Apparatus and method for conveying products in the food processing industry

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for conveying products for the food processing industry, comprising: a conveying device (12) adapted to convey the products along a conveyor line (10) in a transport direction (11) and having a plurality of retaining elements (13) adapted to receive the products; at least one guide (14) extending in the transport direction (11) and adapted to guide a guide element (15) arranged thereon so as to be movable in the transport direction (11); a controllable adjustment mechanism (16), wherein each of the plurality of retaining elements (13) is arranged on a respective one of the guide elements (15) by means of a self-retaining device (17), the self-retaining device being configured such that the retaining element (13) is movable relative to the guide element in an upward direction against gravity and is releasably locked on the guide element (15) in a stop position in a downward direction. The invention also relates to an assembly for processing the products and a corresponding method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for conveying products of the food processing industry and a component for processing products of the food processing industry, comprising a conveying device adapted to convey products along a conveying line in a conveying direction and having a plurality of retaining elements adapted to receive the products, at least one guide extending in the conveying direction, adapted to guide a plurality of guide elements arranged thereon so as to be movable in the conveying direction, wherein one of the plurality of retaining elements is arranged on each of the plurality of guide elements so as to be vertically adjustable, a controllable adjusting mechanism arranged on the conveying line and adapted to adjust the vertical position of the retaining elements relative to the corresponding guide elements, wherein the adjusting mechanism is configured to engage with the retaining elements in a controllable manner when the plurality of retaining elements pass by so as to adjust the corresponding vertical positions of the retaining elements.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for conveying products for the food processing industry, comprising: conveying the products along a conveying line in a transport direction by means of a conveying device having a plurality of holding elements adapted to receive the products; guiding the guiding element by means of at least one guide extending in the transport direction, wherein the guiding element is arranged so as to be movable in the transport direction, and wherein one of the plurality of holding elements is arranged on each of the plurality of guiding elements so as to be vertically adjustable; adjusting the vertical position of the holding element in a controllable manner by means of a controllable adjusting mechanism, the controllable adjusting mechanism being arranged on the conveying line and adapted to adjust the vertical position of the holding element relative to the corresponding guiding element, wherein the adjusting mechanism is controllably engaged with the holding element when the plurality of holding elements pass by so as to adjust the corresponding vertical position of the holding element.

[0003] The invention also relates to an assembly and a method for processing an article for the food processing industry. Background Art

[0004] Products from the food processing industry are, in particular, slaughtered animals or parts thereof, such as poultry legs or organ packs. When the slaughtered animals are eviscerated, the entrails are removed from the abdominal cavity and transported separately. The organs are then separated, in particular into those suitable for human consumption and those that are inedible. In this process, the vertical adjustability according to the invention is particularly advantageous during processing. In principle, the present invention is suitable for transporting various products from the food processing industry, as long as these products can be separated and transported in individual pieces. The present invention is particularly suitable for transporting products that are transported in a suspended manner.

[0005] In the industrial processing of products in the food processing industry, it is often necessary to adjust the conveying height of the products, that is to say their height above the ground, in a controllably variable manner during handling and / or processing.

[0006] Thus, for example, when deboning poultry legs, it is known in the processing of poultry legs to vary the height of the poultry legs during the conveying process in order to set it such that the poultry legs optimally engage with the corresponding tool.

[0007] Document WO 2020 / 162753A1 discloses a shackle for transporting poultry in a suspended manner, the height of which is adjustable. The shackle is adapted to be adjustable in the axial direction relative to a bracket via a shaft for vertical adjustment, and the shackle is guided through a hole in the bracket. A retainer is further arranged in the bracket, which retainer is movable perpendicular to the axial direction and between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the retainer engages with the shaft so that the shaft is held in a predetermined axial position relative to the bracket. In the second position, the retainer releases the shaft so that the shaft can move in the axial direction relative to the bracket.

[0008] However, known solutions for vertical adjustment have a number of disadvantages. The shaft is thus retained on the bracket or released from it again by adjusting the retainer between a first position and a second position. To achieve this, it is necessary to actuate the retainer perpendicularly to the axial direction. To set the desired vertical position of the shackle, the shackle must also be adjusted in the axial direction. Adjusting the shackle's vertical position therefore requires both moving the retainer transversely to the axial direction and adjusting the shackle itself in the axial direction. Therefore, various guide elements are required to move the retainer transversely to the axial direction and to adjust the shackle itself in the axial direction to its vertical position.

[0009] For example, a vertically adjustable suspension conveyor is further known from document DE 34 37 070 A1. The desired vertical position is locked by means of radially displaceable stop elements. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device that allows the vertical position of conveyed products to be adjusted as simply as possible with minimal outlay on equipment. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a device that allows such vertical adjustment of the products in a robust and reliable manner. The object is also to provide a corresponding method. The object is also to provide an assembly and a method for processing products in the food processing industry.

[0011] This object is achieved by a device having the aforementioned features, wherein each of the plurality of retaining elements is arranged on a corresponding guide element of the plurality of guide elements by means of a self-retaining device, the self-retaining device being configured such that the retaining element is movable relative to the guide element in an upward direction against the force of gravity and is releasably locked to the guide element in a stop position in a downward direction. The self-retaining device according to the invention has the advantage that, in the event of a downward movement, the retaining element is automatically locked on the guide element in a lower position defined on the guide element, i.e., the stop position. In other words, the self-retaining device is self-locking.

