel juxtaposed food strands. This in turn means that for holding devices with hook-shaped gripping elements, which dig into the material of the food strand, for safety reasons an intervention must be set farther away from the end of the food strand to close engagement at the food strand end and thus a reduction of the maximum It is essential to avoid holding power. Due to the blockwise arrangement of the plurality of holding elements, an individual adjustment of the gripper hook spacing from the respective food strand end is not possible. However, an unnecessarily large "safety distance" from the respective food strand end means an unnecessarily large remaining piece length and thus economic disadvantages in the cutting operation.

task

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for slicing at least one food strand which minimizes the size of the residual gap remaining after the end of the cutting operation and increases process reliability during the cutting operation, i.e., the process of cutting. In particular, a tearing of the holding device from the end region of the respective food strand is avoided.

solution

• g) Bevor die Lebensmittelstränge von Ihrer Übergabestellung in Ihre Vorschubstellung überführt werden, werden sie an ihren hinteren Enden miteinander fluchtend ausgerichtet.
• h) Die Lebensmittelstränge werden zumindest während der Überführung von der Übergabestellung in die Vorschubstellung an mindestens einer ihrer Längsseiten, vorzugsweise an mindestens einer ihrer freien Längsseiten, mittels mindestens eines Fixierelements einer Fixiereinrichtung fixiert, so dass eine vor der Überführung in die Vorschubrichtung vorgenommene Ausrichtung jedes Lebensmittelstranges auch nach der Überführung beibehalten wird, wobei das mindestens eine Fixierelement mit einem jeweiligen Lebensmittelstrang einen Formschluss und/oder einen Kraftschluss bildet.

Based on a method of the type described above, the underlying object is achieved by the following method steps:

• g) Before the food strands are transferred from their transfer position to their feed position, they are aligned with each other at their rear ends.
• h) The food strands are fixed at least during the transfer of the transfer position to the feed position on at least one of its longitudinal sides, preferably on at least one of its free longitudinal sides, by means of at least one fixing element of a fixing, so that made before the transfer in the feed direction alignment of each food strand maintained even after the transfer is, wherein the at least one fixing element forms a positive fit and / or a frictional connection with a respective food strand.

The inventive fixation of the food strands avoids that the food strands slip during or after the transfer in the more inclined feed position forward and therefore - as in the prior art, the case - would have to be aligned aligned on its front. The form-fit or force-fit with the food strands formed by means of the at least one fixing element is capable of absorbing and removing the weight forces typically acting on the food strands due to the skewing of the food strands, which would result in the unwanted "slipping". The fixing device thus allows as the food strands during and after the transfer to the more inclined feed position in the previously assumed position - relative to the feed device - to keep. The method according to the invention accordingly enables an orientation of the food strands even before the transfer to the feed position or creates the possibility to maintain an alignment made before the transfer to the feed position even after the aforementioned transfer.

The possibility of aligning a plurality of food strands at their respective rear ends when using holding devices with gripper hooks allows the realization of a minimum residual piece length, since no safety surcharges to compensate for varying positions of the ends of adjacent food strands must be provided. Thus, the cutting operation can take place more economically, since the food losses caused by the remnants are lower.

In addition, the alignment of the rear ends of the food strands allows only the use of so-called vacuum grippers as a holding device because - unlike gripper hooks - there is the setting of a "security surcharge" with respect to the coupling point is not possible, at least if the vacuum gripper also off are connected to a block and combined with a common traversing drive in the feed direction suction cups are combined, which is imperative from economic aspects in comparison with an individual movement and control of each individual suction head.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the food strands are respectively contacted on two opposite longitudinal sides by a fixing element of the fixing device, preferably by exerting a clamping force on an outer shell of each food strand by means of two opposing clamping jaws of the fixing device. Jaws as fixing cause a frictional connection with the food strands. The safety in fixing is increased by such a procedure in comparison with a one-sided attack of the fixing force.

An embodiment of the invention also provides that the food strands are fixed in a rear end facing third of their length, while they are transferred from the transfer position to the feed position.

If at least one fixing element of the fixing device is moved in the longitudinal direction of the food strands by means of a fixing drive while fixing the corresponding food strand, longitudinal forces can also be introduced into the respective food strand with the aid of the fixing device, which can be used, for example, for conveying purposes. With the fixing device is thus another means of achieving a safe and gentle promotion of food strands available. It should be remembered that the food strands are not infrequently a length of 1 m and longer, which in particular in soft consistency (meat sausage, meatloaf, Mettwurst, etc.) leads to problems with selective application of force and sliding movement.

