ARRANGEMENT FOR CLEANING BAKING SURFACES

Abstract

A laser arrangement cleans baking surfaces configured in a relief-like manner and optionally cleans evaporation and/or sealing strips of baking plates of a baking machine. The laser arrangement has a laser source for outputting a laser beam onto a locally selectable target area by continuous variation of the output direction of the laser beam and traversing a contour forming the target area. Deflecting optics are arranged at a distance from the laser source and in the target area of the laser source for deflecting the laser beam and for projecting the target area formed by the contour onto the baking plate to be cleaned along a projection direction. The deflecting optics has a device for adjustment for varying the projection direction and the outlet direction of the laser beam.

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. A configuration, comprising: a baking device with an endless conveyor; a loading device; a first device; a heated baking chamber; a second device; a product removal device; baking tongs disposed on said endless conveyor, said baking tongs each having evaporation and/or sealing strips and baking plates including a lower plate and an upper plate connected pivotably to said lower plate, said baking plates having baking surfaces, said baking tongs are each conveyed successively along said endless conveyor from said loading device for application of a baking mass into an opened baking tong, to said first device for closing a baking tong, through said heated baking chamber, further to said second device for opening said baking tong, and then to said product removal device for removing baked products from the baking tong; a laser configuration for cleaning said baking surfaces configured in a relief-like manner and for cleaning said evaporation and/or sealing strips, said laser configuration including: a laser source for outputting a laser beam onto a locally selectable target area by continuous variation of an output direction of the laser beam and traversing a contour defining the target area; deflecting optics disposed at a distance from said laser source and in said target area of said laser source for deflecting the laser beam and for projection of the target area defined by the contour onto said baking plate to be cleaned along a projection direction; and said deflecting optics having a device for adjustment for varying the projection direction and an outlet direction of said laser beam.

20. The configuration according to claim 19, wherein: said deflecting optics have at least two deflecting elements which deflect laser beams emanating from said laser source at different angles; or said deflecting optics have at least two deflecting elements configured as reflection elements, which are disposed at different angles with respect to said laser source; or said deflecting optics have at least one deflecting element for deflecting the laser beam, which has at least two selectable positions; so that at least two selectable different projection directions are provided.

21. The configuration according to claim 19, wherein: said deflecting optics have at least one deflecting element; said deflecting optics or said deflecting element is disposed movably; and/or said deflecting optics or said deflecting element thereof is disposed twistably, pivotably or rotatably about an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation approximately corresponds to a central output direction of the laser beam from said laser source.

22. The configuration according to claim 19, further comprising; a base body; and a carrier element projecting from said base body and configured to be tubular, said deflecting optics disposed in an area of a free end of said carrier element and connected to said carrier element.

23. The configuration according to claim 22, further comprising a carrier element drive, said carrier element is disposed movably by means of said carrier element drive, rotatably or rotatably about an axis of rotation.

24. The configuration according to claim 23, wherein said carrier element drive and/or said laser source are disposed in an area of said base body or on said base body.

25. The configuration according to claim 19, wherein: said deflecting optics have deflecting elements; and said target area of said laser source is directed as desired onto one of said deflecting elements or onto one of said deflecting elements configured as reflection elements.

26. The configuration according to claim 19, wherein: said target area and said contour defining said target area are configured to be strip-shaped or linear; or said target area and said contour defining said target area are configured to be strip-shaped or linear and are traversed in an oscillating manner or repeatedly by the laser beam.

27. The configuration according to claim 23, further comprising: a scanning element; and a control cam being scanned by said scanning element to activate or to deactivate said laser source, said scanning element is moved with respect to said control cam by actuation of said carrier element drive and by rotation of said carrier element, and said laser source is thereby activated or deactivated depending on the projection direction.

28. The configuration according to claim 19, further comprising a suction unit having a suction line projecting into that region in which the laser beam emerges or on which the laser beam is incident on an object to be cleaned.

