DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SEPARATE DOUGH PIECES

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for separating dough pieces resting on a conveyor device. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system comprising such a device. State of the art

[0002] During dough processing, a preferably pre-calibrated dough is usually punched or cut into individual pieces. For further processing of these pieces, e.g., by rolling them up, it is advantageous if the distance between the pieces can be increased.

[0003] Devices for separating previously punched or cut dough pieces are already known in the prior art. CN 210960149 U, for example, discloses such a device, which comprises a conveyor device with two conveyor belts driven at different speeds. At the transition between the two conveyor belts, pressure rollers are arranged above the conveyor belts, which move the dough pieces from the first conveyor belt to the second conveyor belt.

[0004] JP 2000-316463 A describes a device for separating dough pieces. The device has two conveyor belts running at different speeds. A rotating shaft is arranged above the two conveyor belts in the transition area. This shaft grasps the dough pieces conveyed on the conveyor belts from above and moves them from the first conveyor belt to the second conveyor belt.

[0005] US 5,634,549 B2 discloses a device for conveying and sorting objects, in particular a device for increasing the number of rows of objects on a conveyor device. The device comprises a separating element, in particular a rotating separating element with a shaft from which several paddles protrude. Furthermore, the device has a rotating displacement element, which is arranged downstream of the separating element in the conveying direction. The objects are arranged by the separating element at defined intervals and then fed to the displacement element, which deflects the objects to defined positions next to one another. The paddles of the separating element are arranged at regular angular intervals on the shaft and are mounted radially displaceable relative to the shaft against a spring force in the direction of the shaft's rotational axis.The shifting element has a shaft with spokes projecting radially from it. The shaft of the shifting element rotates at a lower speed than the conveyor, so the spokes get in the way of the objects, causing them to be pushed sideways by the spokes.

[0006] EP 0 284 835 B1 describes a method and a device for aligning irregularly spaced confectionery pieces on a conveyor belt. The device comprises a plurality of crossbars extending from a rotatable shaft arranged above the conveyor belt. These crossbars decelerate the confectionery pieces on the conveyor belt until the offset of the confectionery pieces in a row is eliminated. The spacing of the rows of confectionery and their offset can be measured, and the rotation of the shaft with the crossbars can be controlled according to the measured data. Description of the invention

[0007] The object of the invention is to create a device belonging to the technical field mentioned at the outset, which enables a reliable separation of dough pieces and which is as simple as possible in construction and easy to maintain.

[0008] The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the device for separating dough pieces comprises a first conveyor device and an adjoining second conveyor device, on which dough pieces resting thereon can be conveyed in a conveying direction. The first conveyor device is driven at a first speed and the second conveyor device is driven at a second speed which is greater than the first speed. The device has a shaft arranged at a first distance above the transition region between the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device, which shaft can be set into a rotary movement about a longitudinal axis by means of a drive at a third speed which is greater than the first speed.The shaft extends in a direction transverse to the conveying direction across the entire width of the two conveying devices, with at least one driver element projecting radially from the shaft being arranged on the shaft and having a contact surface at a free end spaced from a surface of the shaft. The at least one driver element is mounted in the radial direction relative to the shaft and is freely displaceable thereon, such that the contact surface of the at least one driver element moves radially toward or away from the shaft due to the rotational movement of the shaft about the longitudinal axis as a result of gravity and the dead weight of the at least one driver element.The at least one driver element has a dimension such that the contact surface can rest on a piece of dough resting on the first conveyor device in order to push it from the first conveyor device to the second conveyor device at the third speed.

[0009] The device according to the invention has few moving parts, making it essentially maintenance-free and very easy to clean. Such a device therefore has low operating costs and can also be manufactured and operated simply and inexpensively. By using the device's own weight when the contact surface rests on a piece of dough, the force acting on the dough piece can be minimized, thus preventing the dough piece from being deformed by the contact surface resting on it.

[0010] Separating dough pieces is understood here as increasing the distance between adjacent dough pieces in the conveying direction. In the device according to the invention, the separation therefore increases the distance between adjacent dough pieces in the conveying direction.

[0011] In this context, a dough piece is understood to be a piece punched or cut from calibrated dough, i.e., dough made to a predetermined thickness. This piece can have any shape, such as triangular, square, round, oval, or polygonal. The dough pieces are preferably produced beforehand using a punching tool, a drop knife, or a cutting roller, in particular using a cutting or punching tool positioned upstream of the device in the conveying direction.

[0012] After separation by means of the device according to the invention, the dough pieces can then be further processed into dough pieces, i.e. into three-dimensionally shaped structures, for example by rolling, folding, wrapping or the like.

[0013] In the present application, dough is understood to mean both a mixture of at least one flour with at least one liquid, as well as dough-like masses, such as marzipan or nut masses. The dough pieces separated by the device according to the invention can consist, in particular, of puff pastry, sponge cake dough, filo dough, yeast dough, shortcrust pastry, etc., or even pasta dough.

