Product conveying device with traction rollers

Abstract

The product conveying device (47) comprises a first conveying channel (10), a second conveying channel (20) and a third conveying channel (30), and the first conveying channel (10), the second conveying channel (20) and the third conveying channel (30) are each designed to feed the food products (63) to the slicing unit (11) independently. One of the first, second or third conveying channels (10, 20, 30) comprises a traction roller (49, 91, 95), and the traction roller (49, 91, 95) is designed to be in conveying contact with the food product (63) and feed the food product (63) to the slicing unit (11). The invention further relates to a method for removing a box (73) from a food slicing machine (9) and to the use of a pull-off roller (49, 91, 95) for conveying a food product (63) to a cutting blade (25).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a product conveying device for supplying food to a slicing unit of a food slicing machine, a food slicing machine, a method for removing a cartridge from a food slicing machine and the use of a pulling roller for supplying food to a slicing unit. Background Art

[0002] Food, such as sausages, cheese, or bread, is often in the form of elongated food strips and is fed to a food slicing machine, which can be a high-performance slicer, and to a slicing unit having a cutting blade (e.g., a rotating sickle or a circular blade). For this purpose, one or more product conveying devices are provided in the feed area, which come into contact with the food strips in order to move them to the cutting plane of the slicing unit. The product conveying devices can be designed as lower product supports on which the food strips rest, or as upper product holding devices that press on the food strips from above.

[0003] Known variants of rails for driving product conveying devices are technically complex or have disadvantages with regard to the mechanical support. Summary of the Invention

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative multi-track product conveying apparatus.

[0005] In food slicing machines, in particular high-performance slicers, one or more foods can be cut into food slices by means of a slicing unit. The slicing unit can include a rotating and / or planetary orbiting cutting blade, in particular a sickle-shaped or circular blade.

[0006] In a food slicer, the food can initially be placed on a circulating inlet belt or placed or transferred onto it. A track guide can be mounted above the circulating inlet belt. The track guide has a central separator, typically a plate, extending from the top to just above the belt surface of the circulating inlet belt. The lateral position of these central separators can be adjusted to the width of the food to be sliced. The food can then be transferred from the circulating inlet belt to a product conveyor belt.

[0007] The product conveyor belt, which runs parallel to the circulating inlet belt in the conveying direction, can be part of a loading rocker and can pivot upward about an axis located on its downstream side. In this way, food can be conveyed horizontally from the circulating inlet belt to the product conveyor belt, which can then pivot upward to feed the food to the cutting blades in a support plane inclined relative to the horizontal. Lateral fixed stops can be provided, whose lateral position and longitudinal alignment match the cutting edges or cutting grooves that interact with the cutting blades when the slices are separated from the product. Parallel side stops can be arranged on the sides opposite the fixed side stops. This allows the food to be guided in the longitudinal direction. Adjustable side stops can be laterally adjustable to align the products in the transverse direction. In multi-track food slicing machines capable of simultaneously slicing several products placed parallel to each other, the product feed device is designed with multiple tracks. Therefore, multiple side stops can be provided in the area of ​​the product conveyor belt, each of which can be adjusted laterally with respect to the conveying direction. The side stops can also be collectively adjustable.

[0008] A product conveying device in the form of a lower product support can be positioned between the product conveyor belt and the cutting blades, feeding the food product to the cutting blades. Compared to the product conveyor belt, the product support can be relatively short. The product support can extend directly in front of the cutting blades, thereby supporting the food product until it reaches the cutting blades. The product support can facilitate precise product feeding into the cutting plane.

[0009] A gripper can be provided which engages with the rear end, in particular the upstream end, of the food product and serves as a product holder when the product is fed to the cutting plane. By means of the guidance of the gripper, differences in the weight or cross-section of the product can be compensated for and the thickness of the separate product slices for the supplied product can be varied independently of one another during the slicing process so as to achieve a predetermined weight for a single product slice or the weight of several slice portions individually. By using the gripper to pull back the food product, a distance to the cutting blade can be created for air cutting. In a multi-track food slicer, a gripper can be provided for each conveyor track and the gripper can be attached to a common feed unit and can be independently extended in the conveying direction and retracted against the conveying direction relative to the feed unit.

[0010] An upper product guide can be provided, which presses on the food product from above in the form of a product hold-down device in order to support the feeding.

[0011] The food slices separated from the food by means of a cutting blade can fall on the portioning unit, particularly on the portioning belt. The portioning unit can be adjustable so that a portion of food slices, particularly a stack of food slices, can be produced with the size and arrangement of limitation. The portioning unit, particularly the conveyor surface or the supporting surface of the portioning unit, can be highly adjustable, so as to ensure the constant falling path of the slices. The portioning unit or its supporting surface can be displaceable in the direction of conveying or laterally or both, so as to realize the stacked shape of limitation, for example, an imbrication arrangement. Once a complete part has been produced, the supporting surface can be used to remove it.

[0012] During the slicing of the food portions, separators can be automatically inserted between the food slices on the portioning unit by means of a separator inserter (also called a “sandwich inserter”).

[0013] With a multi-track food slicer, several foods can be sliced ​​in parallel. Elements that facilitate product feeding can be controlled individually for each track. In particular, food can be fed to the cutting blades at different speeds.

[0014] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a product conveying apparatus for supplying food to a slicing unit of a food slicing machine, the apparatus comprising a first conveyor track, a second conveyor track, and a third conveyor track. The first conveyor track, the second conveyor track, and the third conveyor track are each configured to independently supply a corresponding food to the slicing unit. One of the first conveyor track, the second conveyor track, and the third conveyor track comprises a pulling roller, wherein the pulling roller is configured to come into conveying contact with the food and supply the food to the slicing unit.

[0015] This ensures a simple, compact and stable design. In addition, the pulling rollers allow for precise feeding of the food product, thus producing slices of the desired thickness.

[0016] In addition, more than one conveyor track can have traction rollers.In addition, the conveyor track that does not have traction rollers for product feeding can have another product feeding device, for example, a belt conveyor.

[0017] Preferably, the pulling rollers can be driven by a revolving drive. In particular, if more than one conveyor track has pulling rollers, at least one of the pulling rollers can be driven by a revolving drive. This means that a force can be transmitted to the pulling rollers to rotate them using a simple and stable structure, where the force is high enough to accurately feed foods with higher density or weight to the slicing unit. Furthermore, the revolving drive makes the drive equipment wear-resistant. The pulling rollers of the central conveyor track can be driven by a revolving drive. One pulling roller in each of the left and right adjacent outer conveyor tracks can be driven by a direct drive, a shaft drive, or another drive method.

[0018] The rotation drive device can be a drive chain. The drive chain can be engaged with a sprocket, which can be arranged on a traction roller. The drive chain can be particularly suitable for transmitting high forces or torques.

[0019] The rotation drive can be a drive belt. In particular, the rotation drive can be a toothed belt. This allows for precise rotation of the traction roller, thereby enabling the food to be supplied. The toothed belt can engage with corresponding teeth on the traction roller. Power transmission using a drive belt, particularly a toothed belt, also offers a low-maintenance and stable drive.

[0020] Alternatively, a direct drive may be provided by means of one or more drive gears.

[0021] Preferably, the pulling roller comprises a first circumferential region and a second circumferential region, wherein the drive device rotates around the second circumferential region, wherein the diameter of the second circumferential region and the drive device supported thereon is smaller than the diameter of the first circumferential region. In particular, the diameter of the second circumferential region and the drive device supported thereon can be smaller than the diameter of the first circumferential region, so that the outer side of the drive device rotates around a smaller circumference than the first circumferential region. The outer side of the drive device can be offset below the first circumferential region or further away from the central axis of the pulling roller than the first circumferential region. This allows for a compact design and drive of the pulling roller, particularly when the width of the corresponding conveyor track is limited. Furthermore, the food does not rest on the drive device but only contacts the first circumferential region, which comprises the maximum circumference of the pulling roller, i.e., the diameter acting on the food, or the effective diameter. This prevents contamination of the drive device, damage to the product surface, and disruption to the food supply. Pulling rollers with first and second circumferential regions can be located in the middle or inner conveyor track, while pulling rollers with only one circumferential region can be located in the outer conveyor track.

