EP3095566B1 - Feeding device for a slicer - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a feeding device according to the preamble of claim 1, a slicing device and feeding method for feeding food products to a slicing unit. The food products may in particular be rod-shaped. The products may be, for example, sausage, ham, cheese, meat, bread or the like.

The supply device has a product support comprising at least one track for receiving a plurality of products arranged one behind the other. The product support can be designed for a single-track or multi-track operation. In a multi-lane operation, multiple products can be supplied, for example, parallel to each other, to a common slicing unit.

The delivery device comprises at least one product holder, which comprises a holder for holding a rear end of a product viewed in the feed direction. Such a feeder is for example from the US 4,321,847 known (see there, for example, Fig. 12).

Product holders are basically known. In particular, these can be designed as grippers and engage in an end region of a product. The product can thus be stabilized during the slicing operation.

From the pamphlets EP 0 930 137 B1 and US 4,505,173 In each case, a product holder is known, which holds a product during the slicing operation and is then moved back away from a supply area for the products.

A disadvantage of previous feeding devices is that the product holder is always assigned only to the product which is being cut open. Subsequent products, on the other hand, will not be detected by the product holder until the previous product has been completely cut open.

This leads, for example, to breaks in the slicing mode, since first the product holder must intervene in the subsequent product and move it to the slicing unit. However, especially with high speed slicers with a downstream packaging device, the most continuous possible product or portion flow, i. the stream of slices separated and grouped into portions, aimed at. However, the breaks in the product flow, in particular by loading with new products, stand in the way of continuous operation. The proportion of loading breaks increases the more the shorter the products to be sliced. The loading pauses necessitate the use of, in particular additional, buffer sections in the area of conveying and / or sorting lines after the slicing unit. Due to the buffer lengths, the total length of the slicer increases, which is disadvantageous, in particular due to the limited space at the customer.

Further, in a product that is not held by a product holder, guide devices are necessary to feed the product to the slicing unit.

In addition, a complex sensor is necessary to determine the exact location of the subsequent product, especially the beginning of the product. However, this is associated with increased costs.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a feeding device, a slicing device and feeding method, in which besides the straight In the slicing operation also a subsequent product is safely guided.

The object is achieved by a feeding device, a slicing device and a feeding method according to independent claims 1, 12 and 13, respectively.

According to the invention, the product holder of the feeding device comprises, in addition to a holder for holding the rear end of the product viewed in the feed direction, a stop for a front end of a subsequent product.

The product holder fulfills a dual function. Thus, on the one hand, the side facing the slicing unit is used to hold the product. On the other hand, the rear side of the product holder facing away from the slicing unit is also used to form a stop for the subsequent product. The following product is pressed against the stop and abuts against it. The stop may in particular comprise a passive stop surface.

According to the invention, at least two product holders per track are provided. Thus, another product holder can engage in the rear end of the subsequent product and push the product against the stop of the front product holder. The following product can be safely guided between the two product holders in this way.

Accordingly, several product holders are provided per track, which are arranged one behind the other, in particular in the feed direction. In particular, exactly two, exactly three or exactly four product holders per track can be provided.

The product holders may be the same or different and may be e.g. differ in functionality and / or shape.

Preferably, the product holders can be independently controlled by means of a controller. Also, for example, the product holder different tracks can be controlled individually and independently.

The products, which are located in different tracks and / or in the same track, can be individually fed to a slicing unit. In particular, the feed rate can be set individually.

The product holders can each hold different products of a track. In principle, however, it is also possible for the same product to be held by several, in particular two, product holders, as long as the slicing thereof has not yet begun.

Preferably, at least temporarily, several products are held simultaneously by a respective product holder. The products, which are guided in succession in the same lane, can therefore be safely fed to the slicing unit.

If a previous product is completely cut open, the product holder can be moved out of a feed area so as not to obstruct the subsequent product. Since the subsequent product is already in engagement with a product holder, it can be advanced without delay to the slicing unit become. Breaks in the slicing mode can be minimized in this way.

