Cutting device; separator; method for separating food components by means of a separator

Abstract

A cutting device, a separator and a method for separating food components using a separator compensates the effects which an increasing wear on a cutting tool arranged on a rotating body have on comminuting a foodstuff by movably arranging the cutting tool on the rotating body.

Claims

1. A cutting device, with a rotating body (2) that can rotate around a longitudinal axis (18) in at least one rotational direction (14) and with at least one cutting tool (8) arranged on the rotating body (2), wherein at least one cutting tool (8) is movably arranged on the rotating body (2), wherein at least one cutting tool (8) movably arranged on the rotating body (2) is arranged in a groove (10) arranged on the rotating body (2).

2. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one cutting tool (8) is arranged on the rotating body (2) so that it can be moved at least in part radially and/or at least in part in the circumferential direction.

3. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body (2) has a first end (7) and a second end (12), wherein a diameter of the rotating body (2) present at the first end (7) is equal to or less than a diameter of the rotating body (2) present at the second end (12).

4. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the groove (10) has at least in part a constant depth and/or at least in part an inclined plane (19) over its length.

5. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one cutting tool (8) arranged in a groove (10) arranged on the rotating body (2) is arranged so that it can move back and forth in the groove (10) and/or up and down in the groove (10).

6. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one cutting tool (8) movably arranged on the rotating body (2) is non-rotatably arranged on the rotating body (2).

7. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one cutting tool (8) is detachably arranged on the rotating body (2).

8. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body (2) has at least one channel (9).

9. The cutting device according to claim 8, wherein the channel (9) empties into a groove (10), in which a cutting tool (8) is movably arranged.

10. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body (2) has an adjusting screw (24) that interacts with at least one movably arranged cutting tool (8).

11. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one cutting tool (8) has a longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis (18) of the rotating body (2), and/or at least one cutting tool (8) has a longitudinal axis aligned at an angle to the longitudinal axis (18) of the rotating body (2).

12. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one cutting tool (8) has an at least partially profiled surface.

13. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one cutting tool (8) is a cutting bar.

14. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein at least locations of the rotating body (2) have at least one screw helix.

15. The cutting device according to claim 14, wherein at least one screw helix has a varying pitch, and/or at least two screw helixes have varying pitches.

16. A separator (4), with a drum (1), which has an inlet opening for loading the drum with a material to be separated, an outlet opening for material that is hard or impossible to cut and/or foreign bodies, and at least in part cutting openings (6), through which the cuttable components of the material can get out of the drum (1), and a cutting device arranged inside of the drum (1), which has a rotating body (2) having a longitudinal axis (18) around which it can rotate in at least one rotational direction (14), wherein at least one cutting tool (8) is arranged on the rotating body (2), wherein at least one cutting tool (8) is movably arranged on the rotating body (2), wherein at least one cutting tool (8) movably arranged on the rotating body (2) is arranged in a groove (10) arranged on the rotating body (2).

17. The separator (4) according to claim 16, wherein the outlet opening of the drum (1) can be closed by a closure that has a closed position.

18. The separator (4) according to claim 17, wherein the closure is pressure-loaded and/or a closure flap.

19. The separator (4) according to claim 17, wherein the closure has at least one spring element.

20. The separator (4) according to claim 16, wherein a gap width (27) present between the cutting tool (8) and drum (1) can be varied by moving the cutting tool (3).

21. The separator (4) according to claim 16, wherein the cutting device with a rotating body (2) that can rotate around a longitudinal axis (18) in at least one rotational direction (14) and with at least one cutting tool (8) arranged on the rotating body (2), wherein at least one cutting tool (8) is movably arranged on the rotating body (2), wherein at least one cutting tool (8) movably arranged on the rotating body (2) is arranged in a groove (10) arranged on the rotating body (2).

22. A method for separating food components by means of a separator (4), wherein the separator (4) has a drum (1), which has an inlet opening for loading the drum (1) with the food to be separated, an outlet opening for components of the food that are hard or impossible to cut and/or foreign bodies, and at least in part cutting openings (6), through which the cuttable components of the food can get out of the drum (1), and a cutting device arranged inside of the drum (1), which has a rotating body (2) having a longitudinal axis (18) around which it can rotate in at least one rotational direction (14), wherein at least one cutting tool (8) is arranged on the rotating body (2), wherein at least one cutting tool (8) is movably arranged on the rotating body (2), wherein at least one cutting tool (8) movably arranged on the rotating body (2) is arranged in a groove (10) arranged on the rotating body (2), and wherein the movable arrangement at least occasionally allows the cutting tool (8) to be moved by the food located in the drum (1) and/or by an operator located outside of the drum (1).