A further development of the method according to the invention in this respect is that the food strands are fixed by the fixing device and actively conveyed, preferably pulled, while they are being moved from the loading position to the transfer position and / or while moving from the feed position towards the cutting device to be moved. The fixing device can thus advantageously also be used as a conveyor during two phases of the process sequence according to the invention.

It is understood that the fixing device for this purpose must have suitable drive means which are able to move the at least one fixing element relative to the feed device.

• a) in einer ersten Phase einer Vorschubbewegung, in der sie ausgehend von der Vorschubstellung auf die Schneideinrichtung zu bewegt werden, nur von der Fixiereinrichtung fixiert werden, und/oder
• b) in einer zweiten Phase der Vorschubbewegung von der Fixiereinrichtung fixiert und von der Halteeinrichtung gehalten werden und/oder
• c) in einer dritten Phase der Vorschubbewegung nur von der Halteeinrichtung gehalten werden.

To increase the performance of the cutting process in question is proposed according to the invention that the food strands are transferred by means of the feed device in a waiting position and stopped there, which is located between the transfer position and the feed position. In this way, while the cutting operation is still running a new batch of food strands very close to the movement plane of the holding device, ie the place from which the actual feed movement takes place later, be introduced, so that the loss of time after completion of the slicing of the previous batch is correspondingly shorter on food strands than in the known methods. In this context, it is proposed in the sense of achieving the greatest possible temporal parallelism of processes for further performance increase that the food strands

• a) in a first phase of a feed movement, in which they are moved starting from the feed position to the cutting device, are fixed only by the fixing device, and / or
• b) are fixed in a second phase of the feed movement of the fixing device and held by the holding device and / or
• c) are held in a third phase of the feed movement only by the holding device.

The procedure described under point a) has the advantage that the slicing process of new food strands can already be started at a time when the holding device has returned to its starting position after completion of the slicing process in the preceding food strands. It is therefore not necessary to bring the holding device into engagement with the rear ends of the new product strands, which according to the invention is also achieved when the feed movement is already in progress, ie. while the cutting operation is running. In the aforementioned manner can thus be realized a further increase in performance.

The procedure according to point b) means a particularly high process reliability, since the food strands are fixed both in this typically a middle phase of the slicing process performing phase of the fixing and held by the holding device. In the middle phase of the slicing process, such a "double support" is or "double fixation" without detriment to cutting performance as there will still be enough time later to provide a new batch of food racks for the cutting process, again requiring the fixing device.

When using the method according to point c), the advantage can be achieved that the fixing device and in particular the feed device, to which the fixing device is coupled during the slicing with remaining strand lengths of less than about 200 mm to 300 mm for a safe process management not more is needed. Rather, the leadership of the food strands is typically ensured in this case by a respective lower and upper tractor belt in connection with the holding device. To increase performance, it is therefore expedient to transfer the feed device and the fixing device connected thereto already back to the transfer position in order to begin with the next loading process can.

• e) ein an der Zuführeinrichtung angeordnetes Anschlagelement, mittels dessen die Lebensmiltelstränge an ihren hinteren Enden miteinander fluchtend ausrichtbar sind, und
• f) eine Fixiereinrichtung mit mindestens einem Fixierelement gelöst, mit dem die Lebensmittelstränge zumindest während der Überführung von der Übergabestellung in die Vorschubstellung an mindestens einer ihrer Längsseiten, vorzugsweise an mindestens einer ihrer freien Längsseiten, fixierbar sind, so dass die Lebensmittelstränge eine vor der Überführung in die Vorschubrichtung vorgenommene Ausrichtung auch nach der Überführung beibehalten, wobei das mindestens eine Fixierelemerit mit einem jeweiligen Lebensmittelstrang einen Formschluss und/oder einen Kraftschluss bildet.

Starting from a generic device of the type described above, the underlying object is in device-technical terms

• e) a arranged on the feeder stop element by means of which the Lebensmiltelstränge are alignable with each other at their rear ends, and
• f) a fixing device with at least one fixing element, with which the food strands, at least during the transfer from the transfer position to the feed position on at least one of its longitudinal sides, preferably at least one of its free longitudinal sides, are fixable, so that the food strands one before the transfer in maintain the alignment direction after the transfer, wherein the at least one Fixierelemerit forms a positive fit and / or a frictional connection with a respective food strand.