[0022] The second circumferential area can be arranged laterally on the outside, i.e., at the outer left or right end of the traction roller as viewed in the conveying direction. Depending on the food being transported and the width of the traction roller, the food can be positioned on the first circumferential area so that it does not protrude beyond the second circumferential area and the drive device. The arrangement of the first and second circumferential areas can depend on the application, in particular on the lateral orientation of the food, particularly left or right. This means that traction can occur on the side in contact with the product, and the drive can be arranged on the free side of the track.

[0023] The second circumferential region and the drive device can be arranged below or within other components, such as separators or housing parts that separate the conveyor tracks from one another.

[0024] Alternatively, the second circumferential area can be arranged so that it is surrounded laterally by the first circumferential area on the left and right. Because the food only rests on the first circumferential area with the largest diameter, the drive and the second circumferential area can also be arranged in the central section of the traction roller.

[0025] The pulling roller can at least partially have a diameter between 25 mm and 50 mm, in particular, the same diameter as the first circumferential region. The pulling roller can at least partially have a diameter between 40 mm and 50 mm, in particular, the same diameter as the first circumferential region. The pulling roller can at least partially have a diameter between 30 mm and 35 mm, in particular, the same diameter as the first circumferential region. This ensures optimal force and torque transmission to the food product. Furthermore, the food product is stably supported and high rotational speeds of the pulling roller can be avoided. An optimal grip can be achieved while preventing slippage.

[0026] The drive can be guided via the traction roller and the drive roller to transmit the rotation of the drive roller to the traction roller. This ensures stable and precise drive. Furthermore, if the product conveyor is a product support, the drive roller and associated motor can be arranged in a space-efficient manner, for example, below the traction roller or at an angle below it. If the product conveyor contacts the food from above, a corresponding mirror-image arrangement can be provided. This, in particular, reduces or avoids the need for additional width expansion of the product conveyor.

[0027] The drive roller can be arranged parallel to the traction roller. This way, the drive runs evenly over the traction roller and the drive roller. This also ensures optimal power transmission.

[0028] The drive means may have a width between 15 mm and 25 mm. This allows for a stable power transmission sufficient for larger or heavier food products while taking up little space on the traction roller.

[0029] The width of the drive unit may be less than 20% of the track width.

[0030] The pulling roller is preferably arranged in the upstream half of the product conveyor in the conveying direction, in particular on the upstream side of the product conveyor in the conveying direction. The drive roller and drive motor can be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the pulling roller, as there is generally more space available than on the half or side facing the slicing unit. Furthermore, the pulling roller can have a larger diameter than on the side facing the slicing unit, as the gap between the pulling roller and the adjacent element (edge ​​or support surface) is relatively insignificant due to the length of the food product or the support length still present there. In particular, the pulling roller can be arranged on the infeed or input side of the product conveyor.

[0031] The pulling roller can be arranged on the side adjacent to the slicing unit. This enables particularly precise direct feeding to the slicing unit or the cutting edge, respectively. The pulling roller thus represents the final support point for the food product before the slicing unit, meaning that the end of the food product to be sliced ​​can also be safely guided to the slicing unit. The pulling roller can have a reduced diameter at the downstream end of the product conveying device to minimize the gap between the pulling roller and the cutting edge.

[0032] Preferably, the traction roller is arranged in the second conveyor track, which is between the first conveyor track and the third conveyor track. Therefore, the second conveyor track as an inner conveyor track or an intermediate conveyor track can be manufactured particularly simply and stably. As mentioned above, a drive with a revolving drive device is particularly advantageous because it reduces space requirements and design costs. In particular, an intermediate conveyor track with traction rollers can be added between the existing left and right conveyor tracks, and the intermediate conveyor track can be designed as a belt conveyor. This means that the existing drive and conveying concepts (for example, drive and conveying concepts that apply lateral forces) can be retained for the outer tracks, and a precise conveying intermediate track with a small space requirement for the drive can be added.

[0033] Preferably, the traction roller has a surface structure on its outer circumference, with a height of less than 4 mm, in particular less than 2 mm. This allows, on the one hand, at least partial reliable engagement with the material of the food product, i.e., a certain deformation, so that the forces used to move the food product are more effectively transmitted to the food product. On the other hand, it prevents damage to the food product due to excessively protruding surface structures. This also prevents slippage or wear, or both, which could lead to soiling. In particular, it prevents tearing of the food product surface, which is particularly relevant for softer foods.

[0034] The traction roller can have lateral grooves. For example, these can be rectangular or conical protrusions, i.e., outer edges, extending along the traction roller transversely to the conveying direction. The lateral grooves can induce corresponding deformations in the surface of the food product, thereby adding a positive locking component to the frictional advancement of the food product.

[0035] The pulling roller can have raised points. This can further enhance the engagement of the pulling roller with the food material and increase the positive locking component of the power transmission. The pulling roller can have a ridge-like structure that locally deforms the product surface, but without any sharp edges. These structures can be very gentle.

[0036] The traction roller can have spikes. These spikes can be protruding structures similar to bumps, but with a pointed shape. This allows for stable feeding of heavy, solid foods, particularly those with a high density. The spikes can be tilted in the conveying direction. Thus, the spikes can be arranged or tilted so that they are tilted in the conveying direction on the side of the traction roller currently in contact with the food. This further increases the force imparted to the food.

[0037] The outer circumference of the pulling roller can be made of high-grade steel, in particular stainless steel. This makes the pulling roller suitable for the food industry and particularly easy to clean. Stainless steel also increases its lifespan due to low wear.

[0038] The outer circumference of the traction roller can be made of elastomer. This means that the food can be transported particularly gently. Furthermore, the elastomer can be selected to have an increased coefficient of static friction, which improves power transmission.

[0039] The outer circumference of the pulling roller can comprise a plastic material. This can be particularly easy to clean and has advantageous static friction and elasticity.

[0040] Preferably, two or more traction rollers are provided in the conveyor track. This allows the feed force to be transmitted to the food at two or more contact points in the conveying direction. This reduces the possibility of slippage, i.e., the traction rollers spinning under the food. This improves feeding accuracy, especially for heavier food items.

[0041] A first pulling roller can be arranged in the upstream half of the conveyor track, and a second pulling roller can be arranged in the downstream half of the conveyor track. This allows the weight of the food to be advantageously and, in particular, evenly distributed across the pulling rollers. Furthermore, the support time or contact time of the food can be increased by the at least one pulling roller, allowing the food to be moved at a precise feed rate at all times.

[0042] The first traction roller can be arranged at the upstream end of the conveying track, and the second traction roller can be arranged at the downstream end of the conveying track. In this way, the contact time of the food with at least one traction roller can be maximized.

[0043] The first pulling roller and the second pulling roller can be arranged directly adjacent to one another in the conveying direction within the conveying track.

[0044] Two or more pulling rollers can be driven by a common rotation drive. The rotational speeds of the pulling rollers can thus be synchronized. This enables precise feeding and prevents the pulling rollers from spinning. Furthermore, the arrangement with the common drive can be realized in a particularly space-saving and stable manner. The common drive can be a drive belt, in particular a toothed belt.

[0045] In particular, three pulling rollers can be arranged in one conveyor track. The three pulling rollers can be driven by a common revolving drive, in particular by a drive belt.

[0046] A third pulling roller can be arranged in the region between the first and second pulling rollers, and the common drive belt can engage the first and second pulling rollers on a first side and the third pulling roller on a second side opposite the first side. This allows the drive belt to be maintained under additional tension. The third pulling roller can be arranged in the central region between the first and second pulling rollers, particularly in the middle.

[0047] The axes of two or more traction rollers can be spaced apart in the conveying direction. This advantageously distributes the weight of the food product over the traction rollers. This reduces the mass moved by each traction roller and provides a second engagement position, further increasing the precision of power transmission.

[0048] Preferably, pulling rollers of different diameters are provided. This means that the transition from an upstream conveying or processing device to a downstream conveying or processing device can be adapted to the respective conditions and geometries. In addition, the advantages of pulling rollers with a small diameter and those with a large diameter can be combined. For example, the feed stability of a larger pulling roller can be combined with the advantages of a smaller distance (i.e., gap) between a smaller pulling roller and the adjacent element.

