CUTTING MACHINE KNIFE FOR FOOD PRODUCTION

Abstract

The invention relates to a cutting machine knife for food production, having a cutting body and a fastening section for fastening the cutting machine knife to a rotary drive, wherein the cutting body has two side faces which run at least approximately parallel to one another, and at least one knife with a cutting edge on a front edge, in relation to an intended rotation direction during operation, of the cutting body. According to the invention it is provided that the cutting body also has at least one striking edge, which is formed by an end face, which is inclined by an angle of between 60° and 120°, preferably between 70° and 90°, relative to a rotation plane of the cutting machine knife, and extends transversely to the rotation plane of the cutting machine knife in relation to the intended rotation direction between two flat faces which run at an angle between 0° and 35° to the rotation plane, wherein a transition from the end face to the flat face trailing this end face in the rotation direction is sharp-edged.

Claims

1. A cutting machine knife for food production, having a cutting body and a fastening section for fastening the cutting machine knife to a rotary drive, wherein the cutting body has two side faces which run at least approximately parallel to one another, and at least one knife with a cutting edge on a front edge, in relation to an intended rotation direction during operation, of the cutting body, characterized in that the cutting body also has at least one striking edge, which is formed by an end face, which is inclined by an angle of between 60° and 120°, preferably between 70° and 90°, relative to a rotation plane of the cutting machine knife, and extends transversely to the rotation plane of the cutting machine knife in relation to the intended rotation direction between two flat faces which run at an angle between 0° and 35° to the rotation plane, wherein a transition from the end face to the flat face trailing this end face in the rotation direction is sharp-edged.

2. The cutting machine knife according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting body has at least one elevation on a flat side, wherein the at least one elevation has a striking edge which is formed by an end face—in relation to the rotation direction intended during operation—of the at least one elevation.

3. The cutting machine knife according to claim 1, wherein on a flat side of the cutting body are arranged several elevations each forming a striking edge.

4. The cutting machine knife according to claim 3, wherein all elevations forming a striking edge are located on precisely one flat side, such that the second flat side of the cutting body has no elevations forming a striking edge.

5. The cutting machine knife according to claim 2, wherein a ground section which forms the cutting edge on the cutting body adjoins the flat side of the cutting body which has no elevations.

6. The cutting machine knife according to claim 2, wherein the elevation or the elevations have an ellipse-shaped, particularly circular or triangular cross-section in planes running parallel to the flat face.

7. The cutting machine knife according to claim 1, wherein the at least one striking edge is formed by an end face arranged—in relation to an intended rotation direction during operation—between the two flat faces and running along the knife.

8. The cutting machine knife according to claim 7, characterized in that the cutting body has a further striking edge which is geometrically similar to the first striking edge and which adjoins on the flat face trailing the first striking edge.

9. The cutting machine knife according to claim 8, wherein the first and the second flat face of the cutting body have in each case one first striking edge and one further striking edge adjoining on the flat face trailing the first striking edge.

10. The cutting machine knife according to claim 7, wherein the first striking edge and/or the further striking edge is extended along the course of the cutting edge into the fastening section of the cutting machine knife.

11. The cutting machine knife according to claim 1, wherein the flat face trailing—in the intended rotation direction—the end face forming a striking edge runs at an angle of between 0° and 5° to the rotation plane.

12. The cutting machine knife according to claim 1, wherein the cutting body has breakthroughs which form openings which run from the one flat face of the cutting body to the other.

13. The cutting machine knife according to claim 1, wherein the cutting body has indentations which are arranged on the flat face of the cutting body which faces a sausage meat flow and/or has the elevations.

14. The cutting machine knife according to claim 1, wherein in each case one elevation, one breakthrough and one indentation form functional elements of a functional groups, wherein the functional elements are arranged behind one another—in relation to the intended rotational direction during operation—in a row.

15. The cutting machine knife according to claim 1, wherein the functional groups are arranged along the course of the cutting edge hand are evenly spaced in a radial direction of the cutting body.

Description

[0028] The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of an embodiment example depicted schematically in a figure.