29. The configuration according to claim 23, further comprising a movement device for a translational movement of said carrier element or said deflecting optics, wherein a first direction of the translational movement follows a central output direction of the laser beam from said laser source, a course of said carrier element or the axis of rotation, and wherein a second direction of the translational movement is provided which runs substantially transversely to the first direction and runs vertically.

30. The configuration according to claim 19, wherein the laser configuration is configured as a module which can be connected or is connected to a baking machine.

31. The configuration according to claim 22, wherein: said baking tongs are opened between said first and second two devices by an opening angle; and said deflecting optics and at least a part of said carrier element project laterally, namely transversely to a direction of movement of said endless conveyor into said baking tong and between said upper plate and said lower plate.

32. The configuration according to claim 22, wherein the projection direction is directed by turning said deflecting optics or by turning said carrier element connected to said deflecting optics as desired onto said upper plate from inside or onto said lower plate from inside.

33. The configuration according to claim 25, wherein an angle of incidence of the projection direction onto said baking tong can be varied by directing the target area of said laser source onto one of the deflecting elements or onto one of said reflection elements.

34. The configuration according to claim 19, wherein: said deflecting optics have at least two deflecting elements; the target area of said laser source is directed onto one of said two deflecting elements; when the target area of said laser source is directed onto said one deflecting element, the projection direction has a first angle of incidence on said baking plate to be cleaned; when the target area of said laser source is directed onto an other of said deflecting element, the projection direction has a second angle of incidence on said baking plate to be cleaned; and the first and second angles of incidence deviate in opposite directions from an angle of incidence incident perpendicularly on said baking plate.

35. The configuration according to claim 19, wherein: said deflecting optics has at least three reflection elements; the target area of said laser source is directed as desired onto a first of said three reflection elements; when the target area of said laser source is directed onto said first reflection element, the projection direction has a first angle of incidence on said baking plate to be cleaned; when the target area of said laser source is directed onto a second of said reflection elements, the projection direction has a second angle of incidence on said baking plate to be cleaned; the first and second angles of incidence deviate in opposite directions from an angle of incidence incident perpendicularly on said baking plate; and when the target area of said laser source is directed onto a third of said reflection elements, the projection direction has a third angle of incidence on said baking plate to be cleaned, which lies between the first and the second angle of incidence and runs substantially perpendicular to said baking plate to be cleaned.

Description

[0059] The invention is described further with reference to the figures, wherein FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a baking tong and a part of a laser arrangement, FIG. 2 shows a top view of a part of a laser arrangement, FIG. 3 shows a section of the carrier element of an exemplary deflecting optics, FIG. 4 shows a schematic detailed view of a part of an exemplary deflecting optics, FIG. 5 shows a section with the control cam and a scanning element and FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an arrangement with a baking device.

[0060] Unless specified otherwise, the reference numbers correspond to the following components: baking surface 1, sealing strip or evaporation strip 2, baking plate 3, baking machine 4, laser source 5, laser beam 6, target area 7, contour 8, deflecting optics 9, projection direction 10, deflecting element 11, axis of rotation (of the carrier element) 12, base body 13, carrier element 14, free end (of the carrier element) 15, carrier element drive 16, control cam 17, scanning element 18, suction unit 19, suction line 20, direction(s) (of the translational movement(s)) 21, endless conveyor 22, baking tong 23, upper plate 24, lower plate 25, loading device 26, device (for closing the baking tong) 27, baking chamber 28, device (for opening the baking tong) 29, angle of incidence 30, product removal device 31.

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of at least a part of a laser arrangement and an arrangement comprising a baking device. Shown as an example of the baking device is a baking tong 23 which comprises two baking plates 3, namely an upper plate 24 and a lower plate 25. The two plates 24, 25 are connected to one another in a hinged manner and can thereby be opened or closed by a device (27, 29) for opening and for closing the baking tong 23.