According to one embodiment, the product holders each comprise a stop for a front end of a subsequent product. The product holder can thus hold a previous product and also serve as a stop for a subsequent product. This subsequent product is also held by a product holder, which in turn can in turn itself on its side facing away from the slicing unit have a stop for another subsequent product. The product is therefore safely fed to the slicing unit between a holder of the product holder and a stop of the preceding product holder. In this retracted position, therefore, the product length can be determined based on the positions of the two product holder. The measurement result can be processed in the control.

The feeding device according to the invention is suitable both for a single-track and a multi-track operation. In a multi-track operation, several products are arranged side by side. In particular, the tracks can run parallel to this. A track with one or more product holders can be designed in particular as a module. The tracks can be extended as desired. In particular, it is possible to convert a single-track operation into a multi-track operation. Also, for example, an extension of a two- in a three- or four-track operation is conceivable. The number of tracks is basically not limited.

With regard to a modular design, it is advantageous if each track is assigned one or more separate product holders. In particular, the product holder can be connected to the product support directly or indirectly, for example via a common frame.

In general, the holder of the product holder holds a product and in particular can interact with the rear end of the product. Preferably, the holder can be brought into engagement with the product end. Thus, e.g. be provided as a holder gripper. This may include claws which engage in the product end. Alternatively, for example, a vacuum gripper is conceivable, which holds the product end by means of a generated vacuum.

The product support may be, for example, a conveyor belt. Also, the product support may be formed as a loading rocker, which from an at least substantially horizontal loading position in which the loading rocker is loaded with products, in an inclined cutting position in which the products are cut open, can be adjusted. It can e.g. a common loading rocker be provided for a plurality of tracks, wherein a feed belt covers the entire width. Alternatively, feed systems with individual, track-related arrangements are possible.

Furthermore, it is also possible for the product support to comprise transport movers of a transport system, which is also referred to below as a magnetic conveyor system. A generally usable magnetic conveying system, to which reference is hereby made, is offered by the company MagneMotion Inc., located in Devens, Massachusetts, USA. This system is based on a so-called LSM drive, ie on a drive by linear synchronous motors, which is to be distinguished from a so-called linear induction motor (LIM drive). In contrast to a LIM drive, a magnetic field is not induced by the so-called electromagnetic traveling field in an LSM drive, but the magnetic field is provided by permanent magnets. If the rotor of the linear motor carries the permanent magnets and the stator of the linear motor generates the electromagnetic traveling field, then one can visualize the drive principle of an LSM drive in such a way that the transporter provided with the permanent magnet is pulled over the transport path by the magnetic field moving along the stator. Such a transport system or drive principle is for example in WO 2003/029651 A2 and WO 2010/085670 A1 described. These documents are hereby expressly incorporated by reference for the disclosure of a possible drive or operating principle for the invention.

In such a transport system, separate transport movers can be moved on a railway system. A product to be conveyed can be fed to a slicing unit on a transport movers. Several transport movers arranged one behind the other can form the product support, for example. A product holder can in this case intervene in particular between two movers.

According to the invention, in addition to the currently located in Aufschneidebetrieb product and a subsequent product can be performed safely. Also, a quasi-continuous loading is achieved, so that, if any, only short Beladepausen arise. This achieves a very even portion flow. This requires only a relatively small effort with respect to the buffer sections in the area of conveying and sorting lines after the slicing unit and significantly simplifies the overall structure of the system.

Furthermore, it is ensured that the products can be supplied very accurately and at close intervals. The shorter the products to be sliced and the higher the proportion of loading operations in the ratio, the more advantageous is the structure according to the invention.

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

According to one embodiment, the product holder is designed to determine and / or determine the position of the subsequent product, in particular of the product beginning. The product holder therefore fulfills a further object, since it can be used to determine the position of the subsequent product. This happens in particular with the aid of a controller. This may, for example, measure an increase in current at the drive of the product holder when e.g. during the feed, the product has arrived at its end with its front end. Additional sensors or the like are therefore not necessary to determine the position. The positions of products of different tracks can in particular be determined and / or determined on a track-by-track basis.

