EP3831558A1 - Bread cutting machine with cutting process aid and preferential operating method - Google Patents

Abstract

A bread slicing machine (1) with a cutting knife (5), a feed chute (6), a receiving chute (7) adjoining it except for a knife gap (5 ') and a feed plate (12), having a gripper (13) provided with claws, is characterized in that the connecting axis (a) of the feed shaft with the receiving shaft is inclined by at least 30 ° to the vertical, and that an electronic control device (14) extends and engages the claws in a front-side fixing section extending in the direction of the connecting axis of a loaf of bread brought into the feed chute, as well as a transport of the still uncut loaf over the knife gap into the receiving chute, the control device automatically causing the cutting knife to move multiple times into the knife gap to cut off one slice from the loaf each time and then Cutting knife again r moved completely out of the knife gap in order to enable further transport of the cut slice into the receiving shaft as well as the remaining loaf of bread over the knife gap. This enables a stable, time-saving cutting process in a structurally simple and material-saving manner.

Description

The invention relates to a bread slicing machine for slicing a loaf of bread, which has a machine housing which accommodates a drive motor and a cutting knife, which is driven by this, is held on a knife arm, rotates in a cutting plane and / or is movable in a circumferential manner, with a feed shaft for introducing the loaf of bread to be sliced into the bread slicing machine, with a receiving shaft adjoining the feed chute except for a knife gap for receiving all slices of the sliced loaf of bread, as well as with a feed plate which has a gripper provided with claws for holding the loaf of bread, the feed plate on which the in the feed chute introduced loaf of bread rests on the front side, can be moved from an end of the feed shaft facing away from the receiving shaft to over the knife gap and back again.

Background of the invention

Such bread slicing machines are known from the prior art, in particular from DE 44 31 808 C2 (= Reference [1]).

In particular, bread slicing machines are known with a gripper for moving the loaf of bread and a counter holder opposite the gripper on the loaf of bread, which holds the bread slices of the sliced loaf in their position. The counter holder must be moved in a synchronized manner with the gripper. As a rule, the gripper is located in an insertion area in which the user inserts the loaf of bread. The gripper must therefore always first be removed from the loading area in a time-consuming manner before the loaf of bread is inserted.

The DE 10 2010 036 721 B4 (= Reference [2]) describes a bread slicing machine in which a loaf of bread is advanced onto a cutting device of the bread slicing machine by means of a feed device and is cut into a packet of slices. The slice pack is pushed from the cutting area through an opening in a wall of the machine housing of the bread slicing machine onto a holding device, usually automatically.

The EP 3 102 376 B1 (= Reference [3]) discloses a bread slicing machine, the shaft of which has two shaft areas separated by a slot. A circular knife moves through the slot and cuts a piece of bread at the level of the slot, creating slices of bread below the slot. An offset is formed between the shaft areas, which can be reduced by moving the shaft areas relative to one another.

In the EP 3 331 674 B1 (= Reference [4]) describes a bread slicing machine with a first chamber for introducing bread and a second chamber for receiving the bread and a knife for cutting the bread between the chambers. The first chamber is above the second Chamber arranged. A support surface supports the bread in the first chamber. A movable pusher in the first chamber conveys the bread in the direction of the second chamber, the displacement taking place essentially vertically. The pusher has hooking means for holding the bread against the action of gravity. A detector detects the proximity of the bread to the slide, whereby the hooking means can then be extended. After cutting, the bread is returned to the first chamber.

Disadvantageously, this known bread slicing machine requires a support to support the cut slices of bread and is therefore of a comparatively complex construction. After the bread has been conveyed back into the first chamber, the slide is removed in a time-consuming manner in order to be able to remove the bread from the first chamber.

In the reference [1] cited at the beginning, a cutting machine is disclosed in which a loaf of food, usually a loaf of bread, is guided past a cutting disc in a shaft slightly inclined from the vertical from top to bottom in an unseparated state. The length of the food loaf is determined. The loaf is then conveyed from bottom to top in the shaft and is cut into slices by the cutting disc. This embodiment of a bread slicing machine is also structurally complex and has a closure plate and a holding plate, between which a loaf of bread to be sliced is arranged.

In an unfavorable way, a holding plate is also required here in order to hold the -whole or partially sliced- loaf of bread in its almost vertical position. The holding plate has to be moved back into its starting position in a time-consuming manner before removing a loaf of bread from the shaft and after inserting a new loaf of bread in order to give the loaf of bread space.

Object of the invention

In contrast, the present invention is based on the - viewed in detail, relatively demanding - task of designing a generic bread slicing machine with the features listed above in a structurally simple and material-saving manner such that a stable cutting process can be carried out in a time-saving manner.

Brief description of the invention

This object is achieved by the present invention in a surprisingly simple and effective way in that a connecting axis of the feed shaft with the receiving shaft is inclined to the vertical by at least 30 °, and that there is an electronic control device which is designed to provide a Extending and engaging the claws of the gripper in a front-side, in the direction of the connecting axis extended fixing section of a loaf of bread introduced into the feed shaft, and then transporting the still uncut loaf of bread over the knife gap into the receiving shaft, the control device automatically switching on during transport multiple movement of the cutting knife into the knife gap to cut off one slice each time from the loaf of bread and then the cutting knife is moved completely out of the knife gap again, in order to further transport the each removed cut slice into the receiving shaft as well as the remaining uncut loaf of bread through the knife gap.

