CUTTING MACHINE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a slicing machine for slicing a product into slices, comprising a pressing device which includes a product receiving unit which has a product support surface onto which the product can be placed, wherein the pressing device comprises at least one longitudinal pressing unit which is configured to press the product in a longitudinal direction of the product, wherein the longitudinal pressing unit is operationally connected to a longitudinal pressing force transmission unit of the pressing device which is configured to transmit a longitudinal pressing force substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the product to the longitudinal pressing unit in order to displace it substantially parallel to the product support surface, and a cutting unit which is arranged adjacent to the pressing device and is configured to slice the product into slices.

[0002] It should be noted at this point that the slicing machine according to the invention can be designed to slice a piece of food, in particular meat, fish or other food, into slices which preferably have a predetermined thickness and / or a predetermined weight.

[0003] The product piece can, for example, be an elongated product piece with a cross-section that varies in the longitudinal direction, such as a piece or strand of whole meat or the like.

[0004] To enable the cutting of slices of essentially the same volume or weight from the aforementioned product pieces with longitudinally varying cross-sections, slicing machines of this type are known. In these machines, an irregularly shaped product piece is first pressed by a pressing device into a product piece with a longitudinally essentially constant cross-section and then, in its pressed state, is sliced ​​by the cutting unit of the slicing machine. Thus, by specifying a suitable slice thickness, slices of essentially the same volume or weight can be produced. One application, for example, involves slicing thicker slices, such as steaks, from a fillet or the like. A slicing machine of this type is known, for example, from European patent application EP 4 292 785 A1.

[0005] It should be noted at this point that, according to the invention, the pressing device comprises the product receiving unit, which can, for example, be designed as a shaped tube. The product receiving unit has the product support surface onto which the product piece can be placed. The pressing device is configured to press the product piece at least in its longitudinal direction, which can be substantially parallel to a feed direction of the product piece to the cutting unit. For this purpose, the pressing device comprises the longitudinal pressing unit, for example in the form of a longitudinal pressing ram, which is movable by means of a longitudinal pressing drive unit. Furthermore, the longitudinal pressing unit is operationally connected to the longitudinal pressing drive unit via the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit, for example a piston rod.The longitudinal pressing unit is designed to transfer a longitudinal pressing force, essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the product piece, to the longitudinal pressing unit in order to displace it essentially parallel to the product support plane, thereby enabling the product piece to be pressed in the longitudinal direction.

[0006] Since the product pieces to be pressed and sliced ​​can have varying dimensions in a transverse direction that is essentially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal pressing unit, which can be interchangeably mounted on the slicing machine, can also have varying dimensions in the transverse direction. The transverse direction can, for example, correspond to the vertical direction of the product piece. However, since a connection point between the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the longitudinal pressing unit, and thus a force application point from the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit to the longitudinal pressing unit, cannot be changed in known slicing machines, a torque or force can be generated by the force application at the longitudinal pressing unit.Tilting moments can arise, which can be generated by an offset, particularly an essentially orthogonal one, between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and a central axis of the longitudinal pressing unit that is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis. During a longitudinal pressing operation of the product piece, this can lead to an eccentric force application into the longitudinal pressing unit, which can undesirably restrict the adaptability of the slicing machine to product pieces with transversely varying dimensions.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cutting machine which can remedy this situation, in particular by providing a solution according to which the eccentric force introduction into the longitudinal pressing unit can be at least partially compensated.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by a cutting machine of the type mentioned at the outset, in which a distance between a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the product support plane of the product receiving unit can be changed.

[0009] Since, according to the invention, the distance between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the product support plane of the product receiving unit can be changed, a torque or tilting moment arising from an eccentric force application at the longitudinal pressing unit can be reduced. This torque or tilting moment can be caused by an offset, particularly an essentially orthogonal one, between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and a central axis of the longitudinal pressing unit that is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The central axis can be an axis of symmetry of the longitudinal pressing unit that is essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction. InIn other words, according to the invention, the distance between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the product support plane can be adapted to a dimension of the longitudinal pressing unit in the transverse direction that is essentially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The transverse direction can correspond to a vertical direction of the product piece.