[0012] Conversely, if the retaining element is lifted upwards by means of the adjustment mechanism, it is released from the stop position and can then be freely moved to any desired vertical position relative to the guide element. This has the advantage that, in order to adjust the vertical position of the conveyed article using the adjustment mechanism, the retaining element is acted upon only in the axial direction to adjust its vertical position. Consequently, the equipment expenditure for adjusting the vertical position of the retaining element and the article conveyed therein is minimized. In areas where there is no sufficient adjustment mechanism for lifting the retaining element, the retaining element moves downwards under the action of gravity and thus reaches the stop position, where it is releasably locked to the guide element by means of a self-retaining device. Advantageously, the present invention makes it possible to vertically adjust the retaining element while the adjustment mechanism acts only in the axial direction. In this way, equipment expenditure is minimized while simultaneously achieving robust and reliable vertical adjustment of the retaining element.

[0013] An advantageous embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the self-retaining device comprises a hollow cylinder and an inner cylinder guided through the hollow cylinder, wherein the hollow cylinder is arranged on a guide element and the inner cylinder is arranged on a retaining element, and wherein the hollow cylinder comprises at least one receiving space for receiving at least one stop element, the stop element being adapted to frictionally engage with the inner cylinder in the stop position. In particular, the receiving space and the stop element are constructed and adapted so that the stop element moves only in the axial direction. In other words, the stop elements are arranged in the receiving space so that they are adapted not to move radially. Further preferably, the geometry of the receiving space and the arrangement of the stop element therein are adapted so that the stop element frictionally engages with the inner cylinder in the stop position, so that the inner cylinder is releasably connected to the hollow cylinder by the frictional engagement of the stop element, and the retaining element is thus releasably locked to the guide element.

[0014] A preferred further development of the present invention is characterized in that the receiving space is in the form of an annular space for receiving a plurality of stop elements. Advantageously, the stop elements are thus arranged without play between the outer surface of the inner cylinder and the inner surface of the hollow cylinder. In this way, the stop elements are in such close contact with the inner cylinder that, when the retaining element is moved relative to it in a downward direction, the frictional engagement occurs and the retaining element is locked on the guide element in its stop position, allowing it to be released again. Advantageously, each stop element is spherical.

[0015] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the receiving space is designed to taper in the downward direction. This ensures that, due to the downward movement of the retaining element in the stop position, the stop element reaches a clamping position in which the friction between the inner cylinder, the stop element, and the outer cylinder is sufficiently great to bring the components into a clamped fit, thereby preventing further movement relative to one another. A further advantage is that, due to the tapering receiving space, the stop element also presses against the outer surface with greater contact pressure as the weight of the article arranged on the retaining element increases. Consequently, as the weight of the article increases, the contact pressure acting on the outer surface of the inner cylinder also increases, resulting in an increase in the frictional engagement. This contributes to the self-locking function of the self-retaining device according to the present invention.

[0016] A preferred further development of the present invention is characterized in that at least one spring element is arranged in the receiving space, which is adapted to apply a spring force downward to the stop element. Advantageously, the multiple stop elements are thus pressed downward by the continuous application of spring force, in addition to the gravity force already acting on them, so that they are always in close contact with the inner cylinder under preload and have no radial play. This ensures that the multiple stop elements immediately engage frictionally upon downward movement of the retaining element and lock the retaining element on the guide element in the stop position.

[0017] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that a sliding sleeve is arranged in the receiving space around the inner cylinder below the plurality of stop elements, and is adapted to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder in the stop position by means of an actuating element in order to release the stop elements from the frictional engagement. This has the advantage that by lifting the actuating element against the direction of gravity, the sliding sleeve is moved upward, and thus the stop elements are also lifted in the longitudinal axial direction. This eliminates the frictional engagement existing in the stop position and eliminates the locking of the retaining element on the guide element. Therefore, the actuating element connected to the sliding sleeve is designed so that the locking in the stop position is released by moving the actuating element upward relative to the guide element. In this way, the actuating element allows both controllably variable release and controllably variable locking of the retaining element on the guide element.

[0018] A preferred further development of the present invention is characterized in that the adjustment mechanism is in the form of a pivotable sliding surface element that is adapted to be controllably pivoted to raise the retaining element from the standby position to the raised position. In other words, the sliding surface elements are configured such that they engage with the retaining element in such a way that, depending on their respective pivot positions, the retaining element remains at its respective height or is raised from the standby position to the raised position due to the respective pivot positions of the sliding surface elements. This has the advantage that the respective vertical position of the retaining element can be controllably and variably changed when passing over the respective sliding surface elements.

[0019] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that a control head is arranged at the upper free end of the guide element, the control head being configured to be in guiding contact with the sliding surface element. Preferably, the sliding surface element is configured such that it comprises two paired sliding surfaces extending along the conveyor line in the direction of transport. These sliding surfaces are spaced apart from one another so that the guide element engages between them during the conveying process, with the control head laterally abutting each of the sliding surfaces.

[0020] The aforementioned vertical adjustment of the guide element and the retaining element is achieved by pivoting the sliding surface element and the associated change in the angular position of the sliding surface. To this end, the width of the control head is preferably selected to be greater than the minimum distance between the two sliding surfaces, so that the control head at least partially engages the sliding surface and thus forms a guiding contact.