[0014] The first conveyor device and the second conveyor device are preferably designed as belt conveyors. Alternatively, however, the conveyor devices can also be designed differently, for example as link conveyors. Conveyor belts or link conveyors have an endless belt which is deflected at the ends by essentially 180° via rollers. Accordingly, such conveyor devices have an upper part and a lower part, which each move in opposite directions. In the context of the present application, the conveying direction refers to that part of the conveyor device on which the dough pieces can rest, thus generally to the upper part of the conveyor device or, in the preferred embodiment, to the upper part of the endless belt.

[0015] Each of the two conveyors has a conveyor drive that can be used to drive the conveyors at the first and second speeds, respectively. Alternatively, however, only one conveyor drive can be used for both conveyors, with the different speeds being achieved by means of at least one gear.

[0016] The first conveyor device and the second conveyor device are preferably arranged such that they have the same height. This means that there is no difference in height between the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device in the transition area. As a result, the dough pieces do not have to overcome a difference in height when being pushed from the first conveyor device to the second conveyor device. Alternatively, however, the second conveyor device can be arranged lower relative to the first conveyor device. In the preferred embodiment, in which the conveyor devices are belt conveyors, the height specification refers to the part of the endless belt on which the dough pieces can rest, i.e. generally the upper part of the endless belt.

[0017] The two conveying devices preferably have the same width transverse to the conveying direction.

[0018] The shaft can be designed as a solid shaft or a hollow shaft. Alternatively, the shaft can also consist of two solid shaft parts at their ends, which are connected to one another by means of several, in particular two, longitudinal bars. The shaft is rotatably mounted on the device and can be set in rotation about its longitudinal axis by means of the drive. Preferably, the shaft is rotatably mounted on two columns or side walls of a frame of the device, which are arranged laterally next to the first conveyor device and possibly also the second conveyor device. The shaft extends transversely to the conveying direction across the entire width of the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device. The longitudinal axis of the shaft is preferably arranged at a right angle to the conveying direction.

[0019] The shaft is arranged at a first distance above a transition area between the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device. This means in an area that is located above a rear end of the first conveyor device in the conveying direction and a front end of the second conveyor device in the conveying direction. The second conveyor device is preferably flush with the first conveyor device, which means that the gap or distance between the two conveyor devices is as small as possible. The longitudinal axis of the shaft is preferably arranged above this gap or distance. The first distance is selected such that the dough pieces can be pushed through between the conveyor devices and the shaft. This means that the distance is selected such that it is greater than the thickness of the dough pieces.

[0020] The drive of the shaft is preferably a rotary drive, in particular an electric motor, such as a servo motor or a stepper motor, or a pneumatic motor. An output of the rotary drive can be connected either directly to the shaft or indirectly via a gear. The shaft is set in rotation by the drive in such a way that the part of the shaft directed toward the first conveying device moves in the conveying direction.

[0021] Preferably, the shaft drive has adjustment means or a control system with which the third speed of the shaft's rotational movement can be adjusted. This allows the third speed of the shaft to be adjusted to the first speed, the second speed, and / or the size of the dough pieces, ensuring that all dough pieces lying one behind the other on the first conveyor device in the conveying direction can be pushed onto the second conveyor device via the contact surface of the at least one driver element.

[0022] Preferably, the third speed corresponds to the second speed. Alternatively, the third speed can also be greater or less than the second speed. However, the third speed is always greater than the first speed.

[0023] The fact that the second speed is higher than the first speed ensures that the separation of the dough pieces, i.e. the increase in their distances in the conveying direction on the second conveyor, is maintained.

[0024] The at least one driver element can be designed as a closed surface or alternatively as a substantially U-shaped bracket. The at least one driver element and its contact surface are preferably made of a food-safe material, in particular a metal or a plastic. Preferably, the at least one driver element is formed in one piece. Alternatively, however, the at least one driver element can also consist of several interconnected parts, which are either all made of the same material or of different materials. Preferably, in the case of a driver element consisting of several parts, the parts are materially joined to one another, e.g. by welding, so that as little dough residue as possible remains between the parts and cleaning of the at least one driver element is as easy as possible.

[0025] The at least one driver element protrudes radially from the shaft. More than one driver element can also be arranged on the shaft, in particular two, three, four, or more driver elements. If more than one driver element is arranged on the shaft, all driver elements are preferably of identical design. Preferably, the at least one driver element is detachably arranged on the shaft, for example, so that it can be removed from the shaft in the event of wear or damage, or for cleaning.

[0026] The at least one driver element preferably extends substantially along the entire length of the shaft, i.e., substantially along the entire longitudinal axis of the shaft. The free end of the at least one driver element is the end that is spaced from a surface of the shaft and thus also from its longitudinal axis. This free end of the at least one driver element is, in particular, in the form of a side edge of the at least one driver element.

[0027] The contact surface of the at least one driver element is designed to rest on at least one piece of dough resting on the first conveyor device. For this purpose, the contact surface preferably has no sharp edges in order to prevent deformation of the piece of dough. The contact surface is therefore preferably essentially flat and / or has rounded longitudinal edges. The contact surface preferably has a width in the conveying direction that is large enough to slide a piece of dough, on which the contact surface rests, over the first conveyor device. The contact surface is preferably made of a material that has the greatest possible static friction on the dough pieces, in particular a polymer. The contact surface can be formed integrally with the at least one driver element or can be present as a separate part that is connected to the driver element.

