Machine for automatically cutting and packaging bread

Abstract

Machine for automatically slicing a loaf of bread (3) or a corresponding foodstuff, comprising: - a first compartment (1) for loading, which is connected to a second compartment (2) for receiving, - a cutting element (5) that enables the bread (3) to be sliced ​​between the first and second compartments, thereby defining a cutting plane. - a support surface (7) for the bread (3), wherein this surface (7) is provided at least in the first compartment (1) and extends vertically or inclined at an angle of less than 45° with respect to a vertical direction, and thereby defines a displacement direction (4) of the bread (3) which extends parallel to the support surface (7), - a movable support (8) provided in the second compartment (2) which is displaceable according to the said displacement direction (4) of the bread (3) to support the sliced ​​part of the bread (3), wherein this machine is characterized in that it comprises - a packaging device for packing the sliced ​​bread into a bag (20) formed by a packaging material web (9), wherein this device comprises a holding element (12) for holding one end (13) of said web (9) and at least one guide element (11) for feeding said web (9) into the second compartment following a feed path, wherein the holding element (12) is movable with respect to the guide element (11) between a close position to allow grasping a free end (13) of said web (9) and a distant position to spread this web (9) between the holding element (12) and the guide element (11) in a zone located between the second compartment (2) and the cutting plane, - Means to form a loop in the track (9) extending between the holding element (12) and the guide element (11), with this loop spreading into the second compartment (2) to receive the sliced ​​bread, - the movable carrier (8) which is laterally displaceable with respect to the direction of displacement (4) of the bread (3) up to next to the aforementioned track (9) in order to make it possible to pull this carrier (8) out of the aforementioned loop and to join the opposite side edges (15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) of the loop to form a bag (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a machine for automatically slicing bread or a similar foodstuff. This machine comprises a first loading compartment connected to a second receiving compartment, and a cutting element that defines a cutting plane for slicing the bread between the first and second compartments. The machine also includes a support surface for the bread, provided in the first compartment and extending vertically or, with respect to a vertical direction, inclined at an angle of less than 45°. This support surface defines a displacement direction for the bread, extending parallel to the support surface. A movable support is provided in the second compartment. This support is displaceable in the aforementioned displacement direction to support the sliced ​​portion of the bread.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to a machine whose base occupies a relatively small area compared to conventional automatic slicing machines and in which a loaf of bread is moved in a substantially vertical direction during slicing. Such machines are known from the prior art.

[0003] Documents DE 44 31 808 A1 and DE 93 100 92 U1 describe such a bread slicing machine in which the bread is transported vertically and sliced ​​during its upward or downward movement.

[0004] One disadvantage of bread-slicing machines that transport the bread vertically or in a direction slightly inclined to the vertical is that it requires a certain skill to grasp the sliced ​​bread and pack it into a bag, keeping the slices together.

[0005] Machines for the automatic slicing and packaging of bread, in which the bread is moved in a substantially horizontal direction, are described, for example, in document EP 2 520 501 A1 or the related DE 10 2011 075 132 A1. However, the solution proposed for such horizontal machines cannot be easily applied to machines in which the bread is moved in a substantially vertical direction.

[0006] The invention aims to propose a machine for automatically slicing bread, in which the bread is moved during slicing in a vertical direction or in a direction slightly inclined to the vertical, enabling the automatic packaging of the bread in a bag.

[0007] For this purpose, the machine according to the invention comprises a packaging device for packing the sliced ​​bread into a bag formed by a web of packaging material. This device comprises a holding element for grasping and holding one end of said web, and at least one guide element for introducing said web into the second compartment. The holding element is movable relative to the guide element between a close position, to grasp a free end of said web, and a distant position, to spread this web between the holding element and the guide element in a zone located between the second compartment and the cutting plane.

[0008] This machine also has a traction element that makes it possible to form a loop in the track, extending between the holding element and the guide element, so that this loop spreads out in the second compartment to adapt to the sliced ​​bread.

[0009] The aforementioned movable support is laterally displaceable with respect to the direction of movement of the bread until it is next to the aforementioned track, in order to make it possible to pull this support out of the aforementioned loop and to join the opposite side edges of the loop to form a bag.

[0010] Advantageously, the holding device includes at least one pair of pliers that makes it possible to grasp the free end of the aforementioned track in the close-range position mentioned above.

