Bread slicer with a protective screen

Description

2. This is especially true when the consumer inadvertently drops an object into the compartment and wants to retrieve it. The objective of the invention is to solve this problem by providing a bread slicer in which the risk of contact between the consumer's hands and the sharp edge of the blades is practically nonexistent. 5. To this end, the bread press forms a protective screen in the rest position of the bread press by extending at least partially into the loading compartment with regard to the blades, between the entire blade assembly and the pusher which is in the retraction position. The slicer, according to the invention, includes a locking device which allows the bread press to be unlocked in the rest position in order to constitute the protective screen.Advantageously, the slicer includes safety means that allow a secure state to be adopted during the back-and-forth movement of the blades, in which the moving blades are not accessible to a user through the loading compartment, and an unsecure state in which a loaf to be sliced ​​can be introduced into the loading compartment through said access opening. The aforementioned locking device is then adapted to automatically lock the bread press in the rest position in said unsecure state. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the locking device is controlled by the movement of the pusher so that, when the pusher is moved towards the bread press, the bread press is automatically released from the rest position and, when the pusher is placed in its withdrawal position, the bread press is automatically locked in the rest position by the locking device.According to an interesting embodiment of the invention, the locking device comprises a rigid member which allows the bread press to be mechanically connected to an anchoring base when the bread press is in the resting position and the pusher is in the retraction position. This anchoring base comprises the pusher or the chassis of the slicer. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rigid member is mounted pivoting about an axis extending essentially transversely with respect to said direction of movement and preferably parallel to the plane of the blade assembly. This rigid member has a hook BE2025 / 5044 3 which is adapted to hook onto a rod extending parallel to said axis. The rod is provided at the bread press or, respectively, at the anchoring base, while the rigid member is mounted at the anchoring base or, respectively, at the bread press. Interestingly, the rigid member extends laterally with respect to the loading compartment.5 According to an alternative embodiment of the slicer according to the invention, this slicer includes a cover to close the access opening. The locking device is then controlled by the movement of the cover so that, when the cover is closed, the bread press is released from the resting position and, when the cover is opened while the pusher is in its retracted position, the bread press is locked in the resting position by the locking device. The invention also relates to a method for securing access to the slicer blades. In this method, when the bread press is in the rest position and the pusher is in the retraction position, the bread press is automatically locked in the rest position to form a protective screen extending into the loading compartment with regard to the blades of the blade assembly.Other details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, of some particular embodiments of the machine and process according to the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 3 show a very schematic representation of a side view of the cutter, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figures 4 and 5 show a very schematic representation of a side view of the cutter, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. Figures 6 and 7 show a very schematic representation of a side view of the cutter, according to an interesting embodiment of the invention. BE2025 / 5044 4 Figures 8 to 10 show a very schematic representation of a side view of the trencher, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.Figures 11 and 12 show a very schematic representation of a side view of the cutter, according to another interesting embodiment of the invention in which the locking device is controlled by the movement of the cutter cover. Figure 13 is a very schematic side view of the cutter, according to yet another variant of the invention. Figure 14 is a schematic top view of the cutter, according to the invention, along line XIV-XIV of Figure 13. In the different figures, the same reference numerals refer to similar or identical elements. The invention generally relates to a bread slicer comprising a loading compartment for a loaf of bread to be sliced, which is connected to an output table for receiving the sliced ​​bread. Between the loading compartment and the output table extends a set of blades. A pusher is present in the loading compartment to push the bread through the set of blades. During this movement of the bread towards the output table, it is held between the bottom of the loading compartment and a movable bread press.The bread press prevents the bread from moving vertically and tearing under the effect of the blade movement during slicing, thus ensuring a good quality slice. A first embodiment of the slicer, according to the invention, is schematically represented in Figures 1 to 3. The slicer comprises a frame with a loading compartment for receiving a loaf of bread to be sliced. To