[0028] The at least one driver element is mounted so as to be freely displaceable in the radial direction relative to the shaft. This means that the at least one driver element can be displaced relative to the shaft without the influence of any kind of force - with the exception of gravity. This means that the contact surface of the at least one driver element is moved either away from or towards the shaft due to gravity and the dead weight of the at least one driver element, depending on the radial position of the at least one driver element about the longitudinal axis of the shaft (which is set in rotation by the drive). This means that when the at least one driver element moves towards the first conveyor device, the contact surface moves away from the shaft and towards the first conveyor device due to gravity.This allows the contact surface of the at least one driver element to be moved around the longitudinal axis of the shaft toward the first conveyor device from a certain radial position, and its contact surface to rest on a piece of dough lying on the first conveyor device. As the shaft continues to rotate, the at least one driver element, which is moved at the third speed of the shaft, which is higher than the first speed of the first conveyor device, can displace the piece of dough on the first conveyor device at the third speed and push it onto the second conveyor device.

[0029] The displacement is made possible by the fact that, due to the dead weight of the at least one driver element, the contact surface exerts a higher static friction on the piece of dough than the static friction between the piece of dough and the first conveying device. Preferably, the contact surface of the at least one driver element has at least one element which increases the static friction with the piece of dough compared to the second conveying device or consists of a material which has a higher static friction with the piece of dough than the first conveying device. Particularly preferably, the materials of the contact surface of the at least one driver element and of the first conveying device are matched to one another so that the contact surface has a higher static friction with the piece of dough than the first conveying device and preferably also than the second conveying device.In addition, the at least one driver element forms a positive connection when its contact surface comes into contact with the piece of dough, since the contact surface is slightly pressed into the piece of dough.

[0030] Since the at least one driver element is freely movable radially relative to the shaft, the height difference resulting from the contact surface of the at least one driver element resting on the piece of dough is automatically compensated.

[0031] The at least one driver element and / or the shaft preferably has a retaining element that prevents the at least one driver element from falling off the shaft. This means that the retaining element limits the movement of the at least one driver element away from the shaft, preventing it from becoming detached from the shaft.

[0032] The at least one carrier element can also rest with its support surface on more than one piece of dough at the same time, for example on two or more pieces of dough that lie next to each other in a line on the first conveyor device in order to push them simultaneously over the first conveyor device.

[0033] In this application, a line refers to an arrangement of two or more dough pieces next to each other transversely to the conveying direction. In this application, a row refers to dough pieces arranged one behind the other in several lines in the conveying direction.

[0034] The shaft preferably has two or more carrier elements arranged on the shaft at a radial distance of 360° / n, where n represents the number of carrier elements on the shaft, relative to each other. Thus, with each rotation of the shaft through the angle of 360° / n, a piece of dough or a line of several adjacent pieces of dough can be pushed from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.

[0035] Preferably, the at least one driver element is mounted on the shaft by means of at least one plain bearing. This allows for the simplest possible design of the bearing. Such a plain bearing can be implemented, for example, by means of at least one groove in the shaft, in which the at least one driver element is displaceably mounted. The groove and / or the at least one driver element received therein preferably have a sliding coating.

[0036] Alternatively, the at least one driver element can also be mounted on the shaft in a radially displaceable manner by means of another bearing, for example a rolling bearing.

[0037] If two or more driver elements are arranged on the shaft, the shaft preferably has an even number of driver elements, wherein driver elements arranged on the shaft at a radial distance of 180° relative to one another are connected to one another via at least two connecting webs which are located in the region of the ends of the respective driver elements, wherein each of the connecting webs is received in a sliding guide of the shaft.

[0038] In this embodiment, the drive elements arranged opposite one another on the shaft are mechanically connected by at least two connecting webs. Through this connection, the weight of the two drive elements acts on the contact surface of one of the two drive elements resting on a piece of dough, so that the static friction between the contact surface of one drive element resting on a piece of dough is greater than in an embodiment that has only one drive element or in which two or more drive elements are not connected to one another.

[0039] Preferably, the device has a control which controls the drive of the shaft in such a way that the shaft performs a rotational movement about its longitudinal axis at an angle of 360° / n at predefined time intervals, where n represents the number of driver elements arranged on the shaft.

[0040] This means that a shaft with one driver element will rotate 360° at predefined intervals. A shaft with two driver elements will rotate 180° at predefined intervals.

[0041] The controller preferably has input means with which the predefined time intervals can be set or changed. The controller is preferably additionally connected to a drive of the first conveyor device and / or the second conveyor device. As a result, the first speed and / or the second speed can preferably be set or changed by means of the controller, for example via the input means.