In particular, the electronic control device is specially designed to transport the uncut loaf of bread from the receiving shaft past the cutting knife, which is removed from the knife gap, i.e. generally moved out, into the feed shaft and then to control a return transport of the loaf of bread to be sliced from the feed chute into the receiving chute. During the return transport, the rotating cutting knife is moved into and out of the knife gap in such a way that the loaf of bread is sliced into slices that are parallel to one another. The loaf of bread is first placed in the receiving shaft, then conveyed into the feed shaft and finally transported back into the receiving shaft, the loaf of bread being cut into slices on its return transport.

The receiving shaft is arranged in the vertical direction above the feed shaft. Due to the inclination of the connecting axis of the feed shaft with the receiving shaft by at least 30 °, in particular about 45 °, but not more than 60 ° from the vertical, the loaf of bread is held in its position by the receiving shaft in the feed shaft during the cutting process and prevents the sliced one from falling over Loaves of bread counteracted without - as before - an additional counter holder is necessary, which is moved by the closure plate and the loaf of bread or is shifted synchronously in another way parallel to the closure plate. This means that no time-consuming movement of the counter holder is necessary after the cutting process.

Due to the inclination of the connecting axis of the feed chute with the receiving chute, the bread slicing machine according to the invention also has a comparatively small base area in relation to known arrangements.

The electronic control device can increase the stability of the slicing process, for example by setting a suitable transport speed of the loaf of bread during the slicing process and regulating it accordingly.

Preferred embodiments and developments of the invention

The electronic control device is preferably also designed to transport the uncut loaf of bread from the receiving shaft into the feed shaft past the moved cutting knife removed from the knife gap and then transport the loaf of bread back from the feed shaft into the receiving shaft, and then during the return transport The cutting knife is moved into and out of the knife gap in such a way that the loaf of bread is sliced into mutually parallel slices. The loaf of bread is in particular placed in the receiving shaft, conveyed into the feed shaft and then transported back into the receiving shaft, the loaf of bread being cut up during the return transport.

The bread slicing machine according to the invention is preferably designed in such a way that the receiving shaft at its end facing the feed shaft is parallel to the cutting plane and has approximately the same width as the feed shaft in this area. This enables better support for the loaf of bread on the transition from the feed chute to the receiving chute.

Another embodiment of the bread slicing machine according to the invention is characterized by a counter holder which can be arranged on the loaf of bread opposite the feed plate. The counter holder also prevents the loaf of bread that has already been cut from falling over.

The bread slicing machine is preferably designed in such a way that a connecting axis of the feed chute with the receiving chute is arranged inclined relative to the vertical, preferably by approximately 45 °. The oblique alignment prevents the sliced loaf of bread from falling over. The bread slicer can be designed with a smaller footprint than with a horizontally aligned feed chute. With such a Transporting the loaf of bread, there is also no need for a counter holder opposite the feed plate, which is intended to prevent the bread from tipping over and which is moved by the feed plate and the bread or is shifted in some other way parallel to the feed plate. Such a counter holder would generally first have to be removed when the bread is inserted.

Embodiments of the invention have further advantages in which the knife arm is designed to move the cutting knife on a curve, preferably a circular curve. This enables a periodic retraction of the cutting knife into the loaf of bread, with vibrations in the bread cutting machine being reduced.

Embodiments of the bread slicing machine according to the invention are particularly preferred, which are characterized in that the receiving shaft is formed by two sheet-metal sections which are angularly adjacent to one another and which together are L-shaped in cross-section. The loaf of bread is supported on two sides by the L-shape. As a result, sufficient support for the transport of the loaf of bread with sufficient control of the loaf is ensured with little material expenditure.

One class of advantageous embodiments of the bread slicing machine according to the invention is characterized in that a cover of the machine housing can be moved in a rotary movement on a guide rail. This enables a space-saving, compact and simple design of the opening mechanism for the bread slicing machine.

In further developments, these embodiments are preferably designed in such a way that the cutting knife, in a non-activated state, is arranged outside the knife gap in the bread slicing machine so that it cannot be touched from outside the cover of the machine housing. This offers a user additional protection from the sharp cutting knife.

In particularly preferred developments, the receiving shaft is arranged in such a way that an uncut loaf of bread can be placed by a user on a collar section of the receiving shaft designed as a pocketing aid before the cutting process, and that the slices of the sliced loaf of bread can be removed from the collar section by the user, preferably after the cutting process Slipping over a bag-shaped packaging means are removable. This enables a particularly space-saving design of the bread slicing machine.

Advantageously, the receiving shaft designed as a pocketing aid is arranged with the cantilever portion within a cover of the machine housing, so that the bread slicing machine according to the invention can be made more compact and significantly less bulky in a structurally simple and material-saving manner. Furthermore, after the cutting process, the sliced loaf of bread does not have to be moved into the area of the pouching aid by means of a shifting process. In addition, such a configuration offers increased protection for a user against inadvertent intervention in the bread slicer. The tucking aid integrated in the machine housing does not protrude from the machine housing and thus on the one hand widens the space required by the machine and on the other hand there is no longer the risk of a person passing by the machine getting stuck on it. In this design, the bagging aid is located inside the machine housing, which ensures a space-saving design for the bread machine. The access from inside the bread slicing machine to the pouching aid does not have to be secured separately, which means that structural components for the bread slicing machine can be saved. The protection for the user of the bread slicer increases significantly, since only one access to the bread slicer has to be secured. In particular, the bread slicing machine only has a single hood for closing a cutting area in which the loaf of bread is cut.

