TURNING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING FOOD ITEMS

Abstract

A turning apparatus has a turning device for engaging and turning a food item conveyed by a conveying means. The turning device includes a sweep arm structure for engaging the food item, a moving mechanism for turning the sweep arm structure from a first angular position to a second angular position, and a height displacement mechanism for raising and lowering the turning device.

Claims

1.-21. (canceled)

22. A turning apparatus configured to receive and turn incoming food items while being conveyed by a conveyor means, where a longitudinal axis of the incoming food items forms a first angle in relation to a conveying direction of the incoming food items, the turning apparatus comprising: a first turner device configured to engage with a front most food item of said incoming food items, and a first moving mechanism connected to the first turner device configured to adjust the angular position of the first turner device while engaging with the front most food item, such that the longitudinal axis of the front most food item forms a second angle in relation to the conveying direction of the food items when released by the first turner device.

23. The turning apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the first turner device comprises a sweep arm structure and wherein the step of engaging with the front most food item is such that the sweep arm structure remains parallel to the longitudinal axis of the front most food item until the front most food item is released from the first turner device.

24. The turning apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the turning apparatus further comprises a first height displacement mechanism for operating a height displacement of the first turner device; wherein, prior to engaging with the front most food item, operating the height displacement of the first turner device comprises: moving the first turner device downwards until said engagement takes place, turning from the first angular position to the second angular position, and performing an upward movement by the first height displacement mechanism wherein the food item is released from the first turner device.

25. The turning apparatus according to claim 24, wherein performing the upward movement comprises a first phase with movement at a first upward speed, a second phase with movement at a second upward speed and a third phase with movement at a third upward speed, where each of the first upward speed and the third upward speed are larger than the second upward speed, such as each of the first upward speed and the third upward speed being larger than zero and the second upward speed being zero.

26. The turning apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a second turner device having a second moving mechanism for adjusting the angular position of the second turner device, wherein the first and the second turner devices are positioned at opposite sides of the conveyor means, and wherein the first and the second turner devices are operated in a synchronized manner such that when the first turning device is releasing a food item, the second turning device is engaging with a front most food item, and vice versa, when the second turning device is releasing a food item, the first turning device is engaging with a front most food item.

27. The turning apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the conveyor means is configured to support a lower surface of each one of the food items, and wherein the sweep arm structure is configured to engage at least an upper surface of each of the food items, wherein the upper surface is opposite to the lower surface.

28. The turning apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the sweep arm structure comprises a downwardly facing surface for entering into friction engagement with the upper surface of each of the food items.

29. The turning apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the downwardly facing surface of the sweep arm structure comprises a flexible sheet of material.

30. The turning apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the sweep arm structure extends longitudinally in a direction transverse to the conveying direction of the incoming food items when the sweep arm extends at a first angular orientation relative to the conveyor means, in which it is brought into engagement with the incoming food items, and wherein the first moving mechanism is configured to turn the sweep arm structure into a second angular position relative to the conveyor means, in which the sweep arm extends at a second angular orientation relative to the conveyor means, and wherein the downwardly facing surface of the sweep arm structure defines an alternating pattern of peaks and valleys when seen in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the sweep arm structure, and wherein the peaks and valleys extend in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the sweep arm structure.

31. The turning apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the sweep arm structure comprises a spring means for resiliently biasing the downwardly facing surface of the sweep arm structure into engagement with the food items.

32. The turning apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the turning apparatus further comprises at least one spraying device arranged for spraying water, such as a water mist, onto at least a portion of the first turner device which engages with the food item before the first turner device engages with the food item.

