WO2010121748A1

WO2010121748A1 - Food item and device and method for the production thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2010121748A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/002319
Authority: WO
Inventors: Werner Hofacker; Albert Esper; Rene Carreno Olejua
Original assignee: Werner Hofacker; Albert Esper; Rene Carreno Olejua
Priority date: 2009-04-20
Filing date: 2010-04-15
Publication date: 2010-10-28
Also published as: DE102009017837A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a food item, particularly fruit, vegetable, sausage, cheese, or baked good item, having an inner contoured separating surface at which said item can be broken apart into two pieces. The inner separating surface is provided by at least one cut. A device for correspondingly cutting the goods to be cut comprises a cutting device (62) by which a cutting beam (78) in the form of a highly energized light or particle beam is generated, and a guide device (92) by which the cutting beam (78) can be displaced relative to the goods to be cut (10), so that the goods to be cut (10) are cut along a cutting line. A control device (96, 102, 104, 106) is provided for controlling the guide device (92) and is configured so that the cutting beam (78) cuts the goods to be cut (10) into at least two cut goods parts, each having cut surfaces generated, the cut surfaces thereof being designed complementary to each other and having a course deviating from a flat course. The invention further relates to a method for cutting goods to be cut in the form of food materials.

Description

Food piece and device and method for its preparation

The invention relates to a food piece as well as a device and a method for its production.

Many foods are sold in pieces, especially fruits, vegetables, cheese, sausages, pastries or the like.

Such pieces of food are often specially prepared so that they make an appealing impression on buffets. This is done on the one hand by decorating with other foods such as parsley, sliced eggs or the like. On the other hand, you can also make the food pieces aesthetically, for example carving animals from yellow beets. This type of food preparation is very time consuming and expensive.

The present invention is therefore a piece of food and an apparatus and a method for its preparation are given, which make it possible to produce aesthetically pleasing designed food pieces inexpensively by machine.

This object is achieved by a piece of food according to claim 1, a device according to claim 13 and a method according to claim 26.

Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Claim 2 indicates a food with internal interface, which can be produced by machine.

The development of the invention according to claim 3 has the advantage that the food piece can be distributed in one piece handled.

In this case, the development of the invention according to claim 4 has the advantage that the predetermined breaking points for serving the food center piece can be easily broken open from the outside by the user or can be cut.

The development of the invention according to claim 5 has the advantage that you can move the resulting from the cut parts of the food piece against each other, but they remain engaged, resulting in interesting visual effects.

The development of the invention according to claim 6 is in view of interest from the first to hold together the parts of the food piece.

It is advantageous in claim 7 that the undercuts do not lead to places in the food piece, where notch stresses occur.

Conversely, one can generate according to claim 8 targeted at the interface areas where stress concentrations can arise, so that you can again easily break apart the parts of the food piece at the appropriate places.

The development of the invention according to claim 9 is advantageous in terms of a particularly attractive appearance of the food piece. "~ O ~~

The development of the invention according to claim 10 has the purpose of integrating the piece of food for sale and sale in one piece.

In the case of a piece of food according to claim 11, a part of the piece of food can be completely separated already at the factory, eg. B. the core house of an apple.

With the development of the invention according to claim 12 is obtained a food piece, which can be deformed by exerting a pressure in the axial direction to form a spiral helix.

The invention relates to apparatus for cutting a cutting material, in particular for cutting fruits or vegetables, with

a) a cutting device, by which a cutting beam in the form of a high-energy light or particle beam can be generated;

b) a guide device, by which the cutting beam is movable relative to the material to be cut or vice versa, so that the material to be cut is cut along a cutting path.

Such a cutting device is known for example from DE 10 2007 017 899 Al. There, by means of the cutting jet, two regions of the material to be cut, for example of fruit or meat, are separated from one another with different properties, which differ in their structure, their texture, their cell structure, their color and / or their composition. These are, for example, areas of pulp and flaws with inferior quality. The cutting path is calculated by means of a control device which comprises an image recognition device and a data processing direction by means of which the different regions to be separated are detected and from which a cutting path is calculated. The cutting path is thus always calculated depending on the nature and the nature of each arranged in the cutting device Schneidguts.

However, there are applications where it is desirable to cut fruits or vegetables into a given shape, which is independent of the type and nature of the cut material. Of course, the respective available volume of material is taken into account, which is available depending on the particular fruit to be cut or the respective vegetables or other cutting material to be cut.

A device of the invention is therefore to provide a device and a method of the type mentioned, which take into account the above idea.

