DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CRUSHING AND MIXING SOLIDS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method, preferably carried out using the device, for grinding and / or mixing solids, e.g., food raw materials, e.g., for use as a standard household kitchen appliance. The solids can be recyclable materials, e.g., batteries, composite materials with glass, ceramics, plastic and / or metal, or electronic waste.

[0002] The device and method have the advantage of grinding solids and mechanically stressing the resulting pieces in a container, optionally with additives for intensive mixing. The device and method have the advantage of grinding solids, such as food raw materials, especially those of plant origin (e.g., vegetables, fruit), or food of animal origin (e.g., meat, sausages, or cheese), and collecting them in a container where the resulting food pieces can optionally be additionally mixed with additives and / or softened by mechanical stress. Additives include, for example, table salt, spices, vinegar, and cooking oil. Food raw materials are preferably raw plant parts, such as vegetables (e.g., cabbage, potatoes, sweet potatoes, leeks, onions, root vegetables, etc.) or fruit (e.g., apples).In one embodiment, the device is characterized by having at least one cutting edge, also referred to as a knife, which is fixed to the container and / or optionally a mixing element is fixed within the container. Preferably, the container does not have a mixing element movable relative to the container, in particular no stirrer, so that the container is designed without a bearing for a movable mixing element.

[0003] The device has the advantage of cutting solids, e.g. solid foodstuffs, whereby the pieces produced are fed directly into a container and can optionally be mixed and loaded with additives in this container.

[0004] The device is suitable for use in a process for shredding recycled material, e.g. for shredding composite materials, electronic waste, e.g. printed circuit boards, batteries, optionally including housings made of plastic and / or metal.

[0005] The device is also designed to carry out a process which, for a short duration, e.g. within a maximum of 1 hour, a maximum of 30 minutes, a maximum of 20 minutes, a maximum of 15 minutes, a maximum of 10 minutes, preferably within a maximum of 5 minutes, a maximum of 3 minutes, a maximum of 120 seconds, a maximum of 60 seconds or a maximum of 30 seconds, results in mechanical stress on the pieces, which are e.g. food pieces, e.g. until cell sap is released and / or until the food pieces soften, and / or intensive mixing of the pieces in the container. State of the art

[0006] It is known to use rollers or mills for crushing solids and, in particular, to use kitchen machines for crushing solid foods which have knives on a rotating roller or disc towards which a feed chute is directed.

[0007] The WO 2013 / 079919 A1 describes the application of vibrations to a rotating blade in a kitchen machine using a piezo element.

[0008] WO 2015 / 114118 A1 describes the production of meat products by subjecting raw pieces of meat to a load in a container that is driven along two axes in a forced reciprocating motion at a frequency of at least 0.5 Hz. Due to the load, the raw pieces of meat absorb, for example, aqueous or oily substances or may stick together.

[0009] EP 3 620 067 A1 describes a mixing and kneading process for a polymer with another ingredient, at least one of which is liquid, by moving a container back and forth at at least 1 Hz along two axes at different frequencies. Object of the invention

[0010] The invention aims to provide a device and a method that can be carried out with it, with which solid foodstuffs, e.g. plant-based food raw materials, can be crushed, in particular cut, and optionally subsequently subjected to intensive mechanical stress and / or mixing. Description of the invention

[0011] The invention solves the problem with the features of the claims and in particular provides a device for crushing solids into pieces, especially solid foods into food pieces, optionally subsequent mechanical stressing and / or mixing of the pieces, especially food pieces, and optionally additives, which The container comprises, for example, a container with a cross-section of at least 10 cm in diameter, at the first terminal opening of which at least one cutting edge, for example a knife, is arranged, wherein the first opening forms an inlet or is optionally covered by a first lid having an inlet, wherein the container is driven to a reciprocating motion parallel to or at an angle to the plane in which the first opening extends, and which may be linear, in particular driven by an eccentric drive, and which is preferably achieved by superimposing the motion along at least two axes that are at an angle to each other at the same, preferably different, frequencies, with a feed chute whose outlet opening is arranged in the region of the first opening and whose opposite feed opening is spaced apart from its outlet opening. The container can, for example,have a diameter of up to 100 cm, up to 70 cm, up to 50 cm, or up to 30 cm.

[0012] The terminal second cross-sectional opening of the container, opposite the first cross-sectional opening, can be reversibly closed by a second lid or covered by a second lid, which may be firmly attached to the container wall.

[0013] The angle at which the container is driven to move back and forth relative to the plane in which the first cross-sectional opening extends can be, for example, 5 to 45°, up to 30° or up to 10°.

[0014] Preferably, the feed shaft is arranged perpendicular to the plane in which the first cross-sectional opening, optionally with a first cover, is driven to move back and forth.

