Portioning device for dough with dough container with swiveling base

DE102023120764A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-02-06FRITSCH BAKERY TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO KG
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102023120764
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-08-04
Publication Date
2025-02-06

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Abstract

A portioning device (1) for dough (3) comprises a dough container (5) with a wall assembly (7) that defines a receiving chamber (9) for the dough (3) to be portioned. The dough container (5) has an outlet opening (11) in a base region through which the dough (3) to be portioned leaves the receiving chamber (9). The wall assembly (7) has an inner base section (21) that extends outwards from the outlet opening (11). The wall assembly (7) has an outer base section (23) that extends outwards from the outlet opening (11) beyond the inner base section (21). The inner base section (21) is pivotable about an inner pivot axis (33). The outer base section (23) is pivotably connected to the inner base section (21) about an outer pivot axis (35).
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Description

This invention relates to the field of dough proportioning. In particular, the invention relates to a portioning device having a dough container which has an outlet opening in a base region through which dough to be portioned is dispensed.DE 10 2016 120 042 A1 discloses a device for gravimetric metering and portioning of individual dough portions from a dough mass. A dough receiving device has a dough receiving chamber with a dough receiving volume defined by a plurality of wall elements. A portioning device is configured for portioning individual dough portions from a dough mass accommodated in the dough receiving chamber. At least one wall element of the dough receiving chamber is movably mounted, wherein the dough receiving volume is variable by movement of the at least one movably mounted wall element. By varying the dough receiving volume, a fill level of the dough mass received in the dough receiving chamber can be controlled, wherein a constant fill level is aimed at. The movement of the wall element can be a pivoting movement about a horizontally oriented pivot axis.According to one aspect of the invention, a dough portioning apparatus is provided. The portioning apparatus comprises a dough container having a wall arrangement. The wall arrangement delimits a receiving space for dough to be portioned. The dough container has an outlet opening in a base region, through which dough to be portioned leaves the receiving space. The wall assembly has an inner bottom portion and an outer bottom portion. The inner bottom portion extends outwardly away from the receiving opening. The outer base part extends, adjoining the inner base part, further outwards away from the receiving opening. The inner base part is pivotable about an inner pivot axis. The outer base part is connected to the inner base part such that it can pivot about an outer pivot axis.The inner base part can be pivoted about the inner pivot axis relative to further parts of the wall arrangement, in particular relative to one or more stationary parts of the wall arrangement. The inner base part can be pivoted about the inner pivot axis relative to the outlet opening.The outer base part can be pivoted about the outer pivot axis relative to other parts of the wall arrangement, in particular to one or more stationary parts of the wall arrangement. The outer base part can be pivoted about the outer pivot axis relative to the outlet opening. The outer base part can be pivoted about the outer pivot axis relative to the inner base part.An outward extension may comprise an extension along a direction having at least one component that is perpendicular to a passage direction of the outlet opening.The inner bottom part and the outer bottom part can each form a part of a bottom of the receiving space. Dough present in the receiving space can lie on the inner base part and / or on the outer base part.Dough from the receiving space can flow out of the receiving space through the outlet opening. Dough can pass from the receiving space through the outlet opening, in particular to a dough separator provided below the outlet opening. The dough can flow through the outlet opening purely by gravity.A flow rate of the dough through the outlet opening may be dependent on a dough fill level in the receiving space, in particular on a dough fill level above the outlet opening. A condition of the dough that has flowed out of the receiving space through the outlet opening may be dependent on a dough fill level in the receiving space, in particular on a dough fill level above the outlet opening. A larger dough fill level can, for example, cause a greater density and / or a lower air content of the dough that has flowed out of the receiving space through the outlet opening.For certain applications, it may be advantageous if the dough fill level in the receiving space, in particular the dough fill level above the outlet opening, is kept constant during operation of the portioning device. In particular, it can be advantageous if the dough fill level in the receiving space, in particular the dough fill level above the outlet opening, is kept constant at a desired dough fill level.By the pivotability of the inner base part and the pivotability of the outer base part, a