The outer dimensions of the feed chute in directions parallel to the cutting plane should be greater than or equal to the maximum outer dimensions of loaves of bread to be sliced in these directions. The outer dimensions of the cantilever section in directions parallel to the cutting plane should also be selected to be smaller, at least at a free end facing away from the feed chute, than the outer dimensions of the feed chute in these directions.

In other words, such a modified bread slicing machine according to the invention with the receiving shaft has an area of the bread shaft into which a user of the bread slicing machine inserts the loaf, the bread shaft including in particular the receiving shaft and also the feed shaft. This is also the area from which the user removes the sliced loaf of bread. A support plate designed as part of the receiving shaft or as the entire receiving shaft is thus at the same time an output plate from which the user can conveniently remove the sliced loaf of bread.

The area from which the user can remove the sliced loaf of bread also serves as a pouching aid in these embodiments of the invention. A pouching aid can, in particular, be a holding plate for the loaf of bread, which as a rule does not protrude far beyond the bread loaf in width or is even less wide than the loaf of bread. This holding plate is openly accessible on a narrow side, so that the user can put a packaging means, in particular a bag, over the loaf of bread as long as the loaf of bread lies on the pouching aid. The user moves the bag longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the loaf of bread. In the bread slicing machine according to the invention, in particular the dispensing tray is designed as a pouching aid.

Other developments of the preferred class of embodiments described above are characterized in that the bread slicing machine has a shorter and a longer side, with an input device for the electronic control device and the cantilever portion from the shorter side of the bread slicing machine for one Users are accessible. This is particularly advantageous if the bread slicer is to be set up in a space-saving manner in the self-service area of a supermarket. In particular, to save space, the bread slicer is oriented between shelves so that the shorter side of the bread slicer runs parallel to the direction along the shelves, while the longer side of the bread slicer is oriented toward the depth of the shelves. In order to save space, the longer side of the bread slicing machine can be designed to be shorter when the feed chute and receiving chute are aligned at an angle than in a bread slicing machine in which the feed chute and the receiving chute are installed horizontally.

Embodiments of the invention are also particularly preferred in which through-slots are formed in the feed chute for breadcrumbs to fall through. This makes it easier to clean the feed chute. In particular, the breadcrumbs fall out of the feed shaft through the through slots during the cutting process.

Further, very particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in that a distance is formed between the feed plate in its state in which it is at the maximum moved away from the receiving shaft and the feed shaft. This serves to simplify the cleaning of the feed chute.

Further developments of these embodiments are also very particularly preferred in which a crumb crate is arranged below the feed plate or the feed chute, which crate in particular has a deflector plate. The crumb box is used to collect the breadcrumbs produced during the cutting process. The deflector plate is aligned in particular, starting from the edge of the crumb box, at an angle to the outside, in order to catch as many falling breadcrumbs as possible and to direct them into the crumb box. Due to the vibrations that always occur during the cutting process, the breadcrumbs mainly fall into the Crumb crate and do not remain in the feed chute or receiving chute. In this way, the feed chute and the receiving chute are cleaned quasi mechanically and automatically during the cutting process itself.

Embodiments of the bread slicing machine according to the invention are also advantageous in which the extendable claws of the gripper are geometrically designed in shape and expansion in such a way that the length of the end-side fixing section of the front-side loaf of bread placed in the feed shaft is at most twice the thickness of the later slices to be cut, preferably the same thickness as the slices. This brings about a uniform thickness of the fixing section and of the disks for easy handling of the fixing section when it is consumed.

In alternative or supplementary embodiments of the bread slicing machine according to the invention, the engagement height of the claws of the gripper, which corresponds to the length of the front fixing section in the direction of the connecting axis, is between 10mm and 40mm, preferably 20mm to 30mm. With this length, the fixing section can be conveniently handled when it is consumed.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in that there is a detection device which, in an operating state when the loaf of bread introduced into the feed shaft is moved by means of the feed plate in the direction of the cutting knife inserted into the knife gap, can detect when the loaf of bread is on the cutting knife strikes, the detection device in particular comprising a pressure sensor preferably attached to the feed plate or a light barrier or a device for measuring the current current through an electric drive unit moving the feed plate or a device for measuring the current electrical resistance between the feed plate and the cutting knife.

Detecting the loaf of bread on the cutting knife has the advantage that no blank cuts have to be made and the cutting process can start much faster. In particular, an electrical connection is formed between the feed plate and / or gripper and cutting knife. The loaf of bread forms an electrical connection as soon as it touches the cutting knife. A current flow from the feed plate and / or the gripper via the loaf to the cutting knife can then be measured. Alternatively or additionally, the current of a motor that moves the gripper and / or the feed plate is measured. If the cutting knife creates mechanical resistance for the loaf, this motor current increases. Alternatively or additionally, a transverse force triggered by the loaf of bread can be measured with strain gauges or other sensors at the bearing of the knife arm when the loaf of bread presses against the cutting knife. Alternatively or additionally, a transverse force triggered by the loaf of bread can be measured with strain gauges or other sensors on the gripper and / or the feed plate when the bread presses against the knife.

