Slicing machine

Abstract

Slicing machine (100) for slicing a product piece (P) into slices (S), comprising: a pressing device (102) which includes a product receiving unit (112) having a product support surface (A) onto which the product piece (P) can be placed, wherein the pressing device (102) includes at least one longitudinal pressing unit (104, 104a, 104b) which is configured to press the product piece (P) in a longitudinal direction (L) of the product piece (P), wherein the longitudinal pressing unit (104, 104a, 104b) is operationally connected to a longitudinal pressing force transmission unit (106) of the pressing device (102) which is configured to transmit a longitudinal pressing force substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (L) of the product piece (P) to the longitudinal pressing unit (104, 104a, 104b) in order to press it substantially parallel to the to relocate the product support level (A), and a cutting unit (126),which is arranged adjacent to the pressing device (102) and is configured to cut the product piece (P) into slices (S), characterized in that a distance (d1; d2) between a longitudinal axis (106') of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit (106) and the product support plane (A) of the product receiving unit (112) is variable.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a slicing machine for slicing a product piece into slices, comprising a pressing device which comprises a product receiving unit which has a product support plane onto which the product piece can be placed, wherein the pressing device comprises at least one longitudinal pressing unit which is designed to press the product piece in a longitudinal direction of the product piece, wherein the longitudinal pressing unit is operatively connected to a longitudinal pressing force transmission unit of the pressing device which is designed to transmit a longitudinal pressing force which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the product piece to the longitudinal pressing unit in order to displace the latter substantially parallel to the product support plane, and a cutting unit which is arranged adjacent to the pressing device and is designed to cut the product piece into slices.

[0002] It should already be pointed out at this point that the slicing machine according to the invention can be provided for cutting a product piece from a food, in particular from meat, fish or another food, into slices which preferably have a predetermined thickness and / or a predetermined weight.

[0003] The product piece may, for example, be an elongated product piece with a cross-section varying in the longitudinal direction, such as a piece or a strand of grown meat or the like.

[0004] In order to be able to cut slices of essentially the same volume or essentially the same weight from the product pieces explained above with a cross-section varying in the longitudinal direction, generic slicing machines are known in which an irregularly shaped product piece is first pressed by a pressing device into a product piece with a cross-section that is essentially constant in the longitudinal direction and is then sliced ​​in the pressed state by means of the cutting unit of the slicing machine. Thus, by specifying a suitable slice thickness, slices of essentially the same volume or essentially the same weight can be sliced. One application, for example, concerns the slicing of thicker slices, such as steaks, from a fillet piece or the like.

[0005] It should already be noted at this point that, according to the invention, the pressing device comprises the product receiving unit, which can be designed, for example, as a shaped tube. The product receiving unit has the product support plane onto which the product piece can be placed. The pressing device can be configured to press the product piece at least in its longitudinal direction, which can be substantially parallel to a feed direction of the product piece to the cutting unit. For this purpose, the pressing device comprises the longitudinal pressing unit, for example in the form of a longitudinal pressing ram, which is movable by means of a longitudinal pressing drive unit. Furthermore, the longitudinal pressing unit can be operatively connected to the longitudinal pressing drive unit via the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit, for example a piston rod.The longitudinal pressing unit is configured to transmit a longitudinal pressing force substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the product piece to the longitudinal pressing unit in order to displace it substantially parallel to the product support plane, whereby the product piece can be pressed in the longitudinal direction.

