DEVICE FOR SLICING FOOD PRODUCTS

Description

[0001] The invention generally relates to a device for slicing food products with a product feed for single- or multi-track feeding of products to be sliced ​​to a cutting plane, wherein the product feed comprises at least one product holder which comprises at least one carrier and a head which can be detachably fastened to the carrier by means of an interface.

[0002] The number of heads required and the heads themselves are usually adapted to the product to be sliced, particularly because product dimensions, product consistency, and the dimensions of the product end area often change. Therefore, the heads must occasionally be replaced or supplemented if the product to be sliced ​​changes. In addition, the fairly frequent cleaning of the food slicing device requires the removal and reinstallation of the product holder. It is known from the prior art to attach each head to the support using several screws. The product holder head, which often weighs between 10 and 12 kg, must be held in position by a fitter while the product holder head is screwed to the product holder support. Attaching the head to the support in this way is strenuous and relatively time-consuming.

[0003] Document US 201870186011 A1 discloses a head of a product holder provided with a recess defining an undercut. The recess appears to serve to secure the head to a support.

[0004] Document EP 0 713 753 A2 also discloses a product holder head provided with a recess defining an undercut. A screw engaging a thread is provided in a corner region of the recess, which can be screwed into the thread such that a tip of the screw engages in the region of the recess.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for slicing food products in which the head of the product holder can be attached to its support in a force-saving and quick, yet secure manner. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method by which the head of the product holder can be attached to its support in a force-saving and quick, yet secure manner.

[0006] The object is achieved by a device according to claim 1. Claim 1 defines that the interface has holding means, i.e. at least one holding means, which are designed and configured to pre-fix the head to the support so that the head is held on the support, and that the interface has clamping means, i.e. at least one clamping means, to clamp the head to the support. Furthermore, claim 1 defines that a drive interface is provided which is designed to couple automatically during fastening of the head to the support.

[0007] The invention is based on the general idea of ​​providing an interface that makes it possible to pre-fix the head to the support so that the weight of the head is initially held by the support, and then to clamp the head to the support to create a secure connection between the head and the support. The interface is therefore designed in such a way that the clamping of the head to the support takes place while the weight of the head is already held by the support. This, i.e. the pre-fixing of the head to the support, advantageously reduces the workload for the fitter, who does not have to hold the weight of the head during clamping. Parts of the interface that transfer the weight of the head to the support are regarded as holding means.On the other hand, elements of the interface which generate a contact force between the head and the support in addition to the weight force are regarded as bracing means.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment, the holding means are designed such that the head can be pre-fixed to the support by plugging and / or hooking it onto the support, so that the head is held on the support. Specifically, the holding means can be designed such that the head can be pre-fixed to the support by plugging and then sliding it laterally. Preferably, the head is completely held by the support in a pre-fixed state.

[0010] In order to make the head and the support as compact as possible, it is advantageous if the holding means are each arranged on an end face of the head and / or the support. The holding means are preferably designed such that the head can be placed on the support at the end and then moved laterally. In order to be able to place the head on the support even if a second support of the same construction for a second head is arranged directly next to the support, for example on a collective support, the holding means can be designed such that the head can be placed on two adjacent supports at the same time, so that a first section of the head rests against the first support, in particular rests on the support, and a second section of the head rests against the second support, in particular rests on the support.The holding means can also be designed such that the head can then be displaced in the direction of the first carrier in order to release the holding means of the second carrier for receiving a further head.

[0011] The collecting carrier preferably extends transversely to the conveying direction and is designed and configured to hold a plurality of product holders on parallel tracks.

[0012] In order to obtain a particularly rigid and thus precise connection between the head and the support, the clamping means can be designed to clamp the head and the support together without play, i.e. so that the head cannot move in any dimension relative to the support.

[0013] The elements defining the interface are preferably formed partially on the carrier and partially on the head. For example, the holding means can be arranged on the head, on the carrier, or partially on the head and partially on the carrier. Likewise, the clamping means can be arranged on the head, on the carrier, or partially on the head and partially on the carrier.