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein at least one cutting tool (8) is moved before and/or during the separating process.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the movement of the cutting tool (3) is directed toward the drum (1).

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the movement of the cutting tool (3) varies a gap width (27) present between the cutting tool (8) and drum (1).

26. The method according to claim 22, wherein the rotational direction (14) of the rotating body (2) in front of a cutting tool (8) movably arranged on the rotating body (2) causes a pressure buildup, as a result of which at least parts of the food are guided under the cutting tool (8), so that the cutting tool (8) is moved in the direction of the drum (1).

27. The method according to claim 22, wherein the food exerts a pressure on a cutting tool (8) movably arranged on the rotating body (2), as a result of which the cutting tool (8) is moved in the direction of the drum (1).

28. The method according to claim 22, wherein the movement of the cutting tool (8) presses the cutting tool (8) against the drum (1).

29. The method according to claim 22, wherein a cutting device according to one of claims 1 to 15 is used as the cutting device, and/or a separator (4) according to one of claims 16 to 21 is used as the separator (4).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the subject matter according to the invention are depicted in the drawing, and will be described in more detail below. Shown on:

[0049] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotating body surrounded by a drum,

[0050] FIG. 2 is a side view of a rotating body according to FIG. 1,

[0051] FIG. 3 is a front view of a rotating body surrounded by a drum according to FIG. 1,

[0052] FIG. 4 is a side view of a rotating drum surrounded by a drum according to FIG. 1,

[0053] FIG. 5 is a side view of a cutting tool according to one aspect of the invention,

[0054] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rotating body surrounded by a drum,

[0055] FIG. 7 is a front view of a rotating body surrounded by a drum according to FIG. 6,

[0056] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the rotating body surrounded by a drum along the A-A line on FIG. 7,

[0057] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rotating body surrounded by a drum,

[0058] FIG. 10 is a front view of a rotating body surrounded by a drum according to FIG. 9, and

[0059] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the rotating body surrounded by a drum along the A-A line on FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a rotating body 2 surrounded by a drum 1 (perforated drum). The drum 1 has an inlet side 3, at which is arranged an inlet opening (not shown in any more detail) for loading the drum 1 with a material to be separated, and an outlet side 4, at which is arranged an outlet opening (not shown in any more detail) for discharging material that is hard or impossible to cut and located in the drum 1. The drum 1 has a drum wall 5, which is penetrated through by cutting openings 6, through which the cuttable material can be transported out of the drum 1. For example, the cutting openings 6 can be designed as a cylindrical bore. Also conceivable is a stepped or conical bore, which produces a lower friction, wherein the bore to the drum interior has a smaller diameter than in the direction of the exterior side. Viewed from the direction of a first end 7, the rotating body 2 can be rotated clockwise around a longitudinal axis (not shown). Owing to the rotational direction, a pressure builds on the material to be separated in front of a cutting tool 8, e.g., which can be designed as a cutting bar. The pressure guides material to be separated via channels 9 to and/or under the cutting tool 8, which is movably arranged in a groove 10. Since the pressure is lower over the cutting tool 8 due to the cutting openings 6 in the drum wall 5, the cutting tool 8 wanders outwardly in the direction of the interior side 11 of the drum wall 5. Since the movable arrangement of the cutting tool 8 in the groove 10 at least occasionally allows the cutting tool 8 to move through the food located in the drum, as a result of which the cutting tool 8 is pressed against the interior side 11 of the drum wall 5, a high-quality comminution of the food can be ensured. The cutting tool 8 movably arranged on the rotating body 2 thus offsets an unavoidable wear on a cutting tool 8 arranged on the rotating body 2, which would lead to an increased gap width between the interior side 11 of the drum wall 5 and the cutting tool 8. The cutting tool 8 is preferably detachably arranged on the rotating body 2, making it easy to replace should the wear be so great as to require its replacement. As a result, the entire rotating body 2 need not be replaced. The rotating body 2 has a diameter which at its first end 7 is preferably equal to or smaller than a diameter present at a second end 12 of the rotating body 2, causing the pressure on the separating material to increase toward the second end 12.

[0061] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a rotating body 2 according to FIG. 1. A pressure inlet opening 13 allows the material to be separated to get under the cutting tool 8, as a result of which the cutting tool 8 is moved in the direction of the drum wall.