This object is achieved in the device of the type mentioned in that

c) a control device is provided for controlling the guide device, which is configured such that the cutting beam generates at least one inner parting surface in the material to be cut, which delimits at least two parts to be cut, whose respectively formed boundary surfaces are complementary to one another and deviate from a flat profile to have;

in which d) the control device comprises a programming unit, by means of which a cutting pattern can be freely specified;

e) the control device comprises a data processing device or a data source, which according to the desired cutting pattern provides a control signal set for the cutting path and transmitted to the guide device.

The control device operates so that a largely arbitrary geometry for the items to be obtained can be specified as a cutting pattern, without having to pay attention to the nature and quality of the material to be cut. This means that the cutting material to be cut does not yet have to be known in detail when the control device is programmed and the cutting pattern is specified.

For example, the cutting jet may be a high pressure jet of a cutting fluid, such as water. Alternatively, the cutting beam may be e.g. in the form of a laser beam. The term high-energy cutting jet is to be understood such that such a cutting jet is suitable for severing and cutting material to be cut.

In order to adjust the cutting path to the actual size of the to be cut be cut, it is advantageous if the control device further comprises means for sumption of an image of the cut material comprises and Datenverar ^¬ beitungseinrichtung determines the outer contour based on one or more images of the cut at least and optionally adjusts the control signal set to the outer contour of the material to be cut. For example, one plum and a melon can be cut in succession, if necessary in each case the same geometry of the fruit pieces obtained can only be obtained in different sizes. The data processing device is then programmed with an image recognition and processing algorithm which evaluates the generated image or its digital data.

It is advantageous if the means for receiving an image of the material to be cut comprise a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor. In this way, established techniques for creating digital images can be used, whereby the costs of the cutting device can be kept at a favorable level.

It is favorable if the guide device has a nozzle which can be moved in at least two directions and from which the cutting beam can be released. In this case, the cut material can be kept largely immobile during the cutting process, whereas the nozzle can be performed according to the calculated by the data processing device cutting path. As a nozzle, a laser beam source should also be understood here.

Without a further degree of freedom of movement, however, only very simple cutting progressions are possible.

It is therefore advantageous if the guide device comprises means by which the material to be cut can be rotated relative to the cutting beam about an axis of rotation. For this purpose, either the material to be cut can be twisted or the cutting jet can be guided around the material to be cut.

It is particularly favorable if the cutting jet can be delivered to the material to be cut in a cutting angle related to a horizontal plane. If the cutting angle is variable and, in particular, changeable during the relative movement between material to be cut and the cutting beam, many different cutting surfaces can be produced.

It is advantageous if the cutting angle between at least 45 ° and 90 ° is variable.

The cutting jet is preferably formed from a cutting fluid. It is advantageous if the cutting fluid is water, alcohol or a water / alcohol mixture. It may be favorable if the cutting fluid is additionally provided with at least one additive, in particular β-carotene.

Alternatively, it may be advantageous if the cutting beam is formed by a laser beam.

The possibility of microbacteria spoilage is already restricted during the cutting process, when the cutting device has a gas-tight cutting space delimited by a housing, which has a protective gas feed connection. By means of the latter, a protective gas such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide or a noble gas can be supplied to the cutting space, as a result of which the cutting process can take place under an inert gas atmosphere.

In terms of the invention, the invention relates to a method for cutting food in the form of food material.

The above object is achieved in the method in that it comprises the following steps:

a) specifying an independent of the nature and nature of the cutting material cutting pattern; b) performing a relative movement between a

Cutting beam and the cut material so that the cut material is cut along a predetermined by the cutting pattern cutting path,

in which

c) at least one inner separating surface is produced in the material to be cut by means of the cutting jet, which delimits at least two items to be cut, whose respective resulting cutting surfaces are complementary to one another and have a course deviating from a level course.

Again, the cutting pattern is freely specified regardless of the nature and the nature of the material to be cut. The advantageous developments specified in the claims reproduce the features mentioned above for the cutting device as process steps and lead to the respectively corresponding advantages explained above for the cutting device.

