SLICING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for continuously slicing products, in particular food products, comprising at least one slicing unit, in particular comprising a circular or sickle knife, for separating the product into product slices, a feed device for feeding the products to the slicing unit along multiple tracks and a discharge device for discharging portions which respectively comprise at least one separated product slice, the feed device comprises a loading device which is designed to receive at least one product and can be adjusted as a whole between the loading station and a guide station, at least one conveying device which when seen from the direction of guiding, is arranged downstream from the loading device and comprises at least two conveying tracks and a control device which is designed to control the conveying tracks independently from each other such that portions are produced continuously, in which the separation of product slices in a conveying track is interrupted and in particular, almost at the same time, is started with the separating of product slices into another conveying track.

Claims

1.-16. (canceled)

17. A slicing apparatus for a continuous slicing of products, comprising at least one slicing unit for cutting off product slices; a supply apparatus for a multi-track supply of products to the slicing unit; and a removal apparatus for removing portions that each comprise at least one cut-off product slice, wherein the supply apparatus comprises a loading apparatus that is configured for receiving at least one product and is adjustable as a whole between a loading position and a supply position; at least one conveying apparatus that is connected downstream of the loading apparatus viewed in the supply direction and that has at least two conveying tracks; and a control apparatus that is configured to control the conveying tracks independently of one another such that portions are produced continuously in that the cutting off of product slices is interrupted in one conveying track and the cutting off of product slices is started in another conveying track.

18. The slicing apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein the cutting off of product slices is started almost simultaneously in another conveying track.

19. The slicing apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein the loading apparatus extends at least substantially over the width of at least one conveying track and is configured to bring a product to a predefinable conveying track.

20. The slicing apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein the loading apparatus extends at least substantially over the width of all the conveying tracks and is configured to bring a product to a predefinable conveying track.

21. The slicing apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein the loading apparatus comprises a plurality of loading tracks, with the number of loading tracks corresponding to the number of conveying tracks.

22. The slicing apparatus in accordance with claim 21, wherein the loading tracks are controllable independently of one another.

23. The slicing apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein the loading apparatus comprises a single loading track that is adjustable transversely to the supply direction.

24. The slicing apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein the conveying apparatus comprises sliding surfaces, passive conveyor belts and/or active conveyor belts.

25. The slicing apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein a product holder is provided for each conveying track.

26. The slicing apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein the conveying apparatus has a smaller length than the loading apparatus in the supply direction.

27. The slicing apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein the removal apparatus comprises a discarding device having a plurality of removal tracks, with the number of removal tracks corresponding to the number of conveying tracks and with the removal tracks being controllable independently of one another.

28. The slicing apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein the removal apparatus comprises a distributor device that is configured for leading together portions from different conveying tracks.

29. A method for a continuous slicing of products using a slicing apparatus, the slicing apparatus comprising at least one slicing unit for cutting off product slices; a supply apparatus for a multi-track supply of products to the slicing unit; and a removal apparatus for removing portions that each comprise at least one cut-off product slice, wherein the supply apparatus comprises a loading apparatus that is configured for receiving at least one product and is adjustable as a whole between a loading position and a supply position; and at least one conveying apparatus that is connected downstream of the loading apparatus viewed in the supply direction and that has at least two conveying tracks, wherein the method comprises the following steps: supplying a first product on a first conveying track; adjusting the loading apparatus into the loading position when the first product has at least substantially left the region of the loading apparatus; loading the loading apparatus with at least one second or further product; adjusting the loading apparatus into the supply position; and supplying the second or further product on a second or further conveying track.

30. A method in accordance with claim 29, wherein the loading of a loading apparatus comprising a plurality of loading tracks with the second or further product takes place in a loading track that differs from the loading track of the first product.

31. A method in accordance with claim 29, wherein, after the loading of a loading apparatus comprising a single loading track, the former is adjusted transversely to the supply direction such that the second product moves to the second or further conveying track.

32. The method in accordance with claim 29, wherein the loading apparatus is loaded with at least two products and is adjusted into the supply position, with one product first being sliced before the cutting of product slices from the other product is started, and with the loading apparatus being adjusted into the loading position when the other product has at least substantially left the region of the loading apparatus.

33. The method in accordance with claim 29, wherein the product front end of the second or further product is cut off before the first product has been completely sliced.

34. The method in accordance with claim 33, wherein the product front end of the second or further product is cut off by means of the slicing unit before the first product has been completely sliced.

35. The method in accordance with claim 33, wherein product scraps produced on the cutting off of the product front end are discarded from the removal apparatus via a discarding apparatus individually for the tracks.

36. The method in accordance with claim 29, wherein portions that come from different conveying tracks are led together with the aid of a distributor device.

