Slicing machine and method for slicing food

Abstract

The invention relates to a slicing machine (1), in particular a slicer, for slicing foodstuffs, comprising a feed unit (20) configured to feed a product caliber (K) along a feed direction (10), and a cutting unit (7) configured to slice the product caliber (K) into slices (S), wherein the cutting unit (7) comprises a knife (3) that can be driven in rotation about a rotation axis (R), and wherein the cutting unit (7) is designed and intended to perform a disengaging movement in order to perform one or more blank cuts, in which the knife (3) is moved along a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis (R) of the knife (3) from a slicing position into a blank cut position, in which no slice (S) is cut from the product caliber (K) during a respective rotation (R) of the knife (3) about the rotation axis (R).wherein the feed unit (20) is further configured to move the product caliber (K) away from the cutting unit (7) during the execution of the one or more idle cuts in order to perform a retraction movement counter to the feed direction (10), wherein the cutting unit (7) and the feed unit (20) are configured and intended to be operated during the execution of the one or more idle cuts in such a way that an engagement movement of the knife (3) from the idle cut position into the slicing position and the retraction movement of the product caliber (K) counter to the feed direction (10) at least partially overlap in time.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a slicing machine, in particular a slicer, for slicing food, comprising a feed unit configured to feed at least one product caliber along a feed direction, and a cutting unit configured to slice the at least one product caliber, wherein the cutting unit comprises a knife that can be driven to rotate about a rotation axis, and wherein the cutting unit is designed and intended to perform a disengaging movement for performing one or more blank cuts, in which the knife is moved along a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the knife from a slicing position configured for slicing the at least one product caliber into slices, into a blank cut position.in which during each rotation of the knife around the rotation axis no slice is cut from the at least one product caliber.,

[0002] It should already be noted at this point that the slicing machine according to the invention is intended to cut foodstuffs, in particular in the form of so-called product calibers, into slices, from which preferably shingled or stacked portions can be formed. The product calibers can be formed, for example, from sausage, cheese, grown meat, pressed meat and the like. The feed unit can be designed, for example, as an endlessly circulating belt conveyor or the like. The cutting unit is preferably arranged downstream of the feed unit with respect to the feed direction. By means of the knife, which is mounted on the cutting unit, the slices can be severed from an end of a respective product caliber facing the cutting unit.

[0003] Furthermore, the product calibers are usually fed into the feed unit by means of a downwardly directed feed conveyor, so that the slices are already aligned at an angle relative to the vertical direction during cutting and can easily fall onto a discharge conveyor of the slicing machine's discharge unit, which can then be used to transport the slices away for further processing. Accordingly, the knife is usually positioned at an angle with its cutting plane and overhangs forward in the feed direction.

[0004] All this also applies to the slicing machine according to the invention.

[0005] Typically, the product calibers are cut into portions using the slicing machine, each of which may consist of several slices. After a portion has been completely sliced, one or more empty cuts are usually made to allow the discharge conveyor of the discharge unit sufficient time to transport the finished portion along one discharge direction.

[0006] A blank cut is defined by the fact that no slice is cut from the at least one product caliber during each rotation of the knife around the rotation axis. This can be achieved by the cutting unit performing the disengagement movement into the blank cut position, in which no slice is cut from the at least one product caliber during each rotation of the knife around the rotation axis.