[0010] Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit runs essentially parallel to the longitudinal pressing force. Furthermore, the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit can be connected to a longitudinal pressing force generation unit, which can, for example, operate via servomotors and / or pneumatics and / or hydraulics.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the product receiving unit can further comprise at least one adapter element, in particular an adapter plate, which is configured to change the distance between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the product support surface of the product receiving unit. As a result, the distance can be adjusted to a desired level by means of the adapter element, in particular the adapter plate, which is suitable for a longitudinal pressing unit being used.

[0012] Furthermore, according to a further development, it is proposed that the at least one adapter element be configured to change the distance between the longitudinal axis and the product support plane in steps, in particular to reduce or increase it in steps. As a result, the distance can be changed in steps, the steps preferably being selected such that each step is suitable for one or more longitudinal pressing units, i.e., ensuring adequate force transmission into the longitudinal pressing unit.

[0013] In a further development of this embodiment, the at least one adapter element can be detachably and / or interchangeably arranged on the product receiving unit. Preferably, at least two or more interchangeable adapter elements can be provided in order to adjust the distance to at least two or more distance levels.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, it is conceivable that the product holding unit comprises at least one, preferably at least two, removable and / or replaceable spacers, which are / are arranged between the product support surface and a frame of the slicing machine and are / are configured to change the distance between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressure transmission unit and the product support surface of the product holding unit. If at least two spacers are provided, tilting of the product holding unit can also be prevented. Consequently, at least two distance configurations can preferably be realized with one and the same product holding unit. Furthermore, the spacer can be pre-assembled on the product holding unit.If the distance needs to be changed, for example a product receiving unit, such as a product support plate, without a spacer mounted on it can be replaced by another, preferably essentially identical, product receiving unit with a spacer mounted on it.

[0015] Furthermore, according to a further development, it is proposed that the at least one adapter element is arranged to be attached to, in particular screwed to, a part of the product receiving unit connected to a frame of the slicing machine, wherein a preferred form of a removable and / or interchangeable arrangement of the adapter element on the slicing machine may be, which allows for simple, time-efficient and repeatable removal and replacement, i.e. removal of the adapter element and attachment of another adapter element.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, the longitudinal pressing unit can also be arranged interchangeably on the slicing machine and be interchangeable at least between a first longitudinal pressing unit, which has a predetermined first height dimension, and a second longitudinal pressing unit, which has a predetermined second height dimension that differs from the first height dimension, wherein the first and / or the second height dimension preferably extends substantially orthogonally to the product support plane. Consequently, different longitudinal pressing units, in particular longitudinal pressing dies, can be used without difficulty, since the distance between the product support plane and the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit can be adapted to longitudinal pressing units with different height dimensions in order to reduce and / or compensate for the offset between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the central axis of the longitudinal pressing unit.Preferably, the first height dimension is smaller than the second height dimension.

[0017] The first height dimension can be from approximately 20 mm to approximately 55 mm, preferably from approximately 35 mm to approximately 50 mm, and / or the second height dimension can be from more than approximately 55 mm to approximately 150 mm, preferably from approximately 60 mm to approximately 100 mm. Each height dimension can represent a maximum possible height dimension of the respective longitudinal pressing unit. This is because the height dimension can preferably change during operation of the slicing machine, provided that the machine includes a transverse pressing unit by means of which the dimensions of the product piece are adjusted in the transverse direction.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the product receiving unit can also be assigned an adjustment device which is configured to change the distance between the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit and the product support plane, in particular continuously. The distance can be adjusted, for example, by means of a drive unit, such as a spindle drive or the like, which can be actuated, for example, manually via a crank and / or motor-driven by means of a servo drive, a pneumatic drive, or a hydraulic drive.

[0019] Furthermore, the longitudinal pressing unit can be designed in a manner known per se as a longitudinal pressing punch, which can be moved in and preferably against the longitudinal direction by means of a longitudinal pressing drive unit of the pressing device.

[0020] Additionally or alternatively, the longitudinal pressing unit can be designed in multiple parts and include a compensating section, for example a compensating plate, which can be moved in and against the transverse direction relative to a base body of the longitudinal pressing unit. The compensating section can be provided to adapt the longitudinal pressing unit to a dimension of the product piece in the transverse direction.

[0021] In In a further development of the latter embodiment, the compensating section can be pre-tensioned in or against the transverse pressing direction by means of a pre-tensioning device, for example a spring.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the pressing device can also include a transverse pressing unit configured to control a dimension of a pressing chamber in a transverse direction of the product piece that is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, in order to press the product piece in the transverse direction, wherein the pressing chamber can be defined within the pressing device. This allows the product piece to be pressed in at least one further direction, thus enabling at least two-dimensional pressing of the product piece. As mentioned above, the transverse direction can correspond to a vertical direction of the product piece.

