Method for visualizing a depositing figure for a cutting machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cutting machine for separating foodstuffs and its control, as well as a method for operating a cutting machine. The cutting machine comprises an input / output unit with a preview area that displays a graphical representation of the resulting stacking pattern based on the input data.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting machine for separating foodstuffs and its control, as well as a method for operating a cutting machine.

[0002] Slicing machines for cutting slices from strand-like products are known from the prior art. Such slicing machines are able to arrange the cut slices in certain shapes, for example, fans, stacks, or circles, after the cutting process, so that the slices can be presented directly to the customer at the deli counter.

[0003] Prior art includes cutting machines for separating foodstuffs where the user can input parameters via an operating terminal to control the cutting process and determine the arrangement of the sliced ​​pieces. The user enters these parameters via the operating terminal, relying largely on their experience.

[0004] In the prior art, operating terminals are known that display predefined pictograms. Examples of pictograms for selecting a resulting stacking configuration are, for instance, fans of a few slices or stacks indicated by a few slices stacked on top of each other. The user can select these stacking configurations by touching the pictograms on the cutting machine's touchscreen and then calling up the corresponding cutting program.

[0005] The AT 396 215 B shows a generic cutting machine for separating slices from strand-shaped material, with a motor-driven circular knife, a movable stop plate for adjusting the slice thickness, a carriage movable parallel to the cutting plane, a control unit for controlling the function of the cutting machine, and an input / output unit for operating the cutting machine.

[0006] However, it remains largely unclear to the user what the storage area looks like after the cutting process.

[0007] Only when the cutting machine is operated with the selected parameters and the cutting process is completed does the

[0008] Users can determine whether the storage figure matches their expectations.

[0009] The object of the invention is to improve a method for operating a cutting machine so that it allows the user to operate it more easily.

[0010] This problem is solved by a method for visualizing a resulting storage figure according to claim 1.

[0011] A cutting machine for slicing, in particular from strand-like material, which is not covered by the scope of protection of the claims, comprises a machine housing, a drive motor, and a cutting blade driven by the motor to rotate in a cutting plane for slicing. The cutting machine further comprises a stop plate movable parallel to the cutting plane for setting a desired slice thickness. The cutting machine includes a carriage with a support plate that is movable back and forth parallel to the cutting plane. The support plate serves to hold the material to be sliced. The cutting machine includes a chain frame that interacts with a discharge chute to transport the sliced ​​discs to a storage area. The discharge chute is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis.The cutting machine comprises a control unit for controlling at least the chain frame and the cutting unit, and an input / output unit for inputting data. Based on the input data, the control unit controls at least the chain frame and the cutting unit. The input / output unit displays a preview area showing a graphical representation of the resulting stacking pattern of the cut slices based on the input data. This allows the user of the cutting machine to visualize the resulting stacking pattern and adjust the machine more intuitively. In one embodiment, the graphical representation of the stacking pattern resulting from the input data is essentially to scale.

[0012] In one embodiment, the input / output unit comprises a touchscreen that includes an input area for entering input data. The input area has menu-driven, changeable buttons. The menu includes a first part for selecting personalized storage patterns. In one embodiment, the menu includes a second part for selecting pre-programmed storage patterns. In another embodiment, the menu includes a third part for selecting at least one parameter for pre-programmed storage patterns. In one embodiment, the pre-programmed storage patterns of the second menu part are at least one of the storage patterns stacking, compartment storage, row storage, and circular storage. In another embodiment, the parameters for storage patterns are at least one of layers, disc thickness, compartment spacing, number of discs, weight, number of rows, and row spacing.Only those parameters that can be used to define the corresponding filing configuration are displayed to the user for input. For example, the parameter "Folder Spacing" in the third part of the menu is only shown and offered to the user for selection if the "Folder" filing configuration is selected in the second part of the menu. Similarly, "Row Spacing" is only offered for selection in the third part of the menu if the "Row Filing" configuration is selected in the second part. The displayed portion of the third menu section thus depends on the selection in the second menu section. This results in a menu hierarchy. In one embodiment, parameters that cannot be used to define the filing configuration, such as "Folder Spacing" if "Row Filing" is selected in the second menu section, are still displayed, but they are color-coded or, for example, made transparent and are not selectable.