[0015] Preferably, the device has a housing cover that extends parallel to the plane and over the area in which the first cross-sectional opening is driven for reciprocating motion. Optionally, the feed chute is pivotable or fixedly connected to the housing cover. Preferably, the housing cover is part of a housing that surrounds the space in which the container performs the reciprocating motion.

[0016] Preferably, the feed shaft has a cross-section and length along which a human hand cannot be moved to the outlet opening.

[0017] The container is generally preferably not driven to complete rotation; optionally, the device is set up to pivot the container during the back-and-forth movement, e.g., to pivot back and forth in the plane in which the container is driven to move back and forth.

[0018] For the back-and-forth movement of the container, the device can have a manual drive, e.g. a drive crank, or at least a drive motor.

[0019] The device, by means of the reciprocating container, has the advantage that the resulting pieces, especially food pieces, can be loaded and mixed immediately after cutting, so that they come into direct contact with additives, particularly after their addition. Additives for recyclable solids can be, for example, water and organic solvents. Suitable additives for food pieces include, for example, food-grade acids or antioxidants in aqueous or oily compositions, to treat the cut surfaces of the food pieces immediately after cutting, particularly to prevent browning.

[0020] Preferably, the drive for the container has a swivel arm, the first end of which is freely pivotable in a first pivot bearing, which is a ball joint. The second end of the swivel arm is pivotally connected to the first end of a first lever, and the first lever is driven at its opposite second end by an eccentric drive for reciprocating movement. In this embodiment, the swivel arm is driven for reciprocating movement by means of only one lever, which is driven by an eccentric drive.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, in addition to the first lever, the first end of a second lever is pivotally mounted to the second end of the swivel arm and is arranged at an angle of 60° to 120° to the first lever. Preferably, the first and second levers are arranged in a plane approximately perpendicular to the extension of the first swivel arm, optionally parallel to the plane in which the frame component lies to which at least one, preferably two, eccentric drives are attached. Alternatively, one or both of the first and second levers can be arranged at an angle of, for example, 85° to 45° or up to 60° to the longitudinal axis of the swivel arm. The first lever is driven by a first eccentric drive mounted at its second end to move back and forth along its longitudinal axis. The second lever is driven by a second eccentric drive mounted at its second end to move back and forth along its longitudinal axis.This means that the first lever and the second lever are arranged to pivot the first pivot arm in the pivot bearing and to pivot the second end of the pivot arm along the longitudinal axes of the first lever and second lever, whereby the pivoting in the first pivot bearing causes the second end of the first pivot arm to move back and forth at greater and lesser distances to the plane of the frame part.

[0022] Preferably, the container is detachably or permanently attached to a container holder. The feed chute is preferably attached to a housing cover that covers the area swept during the back-and-forth movement of the container, particularly along a trajectory curve.

[0023] By moving the container back and forth along the stationary feed chute, the cutting edge located at the first cross-sectional opening, hereinafter referred to as the knife, is moved back and forth relative to the feed chute and cuts solids fed through the feed chute into pieces, e.g., raw food ingredients into food pieces, which can then move through the feed opening into the container. Preferably, the inlet opening of the container is formed by the first cross-sectional opening of the container, which is only partially covered by the at least one knife, or optionally by a support that carries the at least one knife. The at least one knife, and optionally the knife-carrying support, can be arranged in the plane of the terminal first cross-sectional opening of the container or at a distance from the container.Preferably, at least one knife is fixed to the container, or at least one knife can be detachably locked to the container, e.g. by means of a bayonet fitting.

[0024] Preferably, the container has at least two knives arranged at an angle to each other, e.g., at 60° to 120°, preferably 90°, particularly in a common plane that is, for example, parallel to the plane of the first cross-sectional opening. Each knife can have a cutting edge with areas projecting above and below a plane to cut grooves with intervening projecting ribs. With two knives arranged at an angle to each other, e.g., at 60° to 120°, preferably 90°, and a back-and-forth movement offset from each other, particularly perpendicular to one of the knives or its cutting edge, along the outlet opening of the feed chute, cut surfaces with offset grooves and ribs are produced, e.g., pieces with opposing cut surfaces whose grooves are offset from each other by 60° to 120°, preferably 90°.Preferably, each knife has two opposing cutting edges, which can be formed, for example, by a one-piece or two-piece knife.

[0025] Preferably, the cutting edge or the opposing cutting edges of the at least one knife are arranged at an angle of less than 90°, e.g. 85° to 30°, to the longitudinal axis of the reciprocating movement of the container in the area where the feed chute is located.