With such a device, the inventive method can be carried out in a particularly simple manner. The fixing device allows an aligned alignment of a plurality of Gutssträngen at - viewed in the feed direction - rear ends, without such an orientation would be jeopardized by the transfer of the feed device in the more inclined feed position. On a locking device to achieve alignment at the front ends can be completely dispensed with, which in turn reduces the equipment cost, since the adjustment of the lower Tractor belts in a locked position is no longer needed. The great advantages resulting from the orientation at the rear end have already been described above.

A development of the device according to the invention is that the feed device is pivotable together with the fixing device relative to a machine frame about an axis which is perpendicular to the feed direction as well as to a direction of movement of the food strands in their transfer from the insertion position into the transfer position ,

In a preferred embodiment, the fixing elements are designed as clamping jaws which can be pressed by means of a clamping drive from opposite sides to free longitudinal sides of a respective food strand and can be removed again from the longitudinal sides. Preferably, a contact surface of at least one clamping jaw has a surface condition increasing the direction and / or effecting (micro) positive locking. In a foodstuff lying on a guide rail or a conveyor belt, the lower longitudinal side on which the foodstuff strand is not a free longitudinal side, but merely the two opposite vertical longitudinal sides and the horizontal upper longitudinal side are to be regarded as a "free longitudinal side". For food strands whose cross-section is not approximately square, but round or oval, corresponding curved surface portions of the outer shell of the food strand are to be understood as "long sides" in the context of the present invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fixing elements are arranged on a fixing carriage, which is connected by means of a carriage drive, preferably via at least one timing belt, in the feed direction of the food strand relative to the feed device and further preferably connected thereto via a linear guide.

If the food strands with their respective longitudinal direction can be placed parallel next to one another both on the loading device and on the feed device, wherein the fixing elements can be actuated for all food strands by means of a single drive, a particularly efficient and efficient fixing process can be achieved.

The expenditure on equipment can nevertheless be kept low in this context, if the jaws are divided into a first group and a second group, wherein the Clamping jaws in each case a group contact the food strands from the same longitudinal side and wherein the jaws of the first group are arranged on a first Querhubschnitten and the jaws of the second group on a second Querhubschlitten. In addition, the transverse lifting carriages can be movable relative to the fixing carriage, perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the food racks and in each case in the opposite direction.

To facilitate the alignment of the food strands aligned is provided that the feed device is aligned as a conveyor belt.

Finally, it is provided according to the invention that the feed device for each food strand a guide element, preferably a guide rail, along which the respective food strand during the promotion of the loading device to the feed device and during the advancing movement, preferably slidably, is feasible. A waiver of an actively moving surface of the guide elements or guide rails is possible by the use of actively movable fixing elements, which act as preferentially pulling used funding when relative to the feed device, d. H. to the guide elements, to be moved.

embodiments

Fig. 1:

Eine Vorrichtung zum gleichzeitigen Schneiden von sechs Lebensmittelsträngen in Scheiben ohne ein Maschinengehäuse,

Fig. 2:

eine Ladeschwinge, bestehend aus einer Vorschubeinrichtung und einer Fixiereinrichtung,

Fig. 3:

einen Fixierschlitten der Fixiereinrichtung mit zwei Querhubschlitten,

Fig. 4:

eine Teilansicht der Ladeschwinge mit der Fixiereinrichtung und einer Halteeinrichtung und

Fig. 5.1 - Fig. 5.8:

eine Abfolge von acht Momentaufnahmen während des Ablaufs eines bis vollständigen Schneidzyklus.

The method according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a device for cutting a plurality of slices of food into slices, which is shown in the drawing. It shows in each case in perspective view:

Fig. 1:

A device for simultaneously cutting six slices of food into slices without a machine casing,

Fig. 2:

a loading arm, consisting of a feed device and a fixing device,

3:

a fixing carriage of the fixing device with two transverse lifting carriages,

4:

a partial view of the loading arm with the fixing device and a holding device and

Fig. 5.1 - Fig. 5.8:

a sequence of eight snapshots during the course of one to complete cutting cycle.