[0013] In the input / output unit, i.e., the touchscreen, the preview area and the input area are displayed simultaneously. The graphical representation in the preview area is updated by any new input in the input area. This has the advantage that the user, upon entering, for example, a parameter in the third part of the menu, immediately sees the effect of the changed parameter on the tray layout. For example, if the tray layout "Fan Tray" is selected in the second part of the menu and then the "Fan Spacing" parameter is increased or decreased in the third part of the menu, the pictogram in the preview area, which shows a tray layout with fans, will expand or contract accordingly.

[0014] In one embodiment, the storage area includes a storage table. The storage table is movable horizontally, perpendicular to the conveying direction of the chain frame. Based on input data, the control unit controls the horizontal movement of the storage table. This allows for the placement of various storage configurations, such as fan-shaped stacks. In another embodiment, the storage table is movable vertically. Based on input data, the control unit controls the vertical movement of the storage table. The vertical movement of the storage table allows for the placement of stacks or rows with a high number of discs while maintaining good placement results. In yet another embodiment, the storage table includes a horizontally rotatable unit. The rotatable unit is, for example, a circular plate that is horizontally oriented and mounted to rotate around a central point.Based on the input data, the control unit directs a rotational movement of the rotatable unit. This also allows for circular storage positions.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least parts of stacking figures are displayed in the input area, which can be dragged and dropped into the preview area via the touchscreen. This allows a part of a stacking figure already shown in the preview area to be added. Moving parts of stacking figures into the preview area constitutes the input of data. For example, individual discs can be dragged and dropped into the preview area, as well as entire stacks or small compartments. To input modified parameters of the stacking figure, parts of the stacking figure can be moved within the preview area via the touchscreen.

[0016] In one embodiment, the input / output unit is a tablet with a touchscreen. The tablet is detachably mounted and wirelessly connected to the cutting machine. A wireless connection is established, for example, via Bluetooth or WLAN. In another embodiment, the tablet is wired to the cutting machine. A wired connection is established, for example, via LAN or USB. In another embodiment, the input / output unit is a remote computer. The remote computer is wirelessly connected to the cutting machine. A wireless connection is established, for example, via Bluetooth or WLAN. In yet another embodiment, the remote computer is wired to the cutting machine. A wired connection is established, for example, via LAN or USB.In one embodiment, the remote computer is connected to several cutting machines, so that one remote computer serves as an input / output unit for several cutting machines.

[0017] According to the invention, a method for visualizing a resulting stacking pattern for a cutting machine is proposed. The cutting machine for slicing discs, particularly from strand-like material, comprises at least one cutting blade, a chain frame, a delivery unit, a touchscreen, and a control unit. The control unit controls at least the chain frame and the delivery unit to transport the cut discs to a stacking area. In one embodiment, the cutting machine further comprises a stacking table that is movable in the horizontal and vertical directions and is controlled by the control unit. The method comprises at least the following steps. A first part of a menu is displayed on changeable buttons in an input area of ​​the touchscreen. The first part of the menu comprises personalized stacking patterns.Toggleable buttons are buttons that are graphically represented on the touchscreen, for example, as squares or rectangles, or in a list of checkboxes. Toggleable buttons can be selected by touching the button on the touchscreen. If the buttons are squares or rectangles, for example, they can be selected by touching the corresponding area on the touchscreen. In one embodiment, the buttons change color after being selected to clarify the user's choice. If the buttons are checkboxes, for example, displayed in a list, they can be selected by touching the checkbox. In one embodiment, a checkmark appears in the checkbox to clarify the user's selection.Interchangeable buttons mean, in particular, that depending on the current state of the machine and the part of the menu that is currently displayed, the functions that can be executed when a button is selected may differ. When a button is selected by the user, the control unit receives an initial input that is stored for the corresponding button. If the initial input contains a personalized storage pattern, this personalized storage pattern is then displayed in the preview area of ​​the touchscreen. A personalized storage pattern is a storage pattern that is defined in the control unit and created based on a pre-programmed storage pattern. A pre-programmed storage pattern is, for example, a compartment storage, a row storage, a stack, or a circular storage. One or more parameters, such as... can be assigned to these storage patterns.Layers, disc thickness, compartment spacing, number of discs, weight, number of rows, and row spacing can be adjusted to define a personalized storage pattern. The first part of the menu may also contain a personalized storage pattern that corresponds to a pre-programmed storage pattern with unchanged parameters, but which the user has added to the first menu section to make it available as a personalized storage pattern. If the user does not select a personalized storage pattern, the menu switches to a second part. This second part contains a selection of pre-programmed storage patterns. These are displayed on selectable buttons on the touchscreen. When the user selects a button, the control unit receives a second input, which is stored for that button and relates to a pre-programmed storage pattern.The preview area of ​​the touchscreen then displays this pre-programmed stacking pattern. In one embodiment, the pre-programmed stacking pattern is displayed with standard parameters as stored in the cutting machine. After selecting a pre-programmed stacking pattern, the menu switches to a third section.