Description

[0062] The invention will be described in the following by way of example with reference to the drawings. There are shown:

[0063] FIG. 1A to FIG. 4B schematically, respective plan views or side views of a first embodiment of a supply apparatus of a slicing apparatus in accordance with the invention;

[0064] FIG. 5 schematically, a plan view of a second embodiment of a supply apparatus of a slicing apparatus in accordance with the invention;

[0065] FIG. 6 schematically, a plan view of a third embodiment of a supply apparatus of a slicing apparatus in accordance with the invention;

[0066] FIG. 7 schematically, a plan view of a first embodiment of a removal apparatus of a slicing apparatus in accordance with the invention;

[0067] FIG. 8 schematically, a plan view of a second embodiment of a removal apparatus of a slicing apparatus in accordance with the invention; and

[0068] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B schematically, a plan view and a side view of a fourth embodiment of a supply apparatus of a slicing apparatus in accordance with the invention.

[0069] It must first be noted that the embodiments shown are of a purely exemplary nature. The number of tracks and conveyor units shown can in particular vary. The features of an embodiment can also be combined as desired with features of another embodiment. Any desired supply apparatus can in particular be combined with any desired removal apparatus.

[0070] A supply apparatus 8 of a slicing apparatus is shown in FIGS. 1A to 4B. The supply apparatus 8 is configured for a multi-track supply of food loaves 10 that represent the conveyed products.

[0071] The supply apparatus 8 comprises a loading apparatus configured as a wide belt conveyor 12 and a conveying apparatus 14 having two conveyor belts 16 that are controllable independently of one another.

[0072] A slicing unit 18 of which only the cutting plane is shown in dashed lines adjoins the conveying apparatus 14. The slicing unit 18 can comprise one or more cutting blades, in particular circular blades or scythe-like blades, depending on the application. If products 10 of different types are sliced, different cutting blades can in particular be used for the respective product types.

[0073] Both the loading apparatus 12 and the conveying apparatus 14 are each divided into two respective tracks, i.e. part regions. A first product 20 is arranged on a first conveying track 22 of the conveying apparatus 14 in FIG. 1A. A second product 24, in contrast, is positioned on a second loading track 26′ of the loading apparatus 12 differing from the first conveying track 22. A respective product holder 28 engages into both product ends.

[0074] As can be seen in FIG. 1A, the belt conveyor 12 is approximately as wide as the conveying apparatus 14. The conveyor belts 16 of the conveying apparatus 14 are considerably shorter than the conveyor belt 12. As can be seen in the side view in accordance with FIG. 1B, the conveyor belts 16 are set permanently slanted and are at a right angle to the cutting plane of the slicing unit 18. The belt conveyor 12, in contrast, can be adjusted from a horizontal loading position into a slanted supply position.

[0075] The second product 24 is provided on the belt conveyor 12 in the second loading track 26′ while the first product 20 in the first conveying track 22 is still being supplied to the slicing unit 18 in the supply direction Z. The belt conveyor 12 is in this respect located in the loading position. A food loaf 10 can be permanently located on the belt conveyor 12 in this manner. The choice as to which of the loading tracks 22′, 26′ is loaded in this respect depends on the demands of the conveying apparatus 14. In principle, a loading track 22′, 26′ is thus always loaded in which the corresponding conveying track 22, 26 of the conveyor belt 16 connected downstream is not already occupied by a preceding food loaf 10 and in which the product holder 28 is again retracted so far in the upstream direction that a product 10 can be conveyed past it into the provided conveying track 22, 26.

[0076] In FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the belt conveyor 12 was adjusted from the loading position into the supply position. The second product 24 in the second loading track 26′ and in the second conveying track 26 can now be conveyed to the slicing unit 18 in the supply direction Z by a control apparatus, not shown, with the aid of a belt conveyor 12 and of the conveyor belt 16.

[0077] The start of the second product 24 is cut off while the first product 20 is still being sliced. In this manner, the second product 24 is prepared for the actual slicing procedure in which complete product slices are cut off.

[0078] As is shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the actual slicing procedure of the second product 24 only starts when the first product 20 has been completely sliced. A continuous product stream results in this manner.

[0079] The product residue of the first product 20 can be removed from the gripper 28. The product residue can, for example, then be removed downwardly through a gap between the loading apparatus 12 and the conveying apparatus 14.

[0080] The belt conveyor 12 can now again be adjusted from the supply position into the loading position. This can also be done when the end region of the food loaf 10 guided at the product holder 28 still projects somewhat over the region of the belt conveyor 12.

[0081] In accordance with FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, a third product 30 is now loaded into the first loading track 22′ of the belt conveyor 12 while the second product 24 is sliced in the second conveying track 26.

[0082] In accordance with the invention, a switch can thus be made after the ending of a slicing procedure of one food loaf 10 to the slicing of a further food loaf 10 without any real interruption.

[0083] The loading of the belt conveyor 12 can take place manually or automatically. On a manual filling, the side or the loading track 22′, 26′ on which a new food loaf 10 is to be placed can be displayed to the operator, for example, by mechanical aids such as metal guide sheets, flaps and/or shields and/or visual aids such as display apparatus. The manual loading and placing of products onto a loading table that is connected upstream of the loading apparatus 12 is not shown, but can be carried out in a similar manner. Above-described aids can also be used for this purpose.