[0011] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned movable support comprises the tensioning element. In particular, the movable support and the tensioning element preferably form a single unit.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the packaging device comprises a joining element for connecting the opposite edges of the aforementioned loop to form a bag for the sliced ​​bread. The joining element includes, for example, a welding unit on each side of the web feed path, which enables the corresponding side edges of the loop to be clamped in order to join these edges together.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the welding unit comprises two parts that are movable relative to each other between a connected position in which the opposite side edges of said loop are clamped between these parts, and a remote position in which the path forming said loop extends freely between these parts.

[0014] Advantageously, the cutting element comprises a knife that is displaceable according to a cutting plane which extends substantially transversely with respect to the direction of displacement of the bread between the first and second compartments. This knife preferably has a circular shape and is driven about its central axis.

[0015] The disclosure also includes a method for automatically slicing bread or a corresponding foodstuff, wherein a loaf of bread is placed into a first loading compartment and then moved, according to a displacement direction, into a second receiving compartment. The said displacement direction is essentially vertical or oblique at an angle of less than 45° with respect to a vertical direction. During the displacement of the bread, it is sliced ​​between the first and second compartments in a cutting plane that extends essentially transversely with respect to the displacement direction, while the sliced ​​portion of the bread is supported.

[0016] This method is characterized in that the second compartment is filled with a strip of packaging material, and this strip is used to form a loop with an opening facing the first compartment, while the loop extends at least partially into the second compartment. The sliced ​​portion of the bread is arranged in this loop, and preferably after it has been completely sliced, the opposite edges of the loop are joined together to form a bag for the sliced ​​bread.

[0017] According to a preferred implementation of the process, the aforementioned loop is formed to the extent that the cut part of the bread shifts.

[0018] Advantageously, the cut part of the bread is supported in the aforementioned loop with the help of a movable support, and after the bread has been completely cut, the movable support is pulled out of the loop to allow the opposite side edges of the latter to be joined together.

[0019] Advantageously, the aforementioned web is spread out in a zone located between the second compartment and the cutting plane, and the aforementioned loop is formed by pushing the aforementioned movable carrier into the second compartment according to the direction of displacement, thereby taking the aforementioned web with it, holding a free end of which in the aforementioned zone outside the path of the bread.

[0020] Further details and special features of the invention will become apparent from the following exemplary, non-limiting description of some special embodiments of the machine and the method, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of part of the machine, according to a first implementation of the invention, during the insertion of an uncut loaf of bread into a first loading compartment.

[0022] The Fig. 2 is one of the Fig. 1. Corresponding view after part of the bread has been cut and when a loop is just beginning to form in the packaging material web.

[0023] The Fig. 3 is one of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 corresponding view showing the bread completely sliced ​​and located in the receiving compartment.

[0024] The Fig. Figure 4 is a view corresponding to the preceding figures, showing how to pull the movable support out of the loop.

[0025] The Fig. Figure 5 is also a view corresponding to the preceding figures, showing how the opposite side edges of the loop are joined together by a connecting element to form a bag for the sliced ​​bread.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 6 is a view corresponding to the preceding figures, showing that the holding device releases the free end of the packaging material web.

[0027] The Fig. Figure 7 is a view corresponding to the preceding figures at the moment when the wrapped bread is removed from the machine and the holding device, in its close position, grasps the free end of the track.

[0028] The Fig. Figure 8 is a view corresponding to the preceding figures, showing the holding device in its remote position and the movable support placed above the track to hold a loaf of bread to be cut.

[0029] In the various figures, the same reference symbols refer to analogous or identical elements.

[0030] A method and a machine for automatically slicing bread are disclosed. The bread is initially placed in a first compartment. It is then moved to an adjacent second compartment, either vertically or at an angle of less than 45° to the vertical. During this movement, the bread is sliced ​​by a cutting element located between the first and second compartments, while the sliced ​​portion of the bread is supported.

[0031] A web of packaging material is fed into the compartment located below the cutting mechanism, and a loop is formed within this compartment, with an opening facing the other compartment. The sliced ​​bread, or a portion thereof, is then lowered into this loop, and the edges of the loop are joined together to form a bag for the sliced ​​bread.

[0032] The packaging material can be paper or another material, such as plastic or aluminum, etc. The sheet of this packaging material is usually wider than the width of a loaf of bread to be sliced.