[0018] The third part of the menu comprises a selection of parameters that define the corresponding pre-programmed stacking patterns. These parameters are displayed on selectable buttons on the touchscreen. When the user selects a button, the control unit receives a third input, which is stored with the corresponding button and relates to the parameter. A user can set several different parameters, so the third input can be entered multiple times, and at least one third input is always received by the control unit. The pre-programmed stacking pattern is parameterized according to the entered parameter and displayed in the preview area of ​​the touchscreen. In one embodiment, the stacking pattern in the preview window is updated with each new parameter entry. In another embodiment, the stacking pattern in the preview window is displayed to scale.In one embodiment, the stacking diagram in the preview window takes into account the type of food to be cut, e.g., large-diameter sausages such as bologna, small-diameter sausages such as salami, or non-round foods such as ham or liverwurst. In another embodiment, the stacking diagram in the preview window does not take into account the type of food to be cut and represents the stacking diagrams as pictograms of round slices of constant size. In this embodiment as well, the parameters for the stacking diagram, such as compartment spacing, row spacing, etc., are represented in the preview window by the corresponding pictogram of the stacking diagram.

[0019] Some embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example in the drawings and described below. They show, each in schematic representation: Fig. 1 shows a cutting machine according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows a preview area and an input area of ​​the touchscreen with a first part of a menu for selecting personalized stacking patterns. Fig. 3 shows a preview area and an input area of ​​the touchscreen with a second part of the menu for selecting pre-programmed stacking patterns. Fig. 4 shows a preview area and an input area of ​​the touchscreen with a third part of the menu for selecting parameters for stacking patterns. Fig. 5 shows the input area of ​​the touchscreen with pre-programmed stacking patterns. Fig. 6 shows a method according to the invention for visualizing a resulting stacking pattern.

[0020] Fig. 1 Figure 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a cutting machine 1 for slicing, in particular, strand-shaped material. It is a food cutting machine 1 comprising a machine housing 2 on which the following components are mounted: a drive motor and a cutting blade 3, driven by the motor to rotate in a cutting plane, for cutting individual slices of the material; a stop plate 4, movable parallel to the cutting plane, for setting a desired slice thickness; and a chain frame 7, which interacts with a discharge chute 9 to transport the cut slices to a storage area 8.

[0021] The machine housing 2 of the cutting machine 1 has a substantially rectangular base from which a motor tower projects upwards. The drive motor (not shown) is housed in this motor tower. The drive motor is connected to the cutting blade 3 via a gearbox and drives it. The cutting blade 3 is designed as a circular blade. A control unit 10 and an input / output unit 11 for operating the cutting machine 1 are arranged on the top of the motor tower. In one embodiment, the input / output unit 11 is a touchscreen with a preview area 12 and an input area 13.

[0022] The cutting blade 3 is covered in the cutting area by a C-shaped blade guard ring to prevent unintentional contact with the cutting edge. The front of the cutting blade 3 is protected by a flat blade cover. The illustrated cutting machine 1 is a so-called vertical cutter, meaning that the cutting blade 3 is designed as a circular blade that rotates in a vertically oriented cutting plane. The cutting area of ​​the cutting blade 3 is defined by the area left uncovered by the blade guard ring. A stop plate 4, which is movable parallel to the cutting blade 3, is located in front of the cutting area. The stop plate 4 can be adjusted via the control unit 10 to set a desired slice thickness.

