FR2606698A1 - Apparatus for slicing food products of varied geometrical shape, in particular of the cheese, pâté, butter, cured products, delicatessen and similar type - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus is noteworthy in that it is arranged with a display table for a food product P previously deposited on a wound paper strip part 2 constituting a conveyor capable of advancing at a preestablished rate towards a cutting device 3 which, when raised, actuates mechanical means M for the step-by-step advance of the said product and, by a lowering movement, cuts a slice of the said product to a quantity predetermined by weight and by volume, the said slice being removed by any external means or by gravity.

Description

 The subject of the invention is an apparatus for cutting slices of food products of varied geometrical shape, in particular of the cheeses, pats, butters, cured and delicatessen products and similar types.

 One of the problems posed in particular and not limited to, in fast food restaurants, resides in the need to cut from a given piece or block of a food product, a certain number of slices constituting preset doses. Currently, the products are cut empirically by a visual evaluation of the slice. In practice, we observe fairly considerable differences from one section to another depending on the skill and experience of the operator.

We must indeed consider that the operation is carried out a very large number of times taking into account the number of meals served or dishes prepared. To avoid too marked differences and also waste, it appeared necessary to design a device capable of automatically fulfilling the above function. In addition, another aim sought was to improve the hygienic conditions during the cutting of the products to avoid any manipulation of the slices or pieces remaining to be cut by the operator. Another object was to avoid crushing of the product during the cutting operations carried out manually, and therefore of deterioration of the appearance thereof.

 The apparatus according to the invention overcomes the drawbacks with a simple solution, easy to implement.

 According to a first characteristic of the invention, the device is remarkable in that it is arranged with a table for presenting a food product P previously arranged on a portion of rolled up paper strip constituted a conveyor capable of advancing according to a predetermined step, towards a cutting device which by its lifting actuates by mechanical means the step-by-step advancement of said product, and by a downward movement cuts a slice of said product according to a dose by volume and by determined weight, said wafer being removed by any external means or by gravity.

 These characteristics and others will emerge clearly from the following description.

To fix the object This invention illustrated in a nonlimiting manner in the figures of the drawings od:
Figure 1 it shines in perspective view the device according to the invention after positioning a food product such as a half cheese wheel.

 FIG. 2 is a view in longitudinal section along the line -R of FIG. 1.

 Figure 3 is a front view of the apparatus in the raised cutting tool position.

 Figure 4 is a top view of the apparatus according to the invention in the cutting position of the food product.

 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line B-S of FIG. 4.

 Figure 6 is a top sectional view of the apparatus after lifting the cutting tool and advancing the piece of cheese for a new cut.

 FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line C-C of FIG. 6.

 Figures 8 and 9 are schematic views illustrating the main means allowing the step-by-step advancement of the food product on the presentation table as and when successive cuts.

 Figure 10 is an alternative view of the cutting device.

 Figure it is a top view illustrating alternatively the cutting of cheese slices from a food product in the form of a disc.

 filin to make the object of the invention more concrete. it is now described in a nonlimiting manner illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

 The apparatus according to the invention is arranged with a presentation table (1) of a food product (P) previously arranged on a part of a rolled up paper strip (2) constituting a conveyor capable of advancing according to a predetermined step towards a cutting device referenced as a whole (3) which by its lifting movement actuates by mechanical means (M) the stepwise advancement of said product, and by its downward movement sections a slice of said product according to a dose in volume and determined weight, said slice being removed by any external means or by gravity.

 More specifically, the apparatus comprises a presentation table (1) preferably removable and arranged in a rear part to receive respectively the mechanism (M) of stepwise advancement of the food product, and a reel (4) of rolled paper . The longitudinal edges (of the plate are extended at the rear with a tab (5 receiving by a suitable opening (3.1) the said coil (4) to rotate. The advance mechanism (M) step by step is of the type used in a different application, namely those of typewriters with mechanical control. Under the control action of a lever OR handwheel (6), a drum (7) is rotated according to a determined angular sector corresponding to a advance by one step, generally carrying with it a sheet of paper intended to be typed in. To allow this movement, a toothed wheel (8) with ratchet (9) is provided on the axis of the drum, the action on the movement lever (6) allowing the positioning of the pawl relative to one of the teeth of the drum after the maximum stroke of the disc, the latter turns between two teeth. By the return effect of the operating lever, the drum is then goes partially in rotation.