[0026] By setting up the device for moving the container back and forth, at the first cross-sectional opening of which at least one knife with preferably two opposing cutting edges is attached, the device is set up for cutting solids, in particular food raw materials, in each of the two directions of the back and forth movement.

[0027] Optionally, the cross-section of the container is spanned by a wall that has spaced-out projections extending into the container volume, or it is spanned by a smooth wall.

[0028] The container preferably has a circular cross-section, or a cross-section with at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, or at least 8 corners, e.g., a maximum of 20 corners. The diameter of the container can be, for example, between 10 and 40 cm, e.g., 10 or 20 cm up to 35 or 30 cm, respectively. The height of the container, determined perpendicular to the plane of its terminal cross-sectional opening or its inlet opening, can be, for example, 10 to 50 cm, optionally equal to its diameter.

[0029] The cross-section, during the back-and-forth movement along trajectories—for example, those created by moving back and forth along two axes that are at an angle to each other and lie in the plane of the container's cross-section—results in a continuous relative movement of the food pieces that have entered the container against the container wall. It is assumed that the intensive stressing and effective mixing of cut pieces, particularly food pieces, achieved by this method is also due to the fact that the continuous movement completely engages the contents of the container, for example, without pieces or additives being able to partially settle or separate within the container.

[0030] The projections extending into the cross-section of the container can, for example, have a height from the wall of 1 / 30 to 1 / 1 or up to 1 / 2 or up to 1 / 5 or up to 1 / 10 of the diameter of the container, e.g. 1 / 20 to 1 / 1 or up to 1 / 2 of the diameter of the container, in particular a height of 0.1 to 20 mm, e.g. at least 2 mm, at least 3 mm, 4 mm or at least 5 mm, e.g. up to 18 mm or up to 15 mm in each case.

[0031] In one embodiment, the side surfaces of the projections transition continuously into the recesses formed between them.

[0032] In an alternative embodiment, the projections are arranged at a distance from the container wall, such that the side surfaces of the projections do not merge into or are not connected to the container wall. In this embodiment, the projections can be formed, for example, by a sheet metal plate mounted at a distance from the container wall, which has openings, such as through-holes or through-holes. Such a sheet metal plate can be mounted, for example, at a distance of 1 to 30 mm from the container wall, preferably parallel to the container wall, and connected to the container wall, for example, by supports.

[0033] It has been shown that protrusions extending across the container wall into the cross-section of the container accelerate the mixing of ingredients during the back-and-forth movement of the container, e.g., compared to a cylindrical container with a flat wall.

[0034] Optionally, the container wall has a smooth and cylindrical inner surface.

[0035] Optionally, a removable grid is arranged in the container, optionally enclosed by a frame. The grid or frame has a perimeter that clamps into the container parallel to or along its longitudinal axis. The grid may consist of spaced-apart, preferably parallel, bars, or may have crossed bars. Generally, the grid can be formed from rods, preferably round rods, or from a perforated sheet, optionally two parallel perforated sheets, or from rods arranged in two parallel planes.

[0036] The device is designed to move the container back and forth along a trajectory curve at a frequency of at least 1 Hz along two axes, each with a different frequency, over a distance along each axis of preferably at least 2.5 mm, at least 1 cm, at least 2 cm, at least 3 cm, or at least 10 cm, e.g., up to 50 cm, up to 30 cm, up to 20 cm, or, for shorter distances, up to 10 cm.

[0037] The reciprocating motion of the container can, for example, extend over a distance of at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm, preferably at least 2 cm, preferably at least 3 cm, or at least 5 cm, at least 10 cm, or at least 15 cm, e.g., up to 40 cm, up to 30 cm, or up to 20 cm, or up to 15 cm. More preferably, the reciprocating motion of the container is smooth along a trajectory. The reciprocating motion of the container can be linear or non-linear, or can be sinusoidal, loop-shaped, or arc-shaped, preferably following a trajectory that preferably lies in the plane in which the first cross-sectional opening extends.

[0038] In general, a non-linear axis of motion, preferably a back-and-forth motion along a trajectory that can be a Lissajous figure or hypocycloid, promotes a non-linear movement of the blade along the feed chute, resulting in a smoother cut when processing solid foods. Furthermore, the non-linear back-and-forth motion promotes uniform and thorough mixing, even with food pieces of similar or identical specific gravity and / or size. Each axis of motion can be linear, so that the non-linear motion of the container is generated by the superposition of the movements along two axes. Optionally, the back-and-forth motion can also extend into a third dimension, perpendicular to the plane defined by the first and second axes.

