ITTO950254A1 - IMPROVED INDUSTRIAL SLICING MACHINE, ESPECIALLY FOR FOOD PRODUCTS. - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine comprises a cutting unit (15) with a rotating blade (19) eccentrically carried by a flywheel support, interleaving means (18) for inserting sheets between one slice and another and portioning means (16-17 ) for the programmed formation of said groups of slices. The cutting unit (15) comprises two independent motors, one connected to the flywheel support with a single transmission, the other connected to the rotating blade (19) with a double transmission; the interleaving means (18) comprise two insertion guides which extend into the unloading areas of the slices of the cutting unit (15) to support single sheets in correspondence with the falling trajectory of the slices themselves and the portioning means consist of two belts ( 16-17) placed one after the other; the second belt (17) being operated to constitute an extension of the first one (Fig. 1).

Description

Description of the Industrial Invention entitled:

"Improved industrial slicing machine, particularly for food products"

The present invention relates to an improved industrial slicing machine, particularly for food products, and more precisely to a slicing machine of the rotating blade type in which said blade moves according to an orbital trajectory of pass attacking the product to be sliced carried by a cart which advances perpendicularly to the blade in steps of amplitude corresponding to the thickness of each slice of product.

In known industrial slicers of the specified type, the rotating blade is carried eccentrically by a rotating disk support, so-called flywheel, and orbits around the axis of the disk moving according to the aforementioned trajectory of pass.

Two speeds of rotation are therefore distinguished: the cutting speed, which corresponds to the angular speed of the blade around its axis and the cutting speed which corresponds to the angular speed of the flywheel support around its own axis. These speeds, clearly differentiated and typically the first much higher than the second, depend on the characteristics and temperature of the product to be sliced.

In some known industrial slicers, of the mechanical type, the rotation speed of the blade is correlated to that of the flywheel according to a fixed ratio achieved by means of a mechanical transmission interposed between the flywheel and the blade themselves, the second being driven by said transmission by the first. which, thanks to the fixity of its axis of rotation, is able to receive motion from a motor external to the flywheel-blade system, for example by means of a toothed belt transmission or the like.

However, the constant ratio between the two cutting and cutting speeds represents a serious drawback since even such ratio depends significantly on the characteristics and the temperature of the product to be sliced. In other words, a correct slicing process requires to be able to vary, independently and within quite wide limits, the cutting and pass speeds, adapting them to the different characteristics and temperature of the products being treated, as well as to the thickness of said slices to be made.

In general, in fact, a too low ratio between the cutting and pass speeds generates the so-called "shear" effect making it difficult to make thin slices, while an excessively high ratio risks burning the product being treated due to excessive sliding of the cutting blade on the product itself. Typically the values of the above ratio are between 1: 4 and 1:12. The lower values are used to treat products stored at low temperatures, the higher ones for products at a higher temperature, for example room temperature.

In view of the aforementioned requirements of the slicing process, other and more recent known slicers, improperly called "electronic", allow to vary the ratio between the two pass and cutting speeds, however with unsatisfactory systems essentially due to their considerable structural complexity. and of the presence of servo-controls of the drive motor or motors which makes said systems economically disadvantageous and unsuitable for the automatic programming of the aforementioned ratio in relation to the different requirements of use.

An important object of the present invention is that of realizing an industrial slicer of the specified type able to allow in a simple and economically advantageous way the independent variation of the cutting and pass speeds, making said speeds individually programmable within wide limits in order to optimize the value. of the ratio between said speeds required by the slicing process of each individual product, correspondingly optimizing the process itself both in terms of waste reduction and in terms of yield of sliced product in the unit of time.

In industrial slicing machines of the specified type, interleaving means are also provided, meaning by this means the means suitable for producing the insertion of sheets of packaging material between one slice and the other in order to prevent the slices, once stacked and packaged, heal each other.

In known slicing machines, even these interfolding means do not fulfill their function satisfactorily, essentially due to the considerable structural complexity that limits their operating speed by slowing down the entire slicing process and the imprecision of laying of the sheet which often occurs later than to the slice unloaded from the cutting system with the consequence that the separation sheet is only partially or in any case not correctly interposed between two superimposed slices.

Another important object of the present invention is that of realizing a slicing machine which obviates this drawback with improved interfolding means capable of guaranteeing the correct insertion of the separation sheet between one feta and the next, and the perfect synchronism of feeding of said sheet. with the rate of unloading of the slices by the cutting system, as well as capable of suspending, if required *, the interposition of the separation sheet under the first slice of each stack.