 Also in known manner, the mechanism comprises means capable of adjusting and varying the advance step at each control movement.

 A mechanism of this kind is therefore used with the apparatus according to the invention in a new application. The mechanism is referenced as a whole by M and is ill: strb schematically as a simple reminder to Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings in the main elements mentioned above. They are generally included in a case (10). Some adjustments in terms of return means, connecting rods and the like have been made to ensure close cooperation with the other mechanical means of the device. No reference or illustration is made to all of the existing and known accessory means for completing the aforementioned mechanism M.

 According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the paper roll is arranged at the rear of the step-by-step advance mechanism. The paper strip performs a dual function. It is first of all positioned on the upper surface (1.2) of the presentation table (1) to allow the positioning of the food product (P) in good hygienic conditions. It provides a second function of conveyor which consists in moving the food product along the table towards the cutting device (3) according to the aforementioned step-by-step advance. To do this, as appears specifically folded in Figure 2, the end of the paper strip enters a slot (1.3) or dXcsupe formed at the front of the table at the cutting zone and substantially set back from the end (1.4) of the table then by a return means of the roller or bar type. The strip is turned over at the rear of the device, enters between the drum (7) for driving the advance mechanism (M) and a roller (12) constituting a counter-support and allowing a continuous tensioning of the paper. The projecting end of the latter can then be cut and discarded The lower roller (12) is mounted relative to the table and the drum with a capacity of angular displacement against return means (13) to allow the introduction of the paper and to adapt to any thickness of the paper strip and absorb all the folds of diformation or incrustations of materials which could have been deposited during the positioning of the food product on the upper face of the paper while it was on the device's presentation table. Alternatively, instead of the roller (12), four drums mounted on an orientable cradle can be provided, with loosening for the introduction of the paper.

 According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the cutting device is closely linked to the mechanism for advancing the paper and therefore the food product to be cut.

 More specifically, the cutting tool is arranged with an arming device (148 established in the form of an arm (14.1) arranged with at its end a means (14.2) bearing at a given moment on an operating lever. (6) bent, articulated and associated by means of reference to the aforementioned step-by-step advance mechanism (M). One of the arms (6.1) of said lever (6) is arranged along the presentation table and is fixed with a freedom of rotation on itself å a ring or carried t support of return to the advance mechanism step by step.

 The other end (6.2) of the operating lever is in the raised position.

 The cutting tool. which includes in overflow the arm (14.lui and the support means (14.2) under + elm of a reel for example. causes in its movements, the contacting of said arm with the operating lever and the angular rotation of This has the consequence, taking into account the above-mentioned mechanical connections with the step-by-step advance mechanism, of advancing the paper strip and the food product by one step.

 There is illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 a particular implementation of the cutting means. This comprises for example a U-shaped frame (16) with, disposed between its ends, a cutting tool (17), of the wire or cutting blade type. Said arm-forming frame is articulated at one of its ends (16.1) relative to a yoke (13) for positioning integral with the presentation table (1). The arm arm (14) is fixed by welding or otherwise to the branch (16.2) of said armature (16) near its point of articulation.

 Illustrated in Figure 10, a variant of the cutting device acting in the manner of a guillotine (19). This is held by all suitable masons by a support frame (20) located at the front of the device with guide means (21) allowing its vertical movement. One of the branches (19.1) of the guillotine, located on the side of the advance mechanism (M) step by step receives the cocking arm (14) and its reel or support roller against the locking lever (6 ).

Given the movement of the guillotine, the end of the operating lever is located unlike the previous implementation under the cocking arm.

 As it appears in the drawings, the cutting blade or wire (17) penetrates substantially into the slot (or cutout for the passage of the paper strip. This slot constitutes the reference plane for positioning the food product with a view to cutting it out. .

 The implementation according to the invention is simple, rapid, hygienic and makes it possible to cut predetermined slices of a food product. It can also establish a particular correlation between the length of advance of a step as a function of a determined food product. This can other semi-cylindrical, cylindrical, parallelepiped and others. It can be cheese, patté, cold meats or cured meats, butter or others. According to the section of said products, longitudinal guides (92) can store attached to either side of the product longitudinally. These guides can be temporarily arranged and other magnetized, for example on the face in contact with the presentation table.

 According to another alternative arrangement of the invention, the apparatus also allows the cutting of food products established in the form of discs (Pl) for cutting slices of products in the form of angular sectors.