According to a further embodiment, a stop of the product holder comprises a stop surface which is at least substantially planar and / or adapted to the shape of the front end of the subsequent product. In this case, for example, the product may have an at least substantially flat end face from the outset. It is also possible for the front end piece of the subsequent product to be previously, e.g. in a pelleting machine, to cut straight. The following product can be flush with the stop surface in this way. The product can be cut immediately as soon as the previous product has been completely cut open and the associated product holder moved out of the feed area.

According to a further embodiment, the product holder comprises a further holder for holding a front end of a subsequent product. The product holder can therefore form both a stop and a, at least temporarily, holder for the subsequent product. The holder acts or points in particular counter to the feed direction and can for example be extended, unfolded and / or swung out, in particular also from the stop surface.

Preferably, an at least temporary connection between the preceding and the subsequent product can be made. In particular, the holder may be formed like a cramp. Several products can thus be supplied as a unit together as a slicing unit. If the previous product is almost completely cut open, the connection to the subsequent product can be released again in order to be able to remove the product holder from the feed area.

In particular, only the holder between the straight to be sliced and the subsequent product may have the additional, pointing against the feed direction holder, while the rear end of the subsequent product holding product holder may only have a pointing in the feed direction holder.

According to a further embodiment, the product holder and / or a stop of the product holder is adjustable in length in the feed direction. Preferably, the length can be adjusted automatically during operation. The length adjustment can be carried out in particular electrically, mechanically, pneumatically and / or hydraulically.

In particular, the length adjustment is used to compensate for the length of the adjustment of the product holder from the feed area. The front product holder can be retracted by a certain amount to create a distance to the subsequent product. This creates a certain amount of play to be able to remove the product holder. Subsequently, the subsequent product can again be moved forward by the same amount. In particular, the product holder of the subsequent product can also be made variable in length for this purpose. The respective product holders are in particular by a predetermined and / or predeterminable amount adjustable, which is known to the controller or can be entered via the controller.

According to a further embodiment, a guide device for the product holder is provided, by means of which the product holder can be guided parallel to the feed direction. In particular, the product holder can be moved in and opposite to the feed direction. Preferably, a plurality of product holders may be associated with a common guide. In particular, the product holders can also be moved on a common path, preferably a magnetic conveyor system. Preferably, multiple product holders are associated with a single track. The guide can in particular run laterally and / or above the product support. In particular, the guide may extend at least substantially over the length of the product support.

According to a further embodiment, the product holder and / or the guide device comprises an adjusting device, which is designed to adjust the product holder, in particular the holder, out of a feed region. The product holder can be adjusted with the aid of the adjusting device in particular away from the product support. Preferably, the product holder is adjusted out of the flow of the supplied products or out of the normal working position. Thus, the way for the following products is free. The adjustment device can in particular be designed to adjust the product holder by means of a lifting, pendulum, transverse and / or rotational movement out of the feed area.

According to a further embodiment, the product holder and / or the holder is detachably connected or connectable to the guide device. A permanent connection with the guide device is not mandatory. In particular, the product holder and / or the holder can be automatically connected to the guide unit and / or released from it. Preferably the product holder or the holder of guide means can be handed over to guide means. The guide means can rotate in this case. Preferably, a magnetic conveyor system may be provided, which comprises an annular web guide. In the area of the product overlay, the web guide can run parallel to the product overlay.

According to a further embodiment, each product holder is assigned a separate guide device and / or a separate drive. The guide devices can in particular be offset parallel to one another and / or arranged on different sides of the product support. While e.g. a product holder, which is associated with a product guide on the left guide means holds a first product that is being cut, another product holder, which is associated with a right guide device, already hold a subsequent product. Once the product is cut to one end, the left product holder can be moved back. The left product holder can be moved over the subsequent product away against the feed direction, to finally hold another product. On the way back this can be done a disposal of the tail.

As it were, there is a "paddle system" whereby the product holders of a track can each be alternately brought into engagement with the products. These ensure the feed and / or stabilization of the products. The drives for the product holders may be, for example, linear drives.

