Device for cutting food using a liquid jet

Abstract

A device for slicing foodstuffs by means of a liquid jet includes an advancing device for transporting the foodstuff in an advancing direction, said advancing device having a processing region on which the foodstuff bears and in which the liquid jet is directed onto the foodstuff, an exit nozzle, disposed in the region of the processing region, from which exit nozzle the liquid jet exits, wherein the processing region below the foodstuff has a jet passage opening for the liquid jet exiting from the foodstuff, and a jet receptacle for the liquid jet and the discharge of the latter is provided below the jet passage opening.

Claims

1. A device for slicing foodstuffs by means of at least one liquid jet, comprising: an advancing device for transporting the foodstuff in at least one advancing direction through the device, said advancing device having a processing region on which the foodstuff to be sliced is borne and in which the liquid jet is directed onto the foodstuff; at least one exit nozzle, disposed in the region of the processing region, from which a pressurized, bundled liquid jet exits, wherein the processing region below the foodstuff has a jet passage opening for the liquid jet exiting from the foodstuff and a jet receptacle into which the liquid jet enters in order for the cutting liquid to be collected, and which has a discharge for the cutting liquid; wherein the jet receptacle is disposed below the jet passage opening and includes a funnel-like upper inlet region descending to a tubular portion, wherein the upper inlet region has a lower suction device for at least one of particles entrained by the liquid jet, and liquid, which accumulate on the jet passage opening or are separated from the liquid jet; wherein the lower suction device is formed by an annular suction duct in which the jet receptacle is disposed such that a suction gap is provided annularly about the jet receptacle, through which the at least one of particles entrained by the liquid jet and liquid are capable of being suctioned; wherein the lower suction device includes an upwardly directed suction opening that surrounds the jet receptacle and through which particles and liquid that have been entrained downward by the liquid jet can be suctioned.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least the upper inlet region of the jet receptacle has an oval cross section, wherein the jet receptacle is oriented in such a manner that it is wider in the advancing direction than in a perpendicular direction to the advancing direction.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least the upper inlet region of the jet receptacle has a teardrop-type cross section having a semicircular front region, a center of the upper inlet region being disposed below the jet passage opening, and a rear region of the cross-section converging in a direction counter to the advancing direction.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein an upper suction device which is capable of suctioning liquid or particles that splash back from the foodstuff is provided above the processing region.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the upper suction device has an annular nozzle having a passage opening disposed in the central region, the liquid jet being routed through said passage opening, wherein suction openings are provided on the lower side of the annular nozzle.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the jet receptacle, has, in a side wall, suction openings for forming a venturi nozzle, said suction openings being distributed across a circumference and being capable of generating a negative pressure in the suction duct for forming the lower suction device.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the jet receptacle, when viewed from the processing region, has a cross section that initially decreases and then increases again, wherein the suction openings are disposed in the decreased cross-sectional region.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a jet expansion device for the liquid jet, said jet expansion device being disposed in the jet receptacle and being capable of at least one of widening and decelerating the liquid jet passing through the jet passage opening.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the jet expansion device is formed by at least one reverse flow nozzle which is disposed in the jet receptacle and is capable of directing a fluid flow counter to the liquid jet.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the jet passage opening is configured in as a slot having one or a plurality of elongate bores that are mutually disposed at an angle so as to intersect.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the advancing device is capable of moving the foodstuff in a cycled manner into the processing region, wherein the advancing device is configured in such a manner that the foodstuff after having been moved into the processing region is locationally fixed during cutting or is movable only within the processing region.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the device has a realignment device which is capable of gripping the foodstuff to displace or rotate the foodstuff in the processing region.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the exit nozzle and the jet receptacle are repositionable relative to the foodstuff in at least one of the advancing direction and at an angle in relation to the advancing direction.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the exit nozzle is configured so as to be stationary.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the device for generating the liquid jet is configured in such a manner that said device uses a pressure of at least 3500 bar, wherein the device is configured in such a manner that said device is capable of operating using at least one of different jet diameters and different pressures of the liquid jet.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features and advantages of the disclosure are derived from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments by means of the drawings.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 shows the processing region of a device for cutting foodstuffs;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a potential embodiment of a jet receptacle having a lower suction device;