33. A cutting system for cutting food items, the cutting system comprising: an in-feed conveyor comprising an in-feed conveyor surface; an out-feed conveyor comprising an out-feed conveyor surface, the in-feed and the out-feed conveyors being arranged in an end-to-end arrangement; and a cutting knife defining a cutting plane within which it moves as it performs a cut, the cutting plane being defined between the ends of the in-feed and the out-feed conveyors, wherein the cutting system further comprises an out-feed hold down device comprising a surface facing the out-feed conveyor surface and being arranged in relation to the out-feed conveyor surface such that it is able to apply a pressure in the direction of the conveyor surface of the out-feed conveyor onto a portion of a food item resting on the out-feed conveyor surface while it is being cut by the cutting knife, and wherein the cutting system further comprises a turning apparatus, configured to receive and turn incoming food items while being conveyed by a conveyor means, where a longitudinal axis of the incoming food items forms a first angle in relation to a conveying direction of the incoming food items, including: a first turner device configured to engage with a front most food item of said incoming food items, and a first moving mechanism connected to the first turner device configured to adjust the angular position of the first turner device while engaging with the front most food item, such that the longitudinal axis of the front most food item forms a second angle in relation to the conveying direction of the food items when released by the first turner device.

34. A method for turning incoming food items with a turning apparatus while being conveyed by an infeed conveyor means, where a longitudinal axis of the incoming food items forms a first angle in relation to a conveying direction of the food items, comprising: engaging, with a first turner device, a front most food item, adjusting the angular position of the front most food item such that the longitudinal axis of the front most food item forms a second angle in relation to the conveying direction of the food items.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the step of engaging with the front most food item comprises: moving the first turner device in a height position where it is above the front most food item and to an initial angular position such that an angular axis of the first turner device is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the from most food item, moving the first turner device from above downwards such that it engages with the front most food item, adjusting the angular position of the first turner device until the longitudinal axis of the front most food item forms said second angle, moving the first turner device upwards and releasing the front most food item on an outfeed conveyor means, and adjusting the angular position of the first turner device back to the initial angular position wherein the steps are repeated for the subsequent front most food item.

36. The method according to claim 34, wherein moving the first turner device upwards comprises a first phase with movement at a first upward speed, a second phase with movement at a second upward speed and a third phase with movement at a third upward speed, where each of the first upward speed and the third upward speed are larger than the second upward speed, such as each of the first upward speed and the third upward speed being larger than zero and the second upward speed being zero.

37. The method according to claim 34, wherein the turning apparatus further comprises a second turner device, the first and the second turner devices positioned at opposite sides of the infeed conveyor means, wherein the method further comprises controlling the first and the second turner devices in a synchronized manner such that when the first turning device is releasing a food item on the outfeed conveyor means, the second turning device is engaging with a front most food item, and vice versa, when the second turning device is releasing a food item on the outfeed conveyor means, the first turning device is engaging with a front most food item.

38. The method according to claim 34, wherein the conveyor means comprises a first conveyor and a second conveyor, and the method comprises releasing the food item received by the first turning device onto the first conveyor and releasing the food item received by the second turning device onto the second conveyor.

39. The method according to claim 34, wherein the first and the second conveyors are arranged in a parallel way and parallel in relation to the infeed conveyor means, such that the conveying direction of the incoming food items is parallel to the conveying direction of the food item on the first and the second conveyors.

40. The method according to claim 34, wherein the first angle is essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the infeed conveyor means and the second angle is essentially parallel to the conveying direction of the outfeed conveyor means.

41. The method according to claim 34 and further comprising spraying water, such a water mist, towards at least a portion of the first turner device which engages with the food item before the first turner device engages with the food item.