[0006] Since the product pieces to be pressed and sliced ​​can have varying dimensions in a transverse direction of the product pieces that is essentially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal pressing unit, which can be replaceably attached to the slicing machine, for example, can also have varying dimensions in the transverse direction. The transverse direction can, for example, correspond to a height direction of the product piece. However, since a connection point between the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the longitudinal pressing unit, and thus a force introduction point of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit into the longitudinal pressing unit, cannot be changed in known slicing machines, a torque orA tilting moment can arise, which can be generated by an offset, in particular a substantially orthogonal offset, between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and a central axis of the longitudinal pressing unit that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. This can lead to an eccentric force introduction into the longitudinal pressing unit during a longitudinal pressing process of the product piece, which can undesirably severely limit the adaptability of the slicing machine to product pieces with dimensions that vary in the transverse direction.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a slicing machine which can remedy this situation, in particular by providing a solution according to which the eccentric force introduction into the longitudinal pressing unit can be at least partially compensated.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by a slicing machine of the type mentioned at the outset, in which a distance between a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the product support plane of the product receiving unit is variable.

[0009] Since, according to the invention, the distance between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the product support plane of the product receiving unit is variable, a torque or tilting moment resulting from an eccentric force introduction to the longitudinal pressing unit can be reduced, which can result from an offset, in particular a substantially orthogonal offset, between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and a central axis of the longitudinal pressing unit that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The central axis can be an axis of symmetry of the longitudinal pressing unit that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. In other words, according to the invention, the distance between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the product support plane can be adapted to a dimension of the longitudinal pressing unit in the transverse direction that is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.The transverse direction can correspond to a height direction of the product piece.

[0010] Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal pressing force. Furthermore, the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit can be connected to a longitudinal pressing force generation unit, which can, for example, operate via a servomotor and / or pneumatically and / or hydraulically.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the product receiving unit can further comprise at least one adapter element, in particular an adapter plate, which is configured to change the distance between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the product support plane of the product receiving unit. As a result, the distance can be adjusted to a desired level by means of the adapter element, in particular the adapter plate, which matches the longitudinal pressing unit in use.

[0012] Furthermore, according to a further development, it is proposed that the at least one adapter element be configured to gradually change, in particular to gradually reduce or increase, the distance between the longitudinal axis and the product support plane. As a result, the distance can be changed in steps, wherein the steps can preferably be selected such that each step fits one or more longitudinal pressing units, i.e., ensures appropriate force introduction into the longitudinal pressing unit.

[0013] In a further development of this embodiment, the at least one adapter element can be arranged on the product receiving unit in a removable and / or replaceable manner. Preferably, at least two or more of the replaceable adapter elements can be provided in order to be able to adjust the distance accordingly to at least two or more distance levels.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, it is conceivable for the product receiving unit to comprise at least one, preferably at least two, removable and / or replaceable spacers, which are arranged between the product support plane and a frame of the slicing machine and are configured to change the distance between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the product support plane of the product receiving unit. If at least two spacers are provided, tilting of the product receiving unit can also be prevented. Consequently, at least two spacing configurations can preferably be realized with one and the same product receiving unit. Furthermore, the spacer can be pre-assembled on the product receiving unit.If the distance is to be changed, a product receiving unit, for example a product support plate, without a spacer mounted on it can be replaced by another, preferably essentially identical, product receiving unit with a spacer mounted on it.

[0015] Furthermore, according to a further development, it is proposed that the at least one adapter element is designed to be fastened to a part of the product receiving unit connected to a frame of the slicing machine, in particular to be screwed thereto, wherein this can be a preferred form of a removable and / or replaceable arrangement of the adapter element on the slicing machine, which allows simple, time-efficient and repeatable removal and replacement, ie removal of the adapter element and attachment of another adapter element.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, the longitudinal pressing unit can also be arranged interchangeably on the slicing machine and can be interchangeable at least between a first longitudinal pressing unit, which has a predetermined first height dimension, and a second longitudinal pressing unit, which has a predetermined second height dimension that differs from the first height dimension, wherein the first and / or the second height dimension preferably extends / extends substantially orthogonal to the product support plane. Consequently, different longitudinal pressing units, in particular longitudinal pressing dies, can be used without any problems, since the distance between the product support plane and the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit can be adapted to longitudinal pressing units with different height dimensions in order to reduce and / or compensate for the offset between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the central axis of the longitudinal pressing unit.Preferably, the first height dimension is smaller than the second height dimension.

