EP2885115B1 - Device and method for slicing food products - Google Patents

Description

According to claim 1, the invention relates to a device for slicing food products, in particular high-performance slicers, with a product feed comprising at least one conveying device, with which at least one product can be fed to a cutting plane, in which at least one cutting blade, in particular rotating and / or circulating, moving.

The cutting knife may be, for example, a sickle knife, an orbital knife or a circular knife.

In such slicing devices, a food product having a defined velocity profile is conveyed to a rotating knife. The knife cuts slices off the food product. The slice thickness is defined by the feed rate of the food product relative to the speed of the cutting knife, which can be several hundred to several thousand revolutions per minute.

To ensure that the product is conveyed at a speed determined by a precision drive, traction systems are used, for example, ie the product is conveyed by one or more driven rollers or belts. A product can thus ideally be transported without slippage. Thus, for example, two parallel conveyor belts, in particular below and above the product, can be provided for each product, between which the product is guided.

If only a lower conveyor belt is used to transport the product, or if an upper conveyor belt is not close enough to the cutting plane, an upper hold-down system can be provided which presses the product onto the lower conveyor belt. The hold-down system has the particular task of stabilizing the product when entering and leaving the cutting blade.

It is also possible for a plurality of, in particular juxtaposed, food products to be fed simultaneously to a cutting plane. There, the food products can be cut by a common cutting blade or by several individual cutting blades.

The product supply can be controlled, for example track individual. Thus, e.g. Each track with its own conveyor, in particular an endless belt conveyor and / or a product holder, be equipped.

However, track-individual product promotion in the case of several products has the disadvantage that the respective product holders, which are, for example, grippers, have to be individually controlled. This requires a complex and expensive servo technology.

Alternatively, in a less expensive embodiment, a common conveyor for all tracks can be provided. Several juxtaposed products are fed to the cutting plane by means of a common product feed. In particular, in this case all product holders are only moved together, ie all product holders engaging each at the rear end of the product are always in the same position with respect to the conveying direction. The products are moved in all tracks together using the endless belt conveyor and / or the product holder.

Once the cutting process is completed, usually the end of the food product located on the product holder must be eliminated. During the cutting process and when leaving the tail, the product feed and thus also the product holder is usually tilted in practice, in particular at a feed angle of 30 ° to 80 ° relative to the horizontal.

When removing the end piece, it must be avoided that the end piece falls into the cutting plane after releasing the product holder. For this purpose, a slider may be provided, which prevents the tail from reaching the cutting plane.

In the case of a slicing device, a hold-down device for the food product and, on the other hand, a slide which, on the one hand, prevents a product end piece from entering the cutting plane are therefore necessary on the one hand for an optimum cutting result.

Such a slide can also act as a stop when a new product is inserted manually or automatically into the slicing device. The slider prevents movement of the product to the cutting plane when the product holder engages the rear end of the product during the preparation of the cutting operation.

A slider is particularly advantageous if several food products to be cut, because then the slide can serve as a stop for all products at the same time. If, however, what happens regularly in practice, the products have a different length and be acted upon at their rear ends by a product feeder, which moves only as a whole, ie can not be operated track individual, then products of different lengths are clamped between the slide and eg individual product holders of the product feeder. A longer food product is more compressed than a shorter food product. This can lead to undesirable deformations or even inevitable damage to the products.

Such product impairments can occur not only on multi-lane but also on slitters that cut only one product at a time, for example, because of product consistency in the preparation of the cutting operation, a product holder must apply a relatively high force to the rear end of the product to provide sufficient to ensure firm hold.

In order for the products to relax before the actual cutting process begins, the product holders, once engaged with the products, are usually withdrawn before the pusher is opened. This movement of the product feed counter to the conveying direction slows down the cutting process and thus reduces overall the achievable product throughput.

To stabilize and guide the product not only a hold-down, which presses the product against a lower product support, but alternatively or additionally be provided a pressing device which presses the product against a lateral product system.

Consequently, in order to avoid the above-mentioned problems, a slicing apparatus must have a plurality of partially independent ones and partially perform interrelated functions, so that an optimal cutting result and the highest possible cutting performance can be achieved. Such requirements are placed on both devices that can only cut a product at a time, as well as on devices that are capable of a multi-lane operation. Also, at least with regard to some requirements, it does not depend on the concrete way in which the product feed attacks the product. The product supply may, for example, have one or more product holders which are designed, for example, as product claws provided with claws or as pure slides. It is also common, but not mandatory, for the product feeder to engage the rear end of the product. The product feeder can also attack, for example, laterally or from the side at the rear of the product.

The above-described problems or requirements when dealing with sliced products can be in principle get well under control with the currently known Slicers, including, however, a relatively high constructive and control engineering effort must be operated, which is associated with relatively high costs.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an apparatus and a method for slicing food products, which ensure the best possible handling of the products with the least possible design and control technology, and in particular ensure high cutting quality and enable high product throughput.

The solution of this object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 11.