[0021] Furthermore, preferably, the ball bearings are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the control head, the ball bearings being adapted to roll on the sliding surface. Furthermore, preferably, the control head comprises four ball bearings, each of which is arranged on the control head at a 90° offset. This has the advantage that the guide and the retaining element can be pivoted about the longitudinal axis, so that the workpiece can be rotated about the longitudinal axis during processing, thereby bringing the workpiece into a more favorable processing position.

[0022] A preferred further development of the present invention is characterized in that the adjustment mechanism further includes a control mechanism adapted to lower the plurality of retaining elements from the raised position to the standby position, thereby engaging the actuating element to release the plurality of stop elements. In other words, the control mechanism is adapted to act on the actuating element in such a manner as to release the locking between the retaining elements and the guide element, allowing them to move freely relative to each other along a longitudinal axis that is at least substantially perpendicular or transverse to the conveying direction. Substantially perpendicular means perpendicular or at a small angle to the perpendicular. In this way, the retaining elements can be lowered as described above.

[0023] This object is also achieved by a corresponding assembly having the above-mentioned features, wherein the assembly comprises the above-mentioned device for conveying products for the food processing industry and at least one processing station configured for processing the products, wherein the device is adapted to adjust the vertical position of the products during conveyance according to the processing height specified for processing the products by means of the at least one processing station. Advantageously, the vertical position of the products to be processed can thus be automatically and optimally adapted to the environment of the respective processing station during the conveyance process, thus ensuring optimal processing of the products at all times.

[0024] According to another preferred embodiment, the product is poultry or poultry parts. In particular, the product is poultry legs, and the processing station is adapted to debone poultry legs. In particular, processing poultry or poultry parts often requires changing the vertical position of the conveyed products so that they can be optimally processed by the processing station. Therefore, the assembly according to the present invention is designed and adapted specifically for the automated processing of poultry legs.

[0025] The object is also achieved by a corresponding method having the above-mentioned features, which is characterized in that the movability of the retaining element is released in the upward direction relative to the guide element against the force of gravity by means of a self-retaining device, and each of the plurality of retaining elements is releasably locked in a stop position of the corresponding guide element.

[0026] The advantages associated with the device according to the invention also apply analogously to the method according to the invention. Therefore, in order to avoid repetitions, reference will be made to the already mentioned preferences for the device in conjunction with the method, and hereinafter, only the advantages of the method will be additionally explained in more detail.

[0027] The release and releasable locking of the holding elements on the corresponding guide elements by means of a self-holding device has the advantage that, when the holding elements are moved downward, they are automatically locked to the guide elements in a defined lower position, i.e., in the locking position. Conversely, if the holding elements are lifted upward by means of the adjustment mechanism, they are released from the locking position and can then be freely moved relative to the guide elements to any desired vertical position. Thus, the vertical position of the conveyed articles is adjusted by means of the adjustment mechanism in such a way that the holding elements are acted upon only in the axial direction to adjust their vertical position. Consequently, the outlay in terms of equipment and process technology for adjusting the vertical position of the holding elements and the articles conveyed therein is minimized.

[0028] In areas where no adjustment mechanism for lifting the retaining element is located, the retaining element moves downward under the action of gravity and thereby reaches a stop position, where it is releasably locked to the guide element by means of a self-retaining device. Advantageously, the present invention enables vertical adjustment of the retaining element, with the adjustment mechanism acting only in the axial direction. This minimizes equipment expenditure while simultaneously achieving robust and reliable vertical adjustment of the retaining element.

[0029] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the self-retaining device comprises a hollow cylinder and an inner cylinder guided through the hollow cylinder, wherein the hollow cylinder is arranged on a guide element and the inner cylinder is arranged on a retaining element, and wherein the hollow cylinder comprises at least one receiving space for receiving at least one of a plurality of stop elements, and the stop element is in frictional engagement with the inner cylinder in the stop position.

[0030] A preferred further development of the present invention is characterized in that the frictional engagement is achieved by a plurality of stop elements arranged in the receiving space, which is in the form of an annular space. Advantageously, the stop elements move without play between the outer surface of the inner cylinder and the inner surface of the hollow cylinder. Consequently, the stop elements are in such close contact with the inner cylinder that, if the retaining element is moved relative to it in the downward direction, the frictional engagement occurs and the retaining element is releasably locked in its stop position on the guide element.

[0031] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that balls are used as the plurality of stop elements.

[0032] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the frictional engagement is achieved in the stop position by clamping the stop element in a receiving space, which tapers in the downward direction. Due to the downward movement of the retaining element in the stop position, the stop element thus reaches a clamping position. In this clamping position, the friction forces between the inner cylinder, the stop element and the outer cylinder are sufficiently great to bring the above-mentioned components into a clamping fit, thereby preventing further movement relative to each other. A further advantage is that, due to the tapering receiving space, when the weight of the product arranged on the retaining element increases, the stop element is also pressed against the outer surface with greater contact pressure. Therefore, as the weight of the product increases, the contact pressure acting on the outer surface of the inner cylinder also increases, so that the frictional engagement increases. This contributes to the self-locking function of the self-retaining device according to the present invention.

[0033] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that a spring force is applied downwards to the stop element by means of at least one spring element arranged in the receiving space. Advantageously, the stop element is thus pressed downwards by the continued application of the spring force, in addition to the gravity force already acting on it, so that under preload, it is always in close contact with the inner cylinder and has no radial play. This ensures that the stop element immediately engages frictionally upon downward movement of the retaining element and locks it in the retaining position on the guide element.