[0007] After a desired number of idle cuts have been made, the knife must be moved back from the idle cut position to the slicing position in a direction essentially parallel to the knife's axis of rotation, which corresponds to an engagement movement of the knife. With known slicing machines, the engagement and disengagement movements must be carried out relatively quickly, as otherwise what is known as shredding can occur, in which misshapen or unusable slices or partial slices are cut from the product caliber. Since, as mentioned at the beginning, the knife with its cutting plane is usually inclined in relation to the vertical direction and overhangs forward in the feed direction, depending on the angle of inclination of the cutting plane, the force of gravity acting on the cutting unit, in particular on the knife, must also be at least partially overcome during the engagement movement.This can lead to high loads and thus to high wear on a disengagement drive unit of the cutting unit, which is designed to effect the disengagement and engagement movements.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the invention to remedy this situation, in particular by providing a slicing machine which is suitable for minimizing the risk of shreds being formed during the execution of blank cuts and which requires as little maintenance as possible.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by a slicing machine of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the feed unit is further configured to move the at least one product caliber away from the cutting unit, in particular a cutting plane of the knife, in order to carry out a retraction movement counter to the feed direction when carrying out the one or more idle cuts, wherein the cutting unit and the feed unit are designed and intended to be operated when carrying out the one or more idle cuts in such a way that an engagement movement of the knife from the idle cut position into the slicing position and the retraction movement of the product caliber counter to the feed direction at least partially overlap in time.

[0010] Since, according to the invention, the engagement movement of the knife from the idle cutting position into the slicing position and the retraction movement of the product caliber against the feed direction away from the cutting unit at least partially overlap in time, i.e. are carried out at least partially in parallel, there is more time for the engagement movement of the knife, which is particularly gentle on the cutting unit, in particular the disengagement drive unit of the cutting unit. In other words, the engagement movement of the knife begins as early as possible in order to be able to carry out the engagement movement, which can usually take place against gravity, with as little stress on the drive as possible, i.e. slowly. The knife is preferably moved substantially in the feed direction when carrying out the disengagement movement and / or is moved substantially opposite the feed direction when carrying out the engagement movement.

[0011] The functioning of the slicing machine according to the invention when carrying out one or more blank cuts can be designed as follows: • First, the cutting unit can carry out the disengagement movement, in which the knife is moved along the direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the knife, preferably as quickly as possible, from the slicing position to the idle cutting position. • The cutting unit and the feed unit can then be operated such that the knife executes the engaging movement from the idle cutting position to the slicing position, and the feed unit executes the retracting movement of the product caliber against the feed direction, at least partially overlapping the engaging movement of the knife. The engaging movement and the retracting movement can therefore be executed at least partially in parallel or simultaneously. The engaging movement and the retracting movement can be performed at a lower speed than the aforementioned disengaging movement. • After a desired number of blank cuts have been carried out, the feed unit can move the product caliber by means of a feed movement, preferably also as fast as possible, in the feed direction to the cutting unit in order to cut further slices of the at least one product caliber.

[0012] In order to protect the disengagement drive unit, especially when the blade is arranged obliquely with respect to the vertical direction, one embodiment proposes that the cutting unit be configured to perform the disengagement movement with an acceleration and / or a speed in the feed direction that is / are higher than the acceleration and / or speed of the engagement movement opposite to the feed direction. Furthermore, the rapid disengagement movement can reliably prevent the aforementioned shred formation.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, the feed unit can be configured to move the at least one product caliber, after performing the one or more idle cuts, to perform a feed movement with an acceleration and / or a speed in the feed direction towards the cutting unit, which has / have a higher value than an acceleration and / or a speed of the retraction movement counter to the feed direction. Especially with an obliquely arranged feed unit, this also allows drive units of the feed unit to be particularly protected. This also makes it possible to reduce any upswing / overswing of the product caliber during the retraction movement, since the retraction movement can be carried out as slowly as possible.

[0014] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the feed unit can be configured to only move the product caliber away from the cutting unit counter to the feed direction during the execution of the one or more blank cuts once the cutting unit has at least partially executed the disengaging movement of the knife. Thus, even if the product caliber relaxes, for example if the product caliber bulges or deforms in the feed direction, shreds do not form, since the knife is already far enough away from the product caliber at the start of the movement of the product caliber counter to the feed direction. The retraction movement is therefore preferably only started once the knife has at least partially executed the disengaging movement, which can correspond, for example, to a predetermined lifting movement of the knife in the feed direction.

