DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING AND FOLDING FOOD SLICES

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for transporting food discs with a belt conveyor which defines a conveying plane in which food discs are transported along a main conveying direction and comprises at least two conveyor belts.

[0002] In such devices – so-called "slicers" – rod-shaped food products, such as sausage or cheese, are sliced ​​at a high cutting rate, for example, up to 1,000 slices per minute. The food products are transported by a feed unit to a cutting plane in the area of ​​a cutting element, either in a single lane (i.e., individually) or in multiple lanes (i.e., parallel to each other). In the cutting plane, the food products are sliced ​​by the cutting element, in particular a rotating circular or sickle blade. The slice thickness is determined by the feed rate of the individual food products between two cuts. The sliced ​​products are generally arranged and packaged into portions with a constant number of slices and / or by weight. Such a slicer is known, for example, from WO 2017 / 089 242 A1, which discloses the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Inside the packaging, the slices are placed in a desired shape and arrangement, with the slicer capable of producing a wide variety of configurations. A desired shingled arrangement, for example, can be achieved by continuously moving the conveyor belts during the cutting process, so that adjacent slices are spaced apart and partially overlapping. Alternatively, a discharge unit, on which the sliced ​​slices are stacked with full overlap, can be designed to be at least partially vertically movable. Furthermore, discharge units can be configured to move perpendicular to the main conveying direction, allowing for more complex arrangements of the food slices. This enables, for example, oval, round, heart-shaped, multi-row, and other shaped slice arrangements.However, such slicers may require precise timing of the movements of individual slicer components and a higher number of degrees of freedom in all three spatial directions to meet customer requirements regarding packaging arrangements of the slices. Furthermore, the slicers disclosed in the prior art do not allow for a particularly aesthetically pleasing and entirely novel food configuration.

[0004] Publication JP 2017149523 A further discloses a device for aligning food products on a conveyor belt, while publication DE 10 2013 100 782 B4 discloses a movable stopper cylinder for stopping products on a conveyor line. Disclosure of the invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for transporting and folding food products which does not have the disadvantage described in connection with the prior art and, in particular, avoids complex movements of the slicer components, especially the discharge unit. Furthermore, and most importantly, the invention provides a new, visually appealing food configuration which also makes it easy to grasp the food slices manually due to their special folding.

[0006] The object of the present invention is solved by a device according to claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, the device has a folding device which projects between the conveyor belts into the conveyor plane. Preferably, an intermediate belt is arranged between the conveyor belts, with the conveyor belt being lifted by the folding device. Due to the projection of the folding device and the intermediate belt beyond the conveyor plane, the food discs can be lifted, particularly as a result of the movement of the food discs over the folding device and along a diameter of the folding device, thereby creating a longitudinal fold in each food disc. After passing through the folding device, the food discs lift off the intermediate belt, at least briefly and / or partially, and land downstream of the folding device on a belt conveyor or a further belt conveyor downstream of the belt conveyor.The secondary conveyor belt operates at a lower speed than the primary belt conveyor, causing the food slices to slow down and resulting in multiple transverse folds per slice in addition to the longitudinal fold. The folding device can be operated in a stationary position for each cutting and folding process. Therefore, the conveyor belt and / or the folding device do not need to be movable in all three spatial directions to achieve a desired geometry, fold, or arrangement of the food slices.

[0008] According to the invention, an intermediate belt is provided between the conveyor belts, which is lifted above the conveyor plane by the folding device. Circular, rectangular, oval, or other shaped belts are particularly suitable as intermediate belts. V-belts or toothed belts are also conceivable. Furthermore, the belts can be made of a plastic such as polyamide, polyester, or aramid and optionally include plastic fibers or steel wires. The intermediate belt can be considered a component of the folding device and effectively extends its operating range, enabling the folding process to be carried out gradually rather than abruptly with the aid of the intermediate belt.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the folding device is movable and, in particular, pivotable into a working position in which it projects between the conveyor belts into the conveyor plane, and a non-working position in which it is located below the conveyor plane. The conveyor plane can be defined as a plane encompassing the parallel surfaces of the conveyor belts. Any degree of projection of the folding device beyond the conveyor plane acts as a raised section of the conveyor plane and serves to fold the food discs, which are guided by the belt conveyor over this raised section.A greater degree of protrusion allows for more pronounced folding of the food slices. Maximum folding is achieved when the folding device raises the slices to such an extent that there is no longer any physical contact between the slice and the conveyor belt. In its operating position, the folding device protrudes to its maximum degree above the conveyor plane. When the slicer is switched off, however, the folding device can be moved below the conveyor plane—into its non-use position—thus eliminating any protrusion. It is conceivable that the folding device could be moved perpendicular to and through the conveyor plane into a transport path. Alternatively, the folding device could be pivoted into the transport path of the food slices.