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a front view of a rotating body 2 according to FIG. 1, which can be rotated around a rotational direction 14. The material to be separated that penetrates into the channel owing to the rotation presses the cutting tool 8 with its cutting edge 15 against the interior side 11 of the drum 1.

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a rotating body 2 surrounded by a drum 1 according to FIG. 1. In order to load the drum 1 with a material to be separated, a screw conveyor (not shown) can be arranged detachably or fixedly connected to the first end 7 of the rotating body 2.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a cutting tool 8 according to FIG. 1. The cutting tool 8 can be designed like a moon blade (insertable blade).

[0065] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a rotating body 2 surrounded by a drum 1. As opposed to the exemplary embodiment shown on FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, which show a dynamic cutting tool (cutting bar) that can be moved by a difference in pressure, this exemplary embodiment involves a dynamic cutting tool 8 (cutting bar) that can be moved by an inclined plane. The cutting tool 8 arranged on the rotating body 2 is pressed toward the right by the product flow of the material to be separated, which in particular hits an end face 17 of the cutting tool 8. An inclined plane presses the cutting tool 8 against the interior side 11 of the drum 1. The contact pressure can be influenced by the angle of the inclined plane. Bolts are preferably inserted into openings 16 to support the inclined plane.

[0066] FIG. 7 shows a front view of a rotating body 2 surrounded by a drum 1 according to FIG. 6. The rotating body 2 is rotatable around a longitudinal axis 18. The groove 10 is designed as an inclined plane 19.

[0067] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the rotating body 2 surrounded by a drum 1 along the A-A line on FIG. 7. The cutting tool 8 arranged on the rotating body 2 is pressed toward the right by the product flow 20 of the material to be separated, which in particular hits an end face 17 of the cutting tool 8. The inclined plane 19 supported by a bolt 21 presses the cutting tool 8 against the interior side 11 of the drum 1 in the direction of the arrow 22.

[0068] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a rotating body 2 surrounded by a drum 1. This exemplary embodiment involves an adjustable cutting tool 8 (cutting bar). The cutting tools 8 can be moved on an inclined plane with the help of an adjusting element 24, which is secured by a counter or fastening screw 23, and preferably designed as a nut between the cutting tools 8 and the counter or fastening screw 23.

[0069] FIG. 10 shows a front view of a rotating body 2 surrounded by a drum 1 according to FIG. 9.

[0070] FIG. 11 shows a side view of the rotating body 2 surrounded by a drum 1 along the A-A line on FIG. 10. A cutting tool 8 is statically held in a position desired by an operator (not shown) by a positive connection, for example which can be produced by a lug 25 and a groove 26 arranged on the adjusting element 24. In this way, the gap width 27 between the cutting tool 8 and the drum 1 can be adjusted by an operator (not shown). As opposed to the previously shown exemplary embodiments, the gap width 27 is thus not adjusted by the product flow of the material to be separated, but rather by the operator (not shown). As in the other exemplary embodiments, the cutting tool 8 movably arranged on the rotating body 2 compensates for an unavoidable wear on a cutting tool 8 arranged on the rotating body 2, which would cause an enlargement of the gap width 27 between the interior side 11 of the drum wall 5 and the cutting tool 8. In this exemplary embodiment, the adjusting element 24 is to this end arranged between the cutting tools 8 and the counter or fastening screw 23. By turning the adjusting element 24 in one or the other direction, and having the adjusting element 24 concurrently move in a direction of movement 28, the cutting tools 8 can together be moved back and forth in a direction of movement 29.

[0071] All of the features described in the specification, the following claims and the drawing can be essential to the invention, both taken separately and in any combination with each other.

REFERENCE LIST

[0072] 1 Drum [0073] 2 Rotating body [0074] 3 Inlet side [0075] 4 Outlet side [0076] 5 Drum wall [0077] 6 Cutting opening [0078] 7 First end [0079] 8 Cutting tool [0080] 9 Channel [0081] 10 Groove [0082] 11 Interior side [0083] 12 Second end [0084] 13 Pressure inlet opening [0085] 14 Rotational direction [0086] 15 Cutting edge [0087] 16 Opening [0088] 17 End face [0089] 18 Longitudinal axis [0090] 19 Inclined plane [0091] 20 Product flow [0092] 21 Bolt [0093] 22 Direction of arrow [0094] 23 Counter or fastening screw [0095] 24 Adjusting element [0096] 25 Lug [0097] 26 Groove [0098] 27 Gap width [0099] 28 Direction of movement [0100] 29 Direction of movement