The invention is also aimed at improving the so-called portioning system of the machine, meaning by this the system that receives the cut slices and groups them into portions of specific composition and weight, overlapping them, if required, partially on top of each other. Currently this system consists of a belt equipped with two speeds, one for the partial overlapping of the slices during the cutting process, the other for the evacuation of the formed unit.

According to known techniques, the production of the groups of slices can be carried out continuously without temporarily suspending the cutting of the slices, or with cutting pauses between one group and another. Both of these techniques have significant drawbacks. In the first case, in fact, the length of the belt is fixed and commensurate with the bulk (length) of the portion of slices which therefore cannot be varied except by replacing the belt itself. In the second case, the length of the portions can be varied but significant dead times and suspension of the cut are introduced, which reduce the efficiency and performance of the machine.

A further important object of the present invention is to eliminate these drawbacks by improving the portioning system so as to produce without cutting pauses, yet having, at the same time, extreme flexibility in the composition of the groups, or stacking of slices.

Basically, according to the invention, the slicing process is optimized by equipping the machine with two independent motors for the pass and the cut respectively, one connected with a single transmission to the flywheel support, the other with a double transmission to a pulley intermediate, with overlapping portions, rotatably mounted on the flywheel shaft and from said intermediate pulley to the shaft of the cutting blade. The two motors are individually powered and their speeds are independently variable by means of respective management microprocessors interconnected in master (flywheel) and slave (blade) relationship.

According to another important feature, the machine object of the invention is equipped with perfect interfolding means comprising two guides for inserting the sheets which extend into the wafer unloading area to support single sheets in correspondence with the falling trajectory of the wafers. In this way each slice, falling, intercepts the underlying sheet dragging it in contact with the last slice of the stack being formed.

The guides are capable of assuming, in synchronism with the rate of fall of the slices, a close or closed position, allowing the sheet to be supported and a spread or open position, which frees the sheet itself, allowing it to be dragged by the falling slice.

According to a further important characteristic of the improved machine according to the present invention, the portioning system is composed of two belts placed in succession to each other. The first belt, which acts as an actual portioner, receives and scales the slices. The second belt performs two distinct functions, namely that of constituting an extension of the first belt when the latter reaches saturation and that of evacuating the group of slices formed while the first belt resumes its function as portioner.

The two tapes are managed by respective separate microprocessors but interconnected by an appropriate logic.

The characteristics, purposes and advantages of the improved machine according to the present invention will result from the detailed description that follows and with reference to the attached drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example, in which:

- fig. 1 is the schematic side elevation view of an improved industrial slicing machine according to the present invention,

- fig. 2 is a schematic section on a larger scale along the line II-II of fig. 1,

- fig. 3 is a section deviated along the line IIΙ-IIΙ of fig.

2,

- fig. 4 is a schematic section on a larger scale along the line IV-IV of fig. 1,

- fig. 5 is a section along the line V-V of fig. 4,

- fig. 6 is a schematic view of the portioner showing: the same in the initial phase of forming the group of slices, - fig. 6a is a portioning scheme by overlapping the slices,

- figs. 6b and 6c are schematic views similar to fig. 6 showing further operating steps of the portioner.

In the drawings, 10 indicates the slicing machine as a whole comprising a section 11 for cutting the slices and a section 12 for collecting and packaging the cut slices. The section 11 comprises a bench 13 and an inclined plate 14 for supporting the products to be sliced (not drawn) mounted on pins 14a which allow the inclination of said plate to be varied in relation to the bench 13. The plate 14 is associated with known means and not shown comprising a carriage for retaining the product to be sliced advancing in steps of width equal to the predetermined thickness of the slices. In correspondence with the hinging areas, the plate 14 carries the cutting unit indicated as a whole with 15.

The section 12 for collecting the slices resulting from the cutting unit 15 comprises a portioning system 16-17 downstream of which a belt scale 17 'is arranged and interfolding means, generally indicated with 18, suitable for inserting separating sheets between the slices of each stacking group.