Another preferred embodiment of the bread slicing machine according to the invention is characterized in that the electronic control device is designed to cause the claws of the gripper to extend out of the feed plate and the claws to reach into the fixing section of the still uncut loaf of bread in the feed shaft when the Detection device detects that the loaf of bread hits the cutting knife. The loaf of bread is not fixed until the cutting process begins. When the claws of the gripper are inserted, the cutting knife takes on the function of a holding plate, so that the loaf of bread is fixed between the feed plate and the cutting knife when the claws are inserted.

A sensor of the bread slicing machine can be provided for the emergency shutdown of the bread slicing machine, in particular the cutting knife. This contributes to increased safety for the users of the bread slicer. The sensor can in particular on the cover of the Bread slicer be arranged. Alternatively or in addition, a locking device can also be provided which keeps the cover of the machine housing closed during the cutting operation.

The bread slicing machine according to the invention is primarily designed for self-service operation by customers in a grocery or bakery shop.

1. a) Einlegen des Brotlaibes in den Aufnahmeschacht;
2. b) Verfahren der Vorschubplatte bei eingefahrenen Krallen des Greifers mit dem an der Vorschubplatte stirnseitig anliegenden Brotlaib von einer Startposition im Aufnahmeschacht in eine Zwischenposition an dem vom Aufnahmeschacht abgewandten Ende des Zuführschachts;
3. c) Verfahren des Schneidmessers in den Messerspalt;
4. d) Verfahren der Vorschubplatte aus der Zwischenposition in eine Anschlagposition, in welcher der Brotlaib das Schneidmesser berührt;
5. e) Ausfahren der Krallen des Greifers und Hineinfahren in den in der Anschlagposition fixierten Brotlaib;
6. f) Vollständiger Transport des noch ungeschnittenen Brotlaibes in mehreren Etappen über den Messerspalt in den Aufnahmeschacht, wobei die elektronische Steuerungseinrichtung während des schrittweisen Transports automatisch ein mehrfaches Verfahren des Schneidmessers in den Messerspalt zum Abschneiden jeweils einer Scheibe aus dem Brotlaib bewirkt und anschließend jeweils das Schneidmesser wieder vollständig aus dem Messerspalt herausbewegt, um einen Weitertransport der jeweiligen Scheibe in den Aufnahmeschacht sowie des zu diesem Zeitpunkt noch ungeschnittenen restlichen Brotlaibes über den Messerspalt zu ermöglichen;
7. g) Herausfahren der Krallen des Greifers aus dem Endstück des ansonsten aufgeschnittenen Brotlaibes.

A bread cutting method for cutting slices from a loaf of bread with a bread cutting machine according to one of the embodiments described above is characterized by the following steps:

1. a) inserting the loaf of bread into the receiving shaft;
2. b) Moving the feed plate with retracted claws of the gripper with the loaf of bread resting on the front side of the feed plate from a starting position in the receiving shaft to an intermediate position at the end of the feed shaft facing away from the receiving shaft;
3. c) moving the cutting knife into the knife gap;
4. d) moving the feed plate from the intermediate position into a stop position in which the loaf of bread touches the cutting knife;
5. e) extending the claws of the gripper and moving them into the loaf of bread fixed in the stop position;
6. f) Complete transport of the still uncut loaf of bread in several stages over the knife gap into the receiving shaft, the electronic control device automatically causing the cutting knife to move multiple times into the knife gap to cut off one slice from the loaf of bread and then the cutting knife again moved completely out of the knife gap in order to further transport the respective disc into the receiving shaft as well as the at this point in time to enable remaining uncut loaf of bread through the knife gap;
7. g) Moving the claws of the gripper out of the end piece of the otherwise sliced loaf of bread.

In such a bread-cutting process carried out with a bread-cutting machine according to the invention, the loaf of bread is held in its position by the receiving shaft in the feed shaft during the cutting process and the sliced loaf of bread is prevented from falling over without the need for an additional holding plate. In step e), the cutting knife takes on the function of a holding plate when the claws of the gripper are moved in, so that the loaf of bread is fixed between the feed plate and the cutting knife when the claws are moved in. The electronic control device can increase the stability of the slicing process, for example by setting a suitable transport speed for the loaf of bread during the slicing process.

A preferred embodiment of the method for operating a bread slicing machine is characterized in that the aforementioned step e) is only carried out when the detection device has recognized the loaf of bread hitting the cutting knife while carrying out step d) and has reported it to the electronic control device. This prevents blank cuts and the cutting process can start much faster.

1. a. Einbringen eines ungeschnittenen Brotlaibes, vorzugsweise über den Aufnahmeschacht, in den Zuführschacht;
2. b. Aufschneiden des Brotlaibes in Scheiben;
3. c. Beförderung der Scheiben zum Kragabschnitt des Aufnahmeschachts;
4. d. Überstülpen eines beutelförmigen Verpackungsmittels über die Eintüthilfe des Kragabschnitts mit den darauf aufliegenden Scheiben des aufgeschnittenen Brotlaibes bei geöffneter Abdeckung des Maschinengehäuses;
5. e. Entnahme des beutelförmigen Verpackungsmittels mit den darin enthaltenen Scheiben des zerschnittenen Brotlaibes vom Kragabschnitt.