[0015] Furthermore, the cutting unit can be configured to initiate the retraction movement of the knife from the retraction position to the slicing position during the execution of the one or more idle cuts only after the feed unit has begun to move the at least one product caliber away from the cutting unit in the opposite direction to the feed direction. The retraction movement can therefore preferably only be started after the product caliber has been moved away from the cutting unit in the opposite direction to the feed direction to prevent shredding.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, to prevent shred formation when the product caliber is relaxed, the disengagement movement and / or the engagement movement of the cutting unit can have a stroke in the feed direction in a range of 0.5 mm to 15 mm, preferably from 1 mm to 8 mm. Since only the disengagement movement, preferably with a directional component parallel to the direction of gravity, is performed at high speed and / or acceleration, the stroke can be selected accordingly.

[0017] Furthermore, the retraction movement and / or the feed movement of the feed unit can preferably have a stroke in and / or against the feed direction in a range from 0.5 mm to 15 mm, preferably from 1 mm to 8 mm. Analogously to the latter embodiment, the retraction movement and / or the feed movement can also have a comparatively high stroke.

[0018] In order to be able to control the movement of the product caliber through the feed unit even better, it is proposed that the slicing machine further comprises a gripper unit with at least one gripper which is designed to grip the at least one product caliber at its end facing away from the cutting unit.

[0019] Furthermore, the slicing machine may comprise, in a manner known per se, a portioning unit which is designed to form portions from the slices cut by the cutting unit, wherein each portion may comprise one or more slices.

[0020] It should also be added that the slicing machine may additionally or alternatively comprise a discharge unit which is designed to discharge the slices cut by the cutting unit along a discharge direction in order to be able to further process and / or package the sliced slices and / or portions.

[0021] According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for slicing foodstuffs by means of a slicing machine, in particular a slicing machine according to the invention as described above, comprising the following steps: Feeding, by means of a feeding unit of the slicing machine, at least one product caliber along a feeding direction, and Cutting, by means of a cutting unit of the slicing machine, the at least one product caliber into slices, wherein a knife of the cutting unit is driven to rotate about a rotation axis, and Carrying out, by means of the cutting unit, a disengaging movement to carry out one or more blank cuts, wherein the knife is moved along a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the knife from a slicing position, which is designed for slicing the at least one product caliber into slices, into a blank cutting position, in which no slice is cut from the at least one product caliber during each rotation of the knife about the rotation axis, wherein, when carrying out the one or more blank cuts, the at least one product caliber is moved away from the cutting unit, in particular a cutting plane of the knife, to carry out a retraction movement counter to the feed direction, wherein, when carrying out the one or more idle cuts, the cutting unit and the feed unit are operated in such a way that an engagement movement of the knife from the idle cut position into the slicing position and the retraction movement of the at least one product caliber opposite to the feed direction at least partially overlap in time.

[0022] With regard to the advantages and effects of the method according to the invention, reference is already made at this point to the advantages and effects of the slicing machine according to the invention. All statements regarding the slicing machine according to the invention also apply to the method according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0023] Preferably, the cutting unit can perform the disengagement movement with an acceleration and / or a speed in the feed direction which has / have a higher value than an acceleration and / or a speed of the engagement movement opposite to the feed direction.

[0024] Additionally or alternatively, the feed unit can move the at least one product caliber, after performing the one or more blank cuts, to perform a feed movement with an acceleration and / or a speed in the feed direction to the cutting unit, which has / have a higher value than an acceleration and / or a speed of the retraction movement opposite to the feed direction.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the feed unit can, during the execution of one or more blank cuts, only move the product caliber away from the cutting unit in the opposite direction to the feed direction when the cutting unit has at least partially executed the disengaging movement of the knife.

[0026] Finally, during the execution of one or more idle cuts, the cutting unit can only initiate the retraction movement of the knife from the idle cut position to the slicing position after the cutting unit has started to move the product caliber away from the cutting unit in the opposite direction to the feed direction.