[0042] The predefined time intervals are preferably equal, meaning that the shaft periodically performs a rotational movement through an angle of 360° / n. The predefined time intervals are preferably coordinated with the size of the dough pieces resting on the first conveyor device and with the first and second speeds, so that for each rotational movement through an angle of 360° / n, one dough piece or a line of dough pieces lying next to one another transversely to the conveying direction can be pushed from the first conveyor device to the second conveyor device by means of the contact surface of the at least one driver element. For this purpose, the control system can preferably be designed such that it calculates the predefined time intervals based on the first and third speeds and the size of the dough pieces resting on the first conveyor device.

[0043] Preferably, the control system is configured such that, in a rest position in which the shaft is stationary, the at least one driver element is oriented such that its contact surface does not come into contact with a piece of dough resting on the first conveyor device or the second conveyor device. In a shaft with one driver element or with two driver elements, the driver element or the two driver elements are preferably substantially parallel to the first and second conveyor devices.

[0044] The predefined time intervals can preferably be determined based on data from a sensor connected to the controller, which can detect the position of dough pieces or lines of dough pieces resting on the first conveyor. This allows for reliable operation of the device, since dough pieces or lines of dough pieces resting on the first conveyor at irregular intervals in the conveying direction can be pushed onto the second conveyor by means of the contact surface of the at least one carrier element.

[0045] Preferably, the device is designed such that the contact surface of the at least one driver element comes to rest at a predefined position on a piece of dough resting on the first conveying device.

[0046] The predefined position is preferably the center of a piece of dough resting on the first conveyor device. Alternatively, however, the predefined position can also be in the first third of a piece of dough resting on the conveyor device, as viewed in the conveying direction. Several pieces of dough resting next to one another in a line on the first conveyor device are generally aligned essentially the same, i.e., their front and rear edges, as viewed in the conveying direction, lie essentially on the same imaginary line. As a result, in the aforementioned embodiment, the contact surface of the at least one driver element rests in essentially the same position for all pieces of dough lying in the line.

[0047] The controller is further preferably configured to calculate the predefined time intervals based on the first speed, the third speed, and the size of the dough pieces such that the contact surface of the at least one driver element rests at the predefined position. To enable this calculation, the controller also has means for detecting at least the position of a first dough piece resting on the first conveyor device or of a first line of dough pieces resting on the first conveyor device. This can be implemented either by manual input from a user, via at least one sensor, or via data communication with a dough processing unit, for example a punching or cutting unit, arranged upstream of the shaft in the conveying direction.

[0048] The device preferably has adjustment means with which the first distance can be varied. This allows the first distance to be easily adapted to the thickness of the dough pieces to be moved, for example, when the device is intended to successively separate dough pieces from different doughs or from doughs of different thicknesses. The adjustment means can enable a manual or motorized adjustment of the first distance. The adjustment means can therefore comprise, for example, at least one adjusting screw, at least one spindle, and / or at least one actuator, such as a pneumatic or hydraulic piston or an electric motor.

[0049] Preferably, the shaft is connected to the drive via a detachable connection, in particular via a detachable coupling. This allows for easy cleaning of the shaft and the at least one driver element, since the shaft can be detached from the device and moved to a cleaning location. This also allows for easy replacement of the shaft, for example, in the event of damage or if a shaft with at least one driver element with a larger or smaller dimension is to be used.

[0050] Preferably, an adjusting element is arranged on the shaft, with which the radial movement of the at least one driver element in the radial direction away from the surface of the shaft can be limited to at least two predetermined values.

[0051] This allows adjustment of the radial movement of at least one driving element depending on the thickness of the dough pieces to be pushed, which leads to greater flexibility in the use of the device.

[0052] The adjusting element is preferably arranged on the shaft so as to be linearly displaceable in the axial direction and has at least two stop surfaces which are arranged at different distances from the surface of the shaft and on which a stop area arranged on at least one driver element and opposite the contact surface can be brought into abutment.

[0053] By moving the adjusting element in the axial direction of the shaft, the stop surface suitable for the dough pieces to be moved can be selected, which should interact with the stop area.

[0054] The present application further relates to a method for separating dough pieces. In a first step, at least one piece of dough is conveyed on a first conveyor device in a conveying direction at a first speed. In a next step, a shaft, which is arranged at a first distance above a transition region between the first conveyor device and a second conveyor device adjoining it in the conveying direction, is set in rotation by means of a drive at a third speed which is higher than the first speed. At least one driver element protruding radially from the shaft is arranged on the shaft. At a free end, which is spaced from a surface of the shaft, has a contact surface and is mounted so as to be freely displaceable in the radial direction relative to the shaft and on the shaft.The second conveyor is driven in the conveying direction at a second speed that is higher than the first speed. In a further step, at least one piece of dough is grasped by the at least one driver element by resting its contact surface thereon. Subsequently, the at least one piece of dough is pushed by the contact surface resting thereon with the at least one driver element during the rotational movement of the shaft, so that the at least one piece of dough is pushed from the first conveyor to the second conveyor at the third speed.

[0055] By shifting the dough pieces onto the second conveyor device, which is driven at a higher speed than the first conveyor device by the at least one driver element, the distances between dough pieces lying one behind the other in the conveying direction can be increased, i.e. the dough pieces can be reliably separated.