cut a loaf of bread into four slices, the loaf is placed on the bottom of the loading compartment of the slicer. A set of blades extends directly next to this compartment and cuts the loaf into four slices. The blade assembly 6 comprises a succession of oblong blades 730 arranged substantially parallel to each other and capable of being driven in a back-and-forth movement along their longitudinal direction. Preferably, the blades 7 of the blade assembly 6 each extend a BE2025 / 5044 5 along a vertical plane.The set of blades 6 defines a plane which extends perpendicularly to the blades 7 and parallel to the longitudinal direction of these blades 7. In the loading compartment 3, a pusher 8 is arranged which is driven to push the loaf 4 from the loading compartment 5 3 through the assembly of blades 6 towards an output table 9 in a direction of movement indicated by the arrow 10. The assembly of blades 6 is therefore arranged between the loading compartment 3 and the output table 9. A loaf 4 to be sliced ​​is placed on the bottom 5 of the loading compartment 3 between the pusher 8 and the assembly of blades 6, as shown in Figure 1.10. The pusher 8 extends, preferably, over the entire width of the loading compartment 3 and parallel to the plane defined by the assembly of blades 6. The pusher 8 can be driven in the direction of movement 10 of the loaf in order to push the loaf 4 through the assembly of blades 6. Preferably, the front side of the pusher 6 directed towards the set of blades 4 presents elongated parallel hollows 15 in which the blades 7 of the set of blades 6 can be accommodated.Thus, the front side of the pusher 8 can extend beyond the blade assembly 6, as illustrated in Figure 3, to push the sliced ​​bread through the blade assembly 6 until it is completely on the output table 9, from where the sliced ​​bread is retrieved by the consumer. Thus, the pusher 8 is movable between a retracted position, in which the pusher 8 is positioned on the side of the loading compartment 3 opposite the blade assembly 6, and an advanced position in which the pusher 8 extends through the blade assembly 6. The retracted position of the pusher 8 is shown in Figure 1, while in Figure 3 the pusher 8 is in the advanced position. The direction of movement of the bread 10 is generally parallel to the bottom 5 of the loading compartment 3 and / or parallel to the side faces of the blades7 which are part of the blade assembly6. The slicer1 also includes a mobile bread press11 to clamp the bread4 against the bottom5 of the loading compartment3 when the bread4 to be sliced ​​passes through the blade assembly6. Thus, the bread4 is clamped between the bottom5 and the bread press11 during its cutting.This ensures that the slices are of good quality. BE2025 / 5044 6 The bread press 11 can move between a rest position and a raised position and has fingers 12 which can move between the blades 7 of the blade assembly 6 following the movement of the bread press 11. The bread press is mounted so as to be able to rotate around a fixed axis 13 relative to the frame which is parallel to the blade assembly 6.5 In Figure 1 the bread press 11 is shown in the rest position, while in Figure 2 the bread press 11 is in the raised position. The movement of the bread press 11 from the rest position to the raised position is driven by the bread 4 when it is pushed against the bread press 11 by the pusher 8 while the bread4 crosses the entire blade6. As the bread410 moves along the direction of movement10, the bread press undergoes a rotation around the fixed axis13 from its rest position to the raised position.During this movement of the bread press 11, it exerts slight pressure on the bread to prevent it from deforming or tearing due to contact with the blades 7 driven by their back-and-forth movement. 15 When the bread press 11 rests on the upper part of the bread 4, as shown in Figure 2, the bread press 11 is in the raised position. With the continuous movement of the pusher 8 and therefore the advancement of the bread 4, the direction of movement of the bread press 11 is reversed until the bread press 11 rests on the pusher 8 and the bread is completely cut into slices, as shown in Figure 3. 20 The cut bread 4 is then retrieved from the exit table 9 by the consumer after opening the door 14 which gives access to this exit table 9. Once the cut bread has been retrieved, the pusher 8 is brought back to the retraction position and the bread press 11 moves automatically to the rest position, as illustrated in Figure 1.25. When the bread press 11 is in said rest position, it forms a protective screen which extends into the loading compartment 3 opposite the blades 7 between the set of blades 6.According to the invention, the slicer includes a locking device which allows the bread press 11 to be unlocked in the rest position when the pusher 8 is in the retraction position. 30 By locking the bread press 11 in this rest position, as shown in Figure 1, a consumer who puts a loaf 4 in the loading compartment 3 is protected from contact with the blades 7 by the presence of the bread press BE2025 / 5044 7 11 whose position is locked and which thus forms a protective screen in the loading compartment 3 with regard to the assembly of blades 6. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 3, the locking device comprises a rigid member 15 which mechanically connects the bread press 11 to an anchoring base when the bread press 11 is in the resting position and the pusher 8 is in the retraction position. This anchoring base is formed by the pusher 8 of the slicer shown in Figures 1 to 3. The rigid member 15 is mounted to pivot about an axis 16 provided on the bread press 11.The axis 16 extends transversely with respect to the direction 10 of movement 10 and is preferably provided on the lateral side of the bread press 11. Preferably, the rigid member extends laterally with respect to the loading compartment 3 so as not to obstruct the placement of a loaf 4 in the loading compartment 3 and not to hinder the cutting of the loaf 4. The rigid member 15, shown in Figures 1 to 3, has a hook 15 17 adapted to hook onto a rod 18 extending parallel to said axis 16. This rod 18 is provided at said anchoring base, in particular at the pusher 8. The hook 17 is preferably provided at the end of the rigid member opposite the end of the pivoting axis 16. When the bread press 11 is in the rest position and the pusher 20 is in the retraction position, the rigid member 15 mechanically connects the bread press 11 to the pusher 8 so that the bread press is locked in its position. The bread press 11, in particular, cannot move in the direction of the blades 7 as a result of this mechanical link.As soon as the pusher 8 is moved along said direction of movement 25 10, the hook 17 disengages from the rod 18 so that the bread press can move towards the set of blades 6 and towards its raised position under the action of the movement of the bread 4, as shown, for example, in Figures 2 and 3. To prevent the rigid member 15 from falling uncontrollably, a guide pin 19 is provided. The rigid member 15 is supported by the guide pin 30 19 during the movement of the pusher 8 between said advanced position and retracted position. BE2025 / 5044 8 After the sliced ​​bread 4 has been taken from the exit table, the pusher 8 is brought back to its retraction position. Following this movement to the retraction position, the hook 17 of the rigid member 15 is grasped by the rod 18 so that the bread press 11 is again locked in its resting position and thus constitutes a protective screen, as shown in Figure 1.5. The rigid member 15 can be formed of a rigid metal strip and can, for example, have the shape of a curved cane.Figures 4 and 5 show a variant of the previous embodiment of the slicer according to the invention, in which the rigid member 15 is mounted pivotally about an axis 16 which is fixed relative to the pusher 8. In this embodiment, the hook 17 of the rigid member 15 of the locking device cooperates with a rod 18 which is fixed relative to the bread press 11. Thus, when the bread press 11 is in the resting position and the pusher 8 is in the retraction position, as shown in Figure 4, the bread press 11 is locked and cannot move towards the blade assembly. As soon as the pusher 8 is driven in the direction of movement 10 towards the blade assembly 6, the hook 17 disengages from the rod 18 and is then supported and guided by the part during the advancement of the pusher 8. Figure 5 shows the bread press 11 in its raised position while the rigid member 15 is supported by the rod 18 which thus forms a guide pin. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention, in which the locking device cooperates with a cover 20 of the slicer 1.This cover 20 allows an access opening 21 to be opened or closed to access the loading compartment 3. The locking device is controlled by the movement of the cover 20 so that, when the cover 25 20 is closed, the bread press 11 is released from the rest position and, when the cover 20 is opened while the pusher 8 is in its retracted position, the bread press 11 is locked in the rest position by the locking device. Aceteffet, le coopere avec un organ rigid forme par un latte 15 qui est movable à autour d'axe 16 fixe par le charsis 2de la 30 slicer 1. Ce latte 15 se s'engage dans un la sl's ...When the cover 20 is closed, a stop 23 on the inside of the cover 20 pushes against the latch 15, causing the latch 15 to pivot around the axis 16 and disengage from the lock 22, as shown in Figure 7. Thus, the bread press 11 is released and can move from its rest position to the raised position when slicing bread. Therefore, when the cover 20 is opened by a user while the bread press 11 is in the rest position and the pusher 8 is in the retracted position, the stop is raised and the latch 15 automatically engages with the lever 10 22 to unlock the bread press 11. Figures 8 to 10 represent yet another embodiment of the slicer, according to the invention, in which the locking device includes a rigid member 15 which allows the bread press 11 to be mechanically connected to the chassis 2 of the slicer when the bread press 11 is in the resting position 15 and the pusher 8 is in the said retraction position.This rigid member 15 is mounted to pivot around an axis 16 extending essentially transversely with respect to the direction of movement 10, as is the case in the embodiments of the slicer described above. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 8 to 10, one end of the rigid member 20 15 is fixed by means of the axis 16 to an anchoring base formed by the frame 2 of the slicer 1. The end opposite the axis 16 of the rigid member 15 has a hook 17 which is adapted to hook onto a rod 18 extending parallel to the aforementioned axis 16. This rod 18 is provided in the bread press 11. In Figure 8, the rigid member 15 is shown when the bread press 25 11 is in the rest position and the pusher 8 is in its retraction position. The hook 17 of the rigid member is attached to the rod 18 which is integral with the bread press 11. The hook 17 is open downwards so that by moving the rigid member upwards, the hook can be detached from the rod 18. The pusher 8 can move between the axis 16 of the rigid member 15 and the entire blade assembly 6.At the lateral end of the pusher 8, a guide pin 19 forming a roller to guide and support the rigid part 15 is fixed. BE2025 / 5044 10 The lower side of the rigid member 15 has an inclined surface 24 at the location of the pin 19. When the rigid member 15 is attached to the rod 18, the distance between this surface 24 and the bottom 5 of the loading compartment 3 decreases in the direction of movement 10 from the pin 19 of the pusher which is in the retracted position. This distance is, in particular, less than the distance between the upper side of the guide pin 19 and the bottom 5. Thus, when the pusher 8 is moved towards the assembly of blades 6 to cut a loaf 4, the rigid member 15 is lifted by the guide pin 19 and thus rotates around the pivot axis 16. so that the hook 17 detaches from the rod 18, as shown in figure 9. Thus, the bread press 11 is released following the movement of the pusher 8 towards the set of 10 blades 6.The pusher 11 continues to move towards the set of blades 6 so that the bread pushes against the bread press 11 which moves towards its raised position as the bread 4 is pushed through the set of blades 6, as shown in Figure 10.15 After the sliced ​​bread has been retrieved by a user, the pusher 8 is brought back to the retraction position and the bread press 11 returns to its rest position, so that the hook 17 hooks again onto the rod 18 and the bread press 11 is locked in this rest position. In Figures 11 and 12, an embodiment of the slicer, 20 according to the invention, is shown in which the rigid member 15 is controlled by the opening or closing of the cover 20. When the cover 20 is open, the rigid member 15 hooks itself by means of a hook 17 to a rod 18 fixed laterally to the bread press 15, which is then in the rest position, so that the bread press 11 is locked in this rest position. The rigid member 15 is mounted pivotally about 25 of an axis 16, which is fixed relative to the frame 2 of the slicer.As shown in Figure 12, when the cover 20 is closed, it pushes against the rigid member 15 against the action of a spring 25. In this position of the rigid member 15, the hook 17 does not engage with the rod 18 provided for the bread press 11. When the cover 11 is opened to place a loaf of bread in the loading compartment 30, the rigid member moves around the axis 16 due to the action of the spring 25 so that the hook 17 engages with the rod 18 to lock the bread press 11 in the rest position. This is illustrated in Figure 11. BE2025 / 5044 11 When the cover 20 is then closed, the cover 20 pushes against the rigid member 15 which is moved against the action of the spring 25 until the hook 17 detaches from the rod 18 to release the bread press 11. Figures 13 and 14 show yet another embodiment of the slicer according to the invention, in which a rigid member 15 cooperates with an electromechanical system, such as an electric motor.The rigid member 15 has the form of a rod which extends transversely with respect to the direction of movement 10 and can be moved along its longitudinal direction by the drive of the electromechanical system. The rigid member 15, or therefore the rod in question, is provided in a position between the plane of the blade assembly 6 and the bread press 11 when the latter is in its rest position. To lock the bread press 11 in this rest position to form a protective screen, the rigid member 15 is moved until it is in the trajectory of the bread press 11 between the bread press and the plane of the blade assembly 6. Preferably, the electromechanical system that drives the rigid part 15 is controlled by the opening and closing of the cover 20. When the cover 20 is open, the rigid part 15 is moved along the path of the rigid part so that the latter is locked in the rest position. When the cover is closed, the rigid part is removed from the path of the bread press in order to release it.20 The slicers, according to the invention, generally also include safety means equipped to allow the slicer to adopt a secure state during the back-and-forth movement of the blades 7, in which the moving blades 7 are not accessible to a user through the loading compartment 3, and an unsecure state in which a loaf 4 to be sliced ​​can be introduced into the loading compartment 25 3 through said access opening 21. Thus, while a loaf is being sliced, the slicer is in the secure state. In this secure state, the door 14 and the cover 20 are, for example, locked to prevent a user from accessing the moving parts of the slicer, such as, for example, the blades 7. According to the invention, the aforementioned locking device of the slicer is 30 adapted to automatically lock the bread press 11 in the rest position in the unsecured state of the slicer 1 to prevent the user from coming into contact BE2025 / 5044 12 with the blades 7, as described above for some embodiments of the invention.In the embodiment of the slicer according to the invention, shown in figures 1 to 3, the fingers of the bread press extend on the opposite side of the blade assembly 6 relative to the loading compartment 3 so that, 5 when the pusher 8 partially passes through the blade assembly 6 after the complete cutting of a loaf 4 and the bread press 11 rests on the pusher, these fingers 12 together with the pusher 8 form a protective screen extending in view of the blades 7 of the blade assembly 6 and above the exit table 9. This is shown in l.

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