[0033] The Fig. Figures 1 to 8 show the execution of successive steps of a method for cutting and packaging a loaf of bread according to a preferred embodiment of the invention using a machine proposed by the invention.

[0034] The machine corresponding to this embodiment of the invention comprises a first compartment 1 for loading, which is connected to a second compartment 2 for receiving. The first compartment 1 extends over the second compartment 2, so that the lower part of the first compartment is connected to the upper part of the second compartment. For the sake of clarity, the chassis of the machine is not shown.

[0035] To cut and bag a loaf of bread 3, it is inserted into the first compartment 1 and transported to the second compartment 2 according to a displacement direction 4 indicated by the arrow.

[0036] The first compartment 1 has a support surface 7 for the bread 3, which extends vertically or at an angle of less than 45° to a vertical direction. This support surface 7 defines the direction of movement 4 of the bread parallel to this support surface 7.

[0037] A cutting element 5 is provided between the first and second compartments, which allows slices of the bread 3 to be cut during its movement towards the second compartment 2. This cutting element 5 defines a cutting plane according to which the slices are cut and which extends essentially vertically with respect to the direction of movement 4 of the bread 3.

[0038] The cutting element preferably comprises a knife 6, which is displaceable according to a cutting plane provided for this purpose between the first compartment 1 and the second compartment 2. As shown in the figures, this knife 6, for example, has a circular shape and is driven about its central axis. Furthermore, this knife 6 has a drive for a reciprocating movement between an extended position and a retracted position. When moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the knife traverses the path of the bread 3 to cut a slice from it. In the retracted position of the knife 6, as shown in the figures... Fig. 1 to 3, the bread 3 can move forward according to its direction of displacement 4 over a distance corresponding to the thickness of a slice.

[0039] According to the Fig. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 8, the machine also includes a movable support 8, which is provided in the second compartment 2. This support 8 is movable in the aforementioned direction of displacement 4 in order to support the sliced ​​portion of the bread 3. Thus, at the moment when the slicing of a first slice of the bread 3 is initiated, the movable support 8 is positioned below the cutting plane at a distance corresponding to the thickness of this slice in the direction of displacement 4.

[0040] The movable carrier 8 moves downwards in individual steps corresponding to the thickness of a slice in the displacement direction 4 of the bread, carrying the sliced ​​part of the bread, as shown in the Fig. 2. After each shift of carrier 8, a slice of bread is cut.

[0041] This machine also includes a packaging device for packing the sliced ​​bread into a bag formed by a web of packaging material 9. A supply, formed by a roll 10 of this web of packaging material 9, is preferably provided in the machine.

[0042] The packaging device has a guide element 11 for feeding the web 9 into the second compartment 2 along a feed path. The guide element 11 is located below the cutting plane, in the upper part of the second compartment, and comprises two parallel cylinders 11a and 11b, between which the web 9 is guided and directed towards this second compartment 2. The surface of these cylinders 11a and 11b thus forms a guide surface that extends substantially transversely with respect to the displacement direction 4 of the bread 3.

[0043] The packaging device also includes a holding element 12, which is located opposite the upper part of the second compartment 2, to hold a free end 13 of the web 9. This end 13 extends over the guide element 11 and slightly beyond, so that this end 13 can be gripped by the holding element 12.

[0044] In order to be able to grasp this free end 13 of the track 9, the holding element 12 is movable in relation to the guide element 11, between a close position which makes it possible to grasp the end 13 of the track 9, and a distant position in order to spread this track 9 between the holding element 12 and the guide element 11, in a zone which is located between the second compartment 2 and the cutting plane.

[0045] In close-up, as shown in the Fig. 7, the end 13 of the track is gripped by the holding element. Subsequently, this holding element 12, holding the track 9, moves into its remote position, as shown in the Fig. 8, so that the track extends between this holding element 12 and the guide element 11.

[0046] In the embodiment of the machine according to the invention shown in the figures, the holding element comprises two clamps 12a and 12b, which enable the opposite side edges of the track 9 to be gripped at the free end 13 in the aforementioned close position. The clamps 12a and 12b are movable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the guide element 11.

[0047] In an alternative realization form of the holding element 12, this element can comprise a single clamp that makes it possible to grasp the end 13 of the track 9, which extends over a width corresponding to the width of the track 9 and parallel to the guide element 11.