[0029] FIG. 1 Views and sectional views of a first embodiment example of a cutting machine knife according to the invention;

[0030] FIG. 2 Views and sectional views of a second embodiment example of a cutting machine knife according to the invention;

[0031] FIG. 3 Views and sectional views of a third embodiment example of a cutting machine knife according to the invention;

[0032] FIG. 4 Views and sectional views of a fourth embodiment example of a cutting machine knife according to the invention; and

[0033] FIG. 5 Views and sectional views of a fifth embodiment example of a cutting machine knife according to the invention;

[0034] FIG. 6 Views and sectional views of a sixth embodiment example of a cutting machine knife according to the invention;

[0035] FIG. 7 Views and sectional views of a seventh embodiment example of a cutting machine knife according to the invention; and

[0036] FIG. 8 Views and sectional views of an eighth embodiment example of a cutting machine knife according to the invention;

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment example of a cutting machine knife 100. The cutting knife is relatively thin and consists typically of metal. The cutting machine knife 100 has a cutting body 101 and a fastening section 102 at which the cutting machine knife 100 can be fastened to a rotary drive. Starting from the rotation axis RA of the rotary drive, that is, also of the cutting machine knife 100, the fastening section 102 is situated radially to the inside, the cutting body 101 correspondingly radially to the outside.

[0038] The cutting body 101 is integrally connected to the fastening section 102 and has two flat faces 108 and 109, a convexly curved front edge 103, a concavely curved rear edge 104 and an outer edge 105. The geometry of the cutting body 101 is sickle-shaped.

[0039] The convex front edge 103 is—while the cutting machine knives 100 are in operation—at the front and the concave rear edge, correspondingly, at the rear. On the outside of the end of the cutting machine knife 100 distal from the rotation axis RR is located the outer edge 105 of the cutting body 101, which has the shape of an arc, the midpoint of which is the rotation axis RA. The cutting body 101 tapers in radial direction, such that at the transition to the fastening section 102 it is approximately four times as broad as at its oppositely-situated radial end on the outer edge 105.

[0040] The front side—in relation to a rotation direction RR intended in operation—of the cutting body 101 is its end side 106. Correspondingly, the rear side—in relation to a rotation direction RR intended in operation—of the cutting body 101 is its rear side 107.

[0041] The fastening section 102 also has two flat faces 110 and 111, which run in each case at least approximately parallel to one another and to the flat faces 108 and 109 of the cutting body 101. The axial spacing between the two flat faces 108 and 109 of the cutting body 101, i.e. the thickness D of the cutting body 101 is smaller than the thickness D of the fastening section 102 of the cutting machine knife 100.

[0042] The cutting body 101 has on its end side 106, and on its outer side starting from the outer edge 105, a ground section 112 which forms a blade with a cutting edge 113 on the cutting body 101. This ground section 112 is one-sided, i.e. the cutting body 101 is only ground on one flat face. However, this does not exclude a ground section on both sides in a further embodiment example which is not shown. A striking edge 114 on the end side 106 of the cutting body adjoins on the ground section 112, which striking edge is formed by a portion of the end side 106 which extends at a right-angle W to the flat face 109. The striking edge 114 runs, starting from the fastening section 102, along the end side 106 and the outer side, adjacent to the outer edge 105, of the cutting body 101. The rear side 107 of the cutting body 101 has a bevel F on the flat face 108 which is located opposite to the flat face 109 with the ground section 112. The bevel F extends, starting from the fastening section 102, as far as the vicinity of the outer edge 105. The bevel F has its greatest breadth approximately radially in the center of the cutting body 101 and tapers off towards its longitudinal ends.

[0043] The example of a cutting machine knife 100 shown in FIG. 1 has a number of functional elements FE for the further comminution and emulgation of the supplied material M. The functional elements FE comprise three different types of functional elements, specifically indentations 115 in the cutting body 101, breakthroughs 116 in the cutting body 101 and elevations 118 on the cutting body.

[0044] The breakthroughs 116 form openings Ö which extend from the one flat face to the other flat face 108 and 109 of the cutting body 101. Both the indentations 115 and the breakthroughs 116 have a circular geometry G. The side faces of the indentations 115 and/or of the breakthroughs 116 can extend perpendicularly or obliquely to the flat faces 108, 109 of the cutting body 101. In the shown embodiment example, the functional elements FE are all arranged on a flat face 108 of the cutting body 101, specifically on the flat face 108 which is opposite to the flat face 109 with the ground section 112.