It may be advantageous if the data processing device is configured such that it calculates a cutting path in which the cutting beam between the

Cutting surfaces of the items to be cut material can stand, via which the items to be cut remain connected to each other. Thus, the items to be cut can first be adhered to one another and separated from each other only at the place of consumption or presentation, for example by hand.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawings; in these show: Figure 1 is a vertical section of an apparatus for cutting sliced, in which an apple is introduced;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the cutting device of Figure 1 along the section line H-II;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an apple which is cut into two comb-like interlocking apple pieces according to a predetermined cutting pattern;

Figure 4 is a plan view of an apple, which is similar to the apple in Figure 3, but with remaining

Connecting webs was cut;

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of an apple which was cut in a manner similar to the apple in FIG. 3 but with undercuts;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an apple cut into a plurality of mating cylinder apple pieces according to a predetermined cutting pattern;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a zucchini cut into two helical courgette pieces according to a given cutting pattern; and

Figures 8 and 9 are detail views of further embodiments with undercut portions of the inner parting surface.

FIG. 1 shows cutting material to be cut in the form of a cutting material schematically illustrated apple 10, which is arranged in a cutting device 18 for cutting cutting material. When referring to the apple 10 below

This cutting device 18 comprises a gas-tight housing 20 which surrounds a cutting space 22. The housing 20 has on one side a feed region 24, via which apples 10 can be introduced into the cutting space 22 of the housing 20. In order to maintain the gas-tightness of the housing 20, the feed region 24 is designed as a lock of no interest here, which is indicated in FIG. 1 by the dashed line 26.

Opposite the feed region 24, the housing 20 comprises a dispensing area 23, through which cut apples 10 are dispensed from the cutting space 22. Also, the delivery area 28 is designed to maintain the gas-tightness of the housing 20 as a lock; this is indicated in FIG. 1 by a further dashed line 30.

Between the feed region 24 and the discharge region 28, a belt conveyor 32 extends in the cutting space 22 with a conveyor belt 34, which is formed in a permeable net-like structure. For this purpose, it has a multiplicity of openings 36 to be recognized in FIG. In the feed area 24 of the housing 20 is a feed belt conveyor 32a and in the discharge area 28 of the housing 20, a discharge belt conveyor 32b is arranged.

Below the belt conveyor 32, a trough 38 is provided, the outer wall 40 of which runs close to the walls of the housing 20.

The housing 20 also has a connection 42, via which the cutting space 22 from a not shown here Protective gas in the form of nitrogen or carbon dioxide or optionally also a noble gas can be supplied to the inert gas source, so that the cutting process in the cutting chamber 22 of the housing 20 can be carried out under a protective gas atmosphere.

The housing 20 has opposite side walls 44 and 46 (see Figure 2) which are perpendicular to side walls 48 and 50 which in turn have the feed area 24 and the discharge area 28, respectively. On the side walls 44, 46, a first part 52a and a second part 52b of a holder 54 for the apple 10 are respectively provided slightly above the belt conveyor 32. Each part 52a, 52b comprises a holding punch 56a or 56b which is arranged on the end face of a holding test 58a or 58b. Each holding rod 58a, 58b in turn can be moved by means of an associated electric motor 60a or 60b in its longitudinal direction and rotated about its longitudinal axis, which is indicated in Figure 2 by corresponding arrows. The longitudinal axis of the holding rods 58a, 58b thus forms the axis of rotation for the apple 10. In addition, each retaining rod 58a, 58b can be moved in the vertical direction. The holder 54 holds in Figures 1 and 2, the apple 10th

Alternatively, the support bars 58a, 58b may be moved synchronously along the walls 44 and 46, respectively, as indicated by dashed double arrows. By synchronously retracting and extending the holding ^stays 58a, 58b, the apple 10 can be positioned in the direction between the walls 44 and 46 of the housing 20.

Above the feed area 24 and the discharge area 28, a nozzle unit 62 is provided in the cutting space 22 of the housing 20. This comprises a along a guide rod 64 movable in both directions housing 66. To the method of Housing 66 on the guide rod 64 this carries an electric motor 68. In addition, the housing 66 carries a high-pressure nozzle 70, which communicates via a fluid line 72 with a compressor 74, which in turn via a fluid line 76 from a, not shown here fluid source with a cutting fluid such as water, alcohol or a water / alcohol mixture is fed. In this way, the high-pressure nozzle 70 can deliver a cutting jet 78, which consists of the corresponding cutting fluid. The cutting beam 78 leaves the high-pressure nozzle 70 under such a high pressure that it is suitable for cutting the cutting material introduced into the cutting device 18 in each case.