[0017] The first height dimension can be from approximately 20 mm to approximately 55 mm, preferably from approximately 35 mm to approximately 50 mm, and / or the second height dimension can be from more than approximately 55 mm to approximately 150 mm, preferably from approximately 60 mm to approximately 100 mm. The height dimension can in each case designate a maximum possible height dimension of the respective longitudinal pressing unit. The height dimension can preferably change during operation of the slicing machine, provided it includes a transverse pressing unit, by means of which the dimension of the product piece is adjusted in the transverse direction.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the product receiving unit can further be assigned an adjusting device, which is configured to change, in particular continuously, the distance between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the product support plane. The distance can be adjusted, for example, by means of a drive unit, such as a spindle drive or the like, which can be actuated, for example, manually via a crank and / or motor-driven by means of a servo drive, a pneumatic drive, or a hydraulic drive.

[0019] Furthermore, the longitudinal pressing unit can be designed in a manner known per se as a longitudinal pressing ram which can be moved in and preferably counter to the longitudinal direction by means of a longitudinal pressing drive unit of the pressing device.

[0020] Additionally or alternatively, the longitudinal pressing unit can be designed in multiple parts and comprise a compensating section, for example, a compensating plate, which can be movable in and against the transverse direction relative to a base body of the longitudinal pressing unit. The compensating section can be provided for adapting the longitudinal pressing unit to a dimension of the product piece in the transverse direction.

[0021] In a further development of the last-mentioned embodiment, the compensating section can be prestressed in or against the transverse pressing direction by means of a prestressing device, for example a spring.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the pressing device can further comprise a transverse pressing unit configured to control a dimension of a pressing chamber in a transverse direction of the product piece that is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, in order to press the product piece in the transverse direction, wherein the pressing chamber can be defined in the pressing device. This allows the product piece to be pressed in at least one further direction, thus enabling at least two-dimensional pressing of the product piece. As already mentioned above, the transverse direction can correspond to a height direction of the product piece.

[0023] In order to be able to press the product piece preferably in all three spatial directions, i.e., in three dimensions, before slicing, the slicing machine can further comprise a further pressing unit configured to press the product piece in a further direction, wherein the further direction can be substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. The further direction can preferably be a width direction of the product piece. The slicing machine can therefore also be suitable for so-called "3D pressing" of the product piece.

[0024] To accommodate the product piece, the pressing device can further comprise a forming tube, which can preferably have one opening facing the cutting unit and another opening facing the longitudinal pressing unit. The forming tube can thus define the pressing space in which the product piece is accommodated during the pressing process. The forming tube can preferably define the achievable dimensions of the product piece, preferably in the transverse direction and / or a width direction that runs substantially orthogonal to the transverse direction.

[0025] In a further development of the last-mentioned embodiment, the forming tube can comprise at least two forming tube halves, namely a first forming tube half, which can be a component of a transverse pressing unit of the pressing device or can form this and which can be displaced in and preferably counter to the transverse direction by means of a transverse pressing drive unit of the pressing device, and a second forming tube half, which can be configured to lie opposite the first forming tube half and can be operatively connected to a frame of the slicing machine. The first and second forming tube halves can define the pressing space. The first forming tube half can have a substantially C-shaped cross-section and / or the second forming tube half can have a substantially U-shaped cross-section.Furthermore, the first molded tube half can have a smaller dimension in the transverse direction than the second molded tube half, so that preferably only the molded tube half with smaller dimension in the transverse direction, and in particular lower weight, has to be moved.

[0026] It should also be noted that the slicing machine may further comprise a discharge unit configured to discharge the slices cut by the cutting unit along a discharge direction. Consequently, the slices can be discharged for further processing and / or packaging and / or portions can be formed, each of which can preferably consist of several slices.

