Product conveying device with traction roller

Abstract

The invention relates to a product conveying device (47) for feeding food products (63) to a slicing unit (11) of a food slicing machine (9). The product conveying device (47) comprises a first conveying track (10), a second conveying track (20), and a third conveying track (30), wherein the first, second, and third conveying tracks (10, 20, 30) are each configured to independently feed a food product (63) to the slicing unit (11). One of the first, second, or third conveying tracks (10, 20, 30) comprises a traction roller (49, 91, 95), wherein the traction roller (49, 91, 95) is configured to come into conveying contact with a food product (63) and feed it to the slicing unit (11).The invention also relates to a method for removing a cassette (73) from a food slicing machine (9) and the use of a traction roller (49, 91, 95) for conveying food products (63) to a cutting blade (25).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a product conveying device for feeding food products to a cutting unit of a food slicing machine, a food slicing machine, a method for removing a cassette from a food slicing machine, and the use of a traction roller to feed a food product to a cutting unit.

[0002] Food products, such as sausage, cheese, or bread, are often in the form of elongated food bars and are fed into a food slicing machine, which may be a high-performance slicer, by a cutting unit with a cutting blade, for example, a rotating sickle or circular blade. For this purpose, one or more product conveying devices are provided in a feeding area. These devices are in contact with the food bar to move it to a cutting plane of the slicing unit. The product conveying device can be designed as a lower product support on which the food bar rests, or as an upper product hold-down device that presses down on the food bar, or both together (see, for example, US 2015 / 321372).

[0003] The known methods for driving the tracks of a product conveying device are technically complex or have disadvantages with regard to mechanical bearing.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide an alternative multi-lane product conveying device.

[0005] In a food slicing machine, particularly a high-performance slicer, one or more food products can be sliced ​​into food slices using a slicing unit. The slicing unit can include a rotary and / or planetary rotating cutting blade, in particular a sickle or circular blade.

[0006] In a food slicing machine, a food product can initially be placed on, or fed onto, a feed conveyor belt. A guide rail with central dividers, particularly metal plates, can be mounted above the feed conveyor belt, extending from the top to just above the belt surface. The lateral position of these dividers is adjustable to the width of the food product being sliced. From the feed conveyor belt, the food product can be conveyed onto a product conveyor belt.

[0007] The product conveyor, which follows the feed conveyor in the conveying direction, can be part of a loading arm and pivot upwards about an axis located on its downstream side. This allows the food product to be conveyed horizontally from the feed conveyor onto the product conveyor, and then the product conveyor to pivot upwards to feed the food product to the cutting blade in a support plane inclined to the horizontal. A fixed lateral stop can be provided, the transverse position and longitudinal orientation of which are aligned with a cutting edge or cutting guide that interacts with the cutting blade when separating the slices from the product. A parallel side stop can be arranged on the side opposite the fixed lateral stop. This provides longitudinal guidance for the food product.The adjustable side stop can be adjusted laterally to align a product laterally. In a multi-lane food slicer capable of slicing several parallel products simultaneously, the product feeds are designed with multiple lanes. Accordingly, several side stops can be provided along the product conveyor belt, adjustable laterally to the conveying direction. These side stops can be adjusted together.

[0008] A product conveying device in the form of a lower product support can be arranged between the product conveyor belt and the cutting blade, feeding the food product to the cutting blade. The product support can be relatively short compared to the product conveyor belt. It can extend to just before the cutting edge, thus supporting the food product right up to the edge. The product support can facilitate precise product feeding into the cutting plane.

[0009] A gripper can be provided which engages a rear end, particularly an upstream end, of a food product and acts as a product holder during product feeding to the cutting plane. The gripper's guidance allows for compensation of differences in the weight or cross-sectional profile of the products, and enables the thickness of the sliced ​​product to be varied independently for each product during slicing. This allows for achieving a predetermined weight for individual product slices or the weight of portions consisting of multiple slices. By retracting the food product with the gripper, a gap can be created between the product and the cutting blade for pre-cuts.In multi-lane food slicing machines, one gripper can be provided per conveyor lane, and the grippers can be attached to a common feed unit and be independently extendable relative to the feed unit in the conveying direction and retractable against the conveying direction.

[0010] An upper product guide may be provided, which, in the form of a product hold-down device, presses down on the food product from above to support the feed.

[0011] The food slices cut from the food product by the cutting blade can fall onto a portioning unit, in particular a portioning belt. The portioning unit can be adjustable so that a portion, in particular a stack of food slices, with a defined size and arrangement can be produced. The portioning unit, in particular a conveying or support surface of the portioning unit, can be height-adjustable to ensure a consistent fall path for the slices. The portioning unit or its support surface can be displaceable in the conveying direction or laterally, or both, to achieve defined stacking shapes, for example, a shingled arrangement. Once a complete portion has been produced, it can be conveyed away via the support surface.

[0012] During the cutting of the food portion, separating sheets can be automatically inserted between the food slices on the portioning unit using a separating sheet insert, also called an "interleaver".

[0013] Multi-lane food slicers allow several food products to be sliced ​​simultaneously. The elements contributing to product feeding can be individually controlled for each lane. In particular, the food products can be fed to the cutting blade at different speeds.

[0014] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a product conveying device for feeding food products to a slicing unit of a food slicing machine, comprising a first conveying track, a second conveying track, and a third conveying track. The first, second, and third conveying tracks are each designed to independently feed a food product to the slicing unit. One of the first, second, or third conveying tracks comprises a traction roller, the traction roller being designed to come into conveying contact with a food product and feed it to the slicing unit.

[0015] This results in a simple, compact, and stable design. Furthermore, the traction roller allows for precise feeding of the food product, enabling the production of slices of the desired thickness.

[0016] There can also be more than one conveyor lane, each with a traction roller. Furthermore, a conveyor lane that does not have a traction roller for product feeding can have another means of product feeding, such as a belt conveyor.

[0017] Preferably, the traction roller can be driven by a circulating drive element. In particular, at least one traction roller can be driven by a circulating drive element if more than one conveyor lane has a traction roller. Thus, a force for rotating the traction roller can be transmitted to it using a simple and stable design, and this force can be sufficient to precisely feed food products, even those with higher density or weight, to the cutting unit. Furthermore, the drive using a circulating drive element is low-wear. A traction roller of a central conveyor lane can be driven by a circulating drive element. One traction roller each of an adjacent outer conveyor lane to the left and right can be driven by a direct drive, a shaft drive, or another drive concept.

[0018] The circulating drive element can be a drive chain. The drive chain can engage with a sprocket, which may be provided on the traction roller. A drive chain is particularly suitable for transmitting high forces or torques.

[0019] The circulating drive element can be a drive belt. In particular, the circulating drive element can be a toothed belt. This allows for precise rotation of the traction roller and thus the feed of the food product. The toothed belt can engage with corresponding teeth arranged on the traction roller. Power transmission via drive belts, especially toothed belts, also represents a low-maintenance and stable drive system.

[0020] Alternatively, a direct drive can be provided using one or more drive gears.

