CUTTING MACHINE FOR STRAY-SHAPED FOODS

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The invention relates to a slicing machine with which bread, cheese, and similar linear foodstuffs can be mechanically sliced ​​into slices of any desired thickness. The slicing machine according to the invention can be a rotary blade machine or a gate slicing machine. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Rotary blade machines for slicing a strand of food are generally known. These machines have a circular cutting blade that rotates around its central axis and can also be pivoted in a circular path. During this pivoting motion, it is guided through the strand of food to be sliced. The strand of food is fed to the cutting blade in a channel-like chute and sliced. The sliced ​​pieces are stored upright on a storage area downstream of the cutting blade in the feed direction. A slice support is usually located in this storage area to prevent the sliced ​​pieces from falling over.

[0003] The chute of the cutting machine, whether a circular blade machine or a gate cutter, is typically closed by a flap, thus preventing access to the chute area during the cutting process. A handle is attached to the front of the flap, facing the user, to operate it. The flap is mounted in a slot in the cutting machine housing and can be moved back and forth within this slot to either open or close the chute. Because the flap is relatively heavy, it falls automatically into its closed position, covering the chute, unless the flap is fully open. If the flap accidentally closes while an end customer or operator is reaching into the chute, this can be painful and potentially even lead to injury.

[0004] The prior art includes DE202016001529U1, which describes a cutting machine for strand-shaped food products. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Based on this prior art, the invention aims to provide an improved cutting machine in which the flap of the cutting machine can be closed as securely as possible.

[0006] The cutting machine according to the invention is defined by the features of main claim 1. Further developments of the cutting machine according to the invention are the subject of subsequent claims.

[0007] The cutting machine according to the invention for continuous food products has a housing with a loading area for the continuous food product, at least one cutting blade for the continuous food product, and a dispensing area for the continuous food product cut into a slice package. Furthermore, a chute for receiving the continuous food product is provided. The longitudinal direction of the chute corresponds to the feed direction of the continuous food product. A flap is mounted on the housing of the cutting machine. In its OPEN position, the flap at least partially opens the chute, allowing continuous food product to be loaded into the loading area or a slice package to be removed from the dispensing area. In its CLOSED position, the flap covers the chute of the cutting machine, thus blocking the chute during the cutting process to prevent the risk of injury.According to the invention, at least one side wall of the housing consists, at least partially, of a ferromagnetic material or is coated with a ferromagnetic material. At least one magnet is attached to the flap, which interacts with the ferromagnetic material of the housing.

[0008] The attractive force between at least one magnet and the housing makes the flap's movement more difficult and thus slows it down. The flap no longer falls uncontrollably into its closed position; instead, it lowers slowly and in a controlled manner. By using magnets of varying strengths, the mechanism can be easily adapted to different flap dimensions. The larger and heavier the flap, the stronger the magnet should be.

[0009] Preferably, the flap can be mounted in a slot in the side wall of the housing so as to be longitudinally displaceable. Accordingly, the housing can be made of a ferromagnetic material, or coated with a ferromagnetic material, at least in the area of ​​the slot.

[0010] In a particularly simple design, at least one cantilever plate can be provided on the side edge of the flap, aligned parallel to the housing of the cutting machine. At least one magnet can be attached to this cantilever plate. Such a cantilever plate can also be easily retrofitted to existing cutting machines. In this case, the cantilever plate can optionally be located on either of the two side edges of the flap. Alternatively, a cantilever plate with a magnet can be attached to each of the two side edges of the flap.

[0011] The cantilever plate, at least one of which can be attached to the cantilever plate, can preferably be positioned in the area of ​​the leading edge of the flap. This allows the magnet attached to the cantilever plate to exert a braking effect over the entire travel distance of the flap.

[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cantilever plate can be pivotally mounted on the side edge of the flap. This allows the magnet to interact with the side wall of the housing across as much of its surface as possible during closing, thus ensuring optimal deceleration of the flap. Conversely, when opening the flap, the magnet is moved at least partially through the slot in the side wall of the housing, reducing the magnet's attractive force. This allows the flap to be opened easily and without significant effort.