[0010] According to the invention, the folding device comprises a roller on which the intermediate belt runs. A rotationally rigid mounting of the roller to the folding device is conceivable. Alternatively, the roller can be rotatably mounted on the folding device. A fixed mounting of the roller can, due to its raised surface, produce the desired folding, but it can impede the movement of the food slices in the main conveying direction, since the food slices, guided by the belt conveyor across the roller for folding, would be at least partially slowed down by the roller. Therefore, to optimize the slicer or to achieve increased energy efficiency, the roller can preferably be rotatably mounted on the folding device.Furthermore, the intermediate belt can be guided over the roller and at least partially tensioned by it to improve the folding process of the food discs: the intermediate belt can be arranged in such a way that it extends along the belt conveyor and has an inclination to the conveying plane, thus enabling a gradual folding of the food discs during their transport in the main conveying direction.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the roller is arranged below the conveyor plane in its non-use position and above it in its working position, with the pivot range between the non-use and working positions being essentially 90°. During slice production, the roller can be positioned above the conveyor plane in the working position. Particularly when the slicer is shut down, it can be pivoted into the non-use position below the conveyor plane. The roller can be moved from the non-use position to the working position and vice versa by pivoting along a quarter-arc-shaped path. A pivot range of approximately 90° is particularly preferred, as this prevents excessive movement of the roller.However, any swivel range is conceivable – for example, if design reasons of the slicer require it.

[0012] A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the folding device comprises a lever which is pivotably mounted at a first end and which has the roller at a second end opposite the first end. The lever is connected via its first end to a pivot axis which runs below and parallel to the conveying plane and perpendicular to the main conveying direction. The lever can be used as an intermediate element between a base body of the folding device and the roller. The lever can be used, in particular, to pivot the roller from the unused position to the working position and vice versa. To ensure precise rotation of the lever, it can have an arcuate recess acting as a guide, into which a bolt projects, allowing the lever to be moved relative to the bolt.The lever, and consequently the roller at its other end, can be pivoted manually around the pivot axis. Alternatively, a drive unit, particularly an electric motor, integrated into the base could be used for automatic pivoting.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the folding device is movable in its non-use position along a transverse direction that runs parallel to the conveying plane and perpendicular to the main conveying direction. A configuration is conceivable in which the base body is designed to be movable in order to allow repositioning of the folding device. The movableness of the folding device, particularly in the transverse direction, eliminates the need for electronic control and movement of the belt conveyor.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the belt conveyor has a first deflection axis and a second deflection axis, with the conveyor belts guided around the first and second deflection axes, respectively, the second deflection axis being arranged downstream of the first deflection axis along the main conveying direction. The conveyor belts can be designed as flat, V-belts, or toothed belts to establish a frictional or positive-locking connection to the deflection axes and to transmit their kinetic energy for transporting the food discs. One of the two deflection axes can be driven while the other rotates. Both deflection axes can have the same diameter or be of different sizes due to design considerations. The intermediate belt can also be guided around the two deflection axes.

[0015] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the folding device is arranged in its working position closer to the second deflection axis than to the first deflection axis with respect to the main conveying direction. The precise position of the folding device along the main conveying direction results in different geometries of the intermediate belt guided over the roller, as seen in a side view. The precise configuration of the intermediate belt geometry, in turn, can determine the geometry of the food discs. Longitudinal creases in the food discs created by lifting them with the intermediate belt can be eliminated if the folding device were arranged centrally with respect to the length of the belt conveyor, i.e., symmetrically, since the effect created upstream of the folding device can be reversed downstream of the folding device.Therefore, the folding device for a permanent longitudinal fold per food slice can preferably be arranged in the downstream half of the belt conveyor.