[0023] To enable the product piece to be pressed in all three spatial directions (i.e., in three dimensions) before slicing, the slicing machine can further comprise an additional pressing unit configured to press the product piece in a further direction, wherein this further direction can be essentially orthogonal to the longitudinal and transverse directions. This further direction can preferably be a width direction of the product piece. The slicing machine can therefore also be suitable for so-called "3D pressing" of the product piece.

[0024] To receive the product piece, the pressing device can further comprise a forming tube, which preferably has one opening facing the cutting unit and another facing the longitudinal pressing unit. The forming tube can thus define the pressing chamber in which the product piece is received during the pressing process. Preferably, the forming tube can define the achievable dimensions of the product piece, preferably in the transverse direction and / or a width direction that runs essentially orthogonal to the transverse direction.

[0025] InIn a further development of the latter embodiment, the forming tube can comprise at least two forming tube halves: a first forming tube half, which can be part of or form a transverse pressing unit of the pressing device and which can be displaced in and preferably against the transverse direction by means of a transverse pressing drive unit of the pressing device; and a second forming tube half, which can be configured to be positioned opposite the first forming tube half and can be operationally connected to a frame of the slicing machine. The first and second forming tube halves can define the pressing chamber. The first forming tube half can have a substantially C-shaped cross-section and / or the second forming tube half can have a substantially U-shaped cross-section.Furthermore, the first half of the molded tube can have a smaller dimension in the transverse direction than the second half of the molded tube, so that preferably only the half of the molded tube with the smaller dimension in the transverse direction, and in particular with a lower weight, needs to be moved.

[0026] It should also be added that the slicing machine may further include a conveying unit designed to transport the slices cut by the slicing unit along a conveying direction. Consequently, the slices can be removed for further processing and / or packaging, and / or portions can be formed, preferably each consisting of several slices.

[0027] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing and an exemplary embodiment. The drawing shows: Figure 1a a perspective view of a slicing machine according to an embodiment of the invention, Figure 1b a side view of the slicing machine according to Figure 1a Figure 2a shows a perspective view of parts of a pressing device and a cutting unit of the slicing machine according to Figure 1a , Figure 2 legs cut side view accordingly Figure 1a Figure 2 shows a side view of components of the slicing machine according to Figure 1a , in which a lower half of the forming tube of the pressing device is in a pivoted cutting position, Figure 2, your further side view accordingly Figure 2c, in which the lower half of the forming tube is in a lowered loading position, Figure 3a a cut partial side view of the lower half of the forming tube in a first configuration, Figure 3b a cut partial side view of the lower half of the forming tube in a second configuration, and Figure 4 a longitudinal pressing unit of the slicing machine according to an embodiment.

[0028] In the Figure 1a and 1b An embodiment of a slicing machine according to the invention is generally characterized by the reference numeral 100.

[0029] The slicing machine 100 comprises a pressing device 102, which defines a pressing chamber R designed and intended to receive a product piece P, for example in the form of a foodstuff such as whole meat or fish or the like. The product piece P is in Figure 1a not shown, but for example in Figure 1bschematically drawn.

[0030] The pressing device 102 comprises a longitudinal pressing unit 104, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a longitudinal pressing ram. The longitudinal pressing ram 104 is configured to control a dimension of the pressing chamber R in a longitudinal direction L of the product piece P or in a substantially parallel direction thereto, in order to press the product piece P in its longitudinal direction L. For this purpose, in the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal pressing unit 104 is connected via a longitudinal pressing force transmission unit 106 in the form of a piston rod 106 to a longitudinal pressing drive unit 108, which is configured to move the longitudinal pressing ram 104 in and against the longitudinal direction L in order to bring the product piece P to a desired length in the longitudinal direction L. During pressing by the pressing device 102, the product piece rests on a product support surface A, which, for example, is located in the Figures 2b , 3a and 3b indicated by a dashed line in each case.