[0014] To ensure that the head is pre-fixed to the support as securely as possible, the holding means can be designed and configured to pre-fix the head to the support in a form-fitting manner. In other words, the head can be held by the support in a form-fitting manner in the pre-fixed state.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the holding means have at least one recess and a holding element for insertion into the recess. In order for the holding means to hold the head as defined as possible, an inner circumference of the recess can be adapted in terms of its shape, at least in sections, to an outer circumference of the holding element. Preferably, the recess and / or the holding element can have a polygonal cross-section, in particular a quadrangular cross-section, at least in sections. As a result, a moment resulting from the weight force acting on the freely hanging head can be absorbed particularly well by the holding means. In addition, this simplifies manufacture of the holding means. Alternatively, the recess and / or the holding element can be cylindrical and / or conical, at least in sections.According to a specific embodiment, the holding means can comprise a first cylindrical holding element and a second polygonal holding element. The or each holding element is advantageously designed as a holding projection. The holding projection(s) can extend from an end face of the carrier facing the head or from an end face of the head facing the carrier. Alternatively or additionally, the holding projection(s) can extend from an upper side and / or an underside of the head or of the carrier. The term upper side or underside refers to those sides of the head or of the carrier which represent the upper side or underside in a normal installation position.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the recess is groove-shaped. The groove-shaped recess preferably has a substantially constant cross-section. This allows the retaining element to be displaceable along the groove-shaped recess. The groove-shaped recess can extend transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the direction of action of a clamping force.

[0017] To securely hold the retaining element in the recess and thus prevent the head from becoming detached from the carrier, the recess can have an undercut that at least partially encompasses the retaining element in a pre-fixed state. For example, the recess can have a round or square inner circumference that extends along an angle of more than 180°. Advantageously, the retaining element comprises at least two retaining projections. The retaining projections can be arranged spaced apart from one another in a transverse direction. A plug-in recess is preferably formed between the retaining projections, which allows the part forming the undercut to be moved past the retaining projections.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the clamping means are designed to clamp the retaining element and a counterpart defining the recess against each other, particularly in the region of the undercut. In other words, the clamping means can press the at least one retaining element against a region of the counterpart defining the undercut.

[0019] In order to make it particularly easy to attach the head to the carrier, the clamping means can be activated without tools. Alternatively or additionally, it is advantageous if the clamping means can be deactivated without tools. Activation or deactivation without tools means that a specialist would not use any additional external aids or tools for this task, but would, for example, only carry out the task with their hands. Additionally or alternatively, the holding means can be activated and / or deactivated without tools. Preferably, the entire interface, i.e. the clamping means and the holding means, can be activated and deactivated without tools. In other words, it is advantageous if all functional elements required for attaching the head are already present at the interface or are fully integrated into it.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the bracing means comprise at least one bracing element which is adjustable between an inactive position and an active position. For example, the bracing means can comprise at least one bracing bolt as a bracing element which is adjustably mounted between the inactive position and the active position. Such a bracing bolt represents a particularly stable form of the bracing element. An inactive position is considered to be a position in which the head is not braced to the carrier and the head can therefore be moved relative to the carrier. In contrast, an active position is considered to be a position in which the bracing means brace the head and the carrier together and the head is therefore held free of play in a defined, ready-to-use position relative to the carrier.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the bracing element can be guided for linear movement. Preferably, the bracing element is guided for linear movement in a conveying or feeding direction. This allows for particularly effective utilization of the available installation space.

[0022] The clamping means can comprise at least one actuating means. In order to be able to easily recognize whether the head and the carrier are fastened to one another in a ready-to-use manner, the at least one actuating means can be adjustable between an initial position and a clamped position. The resulting end positions of the actuating means can then be comprehensibly described and / or marked. By adjusting the actuating means, at least one clamping element can be moved. For example, the at least one clamping element can be mechanically coupled to the actuating means, such that a movement of the actuating means causes a direct movement of the clamping element. In order to clamp the head and the carrier together in a manner that minimizes force, it is advantageous if the actuating means is designed as a lever. Advantageously, a pivot axis of the lever can be displaceably mounted.The lever can rest against a counter bearing with a support surface. The support surface can be designed as a convex surface with a radius that changes along the circumference in relation to the pivot axis. By pivoting the lever from an initial position into a clamped position, a shift in the pivot axis can be effected, which in turn leads to clamping between the head and the support. To prevent the clamping means from becoming undesired, it is advantageous if the clamping means are in a stable state in the clamped position, e.g. in a detent position or in a self-locking state. For this purpose, a spring element can be provided which preloads the actuating means into the clamped position.