[0049] If a conveyor track has two or more pulling rollers, these rollers can differ in one or more characteristics. For example, the pulling rollers can have different diameters, wherein one pulling roller can have circumferential areas of different diameters, while the other roller can have only one circumferential area. The pulling rollers can have different effective diameters. If this is the case within a track, the transmission ratios on the drive diameters of each roller can be adjusted to ensure that the product surfaces engage at the same speed. The pulling rollers can have different surface structures, drive concepts, or other different characteristics. However, it is also possible for one or more pulling rollers to match one, some, or all of these characteristics.

[0050] The pulling roller with the largest diameter can be positioned upstream in the conveying direction. Here, the length of the food product passing the pulling roller corresponds at least to the length from the slicing unit to the pulling roller, i.e., the length of the conveying track of the product conveying device when the pulling roller is the most upstream element. Therefore, the gap between the pulling roller and adjacent elements is relatively unimportant. This allows for the advantageous use of power transmission using the pulling roller with the larger diameter.

[0051] The pulling roller with the smallest diameter can be placed on the side adjacent to the slicing unit. This allows the food to be conveyed at a controlled feed rate until it reaches the slicing unit or cutting edge. In particular, the gap between the pulling roller and the cutting edge can be made particularly small.

[0052] The conveyor track may have three or more pulling rollers in one conveyor track.

[0053] If the conveyor track has three or more pulling rollers, a pulling roller can be arranged between two pulling rollers, and this middle pulling roller can have a smaller diameter than the two adjacent pulling rollers.

[0054] Preferably, at least one pulling roller is provided in each of the at least two conveyor tracks. This allows for a compact and stable design of the product conveyor system. The drive concepts can also be coordinated with one another. Furthermore, the feeds of the conveyor tracks can be better synchronized.

[0055] Preferably, at least two pulling rollers are arranged coaxially. This means that two food products can be fed symmetrically and in parallel. Furthermore, the drives and their arrangement can be advantageously coordinated. The two coaxially arranged pulling rollers can be driven via a common shaft drive, in particular a hollow shaft drive. In this case, the drive shaft of one pulling roller extends inside the adjacent hollow pulling roller or its hollow drive shaft.

[0056] The pulling rollers of one conveyor track can be offset in the conveying direction relative to the pulling rollers of the other conveyor track. This means that their drive rollers or drive shafts can also be offset and thus arranged to save space. This also creates additional options for the drive arrangement, in particular for the arrangement of the drive rollers that guide the associated revolving drive.

[0057] Preferably, parallel drive shafts are provided for the pulling rollers in at least two conveyor tracks. This allows for a space-saving design, while also facilitating the arrangement of the associated drive motors. Furthermore, the length of the drive shafts can vary. The associated drive motors can also be offset laterally, horizontally, vertically, or in combinations thereof. The revolving drives, in particular the drive belts, can also be arranged in parallel and offset in all three spatial directions.

[0058] Preferably, one or more freely rotating support rollers are provided in at least one conveyor track. These support rollers serve to support the food in areas where driven traction rollers are not or may not be required. The use of support rollers eliminates the need for support belts. Support rollers can differ from traction rollers in one or more characteristics. For example, support rollers can have different diameters, surface structures, and materials than traction rollers. However, support rollers can also be similar to traction rollers, differing only in that they are not driven. Support rollers can be assigned to traction rollers, particularly based on positioning, effectiveness, type, or a combination thereof.

[0059] The support roller can have a substantially flat, in particular smooth, surface along its circumference. This can reduce or prevent friction between the support roller and the food and thus reduce or prevent resistance when the food is fed. In addition, in this way, the support roller can also be easily cleaned.

[0060] The support roller can be arranged upstream of the pulling roller. The support roller can be arranged upstream of the pulling roller and directly adjacent to the pulling roller. The pulling roller and the upstream support roller can be arranged in the upstream half of the product conveying device. The pulling roller and the upstream support roller can be arranged on the upstream side of the product conveying device.

[0061] The support roller can be arranged downstream of the pulling roller. The support roller can be arranged downstream of the pulling roller and directly adjacent to the pulling roller. The pulling roller and the downstream support roller can be arranged in the downstream half of the product conveying device. The pulling roller and the downstream support roller can be arranged on the downstream side of the product conveying device, i.e., on the side facing the slicing unit.

[0062] The support roller can be arranged between the two pulling rollers. The support roller can be arranged between the two pulling rollers and directly adjacent to at least one of the two pulling rollers, or can also be arranged directly adjacent to both pulling rollers.

[0063] The support roller can be arranged lower, in particular slightly lower, than the pulling roller. The support roller can be arranged lower, in particular slightly lower, than the associated or adjacent pulling roller.

[0064] The support roller can be spring-mounted. The support roller can be more resilient than the pulling roller. The support roller can be more resilient than the associated or adjacent pulling roller. This can improve the interaction of the pulling roller with the product surface.

[0065] One or more support elements, particularly sliding plates, can be arranged in at least one conveyor track. The support elements provide a support surface on which the food can rest and slide during feeding. The support elements are particularly easy to manufacture because they do not require any components that rotate or otherwise conform to the movement of the food. Ideally, the support surface of the support element that comes into contact with the food is designed to minimize frictional resistance to the food sliding thereon.

[0066] The support element can have a substantially flat, in particular smooth, support surface intended to come into contact with the food. The support surface can therefore be free of unevenness, roughness, protrusions, etc. The support surface can be polished, in particular a polished metal surface. The support surface can be coated, in particular a Teflon coating. The support surface can have a microscopic, in particular molecular, microstructure that, due to the molecular or atomic height, has a reduced coefficient of friction.

[0067] The support element may have a substantially flat support surface.

[0068] The support element can at least partially have a raised support surface. This can further reduce the adhesion of food to the support surface. Furthermore, it can improve the sliding of food on the support element, as the food no longer has to overcome edges. This also prevents damage to the food.

[0069] The support element can be height-adjustable. In this way, the support element can be adjusted to the dimensions of the adjacent rollers, in particular so that the support surface is aligned with the roller apex, i.e., a flat conveying surface is formed. The support element can be arranged lower, in particular slightly lower, than the pulling roller. The support element can be arranged lower, in particular slightly lower, than the associated or adjacent pulling roller.

[0070] The support element can be spring-mounted. The support element can be more resilient than the pulling roller. The support element can be more resilient than an associated or adjacent pulling roller. This can improve the interaction of the pulling roller with the product surface.

[0071] The support element may be arranged upstream of the pulling roller. The support element may be arranged upstream of and directly adjacent to the pulling roller. The pulling roller and the upstream support element may be arranged in the upstream half of the product conveying device. The pulling roller and the upstream support element may be arranged on the upstream side of the product conveying device.

[0072] The support element may be arranged downstream of the pulling roller. The support element may be arranged downstream of the pulling roller and directly adjacent to the pulling roller. The pulling roller and the downstream support element may be arranged in the downstream half of the product conveying device. The pulling roller and the downstream support element may be arranged on the downstream side of the product conveying device, i.e., on the side facing the slicing unit.

[0073] The supporting element may be arranged between the two pulling rollers.The supporting element may be arranged between the two pulling rollers and directly adjacent to at least one of the two pulling rollers, or may also be arranged directly adjacent to both pulling rollers.

[0074] The product conveying device may be a lower product support.For power transmission during food feeding, it may be sufficient for the food to rest on the traction rollers by its own weight.

[0075] The product conveyor can be designed to come into contact with the supplied food from above. As an alternative or in addition to the lower product conveyor, such a product feed from above can be provided. By applying pressure to it, the upper product feed can be brought into contact with the food.

[0076] The product conveying device can be a lower product support, wherein an upper roller can additionally be assigned to the pulling roller in the vertical direction.

[0077] The product conveying device can be a lower product support, wherein the upper roller can also be arranged opposite the traction roller perpendicular to the conveying direction. The connecting line of the center points or center axes of the lower traction roller and the opposite upper roller can form a right angle with the conveying direction. The upper roller opposite the lower traction roller can be a passive roller or a driven traction roller. The food can be clamped between the two rollers by pressing the rollers against each other, especially during feeding. The pressure can be generated by corresponding active or passive elements (for example, springs) on the lower traction roller or the upper roller, or by both, or by yielding of at least one of the traction roller or the upper roller. Thus, the food can be clamped between the two rollers. This can result in improved traction when conveying the food. By clamping the food, the feeding can be made more precise.