base profile of the dough container can be varied. By pivoting the inner base part and / or pivoting the outer base part, a distribution of the dough in the receiving space can be influenced. In particular, the inner base part and / or the outer base part can be pivoted suitably in order to keep a dough fill level above the outlet opening as constant as possible.By pivoting the inner base part about the inner pivot axis, a dough fill level above the outlet opening can be influenced comparatively directly. A pivot position of the outer base part about the outer pivot axis can influence a behavior of a dough quantity lying on the outer base part. In particular, the pivot position of the outer base part about the outer pivot axis can influence whether a dough lying on the outer base part flows in the direction of the outlet opening or is prevented from flowing in the direction of the outlet opening. By pivoting the outer base part about the outer pivot axis, a flow speed or a flow quantity of dough from the outer base part in the direction of the outlet opening can be changed, in particular controlled or regulated. A pivot position of the outer base part about the outer pivot axis can be decisive for whether and at what rate dough flows from the outer base part to the inner base part.Overall, both a pivot position of the inner base part about the inner pivot axis and a pivot position of the outer base part about the outer pivot axis can influence a dough fill level above the outlet opening. Thus, in the portioning device according to the invention, two degrees of freedom are available with which the dough fill level above the outlet opening can be acted upon.These two degrees of freedom can be used particularly advantageously when replenishing dough into the dough container. For example, dough can be replenished onto the outer base part, while a dough fill level above the outlet opening is kept constant independently of this by a suitable pivoting position of the inner base part. If further dough is required in the region of the inner base part, the dough supply lying on the outer base part can be tracked by pivoting the outer base part about the outer pivot axis.The inner pivot axis may extend horizontally. The outer pivot axis may extend horizontally. The inner pivot axis may be provided closer to the outlet opening than the outer pivot axis. The inner pivot axis may be provided between the outer pivot axis and the outlet opening.The outer pivot axis and the inner pivot axis may be parallel to each other.The inner pivot axis can be fixed.The outer pivot axis can be configured to be movable. The outer pivot axis may be configured to be displaced upon pivoting of the inner base part about the inner pivot axis. The displacement of the outer pivot axis can take place along a direction which is perpendicular to the inner pivot axis and / or to the outer pivot axis.The outer base part can be pivotable about the outer pivot axis independently of a pivot position in which the inner base part is present about the inner pivot axis. The outer base part can be pivoted about the outer pivot axis without a pivot position of the inner base part about the inner pivot axis being changed. The inner base part can be pivoted about the inner pivot axis without a pivot position of the outer base part about the outer pivot axis being changed.The inner bottom portion may extend outwardly from an inner end of the inner bottom portion away from the outlet opening to an outer end of the inner bottom portion. The outer bottom portion may extend outwardly from an inner end of the outer bottom portion away from the outlet opening to an outer end of the outer bottom portion.The inner end of the inner bottom portion may extend adjacent to the receiving opening. The inner end of the inner base part can form a boundary of the receiving opening.The inner end of the outer base part can be connected to the outer end of the inner base part such that it can be pivoted about the outer pivot axis. The outer end of the inner bottom part may be adjacent to the inner end of the outer bottom part.The inner end of the inner base part may extend at least substantially parallel to the outer end of the inner base part. The inner end of the outer base part may extend at least substantially parallel to the outer end of the inner base part. The inner end of the inner base part may extend at least substantially parallel to the inner end of the outer base part.In the region of the outer pivot axis, there can be an articulated connection between the inner base part and the outer base part.The inner bottom part may have a first surface forming a part of a bottom of the receiving space. The outer bottom part may have a second surface forming part of a bottom of the receiving space. The first surface may be a flat surface. The second surface may be a flat surface. An angle between the first surface and the second surface may be defined by a pivot position of the outer bottom portion about the outer pivot axis relative to the inner bottom portion.The outer bottom portion may be configured to be pivoted about the outer pivot axis such that the first surface and the second surface are parallel to each other. The outer bottom portion may be configured to be pivoted about the outer pivot axis relative to the inner bottom portion such that the first surface and the second surface are inclined from a horizontal plane by the same angle. If the first surface and the second surface are