The cutting unit 15 (Figs. 2 and 3) comprises a circular blade 19 rotating around its own axis "a" with an angular speed Ωt, called cutting speed. The blade 19 is carried eccentrically by a flywheel support 20 by means of a pin 21 mounted freely rotatable, with the interposition of bearings 22, on said flywheel support 20. The latter, in turn, is mounted, freely rotatable, with the interposition of bearings 23, on a fixed pin 24 and rotates, around the axis "b" of the pin, with its own angular velocity Ωρ, called speed of passage.

Consequently, the blade orbits around the axis "b" of the pin 24 cyclically making a cutting pass at each 360 ° rotation of the flywheel support 20.

According to the present invention, the flywheel support 20 and the blade 19 are moved by respective independent pass and cutting motors 25-26 carried by the casing 27 of the cutting unit 15 and individually powered and adjustable. More precisely, the motor 25 is connected to the flywheel 20 with a single transmission and the motor 26 is connected to the blade 29 with a double transmission allowing the rotation of the flywheel independently from that of the blade and vice versa.

The single transmission interposed between the engine 25 and the flywheel 23 comprises a toothed belt 28 engaged with corresponding toothed pulleys 29-29 'integral with the first to the motor shaft, the second to a hub 20' of the flywheel 20. The double transmission interposed between the motor 26 and the blade 19 comprises a pair of toothed belts 30-31 and an intermediate pulley 32 with overlapping portions 32'-32 ", mounted freely rotatable, with the interposition of bearings 33 on the fixed pin 24. The belt 30 returns the motion from a pulley 34 of the engine 26 to the first portion 32 'of the intermediate pulley 32 and the belt 31 returns the motion of the second section 32 "of the intermediate pulley to a pulley 35 keyed on the pin 21 of the blade 19. overall transmission ratio of the aforesaid double transmission can be chosen within wide values and is not limiting for the present invention; in the example illustrated it is chosen slightly less than unity.

It is easy to understand that with the construction described, the two cutting speeds fit and pass Ωρ can be individually varied by acting on the respective motors 25-26 for example by means of an electronic control which allows to program various ratios between said speeds selected in relation the characteristics and temperature of the product, the thickness of the slices to be made and / or other parameters for optimizing the cutting process.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, another improvement of the machine is described concerning the interfolding means 18 for inserting the separation sheets between the wafers of each group being formed.

According to the present invention, these means include two pronged guides 40 which extend into the wafer unloading areas to support individual separation sheets FS, cut by means of a blade (not drawn), in correspondence with the falling trajectory of the wafers themselves. , from a continuous ribbon N wound on a reel B (fig. 1). The guides 40 are capable of assuming, in synchronism with the falling rate of the slices, a close closing position, drawn with a solid line in fig. 4, allowing the sheet FS to be supported and a splayed opening position, dashed in the same fig. 4, which frees the sheet itself allowing it to be dragged by the falling wafer; each sheet being thus inserted between one and the other slice of the group being formed.

For this purpose, each guide 40 is supported by a corresponding articulated quadrilateral 41 comprising a fixed support base 42 and a pair of arms 43-43 'having one end articulated to the base 42 and the other end articulated to the corresponding guide 40. arm 43 of each pair is provided with a square wing 43a at which a connecting rod 44 is articulated having the other end articulated to a rocker arm 45. The latter bears, in correspondence with the articulation axis of the connecting rod, a tappet roller 46 with which a movement cam 47 cooperates which is carried by a support 48 and which is moved, in synchronism with the flywheel support 20, by a transmission comprising a pulley 49 and a toothed belt 50. Return 51 acts on the rocker 45 to keep the roller 46 in operative contact engagement with the cam 47.

Referring now to figures 6, 6a, 6b and 6c, it can be seen that the portioning system is composed of two distinct conveyor belts 16-17 of respective fixed and predetermined lengths L1-L2.

Each tape is moved by a corresponding motor (not drawn) controlled by a respective microprocessor (not drawn) and the two microprocessors are interconnected by a suitable logic as it will be better shown below.

The first belt 16 performs the function of a true portioner by receiving and scaling the slices FE arriving from the cutting section 15 so that the slices themselves are partially superimposed; the percentage of scaling, ie the portion of the slice left free by the next slice and superimposed, being indicated with Lg in the figure, the diameter of the slices with Lp. The two quantities Lo and Lp and the number of slices nf making up the group G of slices constitute the variable parameters used in the logical portioning procedure.