According to the invention, the slicing device comprises at least one multifunctional working unit for at least temporary handling of the product, the working unit being adjustable into a pressing position in which the working unit presses the product movable in the conveying direction against a lower product support and / or a lateral product contact, and into a blocking position is, wherein the working unit, starting from the blocking position with a component in the conveying direction in a path for the product releasing position is pivotable.

Out EP 0 931 630 A2 For example, in a device for shredding foodstuffs, a holding-down device is known which can be moved linearly in the vertical direction in order to be able to be pressed with an adjustable force against foodstuffs to be comminuted on a conveyor.

According to the invention, the working unit can act as a hold-down for the product in the pressing position. The product can be clamped between the lower product support, in particular a conveyor belt, a roller conveyor or an immovable surface with a low static friction coefficient, and the working unit.

Alternatively or additionally, in the pressing position, the product can also be pressed against a lateral product installation, for example a side wall, in particular a conveyor belt, a roller conveyor or an immovable surface with a low static friction coefficient.

The product is thereby stabilized, in particular during the entry and exit of the cutting blade. Thus, e.g. allows slicing the products into even slices.

In the blocking position, on the other hand, the working unit counteracts a movement of the product in the conveying direction, ie in particular the path to the cutting blade is blocked for the product.

The working unit according to the invention thus fulfills a dual function and can thus assume those functions which are fulfilled in known slicers by two structurally separate and separately operated devices, namely a product holder on the one hand and a slider on the other hand.

Due to this dual function, only a single device is necessary, which costs can be saved. The construction of the slicing device is also particularly simple. Maintenance is also reduced.

Further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings.

The work unit may be passive or active. A passive unit of work may e.g. a sheet metal bending part or a non-driven roller conveyor include. In an active working unit, for example, a belt or driven rollers may be provided. As a result, the conveying of the product along and / or against the conveying direction in the pressing position of the working unit can be supported. Also in the blocking position, e.g. the termination of an end piece is actively supported. With such an active embodiment of the working unit, the pressing position can simultaneously be a traction or conveying position, since the working unit at least supports the conveying of the product.

According to one embodiment, the working unit located in the blocking position is effective as a stop for the front end of the product or as a deflector for a product end to be rejected, depending on the operating situation.

If e.g. inserted a new product, so this proposes with its one end to the stop and is brought at the other end in engagement with a product holder. By the stop, a secure engagement of the product holder, e.g. be guaranteed in the rear end of the product. During the intervention of the product holder, the product is not yet pushed along the conveying direction to the cutting plane due to the stop.

If a product is almost completely cut open, the working unit in the blocking position can also be effective as a deflector for a product end to be rejected. The locking position prevents the product end from falling into the cutting plane when it is disengaged from the product holder. Otherwise, this could, for example, lead to unwanted chips and impurities of the slicing device.

When rejecting, i. Removing the end piece from the product feeder, the tail can be transported, for example, down into a shaft or laterally out of the conveyor. In particular, the working unit can have a surface running vertically or obliquely to the product support in order to discharge the product end piece. In this way, a targeted slipping or slipping or disposal of the tail is ensured.

The work unit can passively act as a deflector. It is also conceivable to actively form the working unit, for example by means of a driven belt belt, whereby the separation of the tail is actively supported. This allows a particularly reliable and fast release of the product feeder.

According to a further embodiment, the working unit located in the blocking position is made yielding with respect to a force applied in the conveying direction. The working unit is thus not rigid in particular. This can be achieved, for example, by an elastic and / or flexible material, e.g. a rubber or plastic material can be realized. Alternatively or additionally, for example, spring systems or pneumatic and / or hydraulic systems are conceivable. The working unit can yield evenly or in stages - especially in dependence on the applied force - be adjusted in different positions. The compliance behavior may in particular be adjustable, e.g. by the choice of material, the choice of the spring used or an adjustment or control or regulation of the pneumatic and / or hydraulic system. This can be used to regulate whether or how much the working unit gives way depending on an acting force.

According to a further embodiment, the working unit located in the blocking position is movable by a force exceeding a threshold, applied in the conveying direction with a component in the conveying direction, in particular against the action of a holding force. From a certain force thus the way for the product is released at least a little way in the conveying direction. For example, spring systems or pneumatic and / or hydraulic systems are conceivable. The work unit can be moved evenly or gradually - in particular depending on the applied force - be adjusted in different positions.

In particular, when several products of different lengths are brought into engagement with product holders, which only together, ie not track individual, be moved, especially longer products between the work unit, which is in the locked position and is held for example with a certain holding force in this blocking position, and the product holders are trapped. Because at least one component of the working unit can now move in the conveying direction, in particular a product under pressure can relax. Excessive loading of the product end on the product holder is thereby avoided. Also, the product is kept safe immediately. Thus, products of different lengths can be processed easily and safely. In addition, no adverse compression of the products occur. Through these measures, so to speak, each product individually receives as much space as needed because of its length, so as not to be overly compressed.

The threshold value and / or the holding force are in particular adjustable. Thereby, e.g. the resistance to be determined, which is opposed to a product. If the pressure is sufficiently high, the blocking position is at least partially or temporarily released and the working unit at least partially clears the way for the product.

