Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
  • B65B25/16—Packaging bread or like bakery products, e.g. unsliced loaves
  • B65B25/18—Wrapping sliced bread
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
  • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
  • B26D1/00—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor
  • B26D1/0006—Cutting members therefor
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
  • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
  • B26D7/00—Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
  • B26D7/06—Arrangements for feeding or delivering work of other than sheet, web, or filamentary form
  • B26D7/0608—Arrangements for feeding or delivering work of other than sheet, web, or filamentary form by pushers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
  • B65B35/10—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
  • B65B35/20—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by reciprocating or oscillatory pushers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
  • B65B43/26—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
  • B65B43/28—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks by grippers co-operating with fixed supports
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
  • B65B43/26—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
  • B65B43/34—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks by internal pressure
  • B65B43/36—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks by internal pressure applied pneumatically
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
  • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
  • B26D1/00—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor
  • B26D1/0006—Cutting members therefor
  • B26D2001/0066—Cutting members therefor having shearing means, e.g. shearing blades, abutting blades

Definitions

• the invention relates to a bread slicer which enables bread to be wrapped in a packaging bag.
• This slicer includes a loading compartment with a support surface for placing bread to be cut.
• the loading compartment is connected to a receiving compartment which has an output table for the cut bread.
• a pusher makes it possible to push the bread from the loading compartment towards the receiving compartment in a direction of movement of the bread.
• a cutting element is provided. This cutting element is arranged in a cutting plane between the loading compartment and the receiving compartment and substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the bread.
• Holding means are provided in the receiving compartment to hold a packing bag, which has an opening, open with the opening facing the section plane. These holding means make it possible to keep the packaging bag open during the movement of the bread in the direction of movement, while the pusher is arranged to push at least part of the cut bread through the opening of the bag in said direction of movement. movement in order to introduce the cut bread at least partially into the packaging bag.
• the slicer disclosed in document EP 2799345 makes it possible to prevent the slices of the bread from falling into the bag, but requires the use of packaging bags with a rigid bottom specially adapted for this slicer.
• a slicer is described which has a support element which allows the packaging bag to be opened as the bread is cut.
• the cut slices of the bread push against this support element in order to make it advance.
• the wafers can be compressed when they push against the support member with too great a force or they can fall and thus move away from each other when the resistance to the movement of the member shifts. support is too weak. Indeed, the effectiveness of the support element depends on the type of bread and the thickness of the slices of bread.
• the invention seeks to remedy these disadvantages by presenting a bread slicer in which it is possible to pack a loaf during its cutting in a conventional preformed packaging bag and this by ensuring that the slices of the loaf are held together. against each other in the bag without falling or breaking down the bread or being compressed.
• the invention seeks to provide a packaging system which is independent of the type of bread to be cut, in particular independent of the specific weight or the hardness of the bread.
• the slicer comprises a support element which is provided in the receiving compartment and which makes it possible to compress the packaging bag when the latter is kept open by the holding means in order to reduce the cross section of the bag at the location of the support element so that the portion of the bag with reduced section forms a support for the end of the bread opposite to that facing the pusher.
• the support element is at least movable in the direction of movement of the bread so as to be able to move away from the cutting plane as the cut portion of the bread is introduced into the bag.
• the support element cooperates with the pusher so as to allow synchronized movement of the support element and the pusher when cutting the bread into slices.
• the holding means comprise a clamping element for holding a lower side of the opening of the packaging bag substantially at the level of the output table and a device for 'opening to hold the top side of the bag the place of the opening and move this upper side away from the lower side until the opening of the bag to allow the introduction of a loaf.
• the output table is inclined relative to a horizontal plane to hold the slices of the cut bread against each other during the introduction of the bread into the bag. packaging.
• the slicer includes storage space to accommodate a stack of flat-folded packing bags with their opening facing the cutting plane.
• This storage space has a movable support for this stack which allows the level of the stack of bags to be adjusted so that the upper surface of this stack extends substantially in the plane of the output table.