According to a further embodiment, the holders of second product holders are designed to hold, at least temporarily, the rear end of the same product viewed in the feed direction. The two product holders can hold the product especially on different sides. Also, the brackets can interlock, for example, like a rake. The two product holders Thus, in particular, they can complement each other to a complete product holder. Taken individually, each of the product holders can only be half-formed. Thus, the product holder can hold together a product until it is at least substantially completely cut. For holding the tail only a single product holder is sufficient, so that a product holder can already be returned to hold a subsequent product.

According to a further embodiment, at least one of the product holders is connected to a tractor unit and / or integrated into a tractor unit. This will e.g. the lateral space requirement minimized. In particular, the guide device of a product holder can be provided on the tractor belt or within the traction device acting from above on the product, while the guide device of a further product holder can be arranged above the tractor belt.

According to a further embodiment, the holder is pivotable and / or displaceable relative to an axis parallel or perpendicular to the feed direction. In particular, when multiple product holders engage the same product, one of the product holders may, for example, be laterally swung out to be moved back to hold a subsequent product. On the other hand, pivoting to an axis perpendicular to the feed direction can be advantageous in order to remove the holder from the feed area in a small space. In particular, the holder can be folded together with the tail upwards.

The invention also relates to a device for slicing food products, in particular high-performance slicers, with a slicing unit which comprises at least one cutting knife rotating in cutting operation and / or revolving. The cutting blade may in particular a circular or sickle knife act. The slicing device further comprises a feed device according to the invention. In particular, several products can be cut simultaneously using the same cutting blade.

The slicing device according to the invention has the advantage that the following products can be safely guided. In addition, due to the assignment of the product holder to the respective tracks, a modular extension by any number of parallel tracks is possible.

Furthermore, the invention according to claim 13 relates to a method for feeding food products to a slicing unit with a feeding device according to the invention. First, a plurality of products arranged one behind the other are received on the product support comprising at least one track. The holder of the product holder holds a rear end of a product viewed in the feed direction, while a front end of a subsequent product rests against a stop of the product holder.

While the front product is being cut, in particular the subsequent product is detected by another product holder and pressed against the stop of the preceding product holder. The following product can thus be safely guided and positioned. Also, with the help of the preceding product holder, the exact position of the front product end of the subsequent product can be determined. Likewise, the length of the usable part of the product bar can be determined from the positions of the two product holders, so that the controller can calculate and divide panes and portions.

According to one embodiment, the holder holds the rear end of the product as long as the product is cut open except for an end piece. Subsequently, the holder is pivoted relative to an axis perpendicular to the feed direction and / or moved. The holder can be folded in particular upwards. After that, the holder releases the tail. This can be done, for example, that the tail is transported in a discharge chute.

The product holder and / or the holder is then adjusted in parallel and opposite to the feed direction and then before and / or during the delivery of the end piece and then holds a rear end of a subsequent product. In particular, the holder can in this case engage in the product end.

All embodiments of the device described here are in particular designed to be operated according to the method described here. Furthermore, all embodiments of the device described here and all embodiments of the method described here can each be combined with each other.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungs-gemäßen Zuführvorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Zuführvorrichtung,

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Zuführvorrichtung,

Fig. 4

Draufsichten einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfin-dungsgemäßen Zuführvorrichtung,

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Zuführvorrichtung,

Fig. 6

eine Draufsicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfin-dungsgemäßen Zuführvorrichtung,

Fig. 7

eine Vorderansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Zuführvorrichtung, und

Fig. 8A bis 8G

Perspektivansichten einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Zuführvorrichtung.

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 feeder according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a side view of another embodiment of a feeding device according to the invention,

Fig. 3

a side view of another embodiment of a feeding device according to the invention,

Fig. 4

Top views of another embodiment of a feed device according to the invention,

Fig. 5

a side view of another embodiment of a feeding device according to the invention,

Fig. 6

a top view of another embodiment of a supply device according to the invention,

Fig. 7

a front view of another embodiment of a feeding device according to the invention, and

Figs. 8A to 8G

Perspective views of another embodiment of a feeding device according to the invention.

First, it will be noted that the illustrated embodiments are merely exemplary in nature. In particular, the number of illustrated tracks and product holders may vary. The features of one embodiment may also be arbitrarily combined with features of another embodiment. In particular, the product holders and / or functionalities shown can also be used in the respective other embodiments.