[0031] The pressing device 102 further comprises a transverse pressing unit 110, which is configured to control a dimension of the pressing chamber R in a transverse direction Q of the product piece P that is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L, in order to press the product piece P in the transverse direction Q. In the illustrated embodiment, the transverse pressing unit 110 comprises a product receiving unit 112 in the form of a mold tube with a first upper mold tube half 112a, which can be displaced in and against the transverse direction Q by means of a transverse drive unit 114, for example in the form of a servomotor, hydraulic, or pneumatic transverse drive unit. The upper mold tube half 112a can, for example, also be moved in the Figures 2a to 2d recognizable, in particular from Figure 1aIt can be seen that the upper half of the shaped tube 112a, viewed in the longitudinal direction L, has an essentially C-shaped cross-section.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the shaped tube 112 further comprises a second lower shaped tube half 112b, which in the illustrated embodiment has the product support plane A and which is pivoted about a pivot axis S* by means of a pivoting unit in the form of a pivoting mechanism 116 (see, for example, Figure 2c ) is swivelling. In the Figure 1a , 1b , 2a, 2b and 2d The lower half of the shaped tube 112b is shown in a folded-down loading position, in which the product piece P is loaded with a loading device 118 (see Figure 1a and 1b) can be conveyed in the feed direction Z onto the lower half of the forming tube 112b. The loading device 118 can, for example, comprise a belt conveyor 118a and / or a feed device 118b, for example in the form of a feed ram 118b or the like. In a slicing operation of the slicing machine 100, the forming tube 112 can have an opening 113a facing the cutting unit 126 and a further opening 113b facing the longitudinal pressing unit 104.

[0033] In Figure 2c The lower half of the forming tube 112b, on the other hand, is shown in a cut-open position, in which the lower half of the forming tube 112b faces the upper half of the forming tube 112a and starting from the in Figure 2d The loading position shown has been folded up around the pivot axis S* by means of the pivot mechanism 116. As soon as the lower half of the profile tube 112b is in the position shown Figure 2cWhen the upper half of the forming tube 112a is in the cutting position shown, it can be moved in the transverse direction Q towards the product piece P by means of the transverse pressing unit 114 until the product piece P has a desired dimension in the transverse direction Q. Subsequently, or essentially simultaneously, the product piece P can be cut by moving the longitudinal pressing ram 104 (see, for example, the figure shown). Figures 2a and 2b ) in the longitudinal direction L to a desired dimension in the longitudinal direction L.

[0034] According to the invention, when pressing in the longitudinal direction L using the longitudinal press ram 104, a stop unit 120, for example in the form of an intermediate plate, serves as a counter-holder. For this purpose, the stop unit 120 can be displaceable by means of a stop drive unit 121, which will be described in more detail below, preferably in and against the transverse direction Q, and between a Figure 2ashown release position, in which it releases a cutting channel 124, and one in Figure 2c The limit position, indicated only schematically by a dashed line, is to be moved, in which the stop unit 120 at least partially blocks the cutting channel 124. To be moved into the limit position, particularly during a pressing operation of the product piece P with the pressing device 102, the stop unit 120 can be moved by means of the stop drive unit 121 starting from Figure 2a be displaced by a predetermined amount in the opposite direction Q.

[0035] After the product piece P has been pressed to the desired dimensions in the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction Q, the stop unit 120 can be returned to its original position. Figure 2aThe product piece P is moved to the position shown and then, by a further movement of the longitudinal press ram 104 in the longitudinal direction L through the cutting channel 124 to a cutting unit 126 of the slicing machine 100. The cutting unit 126 is arranged adjacent to the press 102, in particular downstream of the press 102 with respect to the longitudinal direction L or the feed direction Z, and comprises a knife 128, which can be rotated about a rotational axis R' to cut the product piece P into slices S (see, for example, the figure shown). Figure 1b ) to cut. The axis of rotation R' of the knife 128 is, for example, in Figure 2bschematically indicated. The knife 128 can preferably be configured to perform an oscillating movement in or against the transverse direction Q, in addition to a rotational movement about the axis of rotation R'. During the oscillating movement, the knife 128 can be moved between a retracted position, in which the knife 128 essentially exposes the cutting channel 124, and a forward position, in which the knife 128 extends from Figure 2a The blade 128 is moved in the transverse direction Q to penetrate the cutting channel 124 in order to cut a slice S from the product piece P. As long as the blade 128 is in the retracted position, the product piece P can be advanced in the longitudinal direction L by a predetermined amount corresponding to the desired slice thickness of the respective slice S.