[0048] The machine according to the invention also includes means for forming a loop in the track 9, which extends between the holding element 12 and the guide element 11. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the means for forming a loop comprise a pulling element, provided in the second compartment 2 and configured to pull the track 9 out of the guide element 11.

[0049] The aforementioned movable carrier 8 thus forms this tensioning element, which makes it possible to form a loop in the track 9 that extends between the holding element 12 and the guide element 11. This loop extends essentially within the second compartment 2 and has an opening 14 that is oriented towards the first compartment 1.

[0050] The loop forms as the cut portion of the bread moves further in the second compartment 2 under the influence of the movable carrier 8. During the downward movement of this movable carrier 8, it carries along the portion of the track extending between the guide element 11 and the holding element 12 by exerting a pushing force on this portion. Thus, the loop of the track 9 widens until the bread 3 is completely cut, as shown in the figures. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. As the movable carrier 8, which carries the sliced ​​portion of the bread 3, moves downwards in compartment 2, the web 9 slides on the lower surface of this carrier 8 and is pulled out of or into position by the guide element 11, thereby forming and enlarging the aforementioned loop. The sliced ​​portion of the bread, or the whole sliced ​​bread, is thus arranged in the bag formed by the packaging material web 9.

[0051] The mobile carrier 8 is laterally displaceable with respect to the displacement direction 4 of the bread 3 up to the side of the track 9 in order to allow this carrier to be pulled out of the aforementioned loop when the bread has been completely cut. The arrow 8a in the Fig. Figure 4 schematically shows the withdrawal of the carrier 8 from the loop. The sliced ​​bread is then supported by the base of the loop.

[0052] After the carrier 8 has been pulled out of the loop, the opposite side edges 15a, 15b and 16a, 16b of the loop are joined together to form a bag containing the sliced ​​bread, as shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6.

[0053] To connect the opposite side edges of the loop, the packaging device includes a connecting element 17 with a welding unit 18 on each side of the feed path of the track 9.

[0054] The connecting element 17 makes it possible, in particular, to clamp the corresponding side edges 15, 15b and 16a, 16b of the loop in order to join the edges together. For this purpose, the welding unit 18 comprises two parts 18a and 18b, which are movable relative to each other between a joining position in which the opposite side edges 15a, 15b and 16a, 16b of said loop are clamped between the parts 18a and 18b, and a remote position in which the track 9 forming said loop extends freely between these parts 18a and 18b.

[0055] In the Fig. 5 are parts 18a and 18b of the welding unit 18 after displacement according to arrows 19 in the said connection position.

[0056] If the packaging material includes plastic, the welding unit is designed to allow the opposing edges to be joined, for example, by thermal welding. In other cases, the welding unit allows the edges to be joined with staples, folded, or glued together by applying an adhesive between the edges, etc.

[0057] When the opposite edges 15a, 15b and 16a, 16b of the aforementioned loop of track 9 are joined together, a bag 20 is formed containing the sliced ​​bread 3. The joining element 17 then releases the bag 20, as shown in the Fig. 6. Parts 18a and 18b of the welding unit 18 are therefore back in the remote position.

[0058] Cutting means 21 are provided to separate the bag 20 from the part of the web 9 that extends along the guide element 11. The cutting means 21 include, for example, a knife that can perform a back-and-forth movement along the guide element 11.

[0059] The retaining element 12 releases the end 13, which surrounds the opening of the bag 20. The sliced ​​and bagged bread can then be removed from the second compartment.

[0060] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the mobile carrier is placed under the formed bag to move it upwards and support the bagged bread until the bag 20 can be removed from the first compartment 1.

[0061] In order to successively cut and package a loaf of bread, the holding element 12 is moved into its close position to grasp the free end 13 of the track that extends beyond the guide element 11, as shown in the Fig. 7. Subsequently, the holding element 12 is moved into its remote position, thereby pulling the track 9 out of the guide element 11, and the carrier 8 is repositioned on the track 9, which extends between the guide element 11 and the holding element 12, as shown in the Fig. 8. Then a loaf of bread can be placed in the first compartment 1 ( Fig. 1) to be sliced ​​and bagged.

[0062] The machine according to the invention may optionally include a movable pressure device in the first compartment 1, which moves in the direction of displacement 4 of the bread 3. This pressure device, which is not shown in the figures, makes it possible to push the bread 3 towards compartment 2. A loaf of bread to be sliced ​​is thus inserted into compartment 1 into the space between this pressure device and the carrier 8. Means can be provided to determine the length of the bread between the pressure device and the carrier 8. Based on this length, one can, for example, calculate the number of slices to be cut and the distance over which the movable carrier 8 must lower itself into the second compartment.