[0023] In order to indicate to the fitter how far he should place the head on the support or move it along the support until a defined pre-fixing position is reached, corresponding stops can be provided on the support and the head. These can be arranged in such a way that relative mobility between the support and the head is limited in the pre-fixing position. If the head can be brought into a pre-fixing position by a sliding movement on the support, the corresponding stops can represent a limit for the sliding movement so that the head cannot be pushed to the other side beyond the pre-fixing position. Preferably, the support and the head can only be clamped together when the corresponding stops are in contact with one another.

[0024] To further simplify the attachment of the head to the carrier, a drive interface is provided which is designed to couple automatically during attachment of the head to the carrier. According to one embodiment, the head, which is preferably designed to grip a rear end of a food product, is operated by means of a liquid or gaseous medium, i.e. moved from a gripping position to a release position and back. In such a pneumatic or hydraulic embodiment, the drive interface comprises a first line end assigned to the carrier and a second line end assigned to the head. The first and second line ends are preferably designed and arranged such that the line ends couple automatically to one another when the head is brought into the pre-fixing position relative to the carrier.For this purpose, the first cable end and / or the second cable end can be designed to be spring-loaded so that they can initially retract against a restoring force of the spring and then engage with each other due to the spring force. The drive interface is preferably integrated into the corresponding stops, i.e., the first and second cable ends preferably terminate in corresponding stop surfaces.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the actuating means and / or the clamping means can be involved in the coupling process of the drive interface. For example, the at least one clamping bolt can be hollow, and the first line end or the second line end can run along the interior of the clamping bolt to its end face, and the other line end can begin where the clamping bolt presses against the carrier or the head. In this way, a particularly high sealing effect at the drive interface could be achieved through the contact force when clamping the head and carrier. In general, the coupling process of the drive interface can be triggered by a movement of the actuating means and / or the clamping means. According to one embodiment, the clamping means can be activated automatically when the head is in the pre-fixing position.For example, a sensor can detect whether the head is in the pre-locking position. If so, a signal can be sent to a drive unit to activate the clamping devices. The clamping devices can be deactivated by an installer, for example, by activating an actuating device.

[0026] The invention further relates, according to claim 10, to a head of a product holder for a device for slicing food products, which has a product feed for single- or multi-track feeding of products to be sliced ​​to a cutting plane, wherein the head can be detachably fastened to a carrier of the product holder by means of an interface, wherein the interface has at least one holding means which is designed and configured to pre-fix the head to the carrier so that the head is held on the carrier, wherein the interface has at least one clamping means for clamping the head to the carrier and wherein a drive interface is provided which is designed to couple automatically during fastening of the head to the carrier.For this purpose, the drive interface comprises a cable end on the head and a cable end on the carrier, and the cable end of the head is designed to be spring-loaded in order to first be able to retract against a restoring force of a spring and then to be able to engage in the cable end of the carrier by the spring force.

[0027] The head is preferably designed and configured to grip a product end of a product to be sliced, in particular sausage or cheese. The interface may have one or more of the features described above or below. For example, the head may have at least one recess. The recess may be groove-shaped and preferably extend in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. The recess may have an undercut, at least in sections, in order to securely pre-fix the head to a carrier.

[0028] The invention further relates, according to claim 11, to a method for releasably fastening a head of a product holder of a device for slicing food products, which device comprises a product feed for single- or multi-track feeding of products to be sliced ​​to a cutting plane, to a corresponding carrier of the product holder assigned to the product feed, comprising the steps of: pre-fixing the head to the carrier so that the head is held on the carrier, and clamping the head to the carrier.

[0029] Pre-fixing means attaching the head to the wearer so that the head is held in position exclusively by the wearer and not by a fitter.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the head is held by the support in the pre-fixing position such that the head can be displaced in exactly one direction, in particular counter to a displacement direction. Preferably, only horizontal displacement of the head relative to the support is possible in the pre-fixing position.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the pre-fixing comprises placing the head on the support in a first direction and subsequently displacing the head relative to the support in a second direction. Preferably, the first direction is not the same as the second direction. Specifically, the first direction may be perpendicular to the second direction. When placing the head on the support, the head is preferably pushed onto the support at the front side, laterally offset from the support with respect to the respective center axes.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the first direction is aligned parallel to a conveying direction or feed direction, in particular opposite to the conveying direction or feed direction. The second direction can then be aligned transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the conveying direction or feed direction. Preferably, the second direction runs along a horizontal line, so that the head can be displaced horizontally relative to the carrier into the pre-fixing position.