Another particularly preferred embodiment of the method for operating a bread slicing machine is characterized by the following steps:

1. a. Introducing an uncut loaf of bread, preferably via the receiving chute, into the feed chute;
2. b. Cutting the loaf into slices;
3. c. Conveying the panes to the cantilever portion of the receiving chute;
4. d. Slipping over a bag-shaped packaging means over the tucking-in aid of the collar section with the slices of the sliced loaf of bread lying thereon with the cover of the machine housing open;
5. e. Removal of the bag-shaped packaging means with the slices of the cut loaf of bread contained therein from the collar section.

With such a bread-cutting process, the cut loaf can be removed in a space-saving and particularly simple manner.

Further advantages of the invention emerge from the description and the drawing. The features mentioned above and below can also be used according to the invention individually or collectively in any combination. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as an exhaustive list, but rather have an exemplary character for describing the invention.

Detailed description of the invention and drawing

The invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1

einen schematischen Vertikalschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäße Brotschneidemaschine bei geöffneter Abdeckung;

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt durch die Brotschneidemaschine nach Fig. 1 mit einem eingelegten Brotlaib bei geschlossener Abdeckung;

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt durch die Brotschneidemaschine nach Fig. 2, wobei der Brotlaib am Schneidmesser anliegt;

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt durch die Brotschneidemaschine nach Fig. 3, wobei der Brotlaib an der Vorschubplatte anliegt;

Fig. 5a

einen Schnitt durch die Brotschneidemaschine nach Fig. 4, wobei der Brotlaib bis etwa zu seiner Hälfte zerschnitten ist;

Fig. 5b

einen Schnitt durch die Brotschneidemaschine nach Fig. 5a, wobei der Brotlaib bis auf einen Restabschnitt zerschnitten ist;

Fig. 6

eine dreidimensionale schematische Ansicht eines Zuführschachtes, eines Aufnahmeschachtes, eines Schneidmessers und einer Krumenkiste der erfindungsgemäßen Brotschneidemaschine;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Schnittansicht von oben auf eine Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Brotschneidemaschine;

Fig. 8

eine mögliche Bewegungsbahn des Schneidmessers;

Fig. 9a

eine dreidimensionale schematische Ansicht des Zuführschachtes und des Aufnahmeschachtes sowie der Vorschubplatte mit Zähne-bewehrtem Greifer; und

Fig. 9b

eine dreidimensionale Ansicht des Zuführschachtes und des Aufnahmeschachtes nach Fig. 9a mit in den Messerpalt eingefahrenem Schneidmesser; und

Fig. 10

ein Flussdiagramm zur schematischen Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Brotschneideverfahrens.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic vertical section through a bread slicer according to the invention with the cover open;

Fig. 2

a section through the bread slicer Fig. 1 with an inlaid loaf of bread with the cover closed;

Fig. 3

a section through the bread slicer Fig. 2 wherein the loaf of bread rests against the cutting knife;

Fig. 4

a section through the bread slicer Fig. 3 wherein the loaf of bread rests against the feed plate;

Figure 5a

a section through the bread slicer Fig. 4 the loaf of bread being cut up to about halfway;

Figure 5b

a section through the bread slicer Figure 5a wherein the loaf of bread is cut up to a residual portion;

Fig. 6

a three-dimensional schematic view of a feed chute, a receiving chute, a cutting knife and a crumb box of the bread slicing machine according to the invention;

Fig. 7

a schematic sectional view from above of an embodiment of the bread slicing machine according to the invention;

Fig. 8

a possible path of movement of the cutting knife;

Figure 9a

a three-dimensional schematic view of the feed chute and the receiving chute as well as the feed plate with teeth-reinforced gripper; and

Figure 9b

a three-dimensional view of the feed chute and the receiving chute according to Figure 9a with the cutting knife retracted into the knife gap; and

Fig. 10

a flowchart for a schematic representation of the bread cutting method according to the invention.

The present invention relates to a bread slicing machine for slicing a loaf of bread into a disc-shaped manner with a space-saving integrated pouching aid.

The Figure 1 shows a section through a bread slicing machine according to the invention with the cover open. The Figures 2 to 5b show procedural steps of the cutting process with the cover closed. The Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional view of a feed chute, a receiving chute, a cutting knife and a crumb box of the bread cutting machine. The Figure 7 shows a sectional view looking from above onto the bread slicer (that is, without a cover). The Figure 8 shows a possible path of movement of the cutting knife. The Figures 9a and 9b show a three-dimensional view of the feed chute and the receiving chute without and with retracted cutting knife. The Figure 10 shows a flow diagram for the schematic representation of the bread-cutting method according to the invention.

In the Fig. 1 The bread slicing machine 1 shown has a machine housing 2 . In this there is a drive motor 3 for driving one on a knife arm 4 (see Fig. 8 ) mounted cutting knife 5 rotating in a cutting plane E. The knife arm 4 is driven by a drive motor 3 ' for the knife arm 4. A bearing block 3 ″ holds the knife arm 4.

The bread cutting machine 1 also has a feed chute 6 for introducing a loaf of bread B to be sliced (see FIG Fig. 2 ) through an insertion area EB in the bread slicer 1. With the exception of a knife gap 5 ', a receiving shaft 7 for receiving all the slices S (see FIG Figure 5b ) of the sliced loaf of bread. The receiving shaft 7 is designed as a pouching aid with a cantilever section 8 . The receiving shaft 7 is also arranged within a cover 2 ′ of the machine housing 2.