inclined by the same angle with respect to a horizontal plane, the second surface can form a linear continuation of the first surface outwards. If the first surface and the second surface are not inclined relative to each other, continuous dough transport from the second surface to the first surface may be promoted.The outer bottom portion may be configured to be pivoted about the outer pivot axis such that the first surface and the second surface are inclined relative to each other. The inner bottom part and the outer bottom part may be configured to be brought into a configuration in which the first surface is inclined downward toward the outlet opening and the second surface is inclined upward toward the outlet opening by pivoting the inner bottom part about the inner pivot axis and / or by pivoting the outer bottom part about the outer pivot axis. In this configuration, a base of the receiving space can be curved inwardly into the receiving space in the region of the second pivot axis. The receiving space can be divided into two parts to a certain extent in the region of the outer pivot axis, dough being located on the first surface in a first part and dough being located on the second surface in a second part. Due to the inward bulge, a transport of dough from the second surface to the first surface can be reduced or prevented.The outer base part can be pivotable about the outer pivot axis between a refilling position and a dispensing position. In the refilling position, the outer end of the outer base part can be located lower than the inner end of the outer base part. In the delivery position, the outer end of the outer base part can be at least at the same height as the inner end of the outer base part or higher than the inner end of the outer base part. Both in the refilling position and in the dispensing position, the inner end of the inner base part can be located lower than the outer end of the inner base part.In the refilling position, the outer pivot axis can be located higher than the outer end of the outer base part. In the refilling position, the outer pivot axis can be located higher than the inner end of the inner base part. In the refilling position, dough can be replenished onto the outer base part, in particular from above. If the inner end of the outer bottom part adjoining the inner bottom part is higher than the outer end of the outer bottom part, the replenished dough can be prevented from flowing directly to the outlet opening and a dough level above the outlet opening abruptly rises due to the replenishment of dough.In the delivery position, the pivot axis can be at the same height or lower than the outer end of the outer base part. In the delivery position, a subsequent flow of dough from the outer base part onto the inner base part and in the direction of the outlet opening can be promoted. After a dough has been filled, the outer end of the outer base part can be gradually raised by pivoting the outer base part about the outer pivot axis in order to bring the filled dough gradually into the region of the outlet opening.The portioning device can comprise a first actuator. The first actuator may be configured to change a pivot position of the inner bottom portion about the inner pivot axis. The first actuator may be configured to change the pivot position of the inner base part about the inner pivot axis depending on an output of at least one fill level sensor. The at least one fill level sensor may be configured to detect a dough fill level in the receiving space. The at least one fill level sensor can comprise a first fill level sensor. The first level sensor may be configured to detect a dough level above the outlet opening. The first actuator and the first fill level sensor can form a control circuit in order to keep a dough fill level constant across the outlet opening. The first actuator may be configured to increase an angle of attack of the inner bottom part relative to a horizontal plane by pivoting the inner bottom part about the inner pivot axis if it is determined based on an output of the first fill level sensor that a dough fill level above the outlet opening is less than a desired dough fill level. The first actuator may be configured to reduce an angle of attack of the inner bottom part with respect to a horizontal plane by pivoting the inner bottom part about the inner pivot axis when it is determined based on an output of the first fill level sensor that a dough fill level above the outlet opening is greater than the desired dough fill level.The portioning device can comprise a second actuator. The second actuator may be configured to change a pivot position of the outer bottom portion about the outer pivot axis.The second actuator may be configured to change the pivot position of the outer base part about the outer pivot axis depending on an output of at least one fill level sensor. The at least one fill level sensor may be configured to detect a dough fill level in the receiving space. The at least one fill level sensor can comprise the first fill level sensor and / or a second fill level sensor. The second level sensor may be configured to determine a dough level above the outer bottom portion. Depending on an output of the first fill level sensor and / or an output of the second fill level sensor, the second actuator can lower or raise the outer end of the outer base part in order to increase or decrease a dough flow from the outer base part in the direction of the outlet