[0062] Each baking plate 3 preferably comprises a baking surface 1. This baking surface 1 is the surface of the baking plate 3 with which the dough or the baking mass comes in contact and which can be cleaned by the arrangement according to the invention. Optionally the baking plate 3 comprises one or more sealing or evaporation strips 2. These evaporation or sealing strips 2 are used for sealing a baking mould formed by the baking plates 3 and optionally for retaining the baking mass during evaporation of the water component contained in the baking mass. The sealing or evaporation strips 2 optionally project beyond the baking surface 1 of the baking plate 3 whereby an angle is formed which can preferably be cleaned by the arrangement according to the invention.

[0063] The laser arrangement comprises a laser source 5 for outputting a laser beam 6 into a target area 7. A deflecting optics 9 is provided in the target area 7, which is adapted to deflect the laser beam 6 along several projection directions 10 onto the baking plate 3.

[0064] In particular, the laser arrangement comprises several degrees of freedom for varying the output direction or the projection direction 10 of the laser beam. The laser arrangement optionally comprises a carrier element 14 which in the present embodiment is configured to be substantially is tubular. A deflecting optics 9 is provided at the free end 15 of the carrier element 14. Optionally a carrier element drive 16 is provided for movement of the carrier element 14 and in particular for movement of the deflecting optics 9. In the present embodiment the carrier element drive 16 is a rotary drive for rotating the carrier element 14 about the axis of rotation 12.

[0065] Preferably the laser arrangement comprises a base body 13 which is arranged substantially rigidly or optionally movably. Optionally a suction unit 19 with a suction line 20 is provided for extraction of contaminant particles or gases.

[0066] The laser arrangement further comprises a device for translational movement along a direction 21 or along two translational directions. Optionally the direction 21 of the translational movement follows substantially the axis of rotation 12 or the course of the carrier element 14.

[0067] The projection direction 10 can be guided by the special configuration of the deflecting optics 9 in different angles of incidence 30 onto the baking surface 1. Preferably at least two different projection directions 10 can be achieved, wherein the two angles, starting from the deflecting optics 9, are preferably pivoted on both sides of an orthogonal direction. In the present embodiment, three different projection directions 10 or three different angles of incidence 30 of these projection directions 10 are depicted. The average projection direction 10 is substantially incident with a 90 degree angle of incidence 30 on the baking surface 1. The two other projection directions 10 are pivoted at different angles from this 90 degree angle of incidence 30. This ensures that the laser beams 6 of the laser source 5 can also penetrate into the corners of the sealing strips 2.

[0068] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the laser arrangement shown in FIG. 1 wherein the components described in FIG. 1 correspond to the components of FIG. 2.

[0069] According to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the suction unit 19 comprises two suction lines 20, wherein one of the suction lines 20 is directed onto the lower plate 25 and one of the suction lines 20 is directed onto the upper plate 24. The upper plate 24 or the lower plate 25 are treated depending on the rotational position or position of the deflecting optics 9 or according to the projection direction 10, wherein the respective suction unit 19 or the respective suction line 20 is used for extraction.

[0070] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of parts of a laser arrangement according to the invention. The carrier element 14 is configured to be substantially tubular and preferably closed tubular, wherein the deflecting optics 9 is provided in the region of the free end 15 of the carrier element 14. The deflecting optics 9 comprises in all embodiments optionally an output for exit of the laser radiation which is optionally closed by a transparent element such as, for example by a lens or a planar transparent window. The deflecting optics 9 comprises at least one deflecting element 11 which is provided in the target area 7 of the laser source 5 so that the laser beam 6 incident on the deflecting element 11 of the deflecting optics 9 is then deflected in the direction of the projection direction 10. The average direction of the output laser radiation can in all embodiments for example, as in the present case also, follow the axis of rotation 12 of the carrier element 14 or the course of the carrier element 14. Preferably the carrier element 14 or its free end 15 is designed to be convergent or substantially conical so that the laser arrangement can be introduced into the gusset formed by the baking tong.