[0021] Preferably, the traction roller comprises a first circumferential region and a second circumferential region, wherein the drive element rotates around the second circumferential region, the diameter of the second circumferential region and of the drive element resting on it being smaller than the diameter of the first circumferential region. In particular, the diameter of the second circumferential region and of the drive element resting on it can be smaller than the diameter of the first circumferential region, so that the outer surface of the drive element rotates on a smaller circumference than the first circumferential region. The outer surface of the drive element can be located below the first circumferential region or offset further towards the central axis of the traction roller than the first circumferential region. This allows for a compact design and drive system for the traction roller, especially where the track width of the respective conveyor track is limited.Furthermore, the food product does not rest on the drive element, but is only in contact with the first circumferential section, which has the largest circumference of the traction roller, i.e., the effective diameter on the food product. This prevents contamination of the drive element, damage to the product surface, and disruptions in the food product feed. A traction roller with the described first and second circumferential sections can be provided in a central or inner conveyor track, while an outer conveyor track can be equipped with a traction roller with only one circumferential section.

[0022] The second circumferential section can be positioned laterally on the outside, i.e., at the outer left or right end of the traction roller when viewed in the conveying direction. Depending on the width of the conveyed food product and the traction roller, the food product can be positioned on the first circumferential section so that it does not extend beyond the second circumferential section or the drive mechanism. The arrangement of the first and second circumferential sections can be determined based on the application, particularly the lateral orientation of the food product, especially left or right. Thus, the traction element can be located on the product-contacting side, and the drive mechanism can be positioned on a free side of the track.

[0023] The second circumferential area and the drive means can be arranged below or inside other components, such as a separating bridge or a housing part that separates the conveyor tracks.

[0024] Alternatively, the second circumferential section can be arranged so that it is laterally surrounded to the left and right of the first circumferential section. Since the food product rests only on the first circumferential section, which has the largest diameter, the drive element and the second circumferential section can also be located in a central section of the traction roller.

[0025] The traction roller can have a diameter between 40 and 50 millimeters, at least in certain sections, particularly in the first circumferential area. This ensures optimal power and torque transmission to the food product. Furthermore, the food product rests stably, and high rotational speeds of the traction roller can be avoided. Optimal grip is achieved while preventing slippage.

[0026] The drive mechanism can be guided over the traction roller and a drive roller to transfer the rotation of the drive roller to the traction roller. This enables stable and precise drive. Furthermore, the drive roller and an associated electric motor can be arranged in a space-saving manner, for example, below or diagonally below the traction roller if the product conveying device is a product platform. A correspondingly mirrored arrangement can be provided if the product conveying device is positioned in contact with the food product from above. In particular, this can reduce or eliminate the need for additional width expansion of the product conveying device.

[0027] The drive roller can be arranged parallel to the traction roller. This ensures that the drive element runs smoothly over both the traction and drive rollers. Furthermore, this arrangement allows for optimal power transmission.

[0028] The drive element can have a width between 15 and 25 millimeters. This allows for stable power transmission, sufficient for larger or heavier food products, while requiring minimal space on the traction roller.

[0029] The propulsion system can have a width of less than 20 percent of the track width.

[0030] Preferably, the traction roller is arranged in the area of ​​the upstream half of the product conveying device, particularly on the upstream side of the product conveying device. The drive roller and a drive motor can be arranged in close proximity to the traction roller there, as there is usually more space available compared to the half or side facing the cutting unit. Furthermore, a traction roller can have a larger diameter than on the side facing the cutting unit, since a gap between the traction roller and an adjacent element, such as an edge or contact surface, is less critical due to the remaining length or contact area of ​​the food product. In particular, the traction roller can be arranged on the inlet or feed side of the product conveying device.

[0031] The traction roller can be positioned on the side adjacent to the cutting unit. This allows for particularly precise feeding directly to the cutting unit or the cutting edge. The traction roller thus serves as the final support point for the food product before the cutting unit, ensuring that even the end of the product to be cut is reliably guided to the cutting unit. The traction roller can have a reduced diameter at the downstream end of the product conveying device to minimize the gap between the traction roller and the cutting edge.

[0032] Preferably, the traction roller is arranged in the second conveyor track, which is positioned between the first and third conveyor tracks. The second conveyor track, which is therefore an inner or middle track, can thus be manufactured particularly easily and robustly. In particular, a drive with a circulating drive element, as described above, is especially advantageous because it reduces space requirements and design complexity. Specifically, a middle conveyor track with a traction roller can be added between existing left and right conveyor tracks, which can be designed as belt conveyors. This allows existing drive and conveying concepts, for example, with lateral force application, to be retained for the outer tracks, while adding a precise conveying middle track with minimal space requirements for a drive unit.

[0033] Preferably, the traction roller has a surface structure on its outer circumference with a height of less than 4 millimeters, particularly less than 2 millimeters. This allows, on the one hand, at least a partial positive engagement with the material of the food product, i.e., a certain degree of deformation, so that the force for moving the food product is transferred to it more advantageously. On the other hand, damage to the food product caused by excessively protruding surface structures is avoided. Thus, slippage or abrasion, which leads to contamination, or both, can be prevented. In particular, tearing of the surface of the food product can be avoided, which is especially relevant for softer food products.

[0034] The traction roller can have transverse grooves. These grooves can be, for example, rectangular or tapered raised areas, i.e., outer edges, extending along the traction roller perpendicular to the conveying direction. The transverse grooves can cause a corresponding deformation of the surface of the food product, thus adding a form-fit component to the frictional propulsion of the food product.

[0035] The traction roller may have nubs. This allows for a greater engagement of the traction roller with the food product material and increases the positive locking component of the force transmission. The traction roller may have bump-like structures that locally deform the product surface, but without sharp edges. These structures can be very gentle.

[0036] The traction roller may have spikes. These spikes can be protruding structures similar to knobs, but with a pointed tip. This allows for the stable feeding of heavy and solid food products, especially those with high density. The spikes can be inclined in the conveying direction. This means they can be positioned or inclined so that they are on the side of the traction roller that is in contact with the food product. This further increases the force transmission to the food product.

[0037] The outer casing of the traction roller can be made of stainless steel, particularly rust-resistant stainless steel. This makes the traction roller suitable for use in the food industry and particularly easy to clean. Furthermore, stainless steel can increase durability due to its low wear.

[0038] The outer circumference of the traction roller can be made of an elastomer. This allows for particularly gentle transport of the food product. Furthermore, an elastomer with a higher coefficient of static friction can be selected, thereby improving power transmission.

[0039] The outer circumference of the traction roller can be made of plastic. This material can be particularly easy to clean and exhibit advantageous friction and elasticity.

[0040] Preferably, two or more traction rollers are provided in a conveyor track. This allows a feed force to be transmitted to the food product at two or more contact points in the conveying direction. This reduces the likelihood of slippage, i.e., the traction roller spinning under the food product. This can improve the feed accuracy, especially with heavier food products.

[0041] The first traction roller can be positioned in the upstream half of the conveyor track and the second traction roller in the downstream half. This allows the weight of the food product to be advantageously, and especially evenly, distributed across the traction rollers. Furthermore, the contact time of the food product with at least one traction roller can be increased, ensuring that the food product is always moved with precise feed.

