Perforated disc for a semi-solid, inhomogeneous, biological raw material shredding device, and its use

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a perforated disc for a device for shredding semi-solid, inhomogeneous, biological raw materials, and its use.

[0002] The grinding of meat or other biological materials, which from a purely technical perspective represents a rotary shearing cut between a stationary perforated disc and a rotating blade, can be characterized as both an ingenious and a highly problematic principle. It is ingenious because it allows for the uniform and continuous grinding of large quantities of product. It is problematic because, compared to blade cutting, grinding naturally results in higher product compression, and friction occurs within the cutting mechanism during the grinding process.

[0003] A particular challenge, especially with high throughput and large machines, is often the deflection of the perforated discs. This problem is solved, for example, by offering pre-cutters and perforated discs in a so-called heavy-duty version, i.e., with greater thickness. Besides reducing deflection, this significantly reduces wear or results in more uniform remaining wear.

[0004] From publication EP 2 338 602 A2, a pre-cutter or perforated disc for multi-part cutting sets is known. This disc aims to increase the performance of grinding machines by incorporating cutting edges located in the bores in the flow direction. The bores of the perforated disc are conical in the feed zone or, following a preceding section of uniform cross-section, are subsequently conically deeper, so that the compaction of the material to be cut is completed in the cutting zone.

[0005] EP 0 931 592 A1 describes a perforated disc-knife combination for cutting sets of meat grinders, wherein the through holes provided in the perforated discs are stepped and have different diameters.

[0006] EP 1 652 584 A1 discloses a perforated disc for cutting sets of shredding devices, wherein the perforated disc has a plurality of through channels whose through-axis runs straight from the inlet to the outlet side and is inclined at an angle to the surface normal e.g. of the inlet side.

[0007] A meat shredding machine with a perforated disc is known from CH 145 137 A. The perforated disc has holes that taper towards the exit side and are arranged at an angle and in a circular arc within the disc.

[0008] DE 633 752 A shows a meat grinder perforated disc, the holes of which on the working side, which works together with at least one circumferential cross blade in a scissor-like manner, have an inclined wall and widen towards the working side.

[0009] US 3,298,411 A describes a comminution device with perforated discs having differently shaped holes. The holes can be circular or triangular, whereby the diameter of circular holes can vary across the thickness of the perforated disc, or the holes can pass through the disc at an angle along its thickness direction.

[0010] DE 133726 A discloses a meat-shredding machine, wherein the rotating knife has blades with sharp edges that capture the material to be shredded and convey it against the perforated disc. The perforated disc has through-holes of different cross-sections that run straight through the disc and have an enlarged cross-section at the entrance side.

[0011] DE 10 2014 002 518 A1 discloses a perforated disc for cutting sets of shredding machines. The perforated disc has through-holes that represent a combination of straight and angled bores. The angled section of the through-hole axis can be positioned at the inlet or outlet side.

[0012] D Patent 20 2021 103 953 U1 discloses a screw conveyor device for a meat grinder with a screw element which is manufactured by means of stainless steel casting or 3-pressure or as a welded construction from stainless steel parts and plastic.

[0013] US 3 762 658 A shows a perforated disc for meat cutting machines with a plurality of straight through-holes passing through the perforated disc, each having a cross-section that changes from the entry to the exit side.

[0014] The objective is therefore to provide a perforated disc for a device for shredding semi-solid, inhomogeneous, biological raw materials, which enables an increase in cutting quality, throughput, energy efficiency, and a reduction in wear of the perforated disc. Furthermore, this objective is achieved by using a perforated disc according to the invention.

[0015] According to the invention, the problem is solved by a perforated disc with the features according to claim 1 and its use according to claim 7. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0016] A first aspect of the invention relates to a perforated disc for a device for grinding semi-solid, inhomogeneous, biological raw materials, wherein the perforated disc has an inlet and an outlet side and a plurality of through-openings, and wherein the through-openings each extend from the inlet to the outlet side through the perforated disc, and the through-openings each have a cross-section and a through-opening axis that changes from the inlet to the outlet side, wherein the through-opening axis does not run straight from the inlet to the outlet side.