(5) FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a jet receptacle;

(6) FIG. 4 shows the processing region in a first embodiment, in top view;

(7) FIG. 5 shows a design embodiment of a processing region, in top view;

(8) FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the processing region;

(9) FIG. 7 shows a third potential embodiment of a jet receptacle and of a lower suction device;

(10) FIG. 8 shows a jet receptacle, or lower suction device, respectively, illustrated in FIG. 7, in top view;

(11) FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of a jet receptacle and of a lower suction device;

(12) FIG. 10 shows a fifth embodiment of a jet receptacle and of a lower suction device;

(13) FIG. 11 shows a sixth embodiment of a jet receptacle and of a lower suction device, in a side sectional view;

(14) FIG. 12 shows an exit nozzle and a jet receptacle having a lower suction device of a further embodiment;

(15) FIG. 13 shows the design embodiment as per FIG. 12 in top view;

(16) FIG. 14 shows the embodiment as per FIG. 12 in a side view;

(17) FIG. 15 shows the section A-A from FIG. 13;

(18) FIG. 16 shows an exit nozzle having an upper suction device and a jet receptacle having a lower suction device, of the last embodiment;

(19) FIG. 17 shows the design embodiment as per FIG. 16 in top view;

(20) FIG. 18 shows the design embodiment as per FIG. 16 in a side view;

(21) FIG. 19 shows the section B-B from FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION

(22) The significant region of a device for slicing foodstuffs 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1. An advancing device 2 which in the central region has a stationary processing region 5 is schematically illustrated here. The foodstuff 1 by way of the advancing device 2 is initially transported in the advancing direction V to the processing region 5 and then again away from the latter to further processing. A liquid jet 4 is directed onto the foodstuff 1 by way of an exit nozzle 3 in the processing region 5.

(23) An upper suction device 8 by way of which splashing particles of the foodstuff 1 and also residual liquid can be suctioned is provided in the region of the lower end of the exit nozzle 3. A jet receptacle 6 and a lower suction device 7 are provided below the processing region 5, wherein particle residues and liquid components can likewise be suctioned by way of the lower suction device 7.

(24) The jet receptacle 6 receives the liquid jet 4 exiting downward, such that the liquid can be collected and either be disposed of or recycled. The upper suction device 8 and the lower suction device 7, in addition to the enhanced cleanliness and the avoidance of contaminations on the foodstuff 1, have the advantage that a higher degree of foodstuff hygiene can be achieved.

(25) A feature of the device illustrated here is the transport of the foodstuff 1 to the processing region 5 which is configured so as to be separate from the transport device. Since foodstuffs are usually rather soft, said foodstuffs, as opposed to rigid materials, can in most instances be cut by liquid jets 4 only when said foodstuffs bear on a support face. On the other hand, however, said support face has the disadvantage that the latter, when protruding into the liquid jet 4 by way of part regions, entails reflections of the cutting liquid and the removal of material. The latter would not only lead to wear on the support face, but also entail problems in the processing of foodstuffs, since the precipitation of particles which have been removed by the liquid jet 4 from the support face are of course undesirable on the foodstuff 1.

(26) For the above-mentioned reason, the support face within the processing region 5 has at least one jet passage opening 10. As to how this jet passage opening 10 is configured depends substantially on the motion sequence by way of which the cut is made in the foodstuff 1. To this end, the foodstuff 1 is moved relative to the exit nozzle 3. This relative movement can be performed either by a movement of the foodstuff 1 or by a moving exit nozzle 3. Of course, a combination of both movements is also possible.