[0042] The first traction roller can be positioned at the upstream end and the second traction roller at the downstream end of the conveyor track. This maximizes the contact time of the food product with at least one traction roller.

[0043] The first and second traction rollers can be arranged directly next to each other within a conveyor track in the direction of conveying.

[0044] The two or more traction rollers can be driven by a common, rotating drive mechanism. This allows the rotational speed of the traction rollers to be synchronized. This enables precise feed and prevents slippage of a single traction roller. Furthermore, a design with a common drive mechanism is particularly space-saving and stable. The common drive mechanism can be a drive belt, especially a toothed belt.

[0045] In particular, three traction rollers can be provided in a conveyor track. The three traction rollers can be driven by means of a common circulating drive element, in particular a drive belt.

[0046] The third traction roller can be positioned in the area between the first and second traction rollers, and a common drive belt can engage with the first and second traction rollers on one side and with the third traction roller on the other, opposite side. This allows the drive belt to be kept under additional tension. Alternatively, the third traction roller can be positioned in a central area, particularly in the middle, between the first and second traction rollers.

[0047] The axes of the two or more traction rollers can be spaced apart in the conveying direction. This allows the weight of the food product to be advantageously distributed across the traction rollers. This reduces the mass that needs to be moved per traction roller and provides a second engagement position, further increasing the accuracy of the power transmission.

[0048] Preferably, traction rollers of different diameters are provided. This allows the transitions from an upstream conveying or processing element to a downstream conveying or processing element to be adapted to the respective conditions and geometric dimensions. Furthermore, the advantages of a small-diameter traction roller and a large-diameter traction roller can be combined. For example, the stability of the feed provided by a larger traction roller can be combined with the advantage of potentially smaller gaps to adjacent elements offered by a smaller traction roller.

[0049] If a conveyor track has two or more traction rollers, these can differ in one or more characteristics. For example, the traction rollers can have different diameters, with one traction roller potentially having circumferential sections with different diameters, while another traction roller might only have a single circumferential section. The traction rollers can have different effective diameters. If this occurs within a track, adjusting the gear ratio at the drive diameter of each roller ensures that the product surface is engaged at the same speed. The traction rollers can also have different surface textures, drive concepts, or other different characteristics. However, it is also possible for one or more traction rollers to be identical in one, several, or all characteristics.

[0050] The traction roller with the largest diameter can be positioned on the upstream side in the conveying direction. Here, the food product travels over the traction roller for a length at least equal to the distance from the cutting unit to the traction roller—that is, the length of the conveying track of the product conveying device if the traction roller is the most upstream element. Therefore, a gap between the traction roller and adjacent elements is less critical. This allows for advantageous force transmission by the traction roller with its larger diameter.

[0051] The traction roller with the smallest diameter can be positioned on the side adjacent to the cutting unit. This allows the food product to be conveyed with controlled feed right up to the cutting unit or a cutting edge. In particular, the gap between the traction roller and the cutting edge can be made exceptionally small.

[0052] A conveyor track can have three or more than three traction rollers in a conveyor track.

[0053] If a conveyor track has three or more traction rollers, a traction roller may be arranged between two traction rollers, and this middle traction roller may have a smaller diameter than the two adjacent traction rollers.

[0054] Preferably, at least one traction roller is provided in at least two of the conveying lanes. This allows the product conveying device to have a compact and stable design. Furthermore, the drive concepts can be coordinated. In addition, the feed rate of the conveying lanes can be better synchronized.

[0055] Preferably, at least two traction rollers are arranged coaxially. This allows for the symmetrical parallel feeding of two food products. Furthermore, the drives and their arrangement can be advantageously coordinated. The two coaxially arranged traction rollers can be driven via a common shaft drive, in particular a hollow shaft drive. The drive shaft of one traction roller runs inside the adjacent hollow traction roller or its hollow drive shaft.

[0056] The traction roller of one conveyor track can be positioned offset in the conveying direction relative to a traction roller of another conveyor track. This allows their drive rollers or drive shafts to also be offset, thus saving space. Furthermore, this creates additional possibilities for the arrangement of the drives, in particular for the arrangement of drive rollers to guide associated circulating drive elements.

[0057] Preferably, parallel drive shafts are provided for the traction rollers in the at least two conveyor tracks. This allows for a space-saving design in which the associated drive motors are also advantageously arranged. Furthermore, the lengths of the drive shafts can vary. The associated drive motors can also be arranged laterally, horizontally, vertically, or in combinations thereof. Likewise, circulating drive elements, in particular drive belts, can be arranged parallel or offset in all three spatial directions.

[0058] Preferably, one or more free-running support rollers are arranged in at least one of the conveyor lanes. The support rollers serve to support the food product in areas where a driven traction roller is not necessary or possible. The use of support rollers eliminates the need for a support belt. The support rollers can differ from the traction rollers in one or more features. For example, the support rollers can have a different diameter, a different surface structure, and be made of different materials. However, the support rollers can also be identical to the traction rollers, differing only in that they are not driven. The support rollers can be associated with the traction rollers, particularly in terms of positioning, function, type, or several of these.

[0059] The support roller can have a substantially flat, and in particular smooth, surface along its circumference. This reduces or eliminates friction between the support roller and the food product, and thus resistance during the feeding of the food product. Furthermore, this surface makes the support roller easy to clean.

[0060] The support roller can be arranged upstream of a traction roller. The support roller can be arranged upstream of a traction roller and directly adjacent to it. The traction roller and upstream support roller can be arranged in the upstream half of the product conveying device. The traction roller and upstream support roller can be arranged on the upstream side of the product conveying device.

[0061] The support roller can be arranged downstream of a traction roller. The support roller can be arranged downstream of a traction roller and directly adjacent to it. The traction roller and downstream support roller can be arranged in the downstream half of the product conveying device. The traction roller and downstream support roller can be arranged on the downstream side of the product conveying device, namely the side facing the cutting unit.

[0062] The support roller can be positioned between two traction rollers. The support roller can be positioned between two traction rollers and directly adjacent to at least one of the two traction rollers, or directly adjacent to both traction rollers.

[0063] A support roller can be positioned lower, in particular minimally lower, than a traction roller. A support roller can be positioned lower, in particular minimally lower, than an associated or adjacent traction roller.

[0064] A support roller can be mounted on springs. A support roller can be more elastic than a traction roller. A support roller can be more elastic than an associated or adjacent traction roller. This can improve the interaction between the traction roller and the product surface.

[0065] One or more support elements, in particular sliding plates, can be arranged in at least one of the conveying lanes. The support element provides a contact surface on which the food product can rest and slide during conveying. The support element can be particularly easy to manufacture, as it does not need to include any rotating components or components that otherwise follow the movement of the food product. Ideally, the contact surface of the support element that comes into contact with the food product is designed in such a way as to minimize frictional resistance for the food product sliding on it.

[0066] The support element can have a substantially flat, in particular smooth, contact surface intended to come into contact with the food product. The contact surface can therefore be free of unevenness, roughness, protrusions, and the like. The contact surface can be polished, in particular a polished metal surface. The contact surface can be coated, in particular Teflon-coated. The contact surface can have a microscopic, in particular molecular, microstructure which, due to molecular or atomic protrusions, exhibits a reduced coefficient of friction.