[0027] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment in the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1a a perspective view of a slicing machine according to the invention according to an embodiment, Fig. 1b a side view of the slicing machine according to Fig. 1a, Fig. 2a a perspective view of parts of a pressing device and a cutting unit of the slicing machine according to Fig. 1a, Fig. 2b a sectioned side view according to Fig. 1a, Fig. 2c a side view of components of the slicing machine according to Fig. 1a, in which a lower forming tube half of the pressing device is in a pivoted-up cutting position, Fig. 2d another side view according to Fig. 2c, in which the lower half of the molded tube is in a downwardly pivoted loading position, Fig. 3a a partial sectional side view of the lower molded tube half in a first configuration, Fig. 3b a partial sectional side view of the lower mold tube half in a second configuration, and Fig. 4 a longitudinal pressing unit of the slicing machine according to an embodiment.

[0028] In the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b, an embodiment of a slicing machine according to the invention is generally identified by the reference numeral 100.

[0029] The slicing machine 100 comprises a pressing device 102, which defines a pressing chamber R therein, which is designed and intended to receive a product piece P, for example in the form of a food such as grown meat or fish or the like. The product piece P is in Fig. 1a not shown, but for example in Fig. 1b is shown schematically.

[0030] The pressing device 102 comprises a longitudinal pressing unit 104, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a longitudinal pressing ram. The longitudinal pressing ram 104 is configured to control a dimension of the pressing chamber R in a longitudinal direction L of the product piece P or a direction substantially parallel thereto in order to press the product piece P in its longitudinal direction L. For this purpose, in the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal pressing unit 104 is connected via a longitudinal pressing force transmission unit 106 in the form of a piston rod 106 to a longitudinal pressing drive unit 108, which is configured to move the longitudinal pressing ram 104 in and against the longitudinal direction L in order to bring the product piece P to a desired length in the longitudinal direction L. During pressing by the pressing device 102, the product piece rests on a product support plane A, which, for example, in the Fig. 2b, Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b is indicated by a dashed line.

[0031] The pressing device 102 further comprises a transverse pressing unit 110, which is designed to control a dimension of the pressing chamber R in a transverse direction Q of the product piece P, which is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L, in order to press the product piece P in the transverse direction Q. In the illustrated embodiment, the transverse pressing unit 110 comprises a product receiving unit 112 in the form of a forming tube with a first upper forming tube half 112a, which is displaceable in and against the transverse direction Q by means of a transverse drive unit 114, for example in the form of a servomotor or hydraulic or pneumatic transverse drive unit. The upper forming tube half 112a is also, for example, in the Fig. 2a to 2d, in particular Fig. 1a it can be seen that the upper molded tube half 112a, seen in the longitudinal direction L, has a substantially C-shaped cross-section.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the forming tube 112 further comprises a second lower forming tube half 112b, which in the illustrated embodiment comprises the product support plane A and which is pivotable about a pivot axis S* (see, for example, Fig. 2c) is pivotable. In the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b, Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b and Fig. 2d, the lower forming tube half 112b is shown in a folded-down loading position, in which the product piece P is loaded with a loading device 118 (see Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b) can be conveyed in the feed direction Z onto the lower forming tube half 112b. For this purpose, the loading device 118 can comprise, for example, a belt conveyor 118a and / or a feed device 118b, for example in the form of a feed ram 118b or the like. In a slicing operation of the slicing machine 100, the forming tube 112 can have an opening 113a facing the cutting unit 126 and a further opening 113b facing the longitudinal pressing unit 104.

[0033] In Fig. 2c, the lower forming tube half 112b is shown in a cutting position, in which the lower forming tube half 112b faces the upper forming tube half 112a and, starting from the Fig. 2d has been folded up around the pivot axis S* by means of the pivot mechanism 116. As soon as the lower forming tube half 112b is in the position shown in Fig. 2c, the upper forming tube half 112a can be displaced in the transverse direction Q in the direction of the product piece P by means of the transverse pressing unit 114 until the product piece P has a desired dimension in the transverse direction Q. Subsequently or substantially simultaneously, the product piece P can be cut by moving the longitudinal pressing punch 104 (see for example Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b) in the longitudinal direction L to a desired dimension in the longitudinal direction L.