[0013] To prevent the cantilever plate from pivoting too far, a stop can be provided on the edge of the cantilever plate facing away from the front edge of the flap. This ensures that the magnet does not move into an undesired position, particularly when the flap is closing, where the magnetic force would be unintentionally reduced.

[0014] Preferably, at least one recess can be provided on the underside of the flap, located in the region of the flap's leading edge. In this case, the cantilever plate can be attached to the inner wall of the recess facing the side wall of the housing. This allows the edges of the recess to limit the movement of the cantilever plate, thus restricting the various positions of the magnet as desired.

[0015] To protect the housing from scratches or damage caused by the magnet, a sliding disc can be attached to at least one magnet, positioned between the magnet and the housing. In this case, the sliding disc is preferably made of plastic. The sliding disc can also serve as a spacer between the magnet and the housing, allowing the attractive force between the magnet and the housing wall to be adjusted.

[0016] Preferably, at least one magnet can be floating.

[0017] The cutting machine according to the invention can be either a gate cutting machine or a rotary knife machine. A gate cutting machine typically has several cutting blades; the feed direction of the food, and thus also the longitudinal direction of the chute, generally runs from front to back and is therefore perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cutting machine. In contrast, a rotary knife machine has only a single cutting blade. The feed direction of the food, and thus also the longitudinal direction of the chute, can be oriented either perpendicular to or parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cutting machine.

[0018] Further advantages and features of the invention can be seen in the features further specified in the claims and in the following exemplary embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0019] The invention is described and explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of the cutting machine according to the invention with a fully closed flap, Fig. 2 a perspective detail view of a first embodiment of the flap of the cutting machine mounted in a slot of the housing according to Fig. 1 , where the housing is shown transparently, Fig. 3 a side view of the housing area according to Fig. 2 , where the housing is shown transparently, Fig. 4 a section through the side area of ​​the flap and the housing according to Fig. 3 along line AA, Fig. 5 a perspective detail view of a second embodiment of the flap of the cutting machine mounted in a slot of the housing, looking towards the inside of the side wall of the housing during the opening of the flap, and Fig. 6 a perspective detail view according to Fig. 5during the closing of the flap. WAYS TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

[0020] A first embodiment of the cutting machine 10 according to the invention is described in the Figs. 1 to 4 The diagram is shown schematically. In this example, the cutting machine 10 is designed as a rotary blade machine with a circular blade. The circular blade is coupled in the usual manner to a blade drive, which ensures the rotation of the circular blade and its movement through the food to be cut. In this example, the food to be cut is a loaf of bread.

[0021] The cutting machine 10 is designed for self-service areas and has a housing 20 that can be closed at the top by a flap 22. As long as the flap 22 is open (OPEN position), the circular blade is blocked to prevent the risk of injury from the blade. The cutting machine 10 can therefore only be operated when the flap 22 is closed (CLOSED position). Fig. 1 ) possible.

[0022] The cutting machine 10 has a chute whose longitudinal direction corresponds to the feed direction of the food being inserted. In this example, the chute is approximately horizontal. The chute of the cutting machine 10 has a first, right-hand chute section and a second, left-hand chute section, which are separated from each other by a slot. Driven by the blade drive, the circular blade moves through this slot, cutting the food present in the area of ​​the slot at that point, thus producing a food slice.

[0023] To insert the food to be sliced ​​into the slicing machine 10, the flap 22 must first be opened to expose the chute. In this example, the flap 22 is manually moved backward from its closed position using the handle 26. Once the flap 22 is fully open, it is locked in position and cannot slide forward from its open position on its own. For safety reasons, the flap 22 must be closed and thus in its closed position to prevent injuries from the cutting blade before the slicing process can begin. This can also be done manually by pulling the flap 22 forward using the handle 26. Once the flap 22 is fully closed, the slicing process can be started. The flap 22 is locked during the slicing process, so it cannot be opened during the operation.In order to remove the cut slice package again, flap 22 must be opened again.