[0033] According to one embodiment, by displacing the head in the second direction, corresponding first and second retaining elements, in particular a recess and a retaining projection, are brought into positive engagement. Thus, the displacement path depends on the design of the recess and retaining projection, in particular on their number and width in relation to the width of the head, measured in the second direction. The positive engagement can allow a relative movement between the head and the carrier with some play, so that low-friction sliding of the retaining projection in the recess is possible. The recess can have an undercut so that the retaining projection is securely held in the recess.

[0034] According to one embodiment, clamping comprises actuating an actuating means. The actuating means is preferably actuated tool-free, in particular directly by a body part, such as a hand, of the installer. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable for the clamping means to be adjusted by a drive motor. For example, a detector could detect the pre-fixing position of the head relative to the carrier, preferably via sensors in the stops, and then send a signal to a control unit of the drive motor to activate the clamping means.

[0035] Preferably, monitoring means can be provided which detect correct attachment of the head to the support and inform the fitter, in particular acoustically and / or visually, that the head has been correctly attached to the support.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the clamping generates a clamping force between the head and the carrier, which acts in a conveying direction of the device. Preferably, the conveying direction corresponds to the first direction, i.e., the direction in which the head is attached to the carrier.

[0037] According to the invention, during the pre-fixing of the head to the carrier and / or the clamping of the head to the carrier, a drive interface is automatically coupled between the head and the carrier, wherein the functional elements required for this purpose can be present on the head, on the carrier or on the head and the carrier.

[0038] The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a side schematic diagram of a device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a first interface according to the invention between a head and a carrier; Fig. 3 is a perspective detailed view of the interface of Fig. 2 ; Fig. 4Aden head and the carrier from Fig. 2 in an unassembled state; Fig. 4B the head and the carrier from Fig. 2 in a plugged-on state; Fig. 4C the head and the carrier from Fig. 2 in a pre-fixed state; Fig. 4Dthe head and the carrier from Fig. 2 in a clamped state; Fig. 5 a perspective sectional view of the interface of Fig. 2 in a pre-fixed state; Fig. 6A a perspective side view of the interface of Fig. 2 in a pre-fixed state; Fig. 6B perspective side view of the interface of Fig. 2 in a partially clamped state; Fig. 6C a perspective side view of the interface of Fig. 2 in a fully clamped state; Fig. 7 a cross section along a pivot axis of a lever; Fig. 8 a perspective view of a second interface according to the invention between a head and a carrier; Fig. 9 a perspective view of a third interface according to the invention between a head and a carrier; Fig. 10 the head and the carrier from Fig. 9 in an unassembled state; Fig. 10B the head and the carrier from Fig. 9 in a plugged-on state; Fig. 10C the head and the carrier from Fig. 9 in a pre-fixed state; Fig. 10Dthe head and the carrier from Fig. 9 in a tense state; Fig. 11Aden head from Fig. 9 in a two beams arranged directly next to each other Fig. 9 plugged-on state; Fig. 11B the supports from Fig. 11A in a state each equipped with a head; Fig. 12A a side view of the interface of Fig. 9 in a pre-fixed state; and Fig. 12B a side view of the interface of Fig. 9 in a fully tense state.

[0039] In Fig. 1 a device 10 for slicing food products 12 is shown, comprising a product feed 14 for single- or multi-track feeding of the products 12 to be sliced ​​in a feed direction Z to a cutting plane 16. The product feed 14 comprises a product holder 18 for holding an end region 12a of the food product 12. This product holder 18 comprises a carrier 20 and a head 24 which can be releasably fastened to the carrier 20 by means of an interface 22. The product holder 18 has a spindle nut 19 which, together with a spindle 26, forms a linear drive for the product holder 18 in order to drive the product holder 18 along the feed direction Z. In addition, the product holder 18 is mounted on a guide rail (not shown) such that it can be linearly displaced in the feed direction Z.To slice the food product 12, the device 10 comprises a rotating cutting blade 28, for example, a circular or sickle blade, which performs a corresponding cutting movement during operation. Furthermore, the device 10 comprises a portioning area with a portioning belt 30, on which the cut slices of the food product 12 are deposited.