[0067] The support element can have a substantially flat contact surface.

[0068] The support element can have a convex contact surface, at least in some sections. This can further reduce the tendency of the food product to stick to the contact surface. It also improves the sliding of the food product onto the support element, as the food product does not have to overcome an edge. This also helps prevent damage to the food product.

[0069] The support element can be height-adjustable. This allows the support element to be adjusted to the size of the adjacent rollers, in particular so that the support surface is flush with the apex of the rollers, thus forming a flat conveying surface. A support element can be positioned lower, in particular slightly lower, than a traction roller. A support element can be positioned lower, in particular slightly lower, than an associated or adjacent traction roller.

[0070] A support element can be mounted on a spring-like bearing. A support element can be more elastic than a traction roller. A support element can be more elastic than an associated or adjacent traction roller. This can improve the interaction between the traction roller and the product surface.

[0071] The support element can be arranged upstream of a traction roller. The support element can be arranged upstream of a traction roller and directly adjacent to that traction roller. The traction roller and the upstream support element can be arranged in the upstream half of the product conveying device. The traction roller and the upstream support element can be arranged on the upstream side of the product conveying device.

[0072] The support element can be arranged downstream of a traction roller. The support element can be arranged downstream of a traction roller and directly adjacent to this traction roller. The traction roller and the downstream support element can be arranged in the downstream half of the product conveying device. The traction roller and the downstream support element can be arranged on the downstream side of the product conveying device, namely the side facing the cutting unit.

[0073] The support element can be arranged between two traction rollers. The support element can be arranged between two traction rollers and directly adjacent to at least one of the two traction rollers, or directly adjacent to both traction rollers.

[0074] The product conveying device can be a lower product support. For force transmission during the feeding of the food product, it may be sufficient that the product rests on the traction roller by its own weight.

[0075] The product conveying device can be designed to feed the food product into the system from above. Such a top feed can be provided as an alternative to, or in addition to, a bottom feed. The top feed can be brought into the system by applying a contact force or pressure to the food product.

[0076] The product conveying device can be a lower product support, with an additional upper roller of the traction roller assigned in a vertical direction.

[0077] The product conveying device can consist of a lower product support, with an additional upper traction roller positioned perpendicular to the conveying direction. The line connecting the centers or axes of the lower traction roller and the opposing upper roller can form a right angle with the conveying direction. The upper roller, opposite the lower traction roller, can be a passive roller or a driven traction roller. The food product can be clamped between the two rollers by the pressure exerted by them against each other, particularly during the feed. This pressure can be generated by a suitable active or passive element, such as a spring, on the lower traction roller or the upper roller, or by both, or by the compliance of at least one of the traction rollers or the upper roller. Thus, the food product can be clamped between the two rollers.This can result in improved traction when conveying the food product. Clamping allows for more precise feeding.

[0078] At least one of the conveyor tracks can have a conveying surface which is at least partially formed by means of a conveyor belt.

[0079] The product conveying device can be designed as a cassette that can be removed and inserted into a cassette holder, with the cassette comprising at least the first conveying track, the second conveying track, and the third conveying track. This allows different cassette or product conveying device configurations to be easily interchanged and, for example, used for different types of food products. The various cassettes can have a different number of conveying tracks. The conveying tracks of one cassette can have a different width than the conveying tracks of another cassette. Drive motors can be provided on or in the cassette holder and remain there when the cassette is removed. Drive connections can be disconnected or couplings released when the cassette is removed.

[0080] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a food slicing machine with a slicing unit and a product conveying device according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0081] The food slicer can have a cassette holder, whereby the product feeder can be removed and inserted into the cassette holder. This allows the food slicer to be adapted to different food products.

[0082] The food slicing machine can include a first drive shaft, wherein the first drive shaft is arranged coaxially to a traction roller of the product conveying device, and a coupling is provided that couples the drive shaft to the traction roller. This allows a drive motor to remain in the food slicing machine when the cassette is replaced.

[0083] The food slicer can include a second drive shaft, the second drive shaft being connected to the traction roller by a rotating drive element to drive the traction roller. By releasing or loosening the drive element, the cassette can be freed so that it can be removed.

[0084] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for removing a cassette from a food slicing machine, wherein the cassette has a first conveying track, a second conveying track, and a third conveying track, wherein the first, second, and third conveying tracks are each designed to independently feed a food product to a slicing unit, and wherein one of the first, second, or third conveying tracks comprises a traction roller, the traction roller being designed to come into conveying contact with a food product and to feed it to the slicing unit, wherein the method comprises the following steps: Disconnecting a drive connection between a drive and the traction roller, and removing the cassette from a cassette holder.

[0085] Releasing the drive connection can involve loosening a circulating drive element. This loosening can be achieved by tilting the cassette. The drive element can be a drive belt.

[0086] Disconnecting the drive connection can involve unhooking a rotating drive element from a drive roller, where the drive roller is part of the cassette housing. The drive roller can remain in the cassette housing while the cassette is removed.

[0087] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to the use of a traction roller for conveying food products to a cutting knife in a product conveying device with at least three independent conveying lanes, wherein the traction roller is designed to come into contact with a food product.

[0088] According to a fifth, unclaimed aspect, a product conveying device for feeding food products to a slicing unit of a food slicing machine is hereby disclosed, comprising a cassette, wherein the cassette is detachably arranged in the product conveying device. The product conveying device further comprises a first traction roller, wherein the first traction roller forms a first conveying track with the cassette and the first traction roller is designed to come into conveying contact with a food product and feed it to the slicing unit.

[0089] This allows the cassette to be removed for cleaning, while the traction roller can remain in the product conveying device and be cleaned there.

[0090] The product conveying device may include a cassette holder. The cassette may be detachably arranged in the cassette holder. The cassette holder may include the first traction roller.

[0091] The cassette can include one or more free-running support rollers, which together with the first traction roller form the first conveyor track.

[0092] The cassette can include one or more support elements. In particular, if the cassette only includes support rollers or support elements, or both, but no driven traction rollers, then no drive trains need to be disconnected and the cassette can be easily removed.

[0093] The product conveying device may include a first drive shaft. The first drive shaft may be arranged coaxially with the first traction roller.

[0094] The product conveying device can include a second traction roller. The second traction roller can be arranged coaxially to the first traction roller. This allows two food products to be conveyed simultaneously and in parallel.

[0095] The product conveying device may include a second drive shaft. The second drive shaft may be arranged coaxially with the second traction roller.

[0096] The cassette can include one or more free-running support rollers, which together with the second traction roller form a second conveyor track.

[0097] The product conveying device may include a third traction roller.

[0098] The cassette can include one or more free-running support rollers, which together with the third traction roller form a third conveyor track.

[0099] The third traction roller can be driven by a circulating drive mechanism.

[0100] The third traction roller can comprise a first circumferential area and a second circumferential area, wherein the drive means rotates around the second circumferential area, the diameter of the second circumferential area and of the drive means resting on it being smaller than the diameter of the first circumferential area.