[0039] The container is driven to move back and forth along at least one trajectory, which can be generated by superimposing the back-and-forth movement along at least two axes that are at an angle to each other, wherein preferably two of the axes lie in the plane of the cross-section of the container, wherein the back-and-forth movement along each axis takes place at different frequencies and / or with phase shift.The trajectory can be generated by superimposing reciprocating motions along two or three axes with different frequencies and / or phase shifts, and comprises a sequence of trajectory segments, at least one of which, preferably each, includes or consists of exactly one complete reciprocating motion along the axis along which the reciprocating motion with the lower frequency occurs. The superimposed reciprocating motions with the higher frequency or the same frequency, optionally with phase shifts, are included along the other axis or axes. The lower frequency of the complete reciprocating motion forms the frequency of the sequence of trajectory segments.For each track segment, a frequency ratio of the back-and-forth movement along two axes of at most 1:20 or at most 1:15 or at most 1:10, at most 1:4 or at most 1:3 is preferred, more preferably between 1:1 and 1:2, even more preferably greater than 1:1 to 1:2 or up to 1:1.5, e.g. with a frequency ratio of 1:1.001 to 1:2 or up to 1:1.5.

[0040] In a trajectory generated by superimposing reciprocating motions along two axes at different frequencies and / or with a phase shift, the axes preferably lie in the plane of the container's cross-section. In a trajectory formed by superimposing reciprocating motions along three axes, two of the axes preferably lie in the cross-sectional plane of the container, and the third axis is at an angle to this cross-sectional plane. Generally, the linear axes of motion are preferably perpendicular to each other. Generally, the trajectory does not include any rotation of the container about its own axis.

[0041] In general, the device is configured to drive the container along a trajectory formed by the superposition of the reciprocating motions of at least two overlapping linear axes at an angle to each other, wherein the reciprocating motions along the linear axes occur at different frequencies and / or with a phase shift. The linear axes along which the superimposed reciprocating motions at different frequencies and / or with a phase shift occur form the trajectory along which the reciprocating motion of the container takes place, for which the device is configured.

[0042] By moving the container along the trajectory, the device is designed to accelerate the mixture relative to the container, so that solids and / or liquids contained in the container are sheared by the acceleration against the container wall and by the movement along or against the container wall, and thereby intensively mixed.

[0043] Because the trajectory can be adjusted or predetermined by the different frequencies and / or phase shift of the superimposed movements along the linear axes, the device is designed for the back-and-forth movement of the container along the trajectory and for the relative movement of the solids and / or liquids and the mixture with respect to the container.

[0044] Preferably, the container is not rotaryally driven and is further preferably not rotatable or not fully rotatable, e.g., guided to rotate about its central axis by a maximum of 30°, 20°, or 10°. Preferably, the container is driven exclusively to a back-and-forth motion along a path by a single lever with an eccentric drive or along a curve, e.g., by a first and a second lever, each with an eccentric drive, at different frequencies and / or with a phase shift.

[0045] The trajectory, which can be set or predetermined by adjusting the different frequencies and / or the phase shift of the superimposed movements along at least two linear axes using two levers, accelerates solids and / or liquids and their mixture relative to the container. The back-and-forth movement of the container drives the solids and / or liquids and their mixture against the inner wall of the container.

[0046] The trajectory allows the angle of incidence and refraction of the solids and / or liquids and their mixture against the container wall to be determined. Furthermore, the device is optionally configured to move the container along the trajectory with adjustable or predetermined acceleration and velocity. Because the device is configured for an adjustable or predetermined trajectory and / or acceleration and / or velocity along the reciprocating path of the container, the solids and / or liquids and their mixture are driven relative to the container with adjustable or predetermined acceleration and / or velocity, allowing for predetermined or continuous adaptation of the process to the solids and / or liquids and their mixture.

[0047] In general, a trajectory can be formed by at least two superimposed individual oscillations; preferably, a trajectory resembles the trajectory generated by superimposing back-and-forth movements along at least two linear axes of motion at different frequencies and / or by phase shift. A back-and-forth movement along a trajectory that resembles a back-and-forth movement along superimposed linear axes of motion exhibits different frequencies and / or a phase shift relative to each other. Therefore, a trajectory is generally optionally not a circular path.

[0048] The frequency difference can be, for example, at least 0.01 Hz and / or 0.01% to 900%. The phase shift of the back-and-forth movements along the linear axes can be, for example, from 0.01° to 180°, preferably 1° to 179° of 360°, which corresponds to a complete back-and-forth movement. Here, 0.01° to 180° of a complete back-and-forth movement of 360° corresponds to 0.0028% to 50% of a complete back-and-forth movement, and 1° to 179° of 360° corresponds to 0.28% to 49.7% of a complete back-and-forth movement.

[0049] The linear axes of motion are, for example, perpendicular or at another angle, e.g., 5° to 85°, to each other, particularly in the plane of the container's cross-section and / or perpendicular to a central axis of the container. Optionally, the trajectory includes at least one straight section, the end of which is, for example, a vertex of the trajectory, where the solids and / or liquids and their mixture are accelerated away from or against the container wall.

