Patent Grant
9061432
This application claims priority from German application DE 10 2011 051 210.1 filed on Jun. 20, 2011, which is incorporated in its entirety by this reference.
The invention relates to a method for cutting at least one food strand into slices.
A method and a device of similar types as recited supra are generally known in the art. Devices of this type are in particular designated as “high performance slicers” which are used for industrial production and processing of meat and sausage products and cheese products. Typically plural food strands are inserted in high performance slicers of this type parallel to one another, conveyed and sliced, wherein an accordingly large sized cut off blade sweeps over the cross sections of all food strands arranged adjacent to one another and thus cuts off a respective plurality of slices from the food strands with each revolution.
In a generally known method the food strands are placed by an operator in a parallel arrangement onto a conveying device configured as a conveyor belt and arranged to a large extent outside of machine housing. Then the food strands are simultaneously conveyed onto the feeding device by starting the conveyor belt, wherein the feeding device includes a number of narrow feeding belts with V-shaped cross sections, wherein the number of feeding belts corresponds to the number of simultaneously handled food strands. After a complete transfer of the food strands onto the feeding belts of the feed device the feed device is transferable through a pivot movement by e.g. 75° into the actual feed position. Previously the cutting process of the preceding plurality of food strands was completed and the support devices engaging the respective rear ends of the food strands have respectively released the residual pieces remaining at the support devices and have been moved from the end position proximal to the blade into the start position remote from the blade in order to grip and support the residual components at their ends after arrival of the next food strands at the feed position. This gripping process, however, is only initiated when the food strands due to being transferred into the “slanted position” according to the feed position in their respective front ends are placed in alignment with one another which is provided in that lower traction belts which support the feeding during the cutting process in a portion close to the blade were transferred into a locking position that is rotated by 90° and which locks the feed cross section for the food strands. The lower traction belts are thus used as a stop for the food strands that are produced with identical lengths so that due to the identity of lengths also the rear ends are approximately aligned with one another and can thus be made to interact with the support elements for all food strands which support elements are coupled to form a support unit.
A cutting device with a support unit of this type can be derived from DE 195 18 583 A1. The document shows a so called clamping plier support which is configured to grip a plurality of food strands arranged adjacent to one another from their back side and to subsequently feed them in a controlled manner to the blade of the cutting device. According to the description provided supra the clamping plier support engages the food strands as soon as they are in their feed positions, thus when they are arranged inclined relative to a horizontal axis. While the slanted food strands are fed towards the blade, the food strands can be supported through support devices, wherein in particular both lateral surfaces and a top side of a respective food strand are fixable while the respective bottom side contacts the respective feeding belt.
Another device which uses the principle of pivoting a plurality of food strands relative to horizontal is shown in EP 2 239 108 A2. Thus, the particular food strands are pivoted relative to horizontal through a separate device and are subsequently pushed or pulled from the pivoted position onto a feeding belt that is permanently slanted. During transfer of the food strands from the horizontal position into the “slanted position” the particular food strands are separated from one another through rigid divider walls and are thus blocked against lateral deviation or kinking.
It is disadvantageous for the known embodiment that in spite of an alignment of the food strands at their front ends an exactly aligned orientation at their back sides, this means rear ends, is not always successful. The reason is that the food strands while being produced by nature have a particular length tolerance which manifests itself through steps or shoulders at a back side of the food strands arranged parallel adjacent to one another. This in turn has the effect for support devices with hook shaped grippers which embed themselves into the material of the food strands that for safety reasons an engagement has to be adjusted further remote from the end of the food strand in order to positively prevent an engagement that is too close to the food strand end and thus a reduction of the maximum support force. Due to the arrangement of the plurality of the support elements in blocks an individual adjustment of the gripper hook distance from the respective food strand and is not possible. An unnecessarily large “safety distance” from the respective food strand end, however, during cutting operations causes a residual piece length that is unnecessarily large and thus causes economic disadvantages.