[0034] During pressing in the longitudinal direction L by means of the longitudinal pressing ram 104, a stop unit 120, for example in the form of an intermediate plate, serves as a counter-holder according to the invention. For this purpose, the stop unit 120 can be displaceable by means of a stop drive unit 121, which will be described in more detail below, preferably in and against the transverse direction Q and can be arranged between a Fig. 2a, in which it releases a cutting channel 124, and one in Fig. 2c, the stop unit 120 can be displaced into the limiting position, which is only schematically indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 2c, in which the stop unit 120 at least partially blocks the cutting channel 124. In order to be displaced into the limiting position, in particular during a pressing process of the product piece P with the pressing device 102, the stop unit 120 can be moved by means of the stop drive unit 121 starting from Fig. 2a can be displaced by a predetermined amount counter to the transverse direction Q.

[0035] After the product piece P has been pressed to the desired dimensions in the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction Q, the stop unit 120 can be moved back into the position shown in Fig. 2a and then the product piece P is moved by a further movement of the longitudinal pressing ram 104 in the longitudinal direction L through the cutting channel 124 to a cutting unit 126 of the slicing machine 100. The cutting unit 126 is arranged adjacent to the pressing device 102, in particular downstream of the pressing device 102 with respect to the longitudinal direction L or the feed direction Z, and comprises a knife 128, which can be rotatable about a rotation axis R' in order to cut the product piece P into slices S (see, for example, Fig. 1b). The rotation axis R' of the knife 128 is, for example, in Fig. 2b. The knife 128 can preferably be configured to perform an oscillating movement in or against the transverse direction Q in addition to a rotational movement about the rotational axis R'. During the oscillating movement, the knife 128 can be moved between a retracted position, in which the knife 128 essentially clears the cutting channel 124, and an advanced position, in which the knife 128, starting from Fig. 2a is moved in the transverse direction Q to penetrate the cutting channel 124 in order to be able to cut a slice S from the product piece P. As long as the knife 128 is in the retracted position, the product piece P can be advanced in the longitudinal direction L by a predetermined amount corresponding to a desired slice thickness of the respective slice S.

[0036] In order to be able to press the product piece P preferably in all three spatial directions, ie in three dimensions, before cutting, lateral boundary walls 112b1 and 112b2 of the lower forming tube half 112b can preferably also form a further pressing unit and can be arranged so as to be movable towards and away from one another in a width direction B in order to be able to bring a dimension of the product piece P in the width direction B to a desired size before cutting by the cutting unit 126.

[0037] After the slices S have been sliced ​​by means of the cutting unit 126, they can be conveyed out of the slicing machine 100 along a conveying direction A by means of a conveying unit 130, which can also be designed as a belt conveyor or the like, in order to be able to be further processed and / or packaged, for example.

[0038] To operate the slicing machine 100, the slicing machine 100 may further comprise an operating unit 132, which may be arranged on a frame 134 of the slicing machine 100 and may be configured to be operated by an operator of the slicing machine 100. The operating unit 132 may, for example, be configured as a touchscreen or the like.

[0039] As particularly in the Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b, in the illustrated embodiment, the stop unit 120 is arranged in the release position on a side of the pressing device 102, in particular of the forming tube 112, facing away from the transverse pressing unit 110, in particular the upper forming tube half 112a. In other words, the stop unit 120 can be arranged in the release position on a side of the cutting channel 124 facing away from the upper forming tube half 112a. Furthermore, the transverse pressing unit 110, in the illustrated embodiment the upper forming tube half 112a, extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the product piece P beyond the stop unit 120 in the direction of the cutting unit 126, as for example in Fig. 2b. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper forming tube half 112a of the forming tube 112 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the product piece P up to immediately in front of the cutting unit 126, in particular up to a cutting plane S' of the blade 128 of the cutting unit 126.