[0040] The Fig. 2 and 3show the product holder 18 in a disassembled state, so that the interface 22 between the head 24 and the carrier 20 is visible. The interface 22 comprises head-side holding means 32 and carrier-side holding means 34 for holding the projecting head 24 on the carrier 20. The head-side holding means 32 are designed as groove-shaped recesses which extend along a horizontal direction. The groove-shaped recesses 32 each have undercuts 36 so that the head 24 defining the groove-shaped recesses 32 can engage around the carrier-side holding means 34. For this purpose, the carrier-side holding means 34 have holding projections with a cross-sectional enlargement 34a, which are adapted in terms of their shape to the recesses 32 provided with undercuts 36. The undercuts 36 and the cross-sectional enlargements 34a are each in a lateral outer region of the head 24 and the carrier-side holding means 34.of the carrier 20 in order to be able to support a rotational movement of the head 24 about its main extension axis with as little play as possible. In order to generally keep the head 24 as defined as possible in the pre-fixing position, an outer circumference 35 (see . Fig. 3 ) of the cross-sectional enlargement 34a as precisely as possible with an inner circumference 33 of the respective recess 32 in the areas provided with an undercut 36. In this case, the outer circumference 35 of the cross-sectional enlargement 34a, as shown in the Fig. 2 bis 7 shown, be polygonal. Accordingly, the inner circumference 33 of the respective recess 32 has the corresponding shape in the areas provided with an undercut 36. Alternatively, the outer circumference 135 of the cross-sectional enlargement 134a, as in Fig. 8 shown, be cylindrical. In this case, the inner circumference 133 of the respective recess 132 defines a round channel in the areas provided with the undercut 136. In order to be able to displace the head 24 laterally without great effort, an inner dimension of the recess 32, 132 should be selected that is larger than the corresponding outer dimension of the cross-sectional enlargement 34a, 134a.

[0041] Offset by the head 24 to the support 20 on the support 20 in a first direction R1 (see Fig. 4A ), the groove-shaped recesses 32 each have a plug-in recess 38 (see Fig. 3 ), in the areas of which no or a smaller undercut is formed. In addition, the retaining projections 34 define a plug-in recess 40, which allows the sections of the head 24 forming the undercuts 36 to be inserted past the cross-sectional enlargements 34a of the retaining projections 24. Subsequently, the head 24 can be moved relative to the carrier 20 in a second direction R2 (see Fig. 4B ) are displaced to the side so that the sections of the head 24 forming the undercuts 36 encompass the cross-sectional enlargements 34a of the holding projections 24.

[0042] If several carriers 20 are provided directly next to one another on a collective carrier 21, the interface 22 has the advantage that the head 24 can be plugged with a first section onto a first carrier 20 and with a second section onto a second carrier 20 of the same construction arranged next to the first carrier 20, and the head 24 can then be displaced laterally until it is held in the pre-fixing position by only one of the carriers 20. In other words, the interface 22 is designed such that a second carrier 20 directly adjacent to the first carrier 20 does not hinder the attachment of the head 24 to the first carrier 20. This also makes it possible to remove heads 24 arranged directly next to one another from the respective adjacent carriers 20 without removing the carriers 20 from the collective carrier 21 or changing their position on the collective carrier 21.

[0043] In addition, the head 24 has a first stop 42 (see Fig. 3 ) and the carrier 20 have a corresponding second stop 44. The stops 42, 44 have mutually abutting stop surfaces 42a, 44a in a pre-fixing position. The stops 42, 44 serve to limit a lateral displacement movement of the attached head 24 relative to the carrier 20 and thus ensure that an installer only moves the head 24 until the head 24 is in the correct pre-fixing position.

[0044] The interface 22 further comprises clamping means 46 for clamping the head 24 to the carrier 20. The clamping means 46 comprise two clamping bolts 48, which are guided in the carrier 20 for linear movement in the feed direction or conveying direction Z. In addition, the clamping means 46 each comprise a contact surface 50 per clamping bolt, which, in the pre-fixing position, are formed in alignment with the clamping bolts 48 on an end face 52 of the head 24 facing the carrier 20. In order to move the clamping bolts 48 towards the end face 52, so that the clamping bolts 48 can be pressed against the contact surfaces 50, actuating means 54 in the form of a lever are provided. The lever 54 is arranged between a Fig. 2 , 4C and 6A shown starting position and one in Fig. 4D and 6C shown clamping position is pivotably mounted.