[0024] The front edge 30 of the flap 22 is mounted in a slot 32 in the side wall 34 of the housing 20. This slot 32 serves as a slot-shaped guide and slopes slightly upwards, so that the flap 22 automatically falls downwards into its closed position when not fully open. The rear edge of the flap 22 is mounted in a similar guide 36.

[0025] The flap 22 is mounted in the slot 32 by means of a bolt 40. A cantilever plate 44 is attached to the side edge of the flap 22 in the area of ​​the bolt 40. The cantilever plate 44 can be attached to the side edge of the flap 22, for example, by means of a screw. It would also be possible to attach the cantilever plate to the flap 22 by means of a weld. The cantilever plate 44 is aligned parallel to the side wall 34 of the housing 20. A disc magnet 46 is attached to the cantilever plate 44 by means of a screw 48. The disc magnet 46 is oriented towards the side wall 34 of the housing 20.

[0026] The side wall 34 of the housing 20 is made of a ferromagnetic material, in this case stainless steel. This results in a magnetic attraction between the disc magnet 46 and the side wall 34. This slows down the movement of the flap 22. The disc magnet 46 thus acts as a kind of brake for the flap 22.

[0027] A sliding disc 50 is attached to the side of the disc magnet 46 facing the side wall 34 of the housing 20. The sliding disc 50 is made of a plastic material. The sliding disc 50 protects the side wall 34 of the housing 20 from scratches or damage caused by the magnet 46. Furthermore, the sliding disc 50 also acts as a spacer between the magnet 46 and the side wall 34. The attractive force between the magnet 46 and the side wall 34 can be varied and adjusted by using sliding discs 50 of different thicknesses.

[0028] A second embodiment of the flap 22.5 of the cutting machine 10.5 according to the invention is described in the Figs. 5 and 6As shown. On the underside of the flap 22.5 of the cutting machine 10.5, a rectangular recess 62 is provided on each side, located in the area of ​​the front edge of the flap 22.5. A cantilever plate 44.5 is attached to the inner wall 64 of the recess 62, which faces the side wall 34 of the housing 20.

[0029] In this example, the cantilever plate 44.5 is pivotally mounted on the inner wall 64 of the recess 62 via a pivot axis 66 and is arranged parallel to the side wall 34 of the housing 20. A disc magnet 46.5 is attached to the free end of the cantilever plate 44.5 by means of a screw 48. A sliding disc 50.5 is attached to the side of the disc magnet 46.5 facing the side wall 34 of the housing 20. The sliding disc 50.5 is made of a plastic material. The sliding disc 50.5 protects the side wall 34 of the housing 20 from scratches or damage caused by the magnet 46.5. Furthermore, the sliding disc 50.5 can also serve as a spacer between the magnet 46.5 and the side wall 34. By using different thicknesses of sliding discs 50.5, the attraction between the magnet 46.5 and the side wall 34 can be varied and adjusted accordingly.

[0030] Due to the pivoting mounting of the cantilever plate 44.5, the position of the disc magnet 46.5 changes depending on whether the flap 22.5 is opened or closed. During the opening of the flap 22.5 (see Fig. 5 The cantilever plate 44.5 is pivoted a short distance clockwise, and thus in the direction of the front edge 30 of the flap 22.5, until the cantilever plate 44.5 abuts the front edge 68 of the recess 62. This moves the disc magnet 46.5 into the area of ​​the slot 32 of the housing 20. The disc magnet 46.5 therefore no longer interacts with the material of the housing 20 across its entire surface area, thus reducing the overall attractive force of the magnet 46.5. This makes opening the flap 22.5 easier.