The receiving shaft 7 is formed by two sheet metal sections 9 ′, 9 ″ which adjoin one another at an angle and which together are L-shaped in cross section (cf. Figures 9a and 9b ). A connecting axis a of the feed chute 6 with the receiving chute 7 is arranged inclined to the vertical, preferably by about 45 °. In the feed chute 6 through slots 6 'are formed for bread crumbs to fall through. A crumb box 10 , above which one or more deflector plates 11 are located, is arranged below the through slots 6 ′ of the feed chute 6. As a rule, four such deflector plates 11 protrude like a funnel from above into the crumb crate.

A feed plate 12 with gripper 13 for holding the loaf of bread B can be moved from an end of the feed chute 6 facing away from the receiving chute 7 to over the knife gap 5 'and back again. The loaf of bread B introduced into the feed chute 6 can rest on the front side of the feed plate 12.

An electronic control device 14 is designed to transport the uncut loaf of bread B from the receiving shaft 7 into the feed shaft 6 past the cutting knife 5 moved out of the knife gap 5 'and then transport the loaf of bread B to be sliced back from the feed shaft 6 into the receiving shaft 7, during the return transport the cutting knife 5 is moved into and out of the knife gap 5 'in such a way that the loaf of bread B is sliced into mutually parallel slices S (see FIG Figures 5a , 5b ).

The cover 2 ′ of the machine housing 2 can be moved in a rotary movement on a guide rail 15 for opening and closing the machine housing 2. A sensor 16 is used to switch off the bread slicing machine 1, in particular the cutting knife 5, in an emergency.

The - initially uncut - loaf of bread B is placed in the receiving shaft 7, as in FIG Fig. 2 can be seen.

Then the -not sliced- loaf of bread B slides against the cutting knife 5 in the knife gap 5 ', see Fig. 3 . Alternatively, the cutting knife 5 can be moved out of the knife gap 5 'and the feed plate 12 can be moved over the knife gap 5' into the receiving shaft 7, the loaf of bread B sliding against the feed plate 12. The feed plate 12 covers the knife gap 5 'and protects a user of the bread slicing machine 1 from the cutting knife 5, in particular when the cover 2' of the bread slicing machine is still open.

The feed plate 12 with the gripper 13 is moved with retracted claws of the gripper 13 in the direction of the cutting knife 5, in particular over the knife gap 5 ', the cutting knife 5 being moved out of the knife gap 5'. The loaf of bread B slides against the gripper 13. The feed plate 12 is moved with the claws of the gripper 13 retracted with the loaf of bread B resting on the front side of the feed plate 12 from a starting position in the receiving shaft 7 to an intermediate position at the end of the feed shaft 6 facing away from the receiving shaft 7, please refer Fig. 4 .

The cutting knife 5 is then moved into the knife gap 5 '. The feed plate 12 with the adjacent loaf of bread B is moved in the direction of the cutting knife 5 into a stop position until the loaf of bread B lies against the cutting knife 5. The feed plate 12 and the cutting knife 5 fix the loaf of bread B. The claws of the gripper 13 are then moved into a fixing section A of the loaf of bread B indicated by a dashed line for fixation during the cutting process. Here, the claws of the gripper 13 can be made comparatively small, so that the end piece of the sliced bread can later be kept particularly thin.

The - still uncut - loaf of bread B is conveyed in several stages over the knife gap 5 'into the receiving shaft 7. The electronic control device 14 during the step-by-step transport automatically a multiple movement of the cutting knife 5 into the knife gap 5 'to cut off one slice S from the loaf of bread B. Subsequently, the cutting knife 5 is moved completely out of the knife gap 5' again to further transport the respective To enable the slice S into the receiving shaft 7 and the remaining loaf of bread B, which is still uncut at this point in time, through the knife gap 5 ', see FIG Figure 5a .

Finally, the loaf of bread cut open except for one end piece, in particular the fixing section A, is located again in the receiving shaft 7, which is designed as a pocketing aid with a cantilever section 8, and can be easily and safely removed from it, see FIG Figure 5b . In particular, the cutting knife 5 is moved out of the knife gap 5 '. The feed plate 12 is moved over the knife gap 5 'into the receiving shaft 7 and covers the knife gap 5'. As a result, a user of the bread slicing machine 1 cannot inadvertently reach into the knife gap 5 ′ and injure himself on the sharp cutting knife 5. The claws of the gripper 13 are moved out of the loaf B of bread.

The deflector plate 11 is arranged obliquely to the horizontal on the crumb crate 10 in order to direct crumbs into the crumb crate 10, see FIG Fig. 6 .

In Fig. 7 In particular, the drive motor 3 for the cutting knife 5, the drive motor 3 'for the knife arm 4 and the bearing block 3 ″, which holds the knife arm 4, are shown. The cutting knife 5 can be moved into the knife gap 5' from the side.

The knife arm 4 is designed to move the cutting knife 5 on a curve KU, preferably a circular curve.
The rotating cutting knife 5 is periodically moved into and out of the knife gap 5 'to cut the slices S, in particular in a permanent circular movement brought about by the drive motor 3 'for the knife arm 4, see FIG Fig. 8 .