[0084] An automatic loading can be implemented, for example, by means of an apparatus shown in FIG. 5. Supplied food loaves 10 can be supplied to the desired loading track 22′, 26′ via two infeed belts 32. Supply belts, not shown, can be arranged before the infeed belts 32, wherein the food loaves 10 can generally be conveyed to the infeed belts 32 in a multi-track manner. The food loaves 10 can, for example, originate from a skinning machine or can also be placed onto the infeed belts 32 by hand.

[0085] In accordance with FIG. 6, the distribution only takes place by the belt conveyor 12 itself. The belt conveyor 12 is in this respect transversely displaceable in an adjustment direction R. A food loaf 10 located on the belt conveyor 12 can thus be supplied to the first conveying track 22 or to the second conveying track 26 depending on the track demand. The food loaf 10 can in this respect be placed directly into the belt conveyor 12 or can be supplied with the aid of a conveyor belt 33 connected upstream. The conveyor belt 33 connected upstream can, for example, be displaced in parallel with a longitudinal machine axis and thus does not necessarily have to control the belt conveyor 12 centrally. A lateral loading of the loading apparatus 12 is equally conceivable, but not shown, when the conveyor belt 33 reaches laterally to the side thereof and food loaves 10 are transferred from there.

[0086] The loading apparatus 12 can be adjusted as a whole relative to a frame of the loading apparatus 12. Alternatively, only individual components, e.g. laterally displaceable shafts, belts or a conveyor belt unit, can also be adjusted. The transverse displacement preferably takes place in the loading position.

[0087] Parallel lateral guides are furthermore preferably conceivable. A food loaf 19 can be placed between them and can then be moved or displaced, for example on a relatively smooth surface of the loading apparatus 12, laterally up to and in front of a requesting conveying track 22, 26.

[0088] Alternatively, a band-like loading apparatus 12 is also conceivable to fix and to transversely transport a food loaf 10.

[0089] A slicing apparatus in accordance with the invention is shown in FIG. 7 having a supply apparatus 8, a slicing unit 18 and a removal apparatus 34. The removal apparatus 34 can comprise portioning belts and/or control belts that can be of single-track, dual-track or multi-track design. A dual-track variant is shown in which a portioning and weighing apparatus 36 having separate weighing belts follows on from the slicing unit 18. A common weighing belt for both tracks would also be conceivable. It can in particular be determined with the aid of the portioning and weighing apparatus 36 whether complete product slices and/or portions 38 have been cut off from which portions 38 are formed or only product scraps 40. If product scraps 40 were cut off, they can subsequently be discarded from the product stream or portion stream via a discarding apparatus 42, in particular a rocker, connected downstream. If a rocker is used for the discarding of the product scraps 40, it can be arranged in an individual removal track 43.

[0090] The product front end of a new product 10 can already be cut off in this manner while the preceding product 10 is still being sliced.

[0091] Provided that the portioning and weighing apparatus 36 is formed transversely movably between the tracks, it is also possible to complete incomplete portions that are produced in a first track on an adjacent track with the start of slicing operation there.

[0092] A further possible arrangement downstream of the slicing unit 18 is shown in FIG. 8. A cross-distributor 48 as a distributor device follows after a portioning belt 44 and a control belt 46. A multi-track product stream or portion stream can, for example, be led together into a single removal track 43 with the aid of a cross-distributor 48.

[0093] It is possible by the cross-distributor 48 that a continuous conveying stream is maintained up to the packaging machine or up to a transport point, e.g. a feeder.

[0094] The discarding of product scraps 40 takes place in the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 8 by driving the portioning belts 44 against the actual conveying direction. It is thus possible by the divided embodiment of the portioning belt 44 respectively associated with a track to remove product scraps 40 in one track while slicing is still being carried out in another track.

[0095] A supply apparatus 8 having four parallel tracks is shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. The products 10 are supplied to the conveying apparatus 14 of the slicing unit 18 and are sliced. Once these products 10 have at least substantially left the region of the loading apparatus 12 and once a product 10 has been completely sliced in at least one conveying track 22, 26 and the conveying track 22, 26 is thus empty, the loading apparatus 12 can be adjusted into the loading position to receive a new product 10 from the infeed belt 32.

REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST

[0096] 8 supply apparatus

[0097] 10 food loaf, product

[0098] 12 belt conveyor, loading apparatus

[0099] 14 conveying apparatus

[0100] 16 conveyor belt

[0101] 18 slicing unit

[0102] 20 first product

[0103] 22 first conveying track

[0104] 22′ first loading track

[0105] 24 second product

[0106] 26 second conveying track

[0107] 26′ second loading track

[0108] 28 product holder

[0109] 30 third product

[0110] 32 infeed belt

[0111] 33 conveyor belt

[0112] 34 removal apparatus

[0113] 36 portioning and weighing apparatus

[0114] 38 portion

[0115] 40 product scrap

[0116] 42 discarding apparatus

[0117] 43 removal track

[0118] 44 portioning belt

[0119] 46 control belt

[0120] 48 cross-distributor, distributor device Z supply direction

[0121] R adjustment direction