opening.Alternatively or additionally to controlling the pivot position of the outer base part based on the first fill level sensor and / or the second fill level sensor, the second actuator can be configured to change the pivot position of the outer base part about the outer pivot axis depending on an indication that a refilling of the receiving space with dough is imminent. Such an indication can be given, for example, by the second fill level sensor outputting that a specific dough fill level above the outer base part is undershot, or by a manual input of an indication. In response to an indication that a refilling of the receiving space with dough is imminent, the second actuator can lower the outer end of the outer base part by pivoting the outer base part about the outer pivot axis.The outer base part can have an outer conveying device. The outer conveying device can be configured to convey dough lying on the outer base part in the direction of the outlet opening. The outer conveying device can have a conveying surface which forms part of the bottom of the receiving space. The outer conveyor may be operated to transfer dough from the outer bottom portion to the inner bottom portion. The outer conveying device can be designed as a belt conveyor or comprise a belt conveyor. The second surface can be formed by the outer conveying device, in particular by an upper run of the outer conveying device.The inner base part can have an inner conveying device. The inner conveying device can be configured to convey dough lying on the inner base part in the direction of the outlet opening. The inner conveying device can have a conveying surface which forms part of the bottom of the receiving space. The inner conveying device can be designed as a belt conveyor or comprise a belt conveyor. The first surface can be formed by the inner conveying device, in particular by an upper run of the inner conveying device.The portioning device can comprise a feed device. The feeding device may be configured to deposit dough onto the outer bottom part. The feeding device can comprise, for example, a dough conveyor which is configured to eject dough from above into the receiving space. The dough conveyor can comprise a conveyor belt, for example, or be designed as a conveyor belt. The feeding means may comprise a dough container usable to manually dump dough into the receiving space.The portioning device may comprise a dough separator. The dough separator may be provided below the outlet opening. The dough separator may be configured to separate dough that has left the receiving space through the outlet opening in portions. The dough separator may be provided directly below the outlet opening. Dough can flow from the receiving space through the outlet opening into the dough separator.The dough separator can comprise, for example, two star rollers which are provided under the outlet opening in counterrotating fashion in order to separate off the dough in portions.The wall arrangement can comprise one or more further wall parts in addition to the inner base part and the outer base part. The further wall parts can comprise stationary wall parts. The further wall parts can comprise wall parts which are firmly connected to the inner base part. The further wall parts can comprise wall parts which are firmly connected to the outer base part. For example, the wall arrangement can comprise side elements which are connected to the inner base part or to the outer base part and are pivotable together with the inner base part or to the outer base part.According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a dough portioning apparatus. Dough is tipped into a receiving space of a dough container. The receiving space is delimited by a wall arrangement of the dough container. Dough is discharged from the receiving space to a dough separator through an outlet opening formed in a bottom region of the dough container. The wall assembly has an inner bottom portion. The inner base part is pivotable about an inner pivot axis. The inner bottom portion extends outwardly away from the outlet opening. The wall assembly also includes an outer bottom portion. The outer base part extends, adjoining the inner base part, further outwards away from the outlet opening. The outer base part is connected to the inner base part such that it can pivot about an outer pivot axis. The outer base part is pivoted downward about the outer pivot axis before the dough is tipped into the receiving space, so that an outer end of the outer base part is located lower than an inner end of the outer base part.The downward pivoting of the outer base part before the dough is tipped down about the outer pivot axis can comprise a pivoting of the outer base part into a refill position.The dough can be tipped onto the outer base portion.The outer base part can be pivoted upwards gradually about the outer pivot axis after the dough has been tipped into the receiving space, so that dough gradually runs from the outer base part onto the inner base part. The pivoting of the outer base part upward after the dough has been tipped into the receiving space can comprise pivoting of the outer base part into a delivery position.A pivot position of the inner base part about the inner pivot axis can be regulated on the basis of an output of a fill level sensor. The fill level sensor may be a first fill level sensor. The first level sensor may be configured to detect a dough level above the outlet opening. The