[0071] Optionally in all embodiments a sealing, transparent window such as for example a glass window is also provided in the region of the transition between the laser source 5 and the carrier element 14 in order to spatially separate the inner region of the carrier element 14 from the laser source. Optionally in all embodiments optical elements such as deflecting elements or transparent windows comprise a cooling system, a flushing air arrangement or a sealing air arrangement.

[0072] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a part of a deflecting optics 9. The deflecting optics 9 comprises in the present embodiment three deflecting elements 11. These three deflecting elements 11 are rigidly connected at different angles to a base plate of the deflecting optics 9. According to a further embodiment, more or less deflecting elements 11 can be provided at different angles. According to a further embodiment not shown one or more deflecting elements can also be arranged movably in order to bring about different projection directions.

[0073] According to a preferred embodiment however, the deflecting elements 11 are connected substantially rigidly to the base plate. The laser beam 6 emerging from the laser source 5 is preferably directed into a target area 7. The target area 7 is preferably formed by a contour 8. The contour 8 is preferably traversed in a recurrent or oscillating manner. Thus, in the present case the target area 7 is configured to be substantially strip-shaped or linear. The contour 8 thus corresponds to this strip or this line. Preferably the target area 7 is directed as desired onto one of the deflecting elements 11. The laser beam 6 of the laser source 5 is therefore preferably directed onto only one contour 8 or one of the depicted target areas 7.

[0074] The projection direction 10 can be varied by the different angles of the deflecting element or elements 11. As a result of the strip-shaped or linear form of the target area 7, a form corresponding to this form is also projected onto the baking plate 3.

[0075] In the present form the deflecting elements 11 are configured as reflection elements or as mirrors. Optionally however other elements can also be used which are suitable for deflecting or projecting the target area 7 of the laser source 5 onto the baking surface 1. For example, prisms would be possible alternatives.

[0076] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of the sectional profile A-A from FIG. 1. The device comprises a control cam 17 and a scanning element 18. Rotation of the carrier element 14 or actuation of the carrier element drive 16 results in a relative movement of the control cam 17 with respect to the scanning element 18. The scanning element 18 is connected to the laser source 5 by control technology so that it can be activated or deactivated. By scanning the control cam 17, the laser source 5 can be deactivated when the projection direction is not directed onto a baking plate 3 or not onto a baking surface 1. On the other hand, the laser source 5 can be activated by the scanning element 18 combined with the control cam 17 when the projection direction 10 is directed onto the baking surface 1 to be cleaned.

[0077] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of parts of an arrangement according to the invention comprising an endless conveyor 22 along the course of which a plurality of baking tongs 23 are arranged to be conveyed substantially along an upper and along a lower transport level. The baking tongs 23 each comprise two baking plates 3, namely an upper plate 24 and a lower plate 25. The baking device further comprises the following schematically depicted components: a loading device 26, a device 27 for closing the baking tongs, a device 29 for opening the baking tongs and a baking chamber 28.

[0078] The arrangement further comprises a laser source 5 which is part of the laser arrangement according to the invention.

[0079] As shown schematically in the present view of FIG. 6, the laser arrangement is configured as a module which is optionally firmly connected to the baking device or which can be supplied as required and connected to the baking machine. Preferably the connection is made or the laser arrangement is arranged in a region in which the baking tongs 23 of the baking device are opened, for example in the region of the loading device 26 or in the region of the product removal device 31 or between the loading device 26 and the product removal device 31. Conventional baking devices of the type mentioned initially open the baking tongs at an angle of about 30-50, in particular at about 35 to 40 efficient cleaning of the baking plates 3 by the configuration according to the invention is nevertheless possible. This is brought about in particular by the special configuration of the carrier element 14, the deflecting optics 9 and/or the laser arrangement.

[0080] Optionally the base body 13 is designed to be rigid or ground-standing and optionally fastened to a mobile carriage. Optionally the base body 13 is configured to be movable translationally, in particular movable translationally along the directions 21 and arranged on a floor-standing or fixedly arranged base frame.