[0101] The product conveying device may include a third drive shaft, wherein the third drive shaft is connected to the third traction roller by the circulating drive means in order to drive the third traction roller.

[0102] The third traction roller can be arranged coaxially to the first traction roller and the second traction roller.

[0103] The product conveying device can include a fourth traction roller, and the cassette can include one or more free-running support rollers which, together with the fourth traction roller, form a fourth conveying track. This allows up to four food products to be conveyed in parallel.

[0104] The fourth traction roller can be driven by a circulating drive mechanism.

[0105] The fourth traction roller can comprise a first circumferential area and a second circumferential area, wherein the drive means rotates around the second circumferential area, the diameter of the second circumferential area and of the drive means resting on it being smaller than the diameter of the first circumferential area.

[0106] The product conveying device may include a fourth drive shaft, wherein the fourth drive shaft is connected to the fourth traction roller by the circulating drive means in order to drive the fourth traction roller.

[0107] The fourth traction roller can be arranged coaxially to the first traction roller, the second traction roller, and the third traction roller.

[0108] The product conveying device can comprise two or more coaxially arranged traction rollers and the cassette can comprise two or more free-running support rollers, each traction roller forming a conveying track with at least one support roller.

[0109] The two or more traction rollers can be arranged coaxially and mounted on a common bearing.

[0110] The traction rollers, which are mounted together, can be removable within the product conveying device. Alternatively, the traction rollers can be mounted together with their common bearing, allowing for removal within the product conveying device. This enables the cassette to be removed, and the traction rollers themselves to be removed and cleaned as a separate unit.

[0111] The one or more coaxially arranged traction rollers can be detachably mounted in the product conveying device by means of a coupling at each of the outermost lateral left and right sides. The traction rollers can, for example, be easily pulled out of the coupling.

[0112] The cassette may have a recess that allows it to be detachably attached to a holding element. This enables the cassette to be removed and inserted without tools.

[0113] The cassette can have an essentially circular arc-shaped recess by means of which the cassette can be detachably attached to an essentially circular cylindrical holding element.

[0114] The cassette can have an essentially circular arc-shaped recess by means of which the cassette can be detachably attached to an essentially circular cylindrical shaft guide.

[0115] One leg, one leg, or both legs of the recess can be elastically bendable. This allows the legs to bend outwards during installation and removal, and then, in the installed final position, to enclose the retaining element.

[0116] The retaining element can have a notch onto which the cassette recess can be attached. This limits or prevents lateral displacement of the cassette.

[0117] The cassette can comprise a cassette frame and a roller module, with the roller module being detachably arranged in the cassette frame. This allows different roller modules, for example to provide a different number of conveyor lanes, to be arranged in the cassette frame.

[0118] The roller module can include one or more free-running support rollers in a conveyor track. These serve to support and transport the food module to the cutting unit.

[0119] The roller module can be mounted in the cassette frame with height adjustment via an eccentric mechanism. This allows the height of the support rollers of a cutting edge of the slicing unit to be adjusted.

[0120] At least one support roller of the cassette can be positioned upstream of a traction roller when the cassette is installed in the product conveying device. This allows for additional upstream support of the food product, or the traction roller can be positioned closer to the cutting plane, or both.

[0121] At least one support roller of the cassette can be arranged upstream of a traction roller and at least one support roller of the cassette can be arranged downstream of a traction roller when the cassette is installed in the product conveying device.

[0122] In each of the one or more conveying lanes, at least one support roller can be arranged upstream of the respective traction roller when the cassette is installed in the product conveying device.

[0123] The one or more traction rollers can be arranged downstream of the holding element to which the cassette can be attached in the product conveying device.

[0124] The first traction roller can be located downstream of a first drive shaft in the product conveying device.

[0125] The one or more traction rollers can be arranged downstream of their respective driving shaft in the product conveying device.

[0126] The traction roller of the outermost right or left conveyor track (when viewed in the conveying direction), or of both tracks, can be driven by a circulating drive mechanism. Therefore, the drive shaft for each of these traction rollers can also be offset from the roller axis.

[0127] The traction roller of the outermost right or left conveyor track (as viewed in the conveying direction), or both traction rollers, can each be driven by a rotating drive element. Each traction roller has a roller section that extends laterally beyond the width of the support rollers, and the drive element rotates around this roller section. This places the rotating drive element outside the actual conveyor track, thus preventing contact with the food product.

[0128] Each traction roller can comprise a first circumferential area and a second circumferential area, with the respective drive element rotating around the second circumferential area. The diameter of the second circumferential area and of the drive element resting on it is smaller than the diameter of the first circumferential area. Thus, the food product rests only on the first circumferential area and does not come into contact with the drive element.

[0129] According to a sixth, unclaimed aspect, a food slicing machine with a slicing unit and a product conveying device according to the embodiments described above is hereby disclosed.

[0130] According to a seventh, unclaimed aspect, a method for removing a cassette from a product conveying device is hereby disclosed, wherein the cassette comprises one or more support rollers, the support rollers together with a traction roller of the product conveying device forming a conveying track, and wherein the traction roller is designed to come into conveying contact with a food product and to feed it to a cutting unit, the method comprising the following steps: Pulling off a recess of the cassette from a holding element of the product conveying device that is at least partially enclosed, and removing the cassette from the product conveying device. Removal can therefore be carried out easily and without tools.

[0131] The recess of the cassette can be essentially arc-shaped and the retaining element can be essentially cylindrical.

[0132] Removing the cassette can include unlocking it. This allows the cassette to be secured in the installed position, preventing unintentional movement or removal.

[0133] The removal process can involve pivoting the cassette by an angle ranging from 45 degrees to 90 degrees.

[0134] The cassette can include a cassette frame and a roller module, and the removal of the cassette can include the removal of the roller module from the cassette frame.

[0135] According to an eighth, unclaimed aspect, the use of a cassette in a product conveying device for conveying food products to a cutting blade in a food slicing machine is hereby disclosed, wherein the cassette comprises a support roller and the product conveying device comprises a traction roller, the support roller forming a conveying track with the traction roller.

[0136] The product conveying device according to the first aspect of the invention and the food slicing machine according to the second aspect of the invention can be used in a method according to the third aspect of the invention. The method according to the third aspect of the invention can be carried out with a product conveying device according to the first aspect of the invention and a food slicing machine according to the second aspect of the invention. The use of a traction roller for conveying food products according to the fourth aspect of the invention can be carried out in a product conveying device according to the first aspect of the invention and a food slicing machine according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0137] The product conveying device according to the fifth aspect and the food slicer according to the sixth aspect can be used in a process according to the seventh aspect. The process according to the seventh aspect can be carried out with a product conveying device according to the fifth aspect and a food slicer according to the sixth aspect. The use of a cassette for conveying food products according to the eighth aspect can be carried out in a product conveying device according to the fifth aspect and a food slicer according to the sixth aspect.