[0056] The method described above is particularly preferably carried out using a device according to the invention as described above. Accordingly, the method can preferably be used with a device that comprises at least one or a combination of two or more of the described, preferred features as described above.

[0057] The third speed is preferably the same as the second speed. Alternatively, the third speed can also be higher or lower than the third speed. However, the third speed is always higher than the first speed.

[0058] The present application further relates to a system for producing dough pieces, comprising at least one unit for punching or cutting dough pieces from a dough and a device for separating dough pieces according to the above description, which is arranged downstream of the unit for punching or cutting dough pieces from a dough.

[0059] The unit for punching or cutting dough pieces from a dough is preferably in the form of a cutting roller, a punching unit with at least one punching die, a drop knife or the like.

[0060] The system may further comprise at least one additional unit, which is arranged either upstream or downstream of the device for separating dough pieces in the conveying direction. A further unit may include, for example, a rotating unit for rotating individual lines of dough pieces, a filling unit for applying a filling to the dough pieces, a longitudinal cutting unit for cutting at least one piece of dough into strips, or a unit for winding the dough pieces.

[0061] Preferably, the unit for punching or cutting dough pieces from a dough is configured such that the at least one dough is punched or cut into substantially triangular dough pieces.

[0062] As a result, croissants can be produced using the system, particularly with a winding unit arranged downstream of the device for separating dough pieces in the conveying direction.

[0063] Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention emerge from the following detailed description and the entirety of the patent claims. Short description of the drawings

[0064] The drawings used to explain the embodiment show: Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention for separating dough pieces; Fig. 2 is a schematic side view according to Fig. 1 in a step of the method according to the invention; Fig. 3 the schematic side view according to Fig. 1 and 2 in a further step of the method according to the invention; Fig. 4 a perspective view of an embodiment of a shaft of a device according to the invention for separating dough pieces; Fig. 5 a perspective view of the shaft according to the Figure 4, wherein the shaft is connected to the drive via the coupling; Fig. 6 a perspective view of an embodiment of a system according to the invention for the production of dough pieces; Fig. 7 a detailed view of the device according to the invention for separating dough pieces in the embodiment of the system for the production of dough pieces according to the Fig. 6 .

[0065] In principle, identical parts in the figures are provided with identical reference symbols. Ways to implement the invention

[0066] The Fig. 1shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for separating dough pieces 5.1 - 5.3. The device 1 comprises a first conveyor device 2, which in the embodiment shown is designed as a belt conveyor. Dough pieces 5.1 - 5.3 can rest on the first conveyor device 2 and are conveyed by the first conveyor device 2 at a first speed in a conveying direction 4. The device 1 further comprises a second conveyor device 3, which in the embodiment shown is also designed as a belt conveyor. The second conveyor device 3 is arranged behind the first conveyor device 2 in the conveying direction 4, wherein the two conveyor devices 2, 3 are arranged essentially at the same height.The mutually directed ends of the two conveyor devices 2, 3 lie close to one another in a transition region U, so that the dough pieces 5.1 - 5.3 conveyed on the first conveyor device 2 can be transferred from the first conveyor device 2 to the second conveyor device 3. By means of the second conveyor device 3, the dough pieces 5.1 - 5.3 can be conveyed in the conveying direction 4 at a second speed that is higher than the first speed.

[0067] The device comprises a shaft 6, which is arranged at a first distance A above the two conveying devices 2, 3 in the transition region U. The shaft 6 extends transversely to the conveying direction 4 over the entire width of the two conveying devices 2, 3 and has a longitudinal axis 8. The first distance A can be changed via adjustment means 30, so that a suitable first distance A can be set depending on the thickness of the dough pieces 5.1 - 5.3.

[0068] The shaft 6 is set into rotary motion 7 about its longitudinal axis 8 by a drive 19. The rotary motion 7 occurs at a third speed, which is higher than the first speed and preferably the same as the second speed. The direction of the rotary motion 7 is such that the part of the shaft 6 facing the conveying devices 2, 3 moves in the conveying direction 4. In the embodiment shown, two driver elements 9.1, 9.2 projecting radially from the shaft 6 are arranged on the shaft. In alternative embodiments, however, a different number of driver elements 9.1, 9.2 can be arranged on the shaft 6, for example only one or three. The driver elements 9.1, 9.2 each have a contact surface 10.1, 10.2 at a free end that is spaced from the shaft 6, i.e., directed away from it. The driver elements 9.1, 9.2 are mounted on shaft 6 so as to be freely movable in the radial direction relative to the latter (indicated by a double arrow). This means that the driving elements 9.1, 9.2 can be moved in the radial direction relative to the shaft 6 without the influence of any force - with the exception of gravity. Since the shaft 6 is set in rotation 7 by the drive 19, the driving elements 9.1, 9.2 and their contact surfaces 10.1, 10.2 move around the longitudinal axis 8 of the shaft 6 towards or away from the shaft 6, depending on the angular position of the driving elements 9.1, 9.2. This movement is caused by gravity and the dead weight of the driving elements 9.1, 9.2.