[0027] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment in the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1a an embodiment of a slicing machine according to the invention in perspective view, Fig. 1b the slicing machine according to Fig. 1a in side view, Fig. 2a to 2d are schematic side views of components of the slicing machine in different operating positions to explain the function of the slicing machine according to the invention.

[0028] The Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b shows a slicing machine 1 in the form of a multi-lane slicer 1 for the simultaneous slicing of several product calibers K on one lane SP1 to SP4 next to each other and depositing them in shingled portions P each consisting of several slices S with a general direction of passage 10* through the slicer 1 from right to left.

[0029] Fig. Figure 1b shows a side view of slicer 1 with inserted product caliber K, omitting covers and other parts attached to a base frame 2, so that the functional parts, especially the conveyor belts, can be better seen. The longitudinal direction 10 is the feed direction of the product calibers K to a cutting unit 7 and thus also the longitudinal direction of the product calibers K located in slicer 1.

[0030] In this case, a cutting unit 7 of the slicer 1 with a knife 3 rotating about a rotation axis R, for example a sickle knife 3, can be fed by a feed unit 20 with several, in this case four, product calibers K lying next to one another transversely to the feed direction 10 on a feed conveyor 4 with projections 15 of the feed conveyor 4 projecting from a support surface as spacers in between, from whose front ends the rotating knife 3 with its cutting edge 3a can cut off a slice S in one operation.

[0031] For cutting the product caliber K, the feed conveyor 4 is located in the Fig. 1a, with a low-lying cutting-side front end and a high-lying rear end, from which it can be folded down about a pivot axis running in its width direction, the first transverse direction 11, which is located near the cutting unit 7, into an approximately horizontal loading position, as shown in Fig. 1b is shown.

[0032] The rear end of each product caliber K located in the feed unit 20 is held by a gripper 14 or 14a-d in a form-fitting manner with the aid of gripper claws 16. These grippers 14 or 14a-14d, which can be activated and deactivated with respect to the position of the gripper claws 16, are attached to a common gripper unit 13, which can be guided along a gripper guide 18 in the feed direction 10.

[0033] In this case, both the feed of the gripper unit 13 and of the feed conveyor 4 can be driven in a controlled manner, whereby, however, the actual feed speed of the product calibers K can be brought about by a so-called upper and lower product guide 8, 9, which is also driven in a controlled manner and which engages the upper side and the lower side of the product calibers K to be sliced in their front end areas near the cutting unit 7.

[0034] The front ends of the product calibers K are each guided through a product opening 6a - d of a plate-shaped cutting frame 5, wherein the cutting plane 3" runs directly in front of the front, diagonally downward facing end face of the cutting frame 5, in which cutting plane the knife 3 rotates with its cutting edge 3a about the rotation axis R and thus separates the excess of the product calibers K from the cutting frame 5 as a disk S. The cutting plane 3" runs orthogonal to the upper run of the feed conveyor 4 and / or is spanned by the two transverse directions 11, 12 to the feed direction 10. The inner circumference of the product openings 6a - d of the cutting edge 3a of the knife 3 serves as a counter-cutting edge.

[0035] Since both product guides 8, 9 can be driven in a controlled manner, in particular independently of each other and / or possibly separately for each track SP1 to SP4, they determine a - continuous or clocked - feed speed of the product calibers K through the cutting frame 5.

[0036] The upper product guide 8 is displaceable in the second transverse direction 12, which runs orthogonally to the surface of the upper run of the feed conveyor 4, to adapt to a height of the product caliber K in this direction. Furthermore, at least one of the product guides 8, 9 can be designed to pivot about one of its deflection rollers in order to be able to change the direction of a guide belt of the product guide 8 and / or 9 adjacent to the respective product caliber K to a limited extent.

[0037] The slices S, which are inclined in space during separation, fall onto a discharge unit 17 which begins below the cutting frame 5 and runs in the direction of travel 10* and which, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a plurality of discharge conveyors 17a, 17b, 17c arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel 10*, of which the first discharge conveyor 17a in the direction of travel 10 can be designed as a weighing unit and in particular also as a portioning unit, in particular in the form of a portioning belt.