The high-pressure nozzle 70 can also be moved by means of the electric motor 68 in such a way that the cutting jet 78 can run within a cutting cone whose longitudinal axis extends vertically. The cutting cone is indicated in Figure 2 by the cutting beam 78 flanking dotted lines and has a cone angle of 90 °. Thus, the

Cutting beam 78 are delivered to the apple 10 in a reference to a horizontal plane cutting angle of 45 ° to 90 °. In a modification, the cone angle of the cutting cone can also be larger, so that the angle of incidence with respect to a horizontal plane can also be lower and, for example, reaches up to 5 ° or less.

The guide rod 64, on which the nozzle unit 62 is arranged, extends perpendicular to the walls 48 and 50 of the housing 20 and is held at its opposite ends by a guide member 80 and 82, respectively, which in turn on each of a guide rod 84 and 86 movable are arranged. For this purpose, the guide rods 84, 86, which run between the walls 44 and 46 of the housing 20 and perpendicular thereto, designed as threaded rods, which can be rotated by a respective associated electric motor 88 and 90 about its longitudinal axis. The guide members 80, 82 sit with a corresponding thread on the threads of the guide rods 84, 86, so that they drive at a corresponding rotation of the guide rods 84, 86 on this. In order that the guide members 80 and 82, which are rigidly interconnected by the guide rod 64, can not tilt, the electric motors 88 and 90 are correspondingly synchronized.

The holder 54 for the apple 10 is part of a guide device 92 which also comprises the nozzle unit 62, the guide rod 64 with the guide members 80 and 82, the guide rods 84 and 86 and the associated electric motors 86, 88 and 90. By the guide means 92 a controlled Relacivbewegung between the apple 10 and the cutting beam 78 is possible.

On the inside of a ceiling 94 of the housing 20, an image pickup unit 96 is arranged which operates with a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor 98 and can take a digital image. The image recording unit 96 has a field of view indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 1, which covers or captures the apple 10 in the holder 54, as shown in FIG.

The image recording unit 96 communicates via a data line 100 with a computer 102, which is programmed with an image recognition and processing algorithm. The computer 102 recognizes the outer contour 12 of the apple 10 on the basis of the digital image data transmitted by the image recording unit 96.

Via a data bus 104, the computer 102 further communicates with a programming unit 106, by means of which a user On the basis of the predetermined cutting pattern, a control signal set for controlling the high-pressure nozzle 70 is generated by the cutting device 18. The computer 102 transmits the corresponding control signals via the data bus 104 and corresponding data paths, which are dashed in FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrated, but not specifically provided with a reference numeral, to the electric motors 60a, 60b of the holder 54, to the electric motor 68 of the nozzle unit 62 and to the electric motors 88 and 90. These data paths can be bridged by means of data lines or wirelessly. In the latter case, each corresponding transmitter / receiver modules necessary, as they are known in and of themselves.

The cutting device 18 now works on the example of the apple 10 as follows:

Via the feed belt conveyor 32a, the apple 10 is conveyed into the cutting space 22 of the housing 20. With the belt conveyor 32, the apple 10 is positioned in the cutting space 22 so that it comes to rest between the holding punches 56a, 56b of the holder 54. For this purpose, the holding rods 58a, 58b initially retracted in the direction of the electric motors 60a and 60b. These are now extended so far until the holding stamps 56a, 56b each press against the apple 10 and this is thereby fixed in the holder 54. Optionally, the thus fixed apple 10 can be driven slightly vertically upwards, whereby an unobstructed rotation or movement of the apple 10 relative to the cutting beam 78 is possible.

By means of the programming unit 106, the computer 102 is provided with a free cutting pattern, for example a cutting pattern, on the basis of which two apple or comb-like intermeshing apple parts are to be obtained, as shown in FIG. shows. There is an apple part with 14 and the other apple part designated 16, which have associated cutting surfaces, of which the recognizable and the apple part 14 associated cutting surface is denoted by 14a. Based on this cutting pattern calculator 102 calculates a cutting path for the cutting beam 78th

Now, with the image pickup unit 96, an image of the apple 10 is taken from above. The image recording unit 96 transmits the image data to the computer 102, in which case they are temporarily stored. The computer 102 then uses the image data to calculate the outer contour 12 of the apple 10 using its image processing algorithm and compares it with the previously calculated cutting path along which the cutting jet 78 is to be guided. If the calculated cutting path projects beyond the outer contour of the apple 10 or lies too far inward with respect to the outer contour of the apple 10, the computer 102 calculates a new cutting path which is adapted to the outer contour of the apple 10 and makes better use of the available volume ,

Now, the high-pressure nozzle 70 is moved by means of the electric motors 88, 90 and 68 via the guide rods 64, 82 and 84 on one side of the holder 54 and, if it is necessary due to the cutting path used, the apple 10 by a rotation of the support rods 58a, 58b the holder 54 is rotated by a certain angle.