In a development, the movement of the working unit is at least a part of an adjusting movement of the working unit into the pressing position. The applied force thus at least partially displaces the working unit into the pressing position. The movement due to the threshold crossing thus forms in particular already the beginning of the movement for adjusting the working unit from the blocking position to the pressing position. This saves valuable time.

According to a further embodiment, the working unit is adjustable from the blocking position directly into the pressing position and vice versa. There are thus, for example, no intermediate positions provided. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to first transfer the working unit from the blocking position into an intermediate position. In this intermediate position, for example, another function could be performed. Only after this intermediate position, the working unit would be adjusted in the Andrückstellung. In both cases, the working unit may be permanently in contact with the product during the adjustment movement.

According to a further embodiment, starting from the blocking position, the working unit is adjustable without a movement component directed counter to the conveying direction and can be pivoted with a component in the conveying direction into a position releasing the path for the product. The product does not have to be moved in this way first, for example, by means of the product holder in the opposite direction of the product feed, so that the working unit can be adjusted. Such adjustment of the working unit, e.g. in the conveying direction or perpendicular from the conveying direction or a lateral movement out of the conveying path is particularly advantageous. Thus, for example, the speed of operation of the slicing apparatus can be increased in this way, since the product delivery need not be interrupted and it is not necessary to retract the product by means of a product holder before releasing the conveying path, i. to move against the conveying direction.

According to the invention, an adjusting movement of the working unit comprises a pivoting movement. In this way, a direct adjustment of the working unit from the locking position to the drive position can be implemented particularly easily. In particular, the working unit may comprise at least one joint or hinge.

According to a further embodiment, the working unit comprises at least one adjustable holding section, which exerts a pressing function in the pressing position and a blocking function for the product in the blocking position. The holding section can be used as a passive element, e.g. as a sheet metal bent part or as a non-driven roller conveyor, or as an active conveying element, e.g. be designed as a belt or driven roller conveyor. The holding section has, in particular, an at least substantially planar holding surface facing the product, which preferably extends at least approximately parallel to the conveying direction in the pressing position and at least approximately perpendicular to the conveying direction in the blocking position. In this way, the largest possible contact surface with the product can be made available both in the pressing position and in the blocking position. Alternatively, the holding portion may also have a different geometric shape.

In the pressing position, the holding surface can press the product from above onto a lower product support or from the side against a product installation.

According to a further embodiment, the position of the working unit, in particular the distance of the working unit from the lower product support and / or from the lateral product installation, can be changed. In this way, the working unit can be set, for example, to the diameter of the product. The position change can be done manually, for example by means of screws, or automatically, for example by means of an electric, electromagnetic, hydraulic and / or pneumatic drive.

According to a further embodiment, an adjusting movement of the working unit and a movement for changing the position of the working unit independent from each other. For example, the height of the working unit and / or the lateral position of the working unit can be changed independently of the adjusting movement between the pressing position and the blocking position. In particular, a separate drive is provided for each of these two movements. The working unit is thus particularly variable and with high precision to the particular circumstances, in particular to be sliced product customizable. Thanks to the independent drives, the product can be handled safely and in a controlled manner, which in particular leads to exact guidance of the product and a good cutting result.

Alternatively, an adjusting movement of the working unit and a movement for changing the position of the working unit are positively coupled with each other. In this case, for example, a slotted guide can be provided. In particular, the adjusting movement may comprise a curved section in order to additionally transfer the working unit from the pressing position into the blocking position and vice versa when the position of the working unit changes. In this way, various movements are performed due to a single exciter movement. Such excitation movement can be realized for example with only a single drive, which costs can be saved.

According to a further embodiment, the working unit comprises a base and at the base a holding portion for the product, wherein the position of the base is variable and the holding portion is adjustable. The holding portion is in particular hingedly connected to the base and can be adjusted in this way from a pressing position into a blocking position, for example by pivoting. In addition, for example, the height and / or the lateral distance of the base can be adjusted relative to the product.

In a development, the holding section is movable relative to the base. In particular, the holding portion, e.g. be pivoted relative to the base by means of a joint.

According to a further embodiment, a movement of the base for changing the position and an adjusting movement of the holding portion are independent of each other and in particular effected by means of separate drives. For example, the height and / or the lateral distance of the base relative to the product can thus be carried out independently of the adjusting movement of the holding section from the pressing position and the blocking position or vice versa. This ensures a particularly precise adjustment of the working unit to the product.

Alternatively, a movement for changing the position of the base and an adjusting movement of the holding portion are derivable from a single movement of the working unit, in particular, the movement of the working unit is effected by means of a single drive. This is done, for example, using a slotted guide. The adjusting movement may comprise a curved section. In this way, for example, a single drive for both adjustment movements may be sufficient. This leads to a significant cost reduction.

According to a further embodiment, the working unit, in particular a holding section of the working unit, is designed as an at least temporarily effective drive for the product. The working unit may comprise, for example, a belt or driven rollers. In this way, the working unit may, for example, assist a lower belt conveyor on which the product rests in conveying the product. Even with a tip elimination, a driven and thus active working unit can have a supporting effect.