[0023] In the area in front of the cutting blade 3, a carriage 5, which can be moved parallel to the cutting plane, is arranged. The carriage 5 has a carriage foot that is mounted on a linear guide in the machine housing 2. The carriage 5 also includes a support plate 6 for holding the material to be cut. In the area in front of the carriage, i.e., facing the operator, the carriage 5 includes a hand guard. The material to be cut is held by a material holder and fed to the cutting blade 3 during the cutting process. By moving the carriage 5 back and forth, individual slices are cut from the strand-like material by the cutting blade 3.

[0024] The discs cut by the cutting blade 3 are picked up by a chain frame 7 in the area behind the cutting blade 3 and conveyed transversely to the cutting blade 3. The discs are released from the chain frame via the pivoting discharge 9 and placed on a delivery table 14 in the delivery area 8. The delivery table 14 is movable in the horizontal direction 15 perpendicular to the conveying direction of the chain frame 7. The delivery table is also movable in the vertical direction 16. The movements of the delivery table are controlled by the control unit 10. In one embodiment, the delivery table 14 comprises a unit rotatable in the horizontal direction, e.g., a plate. By coordinating the movements of the chain frame 7, discharge 9, and delivery table in the horizontal direction 15 and vertical direction 16 by the control unit 10, a cut disc can be selectively conveyed to a specific position on the delivery table.If this is coordinated throughout the cutting process, several cut slices can be arranged in a stacking configuration. Examples of stacking configurations include stacks, fan stacks, or row stacks. In the embodiment with the rotating unit, a circular stack can also be created.

[0025] Fig. 2 Figure 11 shows an input / output unit 11, which is designed as a touchscreen. The input / output unit 11 includes an input area 13 with menu-controlled, interchangeable buttons 21, 22, 23, 24. The input area 13 displays the first part of a menu, which allows the selection of personalized storage figures for a cutting machine 1. Fig. 1 Personalized stacking patterns are stacking patterns for the cutting machine 1 that a user has specified and saved. The user has selected a pre-programmed stacking pattern, such as stack, fan stack, row stack, or circular stack, and defined the stacking pattern according to their needs using parameters such as layers, slice thickness, fan spacing, number of slices, weight, number of rows, and row spacing. This definition can be accessed via buttons 21, 22, 23, and 24 in the input area 13 of the touchscreen. By selecting a button 21, the control unit 10 configures the cutting machine 1 accordingly. The corresponding stacking pattern is displayed in the preview area 12. In one embodiment, the display in the preview area 12 is largely to scale with the resulting stacking pattern when the cutting machine 1 is in operation.In one embodiment, the pictograms on the menu-controlled buttons 21, 22, 23, and 24 are not to scale but are oriented according to their legibility given the available space. In another embodiment, the input area 13 contains a list of available options with corresponding checkboxes that the user can select. The input area 13 also includes a button (not shown) to access the second part of the menu if no personalized storage figure is to be selected.

[0026] When switching to the second part of the menu, the input area 13 displays a selection of pre-programmed storage figures on the menu-controlled changeable buttons 31, 32, 33, 34 ( Fig. 3 Pre-programmed filing patterns are defined via standardized parameters. Examples of pre-programmed filing patterns include stacks, compartments, rows, and circles. When a pre-programmed filing pattern is selected via touchscreen 11, it is displayed to the user in preview area 12. Similarly, the menu-controlled buttons 41, 42, 43, and 44 in input area 13 are assigned parameters that are the default for that specific pre-programmed filing pattern. Fig. 4 By selecting the corresponding button 41, 42, 43, or 44 in the input area 13 of the touchscreen 11, the corresponding parameter can be changed. When a parameter is changed, the effect of the change is visible in the preview area 12 through a corresponding change in the pictogram. This has the advantage that the user can immediately see the effects of the parameter changes and adjust the parameters until the largely true-to-scale preview of the stacking figure meets their expectations. This significantly simplifies the setting of the cutting machine's parameters and is intuitive for the user. In one embodiment, the menu-controlled, interchangeable buttons are adapted in color, size, and shape to the displayed content and can differ in shape, size, and color within a menu as well as from one menu to another.