• the invention also relates to a method for cutting a bread into slices and for inserting these slices into a packaging bag, in which the bread is placed in a loading compartment and is moved in a direction of movement of the bread towards a compartment. reception by pushing it with a pusher. During this movement, preferably in successive discrete steps, the bread is cut into successive slices by a knife which moves in a cutting plane between the loading compartment and the receiving compartment.
• a packing bag having an opening is held in the receiving compartment with the opening of the bag facing the cutting plane to introduce the slices of bread into the bag in said direction of travel as the bread moves.
• This method is characterized in that the packing bag is compressed by a support member in order to reduce the cross section of a part of the bag while the bag is held open.
• the support element is moved, according to a movement synchronized with that of the pusher, to move the part with reduced section away from the cutting plane in said direction of movement as the part is introduced. cut bread in the bag while maintaining the end of the bread supported by said portion of the bag with reduced section.
• Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a slicer comprising a loading compartment, a cutting element and a receiving compartment with an output table, according to a particular embodiment of the invention, when a bread to be cut was introduced into the load compartment.
• Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, with a bread packaging bag open.
• Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figures 1 to 2, when the cross section of the packing bag is reduced by a support member.
• Figures 4 and 5 show a view similar to that of the previous figures when cutting the bread into slices and inserting the cut part of the bread into the packaging bag.
• Figure 6 is a view similar to that of the previous figures when the cut bread is completely inserted into the packing bag.
• Figure 7 is a view similar to that of the previous figures and shows the removal of the bagged cut bread.
• Figure 8 is a view analogous to that of the previous figures of a bread slicer according to an alternative embodiment of the invention having storage space to accommodate a stack of packing bags.
• Figure 9 is a view similar to that of the previous figures of a bread slicer according to another embodiment of the invention with a blow mouth for opening the packaging bags.
• the invention relates, in general, to a slicer and a method in which a loaf is cut into slices and, upon cutting, introduced into a preformed bag.
• This invention is of particular interest for application in stores where consumers can choose a loaf, cut it with an automatic bread slicer and pick up the sliced bread themselves.
• the application of the invention is not limited to large-scale stores, but can also be used in all places where breads are cut by an automatic slicer, such as, for example, in a bakery.
• the invention relates, in general, to a system for packing cut bread in a preformed bag in which the bread is cut and introduced into the packing bag during its cutting without the need to take the bread in hand.
• FIG. 1 A first embodiment of the slicer and of the method, according to the invention, is shown schematically in Figures 1 to 7.
• the slicer comprises a loading compartment 1 for receiving a bread 2 to be cut. As indicated by the arrow 3 the bread 2 is placed on a support surface 4 of the loading compartment 1 of the slicer.
• this loading compartment 1 is disposed a pusher 5 which makes it possible to push the bread 2 to be cut in a direction of movement of the bread 2 from the loading compartment 1 towards a receiving compartment 6.
• a cutting plane 7 extends. substantially transversely with respect to said direction of movement between the loading compartment 1 and the receiving compartment 6.
• a cutting element 8, such as for example a blade, can move in a reciprocating movement along the plane of cutter 7 to cut successive slices of bread 2 as it passes through this cutting plane 7.
• this cutting element 8 comprises a circular blade 9 which is driven around its central axis 10.
• the direction of movement of the bread 2 is generally parallel to the support surface 4 of the loading compartment 1 and / or parallel to the output table 12 in the reception compartment 6.
• the pusher 5 comprises at least one hook 11 which is movable between a retracted position and a stretched position.
• the hook 11 is in the stretched position by penetrating the bread to grip and hold it.
• the pusher 5 it is not essential that the pusher 5 has such a retractable hook 11 in the slicer according to the invention.
• the bottom of the receiving compartment 6 includes an output table 12 on which a packing bag 13 for the bread 2 can be placed. As shown in Figure 1, the packing bag 13 is placed on the output surface 12. in the folded state with its opening 14 facing the cutting plane 7.
• the packaging bag 13 is, for example, a conventional paper or plastic bag which is commonly used for packaging bread.
• holding means are provided which make it possible to keep the packaging bag 13 open with the opening 14 facing the section plane 7.