Thus it is the object of the invention to provide a method and a device for cutting at least one food strand into slices which minimizes the size of the residual pieces remaining after the end of the cutting process and which increase process safety during cutting operation, which means in particular prevents the support device from tearing out of the end portion of the respective food strand. The method includes the steps:
a) inserting the food strand into a conveying device, wherein the food strand is placed into an inserted position;
b) conveying the food strand by the conveying device to a feed device, wherein the food strand is moved into a transfer position;
c) feeding the food strand through the feed device into a feed position in which the food strand is more inclined relative to horizontal than in the transfer position;
d) gripping and supporting the food strand at a rear end through a support device; and
e) moving the food strand towards a cutting device;
f) cutting the food strand into successive slices through the cutting device.
Furthermore the invention relates to a device for cutting at least one food strand into slices, the device including:
a) a conveying device into which at least one food strand is insertable into an inserted position from which the food strand is conveyable.
b) a feed device to which the food strand is conveyable through the conveying device, wherein the food strand is then in a transfer position, wherein the food strand is transferable through the feed device into a feed position in which the food strand is more inclined relative to horizontal than in the transfer position and wherein the food strand is subsequently feedable in its longitudinal direction;
c) a support device through which the food strand is gripable and supportable at a rear end;
d) a cutting device through which the food strand is cut able into successive slices in a feed movement.
Based on a method recited supra the object is achieved in that the food strand at least during transfer from the transfer position into the feed position is fixated through at least one fixation element of a fixation device at least at one of its longitudinal sides, preferably at least at one of its free longitudinal sides, wherein the at least one fixation element form locks and/or friction locks the food strand.
The fixation of the food strand according to the invention prevents that the food strand during transfer or after transfer into the more inclined feed position slides forward and therefore as required in the prior art would have to be aligned at its front side. The form locking or friction locking provided with the food strands through the at least one fixation element is thus capable to absorb and react the gravity forces typically imparted on the food strands due to their slanted positions which would cause undesirable sliding. Thus, the fixation device facilitates to support the food strand also during and after transfer into the more inclined feed position in this position which is further inclined relative to the feed device. Thus, the method according to the invention accordingly facilitates an orientation of the food strand before being transferred into the feed position or provides the option to maintain an orientation provided before transfer into the feed position also after the transfer.
The option of an orientation in particular of a plurality of the food strands at their respective rear ends when using support devices with gripper hooks facilitates implementing a minimum residual piece length since no safety buffers have to be provided for compensating various positions of various food strands oriented adjacent to one another. Thus, cutting operations can be provided in a more economical manner since the food losses caused by the residual pieces are reduced.
Furthermore, the aligned orientation of the rear ends of the food strands facilitates using so called vacuum grippers as support devices since differently from gripper hooks adjusting a “safety reserve” with respect to the coupling location is not possible, at least when the vacuum gripper is also assembled from suction heads connected to form a block and moveable in feed direction through a common feed drive which under economic aspects is required compared to an individual movement and control of each suction head.
According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention the food strand is respectively contacted at two opposite longitudinal sides respectively by a fixation element of the fixation device, preferably in that through two opposite clamping jaws of the fixation device a clamping force is imparted on an outer jacket of the food strand. Clamping jaws configured as fixation elements cause friction locking with the food strands. Safety during fixation is increased by such method compared to an unilateral engagement of the fixation force.
An embodiment of the invention furthermore provides that the food strand is fixated in a third of its length that is oriented towards its rear end while the food strand is transferred from the transfer position into the feed position.
When at least one fixation element of the fixation device is moved through a fixation drive in longitudinal direction of the food strand while it fixates the food strand, the fixation device also facilitates introducing longitudinal forces into the food strand, wherein the longitudinal forces can be used for example for the purposes of feeding. Thus, the fixation device provides another means for providing safe and gentle feeding of the food strand. Thus, it is appreciated that food strands have a length of 1 m or more which leads in particular for a soft consistency (meat sausage, meat loaf, spreading sausage, etc.) to problems for a punctiform force introduction and a sliding movement.
An embodiment of the method according to the invention in this respect provides that the food strand is fixated by the fixation device and is actively fed, preferably pulled while it is moved from the insertion position into the transfer position and/or while it is moved from the feed position in a direction towards the cutting device. The fixation device can thus preferably be used as a feed device during two phases of the process according to the invention.
It is appreciated that the fixation device for this purpose has to include suitable drive devices that can move the at least fixation element relative to the feed device.