An in FIG. 1 shown device for simultaneous cutting of six food strands 40 in slices has a set up on the ground machine frame 2, a feeder 3 in the form of a feed belt, a feed device 4, a fixing device 5, a holding device 6 and a cutting device 7, in FIG. 1 due to a cover not visible, the spiral cutting blade 8, however, in the Figures 5.1 to 5.8 is shown.

The feed device 4 and the fixing device 5 together form a loading arm 9, the FIG. 2 is shown separately. In addition, the device 1 has three mutually parallel within the same plane extending upper tractor belt 10 (a tractor belt 10 for each two adjacent food trains 40) and six parallel to each other within the same plane extending lower tractor belt 11, wherein the in FIG. 1 not shown food strands 40 during the feed to the cutter 7 to each between two tractor belts 10, 11, which act with appropriate pressure on opposite free upper and lower longitudinal sides of the food strands 40 and thus a secure guidance of the food strands on the way to the cutting device. 7 towards and in particular in the last feed section in front of the cutting device 7 effect. For clarity, is in FIG. 1 a machine housing not shown, which in particular the area of the device 1, in which the loading rocker 9 and the cutting device 7 are, inaccessible for reasons of accident prevention encapsulates. In the Figures 5.1 to 5.8 is represented by the machine housing, only a portal member 12 which is equipped with a pivotable closure flap 13, which releases a feed opening in its open position or closes in its closed position, thus preventing a Hereingreifen.

In FIG. 1 the loading arm 9 is shown in a feed position in which it is inclined relative to a horizontal by an angle of 75 °. In the feed position, the food strands 40 located on the advancing device 4 are held and / or fixed by the holding device 6 and fed forward by the fixing device 5 in the feed direction (arrow 14) to the cutting direction 7. The fixation by means of the fixing device 5 is achieved in the example shown by means of a frictional connection between the fixing device 5 and the food strands 40. The loading rocker 9 is pivotally mounted about an axis 15 so that it starts from the in FIG. 1 shown feed position in the direction of the arrow 16 is pivotable in a transfer position, in which they in the Figures 5.1 to 5.5 is shown.

With other handling devices (scale, storage table with clipboard, etc.) not shown in the figures, the slices produced from the food strands 40 are arranged, for example, in stacks and later packaged in self-service packages made of plastic film. FIG. 1 also shows a control panel 18 in touch screen design, can be set with the different parameters of the device 1 for the cutting operation. Finally, the device 1 still has a non-illustrated conveyor belt, can be collected with the detached from the holding device 6 residual pieces after completion of a cutting cycle and conveyed into a container 20. Die Fördervorrichtung ist in Fig. 2 dargestellt.

FIG. 2 shows in an enlarged view the loading arm 9, which includes both the feed device 4 and the fixing device 5. The feed device 4 is in turn constructed of six mutually parallel guide rails 21 which are fixed to a common swing frame 22, which is composed, inter alia, of two longitudinal guide rods 23 and two end cross members 24. The swing frame 22 is a total, ie with the guide rails 21 and the entire fixing device 5, about a non-visible axis pivotally mounted in the machine frame (s. Fig. 1 ) stored. The drive for the pivoting movement of the loading arm 9 takes place by means of a pivotally coupled to a pivotable drive shaft pivot lever, at the end of a rotatably mounted roller is arranged, which cooperates with a backdrop-like guide on the underside of the swing frame 22 and so the lever pivoting in a pivoting movement of the loading arm 9 implements.

The fixing device 5 consists of a in FIG. 3 Fixing slide 25 shown in detail, which is slidably mounted with its arranged at opposite ends bearing elements 26 on the guide rods 23 of the swing frame 22. The drive of the fixing carriage 25 takes place with the aid of two timing belts 27, which are each arranged between one of the guide rods 22 and the adjacent outer guide rail 21. Each timing belt 27 is connected in the region of its upper run in a located in the respective bearing element 26 connecting portion in force transmitting manner with the fixing carriage 25. Between the lower run and the bearing element 26 is a non-contact, ie friction-free, relative movement possible.

By means of a shaft 28 which is coaxial with the axis 15, two pulleys 29, which are in engagement with the timing belt 27, driven. In this way, the coupled with the timing belt 27 Fixierschlitten 25 over the entire free length of the guide rods 23 can move back and forth arbitrarily.