[0034] A preferred further development of the present invention is characterized in that the locking element is released from the frictional engagement in the locking position by means of a sliding sleeve arranged around the inner cylinder below the locking element in the receiving space, and by moving the sliding sleeve in the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder by means of an actuating element. By lifting the actuating element against the force of gravity, the sliding sleeve is advantageously moved upward, and the locking element is also lifted in the longitudinal axial direction. This eliminates the frictional engagement existing in the locking position, and releases the locking of the retaining element on the guide element. Thus, by adjusting the actuating element, both a controllably variable release and a controllably variable locking of the retaining element on the guide element are possible.

[0035] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the holding element is raised from the standby position into the raised position by controllably pivoting a stop element in the form of a pivotable sliding surface element. By pivoting the tilt angle of the sliding surface element, the vertical position can be automatically adapted to the respective desired height in a controllably variable manner.

[0036] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the sliding surface element is brought into guiding contact with a control head arranged at the upper free end of the guide element.

[0037] A preferred further development of the invention is characterized in that the adjustment mechanism engages the actuating element in order to release the locking element and to lower the holding element from the raised position into the standby position.

[0038] This object is also achieved by the aforementioned method for processing products for the poultry industry, wherein the method comprises the aforementioned steps of the method for conveying products for the poultry industry and further comprises processing the products by means of at least one processing station, wherein during the conveying process, the vertical position of the products is adjusted according to a processing height specified for processing the products by means of the at least one processing station. Advantageously, the vertical position of the products to be processed can thus be automatically and optimally adapted to the conditions of the respective processing station during the conveying process, thus ensuring optimal processing of the products at all times.

[0039] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the product is poultry or poultry parts. In particular, the processing of poultry or poultry parts often requires changing the vertical position of the conveyed products so that they can be optimally processed by the processing station. Therefore, the method according to the invention is particularly designed and adapted for the automated processing of poultry legs.

[0040] According to another preferred embodiment, the product is poultry or poultry parts. In particular, the product is poultry legs, and the processing station is adapted to debone poultry legs. In particular, processing poultry or poultry parts often requires changing the vertical position of the conveyed products so that they can be optimally processed by the processing station. Therefore, the assembly according to the present invention is designed and adapted specifically for the automated processing of poultry legs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Further preferred and / or advantageous features and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0042] Figure 1 A holding and guiding element for conveying articles according to the invention is shown in cross section,

[0043] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the device components shown,

[0044] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and 2 A plan view of the components shown,

[0045] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an assembly according to the present invention,

[0046] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A side view of the assembly shown,

[0047] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the retaining and guiding element and the self-retaining device with the housing receding, and

[0048] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 An enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 3 , observing the spring element 37 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The apparatus according to the invention comprises a conveying device 12 adapted to convey articles (not shown in the figures) along a conveying line 10 in a transport direction 11. The conveying device 12 comprises a plurality of holding elements 13 adapted to receive the articles. Figure 4As shown, the device has at least one guide 14 extending in the transport direction 11, which is adapted to guide a plurality of guide elements 15 arranged thereon so as to be movable in the transport direction 11. The plurality of guide elements 15 thus form a movable receiving element that is preferably continuously movable in the transport direction. On each of the plurality of guide elements 15, one of the plurality of holding elements 13 is arranged so as to be vertically adjustable.

[0050] A plurality of controllable adjustment mechanisms 16 are arranged on the conveying path 10. The adjustment mechanisms 16 are adapted to adjust the vertical position of the plurality of retaining elements 13 relative to the respective guide elements 15. The adjustment mechanisms 16 are configured and adapted to adjustably engage with the plurality of retaining elements 13 as they pass by, so as to adjust the respective vertical positions of the plurality of retaining elements 13. In other words, the adjustment mechanisms 16 are adapted so that they act on the retaining elements 13 as they pass by, and effect a change in the vertical position of the retaining elements 13 depending on their position.

[0051] Each of the plurality of retaining elements 13 is arranged on a corresponding guide element 15 by means of a self-retaining device 17. The self-retaining device 17 is adapted so that the retaining element 13 can be moved upward relative to the guide element 15, counteracting the force of gravity. Conversely, in the downward direction, the retaining element 13 is releasably locked to the guide element 15 in a stop position. Thus, upward movement of the retaining element 13 is always possible, while in the event of downward movement, automatic locking is achieved. In other words, the self-retaining device 17 is self-locking.

[0052] The self-holding device 17 is also adapted to release the holding element 13 from the stop position, so that the holding element can then be freely moved to any desired vertical position relative to the guide element 15, as long as the holding element 13 is lifted in the upward direction by means of the adjustment mechanism 16. Therefore, in order to adjust the vertical position of the conveyed product by means of the adjustment mechanism 16, it is necessary to act on the holding element 13 only in the axial direction. Consequently, the outlay on equipment for adjusting the vertical position of the holding element 13 and the product conveyed thereby is reduced to a minimum.

[0053] Advantageously, the self-holding device 17 is designed to allow a downward movement of the respective holding element 13 caused by gravity until the holding element automatically reaches the stop position in an area where no adjustment mechanism is provided for lifting or holding the holding element 13. The self-holding device 17 is designed to lock the holding element 13 on the guide element 15 in such a way that it can be released again when the stop position is reached.

