Method and apparatus for segmenting a food product

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for segmenting a food product with a device for segmenting food products, comprising a support table, a cutting edge movably arranged above the support table, at least one sensor system and a control system, wherein the support table is rotatable about a central axis and movable in at least one horizontal direction, wherein in a first step a food product, in particular at an arbitrary position, is positioned on the support table, wherein in a second step the position of the food product relative to the support table is determined by the sensor system, wherein in a third step a cutting line for the food product is determined by the control system, wherein the support table is moved depending on the determined position of the food product,that the cutting line coincides with the vertical projection of the cutting edge, wherein in a fourth step the food product is cut along the cutting line by the cutting edge, with the third and fourth steps being repeated until the food product is cut into a predetermined number of segments.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for segmenting a food product with an apparatus for segmenting food products. Such methods and apparatuses are used, for example, to divide product libraries of a food, for example cheese libraries, into segments.A known device for segmenting food products, such as the Applicant's GES 1000 cheese clipper, comprises, for example, a movable and usually round support table. Furthermore, the device comprises a cutting edge arranged above the support table, which is vertically movable in order to divide the product sheet. In order that an approximately uniform division of the product sheet can be achieved with the device, the product sheet must be placed exactly on the support table by an operator in such a way that the center of the product sheet corresponds to the center of the support table. A user may then specify a desired number of segments and the controller of the apparatus calculates cut lines that, when the cutting edge cuts the product sheet along these cut lines, result in uniform segmentation of the product sheet into the desired number of segments.The support table is moved in such a way that the center of the product sheet lies below the cutting edge and, by alternating rotation of the support table by a predetermined angle and a vertical movement of the cutting edge, the cutting edge cuts the product sheet along the cutting lines.Various procedures are known in this case in order to achieve as exact a centering as possible. For example, a projection laser can be used which marks the center of the support table, or a user can manually apply markings on the support table, for example with a pen, for different large product slides. These procedures are error-prone on the one hand and time-consuming on the other hand. If the product sheet is not placed exactly centrally, the segmentation will not be able to take place correctly, which can lead to the segments having to be disposed of. Furthermore, in this way, complete automation of the method is not possible, since a trained operator is required at least for placing the food product on top.It was therefore the object of the present invention to provide a method for segmenting a food product with a device for segmenting food products and such a device which can be automated and which enable a precise, reproducible and rapid segmentation of a food product independently of a user.This object is achieved by a method for segmenting a food product with a device for segmenting food products, comprising a support table, a cutting edge arranged movably above the support table, a sensor system and a controller, wherein the support table is provided rotatably about an, in particular central, axis and movable in at least one horizontal direction, wherein in a first step a food product is positioned on the support table, in particular at any desired position, wherein in a second step the position of the food product relative to the support table is determined by the sensor system, wherein in a third step a section line for the food product is determined by the controller, wherein the support table is moved as a function of the determined position of the food product in such a way that the section line corresponds to the vertical projection of the cutting edge, wherein, in a fourth step, the food product is divided along the cutting line by the cutting edge, wherein the third and fourth steps are repeated until the food product is divided into a predetermined number of segments.With the method according to the invention, it is possible in a particularly advantageous manner that a food product can be safely segmented even without exact positioning on the support table. In particular, this allows automation of the method, but at least enables reproducible and rapid division of food products.The statements pertaining to this subject matter of the present invention apply equally to the other subject matters of the present invention and vice versa.According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the food product is a product sheet, in particular a product sheet having a round or rectangular outer contour. Particularly preferably, the food product has an essentially regular and / or smooth outer contour. Examples of such product libraries are, for example, (substantially) round cheese libraries, i.e. cheese libraries having a substantially circular outer contour, but also cheese blocks or meat pieces having a substantially rectangular outer contour, i.e. for example substantially cuboidal food products. Within the scope of the present invention, an outer contour is to be understood as meaning in particular a horizontal cross section, that is to say in other words in particular a vertical projection of the lateral outer contour of the food product onto the support table. Most preferably, the product layer does not have to be solid and / or completely filled. Thus, the method according to the invention can be used preferably both with cheese level with internal cavities and, for example, with product level with a central recess, such as a toroidal product.Preferably, the cutting edge is provided to be vertically movable. In this way, an exact cutting position is ensured, since the cutting edge is movable only in one direction, in particular perpendicular to the translation direction of the support table.According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that in the first step the food product is positioned on the support table by an operator. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the food product to be positioned automatically on the support table, for example by means of a so-called pick-and-place robot and / or by means of a conveyor belt. This advantageously allows a complete automation of the method according to the invention.The support table is preferably movable in a horizontal direction, which is also referred to below as the longitudinal direction. Particularly preferably, the horizontal movement and / or the rotation of the support table about a central, vertical axis is carried out manually or automatically, for example by a motor, in particular an electric motor, which can be controlled by the controller. The device preferably comprises a machine frame and side elements which define the longitudinal direction. The side elements preferably serve to keep an operator away from the cutting edge during operation. Particularly preferably, the side elements are provided to be foldable and / or openable for the maintenance and / or cleaning of the cutting edge. Most preferably, the support table is substantially round, in particular circular. It is directly obvious to the person skilled in the art that a circular support table is advantageous, since the support table must rotate about a central axis. Since the device is provided for processing foods, it is preferably made of materials which are harmless and / or easy to clean for contact with foods, for example stainless steel.According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that in the second step the outer contour of the food product is detected by the sensor system. It is particularly preferably provided that, in particular in the case of a food product having an essentially round outer contour, the outer contour is determined in at least four different rotational positions of the support table. For example, the outer contour of the food product is determined in the positions 0°, 90°, 180° and 270° of the support table. The person skilled in the art understands that, for example when using a light barrier, the determination of the outer contour is preferably carried out in such a way that the support table is moved in a predetermined rotational position along the longitudinal direction until the light barrier is interrupted. It is precisely in the case of a regular, in particular circular, outer contour that, after the measurement in four rotational positions, the relative position is advantageously unambiguously determined. In the case of a food product with an irregular outer contour, measurements in more rotational positions may be required. It is also conceivable that a continuous capture of the outer contour takes place during a combined rotational and translational movement. The skilled person understands that, in particular in the case of a product reveal with a circular outer contour, the entire circumference of the outer contour does not have to be detected for an exact determination of the position of the product reveal relative to the support table.Preferably, the controller determines the position of the food product as relative coordinates with respect to the center point of the support table. For example, the position of a center point of the food product relative to the center point of the support table is determined. Together with the outer contour of the food product, which can be represented as a radius relative to the center point of the food product, for example, in the case of a circular product reveal, the position of the food product on the support table can then be unambiguously determined. The skilled person understands that, as an alternative to a center point of the support table, another point of the support table that can be unambiguously determined can also be used.According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the sensor system comprises an optical sensor, wherein the sensor system preferably comprises a light barrier, a line scanner and / or a lidar scanner. A light barrier that uses a straight measurement beam is a particularly proven and cost-effective possibility for detecting the outer contour of the product slide. In addition, the aforementioned components can be fastened in a simple manner laterally, for example on a machine frame, of the device, so that access to the components is easily possible and, in addition, no suspension is required in order to provide components above the support table.According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the cutting edge and / or the cutting line is rectilinear. Particularly preferably, the cutting edge extends transversely to the translation direction of the support table. Most preferably, the cutting edge extends, in particular continuously, at least over the entire width of the support table. In this way, it is ensured that even large food products can be segmented easily and quickly.According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the segments are provided in particular with the same size and / or balance. In the food industry, it is usually desirable for a food product to be optimally utilized during processing, here segmentation. It is therefore particularly advantageous if the segments are provided with the same size and / or the same weight. The skilled person understands that, in particular in the case of homogeneous food products, segments of equal size are also equilibrant segments. It is provided, for example, that an operator specifies to the controller a number of segments to be achieved and the controller uses this to determine the cutting lines in such a way that the specified number of identically sized and / or balanced segments is achieved.According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the controller in the third step takes into account user-defined tolerance intervals for the dimensions and / or the weight of the segments to be generated in the