The structure of the fixing slide 25 can be particularly well the representation in FIG. 3 From the fixing carriage 25, two transverse lifting carriages 30 and 31 are displaceably mounted in the direction of a double arrow 32. The relevant linear guides are in FIG. 3 not shown. At the transverse lift carriage 30 six jaws, which act as fixing elements 33, attached. In the same way, six six fixing elements 34, also designed as clamping jaws, are fastened to the transverse lifting carriage 31. If the one transverse lifting slide 30 is moved by means of a special pneumatic cylinder 17 arranged in one of the bearing elements 26 in one direction and the other transverse lifting slide 31 by means of the same pneumatic cylinder 17 in the other direction, they move alternately into two groups on the respective transverse lifting carriage 30, 31 fixed fixing elements 33, 34 in pairs either towards or away from each other. In a Aufeinanderzubewegung food strands 40, which are each located between two adjacent fixing elements 33 on the guide rails 21 arranged there, either clamped or released. The guide rails 21 are in FIG. 3 for reasons of clarity not shown in FIG. 2 However, in its course between each adjacent fixing elements 33, 34 located.

From the FIGS. 1 and in particular the enlarged view in FIG FIG. 4 It can be seen that the holding device 6 of six mutually parallel and in each case a guide rail 21 of the feed device 4, that is, in each case two fixing elements 33, 34 of the fixing device 5 associated holding elements 35, is composed. Each holding element 35 is designed in the form of a known gripping device with gripper hooks penetrating in pairs from opposite sides in the respective food strand 40. While the gripper hooks 36 of the holding elements 35 each enter from the associated rear end of each food strand 40, the fixing elements 33, 34 of the fixing device 5 engage from opposite free longitudinal sides of the food strands 40 in a clamping manner, ie to generate a frictional force. To produce particularly large clamping or fixing forces, it is also possible to equip the fixing elements 33, 34 on their side facing the food strand 40 with (micro) positive locking elements which penetrate at least slightly into the outer jacket of the respective food strand 40 and there only lead to an elastic deformation without leaving any traces in the food and thus also in the later produced slices. In the illustrated embodiment, each fixing element 33, 34 of a plurality of over a respective common base leg 38 coupled together clamping fingers 39 composed.

In FIG. 4 In addition, adjusting cylinders 37 of the upper tractor belt 10 are also shown, which serve to press the upper tractor belt 10 always with the required contact pressure against the upper longitudinal side of the respective food strand 40, so as to produce a good traction during the advancing movement.

• In Figur 5.1 befinden sich auf der Zuführeinrichtung 3 sechs Lebensmittelstränge 40 in Form in ihrer Konsistenz weicher Mettwürste, die jeweils eine Länge von ca. 1200 mm besitzen. Die Lebensmittelstränge 40 sind jeweils mit ihrem hinteren Ende unter Zuhilfenahme eines an einem Förderband der Zuführeinrichtung 3 befestigten Anschlagelements 41 miteinander fluchtend ausgerichtet. Die parallele Ausrichtung der einzelnen Lebensmittelstränge 40 zueinander kann durch Verwendung einer oberhalb des Förderbandes der Zuführeinrichtung 3 angeordneten Einlegehilfe erleichtert werden. Die Verschlussklappe 13 des Portalelements 12 der Maschineneinhausung ist geschlossen, so dass ein Bediener nicht unbeabsichtigt in den Bereich der Ladeschwinge 9 eingreifen kann. Die Ladeschwinge 9 befindet sich in der Übergabeposition, in der sie auf die Übergabe der Lebensmittelstränge 40 durch die Zuführeinrichtung 3 wartet.

The sequence of the cutting method according to the invention is described below with reference to FIGS Figures 5.1 to 5.8 explained in more detail:

• In Figure 5.1 are located on the feeder 3 six food strands 40 in shape in their consistency soft Mettwürste, each having a length of about 1200 mm. The food strands 40 are each aligned with their rear end with the aid of a fixed to a conveyor belt of the feeder 3 stop member 41 aligned. The parallel alignment of the individual food strands 40 to one another can be facilitated by using an insertion aid arranged above the conveyor belt of the feed device 3. The closure flap 13 of the portal element 12 of the machine housing is closed, so that an operator can not inadvertently engage in the region of the loading bow 9. The loading rocker 9 is in the transfer position, in which it waits for the transfer of the food strands 40 through the feeder 3.