• these holding means do not only ensure that bag 13 is kept open, but they also allow bag 13 to be opened from its folded state.
• a flat-folded packing bag 13 is laid with the opening 14 of the bag 13 facing the cutting plane 7, the bag 13 is detachably attached to the output table 12 by a clamp 15.
• a lower edge 16 of the opening 14 at the lower side of the bag 13 is clamped between the clamp 15 and the output table 12.
• this lower edge 16 extends beyond the upper edge of the bag. opening 14 of bag 13 to, for example, facilitate the attachment of the bag to the output table 12.
• the slicer has holding means for keeping the packaging bag 13 open with the opening 14 facing the cutting plane 7.
• These holding means comprise a clamping element for holding the lower side of the slicer. the opening 14 of the packaging bag 13, in particular said edge lower 16, substantially at the level of the output table 12.
• this clamping element comprises the aforementioned clamp 15.
• the holding means also have an opening device for holding the upper side 17 of the bag 13 at the location of the opening 14 and for moving this upper side 17 away from the lower edge 16 until the bag is opened. 13 to allow the introduction of a bread 2 in the bag.
• the opening device comprises at least one suction cup 18 for sucking and holding the upper side 17 of the bag 13 in order to open it and keep it open.
• the suction cup 18 is moved towards the upper side 17 of the bag 13, preferably close to the opening 14.
• the suction cup 18 sucks the upper side 17 of the packaging bag 13 so that the bag is attached to the suction cup 18.
• the suction cup 18 is raised so that the upper side 17 of the bag 13 moves away from the lower edge 16 and so that the bag opens with the opening 14 facing towards the section plane 7, as illustrated in figure 2.
• the slicer may include a single suction cup 18 or a series of suction cups which are arranged next to each other so that they can attach across the width of the opening 14 to the top side 17 of the bag.
• the distance between the open bag 13, or the opening 14, and the cutting plane 7 is preferably less than the width, depending on the direction of movement of the bread 2, of a cut slice of the bread 2.
• the latter is advanced by the pusher 5 in discrete steps from the loading compartment 1 to the receiving compartment 6 by crossing the cutting plane 7.
• the blade 9 is driven and moved along the cutting plane 7 between the two compartments 1 and 6 to cut a slice of the bread 2.
• the bread 2 is advanced by new with a step corresponding to the width of a slice. Following this movement of the bread 2, the slice which has just been cut is pushed further into the packaging bag 13 as shown schematically in Figures 4 and 5.
• the slicer In order to prevent the cut slices from falling into the bag 13 and that the cut part of the bread 2 decomposes, the slicer, according to the invention, comprises a support element 19 which is provided in the receiving compartment 6. In Figure 1, the support member 19 is shown in a rest position.
• the support element 19 comprises, for example, a rod or a roller 29 which extends substantially horizontal and transversely to the direction of movement of the bread 2.
• This support element 19 can be moved towards the packing bag 13 and allows this packing bag 13 to be compressed at least partially when the latter is held open by the retaining means.
• the arrow 20 indicates the movement of the support member 19 towards the bag 13.
• the support member 19 By partially compressing the bag 13, which is kept open, the support member 19 reduces the cross section of the bag 13 at the location of this support member 19, as shown in Figure 3. Thus, the part 21 of the bag 13 with reduced section forms a support for the end of the loaf 2 opposite to that facing the pusher 5.
• the pusher 5 When the bread has been completely sliced, the pusher 5 is preferably advanced beyond the cutting plane 7 in order to push the cut bread further into the bag and also to introduce the end of the bread 2, which faces the pusher 5, in the bag 13. It may be advantageous to move the pusher 5 through the opening 14 into the bag 13. Then, the hooks 11 are removed from the bread 2 and return to their retreated position in the pusher 5 which is moved back into the load compartment 1, as shown in figure 6.
• the support element 19 is movable in the direction of movement of the bread so as to be able to move away from the cutting plane 7 as the cut part of the bread is introduced into the bag 13. After that a loaf 2 is put into the loading compartment 1 to be sliced, the packing bag 13 is kept open as described above and the support member 19 is moved from its rest position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to a compression position of the packing bag 13 as shown in Figure 3.