[0078] At least one of the conveyor tracks may have a conveying surface which is at least partially formed by a conveyor belt.

[0079] The product conveying device can be designed to the box that can be removably inserted into the box receptacle, and this box comprises the first conveying track, the second conveying track and the 3rd conveying track at least.This means that different forms of box or product conveying device can easily interchange and be used for for example different types of food respectively.Different boxes can have different numbers of conveying tracks.The conveying track of a box can have a width different from the conveying track of another box.Drive motor can be arranged on the box receptacle or in the box receptacle, and remains in the box receptacle when box is removed.When removing box, can disengage and connect drive coupling or can discharge coupling.

[0080] The revolving drive can be guided around the traction roller and the tensioning roller. The position of the tensioning roller can be adjustable, in particular detachable and lockable, so as to tension the revolving drive around the first traction roller and the tensioning roller.

[0081] The first and second pulling rollers of the same conveyor track can be drivable by means of a common revolving drive.

[0082] The revolving drive can revolve around the first traction roller, the second traction roller, and the tensioning roller. The position of the tensioning roller can be adjustable, in particular removable and lockable, so as to tension the revolving drive around the first traction roller, the second traction roller, and the tensioning roller. The tensioning roller can be arranged transversely to the outer (e.g., right or left) conveyor track, for example, transversely to the first conveyor track. The revolving conveyor can drive the first and second traction rollers of the outer conveyor track. The tensioning roller can be arranged at least partially above the traction roller.

[0083] The first and second pulling rollers of the same conveyor track can be arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction so that their distance is the minimum possible distance to avoid contact. In particular, their distance is less than 20 cm, more particularly less than 5 cm, and even more particularly less than 2 cm.

[0084] Pulling rollers, support rollers, support elements, etc. can be mounted on the stud shaft. The stud shaft with the rollers mounted thereon can be pulled out along the longitudinal axis of the rollers, thereby releasing the rollers, in particular for removal from the product conveying device. The stud shaft can be fixed or released by means of laterally arranged screws. The length of the stud shaft can extend over one conveyor track, two conveyor tracks, or several conveyor tracks. The rollers of the conveyor tracks can be mounted on the stud shaft. Two coaxially adjacent rollers of two adjacent conveyor tracks or several coaxially adjacent rollers of several adjacent conveyor tracks can be mounted on the same stud shaft. The stud shaft can be a non-driven shaft, serving only to support one or more freewheels or driven rollers.

[0085] The length of the stud shaft can extend through all conveyor tracks of the product conveying device. The stud shaft can be two-part. The stud shaft can have a separation point at its center, allowing the first part of the stud shaft to be pulled out laterally from a first side of the product conveying device, and the second part of the stud shaft to be pulled out laterally from a second side of the product conveying device. The first part, the second part, or both parts of the stud shaft can be secured with screws.

[0086] The revolving drive device may be covered by a cover. The cover may be arranged above the revolving drive device. The width of the cover may substantially correspond to the width of the revolving drive device. The cover may be arranged so that it does not contact the revolving drive device. The cover may be arranged between the two conveyor rails. The cover may be arranged on the revolving drive device arranged laterally inward, in particular, above the revolving drive device. The cover may prevent food from coming into contact with the revolving drive device.

[0087] The revolving drive can rotate about a second circumferential region of the traction roller, the second circumferential region having a smaller circumference than the first circumferential region of the traction roller, the food resting on the first circumferential region. The second circumferential region can extend laterally beyond the width of the revolving drive as a collar. The collar can extend into the region of an adjacent roller of an adjacent conveyor track. The collar can extend beneath the adjacent roller. The collar can be sealed against the adjacent roller by means of a seal. The collar can include a sprocket engaged with the revolving drive.

[0088] The components of the product conveying system can be designed and arranged so that no torque vectoring component overlaps with any other torque vectoring component, in particular, no torque vectoring component is completely or partially located within another torque vectoring component. All torque vectoring components can be arranged so that no torque vectoring component radially overlaps with another torque vectoring component. All torque vectoring components can be arranged so that they are spaced apart axially or in the conveying direction. All coaxially arranged pulling rollers, in particular, pulling rollers of adjacent conveyor tracks, can be axially spaced apart. All pulling rollers can be arranged so that no pulling roller overlaps with another pulling roller, in particular, no section or element of a pulling roller overlaps with a section or element of another pulling roller. All coaxially arranged pulling rollers can be arranged so that the collars of the pulling rollers do not overlap with adjacent pulling rollers. The torque used to drive a first pulling roller, in particular to rotate the first pulling roller, can be transmitted to the corresponding pulling roller for all pulling rollers in such a way that no torque vectoring drive shaft is fully or partially guided through a second driven pulling roller without also driving the second pulling roller.

[0089] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a food slicing machine having a slicing unit and a product conveying device according to one of the above-described embodiments.

[0090] The food slicing machine may have a cartridge receptacle, wherein the product conveying device may be removably inserted into the cartridge receptacle. This means that the food slicing device may be adapted to different foods.

[0091] The food slicing machine may comprise a first drive shaft, wherein the first drive shaft is arranged coaxially with a traction roller of the product conveying device, wherein a coupling is provided for coupling the drive shaft to the traction roller. In this way, the drive motor can remain in the food slicing machine when the cartridge is changed.

[0092] The food slicing machine may comprise a second drive shaft which is connected to the traction roller by a rotary drive arrangement so as to drive the traction roller. Thus, the box may be released by loosening or releasing the drive arrangement so that it can be removed.

[0093] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a method for removing a cassette from a food slicing machine, wherein the cassette has a first conveyor track, a second conveyor track, and a third conveyor track, each of the first conveyor track, the second conveyor track, and the third conveyor track being configured to independently supply a respective food product to a slicing unit, and wherein one of the first conveyor track, the second conveyor track, and the third conveyor track comprises a pulling roller, wherein the pulling roller is configured to come into conveying contact with the food product and to supply the food product to the slicing unit, the method comprising the following steps:

[0094] Release the drive coupling between the drive and the pulling roller, and

[0095] Remove the cartridge from the cartridge receptacle.

[0096] Releasing the drive coupling may involve releasing tension on a rotating drive means. The cassette may be released by tilting it. The drive means may be a drive belt.

[0097] Releasing the drive coupling may comprise unhooking the revolving drive from a drive roller, wherein the drive roller is part of the cartridge receptacle. The drive roller may remain in the cartridge receptacle, although the cartridge is removable.

[0098] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to the use of a pulling roller for conveying food products towards a cutting blade in a product conveying device having at least three independent conveying tracks.

[0099] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a product conveying device for supplying food products to a slicing unit of a food slicing machine, the product conveying device comprising a cartridge, wherein the cartridge is removably arranged in the product conveying device. The product conveying device further comprises a first pulling roller, wherein the first pulling roller forms a first conveying track with the cartridge and is configured to come into transport contact with the food products and to feed them to the slicing unit.

[0100] In this way, the cassette can be removed for cleaning, and the pulling roller can remain in the product conveying device and be cleaned there.

[0101] The product conveying device may include a cartridge receptacle. The cartridge may be removably disposed in the cartridge receptacle. The cartridge receptacle may include a first pulling roller.

[0102] The cassette may comprise one or more freely rotatable support rollers which together with the first pulling roller form the first conveying track.

[0103] The cassette may comprise one or more supporting elements. In particular, if the cassette comprises only supporting rollers or supporting elements or both, but no driven traction rollers, there is no need to separate the drive train and the cassette can be easily removed.

[0104] The product conveying device may include a first drive shaft. The first drive shaft may be coaxially arranged with the first pulling roller.

[0105] The product conveying device can include a second pulling roller. The second pulling roller can be arranged coaxially with the first pulling roller. In this way, two foods can be conveyed simultaneously and in parallel.

[0106] The product conveying device may include a second drive shaft. The second drive shaft may be coaxially arranged with the second pulling roller.

[0107] The cassette may comprise one or more freely rotatable support rollers which together with the second pulling roller form the second conveying track.

[0108] The product conveying apparatus may include a third pulling roller.