42. The method according to claim 34 wherein prior to moving the first turner device from above downwards such that it engages with the front most food item, the method comprises providing the front most food item by cutting the front most food item from a source food item, such wherein said cutting and said moving the first turner device from above downwards such that it engages with the front most food item is carried out by means of a cutting system comprising: an in-feed conveyor comprising an in-feed conveyor surface; an out-feed conveyor comprising an out-feed conveyor surface, the in-feed and the out-feed conveyors being arranged in an end-to-end arrangement; and a cutting knife defining a cutting plane within which it moves as it performs a cut, the cutting plane being defined between the ends of the in-feed and the out-feed conveyors, wherein the cutting system further comprises an out-feed hold down device comprising a surface facing the out-feed conveyor surface and being arranged in relation to the out-feed conveyor surface such that it is able to apply a pressure in the direction of the conveyor surface of the out-feed conveyor onto a portion of a food item resting on the out-feed conveyor surface while it is being cut by the cutting knife, and wherein the cutting system further comprises a turning apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] FIG. 1a shows an embodiment of a turning apparatus according to the current disclosure wherein a turner device is in an upward position at a first angle.

[0074] FIG. 1b shows an embodiment of a turning apparatus according to the current disclosure wherein a turner device is in a downward position at a first angle.

[0075] FIG. 1c shows an embodiment of a turning apparatus according to the current disclosure wherein a turner device is in a downward position at a second angle.

[0076] FIG. 1d shows an embodiment of a turning apparatus according to the current disclosure wherein a turner device is in an upward position at a second angle.

[0077] FIG. 2a shows an embodiment of a turning apparatus according to the current disclosure having a first turner device and a second turner device.

[0078] FIG. 2b shows the turning apparatus of FIG. 2a wherein the first turner device and the second turner device are operated in a synchronized manner.

[0079] FIG. 2c shows the turning apparatus of FIG. 2a wherein the first turner device and the second turner device are operated in a synchronized manner.

[0080] FIG. 2d shows the turning apparatus of FIG. 2a wherein the first turner device and the second turner device are operated in a synchronized manner.

[0081] FIG. 2e shows the turning apparatus of FIG. 2a wherein the first turner device and the second turner device are operated in a synchronized manner.

[0082] FIG. 3 shows a processing line provided with a turning apparatus according to the current disclosure.

[0083] FIGS. 4a through 4i illustrate a further embodiment of a turning apparatus according to the current disclsoure.

[0084] FIGS. 5a through 5c illustrate a detail of an embodiment of a sweep arm structure for use with a turning apparatus according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0085] Embodiments of a turning apparatus for adjusting the angular position of food items conveyed by conveyor means are provided for increasing the speed of processing and reducing the dimensional requirements of the method.

[0086] The turning apparatus utilizes a first turner device to engage with a front most food item and adjust the angular position of the front most food item. The first turner device may be operable to move in an upward and downward direction such that the first turner device may be positioned independently of the process flow of the food items. The first turner device may further comprise a sweep arm arranged to rotate about a first axis in order to adjust an angular position of the first turner device using a simple motion.

[0087] The turning apparatus may further be configured to provide a positive rotation, where the first turner device adjusts the angle of the food items by an acceleration of the food items into a new angular position. Unlike conventional turning means in a food processing system that require using static deflection means or complex conveyor arrangements, the turning apparatus of the current disclosure allows for a rotation of a food item in a compact area and at a high speed.

[0088] Although the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown and described for turning food items of exemplary shapes and dimensions, the embodiments of the disclosure may also be adapted to accommodate different types, shapes, and sizes of items. The turning apparatus may be configured as a stand-alone device for addition to an existing processing line, or may be readily adapted to be incorporated into another processing device or custom processing line.

[0089] For ease of understanding the disclosed embodiments of a turning apparatus, directional terms such as upward and downward are used to describe embodiments of the disclosure. The directions may be adapted for the intended purpose, while maintaining the relative movement and operation of the components.

[0090] The term “front most” is used in the described embodiments to describe a front most food item of the food items that have not yet engaged with the turning apparatus. As such, following angular adjustment of the front most food item by the turning apparatus, a subsequent food item is then understood to be the “front most.”

[0091] FIG. 1a shows a turning apparatus 100 for adjusting the angular position of a front most food item 101 in a first angular position having a first angle relative to a conveying direction, to a second angular position 102 having a second angle relative to the conveying direction, according to the current disclosure.