[0016] Preferably, the intermediate belt comprises a first section arranged upstream of the folding device with respect to the main conveying direction, wherein the first section forms a first angle with the conveying plane, and a second section arranged downstream of the folding device with respect to the main conveying direction, wherein the second section forms a second angle with the conveying plane, the first angle being smaller than the second angle. A folding device arranged closer to the second deflection axis necessarily results in the first section being longer than the second section and the first angle being smaller than the second angle. A smaller first angle, corresponding to a lesser inclination of the first section, implies a more gradual, or rather, more leisurely lifting of the food slices. Food slices positioned immediately above the roller, i.e.,Having reached the highest possible point during their transport, the food discs can, due to the steeper design of the second section or the larger second angle, at least partially and briefly lose contact with the intermediate belt and essentially jump off. Upon impact of the food discs on the conveyor belt, a longitudinal crease, at least partially vertical, may remain.

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that a further belt conveyor, located downstream of the main conveyor in the conveying direction, has a lower conveying speed than the main conveyor. Due to the lower conveying speed of the further belt conveyor, food slices can be slowed down, which can result in transverse folds in addition to the longitudinal fold of the food slices, giving the food slices a characteristic shape for the device according to the invention.

[0018] Furthermore, a method for operating a device according to one of the preceding embodiments is disclosed, wherein a food disc is lifted and folded by means of the folding device. For lifting and folding, an intermediate belt according to the invention can be used in particular. In addition to the belt conveyor, a further belt conveyor can be used to produce a longitudinal fold and at least one transverse fold.

[0019] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the folding of the food disc comprises the following steps: in a first step, the food disc runs onto the first section of the intermediate belt; in a second step, this food disc is then lifted centrally by the intermediate belt; in a third step, the centrally lifted food disc then passes the roller and lifts off the intermediate belt, at least briefly and / or partially; and in a fourth step, the food disc, at least partially folded, lands downstream of the roller on the belt conveyor or a downstream belt conveyor. Using this method, food discs with a novel configuration featuring both longitudinal and transverse folds can be produced.

[0020] A preferred embodiment provides that the secondary conveyor operates at a lower conveying speed than the primary conveyor. Due to the lower conveying speed of the secondary conveyor, food slices can be slowed down, resulting in the formation of at least one transverse fold per slice, with the transverse fold running perpendicular to the main conveying direction and longitudinal fold. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a belt conveyor of a device according to the invention in an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 shows a perspective detail view of the belt conveyor from Figure 2 with only one conveyor belt. Embodiments of the invention

[0022] In Figure 1 A belt conveyor 5 of a device 1 according to the invention is shown, which is located in the Figure 1The food discs 3 (not shown) are transported in the main conveying direction 101. The belt conveyor 5 has several, here twenty-one, spaced-apart and parallel conveyor belts 7. The conveyor belts 7 are designed as flat belts and define a conveying plane 100 on which the food discs 3 can rest. The conveyor belts 7 are each guided around a first deflection axis 17 and a second deflection axis 18 arranged parallel to the first deflection axis 17.

[0023] The first deflection shaft 17 is solid and has a smaller outer diameter than the second deflection shaft 18. The first deflection shaft 17 simply rotates, whereas the second deflection shaft 18 is a hollow shaft and drives the conveyor belts 7. The drive energy is provided by a drive shaft, which is inserted into the hollow second deflection shaft 18 and forms a shaft-hub connection with it. The torque of the drive shaft is transmitted via a key located in a groove 20 of the second deflection shaft 18.

[0024] The device 1 has a folding device 9 which can be arranged in two different positions, the working position and the non-working position, with a pivot range of 90° between the two positions. Figure 1The folding device is shown in a working position. In this position, the folding device 9 is arranged partially below and partially above the conveyor level 100. It comprises a roller 14, which is rotatably mounted on a lever 15 and projects into the conveyor level 100. An intermediate belt 13, configured as a circumferential belt, is guided over a recess in the roller 14 that runs circumferentially. The intermediate belt 13 is also guided over the two deflection axes 17 and 18 and is thus driven by the second deflection axis 18. The folding device can be folded or pivoted completely below the conveyor level into the non-use position.

[0025] Using an intermediate belt ensures that the folding device can exert its effect over a greater length of the conveyor belt, preventing the folding from occurring abruptly at a fixed point. By eliminating regular movements or cyclical vibrations of the folding device, its control system can be simplified, and energy is saved during slicer operation.

[0026] It is conceivable that the folding device, by means of a suitable drive, could be positioned at different locations on the conveyor belt, particularly between two successive batches of food products, by moving it in and across the main conveying direction, in order to meet production-specific requirements as needed. This repositioning relative to the conveyor belt can be carried out independently of other slicer components.