[0040] Furthermore, the upper forming tube half 112a can have a smaller dimension in the transverse direction Q than the lower forming tube half 112b, so that only the upper forming tube half 112a, which has the smaller dimensions in the transverse direction Q and preferably also has a lower weight than the lower forming tube half 112b, has to be moved by means of the transverse press drive unit 114.

[0041] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper molded tube half 112a has a larger dimension in the longitudinal direction L than the lower molded tube half 112b. This can be advantageous because the lower molded tube half 112b is already inserted into the Fig. 2b folded-down loading position can be pivoted when a residual product piece of the product piece P is still cut open by means of the cutting unit 126 while it is located in the cutting channel 124 and is held down in the transverse direction Q by the upper forming tube half 112a of the transverse pressing unit 112 in order to retain its pressed shape in the transverse direction Q.

[0042] Furthermore, the stop unit 120 can be assigned the stop drive unit 121, which is configured to displace the stop unit 120 between the limiting position and the release position. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop drive unit 121 comprises two drive elements 122, which in the illustrated embodiment are designed as push rods 122a and 122b, which are arranged on opposite sides of the pressing device 102 and outside the cutting channel 124 of the cutting unit 126.

[0043] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the cutting unit 126 comprises a cutting receiving unit 115, which can be designed, for example, as a cutting plate. According to the illustrated embodiment, the cutting receiving unit 115 is configured to receive at least one end of the product piece P facing the cutting unit 126, wherein the cutting receiving unit 115 at least partially defines the cutting channel 124 therein, through which the product piece P can be guided to the cutting unit 126. Preferably, at least a portion of the cutting channel 124 is defined by the transverse pressing unit 110, in the illustrated embodiment by the upper forming tube half 112a, which extends directly in front of the cutting unit 126, in particular the cutting plane S' of the blade 128.

[0044] In the Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b, the lower forming tube half 112b of the product receiving unit 112 is shown in the form of a forming tube in two different configurations. The two configurations differ in that in the configuration according to Fig. 3a, the product receiving unit 112 has an adapter element 150a in the form of an adapter plate, which differs from a further adapter element 150b in the form of a further adapter plate. The adapter plates 150a and 150b differ in the present embodiment in that they have different dimensions in a direction substantially parallel to the transverse direction Q. In the present embodiment, the adapter plate 150a has a larger dimension than the further adapter plate 150b in the direction substantially parallel to the transverse direction Q. It follows that in the configuration according to Fig. 3a a distance d1 between a longitudinal axis 106' of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit 106 and the product support plane A results, which is smaller than a corresponding distance d2 between the longitudinal axis 106' and the product support plane A in Fig. 3b. In other words, the distance between the longitudinal axis 106' of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit 106 and the product support plane A of the product receiving unit 112 can be changed, in particular in steps, by selecting the adapter plate 150a or the further adapter plate 150b.

[0045] For this purpose, in the illustrated embodiment, the adapter plate 150a and the further adapter plate 150b are arranged on the product receiving unit 112 in a removable and exchangeable manner. Depending on the selected configuration, the adapter plate 150a or the further adapter plate 150b is fastened to a pivot receiving unit 116a of the pivot mechanism 116 and via this is connected at least indirectly to the frame 134 of the slicing machine 100. The adapter plate 150a and / or the further adapter plate 150b can simply be screwed to the pivot receiving unit 116a and / or can be lockable to the pivot receiving unit 116a by means of a locking system 152 using locking units 152a and 152b. In order to remove the adapter plate 150a orTo remove the additional adapter plate 150b from the pivot support unit 116a, the locking units 152a and 152b can be moved into an unlocked state (not shown), allowing the adapter plate 150a and the additional adapter plate 150b to be easily replaced. If the adapter plate 150a and / or the additional adapter plate 150b is / are only screwed to the pivot support unit 116a, only the corresponding screws need to be loosened and / or removed to enable removal.