[0092] In the illustrated embodiment, the turning apparatus 100 is arranged to receive the front most food item 101 conveyed by an infeed conveying means 103, the longitudinal axis of the front most food item 101 forming a first angle in relation to the infeed conveying direction 113. A first turner device 105 is provided to adjust the angular position of the front most food item 101 to a second angular position 102 on an outfeed conveying means 104, the longitudinal axis of the food item in the second angular position forming a second angle in relation to the outfeed conveying direction 114.

[0093] As shown, the infeed conveying means 103 may have a different speed in the infeed conveying direction 113 than the outfeed conveying means 104 in the outfeed conveying direction 114 to create sufficient spacing for the food items to be oriented in a longitudinal direction.

[0094] The first turner device 105 may further comprise a sweep arm structure 106 configured to engage the front most food item 101. The sweep arm structure 106 may be connected by an extension member 107 to a first moving mechanism 115 and a height displacement mechanism 116 for providing positive movement to the sweep arm structure 106.

[0095] In an embodiment, the extension member 107 may for example include a rod 107, and the height displacement mechanism 116 may be configured to provide an upward movement 112 or downward movement 110 to the rod 107. As shown in FIG. 1b, the height displacement mechanism may provide a downward movement 110 to the rod 107, such that the sweep arm structure 106 is moved from a first height position of FIG. 1a to a second height position shown in FIG. 1b.

[0096] Similarly, the first moving mechanism 115 may be configured to rotate the rod 107 about a longitudinal axis, such that a rotational movement 111 of the rod 107 moves the sweep arm structure 106 from the first angular position shown in FIG. 1b to the second angular position shown in FIG. 1c.

[0097] According to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1b, the downward movement 110 of the first turner device 105 from a first height position to a second height position allows the sweep arm structure 106 to engage the front most food item 101. As shown, the sweep arm structure 106 is arranged to lie parallel to the longitudinal axis of the front most food item 101 when engaged therewith.

[0098] As illustrated, the sweep arm structure 106 is configured having a length greater than a length of the front most food item 101 in the longitudinal direction. The shape and dimensions of the sweep arm structure 106 may be adapted to the dimensions or characteristics of food items for processing, to allow a particular final position of the front most food item 101, or only to ensure appropriate engagement with the front most food item 101.

[0099] When engaged with the front most food item 101, the rotational movement 111 of the first turner device 105 from the first angular position to the second angular position moves both the sweep arm structure 106 and the front most food item 101 in a parallel manner from the first angular position on the infeed conveying means 103 to the second angular position on the outfeed conveying means 104.

[0100] An upward movement 112 of the first turner device from the second height position to the first height position allows the sweep arm structure 106 to release the front most food item 101, as shown in FIG. 1d.

[0101] The first height position of the sweep arm structure 106 is preferably above the height of the front most food item 101, such that the sweep arm structure 106 does not contact the front most food item during a rotational movement of the sweep arm structure 106 from the second angular position to the first angular position.

[0102] The height displacement of the sweep arm structure 106 allows the sweep arm structure 106 to move from the second angular position to the first angular position, where a subsequent food item for turning is located, over the shortest path without an interruption in processing.

[0103] According to the embodiment of FIG. 2a, the turning apparatus t may be configured to include a second turner device 200.

[0104] In the illustrated embodiment, the turning apparatus 100 is arranged to receive the front most food item 101 conveyed by the infeed conveying means 103, the longitudinal axis of the front most food item 101 forming the first angle in relation to the infeed conveying direction 113. The first turner device 105 is provided to adjust the angular position of the front most food item 101 to a second angular position 201 on an outfeed conveying means 220, while the second turner device 200 is provided to adjust the angular position of the front most food item 101 to a second angular position 201 on an outfeed conveying means 221.