[0138] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail with reference to the figures. These figures show Figure 1 : a food processing line, Figure 2 : a perspective view of a food slicer, Figure 3 : a perspective sectional view of a food slicer, Figure 4: a perspective sectional view of a food slicer, Figure 5 : a schematic view of the first conveyor track of a product conveying device, Figure 6 : a perspective view of a cassette, Figure 7 : a perspective sectional view of the cassette according to Figure 6 , Figure 8 : a perspective view of a cassette of another embodiment, Figure 9 : a side sectional view of the cassette after Figure 8 , Figure 10 : a perspective view of a cassette of another embodiment, Figure 11 : a perspective view of a product conveying device according to the fifth aspect of the invention, Figure 12 : a perspective view of the product conveying device of Figure 11 without cassette, Figure 13 : a perspective view of a cassette of the product conveying device from Figure 11 , Figure 14 : a perspective view of the product conveying device of Figure 11with the cassette swivelled upwards, Figure 15 : a perspective view of another embodiment of a cassette with cassette frame and upward-swiveled roller module, Figure 16 : a perspective view of a roller module of the cassette of Figure 15 , Figure 17 : a perspective view of a cassette frame of the cassette of Figure 15 , Figure 18 : a schematic view of a further embodiment of a product conveying device according to the fifth aspect of the invention.

[0139] Corresponding components are each provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0140] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a food processing line 1 with several processing stations along a conveyor direction 100. A block of food 3, for example, a block of cheese, is fed to a block divider 5 to be divided, for example, into four elongated food products, each with a smaller height and width than the original block of food 3. The food products are then analyzed in a scanner 7, for example, an X-ray scanner. This allows, for example, the external dimensions of the food products to be recorded, their internal density structure to be determined, or both. In the subsequent food slicer 9, the food products are sliced ​​into food slices by means of a slicing unit 11. Interleaving sheets can be inserted between the slices using a separator inserter 13, also called an "interleaver".A portioning unit 15, onto which the cut slices initially fall, determines the arrangement and number of slices in a food portion through the movement of its conveying unit. A continuous checkweigher 17 verifies the portion weight. A desired number of food portions can be lined up on a subsequent buffer 19 to then be processed as portion groups or format sets in the following stations. In a loading station 21, the food portions are placed into packaging trays, for example, using a picking robot or a belt conveyor. In a subsequent packaging machine 23, the packaging trays filled with food portions are closed, for example, sealed. The closed packages are then labeled and separated.

[0141] Figure 2Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a food slicer 9 with a slicing unit 11 configured to slice food products from four conveyor lanes along a cutting edge 27 using a rotating sickle-shaped cutting blade 25. A blade guard 29 covers the rotating cutting blade 25 and can be folded upwards for blade replacement. The sliced ​​pieces fall onto a portioning belt 31, configured to produce food portions, i.e., stacks of slices with the desired number and arrangement, for example, stacked or shingled portions, and then convey them further.Upstream of the cutting unit 11 is a four-lane infeed belt 33, a four-lane product conveyor belt 35 with central dividers 37, and between the product conveyor belt 35 and the cutting unit 11 a product conveying device according to the invention, which is largely concealed here due to the housing parts.

[0142] The product conveyor belt 35 can be pivoted upwards about an axis located on its downstream side, so that a product gripper 39 can grasp the rear end of the food products in the conveying direction. The food products are fed diagonally downwards in the conveying direction 100 towards the slicing unit 11. A control unit 41 in the form of a touchscreen is used to operate the food slicing machine 9 and to display operating parameters. A protective cover 43 can be folded upwards to provide access to the product guide.

[0143] Figure 3Figure 9 shows a perspective sectional view of a food slicer 9. The feed conveyor 33 moves a food product (not shown) onto the product conveyor 35. A sensor 45 can detect the length of the food product. The sensor 45 can be a photoelectric barrier or a laser sensor. The product conveyor 35 is in Figure 3 in a lower, horizontal position and can be swivelled about a rotation axis of 200° into an upper, inclined position, as in Figure 4As shown. From the product conveyor belt 35, the food product is moved onto the product conveying device 47 according to the invention, which is located upstream of the cutting edge 27, in order to be fed to the sickle blade 25 by means of the product conveying device 47. In this embodiment, the product conveying device 47 has a first and second traction roller 49, a support roller 51 and a support element 53. An upper product feed 55 additionally comes into contact with the food product from above with a driven feed belt 57 to support the feed movement. In addition, the product gripper 39 is configured to grip the rear end of the food product in order to further control the feed movement. The separating sheet inserter orInterleaver 13 provides a flow of separating sheet material 59, controlled by the cutting process, in particular by clocking. This material can be inserted between or under the discs as individually cut separating sheets. A discharge conveyor 61 serves to transport the initial and final discs and can rotate clockwise in the view shown here.

[0144] Figure 4 shows a perspective cutaway view of the food slicer as in Figures 2 and 3, however, with the product conveyor belt 35 pivoted upwards about the axis of rotation 200. In this upper position of the product conveyor belt 35, the food product is fed to the cutting unit 11 along the conveying direction 100 by means of the product conveying device 47. Additionally, the upper product feed 55, the product conveyor belt 35, and the product gripper 39, which engages with the upstream end of the food product, support the most precise possible feed. The product conveying device 47 has two traction rollers 49, a support roller 51, and a support element 53. Some elements, such as the separating sheet inserter 13 and the portioning unit 15, have been omitted from this illustration for the sake of clarity.

[0145] Figure 5Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a first conveyor track 10 of a three-track product conveying device 47. A second conveyor track 20 and a third conveyor track 30 are indicated by dashed placeholders. The conveyor track 10 has an upstream and a downstream traction roller 49, a support roller 51, and a support element 53, which together are aligned to form a substantially flat conveying surface for a food product 63. The traction rollers 49, the support roller 51, and the support element 53 may also deviate slightly from the common, ideal support or conveying plane, in particular due to the effective diameter of the traction rollers 49 or to achieve a desired grip. The traction rollers 49 are each connected by means of a drive shaft 65 to a drive 67, for example, an electric motor, in particular a servo motor.The support element 53 is mounted on a lifting mechanism 69, allowing the support element 53 to be adjusted in height. The traction rollers 49 and the support roller 51 are mounted on a frame 71, which has passages for the drive shafts 65. The frame 71 can be located on either side of the conveyor track 10 and can be used to mount the components of the other conveyor tracks 20 and 30. The support element 53 can also be mounted on the frame 71 or on an associated support. The conveyor tracks 20 and 30 can have the same design as the conveyor track 10, but they can also be designed differently.

[0146] Figure 6Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a product conveying device 47 in the form of a removable cassette 73 with four conveying tracks 10, 20, 30, 40. Each of the conveying tracks 10, 20, 30, 40 has three support rollers 51, a support element 53, and a traction roller 49. The cassette 73 is removable from a cassette receptacle 75, which is indicated here by a right and a left dashed frame element. The first drive shaft 65 is part of the cassette receptacle 75 and is detachably connected coaxially to the traction roller 49 of the first conveying track 10 via a coupling 77. A second drive shaft 79 runs parallel to the traction roller 49 of the second conveying track 20 and is connected to the traction roller 49 of the second conveying track 20 via a circulating drive element 81 in the form of a drive belt. A drive corresponding to the second conveyor track 20 is provided for the third conveyor track 30.A drive corresponding to the first conveyor track 10 is provided for the fourth conveyor track 40. As in . Figure 7 In more detail, the traction rollers 49 of the second conveyor track 20 and third conveyor track 30 have a first, structured circumferential area, which is intended to come into contact with the food product 63, and a second circumferential area around which the drive element rotates. The diameter of the first circumferential area is larger than the diameter of the second circumferential area and of the drive element 81 resting on it. An inner section of the second drive shaft 79 is designed as a drive roller 83 over which the drive element 81 rotates.