Fig. 1 shows a feeding device, which feeds food products 10, 10 ', 10 "in the feed direction Z a cutting blade 12 of a slicing unit 14.

The products 10, 10 ', 10 "are hereby located on a product support 16, which is shown by way of example as a conveyor belt 10. The products 10, 10', 10" are held at the respective ends by means of product holders 18, 18 '. In particular, the product holders 18, 18 'are designed as grippers, in which the holders 20, 20' respectively comprise claws which engage in the ends of the products 10, 10 '. As an alternative to claws, the product holder 18, 18 'may also comprise, for example, a vacuum device.

The product holders 18, 18 'are guided on a common guide device 22. Alternatively, it is also possible for each product holder 18, 18 'to be assigned a separate guide device 22.

The product holders 18, 18 'are preferably connected to the guide device 22 from above or from the side. The attachment of a product holder 18, 18 'on a product 10, 10', 10 "takes place in particular such that the product holder 18, 18 'with a lifting, pendulum, transverse and / or rotational movement in an area above the product support 16th for the products 10, 10 ', 10 "and thus comes into engagement with the product 10, 10', 10".

Likewise, the product holder 18, 18 'can be removed from the region above the product support 16 for the products 10, 10', 10 "with a lifting, pendulum, transverse and / or rotational movement when a held product 10, 10 '. 10 "is completely cut open except for an end piece 34. The end piece 34 can remain connected to the holder 20, 20 'and should as far as possible be dropped off outside the product support 16 and then removed. In this case, in particular, a resulting band gap can be used if the product support 16 designed as a loading swing, for example, is pivoted downwards. The product holder 18, 18 'can be moved counter to the feed direction Z, in order subsequently to grasp a subsequent product 10', 10 ".

The rear sides of the respective product holders 18, 18 'are designed as stops 24, 24' for subsequent products 10 ', 10 "Each stop 24, 24' comprises a stop surface for a product 10 ', 10" which is connected to a following product holder 18'. , While the first product 10 is being cut, the second product 10 'with the product holder 18' is pressed against the stop 24 of the preceding product holder 18 and can thus be gripped.

The back of the product holder 18 serves as a passive stop 24 for the subsequent product 10 '. Accordingly, the back of the product holder 18 'in turn serves as a stop 24' for the further product 10 ".

In this way, the product start position can be determined, so that the position, the shape and the portion distribution of a product 10, 10 ', 10 "can be taken into account for the slicing operation, in particular the product 10, 10', 10" can already be measured before the loading area in order to determine a later division into portions.

At the in Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment, the product holder 18 comprises a staple 26 as a holder 20. The stop 24 of the product holder 18 therefore also has a holder for the subsequent product 10 ', which counteracts the feed direction Z acts. The stop 24 thus comprises not only a passive stop surface, but also a holder or at least one further holding functionality. As shown, a system formed in this manner can establish an at least intermediate connection between the remainder of the product 10 and the subsequent product 10 '. In particular, the staple 26 formed counter to the feed direction Z can be removed, eg folded away or retracted, from the front end of the product 10 in order to move the product holder 18 out of the feed area.

Preferably, the staple 26 may be provided on the product holder 18 between the first product 10 and the second product 10 'while a normal product holder 18' may be inserted between the second product 10 'and the third product 10 ".

Due to the cramp-like connection according to Fig. 2 between the products 10, 10 ', these products 10, 10' can be moved as a unit.

In the Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment includes product holder 18, 18 ', which are formed adjustable in length. In particular, the holders 20, 20 'or the stops 24, 24' can be adjusted along the feed direction Z. This serves, in particular, for compensating for the length of the removal or retraction of the product holders 18, 18 'from the area of the product support 16.

The product holder 18, in particular the holder 20 or the stop 24, can be retracted by a predetermined amount A. In this way, enough space is created to remove the product holder 18 from the feed area can. As soon as the holder 20 is removed from the region of the product support 16, the following product 10 'is pushed forward by exactly this dimension A in the feed direction Z. In particular, the product holder 18 ', which is in engagement with the subsequent product 10', can be moved apart by exactly this dimension A. The product 10 'is then immediately in the correct position and can be cut open.