[0069] The driver elements 9.1, 9.2 have a dimension X such that their respective contact surface 10.1, 10.2 can be brought into contact with at least one piece of dough 5.1 - 5.3 resting on the first conveyor device 2. The respective contact surface 10.1, 10.2 comes into contact with the at least one piece of dough 5.1 - 5.3 at a corresponding angular position of the associated driver element 9.1, 9.2 around the longitudinal axis 8 of the shaft 6.

[0070] The device 1 further comprises a controller 28 which controls the drive 19 of the shaft 6 as well as conveyor drives (not shown) of the two conveyor devices 2, 3. By means of the device 1, in addition to a single piece of dough 5, lines of adjacent dough pieces 5.1 - 5.3 lying transversely to the conveying direction can of course also be moved. In this case, two, three, four, five or six dough pieces can lie next to one another in a line, i.e. the dough pieces can lie next to one another in two, three, four, five or six rows. However, depending on the size of the dough pieces 5.1 - 5.3 and the width of the conveyor devices 2, 3 transversely to the conveying direction 4, more than six dough pieces 5.1 - 5.3 can also lie next to one another in a line.

[0071] As on the Fig. 2As shown, the first piece of dough 5.1, on which the contact surface 10.1 of the first driver element 9.1 rests, is pushed over the first conveyor device 2 and onto the second conveyor device 3 by the contact between a contact surface 10.1, 10.2 and a piece of dough 5.1 - 5.5, here for example between the contact surface 10.1 of a first driver element 9.1 on a first piece of dough 5.1, the dead weight of the corresponding first driver element 9.1 and the third speed of the rotational movement 7 of the shaft 6, which is higher than the first speed of the first conveyor device 2. Preferably, the third speed of the rotational movement 7 of the shaft 6 corresponds to the second speed of the second conveyor device 3. Because the driver element 9.1 is mounted on the shaft 6 so as to be freely displaceable in the radial direction, the thickness or height of the dough pieces 5.1 - 5.5 can be adjusted during the movement of a driver element 9.1, 9.2 between the shaft 6 and the conveying devices 2, 3. This also prevents a dough piece 5.1 - 5.5 from deforming or forming a pressure mark on one of the contact surfaces 10.1, 10.2, as would be the case, for example, with a driver element subjected to force.

[0072] The Fig. 3 shows the situation after the shaft 6 has been rotated further: The first dough piece 5.1 was pushed by the contact surface 10.1 of the first driver element 9.1 onto the second conveyor device 3. Through a renewed or ongoing rotation 7 of the shaft 6, the contact surface 10.2 of the second driver element 9.2 comes to rest on a second dough piece 5.2. This is then pushed, like the first dough piece 5.1, from the first conveyor device 2 to the second conveyor device 3 by the contact of the contact surface 10.2 of the second driver element 9.2. As shown in the Fig. 3As can be clearly seen, the distance between individual dough pieces 5.1 - 5.5 in the conveying direction 4 can be increased by means of the device 1 according to the invention or by means of the method according to the invention, which means that the dough pieces 5.1 - 5.5 are separated in the conveying direction 4.

[0073] The Fig. 4shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a shaft 6 of a device 1 according to the invention. The shaft 6 according to the embodiment shown has two solid shaft parts 11.1, 11.2, which are connected by two longitudinal bars 12.1, 12.2, which are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis 8 of the shaft 6. A coupling 13 is fastened to a first solid shaft part, with which the shaft 6 can be detachably connected to the drive 19. An axle stub 15 is fastened to the second solid shaft part 11.2, with which the shaft 6 can be rotatably mounted on the device 1. Two driver elements 9.1, 9.2 are arranged on the shaft 6, opposite one another by 180° around the longitudinal axis 8. The two driver elements 9.1, 9.2 are connected to one another at their ends via two connecting webs 14.1, 14.2. The connecting webs 14.1, 14.2 are each mounted in a groove 14.1, 14.2 of the solid shaft parts 11.1, 11.2 so that they can move linearly, whereby the driver elements 9.1, 9.2 are jointly freely movable in the radial direction relative to the two solid shaft parts 11.1, 11.2. Each of the carrier elements 9.1, 9.2 has a contact surface 10.1, 10.2 with which the respective carrier element 9.1, 9.2 can rest on at least one piece of dough. In addition to the two connecting webs, the two carrier elements 9.1, 9.2 are connected to each other via a plurality of cross struts.

[0074] An adjusting element 16.1, 16.2 is arranged on each of the two solid shaft parts 11.1, 11.2, which is axially linearly movable relative to the respective solid shaft part 11.1, 11.2 along the longitudinal axis 8. The adjusting elements 16.1, 16.2 have a plurality of stop surfaces, which in the embodiment shown are designed as stop rings and which have different heights relative to a surface of the two solid shaft parts 11.1, 11.2. The stop surfaces interact with two stop regions 17.1 - 17.4 per driver element 9.1, 9.2 to limit the movement of the contact surfaces 10.1, 10.2 away from the shaft 6. The stop regions 17.1 - 17.4 are each located at the ends of the driver elements 9.1, 9.2. Due to the axial displacement of the adjusting elements 16.1, 16.2 relative to the respective solid shaft part 11.1, 11.2, a different stop surface can interact with the stop areas 17.1 - 17.4.It should be noted that the stop areas 17.1 - 17.4, which are arranged on the respective other driver element 9.1, 9.2, limit the radial movement of a driver element 9.1, 9.2 away from the shaft 6. This means that the stop areas 17.3, 17.4 of the second driver element 9.2, by interacting with the stop surfaces of the two adjusting elements 16.1, 16.2, limit the radial movement of the first driver element 9.1 and vice versa.