[0063] This movable pressure device may include fastening or suspension means such that they make it possible to hold the end of the bread 3 opposite the end located at the carrier 8.

[0064] In general, the machine preferably also includes means for measuring the length of the bread to be cut, in order to enable the movable carrier to advance over a distance corresponding to the length of the bread. Such means include, for example, a contact switch that generates an electrical signal when the pressure device comes into contact with the bread. If no pressure device is provided, the means for measuring the length of the bread may include another type of sensor, for example, an optical sensor that detects the passage of the top end of the bread during the downward movement of the carrier 8.

[0065] Although the realization forms of the machine and the method as described above have a movable carrier 8 which includes a pulling element, it is also possible that the mobile carrier 8 and the pulling element form two separate parts.

[0066] In such a case, the movement of the pulling element can occur before the movement of the carrier 8. Thus, the loop in the second compartment can already be formed before the bread cutting begins. The movable carrier 8 then travels downwards in the loop of track 9 with the sliced ​​bread or the sliced ​​portion of bread. Before the opposite edges of track 9 are joined together, the pulling element and the movable carrier 8 are pulled out of the loop in an analogous manner, as described above.

[0067] In general, the pulling element is provided in the second compartment 2 to pull the sheet 9 out of the guide element 11. The pulling element is thus movable in the aforementioned displacement direction 4 of the bread between, on the one hand, a starting position in which the pulling element is located above the sheet 9 when it is spread out between the guide element 11 and the retaining element 12, and, on the other hand, a lowering position in which the aforementioned loop has been formed. The pulling element makes it possible to exert a pushing force, essentially in the displacement direction 4, on the sheet 9 as it moves from the starting position to the lowering position. As the pulling element lowers, the loop enlarges, whereby the sheet 9 is pulled out of the guide element 11.

[0068] It is also possible to insert the bread to be sliced ​​into the second compartment 2. Before inserting the bread 3, the movable carrier 8 is positioned in the lower part of this compartment 2 so that the bread can be placed onto it. The bread 3 is then moved into the first compartment 1 by lifting the carrier 8. During its upward movement, the bread is sliced, as described, for example, in document DE 4431808. Meanwhile, a loop is formed in the second compartment 2 by the pulling element from track 9. After the bread has been completely sliced, the movable carrier 8 lowers to fit the sliced ​​bread to the loop previously formed. After the pulling element and the movable carrier 8 are withdrawn from the loop, a pouch is formed by joining the opposite edges of the loop together.

[0069] Naturally, the movable or displaceable parts and components of the machine can be driven by means such as an electric motor. This is the case, for example, for the movable carrier 8, the pulling element, the cutting element, the holding element, etc. The guide element 11 can, for example, comprise two guide cylinders driven around their axes by an electric motor to drive the packaging material web towards the second compartment. The roller 10 containing the web 9 supply can also be driven by an electric motor.

[0070] In the embodiment of the invention as shown in the figures, the means for forming a loop comprise a traction element that also forms the movable carrier 8. However, instead of a traction element, or in addition to this traction element, the means for forming a loop can comprise drive means for the track 9. These drive means are formed, for example, by an electric motor that drives the roller 10 or the cylinders 11a and 11b of the guide element 11.

[0071] These drive mechanisms, for example, allow a length of belt 9 to be fed into the second compartment 2 each time a slice of bread 3 is cut, sufficient to adjust the loop to accommodate an additional slice. In such a case, it is not necessary to provide a carrier 8 for the cut portion of the bread, as the bread is carried by the belt 9.

[0072] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the means for forming a loop comprise drive means that make it possible to feed in the entire length of web 9 required to form the bag in one step. Thus, the loop can already be formed from the packaging material before the bread has been cut.

[0073] It is also possible that the loop is formed and the conveyor is fed to the extent that the cut portion of bread in the second compartment moves forward only by the pushing force exerted on the conveyor by the bread. In such a case, the machine preferably includes a pressure device as described above.

[0074] The invention is of course not limited to the implementation forms described above and shown in the accompanying figures, but it is clear that other variants could very well be considered without leaving the scope of the invention.