In another embodiment, the product feed is multi-tracked to cut several products simultaneously. Here, the working unit is track-individually operable. As a result, the particularities, for example the length, width, height, cross-sectional shape, contour, consistency, hardness, density and / or structure, of the respective products can be taken into account individually and independently of each other. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to provide a common working unit for several or all tracks.

According to a further embodiment, the working unit for each track comprises an adjustable holding section which exerts a pressing function in a pressing position and a blocking function for the product in a blocking position, the holding sections being operable independently of one another. In this way, all tracks can be blocked independently of each other, for example. Also, the compliance or threshold of the unit of work can be customized for each track and product.

According to a further embodiment, the holding portions are attached to a common base of the working unit and independently adjustable relative to the base. This allows flexible adaptation. On the common basis all holding sections and thus all tracks are centrally influenced.

According to a further embodiment, the position of the base, in particular its distance from the lower product support and / or from the lateral product installation, can be changed. Thus, for example, the Height and / or the lateral position of the base for all or at least some tracks are set together, while the adjustment of the holding portions between the Andrückstellung and the locking position can be made track-individual. Alternatively, the adjustment of the holding sections can also be dependent on each other. In this case, in particular, a common holding section can be provided for all or at least some tracks.

According to a further embodiment, a separate drive is provided for the base and for each of the holding sections. Alternatively, the base and the holding sections can be operated with a common drive. It is also conceivable to drive at least some holding sections with a common drive.

Also described is a device for slicing food products, in particular high-performance slicers, with a product feed comprising at least one conveyor with which at least one product can be fed to a cutting plane in which at least one cutting blade, in particular rotating and / or rotating, moves , The slicing device further comprises at least one working unit for at least temporary handling of the product, which is effective in a blocking position as a stop for the front product end, wherein the working unit located in the blocking position is resilient to a force applied in the conveying direction.

The working unit is thus not rigid in particular. This can be realized for example by an elastic and / or flexible material, for example a rubber or plastic material. Alternatively or additionally, for example, spring systems or pneumatic and / or hydraulic systems are conceivable. The work unit can be uniform give way or gradually - in particular depending on the applied force - be adjusted in different positions. The compliance behavior may in particular be adjustable, for example by the choice of material, the choice of the spring used or an adjustment or control or regulation of the pneumatic and / or hydraulic system. This can be used to regulate whether or how much the working unit gives way depending on an acting force.

Alternatively or additionally, the working unit located in the blocking position is movable by a force exceeding a threshold, applied in the conveying direction with a component in the conveying direction, in particular against the action of a holding force.

From a certain force thus the way for the product is released at least a little way in the conveying direction. For example, spring systems or pneumatic and / or hydraulic systems are conceivable. The work unit can be moved evenly or gradually - in particular depending on the applied force - be adjusted in different positions.

The threshold value and / or the holding force are in particular adjustable. Thereby, e.g. the resistance to be determined, which is opposed to a product. If the pressure is sufficiently high, the blocking position is at least partially or temporarily released and the working unit at least partially clears the way for the product.

According to another embodiment, the product feed is multi-tracked to cut several products simultaneously. Here, the working unit is track-individually operable.

In particular, when a plurality of different length products are engaged with product holders, at least some of which, particularly all, are only shared, i. not track individual, are moved longer products between the working unit, which is in the locked position and e.g. held with a certain holding force in this blocking position, and clamped the product holders. Due to the fact that at least one component of the working unit can now move in the conveying direction or, in particular, due to the flexibility, a product under pressure can relax. Excessive load on the product end on the product holder is thereby largely avoided. Also, the product is kept safe immediately. Thus, products of different lengths can be processed easily and safely. In addition, no adverse compression of the products occur. Through these measures, so to speak, each product individually receives as much space as needed because of its length, so as not to be overly compressed.

According to a further embodiment, the working unit for each track comprises an adjustable holding section, which in a blocking position has a blocking function for the product, the holding sections being operable independently of one another. In this way, in particular the compliance behavior, the threshold value and / or the holding force can be set in a track-specific manner. Preferably, these values are chosen approximately equal. Depending on e.g. sooner or later, the length and / or consistency of the respective products will cause the holding section to yield and thus at least partially clear the way for the product in the direction of the cutting plane.

According to a further embodiment, the working unit is multifunctional, wherein the working unit in a Andrückstellung, in the the working unit presses the product movable in the conveying direction against a lower product support and / or a lateral product support, and is adjustable into the blocking position, in which the working unit counteracts a movement of the product in the conveying direction.

The invention further relates to a method for slicing food products, in particular by means of a device according to the invention, in which at least one product is fed to a cutting plane by means of a product feed comprising at least one conveyor, in which at least one cutting blade, in particular rotating, and / or circulating, moving. In this case, at least one multifunctional working unit is moved into a pressing position as a function of the operating situation, in which the working unit presses the product moving in the conveying direction against a lower product support and / or a lateral product contact, or into a blocking position in which the work unit moves Counteracts product in conveying direction.