(27) Typical movements of the foodstuff 1 and of the liquid jet 4 are illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. A first possibility of handling the workpiece is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 using the example of cutting a gateau. In the variant illustrated in FIG. 4, the deep-frozen gateau lying on the processing region 5 is moved by a realignment device 11 formed by a clamp having round jaws. Since the processing region 5 here is configured so as to be stationary, a simple bore in the processing region 5 is sufficient as the jet passage opening 10. Said bore will of course be larger than the diameter of the liquid jet 4 in order to avoid scatter effects. The dimension of the jet passage opening is larger than the jet diameter by a multiple, usually by at least 10 times.

(28) The cake is rotated and displaced within the plane of the processing region 5 by way of the realignment device 11. The clamping jaws of the realignment device 11 here can engage below the cake so as to prevent the radial pressure being excessive, this being practical in particular when external decorations are located on the periphery of the cake. Alternatively, the processing region 5 can of course also be configured so as to be so large that the gateau can be displaced in the transverse direction without protruding laterally beyond said processing region.

(29) The exit nozzle 3 can be configured so as to be repositionable also in the case of the embodiment described above. FIG. 5 shows a processing region 5 for this embodiment. The jet passage opening 10 here is configured so as to be slot-shaped, so that the exit nozzle 3 conjointly with the liquid jet 4 can be displaced in a reciprocal manner in the advancing direction V. In the case of this embodiment, a cut through the cake in a manner parallel to the advancing direction V is thus initially incorporated. The cake is thereafter rotated such that a further cut can be incorporated by way of the same movement, said cut being offset by the desired angle. This rotation can be performed either by a rotatable configuration of the processing region 5 or by way of a realignment device 11 as is illustrated in FIG. 4.

(30) FIG. 6 shows a embodiment of the processing region 5 in which all cuts for slicing the cake can be produced exclusively by a movement of the exit nozzle 3, without any movement of the processing region 5.

(31) Two potential embodiments of the lower jet receptacle 6 are illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The jet receptacle 6 in FIG. 2 is configured so as to be tubular, having a slightly funnel-like upper inlet region. Said jet receptacle in the upper region has the lower suction device 7. The latter, in a manner directed upwardly, has a suction opening that surrounds the jet receptacle, through which particles and quantities of liquid that have been entrained downward by the liquid jet 4 can be suctioned. The lower suction device 7 can simultaneously also prevent a formation of droplets on the lower side of the jet passage opening 10.

(32) The funnel of the jet receptacle 6 in the lower region is angled toward the rear and transitions into drain line. The liquid jet 4 hugs the external wall of the angled region and is deflected in a manner that is gentle on the material. In order for any erosion of the wall to be avoided, the funnel of the jet receptacle 6 can be configured in a correspondingly long manner such that the liquid jet 4 expands and the flow thus becomes slower. The diameter of the lower region of the funnel and of the drain line of course has to be adapted to the desired expansion.

(33) In as far as the measures described above should not be sufficient for avoiding evidence of erosion, additional measures can be taken. FIG. 3 shows one possibility, for example. Here, a reverse flow nozzle 9, by way of which a gaseous medium, in particular air, can be blown counter to the liquid jet 4, is disposed within the inlet funnel of the jet receptacle 6. On account thereof, a build-up effect results for the flow of the liquid jet 4, said build-up effect expanding the jet still in the widened region of the inlet funnel of the jet receptacle 6. Additionally, a negative pressure can be brought to bear on the drain line, said negative pressure suctioning the liquid that is located in the jet receptacle 6 around the reverse flow nozzle 9. It goes without saying that the risk of any erosion is also to be minimized by way of a suitable choice of material in the case of all embodiments.

(34) Alternatively to a reverse flow nozzle 9, readily replaceable flow directing profiles can also be provided in the jet receptacle 6. Said flow directing profiles can be configured, for example, so as to be mesh-shaped or else rod-shaped, so as to form a jet resistance that causes turbulences.