[0045] As in the Fig. 6A bis 6C As can be seen, the lever 54 has a support surface 56 which, in its initial position, extends from a bottom side to a rear side of the lever 54 facing away from the head 24. The support surface 56 has a rounded section 56a which connects two planar sections 56b, 56c which are at an angle to one another. In this case, the section 56c arranged on the bottom side in the initial position is further spaced from a pivot axis 58 of the lever 54 than the section 56b arranged on the rear side in the initial position. Furthermore, a contact surface 60 forming a counter bearing is formed on the carrier 20, against which the section 56b is pressed in the initial position by a spring element 64 (see Fig. 5 ) is pressed.

[0046] If a mechanic now pivots the lever 54, as in Fig. 6B shown, forward, ie in the direction of the head 24, and downwards, the rounded section 56a, which changes in its radius, slides along the contact surface 60. This changes a distance between the stationary contact surface 60 and the non-stationary pivot axis 58 of the lever 54, so that a shaft 62 coupled to the lever 54 and extending along the pivot axis 58 is pressed away from the contact surface 60. As in Fig. 7 As can be seen, the bracing bolts 48 are at the same height as the linearly displaceable shaft 62. The shaft 62 moving away from the contact surface 60 thus presses the bracing bolts 48 against a force exerted by the respective spring element 64 (see Fig. 5 ) generated restoring force in the direction of the front side 52 of the head 24 against the contact surfaces 50. In the Fig. 6C In the clamped position shown, the spring element 64 presses the flat section 56c flat against the contact surface 60. This generates a frictional force between the flat section 56c and the contact surface 60, which creates a certain self-locking effect so that the lever 54 cannot accidentally release. Furthermore, the weight of the lever 54 prevents the lever 54 from pivoting back to its original position.

[0047] In Fig. 7 Also shown is a drive interface 66 for coupling a first line end 68 and a second line end 70 of a pneumatic line. The first line end 68, coming from the carrier 20, opens into the stop surface 44a of the second stop 44. The second line end 70 accordingly ends substantially flush with the first line end 68 in the stop surface 42a of the first stop 42 of the head 24. At least one of the line ends 68, 70 can be flexible in order to compensate for relative movement between the head 24 and the carrier 20 during clamping.

[0048] In the Fig. 4A bis 4D a process sequence is shown which shows how the described interface 22 can be used to attach the head 24 to the carrier 20 without tools and to detach it from the carrier 20 again.

[0049] In Fig. 4A the head 24 required for the application is selected and brought by the fitter close to the corresponding, unequipped carrier 20. In Fig. 4B the head 24 is placed in the first direction R1 on the front side and laterally offset on the support 20. Subsequently, the head 24 is Fig. 4C in the second direction R2, until the first stop 42 and the second stop 44 abut each other. In the process, the cable ends 68, 70 forming the drive interface 66 are also automatically coupled. The head 24 is now pre-fixed to the support 20, so that the head 24 is held to the support 20. The fitter can now release the head 24, since the head 24 is held in position by the support 20. The fitter can then pivot the lever 54 from above to the front in order to move the head 24 and the support 20, as shown in Fig. 4D can be seen to be tensed together.

[0050] Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of the interface 22 between the carrier 20 and the head 24. The Fig. 9 The interface 22 shown differs, among other things, from the one shown in Fig. 2 shown interface 22 by the design of the head-side holding means 232 and the corresponding carrier-side holding means 234. The head-side holding means 232 are formed by two facing grooves 232, which extend transversely to the feed direction Z. In contrast, the carrier-side holding means 234 are formed by cuboid-shaped holding projections 234, which extend from a top and a bottom of the carrier 20. The holding projections 234 are adapted in terms of their width to the width of the grooves 232 in order to be able to engage in the grooves 232. In addition, free spaces 272 are provided for this purpose on the sides of the holding projections 234 facing away from the head 24. As a result, as in the embodiments of the Fig. 2 and 8, a positive connection between the head 24 and the carrier 20 in the feed direction Z can be produced by displacing the head 24 in a second direction R2, ie transversely to the feed direction Z, relative to the carrier 20 and thus the holding projections 234 come into positive connection with the grooves 232.