[0054] like Figure 1As shown, the self-retaining device 17 includes a hollow cylinder 18 and an inner cylinder 19 guided through the hollow cylinder 18. The hollow cylinder 18 is arranged on the guide element 15 or is part of the guide element 15. The inner cylinder 19 is arranged on the retaining element 13 or forms part of the retaining element. The hollow cylinder 18 includes at least one receiving space 20, which is configured and adapted to receive at least one stop element 21. As shown in the figures, the hollow cylinder 18 is widened in the region of the receiving space 20, i.e., has a correspondingly larger diameter than the rest of the region. Alternatively, the receiving space 20 can be formed by a separate housing that is attached to the hollow cylinder 18. Preferably, the hollow cylinder 18 is widened on the receiving space side to form a housing seat 22, on which a cylindrical housing 23 is arranged, surrounding the receiving space 20. The housing 23 is optionally screwed to the housing seat 22 by means of screws 24 that are inserted through the head side 36 of the housing 23.

[0055] The stop element 21 is in frictional engagement with the inner cylinder 19 in the stop position. Figure 1 As can be seen in the figure, when the inner cylinder 19 moves downward, the stop element moves in the direction of the retaining element 13 due to the frictional contact with the inner cylinder 19 and is located in the receiving space 20 on the retaining element side so as to form a clamping connection with the inner cylinder 19 and the hollow cylinder 18 in the stop position.

[0056] In particular, the internal geometry of the receiving space 20 is adapted so that the stop element 21 moves only in the axial direction. Therefore, the stop element 21 is preferably arranged in the receiving space 20 in a manner adapted not to move radially. Further preferably, the geometry of the receiving space 20 and the arrangement of the stop element 21 therein are adapted so that the stop element 21 frictionally engages with the inner cylinder 19 in the stopped position, so that the inner cylinder 19 is releasably connected to the hollow cylinder 18 via the stop element 21 by frictional engagement. In this way, the retaining element 13 is releasably locked to the guide element 15.

[0057] As shown, the receiving space 20 is preferably in the form of an annular space for receiving a plurality of stop elements 21. The plurality of stop elements 21 are arranged without play, in particular without radial play, between the outer surface 25 of the inner cylinder 19 and the inner surface 26 of the hollow cylinder 18. This has the effect that the stop elements 21 are in close contact with the inner cylinder 19, so that in the event of a relative movement of the retaining element 13 in the downward direction, the frictional engagement is produced and the retaining element 13 is locked in its stop position on the guide element 15 in such a way that it can be released again. Preferably, the plurality of stop elements 21 are spherical.

[0058] Preferably, as in Figure 1As can be seen in FIG, the receiving space 20 is designed to taper in the downward direction. Thus, the receiving space 20 has a conical region 27. The inner diameter of the hollow cylinder 18 decreases in the direction toward the housing seat 22 or toward the inner cylinder 19, so that the locking element 21 generates a sufficient clamping force in the locking position to ensure that the retaining element 13 is locked on the guide element 15.

[0059] As a result of the downward movement of the retaining element 13 into the stop position, the stop element 21 thus reaches the clamping position or the clamping connection. In this position, the friction between the inner cylinder 19, the stop element 21 and the hollow cylinder 18 is sufficiently great to lock the above-mentioned parts together and thus secure them against any further movement relative to each other.

[0060] As a result of the conical region 27 of the receiving space 20, the stop element 21 also presses against the outer surface 25 of the inner cylinder 19 with greater contact pressure as the weight of the article arranged on the retaining element 13 increases. Consequently, as the weight of the article increases, the contact pressure acting on the outer surface 25 of the inner cylinder 19 also increases, resulting in a greater frictional engagement. This further contributes to the self-locking function of the self-retaining device 17 according to the present invention. Providing the receiving space 20 with a conical region 27 is not absolutely necessary to ensure this locking function. As mentioned above, a clamping connection is also produced when the stop element 21 is located at the end of the receiving space 20 that is located on the retaining element side. However, the conical region 27, on the one hand, contributes to the fastest possible response of the self-retaining device 17, and on the other hand, significantly increases the radially acting clamping force component compared to a solution without the conical region 27, thus significantly improving the clamping and locking effect.

[0061] Preferably, at least one spring element 28 is arranged in the receiving space 20 and is adapted to apply a spring force to the stop element 21 in a downward direction, i.e., toward that end of the receiving space 20 that is located on the retaining element side. Advantageously, the multiple stop elements 21 are thus pressed downward by the constantly applied spring force, in addition to the gravity force that already acts on them, so that they are always in close contact with the inner cylinder 19 under preload and have no radial play. Therefore, the stop elements 21 immediately frictionally engage upon downward movement of the retaining element 13 relative to the guide element 15, locking the two elements together in the stopped position. More preferably, multiple stop elements 21 are arranged in the receiving space 20. In this case, each of the multiple stop elements 21 is associated with one of the multiple spring elements 28.

[0062] like Figure 1As shown, a sliding sleeve 29 is movably arranged around the inner cylinder 19 in the receiving space 20 below the stop element 21, that is, on the retaining element side. The sliding sleeve 29 is adapted and configured to be translationally movable in the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder 19 by means of an actuating element 30 in order to move the stop element 21 out of the frictional engagement in the stop position in the longitudinal direction. This has the advantage that by lifting the actuating element 30 or moving it away from the retaining element 13 against gravity, the sliding sleeve 29 is moved upward, and the stop element 21 is also lifted in the longitudinal axial direction. Consequently, the frictional engagement present in the stop position is eliminated, and the locking of the retaining element 13 on the guide element 15 is released. Therefore, the actuating element 30, cooperating with the sliding sleeve 29, is adapted to controllably and variably release the retaining element 13 from the guide element 15 and controllably and variably lock the retaining element 13 on the guide element 15.