[0105] The second turner device 200 may further comprise a sweep arm structure 206 configured to engage the front most food item 101. The sweep arm structure 206 may be connected by an extension member to a second moving mechanism 215 and a second height displacement mechanism 216 for providing positive movement to the sweep arm structure 206.

[0106] In an embodiment, the extension member may for example include a rod, and the second height displacement mechanism 216 may be configured to provide an upward movement 212, 222 or downward movement 210 to the rod. The second moving mechanism 215 may be configured to rotate the rod about a longitudinal axis, such that a rotational movement 211, 223 of the rod moves the sweep arm structure 206 from a first angular position to a second angular position and back again.

[0107] In an embodiment, the first turner device 105 and the second turner device 200 operate essentially as mirrored components of the turning apparatus 100. The first moving mechanism 115 and the second moving mechanism 215 may comprise a single drive means for rotating both the first turner device 105 and the second turner device 200.

[0108] While the rotation of the first turner device 105 and the second turner device 200 may be done individually, the mirrored arrangement and synchronized operation of the devices may allow for a simultaneous rotation 111, 211 in the same direction when located at different heights, as shown in FIG. 2c.

[0109] The first moving mechanism 115 and the second moving mechanism 215 may comprise separate drive means.

[0110] The first height displacement mechanism 116 and the second height displacement mechanism 216 may similarly comprise a single drive means or separate drive means, for displacing the first turner device 105 and the second turner device 200 on an individual basis, as shown in FIG. 2b, or in a coordinated, asynchronous movement as shown in FIG. 2d.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 3, the turning apparatus 100 may be incorporated into a food item processing line or system 300, such as a cutting system as described in the appended claims, the system 300 further provided with a first cutting apparatus 303 and a second cutting apparatus 300.

[0112] In the system 300, incoming food items 334 are provided to a first cutting apparatus 303, and conveyed by a first infeed conveying means 335 in a conveying direction 313. A first sensing means 330 scans the food items 334 on the infeed conveying means 335 and provides data describing the food items 334 to a controlling means, such as a computing unit 331, configured for controlling a first cutting means 333. The first cutting means 333 may be controlled to cut the food items 334 into food item strips 301. The food item strips 301 may have a longitudinal axis forming a first angle relative to the conveying direction.

[0113] In the illustrated example of FIG. 3, the first cutting means 333 may be positioned to cut the food items 334 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction 313, such as by rotation 332 of a blade through a gap defined by the first infeed conveying means 335 and a second infeed conveying means 336. The second infeed conveying means may be arranged to convey the resulting food item strips 301 in the conveying direction 313 to the turning apparatus 100.

[0114] The turning apparatus 100 is arranged to adjust the angular positioning of the food item strips 301, for example such that the longitudinal axis of the food item strips is adjusted from a first angle relative to the conveying direction 313 to a second angle relative to the conveying direction 313. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the turning apparatus 100 further moves the food item strips 301 from the second infeed conveying means 336 to an outfeed conveying means 320, 321 of the second cutting apparatus 300.

[0115] A second sensing means 337 scans the food item strips 338 on the outfeed conveying means 320, 321 and provides data describing the food item strips 338 to a controlling means, such as a computing unit 338, configured for controlling a cutting means 340. The cutting means 333 may be controlled to cut the food item strips 301 into food item cubes 342.

[0116] In the illustrated example of FIG. 3, the cutting means 340 may be positioned to cut the food items 334 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction 313 by rotation 339, 341 of a blade at a gap defined by the outfeed conveying means 320, 321.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 3, using the turning apparatus 100 allows for an uninterrupted processing where a food item 334 is to be cut in two directions, by adjusting the angular position of the food item strips 301. In contrast to prior art methods and systems, the turning apparatus 100 does not require a singling device, or a slowing of the conveying means for processing.