In the sectional geometry shown in FIG. 3, no rotation of the apple 10 relative to the cutting jet 78 is necessary.

In order to prevent an immediate falling apart of the individual apple parts 14 and 16, the computer 102 can calculate a cutting process in which, when the device is moved downwards, the device shown in FIG With 108 designated cutting path with the cutting beam 78 connecting webs 110 remain between the apple parts 14 and 16, of which only two are provided in Figure 4 with reference numerals. For this purpose, the cutting jet 78 is not activated continuously when the cutting path 108 is being cut off, but is deactivated along the corresponding cutting path sections on which the apple 14 is not to be cut.

The connecting webs 110 hold the apple parts 14 and 16 together, but are so thin that they are destroyed by a small force, e.g. is exercised when the two apple pieces 14 and 16 are pulled apart by hand.

FIG. 5 shows another way in which an immediate falling apart of the apple parts 14 and 16 can be prevented. There, a modified cutting path 112 was traced with the cutting beam 78, in which 114 at corners 114 undercuts 116 remain.

FIG. 6 shows, by way of example, the result of another cutting pattern freely input via the programming unit 106 for cutting an apple 10a. As can be seen there, a number of cylinders 118a to 118g have been cut out of the apple 10a, which cylinders are shown as being pushed into each other in regions. For this purpose, the outer cylinders 118a to 118f are formed as hollow cylinders. The outer and inner surfaces of the respective cylinders 118a to 118g respectively form the resulting cutting surfaces.

In Fig. 7, another result of a cutting pattern freely input via the programming unit 106 for slicing a zucchini 120 (or a cucumber) is shown. The zucchini 120 was split into two helical and one another cutting zucchini pieces 122 and 124. The mutually complementary cutting surfaces of these Zuchchiniteile 122 and 124 bear the reference numerals 122a and 124a. The two zucini pieces 122, 124 are form-fittingly interlocked for shipping and sale in a vacuum package 125, so that the boundary surfaces of the Zuccini pieces created by the cut cover each other outwards.

With all cutting patterns are the respectively incurred

Cut surfaces of the material to be cut formed complementary to each other and have a deviating from a flat course course.

While in the above-explained examples, the obtained parts of the material to be cut in each case composed largely give the complete starting material, it may also be desired to cut out independent geometries from a starting product, in which there is a waste not to be used. Thus, for example, company logos or the like can be cut out of fruits or other cutting material.

In a modification of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5, it is also possible to provide other undercut geometries of the cutting path 112, which hold together the apple parts, and thus the separating surface between the apple parts. Thus, FIG. 8 shows a cylindrical-crowned undercut 116 and FIG. 9 shows an undercut 116 which is obtained by the fact that the sections of the cutting path 116 running exactly parallel in FIG. 5 are now set at a small angle.

If you have to ensure that the parts of the food piece fall apart only against small external forces, 4, it is also sufficient to provide only two material bridges 110 ', which are located at the surface of the apple, ie at the ends of the cutting path 108 and can be easily separated from the outside, eg using a knife. Possibly. If necessary, one or two internal material bridges 110 can additionally be used.

Claims

claims

5 1. piece of food, in particular fruit, vegetable, sausage cheese or pastry piece, characterized in that it has an inner contoured separating surface.

2. Food according to claim 1 that the inner Trennflä-o che by at least one cut, is predetermined.

3. Piece of food according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the separating surface has interruptions, so that predetermined by the separating surface Seg-5 elements (14, 16) are connected by breakable bridges representing predetermined breaking points.

4. food piece according to claim 3, characterized in that the predetermined breaking points at the surface deso food (10).

5. Piece of food according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the separating surface is meandering and separating surface sections substantially pa-5 parallel to each other.

6. Piece of food according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the separating surface has undercut sections (116). 0

7. Piece of food according to claim 6, characterized in ^¬ net, that at least a portion of the undercut portions (116) is formed crowned.

8. food piece according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that at least some of the undercut nen sections (116) are pointed.

9. food piece according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the product is plastically deformed under relative displacement of sections with respect to the separation surface.

10. Piece of food according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is positively enclosed in a sheath, preferably in a shrink film or in a vacuum package.

11. Piece of food according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that one of the separating surfaces is a cylindrical surface.

12. Piece of food according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that one of the separating surfaces is a spiral cylindrical surface.