[0063] like Figure 4 As shown, the adjustment mechanism 16 is preferably in the form of a pivotable sliding surface element 31. These are thus adapted to controllably raise the retaining elements 13 from the standby position to the raised position. To this end, the sliding surface elements 31 are configured so that they engage with the plurality of retaining elements 13. Depending on their respective pivot positions, the plurality of retaining elements 13 are then either maintained at their respective heights or, due to the respective pivot positions of the sliding surface elements 31, raised from the standby position to the raised position. This has the advantage that the respective heights of the plurality of retaining elements 13 are adapted to be controllably and variably adjustable when passing over the respective sliding surface elements 31.

[0064] like Figure 1 As can be clearly seen in FIG, the control head 32 is arranged at the upper free end of the retaining element 13. The control head is configured to be in guiding contact with the sliding surface element 31. Figure 4 The sliding surface elements 31 are shown to be preferably configured such that they comprise two pairs of sliding surfaces 33 extending along the conveyor line 10 in the transport direction 11. The two sliding surfaces 33 are further preferably spaced apart from one another such that the guide element 15 engages between them during the conveying process and the control head 32 laterally abuts each of the two sliding surfaces 33.

[0065] because Figure 4 The illustrated pivoting of the sliding surface element 31 and the associated change in the angular position of the sliding surface 33 enable the above-described vertical adjustment of the retaining element 13. The width of the control head 32 is preferably selected to be greater than the minimum distance between the two sliding surfaces 33. The control head 32 is therefore preferably adapted such that it at least partially engages on the sliding surface 33 and thus abuts the sliding surface 33 on both sides.

[0066] exist Figure 1, ball bearings 34 are shown which are advantageously arranged in pairs on opposite sides on the control head 32. The ball bearings are adapted to roll on the sliding surface 33. Figure 3 A preferred embodiment is shown in which the control head 32 includes four of the aforementioned ball bearings 34. The ball bearings are arranged on the sides of the control head 32, each offset by 90°. The control head 32 is constructed and adapted to be pivoted about the longitudinal axis in 90° steps by pivoting the guide element 15 about the longitudinal axis. Thus, during processing, an article rotating about the longitudinal axis can be brought into a favorable position for processing.

[0067] The adjustment mechanism 16 preferably includes a plurality of additional control mechanisms 35 adapted to lower the plurality of retaining elements 13 from the raised position to the standby position. These control mechanisms 35 are positioned on the conveying path 10 and adapted to engage the actuating element 30 in order to release the stop element 21. In other words, the control mechanisms 35 are adapted to act on the actuating element 30 via the control head 32 in such a manner that the locking between the retaining elements 13 and the guide elements 15 is released, allowing them to freely move relative to one another along a longitudinal axis transverse to the conveying direction 11. In this manner, the retaining elements 13 can be lowered as described above.

[0068] Figure 4 The assembly according to the invention is schematically shown, comprising the above-described device for conveying the articles and at least one processing station (not shown in the figure) configured to process the articles. As described above, the device according to the invention is adapted to adjust the vertical position of the articles during conveyance according to the processing height prescribed for processing the articles by means of the at least one processing station, so that the vertical position of the articles to be processed is automatically and optimally adapted to the environment of the respective processing station during the conveyance process. Figure 4 As shown, the assembly according to the invention comprises a conveyor line 10 formed by a conveyor device 12. Figure 4 As shown in the example of FIG, the conveying device 12 comprises a plurality of holding elements 13, on each of which a poultry leg 38 is arranged in a suspended manner. Figure 4 Also visible in FIG. 1 are the guide elements 15 which are fed in the transport direction 11 to the control device 35 .

[0069] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The side view of the assembly according to the invention is shown, which has a conveyor line 10 formed by a conveyor device 12. The conveyor device 12 comprises a plurality of holding elements 13, Figure 5Two of the plurality of holding elements are shown in FIG. On each of these holding elements 13, one of the plurality of poultry legs 38 is arranged in a suspended manner. Each holding element 13 is arranged on a guide element 15 so as to be controllably movable in the longitudinal axial direction. By means of a self-holding device 17, the holding elements are arranged on the guide element 15 in the manner described above so as to be controllably movable. Figure 5 In FIG, there is also shown a control head 32 with a ball bearing 34, which is in operative contact with a sliding surface 33. It can also be seen how the actuating element 30 interacts with a control mechanism 35.

[0070] Preferably, the product is poultry or a poultry part. In particular, the product is a poultry leg. Therefore, the processing station is preferably constructed and adapted as a deboning station.

[0071] The method according to the invention for conveying the product will be described in more detail below with respect to selected aspects only, since the method steps have already been described for the most part in conjunction with the device according to the invention.

[0072] As described above, by means of the self-retaining device 17 , on the one hand the displaceability of the retaining element 13 relative to the guide element 15 in the upward direction against gravity is removed and each of the plurality of retaining elements 13 is releasably locked in the downward direction in a stop position on the corresponding guide element 15 .