In Figure 5.1 is the fixing slide 25 of the fixing device 5 in its left-side end position, which he still holds from the previous process step, not shown.

At the left end of the device 1, the three upper tractor belts 10, the spiral cutting blade 8 (direction of rotation according to arrow 42) of the cutting device 7 and the holding elements 35 of the holding device 6 are shown. The summarized into a contiguous block holding elements 35 are connected via a cross-beam 44 with a guide carriage 43 of the holding device 6, wherein the guide carriage 43 along two guide rods 45 is linearly displaceable. The orientation of the guide rods 45 is 75 ° to a horizontal plane. The orientations of the guide rods 45 and thus the holding device 6 relative to the machine frame 2 is not changeable. The Guide rods 45 and also the longitudinal axes of the food strands 40 during the feed are aligned parallel to a rotation axis of the cutting space 8, ie perpendicular to a knife plane.

In addition, is off Figure 5.1 removable, that are held by the holding device 6 six food strands 40 each at their rear ends. These food strands 40 are already cut into slices in large part. Its remaining length is approx. 300 mm and continues to shorten. The feed movement is carried out by the holding device 6, the three upper tractor belts 10 and the six lower tractor belts 11, in particular in Figure 5.6 are more recognizable.

With a view to Figure 5.2 can be seen that - in comparison with the representation in Figure 5.1 - The shutter 13 is now open and the conveyor belt of the feeder 3 has the food strands 40 already promoted to the front end of the feeder 3, so that from the next moment a transfer takes place on the loading arm 9. In the meantime, moreover, the fixing device 5 has moved from its left end position to the right end position. The cutting process of the food strands 41 held by the holding device 6 has been continued in the meantime, so that the remaining strand length has shortened somewhat.

Figure 5.3 shows a situation in which the food strands 40 with a part of their length are already located on the advancing device 4, wherein the front ends 46 of the food strands 40 already extend beyond the fixing carriage 25 of the fixing device 6 also. In this position, the food strands 40, the fixing elements 33, 34 thus come into action and each clamp a food strand 40 in the vicinity of the front end 46 between them. Meanwhile, the cutting process of the food strands 40 of the previous feed continues.

In Figure 5.4 is shown a situation in which the food strands 40 is almost completely transferred to the approximately horizontal position (transfer position) located loading arm 9. The fixing carriage 25 of the fixing device 6 has moved by activating a non-visible carriage drive correspondingly far in the direction of its front end position and thereby pulled the food strands 40 on the guide rails 21 of the feed device 4, wherein the conveyor belt of the feeder 3, also with the aid the strip-shaped stop element 41, the food strands has pushed behind at their rear ends 47 slightly. This prevents the transfer of the food strands 40 from the feeder 3 to the advancing device 4 solely by a pressure exerted by the feeder 3 pressure, since in this case there would be a great risk that the very soft in their consistency food strands 40 break out laterally , which would prevent proper positioning and prevent proper later cutting operation. The length of the food strands still in the slicing process has further shortened in the meantime.

Unlike the situation in Figure 5.4 In the meantime, the fixing carriage 25 of the fixing device 6 has been displaced more from the front end 46 in the direction of the rear end 47 of the food strands 40, for which purpose the fixing elements 33, 34 are released before the displacement of the fixing carriage 25 and then in the in Figure 5.5 shown position of the fixing slide 25 were moved toward each other again to fix the food strands 40 at the relevant point by clamping. The closure flap 13 is now in its closed position again. The slicing process of the food strands 40 held by the holding device 6 is now virtually complete.

In the Figure 5.6 has the Ladeschwinge 9 in the Figures 5.1. to 5.5 leave taken delivery position and instead taken a waiting position in which it is aligned at an angle of about 60 ° to the horizontal and thus includes a differential angle 48 relative to the guide rods 45 of the holding device 6 of about 15 °. Despite the strong inclination of the loading rockers 9, the food strands 40 remain quasi hanging in their position on the guide rails 21 due to the activation of the fixing device.

After completion of the slicing process of the food strands 40 of the previous batch, the remaining pieces of food were released from the gripper hooks 36, whereupon the holding elements 35 of the holding device 6 from its lower end position in the in Figure 5.6 , shown upper end position have been moved. Of course, a collision with the food strands 40 in the waiting position does not occur.