[0017] Advantageously, such a perforated disc improves the cutting quality, increases the throughput of raw materials, improves energy efficiency and reduces wear on the perforated disc.

[0018] A device for grinding semi-solid, inhomogeneous, biological raw materials according to the invention comprises meat grinders. A semi-solid, inhomogeneous, biological raw material according to the invention includes, for example, meat, fish and / or vegetables in a raw or cooked state.

[0019] The perforated disc is designed as a cylindrical body whose radius is many times greater than its thickness. The thickness of the perforated disc is aligned with the conveying direction of the raw material. The cylindrical perforated disc has two base surfaces: the inlet and outlet sides. The conveying direction of the raw material refers to the direction along which the raw material is conveyed through the device for grinding semi-solid, inhomogeneous, biological raw materials. In some embodiments, the perforated disc has a central bore for fixing it within the device for grinding the raw materials.

[0020] The inlet side of the perforated disc refers to the base of the disc through which the raw material enters the perforations along the conveying direction. The outlet side of the perforated disc refers to the base of the disc opposite the inlet side along the conveying direction, through which the raw material exits the perforations. The inlet and outlet sides are also referred to as the inlet and outlet planes.

[0021] A plurality of through-holes within the meaning of the invention means that the perforated disc has the maximum possible number of through-holes while maintaining sufficient resistance to deflection and / or damage during use in the raw material grinding device. It is known to those skilled in the art that the maximum possible number of through-holes in a perforated disc depends, among other things, on the raw materials to be ground, the forces acting upon them, and the material of the perforated disc. In some embodiments, the through-holes occupy 30 to 70% of the area of ​​the inlet side of the perforated disc. In other embodiments, the through-holes occupy 20 to 60% of the outlet side.

[0022] "Passing through" in the sense of the invention means that each through-opening penetrates the perforated disc and thus enables the passage of the raw material through the perforated disc.

[0023] The through-openings each have a cross-section, where the cross-section is understood to be the shape of the through-opening in a plane with a defined area, the plane being oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction of the raw material or the thickness of the perforated disc, e.g., the cross-section of the through-opening on the inlet side. The area of ​​the cross-section results from the dimensions of the cross-section in the plane. The cross-section can assume any desired shape. In embodiments, the through-openings have a rounded cross-section. A rounded cross-section within the meaning of the invention comprises oval shapes, wherein an oval shape includes circles, ellipses, and elongated holes, and polygons with rounded corners, e.g., trapezoids or rectangles with rounded corners. Circular cross-sections have, for example,The advantage of uniform particle size is achieved through elongated holes, which offer the benefit of more efficient cutting and thus energy savings, thereby improving cut quality. In some embodiments, all through-holes in the plurality of through-holes have the same or different cross-sectional areas. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional areas of all through-holes in the plurality of through-holes are the same or different. In other embodiments, all through-holes in the plurality of through-holes have the same cross-sectional shape and the same cross-sectional area. In other embodiments, all through-holes in the plurality of through-holes have the same cross-sectional area but different cross-sectional shapes.In further embodiments, all through-openings of the plurality of through-openings have different cross-sectional shapes and different cross-sectional areas. In further embodiments, all through-openings of the plurality of through-openings have different cross-sectional areas but the same cross-sectional shapes.

[0024] In various embodiments, the cross-section of the through-holes has a first extension along the radius of the perforated disc and a second extension along the circumference of the perforated disc. In the case of circular through-holes, the first and second extensions are each the diameter. In the case of elliptical through-holes, the first extension along the radius of the perforated disc is the major axis of the ellipse, and the second extension along the circumference of the perforated disc is the minor axis of the ellipse. In the case of through-holes designed as elongated slots, the first extension along the radius of the perforated disc is the longitudinal extension of the elongated slot. The second extension along the circumference of the perforated disc is the diameter of the two semicircles that close off the narrow sides of the elongated slot and corresponds to the width of the elongated slot.