determination of the section line. In this way, it is possible in particular for a food product to be divided in a particularly advantageous manner without generating superfluous segments, since the segment sizes and / or weights can be adapted by the controller within the scope of the tolerance intervals.According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that in the third step the support table is moved such that a center point of the food product is provided in a vertical projection below the cutting edge.A further subject matter of the present invention is a device for segmenting food products, comprising a support table, a vertically movable cutting edge, at least one sensor system and a controller, wherein the support table is provided to be rotatable about a central axis and movable in at least one horizontal direction, wherein the controller preferably controls the movement of the support table, the movement of the cutting edge and / or the sensor system, characterized in that the device is configured to execute a method according to one of the preceding claims, in particular automatically.The statements pertaining to this subject matter of the present invention apply equally to the other subject matters of the present invention and vice versa.According to a preferred embodiment of this subject matter of the present invention, it is provided that the device comprises at least one product hold-down which is configured to apply a holding force to the food product in the fourth step, in particular before the cutting edge touches the food product. Particularly preferably, the device comprises at least two product hold-downs, in particular arranged on both sides of the cutting edge. This advantageously ensures that the food product does not slip during the cutting process. This increases the quality of the segments produced. Most preferably, the at least one product hold-down is provided as a vertically displaceable and / or foldable strip which is displaceable at least in sections parallel and / or simultaneously with the cutting edge.Preferably, the method according to the invention and / or the device according to the invention is configured for generating at least 2, 3, 4 or 5 segments, and / or for generating at most 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 segments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the number of segments will depend on the size and nature of the food product. The maximum diameter of a round product sheet is particularly preferably 800-1000 mm, very particularly preferably 900-950 mm, at a maximum height of up to 250-300 mm.The invention is explained below with reference to the figures. These explanations are merely exemplary and do not limit the general inventive concept. The explanations apply equally to all the subject matters of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of an apparatus for segmenting food products according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2a-2d show substeps of the second step of a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3 a- 3 c show third and fourth steps of a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of an apparatus for segmenting food products 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Such devices are used in particular for segmenting product mites 1, for example cheese mites. Due to the rotational symmetry of a cheese slab, the present invention can be explained more easily with reference to such a food product and therefore a circular product slab 1 is always shown in the figures, but the invention is not limited to a cheese slab and / or a circular product slab 1.A (food) product sheet 1 is usually divided into individual segments before sale. For the food industry, it is decisive to have as many processing steps as possible automatically carried out. This increases processing speed and avoids human sources of error. Devices for segmenting food products are therefore known in which an operator has to position a product sheet exactly centrally on a partially movable support table, for example with the aid of a projection laser marking the centre and / or by means of manually applied markings on the table for product sheets 1 of different sizes.Since the product sheet 1 is arranged at a known position on the support table, a controller 4 of the apparatus can now determine section lines 8, 8', 8" corresponding to the number of segments specified by the operator, for example. These cutting lines 8, 8', 8" preferably correspond to imaginary, in particular straight, lines along which the product sheet 1 is always arranged vertically below the cutting edge 3 by a cutting edge 3 which is arranged above the support table 2 and can be moved vertically. By rotating the support table 2 about a central, vertical axis R, the product sheet 1 can now be moved below the cutting edge 3 in such a way that the center point of the product sheet 1 is always arranged vertically below the cutting edge 3 and the vertical projection of the cutting edge 3 corresponds to one of the cutting lines 8. The cutting edge is then moved in such a way that the product sheet 1 is divided along the cutting line 8. The process is then repeated until the product sheet 1 is divided into the desired number of segments.By virtue of the fact that the controller 4 determines the cutting lines 8, 8', 8", wherein all cutting lines 8, 8', 8" are determined before the first cut of the cutting edge 3 and / or after each cut of the cutting edge 3 a (new) determination of one or more cutting lines 8, 8', 8" takes place, it can be ensured that the segments meet desired requirements, such as for instance the same dimensions, in particular the same thickness, and / or the same weight.The accuracy with which the segments meet the requirements is greatly dependent on the precision of the operator when positioning or placing the product sheet 1 centrally.It is therefore desirable to enable an exact segmenting even if the food product 1, in particular the product slab 1, is arranged at any desired position on the support table 2. Dispensing with a precise, manual placement of the product slide 1 also makes it possible to automate this first step, so that the method is completely automated.This is achieved according to the