According to one embodiment, the working unit is moved into the blocking position before the start of the slicing, in order to serve as a stop for the front end of the product when the rear end of the product is loaded by means of a product holder of the conveyor. The front end of the product strikes, for example, the stop, while the product holder engages the rear end of the product. During the intervention of the product holder, the product is thus not moved in the direction of the cutting plane. Thereafter, particularly as soon as the product holder engages the product, the process unit is moved to the apply position to press the product against the product support and / or the product line during slicing. In the pressing position, the working unit acts, for example, as a product holder. The work unit can be designed, for example, as an active conveyor in order to promote the product to the cutting blade or at least to support the conveying.

After cutting, the working unit is moved back to the locking position, in particular to prevent the product end from falling into the cutting plane when the product holder is removed from the rear end of the product. Also, the working unit in the blocking position can at least support a leaving of a product end. For this purpose, the working unit may, for example, have a vertical or oblique passive surface in order to deflect the product end piece. Alternatively or additionally, the working unit can be actively driven in the blocking position in order to accelerate the separation of the product end piece.

According to a further embodiment, the working unit is at least during an adjusting movement from the blocking position to the pressing position and vice versa in, in particular permanent, contact with the product, i. In particular, the work unit constantly touches the product. The movement of the product and the adjustment of the working unit are particularly matched. The product can thus be safely guided at any time.

According to a further embodiment, the product is fed to the cutting plane during an adjustment movement of the working unit from the blocking position into the pressing position. The feeding of the product can take place, for example, with the aid of a conveyor belt, in particular arranged below the product, and / or with the aid of a product holder. The force which is exerted on the working unit when the product is conveyed to the cutting plane from the product can thereby at least partially be used to adjust the working unit from the locked position to the Andrückstellung.

According to a further embodiment, the product holder remains in its position or is moved in the conveying direction during an adjusting movement of the working unit from the blocking position into the pressing position. Due to the fact that the adjustment movement from the blocking position into the pressing position preferably takes place with a component in the conveying direction, the product and / or the product holder can move permanently in the conveying direction. A movement of the product holder counter to the conveying direction is therefore not necessary. The product therefore does not have to be retracted first in order to move the working unit out of the blocking position into the pressing position. As a result, the product promotion is not interrupted unnecessarily. The product loading time is thereby reduced and the slicing process thus overall faster.

According to a further embodiment, the product holder is moved counter to the conveying direction during the adjusting movement of the working unit from the pressing position into the blocking position. In particular, in this case a Produktendstück be withdrawn by means of the product holder, so that the working unit adjusted in the blocking position and - seen in the conveying direction - can get in front of the product holder. The product holder may then be released and the product end removed by the process cartridge or at least with the assistance of the process cartridge.

Regardless of whether a single-track or multi-track design is provided, in one possible embodiment, the product support is in two parts and comprises a rear support section, which is pivotable in particular for a loading operation, and a front stationary support section, which reaches as far as the cutting plane. Preferably, both support sections are designed as active conveyor, but also a passive design is possible. With the front support section, the working unit interacts in the pressing position. In this case, all combinations of active and passive embodiment are conceivable, ie, the working unit can be designed both as a passive hold-down and as an active conveyor, which cooperates with a passive or actively promoting front support section. If both the working unit and the front support section are active, these together form a traction system for the product, which is thereby guided particularly precisely to the cutting plane.

In a further embodiment, the working unit may be provided with guide means for the or each product, which provide, in particular for the front product area during product transport from the blocking position to the pressing position, for safe or punctual delivery of the or each product. The guide means may e.g. be provided for each track in the form of a contour adapted to the product cross-section, which is formed on the working unit.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Aufschneidevorrichtung mit einer Arbeitseinheit in einer Andrückstellung,

Fig. 2

eine Aufschneidevorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 mit der Arbeitseinheit in einer Sperrstellung,

Fig. 3

eine Perspektivansicht der Aufschneidevorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 mit neu geladenen Produkten,

Fig. 4

eine Aufschneidevorrichtung gemäß Fig. 3 beim Übergang der Arbeitseinheit von der Sperrstellung in die Andrückstellung,

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht der Aufschneidevorrichtung gemäß Fig. 4, und

Fig. 6

die Aufschneidevorrichtung gemäß Fig. 5 mit weiter vorgerückten Produkten.

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

Fig. 1

a side view of an embodiment of a slicing device according to the invention with a working unit in a Andrückstellung,

Fig. 2

a slicing device according to Fig. 1 with the work unit in a locked position,

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the slicing according to Fig. 1 with newly loaded products,

Fig. 4

a slicing device according to Fig. 3 during the transition of the working unit from the blocking position into the pressing position,

Fig. 5

a side view of the slicing according to Fig. 4 , and

Fig. 6

the slicing device according to Fig. 5 with further advanced products.

Fig. 1 shows a device for slicing food products in the form of a multi-lane high-performance slicer with an inclined during cutting continuous belt conveyor 10, which serves as a conveyor and with the same time several food products 12 along a conveying direction F of a cutting plane S supplied and cut. The side views in particular the Fig. 1 and 2 not shown multi track formation of Slicers is mainly in the perspective views of the 3 and 4 to recognize.