[0147] Figure 7 shows a perspective sectional view of cassette 73 from Figure 6, in a vertical section along a lateral section axis through the traction rollers 49. A section of the second conveyor track 20 and third conveyor track 30 is shown. The traction rollers 49 have a first circumferential area 85 and a second circumferential area 87, wherein the first circumferential area 85 is intended for the support of the food product 63 and the second circumferential area 87 is intended for engagement with the circulating drive element 81. The first circumferential area 85 has a first diameter 50. The second circumferential area 87 has a second diameter 60. The sum of the thickness of the circulating drive element 81 and the second diameter 60 yields the third and second diameters, respectively.The total diameter 70 of the second circumferential region 87 is smaller than the first diameter 50 of the first circumferential region 85, so that the food product 63 does not rest on the rotating drive element 81 even if the width of the food product 63 is greater than the width of the first circumferential region 85. The traction rollers 49 have a surface structure 89 in the form of transverse grooves with tapered outer edges and a height 80. The sum of the thickness of the rotating drive element 81 and the second diameter 60 is, in particular, smaller than the effective diameter of the first circumferential region 85 or of the traction roller 49. The outer surface, orThe upper surface of the circulating drive element 81 is lower than the underside of the product, even when the underside of the product engages or interacts with structures of the traction roller 49, i.e., even when the food product 63 penetrates between the surface structure 89, for example between transverse grooves, of the traction roller 49.

[0148] Figure 8 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cassette 73 with four conveyor tracks 10, 20, 30, 40 in a further embodiment. As in the embodiment of Figure 7The upstream traction rollers 49 of the two middle tracks 20, 30 are each driven by the rotating drive elements 81, which in turn are driven by the second drive shafts 79. Additionally, the drive element 81 also runs over the second, downstream traction roller 91 to drive it as well. The outer conveyor tracks 10, 40 also each have second, downstream traction rollers 91. Second rotating drive elements 93 run around the traction rollers 49, 91 of the outer conveyor tracks 10, 40, so that the rotation of the first traction roller 49 also drives the second traction roller 91. The first traction roller 49 is driven by the coupling 77 from the Figures 5 and 6 The first drive shaft 65 shown is driven.

[0149] In addition, all conveyor tracks 10, 20, 30, 40 each have two third traction rollers 95, which also have a surface structure in the form of a transverse groove and are driven by the respective circulating drive means 81, 93.

[0150] Figure 9 shows a side sectional view of a cassette 73 of the embodiment according to Figure 8The first circulating drive element 81, in the form of a toothed belt, runs over the drive shaft 79, the first traction roller 49, the second traction roller 91, and the two third traction rollers 95 of the second conveyor lane 20. The second circulating drive element 93, in the form of a toothed belt, runs over the first traction roller 49, the second traction roller 91, and the two third traction rollers 95 of the first conveyor lane 10. The first traction rollers 49 have a diameter 50, which is larger than the diameter 90 of the second traction rollers 91. The first circumferential area 85 of the traction rollers 49, 91 has a serrated surface structure 89, the outermost extension of which, as already described in Figure 7The surface structure 89 is shown to extend beyond the circumferential drive means 81, 93, so that a food product 63 rests on the surface structure 89 but not on the drive means 81, 93. In this embodiment, the second circumferential areas 87 have a toothed surface, which engages with the drive means 81, 93 in the form of a toothed belt. The traction rollers 95 are designed accordingly.

[0151] Figure 10Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cassette 73 of a further embodiment. In this embodiment, the rotating drive element 93 of the first conveyor track 10 is guided such that its first, inner side 97 engages with the outer traction rollers 49, 91, and its second outer side 99, opposite the first, is in contact with the middle traction rollers 95. Thus, the drive element 93 is guided further away from the food product 63 in certain sections and is also tensioned. The first traction roller 49 is rotatable about the first axis of rotation 300, and the second traction roller 91 is rotatable about the second axis of rotation 400.

[0152] Figure 11Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a product conveying device 101 of a further embodiment according to the fifth aspect of the invention. The product conveying device 101 comprises a cassette receptacle 103, which is essentially formed by the frame 105 and the cylindrical shaft guide 107. The product conveying device 101 also comprises the detachably arranged cassette 109. In this variant, the cassette 109 includes the free-running support rollers 51. The four traction rollers 49, which in this embodiment are not part of the cassette 109, are arranged coaxially in the product conveying device 101. The product conveying device 101 is designed with four tracks. The upper apex points of the support rollers 51 can be at exactly the same height as the upper apex point of the respective traction roller 49, but they can also be aligned at a slightly different height. The food products 63 are conveyed along the conveying direction 100.In this embodiment, the left conveyor track is designated as the first conveyor track 10, the right conveyor track as the second conveyor track 20, and the middle conveyor tracks as the third conveyor track 30 and fourth conveyor track 40. The traction roller 49 of the first conveyor track 10 is driven by the first, coaxially arranged drive shaft 111. The traction roller 49 of the second conveyor track 20 is driven by the second, coaxially arranged drive shaft 113. This designation for the first and second conveyor tracks 10 and 20 was chosen because it corresponds to the basic configuration of a two-track machine, where a right and left conveyor track 10 and 20 are each driven on one side by their respective drive shafts 111 and 113. Middle tracks are added as an extension of this concept, along with their respective separate drive shafts 115 and 117. The traction roller 49 of the third conveyor track 30 is driven by a parallel offset third drive shaft 115.The traction roller 49 of the fourth conveyor track 40 is driven by a parallel, offset fourth drive shaft 117. Drive rollers 83 are arranged at the ends of the third and fourth drive shafts 115 and 117. The traction rollers 49 of the third and fourth conveyor tracks 30 and 40 have a first circumferential section 85 and a second circumferential section 87, and a rotating drive element 81 rotates around the second circumferential section 87 and the drive roller 83 to drive the traction rollers 49. The circumference of the second circumferential section 87 with the drive element 81 is smaller than the circumference of the first circumferential section 85. The cassette 109 has arcuate recesses 121 on its lateral parts of the cassette frame 119, by means of which the cassette 109 is mounted onto the circular cylindrical shaft guides 107. The shaft guides 107 have additional notches 123 which also fix the cassette 109 laterally.

[0153] Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the product conveying device 101 of Figure 11 Without cassette 109. The drive motors 67 for the respective drive shafts 111, 113, 115, 117 can be seen on the side of the frame 105. The four traction rollers 49 are mounted on a common bearing 125, which is supported by a support 127 on a crossbeam-like transverse element 129 of the frame 105. The traction rollers 49, together with the bearing 125, can be removed from the product conveying device 101 by loosening the support 127, pulling the bearing 125 with the traction rollers 49 downwards out of the couplings 77, and loosening the flanges 131 of the drive rollers 83 to detach the drive elements 81. The notch 123, onto which the cassette 109 is placed, can be seen on the shaft guide 107.