Preferably, as a preparatory measure, the front end of the respective products 10, 10 ', 10 "can be cut straight so that a reference surface is created with which the usable region of the product 10, 10', 10" begins. This reference surface may rest on the associated abutment surface of the stop 24, 24 'on the back of the product holder 18, 18'. For example, that may be straightforward Separating the front end piece in a not shown, previously arranged pelleting machine done.

At the in Fig. 4 illustrated embodiment, the respective product holders 18, 18 'associated with different guide means 22, 22'. These guide devices 22, 22 'are offset parallel to one another. For example, while the product holder 18 of the left guide means 22 holds the first product 10 during the slicing operation, the product holder 18 'on the right guide means 22' already engages the end of the second product 10 '. Once the second product 10 'is cut open, the left product holder 18' can be withdrawn. This is a kind of "paddle system" in which alternately always a product holder 18, 18 'in engagement with a product 10, 10', 10 "remains and for the feed or the stabilization of the respective product 10, 10 ', 10 "provides.

For this purpose, the respectively released product holder 18, 18 ', for example, by 90 ° from the working position exposed so that a return next to the product support 16 is possible. The product holder 18, 18 'thus does not hinder the feeding of the food products 10, 10', 10 "to the cutting blade 12.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 5 The product holders 18, 18 ', 18 "in this case comprise holders 20, 20', 20" and guide means 28, 28 ', 28 ". The backs of the brackets 20, 20 ', 20 "can also serve as stops 24, 24', 24".

The brackets 20, 20 ', 20 "are each connected via detachable connections with the guide means 28, 28', 28" or connectable. These are in turn assigned to the guide device 22, which ensures the movement along the product support 16 in the feed region.

The holders 20, 20 ', 20 "remain on the products 10, 10', 10" and are transferred by a guide means 28, 28 ', 28 "respectively to the next guide means 28, 28', 28". The guide means 28, 28 ', 28 "run around on the guide device 22. This can in particular be track-related, ie each track is assigned a guide device 22. If a product 10, 10', 10" is completely cut open, the holder 20, 20 ', 20 "again connected to the guide means 28, 28', 28" and taken away. The end pieces 34 are then removed. The brackets 20, 20 ', 20 "are thereby or subsequently adjusted counter to the feed direction Z, so that they again get behind a new product 10, 10', 10" and hold this.

In particular, this application is suitable for use in a magnetic conveying system. This is in Fig. 6 shown. The movers 30 serve as guide means 28, 28 ', 28 "and run on the guide device 22 embodied as a magnetic track. The movers 30 can be at least temporarily connected to holders 20, 20', 20" in order to feed the products 10, 10 '. To hold 10 ".

In addition to detachable brackets 20, 20 ', 20 "are also rigidly connected to the movers 30 brackets 20, 20', 20" conceivable.

As in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 7, a plurality of product holders 18, 18 ', 18 "can move on a common guide device 22. These can be assigned in a feed region of at least one track and run parallel thereto.

The guide means 22 extends substantially laterally and / or above the product support 16 for the products 10, 10 ', 10 ". Thus, the product holders 18, 18', 18" are moved out of the supply region in the vicinity of the cutting blade 10 as soon as the last one Portion or slice is cut off. Subsequently For example, the product holders 18, 18 ', 18 "can be transferred again into a rear feed region in order to take over a subsequent product 10, 10', 10" there.

Depending on the number of product holders 18, 18 ', 18 "assigned to one track, the following product 10, 10', 10" may be the next, after next, depending on the length of the product support 16 and depending on the length of the products 10, 10 ', 10 ". over, and so on, product 10, 10 ', 10 ". Thus, more than two products 10, 10 ', 10 "can also be prepositioned in a row on a track in the feed area or arranged one behind the other, which is possible in particular if the products 10, 10', 10" are comparatively short.