[0075] As mentioned above, the invention comprises a machine for automatically slicing bread, in particular a bread slicing machine with a support surface for the bread, which is preferably slightly inclined with respect to the vertical. In particular, the angle of inclination of this support surface is less than 45° with respect to a vertical direction and preferably less than 30° or less than 15° with respect to the vertical direction. It is also possible that this support surface extends substantially vertically.

Claims

[1] Machine for automatically slicing bread (3) or a similar food product, comprising: - a first compartment (1) for loading, which is connected to a second compartment (2) for receiving, - a cutting member (5) which enables the bread (3) to be sliced ​​between the first and second compartments, thereby defining a cutting plane. - a support surface (7) for the bread (3), said surface (7) being provided at least in the first compartment (1) and extending vertically or inclined at an angle of less than 45° relative to a vertical direction, thereby defining a direction of displacement (4) of the bread (3) extending parallel to the support surface (7), - a movable support (8) provided in the second compartment (2) which is displaceable according to said direction (4) of displacement of the bread (3) in order to support the sliced ​​part of the bread (3), said machine characterized by is that it includes - a packaging device for packaging the sliced ​​bread in a bag (20) formed by a web of packaging material (9), said device comprising a retaining member (12) for retaining an end (13) of said web (9) and at least one guide element (11) for feeding said web (9) into the second compartment along a feed path, said retaining member (12) being movable relative to the guide element (11) between a near position to allow a free end (13) of said web (9) to be grasped and a far position to spread said web (9) between the retaining member (12) and the guide element (11) in a zone located between the second compartment (2) and the cutting plane, - means for forming a loop in the track (9) extending between the retaining member (12) and the guide element (11), said loop extending into the second compartment (2) to receive the sliced ​​bread, - the movable support (8) which is laterally displaceable with respect to the direction of displacement (4) of the bread (3) up to adjacent to the above-mentioned track (9) in order to allow said support (8) to be extracted from said loop and to join the opposite lateral edges (15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) of the loop to form a bag (20). [2] Machine according to claim 1, wherein the means for forming a loop comprise a pulling member provided in the second compartment (2) and arranged to pull the web (9) out of the guide element (11). [3] Machine according to claim 2, in which the traction member is movable in said direction of displacement (4) between an initial position in which the traction member is located above the web (9) spread out between the guide element (11) and the retaining member (12), and a lowering position in which said loop has been formed, the traction member being such that it makes it possible to exert on the web (9), during its displacement from the initial position to the lowering position, a pushing force substantially according to the direction of displacement (4). [4] Machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the movable support (8) comprises the traction member. [5] Machine according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the retaining member (12) comprises at least one clamp enabling the free end of said web (9) to be grasped in the above-mentioned close position. [6] Machine according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the holding member (12) comprises two clamps (12a, 12b) enabling, in the above-mentioned close position, the opposite lateral edges (15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) of the web (9) to be grasped at the said free end (13). [7] Machine according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the packaging device comprises a connecting member (17) for connecting the opposite lateral edges (15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) of the above-mentioned loop to form a bag (20) for the sliced ​​bread (3). [8] Machine according to claim 7, in which the connecting member (17) comprises, on each side of the feed path of the web (9), a welding unit (18) allowing the corresponding opposite lateral edges (15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) of the loop to be clamped in order to join these edges together. [9] Machine according to claim 8, in which the welding unit (18) comprises two parts (18a, 18b) which are mutually movable with respect to each other between a connecting position in which the opposite lateral edges (15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) of said loop are clamped between these parts (18a, 18b) and a remote position in which the web (9) forming said loop extends freely between these parts. [10] Machine according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the cutting member (5) comprises a knife (6) displaceable in a cutting plane provided substantially transversely with respect to said direction of displacement (4) of the bread (3) between the first compartment (1) and the second compartment (2). [11] Machine according to claim 10, wherein said knife (6) has a circular shape and is driven around its central axis. [12] Machine according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a movable pressure device arranged in the first compartment (1), which is displaceable in the said direction (4) of displacement of the bread (3) and allows the bread (3) to be displaced in order to move it towards the second compartment (2). [13] Machine according to claim 12, in which the movable pressure device comprises means for securing the bread (3) which are such that they allow the end of the bread (3) opposite to the end located near the support (8) to be held. [14] Machine according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the guide element (11) comprises a guide surface extending substantially transversely to the direction of displacement (4) of the bread (3).

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