[0050] To adjust different frequencies and / or phase shifts of the superimposed reciprocating movements along at least two linear axes of motion, these movements can be coupled by a gearbox or cam track and driven by a motor. A motor-driven gearbox that adjusts the reciprocating motion along the path can have a fixed gear ratio between the superimposed movements along each axis, or an adjustable gear ratio, e.g., a continuously or step-shifting gearbox. Optionally, the gearbox can be slip-driven, e.g., a belt drive or a friction drive.

[0051] The output speed of the gearbox that drives the reciprocating motion of the container is preferably at least 1 Hz, more preferably at least 2.5 Hz, more preferably at least 5 Hz, more preferably at least 7 Hz, e.g. up to 50 Hz, up to 40 Hz, up to 30 Hz, up to 20 Hz or up to 10 Hz. The output speed of the gearbox is equal to the frequency of the reciprocating motion.

[0052] Alternatively, the reciprocating motion along each of the linear axes of motion can be driven by a separate motor, wherein, for the purposes of the invention, the lower output speed is the frequency of the reciprocating motion and constitutes the frequency of the sequence of path segments. In each embodiment, the speed of each drive motor can be controlled, fixed, or variable over the duration of the process.

[0053] The device allows the trajectory to accelerate the solids and / or liquids, and their mixture, in a defined direction to a specific location on the inner wall of the container. The geometry of the container and its inner wall, in conjunction with the trajectory, can support the mixing process, allowing the trajectory to be adjusted depending on the shape and size of the container's cross-section.

[0054] Optionally, the device is configured to change the trajectory of the reciprocating motion and / or the acceleration and / or speed of the reciprocating motion during the process, e.g., in a first phase, to set the reciprocating motion along a first trajectory and with a first acceleration and speed, and in a subsequent second phase, to set the reciprocating motion along a modified trajectory and / or with a modified acceleration and / or speed.

[0055] Optionally, the back-and-forth movement can be linear in the first phase and along overlapping trajectories in the second phase. The trajectory can be determined, for example, by a gear system that drives the movement of the container.

[0056] The device allows for a predetermined or dynamically variable and directed acceleration of the ingredients as process material relative to the container by adjusting the trajectory and accelerating the back-and-forth movement of the container.

[0057] In an embodiment in which the container can be driven in a controlled linear reciprocating motion in a first phase, the device is configured to move solids and / or liquids and the mixture thereof perpendicularly against the container wall with a controllable acceleration that is significantly greater than the acceleration due to gravity and therefore essentially independent of the acceleration due to gravity, e.g. with an acceleration maximum of at least 15 m / s², preferably 25 m / s², preferably at least 50 m / s², or at least 100 m / s², or at least 200 m / s², or at least 350 m / s², e.g., up to 500 m / s².

[0058] In general, the device can be configured to accelerate the container with an acceleration maximum of at least 20 m / s² or at least 100 m / s², e.g. at least 200 m / s², preferably up to 1000 m / s² or up to 300 m / s² along the path segments, e.g. at a vertex of the path segments.

[0059] The container is preferably driven to a back-and-forth motion with an acceleration maximum of at least 0.5 m / s² or at least 1 m / s² or at least 2 m / s², at least 3.5 m / s², preferably at least 60 m / s², more preferably at least 100 m / s², at least 150 m / s², at least 160 m / s², at least 200 m / s², e.g. up to 300 m / s² or 450 m / s², up to 260 m / s² or up to 250 m / s² along each of two axes. The container is generally preferably driven in combination with acceleration to an average speed of at least 0.5 m / s, preferably at least 2 m / s, more preferably at least 3.5 m / s, e.g. up to 10 m / s or up to 20 m / s or up to 6 m / s, e.g. 3 to 4 m / s, each along one of the axes, preferably along each axis. The path of movement along at least one axis, preferably along each axis, is e.g. 0.1 cm to 24 cm.

[0060] The container can, for example, be driven to a back-and-forth motion extending along each axis over a distance of at least 1 mm or at least 2.5 mm, at least 1 cm, preferably at least 2 cm or at least 5 cm, at least 10 cm or at least 15 cm, for example, up to 100 cm, up to 50 cm, up to 30 cm, or up to 20 cm. More preferably, the back-and-forth motion of the container is harmonic. The back-and-forth motion of the container can be linear in a first phase; generally, the trajectory is non-linear and can, for example, be sinusoidal, loop-shaped, or arc-shaped, preferably following a so-called Lissajous figure or hypocycloid, which preferably lies in the plane or is two-dimensional, optionally three-dimensional.Preferably, the back-and-forth movement is linear in a first phase and, in a second phase, forms a trajectory along at least two overlapping, non-linear path segments, each containing at least one vertex. This is because, in general, a non-linear trajectory, e.g., a movement along a path whose path segments each have at least one vertex, promotes the impact of solids and / or liquids and their mixing, e.g., perpendicularly onto the container wall, as well as movement along the container wall.