In order to increase the performance of the cutting method it is proposed according to the invention that the food strand is moved through the feed device into an idle position and stopped there, wherein the idle position is between the transfer position and the feed position. This way during the cutting operation a new batch of food strands can be moved very close to the movement plane of the support device, thus to the location from which the actual feed movement occurs later on, so that the time loss after completing the cutting process of the preceding batch of food strands is accordingly shorter than for the known methods. In this context it is proposed for obtaining parallel timing of the processes that is as large as possible in order to increase performance, that the food strand:
a) in a first phase of a feed movement in which the food strand is moved towards the cutting device starting with the feed position the food strand is only fixated by the fixation device and/or;
b) in a second phase of the feed movement the food strand is fixated by the fixation device and supported by the support device and/or
c) in a third phase of the feed movement the food strand is only supported by the support device.
The method step described under a) has the advantage that cutting up a new food strand can already be commenced at a point in time when the support device after finishing the cutting process of the preceding food strand has been moved back into its starting position. Thus, it is not required to bring the support device into engagement or contact with the rear end of the new food strand which according to the invention can also be provided for a feed movement that is already in process, this means during cutting operation. This way another performance increase can be implemented.
The method according to b) provides particularly large process safety since the food strand in this phase which typically represents a center phase of the cutting process can be fixated by the fixation device and can also be supported by the support device. In the center phase of the cutting process a “double support” or “double fixation” does not impair cutting performance since subsequently sufficient time will be required in order to provide a new batch of food strands for the cutting process which in turn requires the fixation device.
When using the method according to c) the advantage can be obtained that the fixation device in particular the feed device to which the fixation device is coupled is not required for safe processing anymore during cutting operations for a remaining strand length of less than 200 to 300 mm. Rather support for the food strand in this case is typically provided through a respective lower and upper traction belt in combination with the support device. Therefore it is helpful for performance increase that the feed device and the fixation device connected therewith are already moved back into the transfer position in order to be able to start with the next loading process.
Based on a device of this type as recited supra the object is achieved through a fixation device including at least one fixation element through which the food strand at least during transfer from the transfer position into the feed position at least at one of its longitudinal sides, preferably at least at lone of its free longitudinal sides is fixated, wherein the at least fixation element provides form locking and/or friction locking engagement with the food strand.
Through a device of this type the method according to the invention can be performed in a particularly simple manner. Thus, the fixation device facilitates an aligned orientation of a plurality of food strands at their rear ends viewed in feed direction without an orientation of this type being put at risk by transferring the feed device into the more inclined feed position. A locking device for obtaining an alignment at the front ends can thus be completely omitted which in turn reduces the complexity of the device since an adjustment of the lower traction belt into a locking position is not required anymore. The substantial advantages resulting from an alignment of the rear ends has already been described supra.
An embodiment of the device according to the invention provides that the feed device together with the fixation device is pivotable relative to a machine frame about an axis which extends perpendicular to the feed direction and also perpendicular to a movement direction of the food strand for its transfer from the inserted position into the transfer position.
In a preferred embodiment the fixation elements are configured as clamping jaws which can be pressed through a clamping drive from opposite sides against free longitudinal sides of the food strand and which are remove able again from the longitudinal sides. Preferably a contact surface of at least one clamping jaw has a surface texture increasing friction and/or causing (micro form locking). For a food strand resting on a support rail or a conveyor belt the lower longitudinal side on which the food strand is supported is not to be considered as a free longitudinal side but only the two opposite vertical longitudinal sides and the horizontal upper longitudinal side are to the considered as “free longitudinal sides”. In food strands whose cross section is not even remotely polygonal but circular or oval accordingly cambered surface sections of the outer jacket of the food strand are defined as “longitudinal sides” according to the invention.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the fixation elements are arranged at a fixation slide which is moveable through a slide drive, preferably through at least one synchronous belt in feed direction of the food strand relative to the feed device and wherein the fixation slide is advantageously connected with the feed device through a linear guide.
When a respective plurality of food strands is arrangeable with their respective longitudinal direction parallel adjacent to one another on the insertion device and also on the feed device, wherein the fixation elements for all food strands are actuatable through a single drive, a particularly effective and efficient fixation process can be obtained.