The L-profile of the receiving shaft 7, which is formed by the two angularly adjoining sheet metal sections 9 ', 9 ", is in the Figures 9a and 9b shown in detail. In Fig.9b the cutting knife 5 is retracted into the knife gap 5 '. The feed plate 12 can be moved to such an extent that a distance d is formed between the feed plate 12 and the feed chute 6, see Figure 9a .

Fig. 10 shows a flow chart for the schematic representation of the bread cutting method 100 according to the invention:
In a first step 101 , the loaf of bread B is placed in the receiving shaft 7. The loaf of bread B can in particular slide down directly against the feed plate 12 in the feed shaft 6. Alternatively, the inserted loaf of bread B can also initially be caught in the receiving shaft 7 by the cutting knife 5 when it has moved into the knife gap 5 'and only slide on into the feed shaft 6 after the cutting knife 5 has moved out of the knife gap 5'. This corresponds to the situation as it is between the Figures 3 and 4th is not specifically shown in the drawing. Another possibility is that when the loaf B is inserted, the cutting knife 5 is located outside the knife gap 5 '. Instead of the cutting knife 5, the feed plate 12 is then moved up to the knife gap 5 'or beyond into the lower region of the receiving shaft 7 and covers the knife gap 5' against unwanted external interference in order to avoid the risk of injury. In this position, the feed plate 12 gently intercepts the inserted loaf of bread B and then moves the loaf of bread B back to its starting position at the bottom of the feed shaft 6.

In a second step 102 , when the claws of the gripper 13 are retracted, the feed plate 12 is at the front with the one on the feed plate 12 adjacent loaf of bread B from its starting position in the receiving shaft 7 to an intermediate position at the end of the feed shaft 6 facing away from the receiving shaft 7.

In a third step 103 , the cutting knife 5 is moved into the knife gap 5 '.

In a fourth step 104 , the feed plate 12 is moved from the intermediate position into a stop position in which the loaf of bread B touches the cutting knife 5 and, with its second end face facing away from the feed plate 12, presses against the cutting knife 5 moved into the knife gap 5 '.

In a fifth step 105 , the claws of the gripper 13 are extended and moved into the loaf of bread B, which is fixed in the stop position.

In a sixth step 106 the - still uncut - loaf of bread B is transported in several stages completely over the knife gap 5 'into the receiving shaft 7, the electronic control device 14 automatically moving the cutting knife 5 into the knife gap 5' several times during the step-by-step transport. to cut off one slice S from each loaf of bread B and then move the cutting knife 5 completely out of the knife gap 5 'in order to transport the respective slice S into the receiving shaft 7 and the remaining loaf of bread B, which was still uncut at this point in time, via the knife gap 5 'to allow. This operating situation is in the Figures 5a and 5b illustrated.

Finally, in a seventh step 107 , the claws of the gripper 13 are moved out of the end piece of the otherwise sliced loaf of bread. The slices S with the uncut remaining loaf of bread B can then be removed from the receiving shaft 7.

List of reference symbols:

1

Bread slicer

2

Machine housing

2 '

cover

3

Drive motor for the cutting knife

3 '

Drive motor for knife arm

3 "

Bearing block for knife motor

4th

Knife arm

5

Cutting knife

5 '

Knife gap

6th

Feed chute

6 '

Through slots

7th

Receiving slot

8th

Cantilever

8th'

free end of the cantilever section

8th"

the end of the receiving shaft facing the feed shaft

9 ', 9 "

Sheet metal sections

10

Crumb box

11

Deflector plates

12th

Feed plate

13th

Grapple

14th

electronic control device

15th

Guide rail

16

sensor

100

Bread cutting process

101

first step of the bread cutting process

102

second step of the bread cutting process

103

third step of the bread cutting process

104

fourth step of the bread cutting process

105

fifth step of the bread cutting process

106

sixth step of the bread cutting process

107

seventh step of the bread cutting process

a

Connection axis of the feed shaft and the receiving shaft

B.

Loaf of bread

d

Distance from the gripper to the feed shaft

E.

Cutting plane

S.

Discs

KU

Curve

Reference list

1. [1] DE 44 31 808 C2
2. [2] DE 10 2010 036 721 B4
3. [3] EP 3 102 376 B1
4. [4] EP 3 331 674 B1

Publications considered for the assessment of patentability:

1. [1] DE 44 31 808 C2
2. [2] DE 10 2010 036 721 B4
3. [3] EP 3 102 376 B1
4. [4] EP 3 331 674 B1

Claims (15)