[0038] The slices S can be delivered individually and at a distance from one another in the direction of travel 10* onto the discharge conveyor unit 17 or, by appropriately controlling the discharge conveyor 17a, the movement of which, like almost all moving parts, is controlled by a control unit 1* of the slicer 1, shingled or stacked portions P (see Fig. 1b). The portions P can be formed, for example, by a stepwise forward movement of the P of the discharge conveyor 17a, which in this case serves as a portioning unit, in the throughput direction 10*.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, a substantially horizontally extending residue conveyor 21 is located below the feed unit 20, which begins with its front end below the cutting frame 5 and immediately below or behind the removal unit 17 and can transport residues falling there onto it to the rear with its upper run.

[0040] In the Fig. 2a - 2d are schematic side views of components of the slicing machine 1 in different operating positions to explain the functioning of the slicing machine 1 according to the invention.

[0041] The Fig. The views shown in Figures 2a - 2d are greatly simplified, showing the knife 3 of the cutting unit 7, which can be driven to rotate about the rotation axis R and by means of which the product caliber K can be cut into slices S, which can fall onto the discharge conveyor 17a. The product caliber K rests on a feed conveyor 4 of the feed unit 20, which is also only indicated schematically, and is guided by an upper product guide 8 and a lower product guide 9. At its end facing away from the cutting unit 7, the product caliber K is further held by a gripper 14, which is preferably movable in and against the feed direction 10. Furthermore, the product caliber K can preferably also be moved in and against the feed direction 10 by corresponding actuation of the feed unit 4, the lower product guide 9 and / or the upper product guide 8.

[0042] Furthermore, it is expressly pointed out that, although the Fig. 2a - 2d are only shown schematically, their design also corresponds to that shown in the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b shown components, which are marked accordingly by analogous reference numerals.

[0043] In Fig. 2a, the knife 3 is in a slicing position which is designed for slicing the at least one product caliber K into slices S. Fig. 2a thus represents a normal slicing operation of the slicing machine 1, in which the product caliber K can be fed continuously or stepwise in the feed direction 10 in order to be sliced into one or more slices S.

[0044] If a desired number of slices S have been cut, the cutting unit 7 is provided according to the invention to carry out a disengaging movement in order to carry out one or more blank cuts, in which the knife 3 is disengaged from the cutting unit 7 in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis R of the knife 3 Fig. 2a shown cutting position into a Fig. 2b, in which no slice S is cut from the at least one product caliber K during each rotation of the knife 3 about the rotation axis R. The movement of the knife 3 from the slicing position ( Fig. 2a) into the empty cut position ( Fig. 2b) can be carried out at a comparatively high speed without resulting in an excessively high load on a release drive unit (not shown) of the cutting unit 7, which is preferably provided to move the knife 3 in and against the feed direction 10. The movement of the knife 3 in the feed direction 10 has a directional component pointing at least partially in the direction of gravity, so that only a reduced force is required to move the knife 3 from the slicing position to the idle cutting position.

[0045] After the knife 3 is inserted into the Fig. 2b, the cutting unit 7 and the feed unit 20 are moved as shown in Fig. 2c, so that the knife 3 executes an engagement movement counter to the feed direction 10 from the empty cut position into the slicing position and at the same time the feed unit 20, for example the feed conveyor 4 and / or the upper product guide 8 and / or the lower product guide 9 and / or the gripper 14 execute a retraction movement of the product caliber K counter to the feed direction 10. Therefore, the engagement movement of the knife 3 is started as early as possible in order to be able to carry out the engagement movement, which takes place at least partially against the effect of gravity, in a way that is as gentle on the drive as possible, i.e. slowly.This also applies to the retraction movement of the product caliber K carried out by the feed unit 20, since this can also be carried out comparatively slowly, i.e. in a way that is gentle on the drive, without undesirable shredding occurring due to contact between the knife 3 and the product caliber K, since the knife 3 has a sufficient distance in the feed direction 10 from the product caliber K at the beginning of the retraction movement. Even if the product caliber K is moved against the feed direction 10, if the movement against the feed direction 10 is too fast, the product caliber K can swing up, so that in the worst case scenario, shredding could occur when the knife 3 is in the slicing position.