[0073] The release and releasable locking of the holding elements 13 on the respective guide elements 15 by means of the self-holding devices 17 has the result that, in the event of a downward movement, the holding elements 13 are automatically locked together with the guide elements 15 in a defined lower position, the locking position. Conversely, if the holding elements 13 are lifted upward by means of the adjustment mechanism 16, the holding elements 13 are released from the locking position and can then be freely moved to any desired vertical position relative to the guide elements 15. Thus, the vertical position of the conveyed articles is adjusted by means of the adjustment mechanism 16 in such a way that the holding elements 13 act only in the axial direction.

[0074] In areas where no adjustment mechanism 16 is arranged for lifting the holding element 13, the holding element 13 moves downward under the action of gravity and thus automatically reaches the stop position. In this position, it is releasably locked to the guide element 15 by means of the self-retaining device 17. Thus, vertical adjustment is possible using the adjustment mechanism 16 acting only in the axial direction.

[0075] The frictional engagement or the aforementioned clamping connection is preferably achieved by a plurality of latching elements 21 arranged in the receiving space 20 in the form of an annular space. To this end, the latching elements 21 advantageously move without play, in particular without radial play, between the outer surface 25 of the inner cylinder 19 and the inner surface 26 of the hollow cylinder 18. Consequently, the latching elements 21 are in such close contact with the inner cylinder 19 that, in the event of a relative movement of the retaining element 13 in the downward direction, the frictional engagement is produced and the retaining element 13 is locked in its latched position on the guide element 15 in a releasable manner.

[0076] The frictional engagement or the formation of the clamping connection in the stop position is further achieved by clamping the stop element 21 in the receiving space 20, which tapers downward or has a conical region 27. The stop element 21 reaches the corresponding clamping position due to the downward movement of the retaining element 13 in the stop position. In this clamping position, the friction between the inner cylinder 19, the stop element 21, and the hollow cylinder 18 is sufficiently great to bring the components into a clamping fit, preventing further movement relative to each other and locking them together.

[0077] As described above, by applying a spring force in the downward direction to the stop element 21 by means of at least one spring element 28 arranged in the receiving space, the stop element 21 is pressed in the downward direction by the constantly applied spring force in addition to the gravity force already acting on it, so that it is always in close contact with the inner cylinder 19 under preload and therefore does not have any radial play. This ensures that the stop element 21 immediately engages frictionally when the retaining element 13 moves downward and locks the retaining element 13 on the guide element 15 in the stop position.

[0078] According to the method of the present invention, the locking element 21 is preferably released from the frictional engagement or clamping connection in the locking position by means of a sliding sleeve 29, which is arranged below the locking element 21 in the receiving space 20 around the inner cylinder 19. To this end, the sliding sleeve 29 is translated in the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder 19, that is, upwardly, by means of an actuating element 30, against the force of gravity. This lifting of the actuating element 30 against the force of gravity also causes the sliding sleeve 29 to move upward, and the locking element 21 is also lifted in the longitudinal direction. Consequently, the frictional engagement or clamping connection existing in the locking position is eliminated, and the locking of the retaining element 13 on the guide element 15 is released. Thus, by adjusting the actuating element 30, both the controllably variable release and the controllably variable locking of the retaining element 13 on the guide element 15 are possible.

[0079] Lifting the holding element 13 from the standby position to the raised position is achieved by controllably pivoting the adjustment element 16 in the form of a pivotable sliding surface element 31. By pivoting the tilt angle of the sliding surface element 31, it is possible to automatically adapt the vertical position to the respective desired height in a controllably variable manner.

[0080] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the retaining element 13 and the guide element 15. The self-retaining device 17 is shown with the housing gradually removed, so that the spring element 37 and the stop element 21 are clearly visible. At the lower end, the inner cylinder 19 of the retaining element 13 can be seen, which penetrates the guide element 15. The upper end of the guide element 15 comprises an actuating element 30 and a control head 32 with a ball bearing 34.

[0081] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 , which shows the spring element 37. The spring element 37 is operatively connected to the stop element 21 and is pressed by the spring element in the direction of the housing seat 22 under spring preload. The spring element 37 is preferably configured as shown in the figure and adapted as a wave spring element. For this purpose, the spring element 37 has Figure 6 and 7 The honeycomb cylindrical spring structure shown. The design as a wave spring element has the advantage of providing the most uniform spring force possible on the circumferentially distributed stop elements 21. Alternatively, the spring element 37 can also be in the form of a helical compression spring.

[0082] The present invention also comprises a method for processing products for the food processing industry as described above, wherein the method comprises the steps of the method for conveying products for the food processing industry as described above and further comprises processing the products by means of at least one processing station (not shown in the figures). Thus, during conveyance, the vertical position of the products is adjusted according to the processing height provided for processing the products by means of the at least one processing station.