pivot position of the inner base part can be regulated based on the output of the first fill level sensor in order to regulate the dough fill level above the outlet opening to a desired dough fill level.The dough separator may be provided below the outlet opening, in particular directly below the outlet opening. The dough separator may divide dough that has left the receiving space through the outlet opening in portions.As described, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a dough portioning apparatus and according to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a dough portioning apparatus. Features, advantages and descriptions which are mentioned with respect to one of these aspects can be transferred to the other aspect or can be combined with it. The portioning device can be suitable, designed and / or configured for carrying out the method. The method can be carried out or can be carried out by means of the portioning device.The invention is explained further below on the basis of an embodiment with reference to the figures. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a portioning device according to an embodiment directly after the start of operation. FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the portioning device according to the embodiment with the outer base part in a dispensing position. FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the portioning device according to the embodiment with the outer base part in a refilling position before the refilling of dough. FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the portioning device according to the embodiment with the outer base part in the refilling position after refilling dough. FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the portioning device according to the embodiment and shows how the outer base part is gradually pivoted again in the direction of the delivery position after the dough has been filled.The figures show a portioning device 1 for dough 3 according to one embodiment. The portioning device 1 comprises a dough container 5 with a wall arrangement 7. the wall arrangement 7 delimits a receiving space 9 for dough 3 to be portioned. Dough 3 received in the receiving space 9 flows downward through the outlet opening 11 out of the receiving space 9 due to gravity.Below the outlet opening 11 a dough separator 13 is provided. In the embodiment shown, the dough separator 13 comprises two star rollers 15 rotating in opposite directions. The star rollers 15 rotate in synchronization and divide the dough 3 which has left the receiving space 9 through the outlet opening 11 in portions. Under the dough separator 13 a discharge device 17 is provided for further transporting the separated dough portions. The discharge device 17 can be designed, for example, as a dough conveying device, in particular as a dough conveyor belt.Properties of the dough portions separated by the dough separator 13 depend, inter alia, on a dough height or a dough fill level in the receiving space 9 above the outlet opening 11. The dough level affects, for example, compactness or fluffiness or weight per dough portion provided by the dough separator 13. The dough fill level above the outlet opening 11 should be kept as constant as possible at a desired dough fill level 19 during operation of the portioning device 1, in order to achieve dispensing of dough portions with properties that are as constant as possible.The wall arrangement 7 of the dough container 5 comprises an inner bottom part 21 and an outer bottom part 23. The outer base part 23 extends further outwards away from the outlet opening 11 adjacent to the inner base part 21. In particular, the inner bottom part 21 extends from an inner end 25 of the inner bottom part 21 outwards away from the outlet opening 11 to an outer end 27 of the inner bottom part 21, In particular, the outer bottom part 23 extends from an inner end 29 of the outer bottom part 23 outwards away from the outlet opening 11 to an outer end 31 of the outer bottom part 23.The inner base part 21 is pivotable about an inner pivot axis 33. The inner pivot axis 33 is fixed and provided in the region of the outlet opening 11. In particular, the inner pivot axis 33 is provided in the region of the inner end 25 of the inner base part 21. The outer base part 23 is connected to the inner base part 21 such that it can pivot about an outer pivot axis 35. The inner pivot axis 33 and the outer pivot axis 35 extend parallel to each other. On the outer pivot axis 35 there is an articulated connection between the inner base part 21 and the outer base part 23.The inner bottom part 21 comprises a first surface 37. the outer bottom part 23 comprises a second surface 39. the first surface 37 and the second surface 39 each form part of a bottom of the receiving space 9.The wall arrangement 7 comprises a stationary wall segment 41, which forms a stationary part of a boundary of the receiving space 9. In addition, the wall arrangement 7 comprises inner side wall segments 43 and outer side wall segments 45. The outer side wall segments 45 are firmly connected to the outer base part 23. The stationary side wall segment 41, the inner bottom part 21, the outer bottom part 23, the inner side wall segments 43 and the outer side wall segments 45 together define the receiving space 9 for the dough 3 to be portioned.The portioning device 1 comprises a first fill level sensor 47 and a second fill level sensor 49, The first fill level