[0051] Referring to the Figuren 10A bis 10D is described below how to use the Fig. 9 The head 24 is coupled to the carrier 20 via the interface 22 shown. Decoupling takes place in the reverse order. First, the head 24, as already shown in Fig. 4A shown, compared to its position in the pre-fixed state, it is attached to the front of the carrier 20 in a laterally offset manner. Fig. 9 shown plug-in recesses 38, 40 are used to be able to plug the head 24 onto the retaining projections 234. The head 24 is, as in Fig. 10B can be seen, can be plugged onto the carrier 20 until the head-side grooves 232 are aligned with the carrier-side retaining projections 234. In this position, by displacing the head 24 relative to the carrier 20 in the direction R2, the head-side grooves 232 can be pushed over the carrier-side retaining projections 234. The head 24 can be displaced laterally relative to the carrier 20 until the head 24 is Fig. 9 shown stop surface 44a of the carrier 20 is prevented from further movement in direction R2. In this, in Fig. 10C In the stop position shown, the head 24 is in a pre-fixed state, and its weight is already fully held by the coupled holding means 232, 234 of the interface 22. The actuating means 54 can then be actuated to clamp the head 24 and the carrier 20 together. The actuating means 54 shown here correspond to the actuating means 54 of the previously described embodiments and are thus activated and deactivated accordingly.

[0052] In the Fig. 11A and 11B is shown how it is based on the Fig. 9 shown interface 22, it is possible to attach the head 24 to a corresponding first support 20 without having to remove a second support 20 located immediately next to the first support 20. As shown in Fig. 11A As shown, thanks to the design of the interface 22, it is possible to partially attach the head 24 onto two supports 20 arranged directly next to one another without the head 24 colliding with one of the two supports 20 before the head-side grooves 232 are aligned with the support-side retaining projections 234. In addition, the shape of the head 24 and the shape of the supports 20 allow the head 24 to subsequently be laterally attached to the Fig. 11A left first support 20 without colliding with the right second support 20. Subsequently, a second head 24, as in Fig. 11B shown, can be plugged onto the right-hand second support 20 and pre-fixed by a corresponding relative movement in the direction R2. The described interfaces 22 thus make it possible to fix a head 24 to a support 20 without tools, without having to remove or move supports 20 arranged closely next to it. Overall, the disclosed interfaces 22 thus considerably simplify the coupling between the head 24 and its respective support 20.

[0053] In the Figuren 12A and 12B is one of the Figuren 6A bis 6C corresponding side view of interface 22 from Fig. 9 shown. In these figures, it can be seen that the head-side grooves 232 and the carrier-side holding projections 234 are essentially the same width and each have mutually abutting flat contact surfaces 274, 276, which are each arranged perpendicular to a clamping direction, i.e., a direction of action of the clamping force. In the present case, the clamping direction corresponds to the feed direction Z. The two pairs of contact surfaces 274, 276 are arranged as far apart from one another as possible in order to be able to support a moment generated by the weight of the head 24 on the interface 22 as well as possible and thus to hold the free end of the product feed 14 formed by the head 20 as precisely as possible. Bezugszeichenliste

[0054] 10Device 12Food product 12aEnd area 14Product feed 16Cutting plane 18Product holder 19Spindle nut 20Carrier 21Collection carrier 22Interface 24Head 26Spindle 28Cutting blade 30Portioning belt 32, 132, 232Head-side holding means 33, 133Inner circumference 34, 134, 234Carrier-side holding projection 34a, 134aCross-sectional enlargement 35, 135Outer circumference 36, 136, 236Undercut 38Plug-in recess 40Plug-in recess 42First stop 42aStop surface 44Second stop 44aStop surface 46Clamping means 48Clamping bolt 50Contact surface 52End face 54Actuating means 56Support surface 56aRounded section 56Flat section 56cFlat section 58Pivot axis 60Contact surface 62Shaft 64Spring element 66Drive interface 68First cable end 70Second cable end 272Free space 274Contact surface 276Contact surface ZFeed direction R1first direction R2second direction

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for slicing food products (12) comprising a product feed (14) for the single-track or multitrack feeding of products (12) to be sliced to a cutting plane (16), wherein the product feed (14) comprises at least one product holder (18) which comprises at least one carrier (20) and a head (24) which can be releasably fastened to the carrier (20) by means of an interface (22), wherein the interface (22) has holding means (32, 34; 132, 134; 232, 234) which are configured and set up to pre-fix the head (24) to the carrier (20) so that the head (24) is held at the carrier (20), and wherein the interface (22) has bracing means (46) to brace the head (24) with the carrier (20), characterized in that a drive interface (66) is provided that is configured to automatically couple during a fastening of the head (24) to the carrier (20).