[0109] The cassette may comprise one or more freely rotatable support rollers which together with the third pulling roller form a third conveying track.

[0110] The third pulling roller can be driven by a revolving drive.

[0111] The third pulling roller may include a first circumferential region and a second circumferential region, wherein the drive device rotates about the second circumferential region, wherein the diameter of the second circumferential region and the drive device supported thereon is smaller than the diameter of the first circumferential region.

[0112] The product conveying apparatus may include a third drive shaft connected to the third pulling roller via a revolving drive arrangement for driving the third pulling roller.

[0113] The third pulling roller may be coaxially arranged with the first pulling roller and the second pulling roller.

[0114] The product conveying device may include a fourth traction roller, and the box may include one or more freely rotating support rollers, which form a fourth conveying track with the fourth traction roller. In this way, up to four products can be transported in parallel.

[0115] The fourth pulling roller can be driven by a revolving drive.

[0116] The fourth pulling roller may include a first circumferential region and a second circumferential region, wherein the drive device rotates about the second circumferential region, wherein the second circumferential region and the drive device supported thereon have a smaller diameter than the first circumferential region.

[0117] The product conveying apparatus may include a fourth drive shaft connected to the fourth pulling roller via a revolving drive arrangement for driving the fourth pulling roller.

[0118] The fourth pulling roller may be coaxially arranged with the first pulling roller, the second pulling roller, and the third pulling roller.

[0119] The product conveying device may comprise two or more coaxially arranged traction rollers, and the cassette may comprise two or more freely rotatable support rollers, each traction roller forming a conveying track with at least one support roller.

[0120] Two or more pulling rollers may be coaxially arranged and mounted on common bearings.

[0121] The co-mounted pulling rollers can be removably arranged in the product conveying device. The co-mounted pulling rollers can be arranged on and together with a common bearing so that they can be removed from the product conveying device. This means that, on the one hand, the cassette can be removed, and on the other hand, the co-mounted pulling rollers can be removed and cleaned as a separate unit.

[0122] One or more coaxially arranged pulling rollers can be removably mounted on the laterally outermost left side and the laterally outermost right side in the product conveying device respectively by means of a coupling. For example, the pulling roller can be simply pulled out from the coupling.

[0123] The box can have a recess by means of which the box can be removably attached to the holding element. In this way, the box can be removed and inserted without tools.

[0124] The cartridge may have a substantially arcuate recess by means of which the cartridge may be removably attached to the substantially cylindrical holding element.

[0125] The cartridge may have a substantially arcuate recess by means of which the cartridge may be removably attached to the substantially cylindrical shaft guide.

[0126] The first leg or the second leg or both legs of the recess can be elastically flexible.In this way, when the leg is attached and disassembled, the leg can be bent outwards and surround the holding element again in the final installation position.

[0127] The retaining element may have a notch into which the recess of the cartridge fits, thereby limiting or preventing lateral displacement of the cartridge.

[0128] The cassette may comprise a cassette frame and a roller module, wherein the roller module is removably arranged in the cassette frame. This means that different roller modules can be arranged in the cassette frame, for example, to provide different numbers of conveyor tracks.

[0129] The roller module may comprise one or more free-wheeling support rollers in a conveyor track. These are used to support the food module and convey it to the slicing unit.

[0130] The roller module can be supported in the box frame in an adjustable manner by means of an eccentric. In this way, the height of the support roller can be adapted to the cutting edge of the slicing unit.

[0131] When box is installed in product conveying equipment, at least one supporting roller of box can be arranged upstream of traction roller.This means that additional upstream support of food is possible, or traction roller can be positioned to be closer to cutting plane, or both.

[0132] When the cassette is mounted in the product conveying apparatus, at least one supporting roller of the cassette may be arranged upstream of the pulling roller, and at least one supporting roller of the cassette may be arranged downstream of the pulling roller.

[0133] In each of the one or more conveyor tracks, at least one supporting roller may be arranged upstream of a respective pulling roller when the cassette is mounted in the product conveying device.

[0134] One or more pulling rollers may be arranged in the product conveying device downstream of a holding element to which the cassette may be attached.

[0135] The first pulling roller may be disposed downstream of the first drive shaft in the product conveying apparatus.

[0136] One or more pulling rollers may be arranged in the product conveying apparatus downstream of a respective drive shaft that drives them.

[0137] From the direction of transport, the corresponding traction rollers of the right or left conveying track or two tracks on the outermost side can be driven by the rotary drive. This means that, for these traction rollers, the corresponding drive shaft can also deviate from the roller axis.

[0138] The respective traction roller or both traction rollers of the laterally outermost right or left conveyor track, viewed in the conveying direction, can each be driven by a respective pivoting drive, wherein the respective traction roller has a roller section with a lateral extension exceeding the width of the supporting roller, and wherein the drive rotates around this roller section. In this way, the pivoting drive is located outside the actual conveying track and can also avoid contact with the food.

[0139] Each pulling roller comprises a first circumferential region and a second circumferential region, wherein the corresponding drive device rotates around the second circumferential region, wherein the diameter of the second circumferential region and the drive device supported thereon is smaller than the diameter of the first circumferential region. As a result, the food rests only on the first circumferential region and does not come into contact with the drive device.

[0140] According to a sixth aspect, the invention relates to a food slicing machine having a slicing unit and a product conveying device according to the above-described embodiments.

[0141] According to a seventh aspect, the present invention relates to a method for removing a cassette from a product conveying device, wherein the cassette comprises one or more support rollers, wherein the support rollers together with traction rollers of the product conveying device form a conveying track, and wherein the traction rollers are configured to come into conveying contact with a food product and to supply the food product to a slicing unit, the method comprising the following steps:

[0142] pulling the cartridge out of the recess of the at least partially enclosed holding element of the product conveying device, and

[0143] The box can be removed from the product conveying device. Therefore, it can be removed easily and without tools.

[0144] The recess in the cartridge may be substantially arcuate and the retaining element may be substantially cylindrical.

[0145] Pulling out can include unlocking the box. This means that the box can be adjusted when installed so that unintentional movement or removal can be avoided.

[0146] Pulling may involve rotating the cassette at an angle in the range of 45 to 90 degrees.

[0147] The cassette may include a cassette frame and a roller module, and removal of the cassette may include removing the roller module from the cassette frame.

[0148] According to an eighth aspect, the invention relates to the use of a cassette for conveying food products in a product conveying device to a cutting blade in a food slicing machine, wherein the cassette comprises support rollers and the product conveying device comprises traction rollers, wherein the support rollers and the traction rollers form a conveying track.

[0149] The product conveying device according to the first aspect of the present invention and the food slicing machine according to the second aspect of the present invention can be used in the method according to the third aspect of the present invention. The method according to the third aspect of the present invention can be performed using the product conveying device according to the first aspect of the present invention and the food slicing machine according to the second aspect of the present invention. The use of the pulling roller according to the fourth aspect of the present invention for conveying food can be implemented in the product conveying device according to the first aspect of the present invention and the food slicing machine according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0150] The product conveying device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention and the food slicing machine according to the sixth aspect of the present invention can be used in the method according to the seventh aspect of the present invention. The method according to the seventh aspect of the present invention can be performed using the product conveying device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention and the food slicing machine according to the sixth aspect of the present invention. The use of the cartridge according to the eighth aspect of the present invention for conveying food can be implemented in the product conveying device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention and the food slicing machine according to the sixth aspect of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0151] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0152] Figure 1 : shows a food processing line;

[0153] Figure 2 : shows a perspective view of a food slicing machine;

[0154] Figure 3 : shows a perspective cutaway view of a food slicing machine;

[0155] Figure 4 : shows a perspective cutaway view of a food slicing machine;

[0156] Figure 5 : A schematic diagram showing a first conveying track of a product conveying device;

[0157] Figure 6 : shows a perspective view of the box;

[0158] Figure 7 : Shows Figure 6 A perspective cross-sectional view of a box;

[0159] Figure 8 : A perspective view of a box showing another embodiment;

[0160] Figure 9 : Shows Figure 8 A side sectional view of a box;

[0161] Figure 10 : A perspective view of a box showing another embodiment;

[0162] Figure 11 : shows a perspective view of a product delivery device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention;

[0163] Figure 12 : Shown without box Figure 11 A perspective view of a product conveying device;

[0164] Figure 13 : Shows Figure 11 A perspective view of a box of a product delivery device;

[0165] Figure 14 : Shows Figure 11 A perspective view of a product conveying device with the box pivoted upward;

[0166] Figure 15 : shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the box, wherein the box frame and the roller module are rotated upward;

[0167] Figure 16 : Shows Figure 15 A perspective view of a roller module of a box;

[0168] Figure 17 : Shows Figure 15 A perspective view of a box frame of the box;

[0169] Figure 18 : A schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the product conveying device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention;

[0170] Figure 19 : A perspective view showing another embodiment of a product delivery device;

[0171] Figure 20 : Shows Figure 19 A cross-sectional view of a first conveying track and a second conveying track of a product conveying device.