According to the in Fig. 7 In the embodiment shown, the product holders 18, 18 'may be designed differently and at least temporarily act on the same product 10. One of the product holders 18 may be connected to a tractor unit 32 or integrated into the tractor unit 32. On the other hand, another product holder 18 'may, for example, be arranged above the tractor unit 32. The product holders 18, 18 'are to a certain extent designed as a halved, common product holder, the product holders 18, 18' each forming one half. The halves are in particular formed symmetrically to a central axis M of the product 10. Due to the compact design here is a lateral space requirement extremely low.

Dashed an option is shown, in which the product holder 18 is released by a lateral swinging. The product holder 18 can be pivoted relative to a pivot axis P parallel to the feed direction. It is conceivable that alternately always a product holder 18 'remains in engagement with the product 10 and provides for the feed or the stabilization of the product 10, while the other product holder 18 is moved back.

In the Fig. 7 half-side holders 20, 20 'can also reach each other to the other side and interlock, for example, like a rake. Thus, an end piece of the product 10 is still fixed even on the full width, when the second product holder 18 is already on the way back against the feed Z.

In the FIGS. 8A to 8G an embodiment is shown in which the product holder 18, 18 'can be moved by means of independent linear units. The brackets 20, 20 'are designed to be adjustable about a pivot axis S extending perpendicular to the feed direction Z.

In Fig. 8A First, a delivery system is shown in a single-track application. The product holders 18, 18 'are in each case assigned to a separate guide device 22, 22'. While the product 10 is being cut, the subsequent product 10 'may be loaded and gripped with the product holder 18'. The gripping takes place in particular in that the rear product holder 18 'pushes the product 10' against the front product holder 18.

The position of the product beginning of the subsequent product 10 'can be determined on the basis of the increase in power at the drive of the rear product holder 18', without the need for additional sensors.

As in Fig. 8B can be seen, the product 10 is cut open until only one end piece 34 is left.

In Fig. 8C It is shown that the end piece 34 is folded together with the holder 20 upwards. If the product 10 is cut open, the product holder 18 'moves first for a short distance counter to the feed direction Z and pivots 90 ° clockwise about the pivot axis S with the narrow end piece 34 upwards. The holder 20 is also made narrow and does not affect any neighboring tracks.

Already during the pivoting, the subsequent product 10 'can be immediately advanced to the cutting blade 10 and cut there.

As in Fig. 8D can be seen, the end piece 34 can now be transported by the product holder 18 against the feed direction Z above the subsequent product 10 '.

Finally, the tail is as in Fig. 8E shown stored on the product support 16.

As in Fig. 8F shown, the product support 16 can be lowered to a new loading in the horizontal. In this case, the end piece 34 can be moved forward in the feed direction Z in a discharge chute 36. A subsequent product 10 "can then be inserted into the product support 16. A pivoting of the front, short product support 38 is not necessary here. The guide of the products 10, 10 ', 10" is provided by lateral separating webs 40, the driven product support 16 and a guaranteed driven roller from above.

Fig. 8G shows the application of this concept to a multi-lane operation. In a two-track operation, for example, four linear drives can be provided. Since the product holders 18, 18 'are each assigned to a single track, the feeding device can be modularly expanded as desired by further tracks.

According to the invention, a quasi-continuous loading can be achieved so that only short loading pauses result. Also, all products are always kept safe.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10, 10 ', 10 "

Food product

12

cutting blade

14

Aufschneideeinheit

16

Product support, conveyor belt

18, 18 ', 18 "

Product holder, gripper

20, 20 ', 20 "

Bracket, claw

22, 22 '

Guide device, magnetic train

24, 24 ', 24 "

attack

26

Bracket, staple

28, 28 ', 28 "

guide means

30

Mover

32

tractor unit

34

tail

36

chute

38

product support

40

divider

Z

feed

A

measure

M

central axis

P

parallel pivot axis

S

vertical pivot axis

Claims (15)