invention in that after the food product 1 has been placed on the support table 2 at any desired position, corresponding to a first method step, the position of the food product 1 relative to the support table 2 is determined by a sensor system in a second step.In a preferred embodiment, the sensor system comprises a light barrier with a transmitter 5 and a receiver 7, between which a measurement beam 6 runs. By controlled movements of the support table 2, in particular along an in particular horizontal translation axis T and about a central axis of rotation R, the food product is preferably moved in such a way that a section of the outer contour, i.e. the lateral boundary surface of the food product 1, interrupts the light barrier in a straight plane. As a result, the sensor system or the controller 4, which controls the components of the device, can successively scan the outer dimensions of the food product 1 and thus determine the position of the food product on the support table 2 precisely.Precisely in the case of a (circular) round product slide 1, this second step can be divided into a plurality of substeps, for example into four substeps in which the outer contour is determined in each case in a predetermined rotational position of the support table, here approximately 0°, 90°, 180° and 270°. This is shown in more detail in FIG. 2.In the second step, a center point x', y' of the food product 1 is preferably determined relative to the center point of the support table 2. Particularly preferably, in particular in the case of a round product reveal 1, a radius and / or a diameter of the product reveal 1 is determined.In FIG. 1, the control 4 is merely indicated schematically, which here controls the movements of the support table 2 and the cutting edge 3. Since the support table 2 is rotated, among other things, about the central, vertical axis R, it is helpful if the support table 2 itself is substantially round or comprises a circular disk-shaped support surface. For the sake of simpler orientation, Cartesian coordinates are indicated in FIG. 1, wherein the horizontal plane is spanned by the x-axis and the y-axis. Here, a translation of the support table 2 along the translation axis T is possible, which without limiting generality is provided here parallel to the y-axis. The cutting edge 3 preferably extends uninterruptedly and particularly preferably over the entire width of the support table 2, which can be moved vertically, i.e. parallel to the z-axis extending here perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least one product holder which is movable at least partially and / or temporarily independently of the cutting edge 3 in order to fix the cutting edge 3 in its position before contact of the cutting edge 3 with the food product 1 in order to ensure a precise cut along the cutting line 8, 8', 8". Preferably, two product hold-downs are provided on both sides of the cutting edge 3. These can be provided to be vertically movable and / or foldable about a horizontal axis, in particular an axis arranged here parallel to the -x axis.The skilled person understands that the components of the device are fastened to a machine frame, which is not shown here for the sake of clarity. Furthermore, side walls, for example made of acrylic glass, can be provided on both sides of the support table 2 parallel to the y-axis in order to avoid damage to an operator by the cutting edge 3 during the cutting operation. Particularly preferably, the side walls are provided to be foldable in order to allow access to the cutting edge 3 for maintenance purposes. Most preferably, the device comprises a safety sensor which prevents operation of the device, in particular the cutting edge 3, when the side walls are open.Referring now to Figures 2a-2d, substeps of the second step of a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. On the left, a transmitter 5 of a light barrier is indicated, which emits a measurement beam 6, which here runs parallel to the x-axis in the horizontal plane and in particular just above the support surface of the support table 2. On the right side, a receiver 7 of the light barrier is provided. FIG. 2 ashows, for example, a rotational position of the support table 2 of 0°. The support table 2 is displaced in this position in the direction of the translation axis T until the sensor system detects an interruption of the measurement beam 6. The outer edge of the product sheet 1 is therefore known in this rotational position of the support table 2. The support table 2 is then rotated through 90° about the axis of rotation R, which here runs centrally and parallel to the z-axis. This rotational position is indicated in FIG. 2 b. Again, the outer edge of the product sheet 1 is also determined in this position in the manner described above. This process is now repeated for the rotational positions 180° and 270°. Since in the exemplary embodiment shown here a circular product sheet 1, for example a cheese sheet, is involved, this is sufficient to precisely determine the position, in particular the center x', y', of the product sheet 1 relative to the support table 2, in particular the center or midpoint of the support table 2.Referring now to Figures 3a-3c, third and fourth steps of a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. After the position determination of the food product 1 in the second step, at least one cutting line 8, 8', 8" is now determined in a third cut. In this case, as described above, the controller 4 can ascertain all the cutting lines 8, 8', 8" which are required to segment the food product in the desired manner at once, and / or the next cutting line 8', 8" is ascertained after each cut of the cutting edge 3. For example, it is conceivable that in the third step, first all required cutting lines 8, 8', 8" are determined, in a fourth step, the cutting edge 3 divides the food product 1 along a cutting line 8 and then the position of the food product 1 is checked again by means of a sensor, so that in the event of deviations, the cutting lines 8', 8" are determined again, if necessary.In FIG. 3 a, a section line 8 has been determined in a third step. In a fourth step, the support table 2 is now moved in such a way that preferably the center x', y' of the food product 