Claims

1. Equipment for conveying products of the food processing industry, including a conveying device (12) adapted to convey articles along a conveying line (10) in a transport direction (11) and having a plurality of holding elements (13) adapted to receive said articles, at least one guide (14) extending in the transport direction (11) and adapted to guide a plurality of guide elements (15) arranged thereon so as to be movable in the transport direction (11), wherein on each of the plurality of guide elements (15) one of the plurality of holding elements (13) is arranged so as to be vertically adjustable, a controllable adjustment mechanism (16) disposed on the conveyor line (10) and adapted to adjust the vertical positions of the plurality of retaining elements (13) relative to the corresponding guide elements (15), wherein the adjustment mechanism (16) is configured to controllably engage with the plurality of retaining elements (13) as they pass so as to adjust the respective vertical positions of the plurality of retaining elements (13), It is characterized by Each of the plurality of retaining elements (13) is arranged on a corresponding guide element of the plurality of guide elements (15) by means of a self-retaining device (17), the self-retaining device being configured such that the retaining element (13) is movable relative to the guide element (15) in an upward direction against gravity and is releasably locked in a stop position on the guide element (15) in a downward direction; The self-retaining device (17) comprises a hollow cylinder (18) and an inner cylinder (19) guided through the hollow cylinder (18), wherein the hollow cylinder (18) is arranged on the guide element (15), the inner cylinder (19) is arranged on the retaining element (13), and wherein the hollow cylinder (18) comprises at least one receiving space (20) for receiving at least one stop element (21), the at least one stop element being adapted to frictionally engage with the inner cylinder (19) in the stop position.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The receiving space (20) is in the form of an annular space for receiving a plurality of stop elements (21).

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The plurality of stop elements (21) are spherical.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The receiving space (20) is configured to gradually become thinner in a downward direction.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that At least one spring element (28) is arranged in the receiving space (20), the spring element being adapted to apply a spring force in a downward direction to the plurality of stop elements (21).

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that A sliding sleeve (29) is arranged in the receiving space (20) around the inner cylinder (19) below the plurality of stop elements (21), the sliding sleeve being adapted to be movable in the stop position along the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder (19) by means of an actuating element (30) in order to release the plurality of stop elements (21) from frictional engagement.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that The adjustment mechanism (16) is in the form of a pivotable sliding surface element (31) adapted to be controllably pivotable to lift the plurality of retaining elements (13) from a standby position to a raised position.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that A control head (32) is arranged at the upper free end of the guide element (15), the control head being configured to be in guiding contact with the sliding surface element (31).

9. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that The adjustment mechanism (16) further comprises a control mechanism (35) adapted to engage with the actuating element (30) to release the plurality of stop elements (21) in order to lower the plurality of holding elements (13) from the raised position to the standby position.

10. An assembly for processing products for the food processing industry, comprising an apparatus for conveying products according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and further comprising at least one processing station configured for processing the products, wherein: The device is adapted to adjust the vertical position of the article during transport according to a processing height provided for processing the article by means of the at least one processing station.

11. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein The product is poultry or poultry parts.

12. A method for conveying products in the food processing industry, comprising: conveying the articles along a conveying line (10) in a transport direction (11) by means of a conveying device (12) having a plurality of holding elements (13) adapted to receive the articles, A plurality of guide elements (15) are guided by means of at least one guide (14) extending in the transport direction (11), wherein The plurality of guide elements (15) are arranged to be movable in the transport direction (11), and wherein one of the plurality of holding elements (13) is arranged on each of the plurality of guide elements (15) so as to be vertically adjustable, The respective vertical positions of the plurality of holding elements (13) are controllably adjusted by means of a controllable adjustment mechanism (16), the controllable adjustment mechanism being arranged on the conveyor line (10) and adapted to adjust the respective vertical positions of the plurality of holding elements (13) relative to the respective guide elements (15), wherein the adjustment mechanism (16) is controllably engaged with the plurality of holding elements (13) as the plurality of holding elements (13) pass by so as to adjust the respective vertical positions of the plurality of holding elements (13), It is characterized by removing the mobility of the holding element (13) relative to the guide element (15) in the upward direction against gravity by means of a self-holding device (17) and releasably locking each of the plurality of holding elements (13) on the respective guide element (15) in the downward direction in a stop position; The self-retaining device (17) comprises a hollow cylinder (18) and an inner cylinder (19) guided through the hollow cylinder (18), wherein the hollow cylinder (18) is arranged on the guide element (15) and the inner cylinder (19) is arranged on the retaining element (13), and wherein the hollow cylinder (18) comprises at least one receiving space (20) for receiving at least one stop element (21), and in the stop position the stop element (21) is in frictional engagement with the inner cylinder.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The frictional engagement is achieved by a plurality of stop elements (21) arranged in the receiving space (20) in the form of an annular space.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that Balls serve as the plurality of stop elements (21).

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that The frictional engagement in the stop position is achieved by clamping the stop element (21) in the receiving space (20), which tapers in the downward direction.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that A spring force is applied to the stop element (21) in a downward direction by means of at least one spring element (28) arranged in the receiving space (20).

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that By means of a sliding sleeve (29) arranged below the plurality of stop elements (21) around the inner cylinder (19) in the receiving space (20), the stop elements (21) are released from the frictional engagement in the stop position by moving the sliding sleeve (29) in the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder (19) by means of an actuating element (30).

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The plurality of retaining elements (13) are lifted from a standby position to a lifted position by controllably pivoting the stop element (21) in the form of a pivotable sliding surface element (31).

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The sliding surface element (31) is brought into guiding contact with a control head (32) arranged at the upper free end of the guide element (15).

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein An adjustment mechanism (16) engages the actuating element (30) to release the stop element (21) and lower the plurality of retaining elements (13) from the raised position to the standby position.

21. A method for processing products for the food processing industry, comprising the method for conveying products according to any one of claims 12 to 20, further comprising processing the products by means of at least one processing station, wherein: During transport, the vertical position of the article is adjusted according to a processing height provided for processing the article by means of the at least one processing station.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The product is poultry or poultry parts.

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