[0025] According to the invention, the cross-section of each through-opening changes from the inlet to the outlet side. This means that, in embodiments, the first and second dimensions of the cross-section change from the inlet to the outlet side, but not the shape of the cross-section. If, for example, the through-openings each have a circular cross-section in a plane of the perforated disc, then only the first and second dimensions, i.e., the diameters, of the circular cross-section change from the inlet to the outlet side, but not the circular shape of the cross-section itself.

[0026] In the context of the invention, a through-opening axis refers to an axis of each through-opening that extends along the thickness of the perforated disk. In embodiments, the through-opening axis runs through the center point of the through-opening in a plane, e.g., through the center point of the circle or ellipse or the elongated hole in the case of circular or elliptical through-openings, or through-openings designed as elongated holes.

[0027] Non-straightening means that the axis of each opening extends from the entrance to the exit side along the thickness of the perforated disk in a path other than a straight line, thus representing the course of the opening.

[0028] In preferred embodiments, the changing cross-section of the through-openings decreases from the inlet to the outlet side.

[0029] This advantageously results in the fixation of the raw material to be shredded within the through-holes, thus improving the cutting quality at the exit side. Furthermore, this effectively counteracts the known loosening of the material within the through-holes, which is known to lead to material being pulled out and consequently to poor cutting quality.

[0030] "Reducing" in the context of the invention means that the first and second dimensions of the cross-section decrease from the inlet to the outlet side. In the case of through-openings with a circular cross-section, this decreases from the inlet to the outlet side, i.e., the diameter decreases from the inlet to the outlet side. Thus, the cross-section of each through-opening is smaller on the outlet side than on the inlet side.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first dimension of each through-hole along the radius of the perforated disk on the inlet side is larger than the first dimension on the outlet side. In further embodiments, the second dimension of each through-hole along the circumference of the perforated disk on the inlet side is larger than the second dimension on the outlet side. This advantageously results in a reduced cross-section of the through-holes on the outlet side.

[0032] In preferred embodiments, the non-straight axis of the through-opening is formed in an arc shape.

[0033] The advantage of this design is that the raw material to be shredded flows against an acute-angled cutting edge on both the inlet and outlet sides, and the material is shredded by means of an efficient shear cut. This advantageously increases the cutting quality and throughput. An acute-angled cutting edge refers to an edge of a through-hole, also called a through-hole edge, which has an angle of less than 90°, preferably between 65° and 75°, and is formed on the inlet and outlet sides of the perforated disc. In embodiments, the acute-angled cutting edge of a through-hole is the edge of each through-hole that is last swept by the blades in the direction of rotation within the material-shredding device.

[0034] In the context of the invention, "arc-shaped" means that the axis of the through-opening curves from the inlet to the outlet. In further embodiments, the arc-shaped axis of the through-opening extends circumferentially around the perforated disc in the direction of rotation of the blades in the raw material-shredding device. This means that the walls of each through-opening, aligned along the radius of the perforated disc along its first extension, are concavely curved in the direction of movement of the blades in the raw material-shredding device. In some embodiments, the walls of each through-opening, aligned along its first extension, have different radii of curvature.The radius of curvature of the wall that is last swept by the knives in the direction of rotation within the raw material-shredding device is larger than the radius of the wall that is first swept by the knives in the direction of rotation. A wall, as defined in the invention, refers to the surface of each through-hole forming within the perforated disc.

[0035] In further embodiments, the walls of the through-hole, which extend along the thickness of the perforated disk from the inlet to the outlet side through the perforated disk, and the inlet and outlet sides form an angle, wherein the angles between the inlet side and the aforementioned wall are smaller than the angles between the outlet side and the aforementioned wall.

[0036] In preferred embodiments, the non-straight axis of the through-opening is C-shaped. The opening of the C-arc is oriented opposite to the direction of rotation of the knives within the raw material-shredding device.

[0037] In preferred embodiments, the plurality of through-openings are arranged in several through-opening circles or in a spiral pattern.