 The arrangement of the apparatus has been illustrated in FIG. 11. The end border (1.4) of the front span of the presentation table is arranged with indexing (23) of re + erence, for example a succession of numbers from 1 to 10 arranged regularly. the piece of food product which is previously cut along a sector is positioned by its central angle against a point stop (24) formed on the presentation table (1) opposite the step-by-step advance control mechanism, at the level of the slot formed on said table. The face (P2) is then placed opposite one of the above graduations to cut a determined slice. Under these conditions, the lowering of the cutting tool (17) will make it possible to obtain a regular slice of the product under given volume and weight conditions. To authorize this operation. it will be necessary beforehand to disengage the advance mechanism step by step, that is to say to deactivate the advance pawl with regard to the drive drums.

 The advantages emerge clearly from the invention. In particular, the practical aspect of the device is underlined by + being conveniently adapted, for example, to the needs of fast and non-limiting restautaration. This device is very compact. The best presentation of the cut slices which are removed by any appropriate means after their cutting is also emphasized, the large capacity of use with a continuous drive of the paper strip, over a very long length which gives it a large autonomy of 'use.

 The device can be arranged with a support for receiving a protective cover.

 Furthermore, the movement of the cutting tool can be carried out either manually or automatically by a jack or other mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS device for slicing food products of varied geometric shape, characterized in that it is arranged with a table for presenting a food product P previously arranged on a portion of rolled paper strip (2) constituting a conveyor capable of advancing according to a predetermined step, towards a cutting device (3) which by its lifting actuates mechanical means (M) of the step-by-step advancement of said product, and by a downward movement sections a section of said product according to a volume and weight dose determined, said slice being removed by any external means or by gravity. - Apparatus according to claim i, characterized by the new application of an advance mechanism (M) not known in its implementation for the distribution of sheets ready to be typed on typewriters of the mechanical type comprising in particular the main means following an operating lever (6), a drive drum (7), a toothed wheel (8) with ratchet (9), means for adjusting the advance of each step, said mechanism being located at the back of the presentation table. - Apparatus according to claims 1 and 2 together, characterized in that the presentation table is removable and present in its rear part beyond the advance mechanism step by step the support (5) of a coil ( 4) of rolled paper (2) -4- Apparatus according to claims 1, 2 and 3 together, charac terized in that the paper strip (2) from the reel provides a dual function, namely a covering function from the upper surface (1.2) of the presentation table (1) allowing the positioning of the food product and a second function of step-by-step conveyor of food product to the cutting device. -5- Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the end of the paper strip successively enters a slot (1.3) formed at the front of the presentation table and constituting a reference base substantially set back from its end, then by a return means (11), said strip is turned towards the rear of the device, penetrating between the drive drum (7) of the advancing mechanism (M) and a roller (12) or equivalent means, constituting a counter-support and ensuring the continuous tensioning of the paper, the projecting end of the latter being able to streak then torn and thrown away. -6- Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the roller (12) or the equivalent means is mounted relative to the table (1) and the drive drum opposite with an angular displacement capacity to allow the paper introduction and to adapt to the section of the paper strip. -7- Apparatus according to claims 1 and 2 together, characterized in that the cutting tool is arranged with an arming device (14) consisting of an arm (14.1) and a means (14.2) bearing on the operating lever t6) associated with the mechanism (M), said operating lever (6) being bent and articulated in connection with the means belonging to the step-by-step advancement mechanism and transmitting the movement of the ratchet mechanism . -8- Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the cutting device comprises a U-shaped frame (16) with a cutting tool of the type + il, blade, and articulated to one of its ex-bones (16.1) relative to a support yoke (18) linked to the presentation table (1); the arm arm being fixed to the branch (16.2) of said armature near its point of articulation. -9- Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the cutting device is a guillotine (19) guided and maintained by a support frame (20) located at the front of the apparatus one of the branches (19.1) of the guillotine receiving the cocking arm (14) to cooperate with the operating lever (6). -10- Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that guides (2) are reported longitudinally on the presentation table. -11- Apparatus according to claims i and 2 together. characterized in that the end edge (1.4) of the front part of the presentation table includes an indexing (23) to allow the cutting of disc-shaped food products, according to sector slices, said food product being positioned by its central angle against a point stop (24) formed on the presentation table (13 at  3 the slot (1) and opposite the control mechanism (M), this being in the disengaged position.