The food products 12 may in particular be sausage, ham, cheese or similar products. These may be rod-shaped or bar-shaped and differ in terms of production in length.

At the front end of the conveyor 10 is a downwardly angled front part 10 'is provided, which can be arranged relative to the conveyor 10 pivotable or at a fixed angle to the conveyor 10. The Front part 10 'may also be designed as an active conveyor, but this is not mandatory.

In the conveying direction F, the conveyor 10 is followed by a stationary front conveyor 11 in the form of an endless conveyor belt, which extends to just before the cutting plane S.

In the cutting plane S, a blade designed as a sickle blade 14 is arranged. In addition, the slicer comprises a working unit 16 with a base 18 and a plurality of holding elements 20 which form holding sections of the working unit 16, wherein a holding element 20 is provided for each track of the slicer. The holding elements 20 are in the functional position of Fig. 1 oriented parallel to the conveying direction F and press the products 12 on the product support formed by the stationary front conveyor 11. The holding elements 20 thus form hold-downs for the products 12.

In this embodiment, the holding elements 20 also each comprise a band belt 22, with which the products 12 can be actively moved in the conveying direction F. The promotion of the products 12 in the direction of the cutting plane S thus takes place with the aid of the endless conveyor belt 10 and the front conveyor 11, the belt straps 22 and a plurality of product holders designed as grippers 28, which respectively engage in a rear product end 30 of the food products 12. Alternatively, the product holders 28 may be passive insofar as they themselves do not serve as a drive for conveying the products 12 in the conveying direction F, but only for stabilizing the products 12 and later (cf. Fig. 2 ) are effective for retracting the product end pieces 30 and are pulled along by the products 12 during the movement in the conveying direction F, for example.

In the front region, the products 12 are thus transported by the active holding elements 20 and the stationary front conveyor 11 to the cutting plane.

The working unit 16 comprises a pneumatic height adjustment drive 24 with which the distance of the base 18 from the front conveyor 11 along a height adjustment direction H can be adjusted. In addition, the working unit 16 includes pneumatic pivoting drives 26 with which the holding elements 20 relative to the base 18 of the in Fig. 1 shown Andrückstellung can be pivoted into a locked position. Each holding element 20 is associated with its own pivoting drive 26, which comprises a piston / cylinder arrangement which is articulated at one end to the base 18 and at the other end to the respective holding element 20, wherein the holding elements 20 each hinged to the base 18th are connected, on a spaced from the axis of attack of the piston / cylinder arrangement pivot axis, so that a change in length of the piston / cylinder arrangement generates a pivoting movement of the respective holding element 20.

A blocking position of the holding elements 20 is in Fig. 2 shown. The holding elements 20 are in this case oriented perpendicular to the front conveyor 11 and form a barrier for the product end pieces 30th

Be thus according to Fig. 1 Products 12 are cut, the holding elements 20 serve as hold-down for the products 12. During the slicing process, the products 12 are held by the gripper 28 and conveyed to the sickle blade 14 by means of the endless conveyor belt 10, the front conveyor 11 and the belt straps 22 until the products 12 almost completely cut open. Are only the product end pieces 30 left (see Fig. 2 ), so they are by means of the gripper 28 against the Conveying direction F withdrawn. At the same time, the height adjustment drive 24 moves the base 18 upwards along the height adjustment direction H, while the pivoting drive 26 pivots the holding elements 20 out of the pressing position into the blocking position.

In Fig. 2 Thus, despite the skew of the product support, these end pieces 30 can not fall into the cutting plane S when the grippers 28 are disengaged from the end pieces 30 to release the end pieces 30. If the grippers 28 are no longer in engagement with the end pieces 30, then the holding elements 20 serve as a deflector for the end pieces 30, which ensures that the end pieces 30 do not reach the front, but by a temporarily released in the support plane for this purpose fall down, for example, in a shaft, not shown. In order to remove the product end pieces 30 particularly quickly and in a controlled manner, for example, the belt straps 22 of the holding elements 20 which are active during the cutting operation can remain activated or be reactivated.

Subsequently, the grippers 28 are moved back to their original position, so that in Fig. 2 already presented new food products 12 can be loaded into the slicing. As Fig. 2 shows remains in this slicer, the product feed is inclined, wherein for loading the product feeder a conveyor 10 comprehensive loading device from a substantially horizontal loading position according to Fig. 2 in which the products 12 to be sliced are brought into the inclined cutting position according to FIG Fig. 1 is pivoted. However, this embodiment is not mandatory and can be modified within the scope of the invention.

In Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the slicing according to Fig. 1 shown with four newly loaded products 12, which are supplied by the common endless conveyor belt 10 and the front conveyor 11 to the cutting blade 14. Also attached to a common carrier 32 gripper 28 can not track individual, but only together along or against the conveying direction F are moved by the driven carrier 32.

Each track is assigned its own retaining element 20, which in each case comprises a separate pivoting drive 26. For height adjustment, the common height adjustment drive 24 is provided which can move the base 18 together with the holding elements 20 along the height adjustment direction H.