13. Device for cutting cutting material, in particular for cutting fruits or vegetables, with

a) a cutting device (62) through which a

Cutting beam (78) can be generated in the form of a high-energy light or particle beam;

b) a guide means (92) through which the Cutting beam (78) is movable relative to the material to be cut (10; 120) or vice versa, so that the material to be cut (10, 120) is cut along a cutting path,

characterized in that

c) a control device (96, 102, 104, 106) is provided for controlling the guide device (92), which is configured such that the cutting beam

(78) in the material to be cut (10; 120) generates at least one inner parting surface which delimits at least two parts (14,16; 118a to 118g; 122,124) whose respective boundary surface areas (14a, 16a; 122a, 124a ) are complementary to each other and have a deviating from a flat course course;

in which

d) the control device (96, 102, 104, 106) comprises a programming unit (106), by means of which a cutting pattern can be freely specified;

e) the control device (96, 102, 104, 106) comprises a data processing device (102) or a data source, which according to the cutting pattern provides a control signal set for the cutting path and transmitted to the guide device (92).

14. Cutting device according to claim 13, characterized in that the control device (96, 102, 104, 106) further comprises means (96) for receiving an image of the material to be cut (10, 120) and the data processing device (102) based on one or several pictures of the material to be cut (10; 120) determines at least its outer contour and, if appropriate, adapts the control signal set to the outer contour of the material to be cut (10; 120).

15. Cutting device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the cutting device (62) has a movable at least in two directions nozzle (70) from which the cutting beam (78) can be dispensed.

16. Cutting device according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the guide device (92) comprises means (54) through which the material to be cut (10; 120) relative to the cutting beam (78) can be rotated about an axis of rotation.

17. Cutting device according to claim 16, characterized in that the cutting jet (78) can be delivered to the material to be cut (10; 120) in a cutting angle related to a horizontal plane.

18. Cutting device according to claim 17, characterized in that the cutting angle is variable.

19. Cutting device according to claim 18, characterized in that the cutting angle between at least 45 ° and 90 ° is variable.

20. Cutting device according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the cutting jet (78) is formed from a cutting fluid.

21. Cutting device according to claim 20, characterized in that the cutting fluid is water, alcohol or a water / alcohol mixture.

22. Cutting device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the cutting fluid with at least one additive, in particular with ß-carotene, is provided.

23. Cutting device according to one of claims 13 to 22, characterized in that the cutting device (18) of a housing (20) limited gas-tight cutting space (22), which comprises a protective gas supply port (42).

24. Cutting device according to one of claims 13 to 23, characterized in that the data processing device (102) is configured such that it calculates a cutting path, wherein the cutting jet (78) between the cutting surfaces (14a, 16a) of the items to be cut (14, 16) leaves material to be cut (110) can stand, via which the cut material parts (14, 16) remain connected to each other.

25. A method for cutting food in the form of food material, comprising the following steps:

a) specifying an independent of the nature and nature of the cutting material cutting pattern;

b) carrying out a relative movement between a cutting beam and the material to be cut, so that the material to be cut is cut along a cutting path predetermined by the cutting pattern,

in which

c) at least one inner separating surface is produced in the material to be cut by means of the cutting jet, which delimits at least two parts of the product to be cut, each of which has arisen Cutting surfaces are complementary to each other and have a deviating from a flat course course.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that at least determines the outer contour of the material to be cut and optionally the cutting path is adapted to the outer contour of the material to be cut.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that the cutting beam is discharged from a movable at least in two directions nozzle.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, characterized marked, that the material to be cut is rotated relative to the Schneidstrahi about an axis of rotation.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that the cutting jet is delivered to the material to be cut in a cutting angle related to a horizontal plane.

30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that the cutting angle is changed during the relative movement between the material to be cut and the cutting beam.

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that the cutting angle between at least 45 ° and 90 ° can be changed.

32. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 31, characterized in that a cutting fluid is used as a cutting jet.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that as cutting fluid water, alcohol or a water / alcohol mixture is used.

34. The method according to claim 32 or 33, characterized marked, that the cutting fluid with at least one additive, in particular with ß-carotene, is provided.

35. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 34, characterized in that the material to be cut is cut in a gas-tight cutting space bounded by a housing, to which a protective gas is supplied.

36. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 35, characterized in that between the cutting surfaces of the items to be cut material is allowed to stand, so that the items to be cut remain connected to each other.

37. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 36, characterized in that a device according to one of claims 13 to 24 is used.