[0061] Preferably, the reciprocating motion comprises a trajectory path that includes at least two, preferably at least three, more preferably at least four distinct path segments, each with at least one vertex, which preferably transition into one another sequentially, preferably programmatically. Each of the axes of motion along which the movements superimpose to form a trajectory path can be linear or arc-shaped, so that the non-linear motion of the container along a sequence of path segments is generated from the superposition of the movements along two axes of motion. The vertices and intermediate sections of a path segment are determined by the frequency difference and / or the phase relationship of the superimposed reciprocating motions along at least two axes.In general, the device can be set up to change the frequency difference and / or the phase angle during the back-and-forth movement.

[0062] Preferably, the container wall is the fully enclosed wall of the container, extending around a central axis and between opposing end cross-sections or lids attached thereto. The container optionally has a circular cross-section extending around a central axis and spanned by the container wall. Preferably, the end cross-sectional openings of the container are each covered by a lid, at least one of which optionally has a through-opening.

[0063] Optionally, particularly for use in a continuous comminution process, the terminal second cross-sectional opening of the container, opposite the blade, is open, particularly located below the blade. In this embodiment, the container can optionally be arranged for movement along the reciprocating motion within a encompassing collection device that gathers pieces exiting the open terminal cross-sectional opening opposite the blade. A collection device can be a housing or a hopper.

[0064] It is generally preferred that at least one track segment has a vertex where the direction of the track segment changes by at least 90°, more preferably by at least 120°, and even more preferably by at least 180°, e.g., within a maximum of 24.5%, 24%, 23%, 22%, 21%, 20%, 15%, or 10%, more preferably 5%, 3%, 2%, or 1% of the length of a track segment. This is because a vertex of the track segment leads to a strong relative acceleration of the solids and / or liquids and their mixture against the container.

[0065] The control of the container's drive is optionally dependent on the signal from a sensor, preferably an acoustic sensor, which detects vibrations, particularly noises, of the container during its reciprocating motion, especially during the first and / or second phase. The acoustic sensor can, for example, be mounted on the outer surface of the container or positioned at a distance from the container in a location along its reciprocating path. Preferably, the acoustic sensor is positioned a short distance, for example, 0.5 to 5 cm, from the apex of the reciprocating motion, for example, on a frame against which the container is moved along its trajectory. The acoustic sensor can be a vibration sensor, for example, a microphone.In this embodiment, the control of the back-and-forth movement can be configured to, upon change of the signal emitted by the acoustic sensor, allow a predetermined deviation within a predetermined time of back-and-forth movement, and / or upon reaching a predetermined signal emitted by the acoustic sensor, to cause the back-and-forth movement to proceed with a changed speed and / or with a changed phase offset, and / or to control from a linear movement into a trajectory curve, in particular to control from a first phase to a second phase of the back-and-forth movement.

[0066] The sensor can also be an optical sensor attached to the container, e.g. a turbidity sensor.

[0067] Optionally, a device for generating an electrical voltage is attached to the container, in particular a device comprising a magnet and a coil arranged to move relative to the magnet, which are configured to generate an electrical voltage when moving relative to each other. This device is preferably connected by means of an electrical conductor to a transmitter attached to the container in order to supply the transmitter with an electrical voltage. The transmitter is preferably connected by means of a data conductor to at least one of the sensors in order to receive sensor signals. The transmitter is, for example, configured to transmit received sensor signals. Furthermore, the sensor can be connected by means of an electrical conductor to the device for generating the electrical voltage.In this embodiment, the device is configured so that a sensor and a transmitter attached to the container can be energized by the device to generate an electrical voltage as soon as the container is moved along the trajectory. Accordingly, the device can be designed without an electrical cable extending between a frame against which the container is moved and the container itself.

[0068] Preferably, the container has a second lid at its second cross-sectional opening, which can be opened or moved away from the internal volume to allow the internal volume to be opened for removal or for the mass to fall out or flow out after the back-and-forth movement. Preferably, the container is arranged with its first cross-sectional opening above the second cross-sectional opening. Generally, the container can be used for a batch process after filling it with food pieces, which are produced immediately beforehand by cutting raw food materials fed through the feed chute using the knife attached to the first cross-sectional opening. Optionally, a first lid can be arranged at the first cross-sectional opening, and the food pieces are then loaded by moving the container back and forth and optionally mixed with added additives.Alternatively, the first cross-sectional opening can be closed by a top lid that has no inlet opening, followed by moving the container back and forth and opening a second lid to allow the food pieces to fall out.