[0036] In order to be able to press the product piece P preferably in all three spatial directions, i.e. in three dimensions, before cutting, lateral boundary walls 112b1 and 112b2 of the lower form tube half 112b can preferably also form a further pressing unit and be arranged to move towards and away from each other in a width direction B, in order to be able to bring a dimension of the product piece P in the width direction B to a desired dimension before cutting by the cutting unit 126.

[0037] After the discs S have been cut by means of the cutting unit 126, they can be conveyed away from the cutting machine 100 along a conveying direction A by means of a conveying unit 130, which can also be designed as a belt conveyor or the like, in order to be further processed and / or packaged, for example.

[0038] For the operation of the slicing machine 100, the slicing machine 100 may further comprise an operating unit 132, which may be arranged on a frame 134 of the slicing machine 100 and may be configured to be operated by an operator of the slicing machine 100. The operating unit 132 may, for example, be designed as a touchscreen or the like.

[0039] As especially in the Figures 2a and 2bIn the illustrated embodiment, the stop unit 120 is recognizably arranged in the release position on the side of the press 102, and in particular the mold tube 112, facing away from the transverse pressing unit 110, in particular the upper mold tube half 112a. In other words, the stop unit 120 can be arranged in the release position on the side of the cutting channel 124 facing away from the upper mold tube half 112a. Furthermore, the transverse pressing unit 110, in the illustrated embodiment the upper mold tube half 112a, extends beyond the stop unit 120 in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the product piece P towards the cutting unit 126, as for example in Figure 2brecognizable. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper half of the forming tube 112a of the forming tube 112 extends in the direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the product piece P to immediately in front of the cutting unit 126, in particular to a cutting plane S' of the knife 128 of the cutting unit 126.

[0040] Furthermore, the upper half of the forming tube 112a can have a smaller dimension in the transverse direction Q than the lower half of the forming tube 112b, so that only the upper half of the forming tube 112a, which has the smaller dimensions in the transverse direction Q and preferably also a lower weight than the lower half of the forming tube 112b, has to be moved by means of the transverse press drive unit 114.

[0041] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper half of the shaped tube 112a has a larger dimension in the longitudinal direction L than the lower half of the shaped tube 112b. This can be advantageous because the lower half of the shaped tube 112b is already integrated into the Figure 2b The lowered loading position can be swivelled when a remaining product piece of the product piece P is still being cut open by the cutting unit 126 while it is in the cutting channel 124 and is held down in the transverse direction Q by the upper form tube half 112a of the transverse pressing unit 112 in order to retain its pressed shape in the transverse direction Q.

[0042] Furthermore, the stop unit 120 can be associated with the stop drive unit 121, which is configured to move the stop unit 120 between the limit position and the release position. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop drive unit 121 comprises two drive elements 122, which in this embodiment are designed as push rods 122a and 122b, arranged on opposite sides of the press device 102 and outside the cutting channel 124 of the cutting unit 126.

[0043] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the cutting unit 126 comprises a cutting receiving unit 115, which can, for example, be designed as a cutting plate. According to the illustrated embodiment, the cutting receiving unit 115 is configured to receive at least one end of the product piece P facing the cutting unit 126, wherein the cutting receiving unit 115 at least partially defines the cutting channel 124 through which the product piece P can be guided to the cutting unit 126. Preferably, at least a part of the cutting channel 124 is defined by the transverse pressing unit 110, in the illustrated embodiment by the upper half of the forming tube 112a, which extends to immediately in front of the cutting unit 126, in particular the cutting plane S' of the knife 128.