Without a collision with the block completely retracted block of the holding elements 35 may occur, the loading rocker 9 is now from the waiting position to the differential angle 48 further pivoted from 15 ° in the feed position. Subsequently, the food strands 40 are moved to the cutting blade 8 of the cutting device 7 by starting the carriage drive, ie corresponding displacement of the fixing carriage 25.

Figure 5.7 , shows in this context a situation in which the food strands 40 are located with their front portions between the upper tractor belts 10 and the lower tractor belts 11 and are otherwise fixed only by the fixing device 5. The cutting process is already started in this situation, without waiting for the holding device 6 to move down to the rear ends 47 of the food racks 40 and grab and hold the food ropes 40 there. By starting the cutting process early, time can be saved and as much as the performance of the device 1 can be increased without the lack of rear support of the food racks 40 in the initial phase of the cutting process.

After the engagement of the holding device 6 at the rear ends 47 of the food strands 40, the "regular" cutting operation takes place, in which both the holding device 6 and the fixing device 5 are active.

But as soon as the fixing slide 25 of the fixing device 5 in Figure 5.8 shown lower end position has reached and thus the fixing elements 33, 34 would have to be solved anyway by the respective food strand 40, the loading arm 9 in the empty state from the feed position in the in Figure 5.1 shown transfer position to be reduced. The food strands 40 currently in the cutting process are kept sufficiently secure from the tractor belts 10 and 11 and at their rear ends 47 by the holding device 6 from this point on.

After transferring the loading arm 9 in the transfer position and the loading of the feed belt 3 with new food trains 40 is in Figure 5.1 reached start situation again and the cycle can start anew.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

machine frame

3

feeding

4

feeder

5

fixing

6

holder

7

cutter

8th

cutting blade

9

liftarm

10

Upper tractor belt

11

Lower tractor belt

12

portal element

13

flap

14

arrow

15

axis

16

arrow

17

pneumatic cylinder

18

control panel

21

guide rail

22

swing frame

23

guide rod

24

crossmember

25

triglide

26

bearing element

27

timing belts

28

wave

29

Synchronizing pulley

30

Querhubschlitten

31

Querhubschlitten

32

double arrow

33

fixing

34

fixing

35

retaining element

36

looper

37

actuating cylinder

38

base leg

39

clamping fingers

40

Food strand

41

stop element

42

arrow

43

guide carriage

44

crossbeam

45

guide rod

46

front end

47

rear end

48

difference angle

Claims (16)

1. A method for cutting a plurality of strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) into slices, comprising the following method steps:

   a) the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) are placed into a feeding means (3), wherein they are then in a placement position,

   b) the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) are conveyed onto a forward-feed means (4), wherein they are then in a hand-over position,

   c) the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) are transferred by means of the forward-feed means (4) into a forward-feed position, in which they are more strongly inclined relative to the horizontal than in the hand-over position,

   d) the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) are grasped at a rear end (47) by means of a holding means (6) and held,

   e) the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) are moved forward towards a cutting machine (7),

   f) the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) are cut successively into slices by means of the cutting machine (7),
   characterised by the following method steps:

   g) before the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) are transferred from their hand-over position into their forward-feed position, they are aligned at their rear ends (47) so as to be flush with each other,

   h) at least during transfer from the hand-over position into the forward-feed position, the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) are fixed at least at one of their longitudinal sides, preferably at at least one of their free longitudinal sides, by means of at least one fixing element (33, 34) of a fixing means (5) such that an alignment of each strand of foodstuff (40) performed ahead of transferring it into the forward-feed direction is maintained following the transfer, wherein the at least one fixing element (33, 34) forms a form-lock and/or a force-lock with a respective strand of foodstuff (40).
2. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) are contacted on two opposite longitudinal sides by a fixing element (33, 34) of the fixing means (5) respectively, preferably in that a clamping force is exerted onto an outer sheath of each strand of foodstuff (40) by means of two opposing clamping jaws of the fixing means (5).
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) are fixed over a third of their length facing a rear end (47), whilst they are transferred from the hand-over position into the forward-feed position.
4. The method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least one fixing element (33, 34) of the fixing means (5) is moved in longitudinal direction of the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40), whilst it fixes a respective strand of foodstuff (40).
5. The method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) are fixed and actively conveyed, i.e. preferably drawn by the fixing means (5), whilst they are moved from the placement position into the hand-over position and/or whilst they are moved forward from the forward-feed position in direction of the cutting machine (7).
6. The method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) are transferred by means of the forward-feed means (4) into a waiting position and retained there, the waiting position being located between the hand-over position and the forward-feed position.
7. The method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40)