[0046] Furthermore, the longitudinal pressing unit 104 can also be arranged interchangeably on the slicing machine 100. Thus, in Fig. 3a shows an example of a first longitudinal pressing unit 104a in the form of a first longitudinal pressing die and in Fig. 3b shows a second longitudinal pressing unit 104b in the form of a second longitudinal pressing die. As shown in the Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b, the first longitudinal pressing die 104a has smaller dimensions in the direction substantially parallel to the transverse direction Q than the second longitudinal pressing die 104b. A first height dimension h1 of the first longitudinal pressing die 104a can preferably be from approximately 20 millimeters to approximately 50 millimeters and / or a second height dimension h2 of the second longitudinal pressing die 104b can preferably be from approximately 60 millimeters to approximately 100 millimeters.

[0047] The Fig. The configuration shown in Figure 3a with a smaller distance d1 between the longitudinal axis 106' of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit 106 and the product receiving plane A is therefore particularly suitable for smaller pressing punches, ie smaller product pieces P, which have a smaller dimension in the direction substantially parallel to the transverse direction Q, ie product height. The configuration according to Fig. 3b, however, is suitable for the larger longitudinal press punch 104b and thus for product pieces P which have a larger dimension, ie a greater product height, in the direction substantially parallel to the transverse direction Q. In both cases, ie both in the first configuration according to Fig. 3a as well as in the second configuration according to Fig. 3b, it is ensured that the force is introduced into the longitudinal pressing ram 104a or 104b, relative to a central axis or plane of the pressing ram 104a or 104b, which can extend essentially parallel to the product support plane A and / or the longitudinal axis 106', in each case as centrally as possible, so that a torque, in particular a tilting moment, generated on the longitudinal pressing ram 104a or 104b by a pressing process in the longitudinal direction L is as small as possible. The central axis or the central plane can be an axis of symmetry or plane of the longitudinal pressing unit 104a or 104b that is essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0048] As in Fig. 4, the longitudinal press ram 104 can comprise a compensating section 136, which is movable in and against the transverse direction Q relative to a base body 138 of the longitudinal press ram 104. The compensating section 138 can be adjusted by means of a pretensioning device, for example at least one spring (in Fig. 4 not visible), be prestressed against the transverse direction Q. The longitudinal pressing dies 104a and 104b can be designed analogously to the longitudinal pressing die 104, at least with regard to the functioning of the compensating section.

[0049] Furthermore, the longitudinal press die 104 may comprise a locking unit 140 which is arranged between a Fig. 4 and a release position (not shown). The locking unit 140, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a slide 140, can be configured to limit, in the locking position, a movement of the compensating section 136 caused by the pretensioning device relative to the base body 138, so that the compensating section 136 cannot protrude further from the base body 138, for example, in the transverse direction Q, than in Fig. 4 is shown.

[0050] The compensation section 136 is provided to be able to adapt the longitudinal press punch 104 to a dimension of the pressing space R, ie a dimension of the product piece P, in the transverse direction Q when the longitudinal press punch 104 is located in the pressing space R, ie between the upper forming tube half 112a and the lower forming tube half 112b and these are moved towards each other in the transverse direction Q or away from each other opposite to the transverse direction Q.