[0046] After a desired number of idle cuts have been carried out, which may be the case, for example, when the discharge conveyor 17a has discharged one or more slices S located thereon, as in Fig. 2d, the feed unit 20 can move the product caliber K to perform a feed movement in the feed direction 10 to the cutting unit 7, i.e. to the knife 3, in order to again begin slicing slices S from the product caliber K. The feed movement in the feed direction 10 can take place with an acceleration and / or a speed in the feed direction 10 which has / have a higher value than an acceleration and / or a speed of the retraction movement explained above.

[0047] After the product caliber K has completed the feed movement, it is preferably back in the Fig. 2a. The cutting unit 7, in particular the knife 3, has then already returned to its Fig. 2a shown slicing position is reached in order to be able to cut slices S from the product caliber K.

[0048] It should also be added that the cutting unit 7 can be configured to carry out the disengaging movement with an acceleration and / or a speed which is / are higher than an acceleration and / or a speed of the engaging movement.

[0049] Furthermore, the cutting unit 7 can be configured to initiate the retraction movement of the knife 3 from the idle cut position into the slicing position during the execution of the one or more idle cuts only after the feed unit 20 has begun to move the product caliber K away from the cutting unit 7 in the opposite direction to the feed direction 10, whereby the risk of shredding can be further reduced.

[0050] Finally, it should be mentioned that the Fig. 2a - 2d shown strokes of the disengagement movement and / or engagement movement of the cutting unit 7 and / or the retraction movement and / or the feed movement of the feed unit 20 from the Fig. 2a - 2d shown strokes may vary in magnitude. The strokes may accordingly have a smaller or larger amount in and / or against the feed direction 10, since the Fig.The strokes shown in Figures 2a - 2d are intended only to illustrate the functioning of the slicing machine 1.