[0172] In the drawings, corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0173] Figure 1A perspective view of a food processing line 1 with several processing stations along a conveying direction 100 is shown. A block of food 3, such as a block of cheese, is fed to a portioner 5 to be divided into, for example, four elongated food products, each of which has a smaller height and width than the original block of food 3. These food products are then analyzed in a scanner 7 (e.g., an X-ray scanner). In this way, for example, the external dimensions of the food products can be detected, their internal density structure can be determined, or both. In a downstream food slicing machine 9, these food products are cut into food slices using a slicing unit 11. Here, a separator inserter 13, also called a "sandwich inserter," can be used to insert separators between the slices. The portioning unit 15, onto which the cut slices initially land, determines the arrangement and number of slices in the food portion by moving its conveyor unit. A checkweigher 17 checks the portion weights. The desired number of food portions can be arranged on a subsequent buffer 19 for subsequent processing of the portion groups or format groups at a subsequent station. At a loading station 21, the food portions are placed into packaging trays using, for example, a pick-up robot or a conveyor belt. In the subsequent packaging machine 23, the packaging tray filled with the food portion is closed, for example, sealed. The closed packages are then labeled and separated.

[0174] Figure 2 A perspective view of a food slicing machine 9 is shown, which has a slicing unit 11 configured to slice food from four conveyor tracks along a cutting edge 27 using a rotating cutting blade 25 in the form of a sickle-shaped blade. A blade guard 29 covers the rotating cutting blade 25 and can be folded upward to replace the cutting blade 25. The cut slices fall onto a portioning belt 31, which is configured to produce food portions, i.e., stacks of slices with the desired number of slices and arrangement, e.g., stacked or laminated portions, which are then conveyed further. Upstream of the slicing unit 11, there is a four-track circulating inlet belt 33, a four-track product conveyor belt 35 with a central separator 37, and a product conveying device according to the present invention between the product conveyor belt 35 and the slicing unit 11, the product conveying device according to the present invention being largely concealed here by the housing part 15.

[0175] The product conveyor belt 35 can be rotated upward about its downstream axis, allowing the product grippers 39 to each grip the rear end of the food in the conveying direction. The food is fed diagonally downward in the conveying direction 100 to the slicing unit 11. An operating unit 41 in the form of a touchscreen is used to operate the food slicing machine 9 and display operating parameters. A protective cover 43 can be folded upward to provide access to the product guide.

[0176] Figure 3A perspective cutaway view of a food slicing machine 9 is shown. A circulating inlet belt 33 moves food (not shown) onto a product conveyor belt 35. A sensor 45 can detect the length of the food. The sensor 45 can be a photoelectric barrier or a laser sensor. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the product conveyor belt 35 is in a lower horizontal position and can be rotated about the rotation axis 200 to a higher inclined position, such as Figure 4 As shown. The food moves from the product conveyor belt 35 to the product conveying device 47 according to the invention, which is located upstream of the cutting edge 27, so that it is fed to the sickle-shaped blade 25 with the help of the product conveying device 47. In this embodiment, the product conveying device 47 has a first and a second traction roller 49, a support roller 51 and a support element 53. The upper product feed member 55 also contacts the food from above by driving the feed belt 57 to support the feeding movement. In addition, the product clamp 39 is configured to clamp the rear end of the food in order to additionally control the feeding movement. The separator feeder or clamp 13 provides a large amount of separator material 59, which is controlled according to the cutting process, in particular in a timed manner, and the separator material 59 can be inserted between or under the slices as individually cut separators. The discharge belt 61 serves to remove the initial slices and end pieces and can rotate clockwise in the view shown here.

[0177] Figure 4 Shown as Figure 2 and Figure 3 , but with the product conveyor belt 35 pivoting upwards about the axis of rotation 200. In this upper position of the product conveyor belt 35, the food products are fed to the slicing unit 11 along the transport direction 100 by means of a product conveyor device 47. Furthermore, the upper product feed element 55, the product conveyor belt 35, and the product gripper 39 engaging the upstream end of the food products support the most precise possible feeding. The product conveyor device 47 has two traction rollers 49, a support roller 51, and a support element 53. For the sake of clarity, some elements, such as the separator feeder 13 and the portioning unit 15, have been omitted from this illustration.

[0178] Figure 5A schematic diagram of a first conveyor track of a product conveyor system 47 having three tracks is shown. The second and third conveyor tracks 20 and 30 are represented by dashed symbols. The conveyor track 10 includes upstream and downstream traction rollers 49, support rollers 51, and support elements 53, which are aligned together to form a substantially flat conveying surface for the food products 63. The traction rollers 49, support rollers 51, and support elements 53 may deviate slightly from a common ideal support or conveying plane, particularly due to the effective diameter of the traction rollers 49 or to achieve a desired grip. The traction rollers 49 are each connected to a drive 67, such as an electric motor, particularly a servomotor, via a drive shaft 65. The support elements 53 are mounted on a lifting mechanism 69, which allows for adjustment of their height. The traction rollers 49 and support rollers 51 are mounted on a frame 71, which has a passage for the drive shaft 65. The frame 71 can be provided on both sides of the conveyor track 10 and can be used to support the other components of the conveyor tracks 20 and 30. The support elements 53 can also be mounted on the frame 71 or associated struts. The conveyor tracks 20 and 30 can have the same structure as the conveyor track 10 , but can also be designed differently.

[0179] Figure 6 A perspective view of a product conveying device 47 in the form of a removable cassette 73 having four conveyor tracks 10, 20, 30, 40 is shown. Each of the conveyor tracks 10, 20, 30, 40 has three support rollers 51, a support element 53 and a pulling roller 49. The cassette 73 is removably inserted into a cassette receptacle 75, which is represented here as the right and left dotted frame elements. The first drive shaft 65 is part of the cassette receptacle 75 and is removably coaxially connected to the pulling roller 49 of the first conveyor track 10 via a coupling 77. The second drive shaft 79 extends parallel to the pulling roller 49 of the second conveyor track 20 and is connected to the pulling roller 49 of the second conveyor track 20 via a revolving drive device 81 in the form of a transmission belt. A drive corresponding to the second conveyor track 20 is provided for the third conveyor track 30. A drive corresponding to the first conveyor track 10 is provided for the fourth conveyor track 40. As shown Figure 7 As shown in more detail in FIG, the traction rollers 49 of the second and third conveyor tracks 20 and 30 have a first circumferential region configured to come into contact with the food 63 and a second circumferential region around which the drive device revolves. The diameter of the first circumferential region is greater than the diameter of the second circumferential region and the drive device 81 supported thereon. The inner section of the second drive shaft 79 is configured as a drive roller 83, around which the drive device 81 revolves.

[0180] Figure 7 The vertical section along the lateral section axis through the pulling roller 49 is shown. Figure 6A perspective cross-sectional view of a cassette 73 is shown. Sections of the second conveyor track 20 and the third conveyor track 30 are visible. The pulling roller 49 has a first circumferential region 85, which is provided for supporting the food 63, and a second circumferential region 87, which is provided for engaging the revolving drive 81. The first circumferential region 85 has a first diameter 50. The second circumferential region 87 has a second diameter 60. The sum of the thickness of the revolving drive 81 and the second diameter 60 gives a third or overall diameter 70 of the second circumferential region 87, which is smaller than the first diameter 50 of the first circumferential region 85. Therefore, even if the width of the food 63 is greater than the width of the first circumferential region 85, the food 63 does not rest on the revolving drive 81. The pulling roller 49 has a surface structure 89 in the form of lateral grooves with tapered outer edges and a height 80. The sum of the thickness of the revolving drive 81 and the second diameter 60 is, in particular, smaller than the effective diameter of the first circumferential region 85 or the pulling roller 49. The outer side or upper side of the revolving drive 81 is lower than the bottom side of the product, even if the bottom side of the product is engaged or operably connected to the structure of the traction roller 49, that is, even if the food 63 penetrates between the surface structure 89 of the traction roller 49 (for example, between the lateral grooves).