[0069] Generally, preferably in a container having at least a triangular or polygonal cross-section, the movement can occur along a sequence of path segments, each having at least one vertex, preferably each path segment having a number of vertices equal to the number of corners of the container's cross-section. Alternatively or additionally, the number of vertices of each path segment can equal to the number of corners of the container's cross-section. The vertices can, for example, encompass an angle that is at least twice, preferably at least three times, the angle encompassed by any of the adjacent path curves. Optionally, the feed chute is arranged in the region where the path curve has a vertex.

[0070] The movement along two axes, or the reciprocating motion, can be driven by a motor or a hand crank, with the different frequencies of the movements along the axes achieved, for example, by means of a cam track, an eccentric drive, and / or a gearbox. Alternatively, the reciprocating motion can be driven by two controlled motors. A motor can be a linear actuator, such as an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic linear actuator, or a rotary motor.

[0071] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the figures shown schematically in Fig. 1 an embodiment of the device, Fig. 2 Designs of projections on the container wall, Fig. 3 a grid that can be arranged reversibly in a container, Figs. 4A and 4B Embodiments of a container with a grid arranged therein, Fig. 5excerpt of an embodiment of a container with drive and Fig. 6 an embodiment with preferred drive show.

[0072] In the figures, identical reference numbers denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0073] In Fig. 1 A longitudinal section of a container 1 is shown, the first end cross-sectional opening 2 of which has inlet openings 3. A knife 4 is attached to the end cross-sectional opening 2. A feed chute 10 has a feed opening 11 and, adjacent to a region in which the container 1 is driven to a reciprocating motion, in particular along a trajectory curve, an outlet opening 12. The second cross-sectional opening 7, opposite the first cross-sectional opening 2, is reversibly or permanently closed by a second cover 8.

[0074] The Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the container 1 in cross-section with projections 5 that extend into the container volume.

[0075] The Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a grid 13 enclosed by a frame 14, which can be arranged along the longitudinal central axis of the container 1.

[0076] The Fig. 4A The cross-section shows the container 1 with a grid 13 arranged along its longitudinal central axis.

[0077] The Fig. 4B Figure 1 shows an alternative arrangement of grids 13, which are arranged at a distance from the longitudinal center axis of the container 1.

[0078] The Fig. 5Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the container 1, the first end opening of which is covered by a first cover 6 in which two blades 4, offset at 90° to each other, and an inlet opening 3 parallel to each blade 4 are arranged. The container is connected, for example by means of a container mount, to the second end 22 of a pivot arm 20, the opposite first end 21 of which is pivotably mounted. The drive comprises a first lever 14a, which is driven for reciprocating movement by a first eccentric drive 17a, and a second lever 14b, which is driven for reciprocating movement by a second eccentric drive 17b.

[0079] The Fig. 6 shows container 1 of Fig. 5The feed chute 10 is arranged at a distance from the first lid 6 in the area where the first lid 6 or the container 1 moves at least partially during the back-and-forth movement. The feed chute 10 is arranged on and through a housing lid 24. For moving solids, e.g., solid foodstuffs, the device preferably has a plunger 10a that is displaceable along the feed chute 10.

[0080] The swivel arm 20 is freely pivotable at its first end 21 in a swivel bearing 23, which is preferably a ball joint or universal joint. The second end 22 of the swivel arm 20 is pivotally connected to the first end 15a of the first lever 14a and to the first end 15b (in the Fig. 6(concealed) a second lever 14b is pivotally connected to the first lever 14a and is arranged at an angle of 60° to 120° to the first lever 14a. Preferably, the first and second levers 14a, 14b are arranged in a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the extension of the pivot arm 20, optionally parallel to the plane in which the frame part 2 lies. Alternatively, one or both of the first and second levers 14a, 14b can be arranged at an angle of, for example, 85° to 45° or up to 60° to the longitudinal axis of the pivot arm 20. The first lever 14a is driven by a first eccentric drive 17a, which is connected to its second end 16a, to move back and forth along its longitudinal axis. The second lever 14b is driven by a second eccentric drive 17b, which is connected to its second end 16b, to move back and forth along its longitudinal axis.This means that the first lever 14a and the second lever 14b are configured to pivot the swivel arm 20 in the swivel bearing 23 and to pivot the second end 22 of the swivel arm 20 along the longitudinal axes of the first lever 14a and the second lever 14b, so that the device is configured to move the second end 22 of the swivel arm 20 back and forth from a greater to a smaller distance to the outlet opening 12 of the feed chute, or to the plane of the frame part 25 and to the plane of the housing cover 24, by pivoting in the swivel bearing 23. Reference symbol: 1 container 14b second lever 2 terminal cross-sectional opening 15a first end of the first lever 3 Inlet opening 15b first end of the second lever 4 Cutting edge, knife 16a second end of the first lever 5 projection 16b second end of the second lever 6 first lid 17a first eccentric drive 7 second terminal cross-sectional opening 17b second eccentric drive 8 second lid 20 Swivel arm 10 feed shaft 21 first end of the swivel arm 10a Rubber stamp 22 second end of the swivel arm 11 feed opening 23 swivel bearing 12 outlet opening 24 Housing cover 13 Grid 25 frame part 14a first lever