[0027] Fig. 5 This shows an example of a more comprehensive representation of the second part of the menu, as it is displayed and selectable in input area 13 with menu-driven, interchangeable buttons. Stacking patterns such as overlapping stacked 51, row stacking 52, stacked 53, scaled lengthwise 54, scaled crosswise 55, single-row fanned crosswise 56, single-row fanned lengthwise 57, double-row fanned crosswise 58, double-row fanned lengthwise 59, triple-row fanned lengthwise 60, triple-row fanned crosswise 61, circular stacking 62, single disc 63, and random stacking 64 are shown as examples. These stacking patterns are each assigned default parameters and are displayed accordingly in preview area 12 if they are selected in the input area of ​​the second part of the menu. The parameters can be changed via the third part of the menu, so that personalized storage figures can be defined based on the pre-programmed storage figures.

[0028] Fig. 6Figure 1 schematically shows a method according to the invention for visualizing a resulting stacking pattern for a cutting machine 1. A first part of a menu for selecting stacking patterns is displayed on menu-controlled, changeable buttons 21, 22, 23, 24 in the input area 13 of a touchscreen 11. 71 The first part of the menu comprises personalized stacking patterns. When user input is received, this can, on the one hand, be the selection of a personalized stacking pattern. This is then displayed in the preview area 12 of the touchscreen 11. 76 Alternatively, no personalized stacking pattern may be selected, and the input may instead trigger a switch to the selection of pre-programmed stacking patterns. The pre-programmed stacking patterns can then be selected on the menu-controlled, changeable buttons 31, 32, 33, 34 in the input area 13.If such a pre-programmed stacking pattern is selected, it is displayed to the user in preview area 12 with the standard parameters 77. The user can operate the machine with these settings via the control unit 10. Simultaneously, depending on the selection of the pre-programmed stacking pattern, the menu-controlled buttons 41, 42, 43, 44 display parameters for defining the selected stacking pattern, as described in a third part of the menu. The user can modify the parameters for defining the pre-programmed and selected stacking pattern accordingly. Examples of such parameters are layers, disc thickness, compartment spacing, number of discs, weight, number of rows, and row spacing. When parameters for the selected stacking pattern are entered or changed, the preview image of the stacking pattern with the modified parameter is displayed accordingly in preview area 12 78.

Claims

1. Method for visualizing a resultant depositing figure for a cutting machine for cutting off slices from a material, in particular in the form of a strand, wherein the cutting machine comprises at least one cutting blade, a chain frame, a depositor, a touchscreen and a control unit, and the control unit drives at least the chain frame and the depositing table in order to transport cutoff slices into a depositing region, comprising the following steps: - displaying a first part of a menu on changeable buttons in an input region of the touchscreen, wherein the first part of the menu comprises personalized depositing figures, - receiving a first input from one of the changeable buttons of the input region, - displaying the selected personalized depositing figure in a preview region of the touchscreen if the first input comprises a personalized depositing figure, - displaying a second part of the menu on changeable buttons in the input region of the touchscreen if the first input does not comprise any personalized depositing figure, wherein the second part of the menu comprises a selection of preprogrammed depositing figures, - receiving a second input from one of the changeable buttons of the input region, - displaying the selected depositing figure in the preview region of the touchscreen, - displaying a third part of the menu on changeable buttons in the input region of the touchscreen, wherein the third part of the menu comprises parameters for the definition of the selected depositing figure, - receiving two or more third inputs from at least one of the changeable buttons of the input region, and - displaying the selected parameterized depositing figure in the preview region of the touchscreen after each of the two or more third inputs.

2. Method for visualizing a resultant depositing figure according to Claim 1, wherein the second part of the menu comprises at least one of the following depositing figures: stack, fanned deposit, row-like deposit and circular deposit.

3. Method for visualizing a resultant depositing figure according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the parameters for the definition of the selected depositing figure are at least one of the following: layers, slice thickness, fan spacing, number of slices, weight, number of rows, row spacing.

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