Claims

[1] Slicing machine (100) for slicing a product piece (P) into slices (S), comprising: a pressing device (102) comprising a product receiving unit (112) having a product support plane (A) onto which the product piece (P) can be placed, wherein the pressing device (102) comprises at least one longitudinal pressing unit (104, 104a, 104b) configured to press the product piece (P) in a longitudinal direction (L) of the product piece (P), wherein the longitudinal pressing unit (104, 104a, 104b) is operatively connected to a longitudinal pressing force transmission unit (106) of the pressing device (102), which is configured to transmit a longitudinal pressing force substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (L) of the product piece (P) to the longitudinal pressing unit (104, 104a, 104b) in order to displace it substantially parallel to the product support plane (A), and a cutting unit (126) arranged adjacent to the pressing device (102) and adapted to cut the product piece (P) into slices (S), characterized by that a distance (d1; d2) between a longitudinal axis (106') of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit (106) and the product support plane (A) of the product receiving unit (112) is variable. [2] Slicing machine according to claim 1, characterized by that the product receiving unit (112) further comprises at least one adapter element (150a, 150b), in particular an adapter plate, which is designed to change the distance (d1; d2) between the longitudinal axis (106') of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit (106) and the product support plane (A) of the product receiving unit (112). [3] Slicing machine according to claim 2, characterized bythat the at least one adapter element (150a, 150b) is designed to gradually change the distance (d1, d2) between the longitudinal axis (106') and the product support plane (A), in particular to gradually reduce or increase it. [4] Slicing machine according to claim 2 or 3 characterized by that the at least one adapter element (150a, 150b) is arranged removably and / or replaceably on the product receiving unit (112). [5] Slicing machine according to claim 4, characterized by that the at least one adapter element (150a, 150b) is designed to be fastened to a part (116a) of the product receiving unit (112) connected to a frame (134) of the slicing machine (100), in particular to be screwed thereto. [6] Slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the longitudinal pressing unit (104) is arranged interchangeably on the slicing machine (100) and is interchangeable at least between a first longitudinal pressing unit (104a) which has a predetermined first height dimension (h1) and a second longitudinal pressing unit (104b) which has a predetermined second height dimension (h2) which differs from the first height dimension (h1), wherein the first height dimension (h1) and / or the second height dimension (h2) preferably extends substantially orthogonally to the product support plane (A). [7] Slicing machine according to claim 6, characterized by that the first height dimension (h1) is from about 20 mm to about 55 mm, preferably from about 35 mm to about 50 mm, and / or the second height dimension (h2) is from more than about 55 mm to about 150 mm, preferably from about 60 mm to about 100 mm. [8] Slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the product receiving unit (112) is further assigned an adjusting device which is designed to change the distance between the longitudinal axis (106') of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the product support plane (A), in particular continuously. [9] Slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the longitudinal pressing unit (104, 104a, 104b) is designed as a longitudinal pressing stamp which can be moved in and preferably counter to the longitudinal direction (L) by means of a longitudinal pressing drive unit (108) of the pressing device (102). [10] Slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the longitudinal pressing unit (104, 104a, 104b) is designed in several parts and comprises a compensating section (136), for example a compensating plate, which is movable in and against the transverse direction (Q) relative to a base body (138) of the longitudinal pressing unit (104; 104a, 104b). [11] Slicing machine according to claim 10, characterized by that the compensating section (136) is prestressed in or against the transverse pressing direction (Q) by means of a prestressing device, for example a spring. [12] Slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the pressing device (102) further comprises a transverse pressing unit (110) which is configured to control a dimension of a pressing space (R) in a transverse direction (Q) of the product piece (P) substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (L) in order to press the product piece (P) in the transverse direction (Q), wherein the pressing space (R) is defined in the pressing device (102). [13] Slicing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the pressing device (102) comprises a forming tube (112) which preferably has an opening (113a) facing the cutting unit (126) and a further opening (113b) facing the longitudinal pressing unit (104, 104a, 104b). [14] Slicing machine according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the shaped tube (112) comprises at least two shaped tube halves (112a, 112b), namely a first forming tube half (112a), which is part of a transverse pressing unit (110) of the pressing device (102) or forms this and which can be displaced in and preferably counter to the transverse direction (Q) by means of a transverse pressing drive unit (114) of the pressing device (102), and a second forming tube half (112b) adapted to oppose the first forming tube half (112a) and operatively connected to a frame (134) of the slicing machine (100).