According to the invention, the holding elements 20 are designed to be yielding independently of each other, so that they can yield to the products 12 after a certain force, i. E. a pressed by means of the product holder 28 against its associated holding member 20 product 12, the way in the conveying direction F release a piece as soon as the force exceeds a predetermined amount.

By means of this embodiment of the working unit 16 according to the invention, the products 12 can be individually relieved, if this is necessary due to a different length of the products 12, as will be explained in more detail below.

If food products 12 to be sliced up, which have a different length, are inserted into the slicing device, the products 12 come with their front end against the respective holding element 20. The grippers 28 are moved together along the conveying direction F until they can each engage in the rear product end 30. In conventional slicers, a product which is longer than the other products is more compressed than the other products. Since the holding elements 20 have a certain flexibility, they give way after a certain force on the holding elements 20, so that even a comparatively short product 12 can be used safely without a longer product 12 is excessively compressed.

This situation is in Fig. 4 and 5 shown. The holding elements 20, which are associated with longer products 12, are deflected in the conveying direction F and thus already pivoted a little way from the original blocking position in the direction of the pressing position, but without completely clearing the way for the products 12, so that furthermore a holding force is effective with which the deflected holding elements 20 continue to oppose the respective products 12 in order to ensure that the product holders 28 engage as intended.

The individual compliance of the holding elements 20 is realized by the effective manner of a spring, mutually independent pneumatic devices of the pivoting drives 26. The compliance behavior of the holding elements 20 can be adjusted on the pneumatic pivoting drives 26 or in another way. The setting is made in such a way that the products 12 on the one hand, a sufficiently large force is opposed, so that the gripper 28 can engage the rear product end 30, while on the other hand give the holding elements 20 before the products 12 are upset too much.

Once the grippers 28 are in engagement with the rear product ends 30, the holding elements 20 can be further pivoted by means of the pivoting drives 26 from the locking position into the pressing position ( Fig. 6 ). The holding elements 20 are in constant contact with the products 12. In addition, the base 18 is moved by means of the height adjustment drive 24 down. During the adjustment movement, the products 12 are conveyed by means of the endless conveyor belt 10, the front conveyor 11 and the gripper 28 in the conveying direction F to the cutting plane S.

While the holding elements 20 can independently yield and thus be deflected independently of each other and thus depending on the respective product 12 or the force applied via the product 12, the subsequent adjustment into the pressing position for initiating the cutting operation (and later also the reset from the Andrückstellung in the blocking position) for all holding elements 20 together. Consequently, only a single common active drive for the individual pivoting drives 26 of the holding elements 20 is required. According to the invention, however, it is not excluded that each pivoting drive 26 can be operated separately and independently of the respective other pivoting drives 26, so that the holding elements 20 not only give in individually, but can also be individually adjusted as desired.

In Fig. 6 the food products 12 are already closer to the cutting plane S. The holding elements 20 are already almost pivoted in the Andrückstellung.

The adjustment movement of the holding elements 20 upon engagement of the gripper 28 according to Fig. 4 and 5 thus already forms part of the adjustment movement of the holding elements 20 from the blocking position to the pressing position.

During the transition from the cutting preparation to the cutting operation, so to speak, locking elements become hold-downs, in each case by a simple pivoting movement.

If the holding elements 20 are in the pressing position, the products 12 are conveyed further along the conveying direction F until they reach the cutting plane and the slicing operation begins (cf. Fig. 1 ).

The working unit 16 is thus multifunctional and serves as a product stop in the preparation of the slicing operation, as product hold-down during slicing and Endstückabweiser at the end of the slicing process, and also in the case of an active embodiment, the working unit 16 simultaneously with the hold function also fulfills a promotion function to the or to transport each product 12 to the cutting plane S, together with the active front conveyor 11, which may alternatively also be passive and serve only as a product support.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Endless conveyor belt, conveyor

10 '

Front part of the endless conveyor belt

11

stationary front conveyor

12

Food product

14

cutting blade

16

work unit

18

Base

20

Retaining element, holding section

22

lap belt

24

vertical adjustment

26

pivot drive

28

Product holder, gripper

30

Produktendstück

32

carrier

F

conveying direction

S

cutting plane

H

height adjustment

Claims (15)