Claims

[1] Slicing machine (1), in particular slicer, for slicing food, comprising: a feed unit (20) which is designed to feed at least one product caliber (K) along a feed direction (10), and a cutting unit (7) which is designed to cut the at least one product calibre (K) into slices (S), wherein the cutting unit (7) comprises a knife (3) which can be driven to rotate about a rotation axis (R), and wherein the cutting unit (7) is designed and intended to carry out a disengaging movement in order to carry out one or more blank cuts, in which the knife (3) is moved along a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis (R) of the knife (3) from a slicing position, which is designed for slicing the at least one product caliber (K) into slices (S), into a blank cutting position, in which no slice (S) is cut from the at least one product caliber (K) during a respective rotation of the knife (3) about the rotation axis (R), characterized by , that the feed unit (20) is further configured to move the at least one product caliber (K) away from the cutting unit (7), in particular a cutting plane (3") of the knife (3), when carrying out the one or more idle cuts, in order to carry out a retraction movement counter to the feed direction (10), wherein the cutting unit (7) and the feed unit (20) are configured and intended to be operated when carrying out the one or more idle cuts in such a way that an engagement movement of the knife (3) from the idle cut position into the slicing position and the retraction movement of the at least one product caliber (K) counter to the feed direction (10) at least partially overlap in time. [2] Slicing machine according to claim 1, characterized bythat the cutting unit (7) is designed to carry out the disengaging movement with an acceleration and / or a speed in the feed direction (10) which has / have a higher value than an acceleration and / or a speed of the engagement movement counter to the feed direction (10). [3] Slicing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by in that the feed unit (20) is designed to move the at least one product caliber (K), after the one or more blank cuts have been carried out, to carry out a feed movement with an acceleration and / or a speed in the feed direction to the cutting unit (7) which has / have a higher value than an acceleration and / or a speed of the retraction movement. [4] Slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the feed unit (20) is designed to move the at least one product caliber (K) away from the cutting unit (7) counter to the feed direction (10) during the execution of the one or more empty cuts only when the cutting unit (7) has at least partially carried out the disengaging movement of the knife (3). [5] Slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cutting unit (7) is designed to initiate the retraction movement of the knife (3) from the empty cut position into the slicing position during the execution of the one or more empty cuts only after the feed unit (20) has begun to move the product caliber (K) away from the cutting unit (7) in the opposite direction to the feed direction (10). [6] Slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the disengaging movement and / or the engaging movement of the cutting unit (7) has a stroke in the feed direction (10) in a range from 0.5 mm to 15 mm, preferably from 1 mm to 8 mm. [7] Slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the retraction movement and / or the advance movement of the feed unit (20) has a stroke in and / or against the feed direction (10) in a range from 0.5 mm to 15 mm, preferably from 1 mm to 8 mm. [8] Slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the slicing machine (1) further comprises a gripper unit (13) with at least one gripper (14, 14a-14d) which is designed to grip the at least one product caliber (K) at its end facing away from the cutting unit (7). [9] Slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the slicing machine (1) further comprises a portioning unit (17a) which is designed to form portions (P) from the slices (S) cut by the cutting unit (7), each portion (P) comprising one or more slices (S). [10] Slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the slicing machine (1) further comprises a discharge unit (17) which is designed to discharge the slices (S) cut by the cutting unit (7) along a discharge direction. [11] Method for slicing food by means of a slicing machine (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: Feeding, by means of a feed unit (20) of the slicing machine (1), at least one product caliber (K) along a feed direction (10), and Slicing, by means of a cutting unit (7) of the slicing machine (1), the at least one product caliber (K) into slices (S), wherein a knife (3) of the cutting unit (7) is driven to rotate about a rotation axis (R), and Carrying out, by means of the cutting unit (7), a disengagement movement for carrying out one or more blank cuts, wherein the knife (3) is moved along a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis (R) of the knife (3) from a slicing position, which is designed for slicing the at least one product caliber (K) into slices (S), into a blank cut position, in which no slice (S) is cut from the at least one product caliber (K) during a respective rotation of the knife (3) about the rotation axis (R), characterized by , that when carrying out the one or more blank cuts, the at least one product caliber (K) is moved away from the cutting unit (7), in particular a cutting plane (3") of the knife (3), to carry out a retraction movement counter to the feed direction (10), wherein, when carrying out the one or more idle cuts, the cutting unit (7) and the feed unit (20) are operated in such a way that an engagement movement of the knife (3) from the idle cut position into the slicing position and the retraction movement of the at least one product caliber (K) against the feed direction (10) at least partially overlap in time. [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized bythat the cutting unit (7) carries out the disengagement movement with an acceleration and / or a speed in the feed direction (10) which has / have a higher value than an acceleration and / or a speed of the engagement movement opposite to the feed direction (10). [13] Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by that the feed unit (20) moves the at least one product caliber (K), after carrying out the one or more blank cuts, to carry out a feed movement with an acceleration and / or a speed in the feed direction (10) to the cutting unit (7) which has / have a higher value than an acceleration and / or a speed of the retraction movement counter to the feed direction (10). [14] Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized bythat the feed unit (20), during the execution of one or more blank cuts, only moves the product caliber (K) away from the cutting unit (7) in the opposite direction to the feed direction (10) when the cutting unit (7) has at least partially carried out the disengaging movement of the knife (3). [15] Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized by that the cutting unit (7), during the execution of one or more empty cuts, only starts the engagement movement of the knife (3) from the empty cut position into the slicing position after the cutting unit (7) has started to move the product caliber (K) away from the cutting unit (7) in the opposite direction to the feed direction (10).

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