[0038] Advantageously, this allows the maximum possible number of through-holes to be accommodated on a perforated disk. Through-hole circles means that the multitude of through-holes are arranged in the form of concentric circles on the inlet and outlet sides of the perforated disk. In some embodiments, the through-holes within the through-hole circles, or the spirally arranged through-holes, are equidistant from each other or offset from each other.

[0039] In preferred embodiments, the cross-section of the through-openings is each designed as an elongated hole, wherein each elongated hole has a first extension along the radius of the perforated disk and a second extension along the circumference of the perforated disk.

[0040] This allows for more efficient cutting, which leads to energy savings and improved cutting quality.

[0041] In further embodiments, the cross-section of the through-holes is designed as a kidney-shaped elongated slot. The kidney-shaped curvature of the elongated slot is aligned with the direction of rotation of the blades. In combination with correspondingly designed blades, this advantageously allows the cutting edge to be extended in an arc shape and the cutting intensity to be increased.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first extension along the radius of the perforated disk on the inlet side is larger than the first extension along the radius on the outlet side. In other embodiments, the second extension along the circumference of the perforated disk on the inlet side is larger than the second extension along the circumference on the outlet side. This advantageously results in a reduced cross-section on the outlet side for the elongated through-holes.

[0043] Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a perforated disc according to the invention in a device for grinding semi-solid, inhomogeneous, biological raw materials, such as meat grinders.

[0044] Such grinding machines have multi-part cutting sets for grinding the raw materials, which typically consist of a pre-cutter, at least one knife, and at least one perforated disc. The perforated disc according to the invention is advantageously used as a pre-cutter. In cutting sets with more than one perforated disc, the perforated disc according to the invention is further advantageously used as a perforated disc distinct from the final perforated disc. A final perforated disc within the meaning of the invention refers to the last perforated disc in the conveying direction that the raw material passes through before exiting the grinding machine. Examples of implementation

[0045] The invention will now be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment. This embodiment relates to a specific type of perforated disk and is intended to describe the invention without limiting its scope.

[0046] The invention is explained in more detail with the aid of drawings. These drawings show Fig. 1 an embodiment of a perforated disk in a top view of the entry plane, Fig. 2 an embodiment of a perforated disk in a top view of the exit plane, Fig. 3 an isometric view of an embodiment of a perforated disk with an exemplary through-hole, Fig. 4 A detailed view of an embodiment of a through-opening in spatial representation, as well as a through-opening in various sectional views.

[0047] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a perforated disk 1 according to the invention in a top view of the entry plane 10. The perforated disk 1 has a plurality of through-openings 11. The through-openings 11 are arranged in through-opening circles. It is further evident that the through-openings 11 each have a cross-section in the form of an elongated hole.

[0048] Figure 2 The perforated disc 1 shows Figure 1 In the top view of the exit plane 12, the plurality of through-openings 11 arranged in several through-opening circles are visible, each through-opening having a cross-section in the form of an elongated hole. In comparison to Figure 1 It can be seen that the cross-section of each through-opening 11 decreases from the inlet side 10 to the outlet side 12, while the shape of the cross-section, the shape of an elongated hole, remains unchanged.

[0049] Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a perforated disk 1 from Figure 1 and 2with an exemplary through-opening 11. The through-openings 11 extend from the inlet side 10 to the outlet side 12 along the thickness 13 of the perforated disc 1 through the perforated disc 1. It can be seen that the through-openings 11 have a through-opening axis (not shown), which does not run in a straight line from the inlet side 10 to the outlet side 12. The radius 14 and the circumference 15 of the perforated disc 1 are also visible. The direction of rotation of the blades in the device for grinding semi-solid, inhomogeneous, biological raw materials is shown by arrow 16.