• the support member 19 compresses the packing bag 13 close to the opening 14 in order to reduce the cross section of a part of the bag 13 and to make this section 21 smaller than the section of the opening 14 and lower than the cutting surface of a cut slice of bread 2.
• the cut slice of the end of the bread 2 opposite to that facing the pusher 5 can bear in the bag 13 against the part 21 of bag 13 with reduced section. Therefore, this wafer rests against the backing member 19 through the bag 13.
• the support element 19 When cutting the bread 2 into slices, the support element 19 is moved in said direction of movement as the cut part of the bread 2 is introduced into the bag 13.
• the part 21 with reduced section of the bag 13 is moved away from the cutting plane 7 simultaneously with the movement of the pusher 5 towards the cutting plane 7. This while maintaining the end of the bread 2 supported by said part 21 of the reduced section bag.
• the support element 19 is, in particular, remote from the cutting plane 7 along said direction of movement of the bread 2 or parallel to the output table 12 as the bread 2 advances.
• the support element 19 cooperates with the pusher 5 so as to allow a synchronized movement of the support element 19, in particular said rod or the roller 29, and of the pusher 5 when cutting bread 2 into slices. Therefore, a movement is imposed on the support element 19 which is synchronous with the movement of the pusher 5.
• the support element 19 can, for example, be driven by an electric motor or by the movement of the pusher 5.
• the support element 19 is, for example, driven by an electric motor which ensures that, when cutting the bread, the distance between the pusher 5 and the support element 19 is maintained. substantially constant so that the movement of the pusher 5 and of the support element 19 is synchronized.
• the average displacement speed of the support element 19 in said direction of displacement corresponds to the average speed of the pusher 5 to obtain a synchronized movement of the element d 'support 19 and pusher 5.
• the synchronized movement of the support element 19 and the pusher 5, during the cutting of the bread prevents the cut slices from being compressed against the support element 19 when the support element presents too much resistance to movement.
• a control unit may be provided which controls the motor of the support element 19 and which therefore regulates the movement of the support element 19, in particular of said rod or the roller 29, depending on the displacement of the pusher 5 during the cutting of the bread 2.
• this control unit ensures that the support element 29 and the pusher 5 undergo a synchronized movement during the cutting of the bread.
• the control unit determines, for example, the position of the support element 29 and / or adjusts, in particular, the speed of movement of the support element 29.
• the support element 19 is moved by the force exerted on it by the bar 2 which is pushed by the pusher 5.
• the support element 19 cooperates, for example, with a spring which pushes the bearing element 19 against the bar 2 or which maintains a pressing force between the element support 19 and the cut part of the bread 2 to prevent the slices from falling.
• said spring, or another device for maintaining this pressure force between the support element 19 and the cut part of the loaf 2 is adjustable depending on the type of loaf, for example depending on the rigidity. bread, to ensure synchronized movement of the support element 19 and the pusher 5.
• a synchronized movement of the support element and the pusher is obtained by the presence of a physical connection between the support element and the pusher, such as for example a bar connection.
• the output table 12 may be tilted from the horizontal.
• the level of the opening 14 of the bag 13 is then greater than the level of the portion with reduced section of the bag 13.
• the cut slices of the bread automatically bear against the portion 21 with reduced section of the bag 13 by the action. of gravity.
• the slicer includes a storage space 22 to accommodate a stack 23 of packaging bags 13 preformed and folded flat with their opening 14 facing the cutting plane 7.
• This storage space 22 has a movable support 24 for the stack 23 which makes it possible to adapt the level of this stack 23 of bags 13 so that the upper surface of the stack 23 extends substantially in the upper plane of the output table. 12.
• the lower side 25 of the bags 13 is provided with a strip protruding from the opening 14.
• this protruding strip is formed by the lower edge 16 of. the opening 14 at the lower side 25 of the bag 13.
• This lower edge 16 extends beyond the upper edge of the opening 14 of the bag.