[0075] The Fig. 5 is a perspective view of shaft 6 according to the Figure 4 , the shaft 6 being connected to the drive 19 via the coupling 13. On the Fig. 5The guide of the connecting web 14.2 in the groove 18.2 of the second solid shaft part 11.2 is clearly visible. For perspective reasons, the guide of the connecting web 14.1 in the groove 18.1 of the first solid shaft part 11.1 is not visible in the figure, as it is concealed by the first solid shaft part 11.1. However, this guide in the first solid shaft part 11.1 is designed the same as in the second solid shaft part 11.2.

[0076] The Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a system 20 for the production of dough pieces. The system 20 comprises a device 1 for separating dough pieces, e.g. according to the Figures 1 - 3 . In addition to this device 1, the system 20 comprises further units 21, 23, 24, 25, which are arranged upstream of the device 1 in the conveying direction 4, as well as a further unit 26, which is arranged downstream of the device 1 in the conveying direction 4.

[0077] At the very front in the conveying direction 4, the system 20 has a dough sheet positioning unit 21, with which a dough can be placed in a defined position transverse to the conveying direction 4 on a third conveyor device 22, which is arranged upstream of the first conveyor device 2 in the conveying direction 4. By means of the third conveyor device 22, the dough can be conveyed to a calibration unit 23. The calibration unit brings the dough to a predefined thickness. Downstream of the calibration unit 23 in the conveying direction 4 is the first conveyor device 2. By means of the first conveyor device 2, the dough is conveyed from the calibration unit 23 to the device 1 for separating dough pieces.Further arranged upstream of this device 1 in the conveying direction 4 are a longitudinal cutting unit 24, with which the dough is cut into several adjacent dough strips transverse to the conveying direction 4, and a punching unit 25, with the latter punching out dough pieces with a defined shape from the dough strips. These dough pieces are separated by the device 1 and pushed onto the second conveyor device 3 located downstream in the conveying direction 4. The second conveyor device 3 has an end 30 (indicated by a double arrow) that can be moved linearly along the conveying direction 4.By moving this displaceable end 30 of the second conveyor device 3 counter to the conveying direction 4, at least one piece of dough or a line of dough pieces lying next to one another on the second conveyor device 3 transversely to the conveying direction 4 can be transferred to a rotating unit, with which this at least one piece of dough or this at least one line of dough pieces is rotated by a defined angle, in particular by 180°. This enables, for example, when punching triangular pieces of dough, in which every second line of dough pieces has an opposite orientation by 180°, to align all lines of dough pieces in the same direction. The dough pieces then reach a fourth conveyor device 27. The dough pieces can be conveyed to further units (not shown) with the fourth conveyor device 27, e.g. for winding the dough pieces.Alternatively, at the end of the fourth conveyor 27, the dough pieces can be transferred to baking trays by an operator of the system 20.

[0078] In the embodiment shown, the system 20 has a controller 28 located on the calibration unit 23. The controller 28 can centrally control all units 21 - 25, 26 as well as the device 1 for separating dough pieces. Furthermore, the controller 28 also controls all conveyor devices 1, 2, 22, 27 of the system 20.

[0079] The Fig. 7 is a detailed view of the device 1 for separating dough pieces according to the embodiment of the system 20 for producing dough pieces of the Fig. 6 .

[0080] In this figure it is clearly visible that the shaft 6, which in the embodiment according to the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5corresponds, extends over the entire width of the second conveyor device 2 and the third conveyor device 3. The axle stub 15 and the coupling 13 are accommodated in corresponding receptacles 31, 32 of a housing of the system 1, wherein the axle stub 15 is rotatably mounted in the first receptacle 31, while the coupling 13 is detachably connected to the drive 19 fastened to the housing. As can be seen, the longitudinal axis 8 of the shaft 6 lies at right angles to the conveying direction 4. In this detailed view it can also be seen that the punching unit 25 has a punching plate 29 which can be moved in the vertical direction by means of actuators (not shown).