[0181] Figure 8 A perspective view of a box 73 with four conveyor tracks 10, 20, 30, 40 is shown in another embodiment. Figure 7 In the embodiment example of FIG, the upstream traction rollers 49 of the two middle tracks 20, 30 are each driven by a revolving drive 81, which in turn is driven by a second drive shaft 79. In addition, the drive 81 also runs over a second downstream traction roller 91 in order to also drive the downstream traction roller 91. The outer conveyor tracks 10, 40 now also each have a second downstream traction roller 91. A second revolving drive 93 runs around the traction rollers 49, 91 of the outer conveyor tracks 10, 40 in order to also drive the second traction roller 91 by means of the rotation of the first traction roller 49. Here, the first traction roller 49 is driven by Figure 5 and Figure 6 The illustrated first drive shaft 65 is driven via a coupling 77 .

[0182] Furthermore, all conveyor tracks 10 , 20 , 30 , 40 each have two third pulling rollers 95 , which also have a surface structure in the form of lateral grooves and are driven by respective revolving drives 81 , 93 .

[0183] Figure 9 Shown Figure 8A side cross-sectional view of a cassette 73 of an embodiment of the present invention. A first revolving drive 81 in the form of a toothed belt runs over the drive shaft 79, the first traction roller 49, the second traction roller 91, and two third traction rollers 95 of the second conveyor track 20. A second revolving drive 93 in the form of a toothed belt runs over the first traction roller 49, the second traction roller 91, and two third traction rollers 95 of the first conveyor track 10. The diameter 50 of the first traction roller 49 is greater than the diameter 90 of the second traction roller 91. The first circumferential region 85 of the traction rollers 49, 91 has a sawtooth surface structure 89, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As already shown in FIG, the outermost extent of the serrated surface structure 89 protrudes beyond the revolving drive means 81, 93, so that the food 63 rests on the surface structure 89 but not on the drive means 81, 93. In this embodiment, the second circumferential region 87 has a toothed surface, each of which engages with each of the drive means 81, 93 in the form of a toothed belt. The traction roller 95 is designed accordingly.

[0184] Figure 10 A perspective view of a cassette 73 in accordance with another embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the revolving drive 93 of the first conveyor track 10 is guided so that its first inner side 97 engages the outer traction rollers 49, 91 and its second outer side 99, opposite the first side, contacts the central traction roller 95. As a result, the drive 93 is guided partially further away from the food 63 and is additionally tensioned. The first traction roller 49 can rotate about a first rotation axis 300, and the second traction roller 91 can rotate about a second rotation axis 400.

[0185] Figure 11A perspective view of a product conveyor 101 according to another embodiment of the fifth aspect of the present invention is shown. The product conveyor 101 includes a cassette receptacle 103, which is essentially formed by a frame 105 and a cylindrical shaft guide 107. The product conveyor 101 also includes a detachably arranged cassette 109. In this variation, the cassette 109 includes freely rotatable support rollers 51. Four traction rollers 49 are coaxially arranged in the product conveyor 101; in this embodiment, these four traction rollers 49 are not part of the cassette 109. The product conveyor 101 has four tracks. The upper vertices of the support rollers 51 can be at exactly the same height as the upper vertices of the corresponding traction rollers 49, but they can also be aligned at slightly different heights. Food 63 is conveyed along a conveying direction 100. In this embodiment, the left conveyor track is referred to as the first conveyor track 10, the right conveyor track is referred to as the second conveyor track 20, and the middle conveyor tracks are referred to as the third conveyor track 30 and the fourth conveyor track 40. The traction rollers 49 of the first conveyor track 10 are driven by a first coaxially arranged drive shaft 111. The pulling rollers 49 of the second conveyor track 20 are driven by a second, coaxially arranged drive shaft 113. This designation of the first and second conveyor tracks 10, 20 corresponds to the basic structure of a two-track machine, in which the right and left conveyor tracks 10, 20 are each driven on one side by an associated drive shaft 111, 113. As an extension of the concept, an intermediate track with separate drive shafts 115, 117 was added. The pulling rollers 49 of the third conveyor track 30 are driven by a third, parallel, offset drive shaft 115. The pulling rollers 49 of the fourth conveyor track 40 are driven by a fourth, parallel, offset drive shaft 117. Drive rollers 83 are arranged at the ends of the third and fourth drive shafts 115, 117. The pulling rollers 49 of the third and fourth conveyor tracks 30, 40 have a first circumferential region 85 and a second circumferential region 87, and the rotary drive 81 rotates around the second circumferential region 87 and the drive roller 83 to drive the pulling rollers 49. The circumference of the second circumferential region 87, where the drive 81 resides, is smaller than the circumference of the first circumferential region 85. The cassette 109 has an arcuate recess 121 on a lateral portion of the cassette frame 119, by means of which the cassette 109 is attached to the cylindrical shaft guide 107. For this purpose, the shaft guide 107 has an additional notch 123, which also fixes the cassette 109 laterally.

[0186] Figure 12 Shown without box 109 Figure 11A perspective view of product conveyor device 101 is shown. Drive motors 67 for the respective drive shafts 111, 113, 115, and 117 are visible on the side of frame 105. Four traction rollers 49 are mounted on a common bearing 125, which is supported on a beam-like transverse element 129 of frame 105 by means of supports 127. The traction rollers 49, together with the bearings 125, can be removed from product conveyor device 101 by releasing supports 127, pulling the bearings 125 and traction rollers 49 downward out of coupling 77, and releasing flanged pulley 131 of drive roller 83 to allow the drive device 81 to be pulled out. Recesses 123, into which cassette 109 fits, can be seen on shaft guide 107.

[0187] Figure 13 Shown Figure 11 A perspective view of a product conveying device for a cassette. Four support rollers 51 are arranged in the cassette frame 119 for each conveyor track 10, 20, 30, 40. An arcuate recess 121 is formed in each lateral section of the cassette frame 119. This arcuate recess 121 is formed by or surrounded by a first leg 133 and a second leg 135. One or both of the legs 133, 135 can be elastically loaded so that the recess 121 can fit onto the cylindrical shaft guide 107. Lateral handles 137 are used for manipulation to rotate and remove the cassette 109 from the locking mechanism during removal.

[0188] Figure 14 The figure shows the direction opposite to the conveying direction 100. Figure 11 A perspective view of the product delivery device 101 is shown with the cassette 109 pivoted upward for removal. To remove the cassette 109, the latch 139 is opened, for example by pulling a spring-loaded bolt inwardly biased toward the outside. The cassette 109 is then pivoted upward and removed from the cylindrical shaft guide 107.

[0189] Figure 15 A perspective view of another embodiment of the cassette 109 is shown, wherein the cassette frame 119 and the roller module 141 are swiveled upward. The roller module 141 is mounted on the cassette frame 119 and can be removed from the cassette frame. Thus, the roller module 141 can be replaced, for example, to provide a different number of conveyor tracks 10, 20, 30, 40.

[0190] Figure 16 Shown Figure 15 A perspective view of the roller module 141 of the cassette 109, which can be attached to the inner lateral supports of the cassette frame 119 by means of recesses 143 (see Figure 17 By means of the eccentric 145 the roller module 141 can be adjusted in height relative to the cassette frame 119, for example to adjust the height slightly relative to the cutting edge.

[0191] Figure 17 Shown Figure 15 109 of the cassette frame 119. The recess 143 of the roller module 141 can be assembled onto the lateral support 147 to place the roller module 141 in the cassette frame 119.