Bread slicing machine (1) for slicing a loaf of bread (B) in the form of a slice, which has a machine housing (2) which has a drive motor (3) and a drive motor (3) driven by the latter, held on a knife arm (4) and rotating in a cutting plane (E) and / or or a rotating cutting knife (5) with a feed shaft (6) for introducing the loaf of bread (B) to be sliced into the bread slicing machine (1), with a receiving shaft (7) adjacent to the feed shaft (6) except for a knife gap (5 ') ) for receiving all slices (S) of the sliced loaf of bread, as well as with a feed plate (12) which has a gripper (13) provided with claws for holding the loaf of bread (B), the feed plate (12) on which the in the Loaf of bread (B) introduced into the feed chute (6) rests on the front side, can be moved from an end of the feed chute (6) facing away from the receiving chute (7) to over the knife gap (5 ') and back again,
characterized,
that the connecting axis (a) of the feed chute (6) with the receiving chute (7) is inclined by at least 30 ° to the vertical,
and that an electronic control device (14) is provided which is designed to extend and engage the claws of the gripper (13) in an end-side fixing section (A) extending in the direction of the connecting axis (a) of a in the feed shaft (6) to effect the introduced loaf of bread (B), and then to transport the still uncut loaf of bread (B) over the knife gap (5 ') into the receiving shaft (7), the control device (14) automatically moving the cutting knife (5) into the knife gap (5 ') several times during transport to cut off one slice (S) from the loaf of bread (B) and then the cutting knife (5) is completely moved out of the knife gap (5 ') in order to enable further transport of the cut slice (S) into the receiving shaft (7) and the remaining uncut loaf of bread (B) via the knife gap (5') . Bread cutting machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the receiving shaft (7) is formed by two sheet metal sections (9 ', 9 ") which are angularly adjacent to one another and which together are L-shaped in cross-section. Bread cutting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cover (2 ') of the machine housing (2) can be moved in a rotary movement on a guide rail (15). Bread cutting machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the cutting knife (5) in a non-activated state outside the knife gap (5 ') is arranged in the bread cutting machine (1) so that it cannot be touched from outside the cover (2') of the machine housing (2). Bread cutting machine according to one of claims 3 or 4,
characterized in that the receiving shaft (7) is arranged such that an uncut loaf of bread (B) in front of the The cutting process can be placed by a user on a collar section (8) of the receiving shaft (7) designed as a pouching aid, and that the slices (S) of the sliced loaf of bread after the cutting process from the collar section (8) by the user, preferably after slipping over a bag-shaped packaging means , are removable. Bread slicing machine according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the bread slicing machine (1) has a shorter and a longer side, an input device for the electronic control device (14) and the cantilever portion (8) from the shorter side of the bread slicing machine (1 ) are accessible to a user. Bread cutting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that through slots (6 ') for bread crumbs to fall through are formed in the feed shaft (6). Bread slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a distance (d) is formed between the feed plate (12) in its state in which it is maximally moved away from the receiving shaft (7) and the feed shaft (6). Bread cutting machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a crumb box (10) is arranged below the feed plate (12) or the feed chute (6), which in particular has a deflector plate (11). Bread slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extendable claws of the gripper (13) are geometrically designed in shape and extension in such a way that the length of the front-side fixing section (A) of the loaf of bread (6) placed in the feed shaft (6) and resting on the front side ( B) has a maximum of twice the thickness of the slices (S) to be cut later, preferably the same thickness as the slices (S). Bread cutting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engagement height of the claws of the gripper (13), which corresponds to the length of the front fixing section (A) in the direction of the connecting axis (a), is between 10mm and 40mm, preferably 20mm to 30mm . Bread cutting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is a detection device which, in an operating state, when the loaf of bread (B) brought into the feed shaft (6) by means of the feed plate (12) in the direction of the knife gap (5 ') ) retracted cutting knife (5) is moved, can recognize when the loaf of bread (B) strikes the cutting knife (5), the detection device in particular a pressure sensor preferably attached to the feed plate (12) or a light barrier or a device for measuring the current Current through an electric drive unit moving the feed plate (12) or a device for measuring the current electrical resistance between the feed plate (12) and the cutting knife (5). Bread cutting machine according to claim 12, characterized in that the electronic control device (14) is designed to extend the claws of the gripper (13) out of the feed plate (12) and the claws to reach into the fixing section (A) of the still uncut loaf ( B) to be effected in the feed shaft (6) only when the detection device detects that the loaf of bread (B) has hit the cutting knife (5). Bread cutting method for cutting slices (S) from a loaf of bread (B) with a bread cutting machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following steps: a) inserting the loaf of bread (B) into the receiving shaft (7); b) Moving the feed plate (12) with retracted claws of the gripper (13) with the loaf of bread (B) resting on the front side of the feed plate (12) from a starting position in the receiving shaft (7) to an intermediate position at the end facing away from the receiving shaft (7) the feed chute (6); c) moving the cutting knife (5) into the knife gap (5 '); d) moving the feed plate (12) from the intermediate position into a stop position in which the loaf of bread (B) touches the cutting knife (5); e) extending the claws of the gripper (13) and moving them into the loaf of bread (B) fixed in the stop position; f) Complete transport of the still uncut loaf of bread (B) in several stages over the knife gap (5 ') into the receiving shaft (7), the electronic Control device (14) automatically moves the cutting knife (5) into the knife gap (5 ') several times during the step-by-step transport to cut off one slice (S) from the loaf of bread (B) and then completely cuts the cutting knife (5) again moved out of the knife gap (5 ') in order to enable the respective slice (S) to be transported further into the receiving shaft (7) as well as the remaining loaf of bread (B), still uncut at this point in time, via the knife gap (5'); g) Moving the claws of the gripper (13) out of the end piece of the otherwise sliced loaf of bread. A method according to claim 14 for operating a bread slicing machine according to claim 13, characterized in that step e) is only carried out when the detection device detects the loaf of bread (B) hitting the cutting knife (5) and the electronic control device (14) has reported.

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