1. A feeding apparatus for feeding food products (10, 10', 10") to a slicing unit (14), having
   a product support (16) comprising at least one track for the reception of a plurality of products (10, 10', 10") arranged one after another,
   characterized in that
   at least two product mounts (18, 18', 18") are provided per track, with at least one of the product mounts (18, 18', 18") comprising a holder (20, 20', 20") for holding a rear end of a product (10) viewed in a feed direction (Z) and an abutment (24, 24', 24") for a front end of a following product (10').
2. A feeding apparatus in accordance with claim 1,
   characterized in that
   at least two product mounts (18, 18', 18") each comprise a holder (20, 20', 20") for holding a rear end of a product (10, 10', 10") viewed in the feed direction (Z).
3. A feeding apparatus in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2,
   characterized in that
   at least two product mounts (18, 18', 18") each comprise an abutment (24, 24', 24") for a front end of a following product (10').
4. A feeding apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the product mount (18, 18', 18") is configured to fix and/or to determine the position of the following product (10').
5. A feeding apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   an abutment (24, 24', 24") of the product mount (18, 18', 18") comprises an abutment surface which is at least substantially planar and/or which is adapted to the shape of the front end of the following product (10'); and/or in that the product mount (18, 18', 18") comprises a further holder (26) for holding a front end of a following product (10').
6. A feeding apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the product mount (18, 18', 18") and/or an abutment (24, 24', 24") of the product mount (18, 18', 18") is/are configured as variable in length in the feed direction (Z).
7. A feeding apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   a guide device (22, 22') is provided for the product mount (18, 18', 18") by means of which the product mount (18, 18', 18") can be guided in parallel to the feed direction (Z).
8. A feeding apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the product mount (18, 18', 18") and/or the guide device (22, 22') comprises/comprise an adjustment apparatus which is configured to adjust the product mount (18, 18', 18") from within a feed region.
9. A feeding apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the product mount (18, 18', 18") and/or the holder (20, 20', 20") is/are releasably connected or connectable to the guide device (22, 22'); and/or in that a separate guide device (22, 22') and/or a separate drive is/are associated with each product mount (18, 18', 18").
10. A feeding apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the holders (20, 20', 20") of two product mounts (18, 18', 18") are configured to at least temporarily hold the rear end of the same product (10, 10', 10") viewed in the feed direction (Z).
11. A feeding apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    at least one of the product mounts (18, 18', 18") is connected to a tractor unit (32) and/or is integrated into a tractor unit (32); and/or in that the holder (20, 20', 20") can be pivoted and/or can be displaced relative to an axis (P, S) which is parallel or perpendicular to the feed direction (Z).
12. An apparatus for slicing food products, in particular a high-performance slicer, having a slicing unit (14) which comprises at least one cutting blade (12) which moves in a rotating and/or peripheral manner in a cutting mode of operation; and a feeding apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.
13. A method for feeding food products (10, 10', 10") to a slicing unit (14) having a feeding apparatus in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 11, in which a plurality of products (10, 10', 10") arranged one after another are received at the product support (16) which comprises at least one track;
    the holder (20, 20', 20") of the one product mount (18, 18', 18") holds a rear end of a product (10) viewed in the feed direction (Z) during a slicing of the product (10); and in this process
    a front end of a following product (10') is pushed toward the abutment (24, 24', 24") of the preceding product mount (18, 18', 18") by the other following product mount (18, 18', 18").
14. A method for feeding food products (10, 10', 10") in accordance with claim 13, wherein at least two product mounts (18, 18', 18") are provided per track, with the holders (20, 20', 20") of said product mounts each holding a rear end of a product (10, 10', 10") viewed in the feed direction (Z).
15. A method in accordance with claim 13 or claim 14,
    characterized in that
    the holder (20, 20', 20") holds the rear end of the product (10, 10', 10") until the product (10) is sliced up to an end piece (34);
    in that the holder (20, 20', 20") is pivoted and/or displaced relative to an axis (S) which is perpendicular to the feed direction (Z);
    in that the holder (20, 20', 20") dispenses the end piece (34);
    or in that the holder (20, 20', 20") first dispenses the end piece (34) and is then pivoted and/or displaced relative to an axis (S) which is perpendicular to the feed direction (Z);
    in that the product mount (18, 18', 18") and/or the holder (20, 20', 20") is/are adjusted in parallel to and against the feed direction (Z); and
    in that the holder (20, 20', 20") holds a rear end of a following product (10').

Images