[0044] In the Figures 3a and 3bThe lower half of the shaped tube 112b of the product receiving unit 112 is shown in two different configurations. The two configurations differ in that, in the configuration according to Figure 3a The product receiving unit 112 has an adapter element 150a in the form of an adapter plate, which differs from a further adapter element 150b in the form of another adapter plate. In the present embodiment, the adapter plates 150a and 150b differ in that they have different dimensions in a direction substantially parallel to the transverse direction Q. In the present embodiment, the adapter plate 150a has a larger dimension in the direction substantially parallel to the transverse direction Q than the further adapter plate 150b. It follows that in the configuration according to Figure 3aa distance d 1 between a longitudinal axis 106' of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit 106 and the product support plane A is obtained, which is less than a corresponding distance d 2 between the longitudinal axis 106' and the product support plane A in Figure 3b In other words, the distance between the longitudinal axis 106' of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit 106 and the product support level A of the product receiving unit 112 can be changed, in particular in stages, by selecting the adapter plate 150a or the further adapter plate 150b.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the adapter plate 150a and the additional adapter plate 150b are detachably and interchangeably arranged on the product receiving unit 112. Depending on the selected configuration, either the adapter plate 150a or the additional adapter plate 150b is attached to a swivel receiving unit 116a of the swivel mechanism 116 and thereby at least indirectly connected to the frame 134 of the slicing machine 100. The adapter plate 150a and / or the additional adapter plate 150b can either be screwed to the swivel receiving unit 116a or be lockable to the swivel receiving unit 116a by means of a locking system 152 using locking units 152a and 152b. To secure the adapter plate 150a or theTo remove the additional adapter plate 150b from the swivel mounting unit 116a, the locking units 152a and 152b can be moved into an unlocked state (not shown), allowing the adapter plate 150a and the additional adapter plate 150b to be easily replaced. If the adapter plate 150a and / or the additional adapter plate 150b is / are only screwed to the swivel mounting unit 116a, only the corresponding screws need to be loosened and / or removed to allow removal.

[0046] Furthermore, the longitudinal pressing unit 104 can also be interchangeably arranged on the slicing machine 100. Thus, in Figure 3a Figure 3b shows an exemplary first longitudinal pressing unit 104a in the form of a first longitudinal pressing die, and Figure 3b shows a second longitudinal pressing unit 104b in the form of a second longitudinal pressing die. As in the Figures 3a and 3bAs can be seen, the first longitudinal press die 104a has smaller dimensions in the direction substantially parallel to the transverse direction Q than the second longitudinal press die 104b. A first height dimension h 1 of the first longitudinal press die 104a can preferably be from about 20 millimeters to about 50 millimeters and / or a second height dimension h 2 of the second longitudinal press die 104b can preferably be from about 60 millimeters to about 100 millimeters.

[0047] The in Figure 3a The configuration shown, with a smaller distance d1 between the longitudinal axis 106' of the longitudinal press force transmission unit 106 and the product receiving plane A, is therefore particularly suitable for smaller press punches, i.e., smaller product pieces P, which have a smaller dimension in the direction essentially parallel to the transverse direction Q, i.e., product height. The configuration according to Figure 3bHowever, it is suitable for the larger longitudinal press die 104b and thus for product pieces P which have a larger dimension, i.e., a greater product height, in the direction essentially parallel to the transverse direction Q. In both cases, i.e., both in the first configuration according to Figure 3a as well as in the second configuration according to Figure 3bIt is ensured that the force is applied to the longitudinal press die 104a or 104b, with respect to a central axis or plane of the press die 104a or 104b, which can extend substantially parallel to the product support plane A and / or the longitudinal axis 106', as centrally as possible, so that any torque, in particular tilting moment, generated on the longitudinal press die 104a or 104b by a pressing operation in the longitudinal direction L is as low as possible. The central axis or plane can be an axis or plane of symmetry of the longitudinal press unit 104a or 104b that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0048] As in Figure 4As can be seen, the longitudinal press ram 104 can include a compensating section 136, which is movable in and against the transverse direction Q relative to a base body 138 of the longitudinal press ram 104. The compensating section 136 can be preloaded by means of a preloading device, for example at least one spring (in Figure 4 (not discernible), be pre-tensioned against the transverse direction Q. The longitudinal press dies 104a and 104b can be designed analogously to the longitudinal press die 104, at least with regard to the functioning of the compensating section.

[0049] Furthermore, the longitudinal press die 104 can include a locking unit 140, which is located between a Figure 4The locking unit 140, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a slide 140, can be configured to limit, in the locking position, any movement of the compensating section 136 relative to the base body 138 caused by the preloading device, so that the compensating section 136 cannot, for example, project further from the base body 138 in the transverse direction Q than is possible in the illustrated embodiment. Figure 4 is shown.

[0050] The compensating section 136 is designed to allow the longitudinal press punch 104 to be adjusted to a dimension of the press chamber R, i.e. a dimension of the product piece P, in the transverse direction Q, when the longitudinal press punch 104 is located in the press chamber R, i.e. between the upper half of the mold tube 112a and the lower half of the mold tube 112b, and these are moved towards each other or away from each other in the transverse direction Q.