sensor 47 is configured to detect a dough fill level in the region of the outlet opening 11, in particular a dough fill level directly above the outlet opening 11. The second level sensor 49 is configured to detect a dough level above the outer bottom portion 23.The first fill level sensor 47 and the second fill level sensor 49 are connected to a controller 51 of the portioning device 1 for data communication. The controller 51 controls a first actuator 53 for pivoting the inner bottom part 21 about the inner pivot axis 33.FIG. 1 shows a configuration which the portioning device 1 assumes, for example, at the start of operation. A pivot position of the inner base part 21 about the inner pivot axis 33 is such that the outer end 27 of the inner base part 21 is lower than the inner end 25 of the inner base part 21, that is to say the first surface 37 rises in the direction from the outside to the inside towards the outlet opening 11. The pivot position of the outer base part 23 about the outer pivot axis 35 is such that the outer end 31 of the outer base part 23 is lower than the inner end 29 of the outer base part 23, that is to say the second surface 39 rises in the direction from the outside to the inside towards the outlet opening 11. The pivot positions of the inner base part 21 and the outer base part 23 shown in FIG. 1 allow the fill level in the receiving space 9, in particular the fill level directly above the outlet opening 11, to be prevented from exceeding the desired dough fill level 19 despite the relatively large amount of dough present in the receiving space 9.In the embodiment shown, the inner base part 21 and the outer base part 23 are each designed as a conveying device, in particular as a conveyor belt. The conveying device of the inner base part 21 can have an upper run, which forms the first surface 37. The conveying device of the outer base part 23 can have an upper run, which forms the second surface 39. The conveyors may be operated individually or jointly to cause or enhance dough movement towards the outlet opening 11. Alternatively, however, the first base part 21 and the second base part 23 could also be designed in the form of rigid parts, in particular in the form of sheets, which do not form a conveying device.By means of the first fill level sensor 47 and the second fill level sensor 49, the dough fill level in the receiving space 9 is continuously monitored. In order to maintain the desired dough fill level 19 at least above the outlet opening 11, the first actuator 53 and the second actuator 55 gradually pivot the inner base part 21 and the outer base part 23 upwards with their respective outer ends 27, 31. This promotes a flow of dough into the region above the outlet opening 11. The inner base part 21 and the outer base part 23 can be pivoted in a manner coordinated with one another in such a way that the first surface 37 and the second surface 39 are aligned parallel to one another during the pivoting. FIG. 2 shows an operating situation in which the inner bottom part 21 and the outer bottom part 23 have been pivoted due to a reduction in the amount of dough based on the sensor outputs in order to maintain the desired dough level 19 above the outlet opening 11. In the operating situation shown in FIG. 2, substantially no dough 3 is present any longer above the outer base part 23 and all dough 3 located in the receiving space 9 is positioned above the outlet opening 11 or above the inner base part 21.From the operating situation shown in FIG. 2, the outer base part 23 is pivoted about the outer pivot axis 35 by means of the second actuator 55 in such a way that the outer end 31 of the outer base part 23 is lowered while the inner end 29 remains at its height. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, a kink is formed in the bottom of the receiving space 9, which substantially divides the receiving space 9 into a region in which the bottom of the receiving space 9 is formed by the first surface 37 and into a region in which the bottom of the receiving space 9 is formed by the second surface 39. In the operating situation illustrated in FIG. 3, further dough 3 is then re-tilted into the receiving space 9, namely by tilting the dough 3 in the region above the outer base part 23.FIG. 4 shows the situation after the further dough 3 has been tilted, wherein a feed device 61 in the form of a conveyor belt is also schematically shown, which tilts the dough 3 into the receiving space 9.As shown in FIG. 5, from the operating situation shown in FIG. 4, the inner base part 21 can be gradually tilted about the inner pivot axis 33, so that the outer end 27 of the inner base part 21 is lowered. At the same time, the outer base part 23 can be tilted about the outer pivot axis 35 so that the outer end 31 of the outer base part 23 is raised. As a result, a subsequent flow of dough 3 from the second surface 39 onto the first surface 37 and in the direction of the outlet opening 11 is promoted, so that the desired dough fill level 19 can be kept above the outlet opening 11. By means of these pivoting movements, the operating situation shown in FIG. 2 can be reached again.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2016 120 042 A1

[0002]

Claims