[0045] As shown in the embodiment example of FIG. 1, each elevation 118 is shaped like an upended truncated cone. This means that the elevations 118 on the transition to the flat face assigned to the functional elements FE, the side face 126 of the cutting body 101, have a smaller cross-section than at its opposite outer face 120, facing away from this side face 126, of the respective elevation 118. This has the result that a shell face MF of the frustoconical elevations 118 encloses in each case an acute angle W with the assigned side face 126 and the elevations 118 form in each case a striking edge 117 in rotational direction RR of the cutting body 101. For reasons of the acute angle W between the shell face MF and the outer face 120 of the respective elevation 118, the peripheral edges 119 at the outer faces 120 of the elevations 118 act as additional blades S.

[0046] Starting from the assigned side face 126, the elevations 118 have in addition an axial extension which is dimensioned such that the outer faces 120 of the elevations 118 lie on the same plane as the corresponding flat face 110 of the fastening section 102. This means, the thickness D of the fastening section 102 is equal to the combined thickness D of the cutting body 101 and an elevation 118. In a further, not shown, embodiment example, the axial extension of the elevations 118 can also be larger and/or smaller than the above-described axial extension of the elevations 118. Thus, the combined thickness D of the cutting body 101 and one elevation 118 can also be larger and/or smaller than the thickness D of the fastening section 102.

[0047] The indentations 115 and the breakthroughs 116 in the cutting body 101 favor in particular the emulgation of the supplied material M, in that these functional elements FE ensure an increased turbulence of the supplied material M. The striking edges 117 of the elevations 118 facilitate in turn an increased defibration of the supplied material M, in that it ensures a—to a certain extent—rough tearing of the material M. In addition, the peripheral edges 119 of the elevations 118 ensure an additional comminution of the material M. If, for example, the supplied material M is meat or fish, fibrous particles are formed in the sausage meat by means of the action of the striking edges 114, 117, in particular the striking edges 117 of the elevations 118. This is advantageous for the bonding of the individual components in the end product. Furthermore, for reasons of an increased number of available blades 113, 119, that is by means of the additional cutting action of the peripheral edges 119 of the elevations 118, a total available blade length is increased. This results in an improved comminution of connective tissue contained in the material M, which in turn results in improved sensory properties for the end product, since the particle size of the connective tissues is reduced. By means of the turbulent sausage meat flow forming for reasons of the indentations 115 and the breakthroughs 116, in addition, the mixing and emulgation of the sausage meat is improved.

[0048] In the embodiment example shown in FIG. 1, the functional elements FE form functional groups FG in which the functional elements FE are arranged behind one another— in relation to the rotation direction RR intended in operation—in a straight row GR. Alternatively, the functional elements of a functional group can also be arranged in a curved line (not shown). In the shown embodiment example, the sequence RF of the functional elements FE, in relation to the rotation direction RR intended in operation, is such that the first functional element FE of a respective functional group FG is an indentation 115, followed by a breakthrough 116, followed in turn by an elevation 118. In a functional group of this sort, both the indentation 115 and the breakthrough 116 ensure an improved turbulence, and in addition the breakthrough 116 ensures an improved mixing of the sausage meat flow. In addition, the elevation 118 ensures a further defibration and comminution of the individual components of the sausage meat. Particularly the arrangement of breakthrough 116 and elevation 118 following one another in rotation direction RR ensures a supply of the sausage meat flow from the flat face 109 opposite the functional elements FE to the respective elevation 118. Thus, also this region of the sausage meat flow is continuously supplied to a further comminution and defibration at the elevation 118.

[0049] The previously described arrangement of the functional elements FE is thus advantageous, but not the only possible arrangement, and is thus not mandatory. For example, also a reversal of the sequence RF of the functional elements FE in a functional group FG is possible.

[0050] The functional elements FE within a functional group FG in rotation direction RR of the cutting body 101 overlap in each case partially. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the breakthrough 116 overlaps the indentation 115 to an extent to which the side, facing away from the assigned side face 126, of the frustoconical elevation 118 overlaps the breakthrough 116 in turn. In alternative embodiment variants (not shown), the functional elements FE can also have different spacings from one another in rotation direction RR of the cutting body 101. As a result, thus additional regions are introduced into the cutting body 101 which ensure an advantageous turbulence and thus an improved mixing of the sausage meat flow BS.