The device complexity can be kept low in this context when the clamping jaws are divided into a first group and a second group, wherein the clamping jaws of a respective group contact the food strands from the same longitudinal side and wherein the clamping jaws of the first group are arranged at a first transversal movement slide and the clamping jaws of a second ground are arranged at a second transversal movement slide. Furthermore the transversal movement slides can be moveable relative to the fixation slide perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the food strands and respectively in opposite directions.
In order to facilitate an aligned orientation of the food strands a stop element which is arranged at the feed device preferably configured as conveyor belt, in particular a stop bar can be used through which the food strands are alignable at their rear ends so that they are oriented in flush alignment.
Eventually it is also provided according to the invention that the feed device includes a support element for each food strand, preferably a support rail along which the respective food strand during feeding from the insertion device onto the feed device and during the feed movement is supportable preferably in a sliding manner. Omitting an actively moved surface of the support elements or support rails is provided by using the actively moveable fixation elements which act as feed devices which are preferably used in a pulling manner when they are moved relative to the feed device, that means relative to the support elements.
The method according to the invention is subsequently described in more detail with reference to a device for cutting a food strand into slices which is illustrated in the drawing figure, wherein:
FIG. 5.1-5.8 illustrate a sequence of eight snapshots during a complete cutting cycle.
A device 1 illustrated in
The feed device 4 and the fixation device 5 together form a loading pivot 9 which is illustrated separately in
Through additional handling devices (scale, storage table with intermediary storage etc.) not illustrated in the figures the slices generated from the food strands 40 are arranged e.g. in stacks and subsequently packaged into self service packs made from plastic foil.
The fixation device 5 includes a fixation slide 25 that is illustrated in detail in
Through a shaft 28 which extend coaxial to the axis 15 two synchronization discs 29 are driven which are in engagement with the synchronization belts 27. This way the fixation slide 25 coupled with the synchronization belts 27 is moveable over the entire free length of the support rods 23 back and forth at will.
The configuration of the fixation slide 25 can be derived particularly well from the illustration in
From
Subsequently the sequence of a cutting method according to the invention is described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5.1.-5.8.
In
In
At the left end of the device 1 the three upper traction bands 10, the spiral shaped cutting blade 8 (rotation direction according to arrow 42) of the cutting device 7 and the support elements 35 of the support device 6 are illustrated. The support elements 35 that are combined to form a coherent block are connected through a transversal beam 44 with a support slide 43 of the support device 6, wherein the support slide 43 is moveable in a linear manner along two support rods 45. The orientation of the support rods 45 is 75° relative to a horizontal plane. The orientations of the support rods 45 and thus of the support device 6 relative to the machine frame 2 is not variable. The support rods 45 and also the longitudinal axes of the food strands 40 during feeding are aligned parallel to a rotation axis of the cutting cavity 8, this means perpendicular to a blade plane.
Furthermore it is apparent from
In view of
Differently from the situation in
In
After completing the cutting process of the food strands 40 of the preceding batch the residual parts of the food strand are disengaged from the gripper hooks 36, wherein after the support elements 35 of the support device 6 are moved from its lower end position into the upper end position illustrated in
Without a collision with the totally pulled back block of the support elements 35 occurring, the loading pivot 9 is now pivoted further from the idle position by the differential angle 48 of 15° into the feed position. Subsequently the food strands 40 are moved downward towards the cutting blade 8 of the cutting device 7 by starting the slide drive, this means a respective movement of the fixation slide 25.
After engagement of the support device 6 at the rear ends 47 of the food strands 40 the “regular” cutting operation commences in which the support device 6 and also the fixation device 5 are active.
As soon as the fixation slide 25 of the fixation device 5 has reached the lower end position illustrated in
After moving the loading pivot 9 into the transfer position and feeding the conveying band 3 with new food strands 40 the initial situation illustrated in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2011 051 210 | Jun 2011 | DE | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20060196328 | Pryor et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
| 20090188363 | Lindee et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
| 20110099948 | Drebing et al. | May 2011 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 195 18 583 | Nov 1996 | DE |
| 102007063112 | Jul 2009 | DE |
| 2 239 108 | Oct 2010 | EP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20130160620 A1 | Jun 2013 | US |