1. An apparatus for slicing food products (12), in particular a high-performance slicer, comprising
   a product feed which comprises at least one conveying device (10, 11) with which at least one product (12) can be fed to a cutting plane (S) in which at least one cutting blade (14) moves, in particular in a rotating and/or revolving manner; and
   at least one multifunctional work unit (16) for the at least temporary handling of the product (12), wherein the work unit (16) can be adjusted into a pressing position, in which the work unit (16) presses the product (12), which is movable in the conveying direction (F) in so doing, toward a lower product support (11) and/or toward a lateral product contact, and into a blocking position in which the work unit (16) counteracts a movement of the product (12) in the conveying direction (F),
   wherein the work unit (16), starting from the blocking position, is pivotable with a component in the conveying direction (F) into a position clearing the path for the product (12).
2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the work unit (16), when located in the blocking position, is active in dependence on the operating situation as an abutment for the front product end or as a deflector for a product end piece (30) to be discarded; and/or
   in that the work unit (16), when located in the blocking position, is configured as yielding with respect to a force applied in the conveying direction (F), with in particular the yield behavior being settable.
3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2,
   characterized in that
   the work unit (16), when located in the blocking position, is movable with a component in the conveying direction (F) by a force exceeding a threshold value and applied in the conveying direction (F), in particular against the action of a holding force, with the threshold value and/or the holding force in particular being settable, with in particular the movement of the work unit (16) being at least a part of an adjustment movement of the work unit (16) into the pressing position.
4. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the work unit (16) is adjustable from the blocking position directly into the pressing position and vice versa; and/or
   in that the work unit (16) is adjustable, starting from the blocking position, without a movement component directed against the conveying direction (F), in particular with a component in the conveying direction (F), into a position clearing the path for the product (12).
5. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the work unit (16) comprises at least one adjustable holding section (20) which exerts a pressing function in the pressing position and a blocking function for the product (12) in the blocking position, with in particular the holding section (20) having a holding surface which is at least substantially planar, which faces the product (12) and which preferably extends at least approximately in parallel with the conveying direction (F) in the pressing position and at least approximately perpendicular to the conveying direction (F) in the blocking position; and/or
   in that the position of the work unit (16), in particular the spacing of the work unit (16) from the lower product support and/or from the lateral product contact, can be varied.
6. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   an adjustment movement of the work unit (16) and a movement for varying the position of the work unit (16) are independent of one another, with in particular a separate drive (24, 26) being provided for each of these two movements; or
   in that an adjustment movement of the work unit (16) and a movement for varying the position of the work unit (16) are positively coupled to one another.
7. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the work unit (16) comprises a base (18) and at the base (18) a holding section (20) for the product (12), with the position of the base (18) being variable and the holding section (20) being adjustable, with in particular the holding section (20) being movable relative to the base (18).
8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7,
   characterized in that
   a movement of the base (18) to vary the position and an adjustment movement of the holding section (20) can be effected independently of one another and in particular by means of separate drives (24, 26); and/or in that a movement for varying the position of the base (18) and an adjustment movement of the holding section (20) can be derived from a single movement of the work unit (16), with in particular the movement of the work unit (16) being effected by means of a single drive; and/or in that the work unit (16), in particular a holding section (20) of the work unit (16), is configured as an at least temporarily active drive for the product.
9. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the product feed is of multi-track design to slice a plurality of products (12) simultaneously, with the work unit (16) being operable individually per track, with in particular the work unit (16) comprising an adjustable holding section (20) for each track which exerts a pressing function in a pressing position and a blocking function for the product (12) in a blocking position, with the holding sections (20) being operable independently of one another; with in particular
   the holding sections (20) being attached to a common base (18) of the work unit (16) and being adjustable relative to the base (18) independently of one another;
   with in particular the position of the base (18), in particular its spacing from the lower product support (11) and/or from the lateral product contact, being variable.
10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9,
    characterized in that
    a respective separate drive (24, 26) is provided for the base (18) and for each of the holding sections (20).
11. A method for the slicing of food products by means of an apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, in which
    at least one product is fed to a cutting plane (S) in which at least one cutting blade (14) moves, in particular in a rotating and/or revolving manner, by means of a product feed which comprises at least one conveying device (10, 11); and
    at least one multifunctional work unit (16) is adjusted in dependence on the operating situation into a pressing position, in which the work unit (16) presses the product (12) moving in the conveying direction (F) toward a lower product support (11) and/or toward a lateral product contact, or into a blocking position in which the work unit (16) counteracts a movement of the product (12) in the conveying direction (F),
    with the work unit (16), starting from the blocking position, being pivoted with a component in the conveying direction (F) into a pressing position clearing the path for the product (12).
12. A method in accordance with claim 11,
    characterized in that
    the work unit (16) is adjusted into the blocking position before the start of the slicing to serve as an abutment for the front product end on an action on the rear product end (30) by means of a product holder (28) of the conveying device (10), is subsequently adjusted into the pressing position to press the product (12) toward the product support (11) and/or toward the product contact during the slicing and is adjusted back into the blocking position again after the slicing to at least assist a discarding of a product end piece (30).
13. A method in accordance with claim 11 or claim 12,
    characterized in that
    the work unit (16) is in contact with the product (12) at least during an adjustment movement from the blocking position into the pressing position.
14. A method in accordance with any one of the claims 11 to 13,
    characterized in that
    the product (12) is fed to the cutting plane (S) during an adjustment movement of the work unit (16) from the blocking position into the pressing position.
15. A method in accordance with any one of the claims 11 to 14,
    characterized in that
    the product holder (28) remains in its position or is moved in the conveying direction (F) during an adjustment movement of the work unit (16) from the blocking position into the pressing position;
    and/or
    in that the product holder (28) is moved against the conveying direction (F) during the adjustment movement of the work unit (16) from the pressing position into the blocking position.

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