[0051] In addition, the embodiment example of FIG. 1 shows that the assigned side face 126 of the cutting body 101 has several functional groups FG. These functional groups FG are arranged along the convex course of the cutting edge 113. The functional groups FG are evenly spaced from one another in radial direction R of the cutting body 101.

[0052] Since the cutting body 101 is broader near the fastening spacing and tapers to the outside in radial direction, several functional elements FE and functional groups FG can be arranged in rotation direction behind one another in the vicinity of the fastening section. Specifically, this means that the arrangement of the functional groups FG and the functional elements FE contained in a respective functional group FG is dependent on the breadth B of the assigned side face 126 in rotation direction RR, and the number of the function elements FE arranged one after another is lower in the vicinity of the outer edge 105 than in the vicinity of the fastening section 102.

[0053] Here, each functional group FG has respectively at least one elevation 118, while several functional groups FG have no indentation 115 and/or no breakthrough 116.

[0054] In a not-shown embodiment example, the assigned flat face 108 of the cutting body 101 can also be arranged only a number of elevations 118 according to the concept of the invention in a pattern MU identical to, similar to or in a modification of FIG. 1.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment example of the cutting machine knife 100. The cutting machine knife 100 has a cutting body 101 and a fastening section 102, wherein the cutting body 101 is connected integrally with the fastening section 102 and has two flat faces 108 and 109. The geometry of the cutting body 101 is sickle-shaped. In contrast to the first embodiment example, the shown second example of a cutting machine knife 100 has no number of functional elements FE for the further comminution and emulgation of the supplied material M, specifically neither indentations 115 in the cutting body 101, nor breakthroughs in the cutting body 101, nor elevations 118 on the cutting body.

[0056] In the shown second embodiment example of a cutting machine knife 100, for the further comminution and emulgation of the supplied material M, a first striking edge 114 and a further, downstream, striking edge 124 are provided. The first striking edge 114 and the further striking edge 124 are arranged on the flat face 109 which is opposite the flat face 108 facing the sausage meat flow BS. In further embodiment examples which are not shown, further striking edges can also be provided. In the shown embodiment example, both striking edges 114, 124 run starting from the fastening section 102 along the end side 106 and in portions along the outer side, adjacent to the outer edge 105, of the cutting body 101.

[0057] The first striking edge 114 is formed by a portion of an end face 125 on the end side 106 of the cutting body 101, which runs at a right-angle W to the side face 109. The end face 125 extends perpendicularly to the rotation plane RE of the cutting machine knife 100 in relation to the intended rotation direction RR between two flat faces 122, 123 of the cutting machine knife 100. Both a transition 121 from the leading flat face 122 of the end face 125 in rotation direction RR, and a transition 121 from the end face 125 to the flat face 123 trailing this end face 125 in rotation direction RR is sharp-edged. The further downstream striking edge 124 is similar in geometrical design to the first striking edge 114. This means that the further striking edge 124 is extended between two flat faces 122, 126, in relation to the intended rotation direction RR, wherein the flat face 123 trailing the first striking edge 114 is the leading flat face 122 of the further striking edge 124. The transition 121 from the portion of the end face 125 which is assigned to the further striking edge 124 to the side face 126 of the cutting body 101 trailing this end face 125 in rotation direction RR is sharp-edged.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment example of the cutting machine knife 100. The cutting machine knife 100 according to the third example differs from the second embodiment example in the arrangement of the first striking edge 114 and the further, downstream, striking edge 124. Both striking edges 114, 124 are located on the flat face 108 of the cutting body 101 facing the sausage meat flow. In rotation direction RR, the side face 127 of the cutting body 101 trails the striking edge 124. Both striking edges 114, 124 are extended into the fastening section 102 of the cutting machine knife 100, analogously to the second embodiment example.

[0059] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment example of the cutting machine knife 100. The cutting machine knife 100 according to the fourth example is—in relation to the arrangement of the first and the further, downstream striking edge 114, 124—a combination of the variant of the second embodiment example with the variant of the third embodiment example. This means, the embodiment example shown in FIG. 4 has both an arrangement of the first striking edge 114 and the further, downstream striking edge 124 on the flat face 109, as well as on the oppositely-situated flat face 108, facing the sausage meat flow BS, of the cutting body 101. On the flat face 109, the side face 126 of the cutting body 101 trails the striking edge 124 in rotation direction RR, on the flat face 108 the side face 127 of the cutting body 101 trails the striking edge 124 in rotation direction RR. Thus, the comminuting and emulgating performance of the cutting machine knife 100 is improved.