Portioning device (1) for dough (3), comprising: a dough container (5) having a wall arrangement (7) which delimits a receiving space (9) for dough (3) to be portioned; wherein the dough container (5) has an outlet opening (11) in a base region, through which dough (3) to be portioned leaves the receiving space (9); wherein the wall arrangement (7) has an inner base part (21) which extends outwards away from the outlet opening (11); wherein the wall arrangement (7) has an outer base part (23) which, following the inner base part (21), extends further outwards away from the outlet opening (11); wherein the inner base part (21) is pivotable about an inner pivot axis (33); and wherein the outer base part (23) is pivotably connected to the inner base part (21) about an outer pivot axis (35).Portioning device according to claim 1, wherein the outer pivot axis (35) and the inner pivot axis (33) run parallel to one another.Portioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner pivot axis (33) is fixed.Portioning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer pivot axis (35) is configured to be displaced about the inner pivot axis (33) upon pivoting of the inner base part (21).Portioning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer base part (23) is pivotable about the outer pivot axis (35) independently of a pivot position of the inner base part (21) about the inner pivot axis (33).Portioning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner base part (21) extends from an inner end (25) of the inner base part (21) outwards away from the outlet opening (11) to an outer end (27) of the inner base part (21), wherein the outer base part (23) extends from an inner end (29) of the outer base part (23) outwards away from the outlet opening (11) to an outer end (31) of the outer base part (23), and wherein the inner end (29) of the outer base part (23) is connected to the outer end (27) of the inner base part (21) such that it can pivot about the outer pivot axis (35).Portioning device according to claim 6, wherein the outer base part (23) is pivotable about the outer pivot axis (35) between a refilling position and a dispensing position, wherein in the refilling position the outer end (31) of the outer base part (23) is lower than the inner end (29) of the outer base part (23), and wherein in the dispensing position the outer end (31) of the outer base part (23) is at least at the same height as the inner end (29) of the outer base part (23).Portioning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the portioning device (1) comprises a first actuator (53), which is configured to change a pivot position of the inner base part (21) about the inner pivot axis (33), in particular depending on an output of at least one fill level sensor (47, 49), which is configured to detect a dough fill level in the receiving space (9).Portioning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the portioning device (1) comprises a second actuator (55), which is configured to change a pivot position of the outer base part (23) about the outer pivot axis (35), in particular depending on an output of at least one fill level sensor (47, 49), which is configured to detect a dough fill level in the receiving space (9), or depending on an indication that a refilling of the receiving space (9) with dough (3) is imminent.Portioning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer base part (23) has an outer conveying device which is configured to convey dough (3) lying on the outer base part (23) in the direction of the outlet opening (11).Portioning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner base part (21) has an inner conveying device which is configured to convey dough (3) lying on the inner base part (21) in the direction of the outlet opening (11).Portioning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the portioning device (1) comprises a feeding device (61) which is configured to eject dough (3) onto the outer base part (23).Portioning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the portioning device (1) comprises a dough separator (13) which is provided below the outlet opening (11) and is configured to divide dough (3) which has left the receiving space (9) through the outlet opening (11) in portions.A method for operating a portioning device (1) for dough (3), comprising: tipping dough (3) into a receiving space (9) of a dough container (5), wherein the receiving space (9) is delimited by a wall arrangement (7) of the dough container (5); and dispensing the dough (3) from the receiving space (9) through an outlet opening (11) formed in a base region of the dough container (5) to a dough separator (13); wherein the wall arrangement (7) has an inner base part (21), which is pivotable about an inner pivot axis (33) and extends outwards away from the outlet opening (11), and an outer base part (23), which, subsequent to the inner base part (21), extends further outwards away from the outlet opening (11) and is connected to the inner base part (21) such that it is pivotable about an outer pivot axis (35); and wherein the outer base part (23) is pivoted downward about the outer pivot axis (35) before the dough (3) is tipped into the receiving space (9), such that an outer end (31) of the outer base part (23) is lower than an inner end (29) of the outer base part (23).Method according to claim 14, wherein the outer base part (23) is gradually pivoted upwards about the outer pivot axis (35) after the dough (3) has been tipped into the receiving space (9), so that dough (3) gradually follows from the outer base part (23) onto the inner base part (21).

Citation Information

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