   a) in a first phase of the forward-feed movement, in which they are moved starting from the forward-feed position towards the cutting machine (7), are fixed only by the fixing means (5) and/or

   b) in a second phase of the forward-feed movement are fixed by the fixing means (5) and held by the holding means (6), and/or

   c) in a third phase of the forward-feed movement are held only by the holding means (6).
8. The method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the forward-feed means (4) is returned from the forward-feed position into the hand-over position, whilst a remaining part of the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) is advanced and sliced while being held by the holding means (6).
9. A device (1) for cutting a plurality of strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) into slices, comprising

   a) a feeding means (3) into which a plurality of strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) can be placed, such that they are then in a placement position and with which the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) can be conveyed,

   b) a forward-feed means (4) onto which the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) can be conveyed by means of the feeding means (3), wherein the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) are then in a hand-over position, wherein further the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) can be transferred by means of the forward-feed means (4) into a forward-feed position, in which they are more strongly inclined relative to the horizontal than in the hand-over position, and can then be conveyed in their longitudinal direction,

   c) a holding means (6), with which the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) can be grasped and held at a rear end (47), and

   d) a cutting machine (7) with which the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) can be cut successively into slices while being fed forward,
   characterised by

   e) a stop element (41) arranged on the feeding means (3), by means of which the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) can be aligned so as to be flush with each other at their rear ends (47), and

   f) a fixing means (5) with at least one fixing element (33, 34), with which the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40), before and during their transfer from the hand-over position into the forward-feed position, can be fixed at at least one of their longitudinal sides preferably at at least one of their free longitudinal sides, so that the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) maintain an alignment performed prior to the transfer into the forward-feed direction, also after the transfer, wherein the at least one fixing element (33, 34) forms a form-lock and/or a force-lock with a respective strand of foodstuff (40).
10. The device according to claim 9, characterised in that the forward-feed means (4) together with the fixing means (5) is pivotable relative to a machine frame (2) about an axis (15) extending both vertically to the forward-feed direction and to a direction of movement of the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) when transferred from the placement position into the hand-over position.
11. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the fixing elements (33, 34) are clamping jaws which, by means of a clamping drive, can be pressed from opposite sides against free longitudinal sides of the respective strand of foodstuff (40) and can be removed again from the longitudinal sides, wherein a contact surface of at least one clamping jaw preferably has a surface finish, which increases friction and/or causes a (micro) form-lock.
12. The device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that the fixing elements (33, 34) are arranged on a fixing carriage (25), which can be moved by means of a carriage drive, preferably via at least one synchronous belt (27) in forward-feed direction of the strand of foodstuff (40) relative to the forward-feed means (4) and is preferably connected with the same via a linear guide.
13. The device according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterised in that the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) can be placed with their respective longitudinal direction in parallel with each other both on the feeding means (3) and on the forward-feed means (4), wherein preferably the fixing elements (33, 34) for all strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) can be actuated by means of a single drive.
14. The device according to claims 11 and 13, characterised in that the fixing elements (33, 34) are divided into a first group and a second group, wherein the fixing elements (33, 34) of respectively one group contact the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) from the same direction, and wherein the fixing elements (33) of the first group are arranged on a first cross-stroke carriage (30) and the fixing elements (34) of the second group are arranged on a second cross-stroke carriage (31), wherein the cross-stroke carriages (30, 31) are movable relative to the fixing carriage (25) vertically to the longitudinal axes of the strand-shaped foodstuffs (40) and in the opposite direction, respectively.
15. The device according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the feeding means (3) is configured as a conveyor belt.
16. The device according to one of claims 9 to 15, characterised in that the forward-feed means (4) for each strand of foodstuff (40) comprises a guiding element, preferably a guide rail (21), along which the respective strand of foodstuff (40) can be preferably glidingly guided, while being conveyed from the feeding means (3) onto the forward-feed means (4) as well as during the forward-feed movement.

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