[0027] A food disc 3, during its transport in the main conveying direction 101, initially comes into contact with a first section 131 of the intermediate belt 13. As the food disc 3 is conveyed, it is successively lifted by the intermediate belt 13 approximately in the middle, forming a longitudinal fold in the food disc 3 parallel to the main conveying direction 101. In other words, as it is lifted, increasingly larger sections of the food disc 3 protrude from both sides of the intermediate belt 13 until the food disc 3 is completely lifted from the belt conveyor 5 and sags on the first section 131 of the intermediate belt 13. After passing the roller 14, the food disc 3 lifts off the intermediate belt 13, at least briefly and / or partially, and lands downstream of the roller 14 on the belt conveyor 5 or a downstream belt conveyor 5'.The second belt conveyor 5' has a lower conveying speed than the belt conveyor 5, so that the food disc 3 is slowed down and several transverse folds are created in addition to the longitudinal fold.

[0028] In Figure 2 This is a section of belt conveyor 5 from the Figure 1 The diagram shows all but one of the conveyor belts 7 hidden. The folding device 9 has a base body 21. The lever 15 is connected to the base body 21 at a first end and can be pivoted about a pivot axis 16, the base body 21 potentially including an electric motor for pivoting the lever 15 and the roller 14. The roller 14 is rotatably mounted at a second end of the lever 15.

[0029] The pivoting action allows the folding device 9 to be moved from the working position to the non-use position and vice versa, with the folding device 9 being completely located below the conveying level 100 in the non-use position. For precise pivoting, a recess 19 is formed on the lever 15, through which a bolt protrudes. The recess 19 serves as a guide when the lever 15 is pivoted. Reference symbol list

[0030] 1 Device 3 Food discs 5 Belt conveyor 5'Additional belt conveyor 7 Conveyor belt 9 Folding device 13 Intermediate belt 14 Roller 15 Lever 16 Swivel axis 17 First deflection axis 18 Second deflection axis 19 Recess 20 Groove 21 Base body 100 Conveyor plane 101 Main conveying direction 102 Cross direction 131 First section of the intermediate belt 132 Second section of the intermediate belt αfirst angle βsecond angle

Claims

1. Device (1) for transporting food slices (3) with a belt conveyor (5) defining a conveying plane (100) in which food slices (3) are transported along a main conveying direction (101), and at least two conveyor belts (7), wherein that the device (1) has a folding device (9) which protrudes into the conveying plane (100) between the conveyor belts (7), characterized in that conveyor belts (7) an intermediate belt (13) is provided which is lifted by the folding device (9) above the conveyor plane (100), wherein the folding device (9) comprises a roller (14) on which the intermediate belt (13) runs.

2. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the folding device (9) is movable and pivotable into a working position in which the folding device (9) protrudes into the conveyor plane (100) between the conveyor belts (7), and a non-use position in which the folding device (9) is located below the conveyor plane (100).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the roller (14) is arranged in the non-use position below and, in the working position, above the conveyor level (100), wherein the swivel range between the non-use position and the working position is 90°.

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the folding device (9) comprises a lever (15) which is pivotably mounted at a first end and which has the roller (14) at a second end opposite the first end, wherein the lever (15) is pivotable about the first end a pivot axis (16) which extends below and parallel to the conveying plane (100) and perpendicular to the main conveying direction (101).

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the folding device (9) in its non-use position along a transverse direction (102), which runs parallel to the conveying plane (100) and perpendicular to the main conveying direction (101).

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the belt conveyor (5) has a first deflection shaft (17) and a second deflection shaft (18), wherein the conveyor belts (7) are each guided around the first deflection shaft (17) and around the second deflection shaft (18), wherein the second deflection shaft (18) is guided along the main conveying direction (101) downstream of the first deflection axis (17).

7. Device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the folding device (7) is arranged closer to the second deflection axis (18) than to the first deflection axis (17) in the working position relative to the main conveying direction (101).

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate belt (13) comprises a first section (131) arranged upstream of the folding device (9) with respect to the main conveying direction (101), wherein the first section (131) forms a first angle (a) with the conveying plane, and a second section (132) arranged downstream of the folding device (9) with respect to the main conveying direction (101), the second section forming a second angle (β) with the conveying plane (100), the first angle (a) being smaller than the second angle (β).

9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a further belt conveyor (6) connected downstream of the belt conveyor (5) with respect to the main conveying direction (101) has a lower conveying speed than the belt conveyor (5).