[0154] Figure 13shows a perspective view of a cassette 109 of the product conveying device 101 of Figure 11 In the cassette frame 119, four support rollers 51 are arranged for each conveyor lane 10, 20, 30, 40. Each of the lateral sections of the cassette frame 119 has a circular arc-shaped recess 121, which is in turn formed or enclosed by a first leg 133 and a second leg 135. One or both legs 133, 135 can be elastically lined, so that the recess 121 can be attached to the circular cylindrical shaft guide 107. A lateral handle 137 serves for handling, to pivot and remove the cassette 109 from a locking mechanism.

[0155] Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the product conveying device 101 of Figure 11Viewed from the opposite direction of conveyance 100, with the cassette 109 pivoted upwards for removal. To remove the cassette 109, a locking mechanism 139 is opened, for example by pulling a spring-loaded bolt outwards. The cassette 109 is then pivoted upwards and pulled off the cylindrical shaft guide 107.

[0156] Figure 15 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a cassette 109 with cassette frame 119 and roller module 141 pivoted upwards. The roller module 141 is mounted on the cassette frame 119 and can be removed from it. This allows the roller module 141 to be replaced, for example, to provide a different number of conveyor tracks 10, 20, 30, 40.

[0157] Figure 16 shows a perspective view of a roller module 141 of cassette 109 of Figure 15The roller module 141 can be mounted on internal lateral supports by means of recesses 143 (see Figure 17 The roller module 141 can be attached to the cassette frame 119. An eccentric 145 allows the roller module 141 to be adjusted in height relative to the cassette frame 119, for example to slightly adjust the height with respect to a cutting edge.

[0158] Figure 17 shows a perspective view of the cassette frame 119 of cassette 109 of Figure 15 The recesses 143 of the roller module 141 can be attached to the side supports 147 in order to place the roller module 141 in the cassette frame 119.

[0159] Figure 18Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of a product conveying device 101 according to the fifth aspect of the invention. In this embodiment, the traction rollers 49 are arranged offset from the drive shafts 111, 113, 115, 117 in the conveying direction 100 and are thus positioned closer to a cutting edge. Circulating drive means 81 extend from the drive shafts 111, 113, 115, 117, of which the first drive shaft 111 and the second drive shaft 113 are shown here, to the traction rollers in order to drive them. For this purpose, the inner traction rollers 49 of the third conveyor track 30 and the fourth conveyor track 40 have a first circumferential area 85 and a second circumferential area 87, wherein the drive means 81 revolves around the second circumferential area 87, wherein the diameter 60 of the second circumferential area 87 and of the drive means 81 resting on it is smaller than the diameter 50 of the first circumferential area 85 (cf. Figure 7Thus, the circulating drive element 81 does not come into contact with the conveyed food product 63, which rests on the first circumferential area 85. The third and fourth drive shafts 115, 117 are offset downwards relative to the traction rollers 49. In the illustrated embodiment, the third and fourth drive shafts 115, 117 are offset downwards but are in the same position in the conveying direction 100 as the first and second drive shafts 111, 113. However, they could also be positioned further downstream in the conveying direction 100. The cassette 109 contains the free-running support rollers 51, which can therefore be removed together. For each conveyor lane 10, 20, 30, 40, there are two support rollers 51 upstream of the traction roller 49 and one support roller 51 downstream of the traction roller 49. The traction rollers 49 of the outer conveyor lanes 10, 20 include outwardly pointing roller extensions 149 around which the drive means 81 rotate.This means that the drive means 81 are arranged outside the conveying tracks 10, 20, the conveying tracks 10, 20 being formed by the traction rollers 49 with their first circumferential section 85 and the width of the support rollers 51. In the illustrated embodiment, the roller extensions 149 also have a smaller diameter than the remaining part of the traction rollers 49.

Claims

1. A product conveying apparatus (47) for supplying food products (63) to a slicing unit (11) of a food slicing machine (9), comprising: a first conveying track (10), a second conveying track (20), and a third conveying track (30), wherein the first, second and third conveying tracks (10, 20, 30) are each configured to independently supply a respective food product (64) to the slicing unit (11), characterized in that one of the first, second and third conveying tracks (10, 20, 30) comprises a traction roll (49, 91, 95), wherein the traction roll (49, 91, 95) is configured to come into conveying contact with a food product (63) and to supply the same to the slicing unit (11).

2. The product conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the traction roll (49, 91, 95) can be driven by a revolving drive in means (81, 93).

3. The product conveying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the traction roll (49, 91, 95) comprises a first circumferential region (85) and a second circumferential region (87), wherein the driving means (81, 93) revolves about the second circumferential region (87), and wherein the diameter of the second circumferential region (87) and of the drive means (81, 93) supported thereon is smaller than the diameter of the first circumferential region (85).

4. The product conveying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the traction roll (49, 91, 95) is disposed in the region of the upstream half of the product conveying apparatus (47) in the conveying direction (100), in particular at the upstream side of the product conveying apparatus (47) in the conveying direction (100).

5. The product conveying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the traction roll (49, 91, 95) is disposed in the second conveying track (20) and wherein the second conveying track (20) is interposed between the first conveying track (10) and the third conveying track (30).

6. The product conveying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the traction roll (49, 91, 95) includes a surface structure (89) having a height (80) of less than 4 mm, in particular less than 2 mm, at its outer circumference.

7. The product conveying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein two or more than two traction rolls (49, 91, 95) are provided in one conveying track (10, 20, 30).

8. The product conveying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein traction rolls (49, 91, 95) having different diameters are provided.

9. The product conveying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in at least two of the conveying tracks (10, 20, 30) at least one traction roll (49, 91, 95) is provided.

10. The product conveying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two traction rolls (49, 91, 95) are arranged coaxially.

11. The product conveying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein parallel drive shafts (65, 79) are provided for the traction rolls (49, 91, 95) in the at least two conveying tracks (10, 20, 30).

12. The product conveying apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more freewheeling support rolls (51) are disposed in at least one of the conveying tracks (10, 20, 30).

13. A food slicing machine (9) comprising a slicing unit (11) and a product conveying apparatus (47) according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. A method for removing a cartridge (73) from a food slicing machine (9), wherein the cartridge (73) includes a first conveying track (10), a second conveying track (20) and a third conveying track (30), wherein the first, second and third conveying tracks (10, 20, 30) are each configured to independently supply a respective food product (64) to a slicing unit (11), and wherein one of the first, second and third conveying tracks (10, 20, 30) comprises a traction roll (49, 91, 95), wherein the traction roll (49, 91, 95) is configured to come into conveying contact with a food product (63) and to supply the same to the slicing unit (11), wherein the method comprises the following steps: releasing a drive coupling between a drive (67) and the traction roll (49, 91, 95), and removing the cartridge (73) from a cartridge receptacle (75).

15. Use of a traction roll (49, 91, 95) for conveying food products (63) towards a slicing blade (25) in a product conveying apparatus (47) comprising at least three independent conveying tracks (10, 20, 30), wherein the traction roll is configured to come into contact with a foodstuff.

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