Claims

1. Device for comminuting solids into pieces, which has a container (1), at the first end cross-sectional opening (2) of which at least one cutting edge (4) and one inlet opening (3) are arranged, with a feed chute (10), the outlet opening (12) of which is arranged in the region of the first cross-sectional opening (2) and the opposite feed opening (11) of which is spaced from its outlet opening (12), characterized in that the container (1) is driven for a reciprocating movement parallel to or at an angle to the plane in which the first cross-sectional opening (2) extends.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first cross-sectional opening (2) forms the inlet opening (3) and the at least one cutting edge (4) is mounted in the plane of the first cross-sectional opening (2) or inside the container (1).

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first cross-sectional opening (2) is covered by a first lid (6) which has an inlet opening (3) and the at least one cutting edge (4) is attached in a region which extends from the plane of the inlet opening (3) into the container (1).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two cutting edges (4) are arranged at an angle of 60-120° to each other in a common plane at the first terminal cross-sectional opening (2).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (1) is driven to a reciprocating movement which is linear or is driven to a reciprocating movement along a trajectory which is obtainable by superimposing the movement along at least two axes, which are at an angle to one another, at different frequencies.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the trajectory comprises a sequence of path segments which can be generated by superimposing the reciprocating movement along at least two axes at different frequencies and / or with phase offset and which each comprise exactly one complete reciprocating movement along the axis along which the reciprocating movement takes place at the lower frequency and each have at least one apex in which the direction changes by at least 90° within a maximum of 24.5% of the length of a path segment.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the outlet opening (12) of the feed chute (10) is arranged in the region of the apex.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (1) is driven by a drive which is a motor or a hand crank, the drive coupling the superimposed reciprocating movements along at least two linear axes of movement to one another by means of a gear or a link guide.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the terminal second cross-sectional opening (7) of the container opposite the first cross-sectional opening (2) can be reversibly closed by a second cover (8) or is covered by a second cover (8) which is firmly connected to the wall of the container (1).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a grid (13) which is to be reversibly arranged in the container (1) and has a circumference which clamps in the container (1) parallel to the longitudinal axis or along the longitudinal axis of the container (1).

11. Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the grid (13) consists of spaced bars or has crossed bars which are formed from round bars or in a perforated plate.

12. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the drive comprises a pivot arm (20), the first end (21) of which is pivotably mounted in a pivot bearing (23) and to the opposite second end (22) of which the container (1) is attached, with a first lever (14a) attached to the second end (22) of the pivot arm (20), which is driven by a first eccentric drive (17a) for linear reciprocating movement.

13. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the drive has a swivel arm (20), the first end (21) of which is pivotably mounted in a pivot bearing (23) and to the opposite second end (22) of which the container (1) is attached, with a first lever (14a) and a second lever (14b) attached to the second end (22) of the pivot arm (20), which are arranged at an angle of 30 to 150° to one another, the first lever (14a) being driven by a first eccentric drive (17a) for reciprocating movement and the second lever (14b) being driven by a second eccentric drive (17b) for reciprocating movement.

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the first eccentric drive (17a) and the second eccentric drive (17b) are connected by a transmission driven by exactly one motor.

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a device for generating electrical voltage, which is attached to the container (1), has a magnet and a coil arranged movably relative to the magnet and which are set up to generate electrical voltage when moving relative to one another, the device for generating electrical voltage being connected by means of an electrical line to a transmitter attached to the container, in order to apply electrical voltage to the transmitter, the transmitter being connected to at least one sensor by means of a data line in order to receive sensor signals and the transmitter being set up to transmit received sensor signals, the sensor being connected to the device for generating electrical voltage by means of an electrical line.

16. Process for comminuting solids into pieces, characterized by feeding the solids into the feed chute of a device according to one of the preceding claims and reciprocatinsly moving the container.

17. Process according to claim 16, characterized by adding at least one additive to the container and moving reciprocating the container along a trajectorywith a frequency of at least 1 Hz.