• Adjacent to the storage space 22, the lower side of the output table 12 has a flange 28 against which the protruding strip, in particular the edge 16, of the upper bag 13 of the stack 23 is clamped.
• the movable support 24 is pushed towards the output table 12 by means of, for example, a compression spring 26 mounted between this support 24 and the frame of the slicer.
• the edge 16 of the upper bag 13 of the stack 23 is thus clamped and fixed between the stack 23 of the bags 13 and the rim of the output table 12.
• the holding means therefore comprise this rim 28.
• the upper bag of the stack 23 is opened by a suction cup 18 which sucks the upper side 17 of this bag 13, as has been described in connection with the embodiment of the slicer shown in Figures 1 to 7.
• the bread 2 packed in the bag 13 is removed from the receiving compartment 6. Then the next bag from the stack 23 is automatically presented and clamped with the bottom edge 16 below the edge 28 of the output table 12
• FIG 9 another embodiment of the slicer according to the invention is shown.
• the main difference between this slicer and those of the previous figures is the presence of a storage space for packaging bags 13 and of a blow mouth 27.
• This blow mouth 27 is part of the opening device and can , for example, be added to the suction cup 18, or can replace this suction cup 18.
• the blowing mouth 27 is therefore arranged to generate a current of air towards the surface of the outlet table 12 and, in particular, substantially along the direction of movement of the bread 2 to open the folded packaging bag which is present at the level of the output table 12 and to keep this bag 13 open.
• the blowing mouth 27 has a slot which extends substantially parallel to the cutting plane 7 and which is parallel to the output table 12.
• the output table 12 extends to a level which is slightly lower than that of the surface 4, so that the blowing mouth 27 extends below the support surface 4 and above the outlet table 12.
• the blowing mouth 27 makes it possible to generate an air current towards the surface of the output table 12.
• the blowing mouth 27 is oriented to form an air stream directed towards the opening 14 of the upper bag 13 of the stack 23.
• this air stream is substantially parallel to the lower side 25 of the bag 13 disposed. at the surface of the output table 12 or, in particular, substantially parallel to the surface of the output table 12.
• this air flow is directed to the opening 14 of the bag 13 which is folded flat, as shown in Figure 9, to expand the bag.
• the bag 13 is opened by the air stream coming from the blowing mouth 27 and it is also kept open by this air stream with the opening 14 facing the section plane 7.
• the air stream is maintained at least until the introduction of a cut slice of the bread 2 into the bag 13 through the opening 14 and preferably until the removal of the bagged cut bread from the receiving compartment 6.
• the blowing mouth 27 can be formed by a slot or a succession of openings provided in the surface of the output table 12 between said clamp 15, or the rim 28, and the cutting plane 7 .
• the holding means may comprise guide fingers arranged to extend on either side of the bread 2 through the opening 14 of the packaging bag 13 to keep the bag 13 open and to guide the bread 2. when it is introduced into the bag 13.
• the invention is characterized, in particular, by the fact that a bread to be cut is pushed in the same direction and through a cutting plane to cut it into slices into a bag for packaging.
• a slicer which has a support surface 4 and an output table 12 which extend horizontally. It is It is clear that the support surface 4 and / or the output table 12 can also extend along a plane inclined relative to the horizontal.
• the support element 19 extends substantially horizontally, it is also possible that this support element 19 extends, for example, vertically.
• the support element 19 comprises, for example, two movable rollers which extend on either side of the bag 13 and which can approach one another in order to reduce the cross section 21 of the packaging bag 13. It is clear that these rollers are also movable in the direction of movement of the bread in order to be able to advance as the bread is being cut into slices.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Forests & Forestry (AREA)
• Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
• Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=65717679

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2019
  • 2019-02-25 BE BE20195118A patent/BE1027076B1/fr active IP Right Grant
• 2020
  • 2020-02-25 EP EP20713961.9A patent/EP3931114A1/de active Pending
  • 2020-02-25 WO PCT/IB2020/051615 patent/WO2020174405A1/fr unknown
  • 2020-02-25 US US17/433,857 patent/US20220234769A1/en not_active Abandoned

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events