Claims

1. Device for separating dough pieces (5.1, 5.2, 5.3), comprising a first conveying device (2) and an adjoining second conveying device (3), on which dough pieces (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) lying thereon can be conveyed in a conveying direction (4), wherein the first conveying device (2) is driven at a first speed and the second conveying device (3) is driven at a second speed which is greater than the first speed, as well as a shaft (6) which is arranged at a first distance above the transition region of the first conveying device (2) to the second conveying device (3) and which can be set into a rotational movement about a longitudinal axis (8) at a third speed which is greater than the first speed by means of a drive (19), the shaft (6) extending in a direction transversely to the conveying direction (4) over an entire width of the two conveying devices (2, 3), wherein at least one driver element (9.1, 9.2) is arranged on the shaft (6) projecting radially therefrom, the at least one driver element (9.1, 9.2) including a contact surface (10.1, 10.2) at a free end thereof which is spaced apart from a surface of the shaft (6), characterized in that the at least one driver element (9.1, 9.2) is mounted on the shaft (6) such as to be freely displaceable in the radial direction relative to the shaft (6), such that as a result of the rotational movement of the shaft (6) about the longitudinal axis (8) the contact surface (10.1, 10.2) of the at least one driver element (9.1, 9.2) is moved in the radial direction towards the shaft (6) or away from the latter by the force of gravity and the inherent weight of the at least one driver element (9.1, 9.2), wherein the at least one driver element (9.1, 9.2) has a dimension which is such that the contact surface (10.1, 10.2) may lie on at least one dough piece (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) lying on the first conveying device (2) in order to push the at least one dough piece (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) with the third speed from the first conveying device (2) onto the second conveying device (3).

2. Device for separating dough pieces (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaft (6) includes two or more driver elements (9.1, 9.2) which are each arranged on the shaft (6) at a radial distance of 360° / n, wherein n represents the number of driver elements (9.1, 9.2) of the shaft (6).

3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one driver element (9.1, 9.2) is mounted on the shaft (6) by means of at least one slide bearing.

4. Device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the shaft (6) includes an even number of driver elements (9.1, 9.2), wherein driver elements (9.1, 9.2) arranged on the shaft (6) at a radial distance of 180° relative to one another are connected to one another via at least two connecting webs (14.1, 14.2) which are located in the region of the ends of the respective driver element (9.1, 9.2), wherein each of the connecting webs (14.1, 14.2) is received in a sliding guide of the shaft (6).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the device (1) includes a controller (28) which controls the drive (19) of the shaft (6) such that the shaft (6) performs a rotational movement about its longitudinal axis (7) by an angle of 360° / n at predefined time intervals, wherein n represents the number of driver elements (9.1, 9.2) arranged on the shaft (6).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the device (1) is configured such that the contact surface (10.1, 10.2) of the at least one driver element (9.1, 9.2) comes to rest at a predefined position on a dough piece (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) resting on the first conveying device (2).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device (1) includes adjustment means with which the first distance can be altered.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the shaft (6) is connected to the drive (19) via a releasable connection, in particular via a releasable coupling (13).

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that an adjustment element (16.1, 16.2) is arranged on the shaft (6), with which adjustment element (16.1, 16.2) the radial movement of the at least one driver element (9.1, 9.2) in the radial direction away from the surface of the shaft (6) can be limited to at least two predetermined values.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the adjustment element (16.1, 16.2) is arranged on the shaft (6) so as to be linearly displaceable in the axial direction and includes at least two stop surfaces which are arranged at different distances from the surface of the shaft (6) and on which a stop region (17) which is arranged on the at least one driver element (9.1, 9.2) and which is opposite the contact surface (10.1, 10.2) can be brought into abutment.

11. Method for separating dough pieces (5.1, 5.2, 5.3), in particular with a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the steps of: a) conveying at least one dough piece (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) on a first conveying device (2) in a conveying direction (4) at a first speed; b) rotating a shaft (6) which is arranged at a first distance above a transition region between the first conveying device (2) and a second conveying device (3) which adjoins the first conveying device (2) in the conveying direction (4) and which is driven in the conveying direction (4) at a second speed which is higher than the first speed, by means of a drive (19) at a third speed which is higher than the first speed, wherein at least one driver element (9.1, 9.2) which projects radially from the shaft (6) is arranged on the shaft (6), which driver element (9.1, 9.2) has a contact surface (10.1, 10.2) at a free end thereof which is spaced apart from a surface of the shaft (6) and which driver element (9.1, 9.2) is mounted on the shaft (6) such as to be freely displaceable in the radial direction relative to the shaft (6); c) grasping the at least one dough piece (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) by the at least one driver element (9.1, 9.2) by resting the contact surface (10.1, 10.2) thereof on the at least one dough piece (5.1, 5.2, 5.3); d) wherein the at least one dough piece (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) is entrained by the contact surface (10.1, 10.2) of the at least one driver element (9.1, 9.2) resting thereon during the rotational movement of the shaft (6), so that the at least one dough piece (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) is pushed from the first conveying device (2) onto the second conveying device (3) at the third speed.

12. System for producing dough pieces (5.1, 5.2, 5.3), comprising at least one unit (25) for punching or cutting dough pieces (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) from a dough and a device (1) for separating dough pieces according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the device (1) being arranged downstream of the unit (25) for punching or cutting dough pieces (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) from a dough in the conveying direction (4).

13. System according to claim 12, characterized in that the unit (25) for punching or cutting dough pieces (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) from a dough is configured such that the at least one dough is punched or cut into substantially triangular dough pieces.