[0060] FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment example of the cutting machine knife 100. The shown embodiment example corresponds with the second embodiment example but has in addition a functional group FG with a number of functional elements FE for the further comminution and emulgation of the supplied material M. In the shown embodiment example, the functional group FG comprises an indentation 115 in the cutting body 101 and a breakthrough 116 in the cutting body 101. Both the indentation 115 and the breakthrough 116 have an approximately oval geometry G. Other geometries G can also be provided, for example a circular geometry, as shown in the first embodiment example. Moreover, in addition to or as an alternative to the functional group FG shown in this embodiment example, elevations 118 can be provided on a side face 126, 127 of the cutting body 101. It is also possible for more than one functional group FG to be provided, wherein the functional groups FG of a number of functional groups FG preferably extend along the cutting edge 113 of the cutting machine knife 100 and are evenly spaced.

[0061] Functional elements and functional groups of this sort can also be provided in the case of the cutting knife according to the third and fourth embodiment example (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Corresponding embodiment examples can be considered to be analogous to the embodiment example shown in figure, and are not shown separately in a picture.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment variant in which the elevations 118′ have a frustoconical geometry, wherein the elevations 118′ have a smaller diameter at the transition to the flat face 108 than at their opposite ends. This means that the frustoconical elevations 118′ are oriented with the cover surface in the direction of the corresponding flat face, the comparatively larger basic surface thus points away from the flat face of the cutting body. In the embodiment example shown in FIG. 6, only three elevations 118′ are provided. These are the only functional elements which each form a striking edge. In other embodiment variants, however, also four, five or six elevations 118′ can be provided.

[0063] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment variant of a cutting body 100 with elevations 118″, the shape of which is equal to a preferably three-sided prism or a pyramid standing on its head, wherein the cross-sections of these elevations running parallel to the flat face 108 have a triangular shape. This triangular shape is designed such that the triangle has an acute angle which points in rotation direction of the cutting machine knife. Also in the embodiment variant shown in FIG. 7, only three elevations 118″ are provided. These are the only functional elements which each form a striking edge. In other embodiment variants, however, also four, five or six elevations 118″ can be provided.

[0064] FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment variant of a cutting body 100 with elevations 118′″ which have the shape of ribs which protrude from the flat face 108 of the cutting body 100. The rib-shaped elevations 118′″ are preferably arranged in a curve which follows at least approximately an arc, the midpoint of which is the rotation axis RA of the cutting machine knife during operation. Also in the embodiment variant shown in FIG. 8, only three elevations 118′″ are provided. These are the only functional elements which each form a striking edge. In other embodiment variants, however, also four, five or six elevations 118′″ can be provided.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0065] 100 cutting machine knife [0066] 101 cutting body [0067] 102 fastening section [0068] 103 convex front edge [0069] 104 concave rear edge [0070] 105 outer edge [0071] 106 end side [0072] 107 rear side [0073] 108 flat face of the cutting body [0074] 109 flat face of the cutting body [0075] 110 flat face of the fastening section [0076] 111 flat face of the fastening section [0077] 112 ground section [0078] 113 cutting edge [0079] 114 first striking edge [0080] 115 indentation [0081] 116 breakthrough [0082] 117 striking edge [0083] 118, 118″, 118′″ elevation [0084] 119 peripheral edge of the outer face of the elevations [0085] 120 outer face of the elevations [0086] 121 transition end face/flat face [0087] 122 leading flat face [0088] 123 trailing flat face [0089] 124 further striking edge [0090] 125 end face [0091] 126 side face of the cutting body [0092] 127 side face of the cutting body [0093] BS sausage meat flow [0094] D thickness [0095] F bevel [0096] FE functional element [0097] FG functional group [0098] G geometry [0099] GR straight row [0100] M material [0101] MU pattern [0102] O opening [0103] RE rotation plane [0104] RA rotation axis [0105] RF sequence [0106] RR rotation direction [0107] S blade [0108] UR peripheral direction [0109] W angle