Claims

1. Slicing machine (100) for slicing a product piece (P) into slices (S), comprising: a pressing device (102), which comprises a product receiving unit, which has a product support plane (A) onto which the product piece (P) is placeable, wherein the pressing device (102) comprises at least one longitudinal pressing unit (104, 104a, 104b), which is configured to press the product piece (P) in a longitudinal direction (L) of the product piece (P), wherein the longitudinal pressing unit (104, 104a, 104b) is operatively connected to a longitudinal pressing force transmission unit (106) of the pressing device (102), which is configured to transmit a longitudinal pressing force substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (L) of the product piece (P) to the longitudinal pressing unit (104, 104a, 104b) so as to displace the latter substantially parallel to the product support plane (A), and a cutting unit (126), which is arranged adjacent to the pressing device (102) and is configured to slice the product piece (P) into slices (S), characterized in that a distance (d1; d2) between a longitudinal axis (106') of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit (106) and the product support plane (A) of the product receiving unit (112) is changeable.

2. Slicing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the product receiving unit (112) further comprises at least one adapter element (150a, 150b), in particular an adapter plate, which is configured to change the distance (d1; d2) between the longitudinal axis (106') of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit (106) and the product support plane (A) of the product receiving unit (112).

3. Slicing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one adapter element (150a, 150b) is configured to adjust the distance (d1; d2) between the longitudinal axis (106') and the product support plane (A) stepwise, in particular to reduce or increase it stepwise.

4. Slicing machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the at least one adapter element (150a, 150b) is arranged removably and / or replaceably on the product receiving unit (112).

5. Slicing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one adapter element (150a, 150b) is configured to be fastened, in particular screwed, to a part (116a) of the product receiving unit (112) connected to a frame (134) of the slicing machine (100).

6. Slicing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal pressing unit (104) is arranged exchangeably on the slicing machine (100) and is exchangeable at least between a first longitudinal pressing unit (104a), which has a predetermined first height dimension (h1), and a second longitudinal pressing unit (104b), which has a predetermined second height dimension (h2), which differs from the first height dimension (h1), wherein the first height dimension (h1) and / or the second height dimension (h2) preferably extends substantially orthogonally to the product support plane (A).

7. Slicing machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the first height dimension (h1) is from approximately 20 mm to approximately 55 mm, preferably from approximately 35 mm to approximately 50 mm, and / or the second height dimension (h2) is from more than approximately 55 mm to approximately 150 mm, preferably from approximately 60 mm to approximately 100 mm.

8. Slicing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product receiving unit (112) is further associated with an adjustment device, which is configured to change the distance between the longitudinal axis (106') of the longitudinal pressing force transmission unit (106) and the product support plane (A), in particular continuously.

9. Slicing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal pressing unit (104, 104a, 104b) is designed as a longitudinal pressing plunger, which is movable in and preferably counter to the longitudinal direction (L) by means of a longitudinal pressing drive unit (108) of the pressing device (102).

10. Slicing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal pressing unit (104, 104a, 104b) is designed in multiple parts and comprises a compensating section (136), for example a compensating sheet, which is movable in and counter to a transverse direction (Q) relative to a base body (138) of the longitudinal pressing unit (104; 104a, 104b).

11. Slicing machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the compensating section (136) is biased in or counter to the transverse direction (Q) by means of a biasing device, for example a spring.

12. Slicing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing device (102) further comprises a transverse pressing unit (110), which is configured to control a dimension of a pressing space (R) in a transverse direction (Q) of the product piece (P) substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (L), so as to press the product piece (P) in the transverse direction (Q), wherein the pressing space (R) is defined in the pressing device (102).

13. Slicing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing device (102) comprises a forming tube (112), which preferably has an opening (113a) facing the cutting unit (126) and a further opening (113b) facing the longitudinal pressing unit (104, 104a, 104b).

14. Slicing machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the forming tube (112) comprises at least two forming tube halves (112a, 112b), namely a first forming tube half (112a), which is part of or forms a transverse pressing unit (110) of the pressing device (102) and which is displaceable in and preferably counter to the transverse direction (Q) by means of a transverse pressing drive unit (114) of the pressing device (102), and a second forming tube half (112b), which is configured to be opposite to the first forming tube half (112a), and is operatively connected to a frame (134) of the slicing machine (100).