[0031] During the closing of flap 22.5 (see Fig. 6The cantilever plate 44.5 is pivoted a short distance counterclockwise, thus away from the front edge 30 of the flap 22.5. In this example, a stop 72 is integrally formed on the edge 70 of the cantilever plate 44.5 that points away from the front edge 30 of the flap 22.5. This stop 72 can abut the rear edge 74 of the recess 62, thus preventing the cantilever plate 44.5 from pivoting further backward. This pivoting movement causes the disc magnet 46.4 to pivot downward a short distance, thus moving it away from the area of ​​the slot 32 in the housing 20. In this position, the entire surface area of ​​the disc magnet 46.5 interacts with the material of the housing 20, resulting in a maximum attractive force of the magnet 46.5. This allows the flap 22.5 to be optimally decelerated during closing.

[0032] The attractive force of the disc magnet 46, 46.5 could alternatively or additionally be changed, in addition to the embodiments shown in the drawing, by selectively increasing or decreasing the distance of the disc magnet 46, 46.5 to the side wall 34 of the housing 20. This could be achieved, for example, by a pivotable mounting of the cantilever plate 44, 44.5, in which the cantilever plate 44, 44.5 is pivoted away from and towards the side wall 34.

[0033] In contrast to the embodiments shown in the drawing, the cutting machine according to the invention could also be a gate cutting machine.

Claims

1. Slicing machine (10, 10.5) for elongate foodstuffs, - having a housing (20) with an introduction region for the elongate foodstuff and with a removal region for the sliced elongate foodstuff, - having at least one cutting knife for the elongate foodstuff, - having a shaft for receiving the elongate foodstuff, the longitudinal direction of which corresponds to the feeding direction of the elongate foodstuff, - having a flap (22, 22.5) which is mounted on the housing (20) and, in its ON position, at least partially opens up the shaft and, in its OFF position, covers the shaft, - characterized in that - at least one side wall (34) of the housing (20) is at least partially composed of a ferromagnetic material or is coated with a ferromagnetic material, - at least one magnet (46, 46.5) is fastened to the flap (22, 22.5), the magnet interacting with the ferromagnetic material of the side wall (34) of the housing (20), as a result of which the movement of the flap (22, 22.5) is braked in such a way that the flap (22, 22.5) drops slowly and in a controlled manner.

2. Slicing machine according to Claim 1, - characterized in that - the flap (22, 22.5) is mounted in a longitudinally displaceable manner in a slot (32) in the side wall (34) of the housing (20), - at least in the region of the slot (32), the housing (20) is composed of a ferromagnetic material or is coated with a ferromagnetic material.

3. Slicing machine according to Claim 1 or 2, - characterized in that - there is at least one cantilever plate (44, 44.5) on the side edge of the flap (22, 22.5), said cantilever plate being oriented parallel to the side wall (34) of the housing (20) of the slicing machine (10), - the at least one magnet (46, 46.5) is fastened to the cantilever plate (44, 44.5).

4. Slicing machine according to Claim 3, - characterized in that - the cantilever plate (44, 44.5) is arranged in the region of the leading edge (30) of the flap (22, 22.5).

5. Slicing machine according to Claim 3 or 4, - characterized in that - the cantilever plate (44.5) is pivotably mounted on the side edge of the flap (22.5).

6. Slicing machine according to Claim 5, - characterized in that - there is a stop (72) at the edge (70) of the cantilever plate (44.5) that faces away from the leading edge (30) of the flap (22).

7. Slicing machine according to Claim 5 or 6, - characterized in that - there is at least one recess (62) on the underside of the flap (22), the recess being arranged in the region of the leading edge (30) of the flap (22.5), - the cantilever plate (44.5) is fastened to the inner wall (64) of the recess (62), the inner wall facing the side wall (34) of the housing (20).

8. Slicing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, - characterized in that - a sliding disc (50, 50.5) which is arranged between the magnet (46, 46.5) and the side wall (34) of the housing (20) is fastened to the at least one magnet (46, 46.5).

9. Slicing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, - characterized in that - the at least one magnet (46, 46.5) is mounted in a floating manner.

10. Slicing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, - characterized in that - the distance between the disc magnet (46, 46.5) and the side wall (34) of the housing (20) can be changed.