[0192] Figure 18 A schematic diagram of a further embodiment of a product conveying device 101 according to the fifth aspect of the invention is shown. Here, the pulling roller 49 is offset from the drive shafts 111, 113, 115, 117 in the transport direction 100 and is therefore positioned closer to the cutting edge. A revolving drive 81 extends from the drive shafts 111, 113, 115, 117 (here the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 113 can be seen) to the pulling roller in order to drive the pulling roller. To this end, the inner pulling roller 49 of the third conveyor track 30 and the fourth conveyor track 40 has a first circumferential area 85 and a second circumferential area 87, around which the drive 81 revolves, the diameter 60 of the second circumferential area 87 and the drive 81 supported thereon being smaller than the diameter 50 of the first circumferential area 85 (see FIG. 2 ). Figure 7 ). As a result, the revolving drive device 81 does not come into contact with the conveyed food 63 resting on the first circumferential area 85. The third and fourth drive shafts 115, 117 are offset downwardly relative to the traction roller 49. In the embodiment shown, the third and fourth drive shafts 115, 117 are offset downwardly, but are in the same position as the first and second drive shafts 111, 113 in the conveying direction 100. However, they can also be positioned further downstream in the conveying direction 100. The box 109 includes freely rotating support rollers 51 so that it can be removed together. For each conveyor track 10, 20, 30, 40, there are two support rollers 51 upstream of the traction roller 49 and one support roller 51 downstream of the traction roller 49. The traction roller 49 of the outer conveyor track 10, 20 includes an outwardly facing extension 149, around which the drive device 81 revolves. The drive device 81 is therefore arranged outside the conveyor track 10, 20 formed by the traction roller 49 with its first circumferential area 85 and the width of the support roller 51. In the embodiment shown, the roller extension 149 also has a smaller diameter than the rest of the traction roller 49.

[0193] Figure 19A perspective view of a product conveyor system 47 of a further embodiment with four conveyor tracks 10, 20, 30, 40 is shown, wherein each conveyor track 10, 20, 30, 40 has a first and a second traction roller 49, 91 and at least one support roller 51. The first and second traction rollers 49, 91 of the first conveyor track 10 on the left are driven by a common revolving drive 81 in the form of a toothed belt, wherein the drive 81 is additionally guided over a tensioning roller 151. The rollers 49, 81, 151 can be connected to the drive 67 via a coupling 77.

[0194] The first and second traction rollers 49, 91 of the second conveyor track 20 are also connected by means of a revolving drive 81 in the form of a toothed belt, which engages in corresponding sprockets to the left of the first and second traction rollers 49, 91 in the conveying direction 100. For this purpose, a drive shaft 65 is connected to the second traction roller 91 and has a coupling 77 on its left outer side for connection to a further drive 67. Although the drive shaft 65 is press-fit connected to the second traction roller 91 of the second conveyor track 20 for driving the traction roller 91, a freely rotatable support roller (not shown here) can be mounted on the drive shaft 65 in the first conveyor track 10 so as to rotate freely, and in particular is not driven by the drive shaft 65.

[0195] Cover 153 is disposed above revolving drive device 81, which drives traction rollers 49, 91 of second conveyor track 20 and is disposed on its left side. Cover 153 covers revolving drive device 81, thereby preventing food 63 on first or second conveyor track 10, 20 from coming into contact with drive device 81. A similar cover 153 is located on the right side of third conveyor track 30 and covers revolving drive device 81 of third conveyor track 30.

[0196] Figure 20 Shown Figure 19 A cross-sectional view of the first conveyor track 10 and the second conveyor track 20 of a product conveyor system is shown. The first pulling roller 49 of the first conveyor track 10 and the first pulling roller 49 of the second conveyor track 20 are mounted on a common stud shaft 155. The stud shaft 155 is releasably secured by screws 157 and can be pulled out after being loosened, releasing the pulling roller 49 and allowing it to be removed. Similarly, the second pulling roller 91 of the first conveyor track 10 and the support roller 51 of the second conveyor track 20 are mounted on the stud shaft 155. Each stud shaft 155 has a separation point 159 (shown here at the right edge of the figure) in the center of the product conveyor system, between the second conveyor track 20 and the third conveyor track 30. At this separation point 159, each stud shaft 155 is releasably connected to the second half of the stud shaft 155, which extends over the third and fourth conveyor tracks 30, 40.

[0197] The second pulling roller 91 of the second conveyor track 20 is driven directly by the drive shaft 65. The first pulling roller 49 of the second conveyor track 20 is also driven by the drive shaft 65 by means of the revolving conveyor device 81.

[0198] The traction rollers 49 and 91 of the second conveyor track 20 have a collar 161 on their left side. The collar 161 includes a sprocket, with which the revolving conveyor device 81 is engaged in the form of a toothed belt. Furthermore, a protrusion is formed on the left side of the conveyor device 81 and the sprocket as part of the collar 161. A seal 163 is arranged on this protrusion of the collar 161 of the traction roller 49 of the second conveyor track 20. The seal 163 seals the collar 161 against the traction roller 49 of the first conveyor track 10.

Claims

1. A product conveying device (47) for supplying food (63) to a slicing unit (11) of a food slicing machine (9), the product conveying device (47) comprising: a first conveying track (10), a second conveyor track (20), and The third conveying track (30), wherein the first conveying track (10), the second conveying track (20) and the third conveying track (30) are each configured to independently supply corresponding food (63) to the slicing unit (11), It is characterized by: One of the first conveyor track (10), the second conveyor track (20), and the third conveyor track (30) includes a pulling roller (49, 91, 95), wherein the pulling roller (49, 91, 95) is configured to be in conveying contact with the food (63) and supply the food (63) to the slicing unit (11).

2. The product delivery device according to claim 1, wherein: The pulling rollers (49, 91, 95) can be driven by a rotary drive (81, 93).

3. Product delivery device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The pulling roller (49, 91, 95) comprises a first circumferential region (85) and a second circumferential region (87), wherein the drive device (81, 93) revolves around the second circumferential region (87), and wherein the diameter of the second circumferential region (87) and the drive device (81, 93) supported on the second circumferential region (87) is smaller than the diameter of the first circumferential region (85).

4. Product delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The pulling rollers (49, 91, 95) are arranged in the region of the upstream half of the product conveying device (47) in the conveying direction (100), in particular, on the upstream side of the product conveying device (47) in the conveying direction (100).

5. Product delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The pulling rollers (49, 91, 95) are arranged in the second conveying track (20), and wherein the second conveying track (20) is between the first conveying track (10) and the third conveying track (30).

6. Product delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The pulling rollers (49, 91, 95) have a surface structure (89) on their outer circumference, the surface structure (89) having a height (80) of less than 4 mm, in particular less than 2 mm.

7. Product delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Two or more traction rollers (49, 91, 95) are arranged in a conveying track (10, 20, 30).

8. Product delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Pulling rollers (49, 91, 95) having different diameters are provided.

9. Product delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least one pulling roller (49, 91, 95) is arranged in at least two of the conveying tracks (10, 20, 30).

10. Product delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least two pulling rollers (49, 91, 95) are coaxially arranged.

11. The product delivery apparatus of claim 9, wherein: Parallel drive shafts (65, 79) for the pulling rollers (49, 91, 95) are provided in the at least two conveyor tracks (10, 20, 30).

12. Product delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: One or more freely rotatable support rollers (51) are arranged in at least one of the conveying tracks (10, 20, 30).

13. A food slicing machine (9) comprising a slicing unit (11) and a product conveying device (47) according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. A method for removing a cartridge (73) from a food slicing machine (9), wherein: The box (73) includes a first conveyor track (10), a second conveyor track (20), and a third conveyor track (30), wherein the first conveyor track (10), the second conveyor track (20), and the third conveyor track (30) are each configured to independently supply a corresponding food (63) to a slicing unit (11), and wherein one of the first conveyor track (10), the second conveyor track (20), and the third conveyor track (30) includes a pulling roller (49, 91, 95), wherein the pulling roller (49, 91, 95) is configured to be in conveying contact with the food (63) and supply the food (63) to the slicing unit (11), The method comprises the following steps: releasing the drive coupling between the drive (67) and the pulling rollers (49, 91, 95), and The cartridge (73) is removed from the cartridge receptacle (75).

15. Use of traction rollers (49, 91, 95) for conveying food products (63) towards a cutting blade (25) in a product conveying device (47), the product conveying device (47) comprising at least three independent conveying tracks (10, 20, 30).

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