(35) The use of the lower suction device 7 and/or of the upper suction device 8, in particular in conjunction with the jet receptacle 6, has the advantage that the noise emissions of the liquid cutting can be reduced such that complex noise-damping measures or closed cabinets can be dispensed with and the personnel operating the device has to wear hearing protection at most in the direct proximity of the device. The upper suction device 8 and the lower suction device 7, like the exit nozzle 3, can be mounted so as to be actuatable onto the foodstuff 1 such that the spacing from the foodstuff 1 can be minimized.

(36) An exemplary solution for the lower suction device 7 and the jet receptacle 6 is illustrated in FIG. 7. The jet receptacle 6 here is formed by a tubular member which is produced in a subtractive manner (for example by milling or honing) and which is composed of a metal. The jet receptacle 6 preferably has a smooth surface so as to avoid unfavorable flow effects which, for example, could cause erosion. Additionally, the internal side of the jet receptacle 6 can be polished or hardened. This is advantageous in particular in the upper region of the jet receptacle 6, while the lower regions according to experience can be formed by a normal metal tube, wherein the lower region can be considered, for example, to be the region which is disposed approximately 50 mm below the upper opening of the jet receptacle 6.

(37) The lower suction device 7 here in the upper region is configured so as to be oval, which can be seen in particular from the top view illustrated in FIG. 8. The jet receptacle 6 is provided in the front region of the oval region, since when viewed in the advancing direction, more particles from the foodstuff 1 will be located behind the impact point of the liquid jet 4 than in front of said impact point. This is amplified in that the liquid jet, as a result of the cutting resistance, will be set somewhat obliquely in particular in the case of frozen foodstuffs 1.

(38) FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the jet receptacle 6, which here in a manner transverse to the advancing direction is configured so as to be substantially narrower. This has the advantage that back-splashing of the liquid from the jet receptacle 6 can be reduced due to the tighter drain duct. FIG. 10 shows a similar embodiment, here however having a lower suction device 7 that is adapted to the shape of the jet receptacle 6.

(39) A further embodiment in which the jet receptacle 6 is likewise configured as a tube is illustrated in FIG. 11. However, said jet receptacle here has a constriction in order for a flow-accelerating nozzle to be formed. The pressure in the region of this constriction is reduced as a result of the flow as compared to the lower suction device, wherein by way of suction openings 12 in the constricted region which short-circuit the two pressure regions, a suction effect is created on account of the negative pressure in the jet receptacle 6, without a pump being required.

(40) An exemplary embodiment of the significant functional parts of the device is illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 15. The jet receptacle 6, surrounded by a lower suction device 7, can be seen here in the lower part. The upper part of the device has the exit nozzle 3 by way of which the liquid jet 4 is directed onto the processing region 5 (not illustrated here). FIG. 13 shows said device from above; a side view is illustrated in FIG. 14. FIG. 15 in turn shows the section A-A from FIG. 13.

(41) A very similar device which in the lower region does not differ from the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 15 is illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 19. However, an upper suction device is provided here in the upper region, said upper suction device being able to suction particles and liquid mist also above the foodstuff 1. This has the advantage, for example, that swirled-up confectioner's sugar, reflected cutting fluid or similar particles can be suctioned, and thus cannot contaminate the foodstuff 1 or smear the surface, respectively, or cause other unfavorable effects.

(42) The upper part of the device having the exit nozzle 3 and, if present, the upper suction device 8 can be configured so as to be height-adjustable, wherein the device can have a height sensor which can automatically set the spacing of the exit nozzle 3 from the foodstuff 1. On account thereof, it can be avoided that the spacing between the exit nozzle 3 and the foodstuff 1 becomes excessive.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(43) 1 Foodstuff 2 Advancing device 3 Exit nozzle 4 Liquid jet 5 Processing region 6 Jet receptacle 7 Lower suction device 8 Upper suction device 9 Reverse flow nozzle 10 Jet passage opening 11 Realignment device 12 Suction opening V Advancing direction