2. An apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the holding means (32, 34; 132, 134; 232, 234) have at least one recess (32; 132; 232) and a holding element (34; 134; 234) for insertion into the recess (32; 132; 232), in particular wherein an inner periphery (33) of the recess (32; 132; 232) is adapted to an outer periphery (35) of the holding element (34; 134; 234).

3. An apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein the recess (32; 132, 232) is groove-shaped and in particular the groove-shaped recess (32; 132, 232) extends transversely to a direction of action of a bracing force.

4. An apparatus (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the recess (32; 132, 232) has an undercut (36; 136; 236) which, in a pre-fixed state, at least sectionally engages around the holding element (34; 134; 234).

5. An apparatus (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims 2 to 4, wherein the bracing means (46) are configured to brace the holding element (34; 134; 234) and a counter-piece (24) defining the recess (32; 132; 232) against one another, in particular in the region of the undercut (36; 136; 236).

6. An apparatus (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracing means (46) can be activated without tools.

7. An apparatus (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracing means (46) comprise at least one bracing element (48) which is adjustable between an inactive position and an active position, in particular wherein the bracing means (46) comprise at least one bracing bolt (48) which is adjustably supported between the inactive position and the active position.

8. An apparatus (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracing means (46) comprise at least one actuating means (54) which can be adjusted between a starting position and a bracing position, in particular wherein at least one bracing element (48) can be moved by an adjustment of the actuating means (54).

9. An apparatus (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein mutually corresponding abutments (42, 44) are provided at the carrier (20) and the head (24) to limit a relative movability between the carrier (20) and the head (24) in a pre-fixing position.

10. A head (24) of a product holder (18) for an apparatus (10) for slicing food products (12), said apparatus (10) comprising a product feed (14) for the single-track or multitrack feeding of products (12) to be sliced to a cutting plane (16), wherein the head (24) can be releasably fastened to a carrier (20) of the product holder (18) by means of an interface (22), wherein the interface (22) comprises at least one holding means (32, 34; 132, 134; 232, 234) which is configured and set up to pre-fix the head (24) to the carrier (20) so that the head (24) is held at the carrier (20), wherein the interface (22) has at least one bracing means (46) to brace the head (24) with the carrier (20), and a drive interface (66) is provided that is configured to automatically couple during a fastening of the head (24) to the carrier (20), characterized in that the drive interface (66) comprises a line end (70) at the head (24) and a line end (68) at the carrier (20), and in that the line end (70) of the head (24) is configured in a manner loaded by spring force to first be able to move back against a return force of a spring and to then be able to latch into the line end (68) of the carrier (20) through the spring force.

11. A method for releasably fastening a head (24) of a product holder (18) of an apparatus (10) for slicing food products (12), said apparatus (10) comprising a product feed (14) for the single-track or multitrack feeding of products (12) to be sliced to a cutting plane (16), to a corresponding carrier (20) of the product holder (18) associated with the product feed (14), comprising the steps: pre-fixing the head (24) to the carrier (20) so that the head (24) is held at the carrier (20), and bracing the head (24) with the carrier (20), wherein a drive interface (66) is automatically coupled between the head (24) and the carrier (20) during the pre-fixing of the head (24) to the carrier (20) and / or the bracing of the head (24) with the carrier (20).

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the pre-fixing comprises plugging the head (24) onto the carrier (20) in a first direction (R1) and subsequently displacing the head (24) relative to the carrier (20) in a second direction (R2).

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein corresponding first and second holding elements (32, 34; 132, 134; 232, 234), in particular a recess (32; 132; 232) and a holding projection (34; 134; 234), are brought into a form-fitting engagement with one another by the displacement of the head (24) in the second direction (R2).

14. A method according to any one of the preceding method claims, wherein the bracing comprises an actuation, in particular a tool-free actuation, of an actuating means (54).

15. A method according to any one of the preceding method claims, wherein the bracing generates a bracing force between the head (24) and the carrier (20), said bracing force acting in a conveying direction (Z) of the apparatus (10), in particular wherein the conveying direction (Z) corresponds to the first direction (R1) in which the head (24) is plugged onto the carrier (20).