1 is provided below the cutting edge 3 and the vertical projection of the cutting edge 3 coincides with the cutting line 8. The cutting edge 3 is then moved vertically, optionally with the participation of one or more product holders, so that the food product, here the product sheet 1, is divided along the cutting line 8. Then, the third step and the fourth step are repeated. In FIG. 3b it can be seen how the product sheet has been rotated and moved in such a way that the cutting line 8 is arranged at a predetermined angle to the projection of the cutting edge 3 and again the center x', y' of the product sheet 1 is arranged below the cutting edge 3. The cutting edge 3 now divides the product sheet 1 along the cutting line 8'. FIG. 3c shows, by way of example, a section along a further section line 8". After this step, the product sheet 1 here consists of six segments, which, however, are not of the same size. Therefore, a further iteration, not shown here any more, is preferably carried out, with a section along a further section line, so that the product slab 1 consists of 8 segments of equal size and preferably equilibrium.In other words, the inventive idea consists in particular in the position of the food product 1 being determined in such a way that during the subsequent segmenting a center of the food product 1 is always arranged exactly below the cutting edge 3, independently of the rotational position.In the present case, the method has been described with reference to a circular product sheet 1, but the method according to the invention is also applicable to other food products, including product sheets with or without a central recess or rectangular food products which are segmented, for example, into elongate bars or rectangular blocks.It is decisive that the position of the food product 1 and in particular its center x', y' is determined relative to the support table 2, so that the controller 4 can subsequently move the support table 2 in such a way that a previously determined cutting line 8, 8', 8" is arranged exactly below the cutting edge 3.Preferably, the device is configured to detect user input for desired characteristics of the segments, for example number, size, thickness, weight, and in particular also a user input for an acceptable tolerance interval. In this way, the controller 4 can determine the cutting lines 8, 8', 8" in such a way that the desired segments can be produced taking into account the tolerances.Preferably, the food product 1 is placed on the support table 2 in an automated manner in the first step, for example by a so-called pick-and-place robot and / or by a conveying means, for example a conveyor belt.List of reference numbers:1 Food product, product sheet 2 support table 3 cutting edge 4 controller 5 transmitter of the light barrier 6 measuring line 7 receiver of the light barrier 8, 8', 8" cutting lines x, y Cartesian coordinates x', y' determined center of the food product T translation axis R rotation axis

Claims

Method for segmenting a food product (1) with a device for segmenting food products, comprising a support table (2), a cutting edge (3) arranged movably above the support table (2), a sensor system and a controller (4), wherein the support table (2) is provided rotatably about an, in particular central, axis (R) and movable in at least one horizontal direction (T), wherein in a first step a food product (1) is positioned on the support table (2), in particular at any desired position, wherein in a second step the position of the food product (x', y') relative to the support table (2) is determined by the sensor system, wherein in a third step a cutting line (8) for the food product (1) is determined by the controller (4), wherein the support table (2) is moved depending on the determined position (x', y') of the food product (1) such that the cutting line (8) corresponds to the vertical projection of the cutting edge (3), wherein in a fourth step the food product (1) is divided along the cutting line (8) by the cutting edge (3), wherein the third and the fourth steps are repeated until the food product (1) is divided into a predetermined number of segments.Method according to claim 1, wherein in the second step the outer contour of the food product (1) is detected by the sensor system.Method according to claim 2, wherein, in particular in the case of a food product (1) having an essentially round outer contour, the outer contour is determined in at least four different rotational positions of the support table (2).Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor system comprises an optical sensor, wherein the sensor system preferably comprises a light barrier (5, 7), a line scanner and / or a lidar scanner.Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting edge (3) and / or the cutting line (8, 8', 8") is rectilinear.Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the food product (1) is a product sheet (1), in particular a product sheet (1) having a round or rectangular outer contour.Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the segments are provided in particular with the same size and / or equilibrium.Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (4) takes into account user-defined tolerance intervals for the dimensions and / or the weight of the segments to be produced in the third step in the determination of the section line.Device for segmenting food products, comprising a support table (2), a vertically movable cutting edge (3), at least one sensor system and a controller (4), wherein the support table (2) is provided to be rotatable about a central axis (R) and movable in at least one horizontal direction (T), wherein the controller preferably controls the movement of the support table (2), the movement of the cutting edge (3) and / or the sensor system, characterized in that the device is configured to execute a method according to one of the preceding claims, in particular automatically.Device according to claim 9, characterised in that the device comprises at least one product hold-down device which is configured to apply a holding force to the food product (1) in the fourth step, in particular before the cutting edge (3) touches the food product (1).

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