The second belt 17 performs two distinct finishes and precisely: the function of constituting an extension of the first belt 16 when the latter reaches saturation and the function of evacuating the group of slices formed, transferring it to the balance belt 17 ', while the first belt 16 resumes its function as portioner. Both belts 16-17 have variable speed. In particular, the belt 16 accepts the fall of each single wafer FE from a standstill, thus improving its deposition and settlement. Once deposition has taken place, the tape 16 performs a repositioning advancement of an amplitude equal to the established percentage of scaling Le. This repositioning advance is correlated to the rotation speed of the flywheel support 20 and ends just before the fall of the next wafer FE '. For this purpose, the microprocessor which controls the motor of the flywheel support 20 is operatively connected to both microprocessors for controlling the motors of the belts 16-17 in master-slave relationship.

The microprocessor associated with the belt 16 controls the achievement of the saturation configuration of this belt by adding the slice diameter LP to the scaling percentage Lo multiplied by the number of deposited slices minus one and comparing the result obtained with the length L of the belt itself. The saturation time T1 is also memorized by the microprocessor for the purpose that will result in the following.

By way of example and for better understanding, a 150 mm long ribbon 16 will be saturated by the overlapping of six FE slices having a diameter of 100 mm and a percentage of scaling equal to 10 mm (Fig. 6a). Once saturation has taken place, if the number nf of slices programmed for the group being formed is greater than that which saturates the belt 16, the control microprocessor of this belt sends a first interpolation criterion to the microprocessor that controls the belt 17; criterion by virtue of which this last strip is moved in steps of amplitude Lg in perfect synchronism with the strip 16 of which it thus forms a true and proper extension. Reached the nf number of slices required for the group being formed, both belts 16-17 move continuously at such a speed as to complete a path, defined as a transfer, equal to the length L1 of the belt 16 in the time corresponding to one revolution complete with the flywheel support 20 so that in this time the group of slices formed is completely transferred onto the belt 17. This is achieved by means of a second interpolation criterion between the two control microprocessors of the belts, in which the data of the path is varied from perform being the new datum equal to L1 instead of Lo. At the end of said transfer path, the belt 16 releases itself from synchronism with the belt 17 to receive the first slice of the subsequent group and repeat the described portioning cycle.

In turn, the belt 17, carrying the entire group of slices transferred onto it, is released from the synchronism with the flywheel support 20, and advances with its own speed V2, however settable, to bring the head of the group G of slices to the end. of the belt itself covering the distance T2V2 indicated in figure 6b. From this point on, the belt 17 synchronizes itself with the speed V3 of the following belt-scale 17 '(fig.6c) and maintains this speed for a time T3, completing a path T3V3 equal to the overall length of the group G and thus evacuating said group. The speeds V2 and V3 are chosen so that the sum of the times T2 and T3 necessary for the complete evacuation of the group G from the belt 17 is less than the saturation time T1 of the belt 16.

Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the details of execution and the embodiments may be varied widely, with respect to what has been described and illustrated, by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS 1) - Industrial slicing machine, particularly for food products of the type comprising a cutting unit with a rotating blade, carried eccentrically by a flywheel support to move according to an orbital trajectory of the pass, interleaving means for inserting sheets between one and the other slice of the group of slices being formed and portioning means for the programmed formation of said groups of slices, characterized in that said cutting unit (15) comprises two independent motors (25-26) for passing and cutting respectively, one connected to the flywheel support (20) with a single transmission (28-29-29 '), the other connected to the rotating blade (19) with a double transmission (30-31-32-35) allowing rotation of the flywheel (20) independently from that of the blade (19). 2) - Machine according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the pass and cutting motors (25-26) are powered independently and allow to program the cutting speed (Ωt) and that of the pass (Ωp) and the relative ratio within however extended limits. 3) - Machine according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said double transmission includes an intermediate pulley (32) mounted on the fixed pin (24) of the flywheel support and freely rotatable in relation to said pin (24) and flywheel (20). 4) - Machine according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said single transmission interposed between the pass motor (25) and the flywheel support (20) includes a toothed belt (28) in engagement with a pair of toothed pulleys (29-29 ') connected one to the shaft of said motor, the other to a hub (20') of the flywheel support. 5) - Machine according to Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said double transmission interposed between the cutting motor (26) and the rotating blade (19) includes a pair of toothed belts (30-31) each in engagement with a toothed pulley connected to the shaft of said motor and with a first portion (32 ') of the intermediate pulley (32), the other with a second portion (32 ") of the intermediate pulley and a toothed pulley (35) keyed on pivot pin (21) of the rotating blade (19). 6) - Machine according to Claim 5, characterized in that the overall transmission ratio of said double transmission is chosen lower, higher or equal to unity. 7) - Industrial slicing machine particularly for food products, of the type comprising at least one cutting unit, interleaving means and portioning means, characterized in that the interleaving means (18) comprise two insertion guides (40) which extend into the areas of unloading of the slices from the cutting unit (15) to support single sheets (FS) in correspondence with the falling trajectory of the slices themselves and by the fact that each slice, falling, intercepts the underlying sheet dragging it in contact with the last slice of the group of slices in training. 8) - Machine according to Claim 7, characterized by the fact that the said guides (40) are subject to a control mechanism which makes them capable of assuming, in synchronism with the falling rate of the wafers, a closed position allowing the support of the sheet (FS) and an opening position which frees the sheet allowing it to be dragged by the falling slice. 9) - Machine according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that said control mechanism includes, for each guide (40), an articulated quadrilateral (42-43-43 ') operated by a connecting rod (44) articulated to a rocker arm (45), opposed by a spring (51), which carries a tappet roller (46) operatively engaged by a movement cam (47) and by the fact that the movement cam is moved in synchronism with the support a flywheel (20), from a toothed belt drive (49-50). 10) - Industrial slicing machine, particularly for food products, of the type comprising a cutting unit with a rotating blade carried eccentrically by a flywheel support, interleaving means and portioning means for the programmed formation of groups of slices, characterized in that said portioning means consist of two belts (16-17) placed in succession to each other, the first of which (16) receives and scales the slices (FE) performing the function of actual portioner, and the second of which (17) performs the dual function of constituting an extension of the first belt (16) when the latter reaches saturation and of evacuating the group (G) of slices formed when the first belt (16) resumes its function as portioner. 11) - Machine according to Claim 10, characterized in that each belt (16-17) is moved by a corresponding motor controlled by a respective microprocessor. 12) - Machine according to claims 10 and 11, characterized by the fact that the first belt (16) holds each single slice (FE) coming from the cutting unit from a standstill and carries out successive single repositioning advances having an amplitude equal to the percentage of scaling ( Ls) between one slice and the next. 13) - Machine according to claims 10 and 12, characterized in that said repositioning feed (Ls) is correlated to the rotation speed of said flywheel support (20) and ends just before the next slice falls. 14) - Machine according to claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the control microprocessor of the first belt (16) is programmed to detect the reaching of the saturation condition of said belt (16) and the relative saturation time (Tl) and to emit, if the number of slices (nf) programmed for the group (G) being formed exceeds that of the slices present on said first belt, a first interpolation criterion to the microprocessor of the second belt (17) so that both belts (16-17) move simultaneously in steps of amplitude equal to the percentage of scaling (Ls) for which the second ribbon (17) constitutes a real extension of the first (16) allowing to accommodate the entire group (G) of slices in formation. 15) - Machine according to claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the control microprocessor of the first tape (16) is further programmed to emit, once the number (nf) of slices of the programmed group has been reached, a second interpolation criterion to the microprocessor control of the second belt (17) and by the fact that, by virtue of said second interpolation criterion, both belts move conservatively, following a transfer path equal to the length (L1) of the first belt (16) in order to transferring the whole group (G) of slices onto the second belt (17); said transfer path being completed in the time corresponding to one complete revolution of said flywheel support (20). 16) - Machine according to Claim 15, characterized in that, at the end of said transfer path, the first belt (16) releases itself from synchronism with the second belt (17) to receive the first slice of the next group and repeat the cycle portioning. 17) - Machine according to claims 15 and 16, characterized in that at the end of said transfer path the second belt (17) is released from synchronism with said flywheel support (20) and advances at its own speed (V2) to bring the group (G) of slices to the end of the belt itself in a predetermined time (T2), subsequently synchronizing with the speed (V3) of a balance belt (17 ') in order to evacuate the entire group on the latter (G ) of slices in a predetermined time (T3). 18) - Machine according to Claim 17, characterized in that the sum of said predetermined times (T1 + T2) necessary for the complete evacuation of the group (G) of slices from the second belt (17) is less than the saturation time (T1) of the first tape (16). 19) - Improved industrial slicing machine, particularly for food products, which results, due to its structural and functional characteristics, considered separately or in combination, from the previous description and the attached drawings.