[0118] FIG. 4a-4i and FIGS. 5a-5c illustrate another embodiment of the turner device 105 of the turning apparatus 400. As described above, the turning apparatus 400 adjusts the angular position of a front most food item 101 in a first angular position having a first angle relative to a conveying direction, to a second angular position 102 having a second angle relative to the conveying direction. As described in further detail below, respective lower surfaces 408 of food items 101 are conveyed by the infeed coneying means 103, and respective upper surfaces 406 of the food items are engeaded by a downwardly facing surface 503 of sweep arm structure 106.

[0119] In the illustrated embodiment, the turning apparatus 400 is arranged to receive the front most food item 101 conveyed by an infeed conveying means 103, the longitudinal axis of the front most food item 101 forming a first angle in relation to the infeed conveying direction 113. A first turner device 105 is provided to adjust the angular position of the front most food item 101 to a second angular position 102 on an outfeed conveying means 104, the longitudinal axis of the food item in the second angular position forming a second angle in relation to the outfeed conveying direction 114.

[0120] According to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the downward movement of the first turner device 105 from a first height position to a second height position allows the sweep arm structure 106 to engage the front most food item 101. As shown, the sweep arm structure 106 is arranged to lie parallel to the longitudinal axis of the front most food item 101 when engaged therewith.

[0121] The sweep arm structure 106 of the tuner device 105 has a downwardly facing surface for entering into friction engagement with the upper surface of the front most food item 101. The downwardly facing surface of the sweep arm structure 106 further comprises a flexible sheet of material 402. The flexible sheet of material 402 may comprise any material suitable for food processing, such as plastic, or any woven or non-woven fabric of a natural or plastics material, metal, wood, fiber-reinforced laminate, multiple-component platics, or rubber. The surface texture of the flexible sheet of material 402 further comprises an alternating pattern of peaks and valleys 501 at a downwardly facing surface 503 of the sweep arm structure 106, when seen in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the sweep arm structure 106, see FIGS. 5a-5c. The peaks and valleys extend in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the sweep arm structure 106. The surface texture may comprise any patterns such as geometric patterns, lines, waveforms, figures, and application specific patterns such as a combination of the before mentioned patterns.

[0122] The turner device 105 further comprises spring means 404 for resiliently biasing the downwardly facing surface of the sweep arm structure into engagement with the front most food item 101. The spring means 404 comprises flexible materials such as plastic, or any woven or non-woven fabric of a natural or plastics material, metal, wood, fiber-reinforced laminate, multiple-component platics, or rubber. The spring means 404 can be in the form of leaf spring elements 403 wherein the leaf spring elements are arranged at mutual distances along the longitudinal extent of the sweep arm structure 106. The spring means can also be arranged at other distances such as in pairs or any suitable arrangement for the application. The spring means are further configured to evenly distribute force on the front most food item 101 in order to ensure no marks and/or deformations are made on the food item.

[0123] The flexible sheet of material 402 together with the spring means 106 defines a first coefficient of friction with respect to the food item when the food item is in the first angular position, and a second coefficient of friction with respect to the food item when the food item is in the second angular position, wherein the first coefficient of friction is higher than the second coefficient of friction.

[0124] Thus, the coefficient of friction decreases as moving from the first angular position towards the second angular position. When the turning apparatus 400 is in the second angular position, the front most food item 101 moves along the outfeed conveying direction 114 before the turner device 105 has completely disengaged the front most food item 101. This is due to the surface texture of the flexible sheet of material 402 and the coefficient of friction being lower in the second angular position than in the first angular position. The fact that the front most food item 101 moves along the outfeed conveyor means 104 before the turner device 105 has completely disengaged serves a plurality of advantages such as:

[0125] the front most food item 101 may stay in place during disengagement

[0126] the front most food item 101 may not fall of and/or move from the conveyor means during disengagement

[0127] no need to fully disengage the front most food item 101 before it can move further along the outfeed conveyor means 104 may ensure a faster food processing and thus more food items may be processed

[0128] the evenly distributed force from the spring means 404 ensures no damage are made on the food item during processing.