[0050] Figure 4Figure 1 shows a detailed spatial view of an embodiment of a through-opening 11. The through-opening 11 has a cross-section in the form of an elongated slot, both at the inlet side 10 and the outlet side 12. The elongated slot has a first extension 17 along the radius 14 of the perforated disk 1 and a second extension 18 along the circumference 15 of the perforated disk 1. It can be seen that the cross-section of the through-opening 11 decreases or tapers from the inlet plane 10 to the outlet plane 12. That is, the shape of the cross-section, the elongated slot shape, remains unchanged, but the first and second extensions 17, 18 of the cross-section change or decrease from the inlet side 10 to the outlet side 12.

[0051] In Figure 4 bottom leftFigure 1 shows a sectional view of a through-opening 11, cut along the radius 14 of the perforated disk 1. The first extension 17 of the through-opening 11 along the radius 14 of the perforated disk 1 decreases from the inlet to the outlet side 10, 12. The inlet side 10 and the walls 19 of each through-opening 11, which extend along the thickness 13 of the perforated disk 1 from the inlet side 10 to the outlet side through the perforated disk 1, enclose an angle 20 that is smaller than the angle 21 enclosed by the outlet side 12 and the walls 19.

[0052] Figure 4 bottom rightFigure 1 shows another cross-sectional view of a through-opening 11, cut along the circumference 15 of the perforated disc. The second extension 18 of the through-opening 11 along the circumference 15 of the perforated disc 1 decreases from the inlet to the outlet side 10, 12. The direction of rotation of the blades 16 in the raw material-shredding device is shown as an arrow. The acute-angled cutting edge 22 is visible at the inlet and outlet sides 10, 12, each corresponding to the edge 23 of the through-opening that is last swept by the blade in the direction of rotation of the blades 16. It can also be seen that the walls 24 of the through-opening 11, which are aligned along the first extension 17 of the through-opening 11 along the radius 14 of the perforated disc 1, have different radii.The radius 25 of the wall 24, which is last swept by the knife in the direction of rotation of the knife 16, is larger than the radius 26 of the wall 24, which is first swept by the knife in the direction of rotation of the knife 16. Reference sign

[0053] 1 Perforated disc 10 Entry side 11 Through opening 12 Exit side 13 Thickness of the perforated disc 14 Radius of the perforated disc 15 Circumference of the perforated disc 16 Direction of rotation of the blades 17 First extension of the through opening along the radius of the perforated disc 18 Second extension of the through opening along the circumference of the perforated disc 19 Wall of the through opening along the thickness of the perforated disc from the entry to the exit side through the perforated disc 20 Angle between entry side and wall along the thickness of the perforated disc from the entry to the exit side through the perforated disc 21 Angle between exit side and wall along the thickness of the perforated disc from the entry to the exit side through the perforated disc 22 Acute-angled cutting edge 23 Through opening edge 24 Wall of the through opening aligned along the first extension along the radius of the perforated disc 25 Radius of the wall,26 Radius of the wall that is last swept by the knife in the direction of rotation of the knives,

Claims

1. Perforated disc (1) for a device for grinding semi-solid, inhomogeneous, biological raw materials, wherein the perforated disc (1) has an inlet and an outlet side (10, 12) and a plurality of through-openings (11), and wherein the through-openings (11) each lead from the inlet side (10) to the outlet side (12) through the perforated disc (1), and the through-openings (11) each have a cross-section that changes from the inlet to the outlet side (10, 12) and a through-opening axis, characterized in that the through-opening axis does not run straight from the inlet to the outlet side (10, 12).

2. Perforated disc (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the changing cross-section of the through-openings (11) decreases from the inlet to the outlet side (10, 12).

3. Perforated disc (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the non-straight-running through-opening axis is in each case curved.

4. Perforated disc (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the through-opening axis follows a C-shaped curve.

5. Perforated disc (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the plurality of through-openings (11) is arranged in several through-opening circles.

6. Perforated disc (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cross-section of the through-openings (11) is each designed as an elongated hole, wherein each elongated hole has a first extension along the radius of the perforated disc (17) and a second extension along the circumference of the perforated disc (18).

7. Use of a perforated disc (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 in a device for grinding semi-solid, inhomogeneous, biological raw materials.